The Daughters of Ys by MT Anderson, Jo Rioux
Publisher: First Second
Special thanks to Raincoast Books for sending a copy for review.
Summary:
Ys, city of wealth and wonder, has a history of dark secrets. Queen Malgven used magic to raise the great walls that keep Ys safe from the tumultuous sea. But after the queen’s inexplicable death, her daughters drift apart. Rozenn, the heir to the throne, spends her time on the moors communing with wild animals, while Dahut, the youngest, enjoys the splendors of royal life and is eager to take part in palace intrigue (Goodreads).
Thoughts:
I picked up this graphic novel because of its beautiful cover art. The Daughters of Ys was by far one of the best graphic novels I read in 2020. Based on an ancient Breton folktale, The Daughters of Ys centers around the kingdom of Ys, and the King’s two daughters, Rozann and Dahut.
Dahut and Rozann are both vivid protagonists. Although very different, they compliment each other in personality and work in cohesion to build the story. Their contrast makes the graphic novel interesting! While Rozann is optimistic, considerate of others, and appreciates the simple things in life, Dahut is pessimistic, self-serving, and seeks her own luxury. I found it really refreshing to switch between the two as they each make up for what the other lacks. Dahut pushes the plot forward while Rozann keeps the story grounded and paced.
Although it seems like a cliche that Rozann is the ‘good person’ and Dahut is the ‘bad person’ at first, the lines blur throughout the graphic novel. Character development reveals that the two are more similar than first shown, and the reasons behind the differences in their personalities are well explained. They both have their own strengths and flaws. Depth is slowly given to their characters, and it makes Rozann and Dahut seem more human as they become more relatable. The author really did an immaculate job!
Throughout the graphic novel, the third-person narration switches between the perspectives of Rozann and Dahut. I found that this is a really clever way of fleshing out the setting. In addition to their personality differences, the two live very different lives. Through their differences, the author paints two contrasting pictures of Ys kingdom: a simple, fairy-tale scene of life from Rozann, and a corrupt, tense scene of diplomacy from Dahut. In third person, a holistic view of Ys kingdom is given. The individual perspectives of each character come together for a vibrant, multi-layered world.
The storyline flows nicely, and the plot advances at a reasonable pace. Suspense is balanced with progression that keeps the story riveting and captivating. As more is revealed about the city of Ys, Rozann, and Dahut, the pieces come together. There is a strong build-up, a bright peak, and a satisfying but sad end.
However, I was surprised by how dark the story is. There are many scenes of death, strong emotions, and scenes of sexual implication. It should really be taken into account that this graphic novel is intended for a more mature audience. Despite that, nothing is overdone and each scene has a purpose. While certain parts justify a character’s actions and their development, everything comes together in a dark atmosphere that truly suits the story.
Additionally, the art is outstanding! The illustrator did a wonderful job depicting each character. The art style suited the story well with the quirky and unique boxy characters who are drawn with intricate detail that captures the smallest shifts in expression and body language. The sketch-like lines used as shading gave motion. The colour palette is also great with a generally muted range shifting from bright to dark according to the scene. It’s really powerful in conveying atmosphere and emotion. The illustrations really breathe life to the story.
Overall, I would recommend The Daughters of Ys to anyone mature enough to handle its contents. It’s a genuinely well-written graphic novel with beautiful illustrations. There’s little not to love!
Reviewed by Jing M.