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1siobhan's review
4.0
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
Abigail is 14 and lives in Salem, Massachusets, in the 1690s. After a happy childhood, Abigail has to realise that her transformation into a woman makes her prone to sexual harassment and that she isn't safe any longer. When she meets a young man from the Abenaki tribe in the forest, things change...
This re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials take on issues like gender politics, xenophobia and religion.
I enjoyed this re-telling and also thought that the love story between Abigail and Mkweh is very sweet. Looking forward to #2 as the story isn't finished yet...
4 Stars.
Abigail is 14 and lives in Salem, Massachusets, in the 1690s. After a happy childhood, Abigail has to realise that her transformation into a woman makes her prone to sexual harassment and that she isn't safe any longer. When she meets a young man from the Abenaki tribe in the forest, things change...
This re-telling of the Salem Witch Trials take on issues like gender politics, xenophobia and religion.
I enjoyed this re-telling and also thought that the love story between Abigail and Mkweh is very sweet. Looking forward to #2 as the story isn't finished yet...
4 Stars.
wanderingwordsmith's review
3.0
*I received a digital copy of this title from NetGalley.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this title, but was intrigued. The art style isn't my favorite, but it was fitting for the setting, if a little simplistic. I thought that the spin on the story of the Salem Witch Trials was interesting and would like to see how the story continues. It does paint some common themes that certainly fueled or contributed to the witch trials, but then gave them a twist, or provided different motivation to the characters. It will be interesting to see where this story will go, but it's probably not my favorite interpretation.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this title, but was intrigued. The art style isn't my favorite, but it was fitting for the setting, if a little simplistic. I thought that the spin on the story of the Salem Witch Trials was interesting and would like to see how the story continues. It does paint some common themes that certainly fueled or contributed to the witch trials, but then gave them a twist, or provided different motivation to the characters. It will be interesting to see where this story will go, but it's probably not my favorite interpretation.
a_kindle_bookworm's review
3.0
Title: The Daughters of Salem
Author: Thomas Gilbert
Publisher: Europe Comics
Publishing Date: January 16, 2019
Format: eBook Graphic Novel
Pages: 106
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m not sure how I feel about this graphic novel. I didn’t like the subject of the story because it wasn’t enjoyable to read. I thought it was about actual magic, but it was about a side town of Salem. The difference is that instead of the women separating from one another as blame was being thrown around, these women banded together. The subject matter made me uncomfortable, mad, sad, reiterated why I really don’t like religion. And before you go after me, no I am not bashing any sort of religion. I encourage you to believe in anything healthy that helps you get up in the morning. The art style of this graphic novel was pretty unique. While no graphic novel is perfect, this one just had more of a raw sense to it that helped add to the story a little bit. This graphic novel was more on the graphic side when it came to injuries. Spoiler Alert, a dog gets beaten to death and I almost got sick to my stomach. I am NOT about that by any means! That dog sensed evil and was just being defensive. I almost put it up for that reason but I was almost done with the story and just finished it to get it over with. I honestly don’t know what to feel with this story. It was good in the sense that the plot made sense and kept you curious, but it wasn’t a good story. I didn’t come out of it feel happy and content.
Author: Thomas Gilbert
Publisher: Europe Comics
Publishing Date: January 16, 2019
Format: eBook Graphic Novel
Pages: 106
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m not sure how I feel about this graphic novel. I didn’t like the subject of the story because it wasn’t enjoyable to read. I thought it was about actual magic, but it was about a side town of Salem. The difference is that instead of the women separating from one another as blame was being thrown around, these women banded together. The subject matter made me uncomfortable, mad, sad, reiterated why I really don’t like religion. And before you go after me, no I am not bashing any sort of religion. I encourage you to believe in anything healthy that helps you get up in the morning. The art style of this graphic novel was pretty unique. While no graphic novel is perfect, this one just had more of a raw sense to it that helped add to the story a little bit. This graphic novel was more on the graphic side when it came to injuries. Spoiler Alert, a dog gets beaten to death and I almost got sick to my stomach. I am NOT about that by any means! That dog sensed evil and was just being defensive. I almost put it up for that reason but I was almost done with the story and just finished it to get it over with. I honestly don’t know what to feel with this story. It was good in the sense that the plot made sense and kept you curious, but it wasn’t a good story. I didn’t come out of it feel happy and content.
etienne02's review
4.0
3,5/5. This was good. Maybe nothing extraordinary, but a good tale of old times. There is no magic or supernatural here don't get caught by the mention of Salem in the title. There is superstition and fear in a new and difficult world. Dark but good! I like it!
ravenclawlibrarybooks's review
4.0
This was quite an interesting read and the illustrations were beautiful. I cannot wait for the next installment.
elna17a9a's review
2.0
Received via NetGalley for review.
