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Yazidi!
Yazidism is a peaceful religion that has existed almost since the dawn of time. Today, Yazidis in Iraq are one of ISIL's primary targets. In "Yazidi!", Aurélien Ducoudray and Mini Ludvin tell the story of a strong-willed girl and her family during the 2014 Yazidi genocide. It is a tale of fear, oppression, grit, determination, sheer luck, and a whole lot of hope. Stories from the real world don't often have happy endings, but Zéré strives to make one for herself.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 26, 2023
I received this Graphic Novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to The Creative team and publisher behind this work, and thanks for NetGalley.
You would be surprised!
I am Eternally Grateful for the writer and the penciler, not for receiving a free copy of this, But for telling This True story, A story of The oppressed Yazidis, That most of us here living in Arab countries don't even hear about, if you find a big trend over an accident or atrocity like this around here, Muslims are the victims at all times, But when It's Muslims victimizing the minorities in their countries, you won't hear anything, I have so so many tales, even about The Christian Minorities living in Egypt and what they have to put up with from extremists each year.
Before This Graphic Novel, I always thought that the Kurds were oppressed just because they had a different language or ethnicity than the Arabs they live with or something!
Because yeah it's impossible to not hear tales of the oppression they have to put up with, But the Graphic novel actually educated me that they have an entirely different very old religion, Older than Judaism too!, and might very well be the origin of the story of Adam, But since it's an orally transferred religion, We can't make comparisons because there is no original religious texts it seems.
The Yazidis are really peaceful or at least that's how they are portrayed in this Graphic novel, which really made me sympathize with them and love and respect them, for surviving over 72 pogroms.
The Fighting force of the Yazidis are merely there for protection, probably enforced by the government of Iraq at one point, since the government kept failing on protecting them against massacres, granting them allowance to form their own military force for the purpose of defending their region.
The Graphic novel is based on a true story, with a happy ending, but there are still missing Yazidi little girls, and missing Yazidi people.
I would like to praise the artist, when i saw that first panel of the man opening the drapes on his window, and the scene of the buildings outside, i thought i was seeing the same scene i would see opening my own window, The Art really conveys the scenery around here, and the people look like the people around here, the names were also accurate by the writer, because a lot of times the writers get the names wrong for some reason xD
The Pedophilia part of Islam, as well as the convert or pay the toll or die by the blade part, as well as the enslaving of people, are all activities that were done by the so called prophet of Islam, during his life time, He is a known Pedophile, Sexist, Violent person, But more than that, The Quran that he has written carries all of his personality and beliefs, Creating a god beyond ugly and violent beyond any other depiction before him.
This Text For Example is from The Quran, yeah meaning this is god speaking, You might say that the translator got the wrong meaning or something, but not really, there is over 10 Huge series of books that explain Quran, all of which interpret this Text the exact same way, To mean Girl who did not get their periods yet, and if you say anything bad about these books as a muslim, you will be called a blasphemer, and if you contradict Sahih Al-Bukhari, Which is one of the books that Islam gets it's ruling from, since it includes Sayings by Muhammad, that is supposed to complete the religion and explain what needs to be explaining, The book include many passages where one of his wives say he married her as a girl of 6 years old and had intercourse with her as a girl of 9 years old.
If you contradict that book or doubt it to be a source of the religion, again you will be called a blasphemer.
YouTube has many Modern Sheikhs who made videos to defend the pedophilia that the islam allows, and to defend the prophet for being a pedophile, these guys are living like kings, with YouTube earned money, and these videos have millions of views with people mostly agreeing with the Sheikh who pretty much say if the girl is thick and can handle intercourse and pregnancy then it's allowed to marry her.
So The Problem is way more than terrorism, or intolerant religion that oppresses it's minorities, The problem is huge, Brainwashed masses, who will forever refuse to see reason, except the intellectual few who break the brainwash some way or another, and start searching and looking into it themselves.
Can we also stop to notice, That this is the religion with the most homophobes in the world, So they are against sex between Consenting Adults of the same sex, But it's okay if their religion allows pedophilia, and their Sheikhs to this day are defending it.
This part was funny, But most Muslim women actually wear Hijab because they think it's part of their religion, but is it free will if we hear tales yearly of girls getting beaten up by their older brothers for not wanting to wear Hijab anymore? It's really a tricky practice in Islam, like for example do we really have freedom, if we know that if we don't do what we are told, we will get punished or ostracized till we join the pack again?!
Now i would also like to speak about where do you think ISIS and ISIL are getting soldiers from?
As far as i know, of the soldiers that join from Egypt, some young men at 21 or 22 years old, after finishing their army period, they go change their names officially to not get tracked back to their own families, and they cross the border and join ISIS and ISIL because they give big salary, Does these guys do this out of religious extremism or out of greed for money? It honestly doesn't matter.
Even though i don't really follow their news because i abhor them, i did see a video of them before, selling their women slaves to each other and laughing about it, These again are all Islamic practices that were practiced by Muhammad and his follower during his life.
A lot of gullible people get lured to join Islam, by things like Islam ended slavery, which is complete and utter bullshit, Islam didn't end slavery, Islam reveled in slavery from the point of it's conception till the death of it's last caliphate, Slave women specially had it worse, since they were expected to have sex with their masters without marriage, Muhammad himself had 4 by the time he died, that's not counting the 14 women he married which included some freed slaves he freed specially to marry them, since it's not allowed for a master to marry a slave! Islam didn't really change a lot of bad practices in it's time, because it's not from god, If there is a God he would want to change people and guide them for the better, Islam was not it.
I feel it's my duty to educate people on this and get the word out, that no one in the future gets fooled by false claims and false hope, for a peaceful religion, Islam while it means Peace, Isn't peace, they are just too weak to carry out what they believe in, and the majority dream of the day when the world ends, and they rule the world entire!
Thanks to The Creative team and publisher behind this work, and thanks for NetGalley.
You would be surprised!
I am Eternally Grateful for the writer and the penciler, not for receiving a free copy of this, But for telling This True story, A story of The oppressed Yazidis, That most of us here living in Arab countries don't even hear about, if you find a big trend over an accident or atrocity like this around here, Muslims are the victims at all times, But when It's Muslims victimizing the minorities in their countries, you won't hear anything, I have so so many tales, even about The Christian Minorities living in Egypt and what they have to put up with from extremists each year.
Before This Graphic Novel, I always thought that the Kurds were oppressed just because they had a different language or ethnicity than the Arabs they live with or something!
Because yeah it's impossible to not hear tales of the oppression they have to put up with, But the Graphic novel actually educated me that they have an entirely different very old religion, Older than Judaism too!, and might very well be the origin of the story of Adam, But since it's an orally transferred religion, We can't make comparisons because there is no original religious texts it seems.
The Yazidis are really peaceful or at least that's how they are portrayed in this Graphic novel, which really made me sympathize with them and love and respect them, for surviving over 72 pogroms.
