Scan barcode
acidalia's review against another edition
3.0
I received this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was volume 1 of the story so as such doesn't feel particularly self contained at this point. Some of the chapters tell more of a stand-alone story than others and this doesn't cover any of the witch trials, those presumably follow in later volumes.
Since I only know The Crucible in detail and not the historical events on which it was based, I can't comment on how much it deviates from history but certainly it is quite different from the plot of the Arthur Miller play.
The art style does seem to suit the subject matter well and conveys the harshness of life in such a town. The content is quite gruesome in places (as the name suggests) and is certainly not for kids. I'd be interested to see where the story goes in the next volume.
This was volume 1 of the story so as such doesn't feel particularly self contained at this point. Some of the chapters tell more of a stand-alone story than others and this doesn't cover any of the witch trials, those presumably follow in later volumes.
Since I only know The Crucible in detail and not the historical events on which it was based, I can't comment on how much it deviates from history but certainly it is quite different from the plot of the Arthur Miller play.
The art style does seem to suit the subject matter well and conveys the harshness of life in such a town. The content is quite gruesome in places (as the name suggests) and is certainly not for kids. I'd be interested to see where the story goes in the next volume.
jackelz's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't what I expected, and honestly I didn't really like it. The writing was very simple, the art was very graphic, and the story line was dull. I don't really see how this could be considered "feminist", but it does show a little how women were/are portrayed, but not with much depth on either side of the story.
bookishfrogc42b6's review against another edition
3.0
Stories about Salem are often romanticised, they are full of witches, spells and devil worshippers. This graphic novel shows the truth, the people behind the legend, a young woman caught in the madness of her time, crushed by superstition. It shows how fear and ignorance are a dangerous mix and how it leads to hurting the most vulnerable or non conformists. The Letter to the reader, from the author, was a lovely touch. *Book provided by editor through Netgalley, all opinions are my own*
smore's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gilbert's stylized artwork and muted colours create a strong setting and sense of place. There are a lot of references to true events, but the story diverges from history in many key places. As can be expected with the subject matter, the Daughters of Salem is gory and brutal at times, with graphic depictions of violence that could make it a difficult for some readers (this one included). The lettering and dialogue is a little jarring, but the beautiful illustrations evoke a powerful sense of dread and convey the story well.
Gilbert's stylized artwork and muted colours create a strong setting and sense of place. There are a lot of references to true events, but the story diverges from history in many key places. As can be expected with the subject matter, the Daughters of Salem is gory and brutal at times, with graphic depictions of violence that could make it a difficult for some readers (this one included). The lettering and dialogue is a little jarring, but the beautiful illustrations evoke a powerful sense of dread and convey the story well.
spiringempress's review against another edition
4.0
Brutally honest, I would actually rate this particular graphic novel three and half stars but the system does not allow for that type of rating so I'll round up. Abigail Hobbs has grown up in Salem but things are changing. Her childhood friend, Peter, gives her a wooden donkey as a gift and this sets off a chain reaction. When she comes home, her stepmother confronts Abigail and forces her to see Little Mother, who proclaims that she has become a woman and must change her ways. She can no longer look at men, must wear a wimple to cover her hair and her childhood is now in the past.
However the day this happens, Abigail meets an Indian man in the woods, which is her safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of her own village. As she becomes more isolated in her town, Abigail turns to the woods and her friends to escape. Eventually, this causes the villagers to turn violent and to burn down the tavern and anything evil. My only complaint about the graphic novel is I wish the budding romance and friendship between Abigail and Mxwel had been featured more prominently and I'm hoping that the next volume will focus on this.
However the day this happens, Abigail meets an Indian man in the woods, which is her safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of her own village. As she becomes more isolated in her town, Abigail turns to the woods and her friends to escape. Eventually, this causes the villagers to turn violent and to burn down the tavern and anything evil. My only complaint about the graphic novel is I wish the budding romance and friendship between Abigail and Mxwel had been featured more prominently and I'm hoping that the next volume will focus on this.
booksatlunch's review against another edition
3.0
This book was just ok. I understand that it was not supposed to be a telling of the Salem Witch Trials, but I'm not sold on the reimagining presented in this book. The writing was simplistic and the art was graphic which lends to some confusion about what the target age range for this group is. It was a fine thing to read, but I'm not compelled to pick up volume 2.
Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
swamphag's review against another edition
3.0
The art style and colors really fit the overall mood and narrative of the story. The colors ebb from dark to light based on the mood of what is happening in the story and it really helped push the narrative forward.
Although this story is based on historical facts, it is really a retelling of the Salem story through a modern lens and I really enjoyed how the author focused on what drove the actions of the men of the village: xenophobia, sexism, religion. This was done well without making it too obvious or obnoxious.
Overall I'm torn on whether or not I really liked this story so far. There was a lot of not so great things you would expect given the historical context and such, but since this is only the first part I can't judge if the violence and darkness of the first part of the story lends itself to pushing a larger narrative forward in the other parts. If it does I would bump my rating up to a solid four-star rating.
Warnings: violence and gore.
Received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Although this story is based on historical facts, it is really a retelling of the Salem story through a modern lens and I really enjoyed how the author focused on what drove the actions of the men of the village: xenophobia, sexism, religion. This was done well without making it too obvious or obnoxious.
Overall I'm torn on whether or not I really liked this story so far. There was a lot of not so great things you would expect given the historical context and such, but since this is only the first part I can't judge if the violence and darkness of the first part of the story lends itself to pushing a larger narrative forward in the other parts. If it does I would bump my rating up to a solid four-star rating.
Warnings: violence and gore.
Received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
caitisbooked's review against another edition
3.0
Wow okay. That wasn't great, but wasn't completely terrible, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. At all.
I will say from the beginning, this is a re-imagining of the Salem witch trials, which I do not know a great deal about so I did do some quick research to see if there was anything that I didn't know before starting this.
I found this graphic novel not to be feminist, but I found it to be more oppressive towards women in the setting, without adding anything worthy within the topics it addresses. I understand that one of the topics it wanted to address was the xenophobia of the time, but I did personally feel it was borderline racist to the native Indian community within the novel.
This graphic novel confused me a lot. I'm still not sure what audience this book is aimed at. The writing was geared towards a young adult audience, with simplistic writing, which makes sense learning about the main character Abigail. The novel is written from the point of view of Abigail, a 14 year old. However, the writing did not match the illustrations for me or add anything to the written story either. The images were quite graphic, and I did find them somewhat gruesome and horrific at certain points. In saying this, I did enjoy the illustrations early on for the first 2 chapters.
Thank you very much to Europe Comics for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I will say from the beginning, this is a re-imagining of the Salem witch trials, which I do not know a great deal about so I did do some quick research to see if there was anything that I didn't know before starting this.
I found this graphic novel not to be feminist, but I found it to be more oppressive towards women in the setting, without adding anything worthy within the topics it addresses. I understand that one of the topics it wanted to address was the xenophobia of the time, but I did personally feel it was borderline racist to the native Indian community within the novel.
This graphic novel confused me a lot. I'm still not sure what audience this book is aimed at. The writing was geared towards a young adult audience, with simplistic writing, which makes sense learning about the main character Abigail. The novel is written from the point of view of Abigail, a 14 year old. However, the writing did not match the illustrations for me or add anything to the written story either. The images were quite graphic, and I did find them somewhat gruesome and horrific at certain points. In saying this, I did enjoy the illustrations early on for the first 2 chapters.
Thank you very much to Europe Comics for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
ruthsic's review against another edition
3.0
Warnings: gore, violence (including blunt trauma), murder, animal cruelty
A retelling of the Salem witch trials, the story begins from the point of view of a young girl, Abigail, who proclaims that it all began with a simple gift that she had taken. The fact that this particular statement doesn't come around full circle to complete the arc makes the story feel like it is incomplete. Still, the story evokes themes of misogyny, rigid puritanism, xenophobia and hints at how , what was a peaceful seeming town to Abigail became a hell to live in.