Graphic novels and comics are probably the most subjective to review, since not only is there the plot and the characterization to judge, but the art as well. And, unfortunately, the art didn't do it for me here. The characters were too caricatured (which works for the Reverend and the townspeople - their inner ugliness spills out to their appearance, that's fine, but doesn't really work for the sympathetic characters). The scenes of the woods were beautiful, but that's about all I enjoyed.
Gilbert did a fantastic job portraying the terror and shame Abigail went through when she went to Little Mother's house and became a women, as well as how quickly and easily the townspeople turned towards paranoia and misdirected anger when things started going badly, which is easily the strongest part of the story. It's clearly well researched and vivid, and does an excellent job getting the message across.
The whole angle with the Native Americans is interesting. I'm not sure if that's entirely historical or not (I've never heard of their involvement in the Salem Witch trials, but given the time period and the location of the town it makes sense that they'd be there), and I think the romance between Abigail and Mxweh was unnecessary (can't a woman long for freedom without a man involved?).
I'm thankful for the opportunity to review this graphic novel, but won't be seeking out the second part.
Graphic novels and comics are probably the most subjective to review, since not only is there the plot and the characterization to judge, but the art as well. And, unfortunately, the art didn't do it for me here. The characters were too caricatured (which works for the Reverend and the townspeople - their inner ugliness spills out to their appearance, that's fine, but doesn't really work for the sympathetic characters). The scenes of the woods were beautiful, but that's about all I enjoyed.
Gilbert did a fantastic job portraying the terror and shame Abigail went through when she went to Little Mother's house and became a women, as well as how quickly and easily the townspeople turned towards paranoia and misdirected anger when things started going badly, which is easily the strongest part of the story. It's clearly well researched and vivid, and does an excellent job getting the message across.
The whole angle with the Native Americans is interesting. I'm not sure if that's entirely historical or not (I've never heard of their involvement in the Salem Witch trials, but given the time period and the location of the town it makes sense that they'd be there), and I think the romance between Abigail and Mxweh was unnecessary (can't a woman long for freedom without a man involved?).
I'm thankful for the opportunity to review this graphic novel, but won't be seeking out the second part.
chemist_kat's review
3.0
First, I want to be clear and state that I received this graphic novel for free through netgalley. I wish
What I liked:
The artwork was interesting and suited the narrative.
The storyline was interesting, moved quickly, and seemed unique against other Salem-based stories.
I liked the response of the women at the end.
What I didn't like:
The ambiguity over Mikweh's age. It describes him as a man during the time when Abby is 13 and 15. This dislike is mainly based on a personal pet peeve of media romanticizing relationships between men and young girls, and since Mikweh's age is never described as being close to Abby's, it's a little creepy, even in historical context. In future volumes it would be great if it was revealed that he was close in age to her. I would like him a lot better as a character.
What I liked:
The artwork was interesting and suited the narrative.
The storyline was interesting, moved quickly, and seemed unique against other Salem-based stories.
I liked the response of the women at the end.
What I didn't like:
The ambiguity over Mikweh's age. It describes him as a man during the time when Abby is 13 and 15. This dislike is mainly based on a personal pet peeve of media romanticizing relationships between men and young girls, and since Mikweh's age is never described as being close to Abby's, it's a little creepy, even in historical context. In future volumes it would be great if it was revealed that he was close in age to her. I would like him a lot better as a character.
sydneykav's review
3.0
This was my first graphic novel and I must say I very much enjoyed it. The simplistic yet creepy style of the artwork worked tremendously well with the darker tones of this piece. Whilst dark and creepy there were still some beautiful parts to be found, the fire, the girls dancing and the tiny Robin.
The relationship between the women in this tale shine through and in such a short piece all manner of women are brought to the foreground and sisterhood is very much apparent from the offset. This is something I greatly appreciate in any work of fiction and was delighted to see this spin on Salem.
Upon finishing I discovered that it wasn't originally in English and had been translated, I wonder if this is what has stopped it from being a 5 star review for me (I wish I could read French and could compare the two!).
I am very much looking forward to part two as well as rereading this during Halloween this year!
The relationship between the women in this tale shine through and in such a short piece all manner of women are brought to the foreground and sisterhood is very much apparent from the offset. This is something I greatly appreciate in any work of fiction and was delighted to see this spin on Salem.
Upon finishing I discovered that it wasn't originally in English and had been translated, I wonder if this is what has stopped it from being a 5 star review for me (I wish I could read French and could compare the two!).
I am very much looking forward to part two as well as rereading this during Halloween this year!
acidalia's review
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
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.