The Fighting force of the Yazidis are merely there for protection, probably enforced by the government of Iraq at one point, since the government kept failing on protecting them against massacres, granting them allowance to form their own military force for the purpose of defending their region.
The Graphic novel is based on a true story, with a happy ending, but there are still missing Yazidi little girls, and missing Yazidi people.
I would like to praise the artist, when i saw that first panel of the man opening the drapes on his window, and the scene of the buildings outside, i thought i was seeing the same scene i would see opening my own window, The Art really conveys the scenery around here, and the people look like the people around here, the names were also accurate by the writer, because a lot of times the writers get the names wrong for some reason xD
The Pedophilia part of Islam, as well as the convert or pay the toll or die by the blade part, as well as the enslaving of people, are all activities that were done by the so called prophet of Islam, during his life time, He is a known Pedophile, Sexist, Violent person, But more than that, The Quran that he has written carries all of his personality and beliefs, Creating a god beyond ugly and violent beyond any other depiction before him.
"If you have any doubt concerning those women of yours who have finished with menstruation, then their count is three months; as it is with the ones who are still not menstruating [my emphasis]. With those who are pregnant, their term will be whenever they give birth. God makes His matter easy for anyone who heeds Him.
at-Talaq 65:4"
This Text For Example is from The Quran, yeah meaning this is god speaking, You might say that the translator got the wrong meaning or something, but not really, there is over 10 Huge series of books that explain Quran, all of which interpret this Text the exact same way, To mean Girl who did not get their periods yet, and if you say anything bad about these books as a muslim, you will be called a blasphemer, and if you contradict Sahih Al-Bukhari, Which is one of the books that Islam gets it's ruling from, since it includes Sayings by Muhammad, that is supposed to complete the religion and explain what needs to be explaining, The book include many passages where one of his wives say he married her as a girl of 6 years old and had intercourse with her as a girl of 9 years old.
If you contradict that book or doubt it to be a source of the religion, again you will be called a blasphemer.
YouTube has many Modern Sheikhs who made videos to defend the pedophilia that the islam allows, and to defend the prophet for being a pedophile, these guys are living like kings, with YouTube earned money, and these videos have millions of views with people mostly agreeing with the Sheikh who pretty much say if the girl is thick and can handle intercourse and pregnancy then it's allowed to marry her.
So The Problem is way more than terrorism, or intolerant religion that oppresses it's minorities, The problem is huge, Brainwashed masses, who will forever refuse to see reason, except the intellectual few who break the brainwash some way or another, and start searching and looking into it themselves.
Can we also stop to notice, That this is the religion with the most homophobes in the world, So they are against sex between Consenting Adults of the same sex, But it's okay if their religion allows pedophilia, and their Sheikhs to this day are defending it.
This part was funny, But most Muslim women actually wear Hijab because they think it's part of their religion, but is it free will if we hear tales yearly of girls getting beaten up by their older brothers for not wanting to wear Hijab anymore? It's really a tricky practice in Islam, like for example do we really have freedom, if we know that if we don't do what we are told, we will get punished or ostracized till we join the pack again?!
Now i would also like to speak about where do you think ISIS and ISIL are getting soldiers from?
As far as i know, of the soldiers that join from Egypt, some young men at 21 or 22 years old, after finishing their army period, they go change their names officially to not get tracked back to their own families, and they cross the border and join ISIS and ISIL because they give big salary, Does these guys do this out of religious extremism or out of greed for money? It honestly doesn't matter.
Even though i don't really follow their news because i abhor them, i did see a video of them before, selling their women slaves to each other and laughing about it, These again are all Islamic practices that were practiced by Muhammad and his follower during his life.
A lot of gullible people get lured to join Islam, by things like Islam ended slavery, which is complete and utter bullshit, Islam didn't end slavery, Islam reveled in slavery from the point of it's conception till the death of it's last caliphate, Slave women specially had it worse, since they were expected to have sex with their masters without marriage, Muhammad himself had 4 by the time he died, that's not counting the 14 women he married which included some freed slaves he freed specially to marry them, since it's not allowed for a master to marry a slave! Islam didn't really change a lot of bad practices in it's time, because it's not from god, If there is a God he would want to change people and guide them for the better, Islam was not it.
I feel it's my duty to educate people on this and get the word out, that no one in the future gets fooled by false claims and false hope, for a peaceful religion, Islam while it means Peace, Isn't peace, they are just too weak to carry out what they believe in, and the majority dream of the day when the world ends, and they rule the world entire!
September 11, 2024
a necessary story
🫶🏼Well drawn and well scripted. A good graphic book is like watching a movie in stills.
I would like the book to have been longer. But it wasn’t this book’s purpose to be exhaustive. Just an introduction for young people. Nevertheless, we still get an uncomfortable look at ISIL or ISIS atrocities. How I tire of extremists and the religions they demand we obey.
🫶🏼One of the girls joins the YPJ at the end of the book. The YPJ and PPK are two military groups that defend the Kurdish women and people. The courage of male and female Kurdish freedom fighters is legendary. The legend is true.
🫶🏼Well drawn and well scripted. A good graphic book is like watching a movie in stills.
I would like the book to have been longer. But it wasn’t this book’s purpose to be exhaustive. Just an introduction for young people. Nevertheless, we still get an uncomfortable look at ISIL or ISIS atrocities. How I tire of extremists and the religions they demand we obey.
🫶🏼One of the girls joins the YPJ at the end of the book. The YPJ and PPK are two military groups that defend the Kurdish women and people. The courage of male and female Kurdish freedom fighters is legendary. The legend is true.
June 29, 2023
Yazidis, a minority group who practice an equally minority religion, have faced persecution for centuries—most recently from ISIL. Yazidi! tells the story of four young girls, sisters and cousins, living in the shadow of ISIL (also known as IS or ISIS). They're Yazidi, and while Mounia and Zina are living in the city with their parents, safe enough from threats, things are about to get very, very hard for Zéré and Nizra.
I picked this up for the cover but also because I know so very little about Yazidism. I love how clearly contemporary this setting is: the older girls in particular are as ready as any modern teenager to use their phones for selfies and covert flirting—and worried about keeping their parents from noticing toooo much.
There's some information about Yazidism here, though I found it necessary to supplement with Wikipedia at the very least. I would have loved more detail—among other things, what the daily lives of the girls, in the city and more rurally, look like; how they envision their futures; more about religion—but the illustrations are beautiful, and I'm glad the book is careful to separate ISIL from ordinary Muslims. There's also a clear attempt to find an ending that is happy but also realistic—this is no dystopian novel in which teenagers overthrow the oppressors and start a more equal society; it's a story in which the conflict can't end with the graphic novel because it's ongoing in real life. I'd be quite interested to see a follow-up graphic novel written about these girls when they're a bit older.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I picked this up for the cover but also because I know so very little about Yazidism. I love how clearly contemporary this setting is: the older girls in particular are as ready as any modern teenager to use their phones for selfies and covert flirting—and worried about keeping their parents from noticing toooo much.
