I am anxious to have the chance to read the rest of this novel. I appreciated the illustrations in this graphic novel and I was intrigued by the dynamics within their household. I hope to see these two women break free from the structures that are restricting and controlling them.

I think when the publishers made a decision to provide an ARC of this novel only as a third of the whole thing, they miscalculated badly: by the time I read to the end of 130 pages made accessible to me, the two characters you see on the cover have barely met and only just about had their first interaction… this isn’t remotely enough to make a conclusion on what kind of story this is. The art is fab, the history seems well-researched and comes alive with a sense of place and time, and the conflict within the main character isn’t hard to gauge - but I haven’t seen enough of the main story to see if it comes together. What a baffling decision! Maybe it’s easier to think of this as a first volume in a manga: in which case yes, I’d pick up the second. The reviews from people who have read the whole story make me cautious, however…

Thank you to NG and publisher for providing a portion of the book in exchange for a review.

Star Rating: Tentative 3.5 / 5.0 *May change in the future.

This was definitely an interesting read! I was confused why it felt so unfinished, but then I saw the publisher note that the ARC is only the first 130 pages. It’s hard to fully review something that I did not fully read. But it did leave me wanting to know more and how these women might come to know each other more. It was interesting, however, but the overall tone left me feeling sad and frustrated with the system the main characters were set in. I would be interested in reading the rest of the graphic novel! The art was gorgeous and evocative of so many feelings with little words needed. It is sexually explicit, for those that are sensitive to that content, but it serves to further the story’s realism and reality of the characters lives in this historical setting. I could see how the finished story might tell of feminine rage personified in the main characters, and possibly healing with one another? I’m curious to read more from this author/artist.

Please note that this is a review of what I was able to read, so if I can access the rest, I will return and update this review and rating. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this partial eARC to review! :)

Thanks to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the ARC copy of Raging Clouds. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.
I should also say that I was lend a preview blad that only carried the first 130 pages of the graphic novel, so my review will only cover the part I was able to read and whether I would recommend it or not base in this (around) a third of the novel.

Amélie is a brilliant woman trapped in the restricting social expectations of high Dutch society (mid-16th century). Her marriage to Hans, a gallant merchant, was a terrible idea. Charming to townsfolk, he treats Amélie with cruelty at home. Expected to be a devoted housewife, Amélie finds true freedom, her time to be her free-spirited self, when Hans announces he's going away on business. Amélie looks to the skies, dreams of flying away from her miserable life, so she takes this found time to explore around on her own and study birds and any winged animal that might shown light to her questions.
But Hans returns, and not alone. His companion: a slave mistress woman called Sahara. At first, Amélie sees her as a rival, the enemy, but soon, they're drawn to each other, reflected in each other's misery, and they decide to work together to get to freedom.

What called me to this book from the start was the art style; Yudori is amazing, with a distinct style, some touches of realism but enough originality to be recognizable even if you don't know them at all. Second, it was the premise of Amélie's life; I'm no the biggest fan of historical fiction, I'll be honest, it is just a genre I don't normally partake in, but the cover, the art style and, ultimately, the promise of a story about two women making the best of their situation, finding each other at the precise moment they needed and how they would get read of impossible impositions, really called to me. And so here we are.

Now, when it comes to the story, this 130 pages cover that plot-description I gave you, of course, to introduce us to the characters and the world they inhabit, to immerse us in the story and leave us wanting more. And wanting more it left more, so much so that I'll most definitely will get me a copy to read it completely!

But, yeah, Amélie's character was compelling, even in her worst moments, being a complex woman and three rounded character. She longs for freedom and, hopefully, she'll get it. With her intelligence and willingness. Raging clouds is the story of a bold and clever woman with a vision that she'll accomplish no matter what, but it is also a social critique, a study of constriction, a commentary on restriction both social and impose. Amélie has still a lot to learn to be completely free.
In Sahara's part, she appears almost at the end of the preview blad, so I still don't have a full formed opinion of her, but for what little I saw, she looks as rich a character in personality and dreams as Amélie, and so I want to get to know her completely. Also, I loved how she clocked Amélie and her flying dream right from the start, these two are right for each other! (in my most humble opinion)

I may have only read a third, but I think I can say I recommend this one, like a lot of other people. Yudori definitely has a subtle but strong way of telling stories while bringing to the table important social commentary that we ought to keep alive for its relevance. I also had lots of fun reading it at times; what else can I ask from a book, really?

