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aclopez6's review against another edition
5.0
CW: magic (witches), potions
This is part of a series of "Cautionary Fables & Fairytales", with each short story having a message or key takeaway. I would recommend that patrons check out the other books in the series if they enjoyed this one -- The Nixie of the Mill-Pond and Other European Stories, The Night Marchers and Other Oceanian Stories, and Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories.
This book was shelved in the YA graphic novels section at my local library, but it is accessible to younger audiences as well. I would recommend this for grades 5 - 12.
Some of the stories were recognizable to me from picture books and short stories I read growing up, such as "Anansi Tries to Steal Wisdom" (why spiders have eight legs/are venomous), "Why Turtles Live in Water", and "Queen Hyena's Funeral" (hyena laugh). Others were ones I had never heard of, and a part of me wished that more cultural context or information about the origin of each story was included. There were short bios about each illustrator in the back of the book, but the book left me wanting more. Some highlights from the book: "Chief 5 Heads", "The Disobedient Daughter who Married a Skull", and "The Girl Who Married a Lion".
This is part of a series of "Cautionary Fables & Fairytales", with each short story having a message or key takeaway. I would recommend that patrons check out the other books in the series if they enjoyed this one -- The Nixie of the Mill-Pond and Other European Stories, The Night Marchers and Other Oceanian Stories, and Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories.
This book was shelved in the YA graphic novels section at my local library, but it is accessible to younger audiences as well. I would recommend this for grades 5 - 12.
Some of the stories were recognizable to me from picture books and short stories I read growing up, such as "Anansi Tries to Steal Wisdom" (why spiders have eight legs/are venomous), "Why Turtles Live in Water", and "Queen Hyena's Funeral" (hyena laugh). Others were ones I had never heard of, and a part of me wished that more cultural context or information about the origin of each story was included. There were short bios about each illustrator in the back of the book, but the book left me wanting more. Some highlights from the book: "Chief 5 Heads", "The Disobedient Daughter who Married a Skull", and "The Girl Who Married a Lion".
liia's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
a good anthology! included a diverse range of art styles, which i appreciated.
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'The Girl Who Married a Skull: and Other African Stories (Cautionary Fables and Fairytales)' edited by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, and Charlie Spike Trotman with a whole host of artists, is a collection of really fun stories.
In the title story, a beautiful, but vain, daughter won't listen to what her parents want. They want her to marry, but she doesn't want to. When she is swept off her feet by a handsome stranger, her parents are suspicious, as well they should be. This man is not what he seems.
The other stories are kind of like this one. There is the story of how Anansi stole wisdom, and why snake and frog don't play together. There is a story about Isis and one about Queen Hyena's funeral.
The art and stories vary, but they are short, so ones I didn't enjoy as much were over quickly. The art is in black and white and I wish it were in color. I love fables and fairytales and I can recommend this collection for young readers and older readers looking for something different and magical.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Iron Circus Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In the title story, a beautiful, but vain, daughter won't listen to what her parents want. They want her to marry, but she doesn't want to. When she is swept off her feet by a handsome stranger, her parents are suspicious, as well they should be. This man is not what he seems.
The other stories are kind of like this one. There is the story of how Anansi stole wisdom, and why snake and frog don't play together. There is a story about Isis and one about Queen Hyena's funeral.
The art and stories vary, but they are short, so ones I didn't enjoy as much were over quickly. The art is in black and white and I wish it were in color. I love fables and fairytales and I can recommend this collection for young readers and older readers looking for something different and magical.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Iron Circus Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
candycain's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
bonnieebrown's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rainbowrocky's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When I picked this book up at the library, I was expecting African tales told by African writers and artists. I was surprised to find the creators were overwhelmingly white and from Canada. Jarrett Williams is the only Black author in this entire anthology and his story gets 6 pages of a 200+ page graphic novel. So make of that what you will.
The stories themselves are cute and all the art styles are creative and fun. I especially loved The Lion’s Whiskers story and the art style in The Disobedient Daughter Who Married A Skull. I can’t speak to their authenticity to African folklore but they ooze that life lesson, imparting-wisdom-to-children vibe you expect from fables, which I love.
I plan to continue the series and hope that the creators match the stories they’re telling in the future.
The stories themselves are cute and all the art styles are creative and fun. I especially loved The Lion’s Whiskers story and the art style in The Disobedient Daughter Who Married A Skull. I can’t speak to their authenticity to African folklore but they ooze that life lesson, imparting-wisdom-to-children vibe you expect from fables, which I love.
I plan to continue the series and hope that the creators match the stories they’re telling in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
radwaashraf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tinynavajo's review
4.0
A collection of fairy tales and foklore from Africa, ranging from Egypt to Nigeria and other countries. It was fascinating and interesting to read some different cultural stories than I have read in other comics and books and these are fun to read as well.
kieranl's review against another edition
An anthology of African stories mainly retold by white people. It’s a nah for me.