Review based on first 130 pages of the graphic novel. The visual style of the art is beautiful, with so many period details richly drawn. I enjoyed the emerging themes related to feminism, solidarity, and navigating women's rights in a patriarchal society. Partly as the excerpt is somewhat short and the book's plot somewhat slowly emerges, I got an understanding of the setting / context, but not much action or relationship building. I have hopes for a compelling and believable friendship to emerge between main characters Amélie and Sahara, though the excerpt just barely introduces these characters to each other before it concludes.

Raging Clouds was an interesting read, because it's set in the Netherlands in the 16th-century. Amélie is trapped in her marriage only to wish to get rid of her husband. She loves science and the mechanics of flying, but is treated like a slave housewife she should be proud of. Her husband Hans returns home from a work trip, but now with an Asian mistress Sahara. For me the story ended too abruptly, as if there would be a continuation. I wanted the two women to bond and to make their own freedom even by force if necessary. The setting seems historically correct (I'm not expert) and it's great to see the world through Amélie's eyes. I enjoyed the sex scenes, since it showed how meaningless everything was and how there's no passion or feelings anywhere. Marriage was a role to play, keeping up appearances.

The art looks wonky, just slightly. It's interesting and how we see what Amélie sees makes the angle perfect. It's about seeing that and then seeing her. This was wonderful and the hidden aggression, feeling betrayal and wanting the husband gone, the emotions were all there deliciously portrayed. I wish this had been longer though, I wish we could've imagined freedom for the women.

Very intriguing extract! I liked the art style a lot, and I’ll be keen to read the full book when it’s released. I do wish we got to see a little more of the relationship between Amélie and Sahara, as the extract ends quite soon after Sahara is introduced to the plot.

I loved the historical aspects, and Amélie is an interesting, well developed character- I’m excited to see how she evolves throughout the whole book.

Thank you to Fantagraphic Books and NetGalley for the ARC.