The simple choice of having a young teen girl as its protagonist means you get to see her eyes open to the harsh realities of living in a world where she is seen as a thing, where her freedoms are curtailed, where her actions are viewed as an invitation to scorn or lust, depending on the onlooker, and her finding that the lies told by her village's fiery pastor are much more than just impassioned speeches. The atmosphere of hate, fear and distrust that permeates after her being recognized as of age by the other woman of the town, as well as the betrayal she feels by them, are juxtaposed against the freedom and joy she feels when she meets a Native American boy, who meets her on the nearby forest trails along with her friend.
The story also doesn't shy away from displaying the cruelty of these so called 'civilized men of god', though it could have done with some reserve - there are multiple scenes of brutal killings, one animal and two human - as it does feel superfluous. Additionally, the story as a whole only feels like it has begun, without providing resolution for even one thing in this first volume. Obviously, there is more to come, but this one spends too much time setting up the characters, and driving home some points to feel like a complete book. The artwork is okay, having some well-drawn scenes and a loose style that fits the simplicity of the lifestyle.
Overall, though, it doesn't feel like a complete story arc.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Europe Comics, via Edelweiss.
A retelling of the Salem witch trials, the story begins from the point of view of a young girl, Abigail, who proclaims that it all began with a simple gift that she had taken. The fact that this particular statement doesn't come around full circle to complete the arc makes the story feel like it is incomplete. Still, the story evokes themes of misogyny, rigid puritanism, xenophobia and hints at how , what was a peaceful seeming town to Abigail became a hell to live in.
The simple choice of having a young teen girl as its protagonist means you get to see her eyes open to the harsh realities of living in a world where she is seen as a thing, where her freedoms are curtailed, where her actions are viewed as an invitation to scorn or lust, depending on the onlooker, and her finding that the lies told by her village's fiery pastor are much more than just impassioned speeches. The atmosphere of hate, fear and distrust that permeates after her being recognized as of age by the other woman of the town, as well as the betrayal she feels by them, are juxtaposed against the freedom and joy she feels when she meets a Native American boy, who meets her on the nearby forest trails along with her friend.
The story also doesn't shy away from displaying the cruelty of these so called 'civilized men of god', though it could have done with some reserve - there are multiple scenes of brutal killings, one animal and two human - as it does feel superfluous. Additionally, the story as a whole only feels like it has begun, without providing resolution for even one thing in this first volume. Obviously, there is more to come, but this one spends too much time setting up the characters, and driving home some points to feel like a complete book. The artwork is okay, having some well-drawn scenes and a loose style that fits the simplicity of the lifestyle.
Overall, though, it doesn't feel like a complete story arc.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Europe Comics, via Edelweiss.
singerofstories's review against another edition
3.0
The Daughters of Salem was a uniquely interesting graphic novel to read. I have never picked up a historical fiction GN before--never really realized that it was a genre, to be honest--but it was neat! The novel combines fiction and fact about main character Abigail Hobbes. Her once safe and amorous hometown becomes a place of prejudice and fear towards nearly everything--sexuality, filth, religion, outsiders (especially Native Americans). These scenes are violent at times and difficult to read and wrap your mind around because of their nature, but history just is that way sometimes.
The story itself, I felt, is a little sporadic because in the beginning it really is about Abigail and her setting up the story and in the town. She is a girl and a local boy gives her a small, hand-carved gift. To the women of Salem, this means entering womanhood. After this sequence, her eyes are opened to the hysteria of the adults. The world is broadened and this is where I feel the story line is broadened and Abigail is no longer the consistent story teller. I still liked the uniqueness of the novel and the time period, but it did feel too broad to me. It felt like it left off too suddenly, but I will keep an eye out for the next installment. I am eager to see where the series goes.
The story itself, I felt, is a little sporadic because in the beginning it really is about Abigail and her setting up the story and in the town. She is a girl and a local boy gives her a small, hand-carved gift. To the women of Salem, this means entering womanhood. After this sequence, her eyes are opened to the hysteria of the adults. The world is broadened and this is where I feel the story line is broadened and Abigail is no longer the consistent story teller. I still liked the uniqueness of the novel and the time period, but it did feel too broad to me. It felt like it left off too suddenly, but I will keep an eye out for the next installment. I am eager to see where the series goes.