There's some information about Yazidism here, though I found it necessary to supplement with Wikipedia at the very least. I would have loved more detail—among other things, what the daily lives of the girls, in the city and more rurally, look like; how they envision their futures; more about religion—but the illustrations are beautiful, and I'm glad the book is careful to separate ISIL from ordinary Muslims. There's also a clear attempt to find an ending that is happy but also realistic—this is no dystopian novel in which teenagers overthrow the oppressors and start a more equal society; it's a story in which the conflict can't end with the graphic novel because it's ongoing in real life. I'd be quite interested to see a follow-up graphic novel written about these girls when they're a bit older.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 3, 2023
I received this Graphic Novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Yazidi! is a beautifully illustrated and informative graphic novel on some very hard themes which I hear too little about.
Even though the drawings are gentle and use a very soothing color palette, the themes are intense. Through the eyes of two girls the reader is able to understand how when politics intertwine with religion dynamics change even in a region where different believes where living alongside each other peacefully.
The story is fast paced and even if there is not much violence shown in the drawings - a part from a non fatal stabbing - the reader can clearly understand what is going on.
I would say that this graphic novel can be aimed to raise awareness in a younger audience (since the main character is around 13) as well as in adults. The themes are clear, and it can be read in a sitting.
This story is a real story and as such doesn't have a happy ending, but it gives a glimpse of what girls like Zèrè and her family are willing to leave behind to fight for freedom.
I would love to see the printed drawings since they were stunning already from my laptop.
Yazidi! is a beautifully illustrated and informative graphic novel on some very hard themes which I hear too little about.
Even though the drawings are gentle and use a very soothing color palette, the themes are intense. Through the eyes of two girls the reader is able to understand how when politics intertwine with religion dynamics change even in a region where different believes where living alongside each other peacefully.
The story is fast paced and even if there is not much violence shown in the drawings - a part from a non fatal stabbing - the reader can clearly understand what is going on.
I would say that this graphic novel can be aimed to raise awareness in a younger audience (since the main character is around 13) as well as in adults. The themes are clear, and it can be read in a sitting.
This story is a real story and as such doesn't have a happy ending, but it gives a glimpse of what girls like Zèrè and her family are willing to leave behind to fight for freedom.
I would love to see the printed drawings since they were stunning already from my laptop.
June 19, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Available May 24, 2023.
4 stars
Yazidi! is in that class of graphic novels that takes this short form and shows us something extremely relevant and meaningful. Before this I didn’t know of the 2014 Yazidi massacre, but it has opened my eyes to this world event and makes me want to learn more.
At times both extremely harrowing and hopeful, it is a story of family, deceit and second chances. I really enjoyed the storytelling and beautiful art. I only wish we had more time with this story and were able to find out what happened to other characters as I felt it ended quite abruptly.
Overall, a story that should be told and listened to. Go read this!
Available May 24, 2023.
4 stars
Yazidi! is in that class of graphic novels that takes this short form and shows us something extremely relevant and meaningful. Before this I didn’t know of the 2014 Yazidi massacre, but it has opened my eyes to this world event and makes me want to learn more.
At times both extremely harrowing and hopeful, it is a story of family, deceit and second chances. I really enjoyed the storytelling and beautiful art. I only wish we had more time with this story and were able to find out what happened to other characters as I felt it ended quite abruptly.
Overall, a story that should be told and listened to. Go read this!
June 28, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a beautiful, poignant, and informative graphic novel. With gorgeous artwork relaying the story, it was easy to root for the characters. I thought the author did a fantastic job of providing detailed information on the plight of Yazidis, their struggles and fierce determination and resilience. A quick read that packs a punch.
This was a beautiful, poignant, and informative graphic novel. With gorgeous artwork relaying the story, it was easy to root for the characters. I thought the author did a fantastic job of providing detailed information on the plight of Yazidis, their struggles and fierce determination and resilience. A quick read that packs a punch.
June 25, 2023
Another interesting localization choice from Europe comics. Yazidi is a portrait of Yazidi families during the 1914 genocide under Daesh. Written by Aurélien Ducoudray (translated by Allison M Charette), it manages to fit a surprisingly large amount of political, social, and religious backstory into the narrative in a way that (generally) feels quite natural. And while the book felt like it could have used an extra 5-10 pages - it wraps up slightly too quickly - it's compellingly written and well-paced. The illustrations by Mini Ludvin are surprisingly manga-esque in bits (most noticeable in the faces of the girls), while also have detailed realistic backgrounds. The contrast sometimes feels slightly cartoon-y, but generally works well. The use of full colour also helps humanize the kind of story that often feels like it's being held at arms-length in b&w work.
Given the setting, there is a fair bit of violence to the story, but with the exception of one non-fatal injury near the end the murders and rapes occur off-page/in-between panels, which should make the book more accessible to audiences who might avoid a more visually graphic book. I had an eARC from Netgalley, but I imagine the visuals will be even more impressive in a hardcopy.
Given the setting, there is a fair bit of violence to the story, but with the exception of one non-fatal injury near the end the murders and rapes occur off-page/in-between panels, which should make the book more accessible to audiences who might avoid a more visually graphic book. I had an eARC from Netgalley, but I imagine the visuals will be even more impressive in a hardcopy.
June 12, 2023
4.5 stars
I absolutely sailed through this graphic novel, it sucks you in immediately.
Prior to reading, I had no in depth knowledge of this situation. It doesn't dump a ton of information or context on you up top (an issue I've seen with similar novels) but just enough so you're not going in completely cold. I think this is a great jumping off point for learning about this conflict.
The illustrations are wonderful, I read parts in colour & black and white (between different devices) and the imagery came across well both ways. I liked the use of the phones to break up sections and the family wallpapers made it very relatable.
I shan't spoil the story but I was gripped throughout, it took me 2 sessions to finish and it would have been one had life not got in the way! My only issue is length, I feel like I could have read more, more insight into these people could have been interesting.
- Thanks to NetGalley for the proof copy -
I absolutely sailed through this graphic novel, it sucks you in immediately.
Prior to reading, I had no in depth knowledge of this situation. It doesn't dump a ton of information or context on you up top (an issue I've seen with similar novels) but just enough so you're not going in completely cold. I think this is a great jumping off point for learning about this conflict.
The illustrations are wonderful, I read parts in colour & black and white (between different devices) and the imagery came across well both ways. I liked the use of the phones to break up sections and the family wallpapers made it very relatable.
I shan't spoil the story but I was gripped throughout, it took me 2 sessions to finish and it would have been one had life not got in the way! My only issue is length, I feel like I could have read more, more insight into these people could have been interesting.
- Thanks to NetGalley for the proof copy -
April 18, 2023
Ne vous laissez surtout pas berner par le dessin naïf de cette bande dessinée qui rappelle un peu celui des mangas. C'est une histoire triste et cruelle mais nécessaire, malheureusement. Il faut que cesse cette obsession et ce besoin de contrôle sur les petites filles (et les femmes en général) qu'ont beaucoup d'hommes partout dans le monde.