This was such a strange manga based on women in a older time setting and how they meet when the FMC husband pays for her to sleep with him and then keeps her. This was such a mix of women empowering each other and caring for each other then being defiled by the husband i was so confused but also supportive and disgusted at the same time.

I received an advance sample of this manuscript (approximately the first 130 pages), so it’s difficult to give a complete assessment, but even from this partial read the impact is undeniable. The story feels deliberately fragmented, evoking the style of certain manga with its sudden time skips and narrative leaps. While this can be disorienting, it also enhances the sense of confinement and tension, fitting the era’s oppressive atmosphere remarkably well.

The contrast between Amelie and Hans’ mistress is handled with subtlety and depth, setting up a compelling emotional and ideological tension. The artwork is exceptional: expressive, atmospheric, and often breathtaking. I was genuinely disappointed when the sample ended, not because it was lacking, but because I was fully invested and eager for more.

It’s clear Fantagraphics knew exactly what they were doing with this teaser. I’ll likely be picking up the full release! The setting of pre-Calvinist Netherlands adds a rich, historical texture, and the early signs of a feminist undercurrent were just beginning to emerge when the sample cut off. I suspect that theme will only intensify in powerful ways.

Highly recommended. This one has the potential to be something truly special.

Note: this is only a sampler, but it’s got me interested for the full release. A young woman in the Netherlands finds her life as a wife stifling and dreams of creating wings. Little does she know the mistress her shitty husband has bought home and she is jealous of will be her path forward. Hell of a read, and gorgeous art.

The copy I received was only a partial copy so it was hard to assess it when the plot was changing as it ended.

The main character was fascinated by wings and was tinkering, trying to make wings.. When her controlling husband returns home with a mistress, the whole household is in disarray. My copy ended with the main character bonding with the mistress, but who knows what happens next...

As a side note, I really hate when ARCs are not marked as samples or partial copies here on netgalley. It's frustrating to invest time in something like this and be left short.

Beautiful line work and an interesting historical story, I'm interested to see where this goes in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphic Books for this partial eARC of this book.

I've always liked the work done by Yudori, and getting an official publishing of her work in English is such a cool feat! I think almost all of her books were originally published in other languages. The partial aspect of this eARC made me want the rest of the story, but what I did read I found interesting and compelling, with complicated characters and their need to feel seen and heard within the confines of their own societal structure.

I really enjoy period pieces that focus on women "rebelling" or finding little pockets of freedom within their circumstances, so this story was right up my alley. I also greatly enjoyed how she went from hating Sahara to seeking her company after the girl showed HER interest as a PERSON, instead of as a woman or wife. It was really interesting to see the dynamics of two very different cultures and mindsets clashing with each other.

Personally, I was hoping for a romance between Sahara and Amelie. I have no way of knowing if there will be one since this is only a preview, but the blushing moments when Amelie looks at her give me a bit of hope, so if you're looking for some historical fiction lesbians this miiiiight be something worth giving a read?

Personally, I would not have been considered a good woman by the social mores standards of 16th century life in the Netherlands. I feel deeply for the main character, Amelie. She’s brilliant , but has been married off to a handsome merchant, must maintain her social status as a Dutchwoman and work vigorously within her household, doing chores and going to the market, etc. However, she must maintain this "simple" housewife façade, for her household and extant company.
Amelie finally gets the opportunity to live her best life when her husband leaves for a year and he may be lost at sea. Unfortunately for Amelie, her husband is alive and returns with an Asian mistress, Sahara, from his travels. At first Amelie despises her with a vengeance, but there comes a time when she confronts Sahara and this woman asks Amelie the one thing that no one else has ever before: what does Amelie want?

I can’t wait to read the rest of this amazing graphic novel! *Plus: There’s a tuxedo cat!

#ThxNetGalley #Yudori #RagingClouds

Received this as an Advanced Reader's copy from NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for an honest review. Technically, I have not completed the book as the ARC was only 120 pages.

