By Evan Dahm
Published by First Second
Summary:
Our story focuses on Sola, a girl from the sun island, thought to be cursed. Years ago a great monster attacked the island, and now Sola travels far from her home in search of what exactly the monster is. On her journeys, she finds various other islands, each taking a different view of the sea, the monster, and her quest.
Art:
The Art is simple, but it has a good style. Cartoony is the wrong word, but it gets across the soft corners and round designs. Each island is given its own color motif that reflects the islanders. The character designs are simple again, but they work. One particular design is fantastic.
Characters:
The characters are pretty simple. Each is an oddity in their own society+. All three of our main characters are outsiders for one reason or another. The three leads work well together. there's nothing especially spectacular about them. Some of the one-off islanders could have used something more. I felt there were opportunities for more.
Setting:
The various islands each act as their own little micro-cosmos. Though some are woefully underdeveloped, each represent a different way of looking at the world and things that can't be explained. The structure of the book lends itself for continued exploration of the world, since more islands could be added. There is a sense that something far older was here, but it isn't gone into depth. A lot of the islands are surface level view of what could be a lot more.
Plot:
The plot of the book, while heavily episodic, is by far the strongest part of the book. The plot isn't really about Sola and friends looking for the white monster, but is more an exploration of different ways of reacting to things that can't be explained. The monster is never fully explained or even revealed, but each culture has a different way of dealing with it. One blames one member of the community, one denies its existence. Another tries desperately to fight it off, while another worships it and tells stories of it. Some merely watch, longingly. I don't think it's an accident that the great monster from the sea is white. It is a primal force, and the book is about how people deal with and explain forces beyond their control.
TL;DR:
The Book is good, but unfortunately I'm not sure I can say it's fantastic. The plot and metaphor present is great, but something is missing. Especially with the setting and characters, there is an awareness of appetite that the book fails to provide. I hope there will be more.
7/10