July 3, 2023
Based on true events, this graphic novel has beautiful illustrations but conveys a part of the terrors of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide. This story is told through the eyes of two Yazidi families - one who fled and the other who stayed in their home village. It
I have not heard of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide before but will definitely be reading more about it. This is a hard hitting work of art that provides an small insight into these historical events in an easy to understand manner with emotionally complex characters.
Highly recommend to everyone.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I have not heard of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide before but will definitely be reading more about it. This is a hard hitting work of art that provides an small insight into these historical events in an easy to understand manner with emotionally complex characters.
Highly recommend to everyone.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
April 9, 2026
I recommend this book for anyone who wants an artist representation of Islam's persecution of minorities.
May 27, 2023
A beautifully drawn and highly educational view of the Yazidi Genocide at the hands of ISIL, through the eyes of two young girls - cousins who have ended up in very different situations - one who stayed behind with their family in their home village to face the ISIL invasion and the other who fled to a safer place away from the trouble.
The graphic novel switches from one girl to the other, showing the challenges of their lives and how even in a place of supposed safety, the troubles of the past can catch up with you.
A lot of the most horrifying aspects of the Yazidi Genocide are merely alluded to here - a lot happens out of frame, but an adult reader will know the implications. A younger reader, which is the target audience here, will instead get a valuable introduction to a tragic piece of recent history. Highly recommended.
The graphic novel switches from one girl to the other, showing the challenges of their lives and how even in a place of supposed safety, the troubles of the past can catch up with you.
A lot of the most horrifying aspects of the Yazidi Genocide are merely alluded to here - a lot happens out of frame, but an adult reader will know the implications. A younger reader, which is the target audience here, will instead get a valuable introduction to a tragic piece of recent history. Highly recommended.
May 24, 2023
I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
A stunning book about two families, well one given they are family of each other, one lives in the city and the other in the rural part. We follow both of them and see how the war/ISIL affects them both. The girls and their mom in the city are terrified because they know that things are going worse and worse. The family in the rural part... well, that is the part that was shocking. ISIL is there. The men are taken. The women are taken and we see that girls are selected. I don't think I need to explain what for. *shudders* We follow for most Zéré as she tries to get through things that happen and try to find a way out. I just wanted to give her such a big hug for all she went through. Plus, not knowing what happened to her family later on. There is a shocking bit later on that was just a big WTF and came out of nowhere.
The reason why I rated it a 3 star and not higher was that at times the characters melted into each other and how we went from the city family to the rural family also wasn't clicking.
A stunning book about two families, well one given they are family of each other, one lives in the city and the other in the rural part. We follow both of them and see how the war/ISIL affects them both. The girls and their mom in the city are terrified because they know that things are going worse and worse. The family in the rural part... well, that is the part that was shocking. ISIL is there. The men are taken. The women are taken and we see that girls are selected. I don't think I need to explain what for. *shudders* We follow for most Zéré as she tries to get through things that happen and try to find a way out. I just wanted to give her such a big hug for all she went through. Plus, not knowing what happened to her family later on. There is a shocking bit later on that was just a big WTF and came out of nowhere.
The reason why I rated it a 3 star and not higher was that at times the characters melted into each other and how we went from the city family to the rural family also wasn't clicking.
July 12, 2023
I read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy for Netgalley.
This was an amazing introduction into the many ways that specific ethnic groups are being targeted in the Middle East in an accessible and easy-to-read format. Content warnings for attempted/alluded sexual assault and war time and genocide. Zere is an amazing main character who works to save her family, both blood and chosen.
This was an amazing introduction into the many ways that specific ethnic groups are being targeted in the Middle East in an accessible and easy-to-read format. Content warnings for attempted/alluded sexual assault and war time and genocide. Zere is an amazing main character who works to save her family, both blood and chosen.
January 15, 2023
Zéré est une ado yézidie qui vit une vie normale jusqu'à l'arrivée de Daesh dans son village. Elle et sa cousine seront enlevées par les soldats pour les vendre comme esclaves. À partir de ce moment-là, Zéré devra se battre pour fuir Daesh et pouvoir retrouver sa famille...
BD jeunesse sur les Yézidis, un peuple très persécuté historiquement et notamment par Daesh ces dernières années. Le dessin vient soulager un peu la violence du sujet et permet de montrer la réalité de, malheureusement, beaucoup de jeunes filles yézidies.
BD jeunesse sur les Yézidis, un peuple très persécuté historiquement et notamment par Daesh ces dernières années. Le dessin vient soulager un peu la violence du sujet et permet de montrer la réalité de, malheureusement, beaucoup de jeunes filles yézidies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2023
Despite the profound darkness of Yazidi!'s story, Aurélien Ducoudray weaves in unexpected humor that keeps the narrative from being overwhelming. It's a testament to his skill as a storyteller, maintaining hope even in the face of unimaginable horror.
More than just a communication device, the phone in Yazidi becomes a powerful symbol of captured memories and flickering hope. Ducoudray masterfully uses this simple object to illustrate the resilience of the human spirit even amidst brutal injustices.
Yazidi! is a vital reminder of the realities faced by many around the world, a stark illustration of the injustices perpetrated under the guise of religion. It's a story that demands attention and prompts introspection, urging us to remember the struggles of those less fortunate.
Mini Ludvin's illustrations for Yazidi! are breathtaking, breathing life into the characters and their stories. Their beauty stands in stark contrast to the darkness of the narrative, adding another layer of complexity to the reading experience.
While the novel itself is powerful, the inclusion of the drawing process and author's notes would have enriched the experience further. Insights into Ludvin's artistic choices and Ducoudray's personal connection to the story would have offered a deeper understanding of this impactful work.
More than just a communication device, the phone in Yazidi becomes a powerful symbol of captured memories and flickering hope. Ducoudray masterfully uses this simple object to illustrate the resilience of the human spirit even amidst brutal injustices.
Yazidi! is a vital reminder of the realities faced by many around the world, a stark illustration of the injustices perpetrated under the guise of religion. It's a story that demands attention and prompts introspection, urging us to remember the struggles of those less fortunate.
Mini Ludvin's illustrations for Yazidi! are breathtaking, breathing life into the characters and their stories. Their beauty stands in stark contrast to the darkness of the narrative, adding another layer of complexity to the reading experience.
While the novel itself is powerful, the inclusion of the drawing process and author's notes would have enriched the experience further. Insights into Ludvin's artistic choices and Ducoudray's personal connection to the story would have offered a deeper understanding of this impactful work.
June 11, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for letting me read this ARC for an unbiased review!
Can I just start by saying the obvious: the illustration is beautiful. The dialogue flowed well and was realistic. The storyline was easy to follow yet emotionally complex. There were plot twists and great characterization. Relationships were built and lost in so few pages. This was brilliant all around.
