Three beautiful indonesian folktales. Brilliant graphic novel which younger readers will definitely enjoy

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is a three story graphic novel based on Indonesian fairytales. The stories were told well and the art is beautiful and very fitting.

So not being familiar with any Indonesian folktales I would say that I went into this one a little blind, but as a fan of folktales and fairytales and mythology I was very excited to see where this was headed. It was not a disappointment, and it was a great quick read for me.

A bright and colorful graphic novel that spins new life into well worn folktales for a younger, more modern audience.

Hello Again!

For our review today, I read a new graphic novel! I saw this graphic novel on Netgalley and knew I would really want to give it a try. I read the summary and did a little research on the graphic novel and was very excited when I received an E-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions (thank you all so much)! So without further ado, let’s jump in!

SPOILERS AHEAD

Three Indonesian tales are retold in this wonderful graphic novel. In one story we meet a pair of sisters whose family is struggling after their mother’s death. In another story, we learn of a woman who lives on the outskirts of a small village alone, until one day she makes a deal. In the final story, we meet a woman who lives with a snail as a companion, trapped in another life.

I really loved this graphic novel. The three different stories all had amazing artwork and were really interesting. I also loved that the author put the original stories to read at the end of the graphic novel. I would love to have more Stories of the Islands (maybe a volume two) in the future. In the meantime, this graphic novel comes out on October 31st, 2023, and I highly recommend checking it out.

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

**Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Graphic novels are the perfect medium to convey folktales, that are otherwise usually spread orally. The art style is breezy, like island weather, but also rich and colourful. This graphic novel set in a magical scape, manages to give girls something to aspire towards, a type of feminism that fits within the cultural context.

Stories of the Islands is a stunning graphic novel debut from Clar Angkasa. Angkasa takes beloved Indonesian folktales and rewrites them with a feminist bent, giving the power and happy endings back to the women in them. There's only three stories (one about a woman who is turned into a snail but finds friendship, one about two sisters who look after each other with love and kindness when their mother dies and their father turns cruel, and one about a woman who raises a surprise baby born of a cucumber that a giant expects to eat), but they're all really enjoyable. The end of the book includes a short version of the originals of the stories for comparison, which I really enjoyed, especially since it gave me added appreciation for Angkasa's interpretations. The art is absolutely gorgeous with a very dreamy colour palette.

I have a soft spot for all things folk tale and fairy tale, and I really enjoyed this one. I would definitely recommend it. I also hope to see more from Clar Angkasa in the future.

Beautifully written folktales combined into a single book, the author retells three Indonesian stories by filling up the pages with beautiful art. There isn't any distinct lessons in the stories, but they were definitely something fresh to read.

I actually was given the opportunity to read ahead by NetGallery, but couldn't make it in time by the book release. Thank you to NetGallery for providing me an advanced digital copy though.

I was completely captivated by this debut graphic novel! Sharing new perspectives of Indonesian folktales in a gorgeous illustration style, "Stories of the Islands" flips the script on women's roles in traditional stories. I did not know anything about Indonesian folktales prior to reading this and I was grateful that the author also inserted the original stories in the back of the book to compare to her renditions. Since we are dropped into the middle of the stories, I would have appreciated some further explanations and contexts to fully understand the stories and their impact.

I was quite surprised by this comic, which was clearly a cover choice for me. I was delighted to find that it was based on three Indonesian tales, as it gave me a completely new approach to the stories. They all focus on the fates of women and I couldn't choose which one I liked better. The first one is clearly an education in helping others, as the eldest princess is cursed by her sister, who is constantly being pushed to the background. In the form of a snail, she lives by a fisherlady who completely changes her perception. The second focuses on sisterly love, which does not exist only between blood relations. The third emphasises the healing power of nature and the joys of motherhood. Finally, I would like to highlight the colour palette used, which only made the stories even more special.

I loved this graphic novel retelling Indonesian folktales! The author reframes folktales in a way to give female characters their agency back and let them chart their own paths. I loved that each story was about relationships between girls and women. The illustrations were subtle yet beautiful, with soft coloring.

The author's note at the end provides more context and the original versions of the stories are also included. I will definitely be recommending this to graphic novel readers at my library!

I liked these reimagined fairy tales quite a bit. I enjoyed the fresh take on women making their own decisions and found the stories in stark contrast to the original fairy tales included at the end. Would love to read this with my daughters when they are older.

This was a wonderful way to introduce kids and young adults to stories and tales from the Pacific. Each story was accessible, yet didactic.

2.5 stars rounded up. My 10 year-old daughter and I read this. She typically enjoys graphic novels, and is a voracious reader of all types of books, whereas I've never been a fan of graphic novels. As a result, I am relying more on her report for this feedback in order to rate it fairly. Despite this, my daughter felt that the stories were a bit disjointed and difficult for her to follow, and for some of them she said "the ending did not make sense." I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that they are Indonesian folktales, so I presume they were translated into English? The art was lovely, and I like that the author took the liberty to update traditional tales by making the female characters more empowered.

This was a gorgeous book full of folktales from Indonesia. The pictures were colourful and cozy and told the stories nicely. The mini lessons that are often the basis of most folktales were interesting to read about.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, child or adult, that is interested in learning about Indonesian folklore.

Thank you NetGalley, Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink, and Holiday House for this beautiful arc!

5/5 stars

I love folklore retelling, especially if they have a focus on girl power! This story collection is not only really pretty, but also has stories that will inspire young readers to be better, for themselves and others. I really enjoyed these three stories, and I hope there will be more in the future!

I love a good retelling. I especially love a good feminist retelling. I did not go into this with much background on Indonesian folklore but the premise grabbed me and I am so glad it did. It was lovely to be introduced in this way. If you have any interest in folklore, you will love this one. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

JUST LOOK AT THAT COVER ART.

Stories of the Islands by Clar Angkasa is a graphic novel with feminist retelling of Indonesian folktales. Once upon a time. . .a princess was cursed to live as a snail, two sisters were trapped by their father’s wrath, and a mother and daughter faced a hungry giant. No one is coming to save them. Will they get their happily ever after?
In Stories of the Islands, debut graphic novelist Clar Angkasa takes three folk tales from her childhood in Indonesia and gives them back to the girl characters, following their hopes, dreams, and journeys for independence from malevolent forces—both natural and unnatural. Why should women in folk tales be sidelined or reduced to tropes? What if we tell their stories, instead?

I just absolutely loved this graphic novel, as it feature fairy tales I never heard before. Plus the art style was gorgeous and UGH it was just amazing. You need to read this like now.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Stories of the Islands by Clar Angkasa was a delightful collection of short Indonesian folktale retellings. The art was so colorful and beautiful, almost a dreamy quality, and the stories read like fairy tales and were about smart and empowered women rising above their circumstances. It was great, highly recommend.