The book revolves around a woman, Amelie, who has gotten married but does not enjoy the domesticity and complexity of a marriage. She would rather learn and explore things that women of her time were not allowed to. So when her husband leaves for a merchant trip, she explores subjects that she wants to, has a great time ignoring her inflicted duties, and worrying her house staff. Until her husband returns with another lover and she is lost with what her position is. However, Amelie talks to her one day and starts forming a relationship with her. This is the point where the ARC ended and I am really eager to read what comes next.

The first volume of "Raging Clouds" introduces readers to the 16th century Netherlands and the protagonist Amelie, who finds herself in a loveless marriage and obviously feels a strong urge for freedom and flying. The latter in particular is reflected in a strong interest in the mechanics and science of wings and how they can be reconstructed - not a welcome hobby for a woman of the time. Her wings are repeatedly propped up, although her husband Hans is certainly not the worst husband. Nevertheless, this marriage restricts her, makes her doubt and leads her towards the one ultimate "goal": children and pregnancy.
Towards the end of the book, Hans brings Sahara, a former slave, home and makes her his mistress. This upsets Amelie for the time being. It doesn't really seem like jealousy or anything like that, but perhaps the fear of somehow losing her own position - as a wife. Because at that time in particular, one was socially ostracized elsewhere.
The book ends with Sahara getting sick and the women talking face to face for the very with time. A bond between the two women starts to form. At their core, they both just want to be free, but they operate in a patriarchal, sexist and racist world and time that makes all of this difficult.
It is a successful start to what is sure to be an emotional, stirring, bittersweet and at times certainly frustrating series. It skillfully arouses the reader's curiosity and makes you want to read on straight away.
The drawings are quite rudimentary, but convey the emotions and the flow of the story incredibly well - I find Amelie's facial expressions in particular incredibly visually stunning.

An important graphic novel that reflects history in an unembellished and unromanticized way, but still plays with a pinch of hope.

This Review is based on the first 150 pages of Raging Clouds by Yudori. That was provided to me by Fantagraphics Books, after graciously granting my wish for a preview of this book.

I will be honest in stating that this book starts SLOW, like I was genuinely worried that I was going to hate this book, because it was giving me the same vibes as some of the classic literature from my High School Years. It's page after page of just people complaining, but you don't feel like you are gaining any meaningful information from this.
But once The Husband leaves (if he was given a name, I sure don't recall it) it feels like we start to pick up as we see the main character get to flourish in her own right.
And once the Husband returns with "The Other Woman" and the two meet, it's clear that this is the part where the story is going to really start to pick up, but sadly, this is where the preview is done. So I look forward to the opportunity to read this book in the future.

I will say this book had way more scenes of intercourse depicted than I ever expected.

I was hoping for lesbians. I was hoping for more interpersonal conversations, I was hoping for just, well, more. It felt very surface-level so far.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphic Books for this partial eARC of this book.

I don't really remember requesting to read this book, but I got grated a wish to read it about a week before the publishing and expiration date, which kinda made me upset since I was working at a summer camp and likely wouldn't have a chance to read it. But if I failed to read it, it would ruin my NetGalley % of reviewed books. This book is also only a partial sampler, which I don't think is clear enough. I didn't realize until I downloaded it. So for that reason, I already had a bit of a bias against it.

From what I read of this book, I know I wouldn't be continuing. I'm not even marking this with a date to count with my reading goal. I didn't like any of the characters. Though I'm sure it's historically accurate, and I'm not supposed to like anyone, there are better ways of writing that. A great example is Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. It had a similar concept and themes, but I sympathized much more. I also had no idea I'd end up seeing multiple sex scenes. So many in such a short sampler.

I didn't absolutely hate any of it either, but I'm not impressed, which is why it's getting such a low rating.

Although I had a difficult time connecting with Amelie and I really expected this book to be a lesbian romance (and was disappointed when it wasn't), the illustrations and writing style are very good. I would be interested to read the rest of the ARC.

Although it was only a preview, Raging Clouds intrigued me. Amélie’s isolation and her desperate longing for freedom can be felt. Her quiet rebellion and the connection she begins to form with Sahara already had me rooting for them. Yudori’s art is lush and expressive, bringing the historical setting and emotional depth to life. It’s a fiercely feminist story that I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I usually don't read graphic novels and I really enjoyed this one. The art style was beautiful, along with the story of the woman that isn't supposed to be smart and the mistress that she comes to understand.