Yazidi! is a beautifully written and illustrated graphic novel dealing with the Yazidi genocide. Peshmergas, defenses for Yazidis against ISIL, flee and leave them defenseless. Zéré, a young girl must survive despite the kidnappings, rape, and murder that is occurring to her community.
I had no idea about ANY OF THIS! It seriously brought to my attention that I know very little about religion, politics, and oppression that isn't occurring in my own country. This was a very informative exploration of the topic that, because of its illustration and pretty easy-breezy reading experience, was a great introduction into a topic that is undoubtably much bigger and complex (meaning there is probably SO much more to know about this that cannot all be touched on in a <200 page graphic novel). It definitely sent me down a rabbit hole so I could understand more. It is a truly disheartening piece of history that more people should know about. I’m only 19 and have never heard of the Yazidi genoicde, so I cannot imagine how this history will fade from younger peoples understanding of global history if stories like this are not told. This graphic novels is both an engaging story and an educational illustration of difficult topics. In other words, it makes difficult subject matter easier to grasp and accessible. And it does so with much sensitivity, especially as it deals with young girls.
I did have a bit of difficulty understanding who was who in the past and present. But with a second pass through the book, it made much more sense. I do not read graphic novels often so didn’t notice small details in illustration that can help with this. Honestly, reading it a second time was even more enjoyable because I found things I missed. It’s such a quick read anyway that it wasn’t a burden at all to read again. I also found it helpful to look up some vocabulary like caliphates, peshmergas, etc. Not imperative, as you can make inferences. But it can provide some important context.
This is BEAUTIFUL and I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend it to literally everyone.
Can I just start by saying the obvious: the illustration is beautiful. The dialogue flowed well and was realistic. The storyline was easy to follow yet emotionally complex. There were plot twists and great characterization. Relationships were built and lost in so few pages. This was brilliant all around.
Yazidi! is a beautifully written and illustrated graphic novel dealing with the Yazidi genocide. Peshmergas, defenses for Yazidis against ISIL, flee and leave them defenseless. Zéré, a young girl must survive despite the kidnappings, rape, and murder that is occurring to her community.
I had no idea about ANY OF THIS! It seriously brought to my attention that I know very little about religion, politics, and oppression that isn't occurring in my own country. This was a very informative exploration of the topic that, because of its illustration and pretty easy-breezy reading experience, was a great introduction into a topic that is undoubtably much bigger and complex (meaning there is probably SO much more to know about this that cannot all be touched on in a <200 page graphic novel). It definitely sent me down a rabbit hole so I could understand more. It is a truly disheartening piece of history that more people should know about. I’m only 19 and have never heard of the Yazidi genoicde, so I cannot imagine how this history will fade from younger peoples understanding of global history if stories like this are not told. This graphic novels is both an engaging story and an educational illustration of difficult topics. In other words, it makes difficult subject matter easier to grasp and accessible. And it does so with much sensitivity, especially as it deals with young girls.
I did have a bit of difficulty understanding who was who in the past and present. But with a second pass through the book, it made much more sense. I do not read graphic novels often so didn’t notice small details in illustration that can help with this. Honestly, reading it a second time was even more enjoyable because I found things I missed. It’s such a quick read anyway that it wasn’t a burden at all to read again. I also found it helpful to look up some vocabulary like caliphates, peshmergas, etc. Not imperative, as you can make inferences. But it can provide some important context.
This is BEAUTIFUL and I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend it to literally everyone.
October 30, 2023
I absolutely loved Yazidi, a graphic novel with illustrations that are evocative and emotive.. The story is well paced, depicting the tumultuous historical period that it is set in with a striking contrast between the calming palette and simple illustrations and the heavy topics that are covered through this story.
We meet Zere, whose family and community are Yazidi - a Kurdish-speaking endogamous religious group who are indigenous to Kurdistan, a geographical region in Western Asia that includes parts of Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran. As ISIL gains control in the region, the Yazidi people are targeted and persecuted because of their ethnicity.
The focus on Zere’s experience as she is separated from her family, her experience in captivity and then how she becomes a freedom fighter once she escapes and is able to connect with community members who’ve been displaced but continue to fight for their collective liberation is uplifting and connecting because we get to hear not only about the struggle that folks are dealing with but the ways in which they leaned into family and community in order to survive it. The story is layered and nuanced, and the writers aren’t shy about laying out the horrors of occupation and genocide, even as they highlight the humanity of those caught in these conflicts in ways that sensationalist news cycle too often leave out.
I appreciated the glimpses of Yazidi culture and history that we were offered throughout this story, the challenges Yazidi people have faced due to their persecution and most of all, the role that families and communities have played in resisting and supporting each other throughout, even as generations navigate collective and personal trauma..
This story definitely left me wanting to learn more, both about the characters in this story as well as the Yazidi people it represents. I’ll be sharing this with the youth in my life and talking about the ways in which we can individually and collectively resist oppression in our own lives as well as uplifting the stories of other communities throughout the world.
My thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the DRC of “Yazidi”.
This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
We meet Zere, whose family and community are Yazidi - a Kurdish-speaking endogamous religious group who are indigenous to Kurdistan, a geographical region in Western Asia that includes parts of Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran. As ISIL gains control in the region, the Yazidi people are targeted and persecuted because of their ethnicity.
The focus on Zere’s experience as she is separated from her family, her experience in captivity and then how she becomes a freedom fighter once she escapes and is able to connect with community members who’ve been displaced but continue to fight for their collective liberation is uplifting and connecting because we get to hear not only about the struggle that folks are dealing with but the ways in which they leaned into family and community in order to survive it. The story is layered and nuanced, and the writers aren’t shy about laying out the horrors of occupation and genocide, even as they highlight the humanity of those caught in these conflicts in ways that sensationalist news cycle too often leave out.
I appreciated the glimpses of Yazidi culture and history that we were offered throughout this story, the challenges Yazidi people have faced due to their persecution and most of all, the role that families and communities have played in resisting and supporting each other throughout, even as generations navigate collective and personal trauma..
This story definitely left me wanting to learn more, both about the characters in this story as well as the Yazidi people it represents. I’ll be sharing this with the youth in my life and talking about the ways in which we can individually and collectively resist oppression in our own lives as well as uplifting the stories of other communities throughout the world.
My thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the DRC of “Yazidi”.
This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
June 23, 2023
///// English /////
*Disclaimer: I had received a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 8/10 – 4 stars out of 5
Genre: Graphic novel
Make love, respect others. We are all important.
These types of stories, although hard at times, are necessary to know the harsh reality that many people live in the world. In 2014 we received a lot of news related to the genocide of Yazidism. However, this graphic novel allows us to approach the events as someone lived them and, from this format, it is easier for the little ones to understand that respect for others is the most important thing.
The illustrations are pretty, but quite adult, so it is highly recommended reading for practically anyone. It is not limited to teenagers.
The end of the story brings us closer to fighting women, those who understand what others have gone through and fight so that it does not continue to happen. In addition, betrayal must be understood from the point of view of someone who has totally lived for it.
///// Español /////
*Aviso: Recibí un eARC gratuito a cambio de una revisión honesta.
Calificación: 8/10 – 4 estrellas de 5
Género: Novela gráfica
Haz el amor, respeta a los demás. Todos somos importantes.
Este tipo de historias, aunque duras a veces, son necesarias para conocer la dura realidad que viven muchas personas en el mundo. En 2014 nos llegaron muchísimas noticias relacionadas con el genocidio del Yazidismo. Sin embargo, esta novela gráfica nos permite acercarnos a los hechos tal cual alguien los vivió y, desde este formato, es más fácil que los más pequeños entiendan que el respeto a los demás es lo más importante.
Las ilustraciones son bonitas, pero bastante adultas, así que es totalmente recomendable su lectura para prácticamente cualquier persona. No está limitado a los adolescentes.
El final de la historia nos acerca a las mujeres luchadoras, las que entienden lo que otros han pasado y pelean para que no siga pasando. Además, la traición hay que entenderla desde el punto de vista de quien ha vivido totalmente para eso.
*Disclaimer: I had received a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 8/10 – 4 stars out of 5
Genre: Graphic novel
Make love, respect others. We are all important.
These types of stories, although hard at times, are necessary to know the harsh reality that many people live in the world. In 2014 we received a lot of news related to the genocide of Yazidism. However, this graphic novel allows us to approach the events as someone lived them and, from this format, it is easier for the little ones to understand that respect for others is the most important thing.
The illustrations are pretty, but quite adult, so it is highly recommended reading for practically anyone. It is not limited to teenagers.
The end of the story brings us closer to fighting women, those who understand what others have gone through and fight so that it does not continue to happen. In addition, betrayal must be understood from the point of view of someone who has totally lived for it.
///// Español /////
*Aviso: Recibí un eARC gratuito a cambio de una revisión honesta.
Calificación: 8/10 – 4 estrellas de 5
Género: Novela gráfica
Haz el amor, respeta a los demás. Todos somos importantes.
Este tipo de historias, aunque duras a veces, son necesarias para conocer la dura realidad que viven muchas personas en el mundo. En 2014 nos llegaron muchísimas noticias relacionadas con el genocidio del Yazidismo. Sin embargo, esta novela gráfica nos permite acercarnos a los hechos tal cual alguien los vivió y, desde este formato, es más fácil que los más pequeños entiendan que el respeto a los demás es lo más importante.
Las ilustraciones son bonitas, pero bastante adultas, así que es totalmente recomendable su lectura para prácticamente cualquier persona. No está limitado a los adolescentes.
El final de la historia nos acerca a las mujeres luchadoras, las que entienden lo que otros han pasado y pelean para que no siga pasando. Además, la traición hay que entenderla desde el punto de vista de quien ha vivido totalmente para eso.
June 18, 2023
Yazidi! is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about a young Yazidi girl and her family, who at the time of the novel have become a target of a terrorist group due to their ethnicity.
Reading this book is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to learn about the Yazidi people and their struggles as an ethnically targeted group throughout history. This graphic novel gave me my first glimpse of this culture and some of the challenges they have faced in recent years. Reading this novel sparked an interest in me to learn more about the Yazidi people.
One thing I absolutely adored about this graphic novel was its artwork. It was absolutely stunning and I loved that it was in color. I find that color in graphic novels really helps me to distinguish the different characters, and I felt it really enhanced the story. It helps me feel like I am able to follow through the characters world. Something else I loved was that even though this story could have ended poorly, the authors deliver a message of hope with the positive outcome to the story.
A negative to this story is that there are a bunch of characters that we never find out what happened to. I am assuming this is based on a true story, but the novel never specified, so I wasn't sure if the authors didn't want to follow the stories of the other characters due to a negative outcome in real life.
This story can be a great introduction for many readers on this suppressed group of people. This is a one of a kind graphic novel, and I say that as a reader who has read A LOT of graphic novels in the past few months. I hope readers give this a try and enjoy it as much as I did!
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
Reading this book is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to learn about the Yazidi people and their struggles as an ethnically targeted group throughout history. This graphic novel gave me my first glimpse of this culture and some of the challenges they have faced in recent years. Reading this novel sparked an interest in me to learn more about the Yazidi people.
One thing I absolutely adored about this graphic novel was its artwork. It was absolutely stunning and I loved that it was in color. I find that color in graphic novels really helps me to distinguish the different characters, and I felt it really enhanced the story. It helps me feel like I am able to follow through the characters world. Something else I loved was that even though this story could have ended poorly, the authors deliver a message of hope with the positive outcome to the story.
A negative to this story is that there are a bunch of characters that we never find out what happened to. I am assuming this is based on a true story, but the novel never specified, so I wasn't sure if the authors didn't want to follow the stories of the other characters due to a negative outcome in real life.
This story can be a great introduction for many readers on this suppressed group of people. This is a one of a kind graphic novel, and I say that as a reader who has read A LOT of graphic novels in the past few months. I hope readers give this a try and enjoy it as much as I did!
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
May 27, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I choose this graphic novel to review because I was intrigued by the plot blurb. I have never even heard of Yazidism or the Yazidi Genocide, so I was extremely curious. The story follows a young Yazidi girl as she lives through the 2014 Yazidi Genocide. The plot overall follows a very serious topic, but it is written in a way to makes it understandable without going too deeply into it. It still handles the topic in a way that doesn't gloss over how devasting of a time it was, but still states it fairly plainly. It's sobering to finish the novel and come to the realization that many Yazidi women and girls likely didn't get a happy ending as Zéré does. The novel doesn't have anything explicitly horrible that happen to Zéré, but it implies how very easily it could have. I did appreciate that woven into the first few pages of illustrations is a quick explanation of the Yazidi Genocide and what Yazidism is. That is incredibly helpful for someone who knows nothing about either subject, like me. The plot does jump slightly between some characters' perspectives in a slightly odd way, but it smooths out just fine. The art style was impeccable. Easy to read and beautifully drawn. This novel has also sparked a desire to learn more about Yazidism and what type of religion it is. I will be off to learn about it after this, and I thank the novel for introducing me to something new.
I choose this graphic novel to review because I was intrigued by the plot blurb. I have never even heard of Yazidism or the Yazidi Genocide, so I was extremely curious. The story follows a young Yazidi girl as she lives through the 2014 Yazidi Genocide. The plot overall follows a very serious topic, but it is written in a way to makes it understandable without going too deeply into it. It still handles the topic in a way that doesn't gloss over how devasting of a time it was, but still states it fairly plainly. It's sobering to finish the novel and come to the realization that many Yazidi women and girls likely didn't get a happy ending as Zéré does. The novel doesn't have anything explicitly horrible that happen to Zéré, but it implies how very easily it could have. I did appreciate that woven into the first few pages of illustrations is a quick explanation of the Yazidi Genocide and what Yazidism is. That is incredibly helpful for someone who knows nothing about either subject, like me. The plot does jump slightly between some characters' perspectives in a slightly odd way, but it smooths out just fine. The art style was impeccable. Easy to read and beautifully drawn. This novel has also sparked a desire to learn more about Yazidism and what type of religion it is. I will be off to learn about it after this, and I thank the novel for introducing me to something new.
May 25, 2023
*Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
This is a beautifully drawn, engaging story about two families during the 2014 Yazidi genocide. I had never heard of the Yazidi, or of the genocide, but the narration does a very good job of outlining the group and what happened. The story is focused on two branches of the same family, one that fled to the city prior to ISIL appearing and one that stayed in town too late. The narration switches back and forth between the two, often abruptly which I found confusing, as the girls are all cousins and I thought that it was the same girl in both plots at first. The family in the city is relatively safe, but they fear what happened to their family they left behind. The star of the book is Zéré, who was one of the ones who stayed behind. Her experiences were harrowing and frightening, but her determination sees her through the conflict. The genocide and its effects are taken very seriously, and the author does not shy away from the terrible realities of this sort of situation, particularly for the women. I thought this book was well-done and fantastically illustrated, but the plot jumping around was confusing and things wrapped up a bit too quickly for me.
This is a beautifully drawn, engaging story about two families during the 2014 Yazidi genocide. I had never heard of the Yazidi, or of the genocide, but the narration does a very good job of outlining the group and what happened. The story is focused on two branches of the same family, one that fled to the city prior to ISIL appearing and one that stayed in town too late. The narration switches back and forth between the two, often abruptly which I found confusing, as the girls are all cousins and I thought that it was the same girl in both plots at first. The family in the city is relatively safe, but they fear what happened to their family they left behind. The star of the book is Zéré, who was one of the ones who stayed behind. Her experiences were harrowing and frightening, but her determination sees her through the conflict. The genocide and its effects are taken very seriously, and the author does not shy away from the terrible realities of this sort of situation, particularly for the women. I thought this book was well-done and fantastically illustrated, but the plot jumping around was confusing and things wrapped up a bit too quickly for me.
May 25, 2023
Based on a true story, this graphic novel introduces us to the gentle Yazidi Kurds, who are regularly brutalized by ISIL. Those radical terrorists have been attempting a Yazidi genocide for some time now.
The story begins with a loving and playful tone, showing an ordinary family going about their daily lives. As ISIL gets closer and closer to their village, the people feel the strain of worry, and they are right to expect the worst. There is a group of Yazidi fighters who are trying to resist, but they are badly outnumbered. The Yazidis rely on their rational Muslim neighbors, but those people too, seem powerless to help them.
The remarkable part of this story is the tenacity and resourcefulness of the young teen captives. It takes serious courage to fight back in creative ways. I was terrified for them. I know what happens to Yazidi girls captured by ISIS or ISIL.
The plot twists and turns in surprising ways [no spoilers] and the story as a whole captured my whole heart. What an important adaptation of a true story.
Thank you so much for allowing me this graphic novel copy to review: thanks to NetGalley, and especially a big thanks to Europe Comics, who are leading the way with graphic novels about vitally important topics.
The story begins with a loving and playful tone, showing an ordinary family going about their daily lives. As ISIL gets closer and closer to their village, the people feel the strain of worry, and they are right to expect the worst. There is a group of Yazidi fighters who are trying to resist, but they are badly outnumbered. The Yazidis rely on their rational Muslim neighbors, but those people too, seem powerless to help them.
The remarkable part of this story is the tenacity and resourcefulness of the young teen captives. It takes serious courage to fight back in creative ways. I was terrified for them. I know what happens to Yazidi girls captured by ISIS or ISIL.
The plot twists and turns in surprising ways [no spoilers] and the story as a whole captured my whole heart. What an important adaptation of a true story.
Thank you so much for allowing me this graphic novel copy to review: thanks to NetGalley, and especially a big thanks to Europe Comics, who are leading the way with graphic novels about vitally important topics.
September 7, 2023
4.5 stars
Such a gripping story! This standalone graphic novel was so well written and illustrated, it felt like I was immersed in a movie reading it. Knowing it is based on true events made it all the more poignant and I was genuinely scared for the girls at the center of the story.
Based on the Yazidi genocide of 2014 by ISIL in northern Iraq, we follow a family who fled the area as well as a family who stayed, and the difference in experiences for the girls in the families - who are cousins. The art style of the characters' faces and eyes made them and their emotions feel real to me. The story is well paced and the ending bittersweet but satisfying, especially with the information at the end about the real-life person the graphic novel is based on.
Based on the cover with the very young girl, I thought it would read more middlegrade but there is a more young adult tone and it reads well for adults also. The subject matters of oppression, religious persecution and more makes it very hard-hitting and informative. I think it belongs with the likes of Persepolis and Maus in any graphic novel collection.
Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for review consideration of this book! All opinions are my own.
Such a gripping story! This standalone graphic novel was so well written and illustrated, it felt like I was immersed in a movie reading it. Knowing it is based on true events made it all the more poignant and I was genuinely scared for the girls at the center of the story.
Based on the Yazidi genocide of 2014 by ISIL in northern Iraq, we follow a family who fled the area as well as a family who stayed, and the difference in experiences for the girls in the families - who are cousins. The art style of the characters' faces and eyes made them and their emotions feel real to me. The story is well paced and the ending bittersweet but satisfying, especially with the information at the end about the real-life person the graphic novel is based on.
Based on the cover with the very young girl, I thought it would read more middlegrade but there is a more young adult tone and it reads well for adults also. The subject matters of oppression, religious persecution and more makes it very hard-hitting and informative. I think it belongs with the likes of Persepolis and Maus in any graphic novel collection.
Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for review consideration of this book! All opinions are my own.
June 23, 2023
It's pretty difficult to introduce complex political situations in short-form graphic novels, but Yazidi! manages to dispense the information in a way that's organic to the characters' stories. I'm not entirely clear from the publisher description how much of this story is true, and how much it's inspired by real events, but it manages to convey some very heavy topics in a way that's both believable and incremental.
Like some other readers, I would have liked this to be longer just because I found the story compelling, but the pacing never felt off while I was reading. While there is a lot of violence implied in this comic, most of it is off-page. You know what's happening without having to see it directly, which both makes the book accessible for younger readers and adds to the sense of tension and uncertainty that the characters are experiencing. The lack of narration also means that the reader is left to fill in the blanks and consider how each of the characters feel rather than being told directly. I think this comic would make a great addition to a classroom---it's educational without being didactic.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this comic as an ARC.
Like some other readers, I would have liked this to be longer just because I found the story compelling, but the pacing never felt off while I was reading. While there is a lot of violence implied in this comic, most of it is off-page. You know what's happening without having to see it directly, which both makes the book accessible for younger readers and adds to the sense of tension and uncertainty that the characters are experiencing. The lack of narration also means that the reader is left to fill in the blanks and consider how each of the characters feel rather than being told directly. I think this comic would make a great addition to a classroom---it's educational without being didactic.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this comic as an ARC.
July 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC!
4.5 rounded up for Goodreads
“ISIL soldiers might hide the sun, but they can’t stop it from shining.”
An impactful and fast-paced graphic novel regarding a recent and yet relatively unknown (at least here in the United States) historical event, Yazidi! follows Zéré, a young teenage girl, as she struggles to survive the occupation of her Iraq town by the Islamic State (ISIL). The Yazidi are an ethnic group native to Kurdistan who were targeted by ISIL in a 2014 genocide. Zéré starts out as a normal modern teenager, but as her town is occupied, is separated from her family and endures numerous hardships.
The artwork and dialogue in Yazidi! is impactful and I loved the soft color palette in contrast to the horrors of war that still highlighted the hope and strength of the Yazidi people. Though the ending was abrupt and I wish I could have seen more of the characters, it did end on a hopeful note that left Zéré’s story open. The author and illustrator have created a memorable insight into one of the past decade’s tragedies in a way that is accessible and engaging.
4.5 rounded up for Goodreads
“ISIL soldiers might hide the sun, but they can’t stop it from shining.”
An impactful and fast-paced graphic novel regarding a recent and yet relatively unknown (at least here in the United States) historical event, Yazidi! follows Zéré, a young teenage girl, as she struggles to survive the occupation of her Iraq town by the Islamic State (ISIL). The Yazidi are an ethnic group native to Kurdistan who were targeted by ISIL in a 2014 genocide. Zéré starts out as a normal modern teenager, but as her town is occupied, is separated from her family and endures numerous hardships.
The artwork and dialogue in Yazidi! is impactful and I loved the soft color palette in contrast to the horrors of war that still highlighted the hope and strength of the Yazidi people. Though the ending was abrupt and I wish I could have seen more of the characters, it did end on a hopeful note that left Zéré’s story open. The author and illustrator have created a memorable insight into one of the past decade’s tragedies in a way that is accessible and engaging.
June 17, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Run away with our tails between our legs like your brother? Leave our lands? To go where? Yazidis were born here, and we're not going anywhere!
Based on true events, this graphic novel has charming illustrations but conveys just a part of the terrors of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide. This story is told through the eyes of two Yazidi families - one who fled and the other who stayed in their home village. It provides an insight into the conflicts between the Yazidis and ISIL in an easy to understand manner with emotionally complex characters.
To be honest, I think I'd only heard of this genocide in passing. It made me realize that I don't know much about the culture, religion, politics, or social issues in that part of the world. I wish the novel had some resources or explanations at the end. I did find a really interesting resource to learn a little more about Kurdish culture though - The Kurdish Project!
Run away with our tails between our legs like your brother? Leave our lands? To go where? Yazidis were born here, and we're not going anywhere!
Based on true events, this graphic novel has charming illustrations but conveys just a part of the terrors of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide. This story is told through the eyes of two Yazidi families - one who fled and the other who stayed in their home village. It provides an insight into the conflicts between the Yazidis and ISIL in an easy to understand manner with emotionally complex characters.
To be honest, I think I'd only heard of this genocide in passing. It made me realize that I don't know much about the culture, religion, politics, or social issues in that part of the world. I wish the novel had some resources or explanations at the end. I did find a really interesting resource to learn a little more about Kurdish culture though - The Kurdish Project!
June 21, 2023
Before last year, I never read graphic novels. I found that I enjoy them. Yazidi! can be added to that list. I appreciated that I learned actual world knowledge from this as well. Before I started reading, I did some searching about the Yazidi people. The start of the book actually gives some information as well. The illustrations were really good. I loved the pages on the legend of Adam. I thought it was great to end on a powerful image of Zéré.
I had two small issues. The first was I was confused who our main character(s) were. I thought Ahmad’s two daughters were the main characters and that it had done a time jump at first. The second issue was that the ending felt very abrupt.
One thing I did want to mention is content warnings. There are some adult themes in this story. Besides war, there are implications of sexual assault (nothing described in detail), blood, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for this digital copy of Yazidi! All feedback above is my own honest opinions.
Yazidi! is out now!
I had two small issues. The first was I was confused who our main character(s) were. I thought Ahmad’s two daughters were the main characters and that it had done a time jump at first. The second issue was that the ending felt very abrupt.
One thing I did want to mention is content warnings. There are some adult themes in this story. Besides war, there are implications of sexual assault (nothing described in detail), blood, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for this digital copy of Yazidi! All feedback above is my own honest opinions.
Yazidi! is out now!
September 9, 2023
A heartbreaking story of the Yazidi genocide told through the stories of two families: one who fled and one who stayed, and especially Zéré, a young girl who is separated from her family by ISIL.
Due to it's theme this comic is really dark, even though most of the violence is off-page and sex slavery and rape are only reffered at to suit a younger audience, but it's still really dark and requires discussion if read by teenagers.
It's an important book about a mostly unknown part of contemporary history. It's especially important because it introduces younger readers (but probably many adults too) to the everyday life of people, especially children, living in the shadow of war. It's heart-wrenching to see how these families go about their everyday stuff and then children just casually joke about AK-47s and such.
The art style is well executed and the light-colored palette is in an interesting contrast with the dark story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.
Due to it's theme this comic is really dark, even though most of the violence is off-page and sex slavery and rape are only reffered at to suit a younger audience, but it's still really dark and requires discussion if read by teenagers.
It's an important book about a mostly unknown part of contemporary history. It's especially important because it introduces younger readers (but probably many adults too) to the everyday life of people, especially children, living in the shadow of war. It's heart-wrenching to see how these families go about their everyday stuff and then children just casually joke about AK-47s and such.
The art style is well executed and the light-colored palette is in an interesting contrast with the dark story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.
May 23, 2023
Sometimes there are graphic novels that shed light on terrible events in the world. "Yazidi!" is one of those. This heart-wrenching graphic novel tells the story of the Yazidi genocide of 2014 and its enduring effects.
We follow the story of how the genocide unfolded in 2014, how families were torn apart and endured unimaginable horrors. This is the story that didn't receive enough media coverage.
The story is written in an accessible manner with beautiful illustrations, making it suitable for readers of all ages. While the story is written in a light-hearted manner, it also addresses the heavier aspects effectively and pulls the reader into this heart-wrenching journey.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find whether this is a true story of someone or if it is based on the accounts known from Yazidi women who escaped. Whichever it may be, there are so many similar stories that are not heard enough.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for providing the review copy.
We follow the story of how the genocide unfolded in 2014, how families were torn apart and endured unimaginable horrors. This is the story that didn't receive enough media coverage.
The story is written in an accessible manner with beautiful illustrations, making it suitable for readers of all ages. While the story is written in a light-hearted manner, it also addresses the heavier aspects effectively and pulls the reader into this heart-wrenching journey.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find whether this is a true story of someone or if it is based on the accounts known from Yazidi women who escaped. Whichever it may be, there are so many similar stories that are not heard enough.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for providing the review copy.
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