The Girl Who Draws on Whales

by Ariela Kristantina, Will Dennis (editor), Bryan Valenza (colorist)

From Ariela Kristantina, artist of the Eisner Award-nominated graphic novel Adora and the Distance, The Girl Who Draws on Whales is a testimony to the power of stories—their uncanny ability to entertain, educate and, ultimately, unite us.

Reminiscent of stories like Moana, Princess Mononoke, The Never-Ending Story, Frozen, and Snow Angels, The Girl Who Draws on Whales is an epic YA grahic novel adventure about two siblings struggling for survival, who must use their art to save their world.

The Girl Who Draws on Whales is set in a fantasy world, several centuries after “The Great Flood.” Sister Wangi and younger brother Banyu live in a sea-village. Wangi has a special bond with the Great Whales that visit their sea-village and they allow Wangi to draw on their backs. Sometimes they return with new drawings on them. Wangi believes that there are other sea-villages or island settlements scattered around and that they are sending her messages but, none of the elders listen to her.

One day, a new whale arrives in the village alone, wounded, and dying—this whale has a new drawing on her back that doesn't look like the previous drawings. Inspired by this mystery, Wangi vows to investigate. Although forbidden by her parents and the village elders, Wangi—along with a stowaway, who happens to be her brother Banyu—embark on a wondrous journey to investigate where the drawings are coming from only to find much more than they were expecting.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Teen, Graphic Novels Comics

Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2026

About the author

This illustrator also creates works under the name Rie.

Reviews

[Maryn Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations were beautiful but the story jumped around a lot and was hard to follow

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful art, but story is a flop

I read this book to earn a bookmark from the Kindle challenge, which required me to read a graphic novel or manga. The artwork in The Girl Who Draws on Whales is absolutely beautiful and the watercolor makes it truly stunning. The story, however, is really lacking substance. I looked back on cells multiple times because I felt like I had missed something, but it simply wasn't there. Citra as the narrator was odd as well.

[mad mags · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Content warning for violence, including genocide.)

Set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, THE GIRL WHO DRAWS ON WHALES features flying ships, telepathic communication, fierce mermaid warriors, and a god-like, water-breathing dragon serpent. Massive flooding has transformed Wangi's planet into a series of somewhat isolated island communities. Wangi is the storyteller among her people, and her canvas of choice is whales - especially Mahaa, her best friend. The whale's pod stops by their island annually during their seasonal migration. When a lone whale shows up unexpectedly, injured and bearing drawings not from Wangi's hand, Wangi is determined to heal the whale and decode the mystery - even if it means violating her parents' wishes, and her elders' commands, and dragging her younger brother Banyu into the fray.

I really wanted to love THE GIRL WHO DRAWS ON WHALES - after all, I am nothing if not a sucker for stories that acknowledge nonhuman sentience - but TGWDOW came up short for me. While the artwork is lovely, the narrative is a little confusing and could use more fleshing out. I assume he's a stand-in for capitalism, but I never really got a sense for the Captain's motivation in chasing the whales or laying waste to their island sanctuaries. If he was after food, resources, or slaves, I guess it would make sense, but he just wants to burn the islands to the ground? What's the end game? Is it to eradicate the whales? I am so confused.

I loved how all the sea creatures came together to defeat the Big Bad - it demonstrates how their/our survival is interconnected - which is a lesson I think we need now more than ever. Also, mad props on using the g-word in this day and age.

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this while looking through new graphic novels at my library database. It's a beauty of a book. The artwork gets a 5. It is vibrant with lovely drawing and coloring. That said, for Polynesian/Asian Island people, everyone except the MC's little brother looks disappointingly Caucasian in skin tone and facial features, and he looks South American. I'm not sure if that was a conscious choice for whatever reason or not. The villains are also Caucasian while looting, pillaging, whaling, destroying, etc. but that makes sense.

The non-human beings are drawn so well. I enjoyed every one of them.

The story line was decent, if not necessarily well fleshed-out. The concept of a girl drawing on whales is original, afaik, and I like the idea of having a charm that allows humans to breathe under water. The idea of nature fighting back against unchecked abuse, exploitation, and destruction, with human allies is solid. I think the length of the volume limits the story line. Maybe a series of volumes would have worked better?

[Kelvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wondrous beyond words

I can't do this amazing work justice. Nature & magic. Native cultures & pirates. Whales & supernatural creatures. The delightful concept of a girl who literally draws on (& communicates with) whales is just the start of an engrossing and beautifully illustrated story. I expected to be slightly amused by something a bit young for me. Instead, I couldn't put this down and have re-read it twice. I'll be looking to give this as a present to as many as possible.

[Anna Bowser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to come to Goodreads to read reviews about halfway way through this book because I felt like I was missing something...I was affirmed that I was not alone in my confusion about the plot. Like so many others, I can attest to the beauty of the art in this book. But the storyline just really didn't make sense. There was no sense of the passage of time; random characters were haphazardly introduced; and the antagonist had exactly zero backstory and no clear motivation for his actions. And don't get me started on the choice of narrator. I'm sad this book was so bad.

[Delie Dell Chua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illustrations. The story reminded me of Moana and treasure planet combined. There’s a quest involved, the sea and sky pirates (?). The storyline is not unique but interesting. Though they could have stretched the story more. It could use a volume 2, I felt that some parts of the story were left hanging, I’m not satisfied with some of the closure..

Overall I like the message, staying out of your comfort zone, take the risk, be
Kevin’s in yourself, fighting for what is right and for what you believe in, even though everyone else around you say otherwise.

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure

What an incredibly talented author and illustrator. I know nothing of the genre and this started out as part of the Kindle challenge. But it’s a fascinating story it flows. It doesn’t take that long though. You probably want to read it twice.

[Becca Wohlgemuth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is far from the genre I enjoy. I read this as past of this quarters Kindle challenge. I still don’t enjoy graphic novels but the story line and art were remarkable. Definitely recommend giving it a try!

[Chris Conrad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me.

I guess I'm to old at77 to appreciate this type of reading. I wanted solid hardcover book most of my life. The story is probably great but it was hard for me to follow. The pictures are nice. I got this as part of Kindle challenge.

[ARC_AngelJessyJay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

I’m definitely not a graphic novel person, but I read this to earn my bookmark for a reading challenge. It was a cute story with friendships and family found along the way. I feel like I’m always missing something in graphic novels, but that’s definitely a “me” problem.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic YA

Have been a bit trepidatious about trying to start reading graphic novels. The artistry and storyline of The Girl Who Draws on Whales was a great way to start and makes we want to continue the adventure and try a few more.

[Surjorimba Suroto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, great art, great message and …. great visual reference to Indonesian folk tales

As much as I have been following Ariela’s works, I didn’t expect to find so many classic Indonesian folk tales. All are drawn so beautiful and faithful to the classic folk tales.

[SummerRae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has absolutely breathtaking art, and the creativity behind it reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth a bit too which is high praise on the art. The story, however, was incredibly cliche, very generic and predictable. So, there is a disconnect the creativity stopped at the art imo.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only the quality of the story matched illustration.

Giving a combination score for this review. Two stars for story, four stars for illustration. Net score of three stars.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

not my typical interest, but still a fun short read! I enjoyed the comic art+

[Lyssa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is beautiful and moving! I'm so glad I read it!

[Abbey Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art was incredible, story felt rushed and insubstantial

[DJ Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the whole story, the art style is also beautiful. Wonderful book 10/10

[Sneha Jaiswal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is dream and great. But the story quickly gets boring and borrows too heavily from things avid readers would've already read a 100 times over in different books.

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely art.

[Aurora]

Got exactly halfway through this book before giving up, aha. It had pretty art but the plot was largely incoherent. It felt like we were just jumping around from plot point to plot point willy-nilly.

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty art, but the story just doesn't come together.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cool art, especially the animals, but poor writing and story. Reminiscent of Moana and Whale Rider.

[Julia Pika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was STUNNING but the chaotic and disjointed writing really bring the concept down.

[Emily Pencil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stunning art and coloring, but a poor story.

[Anna McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the illustrations in this story are beautiful, the story was not particularly engaging.

[Tiffany S · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art was lovely and the premise was promising but it was just a bit unorganized.

[Sav · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was beautifully illustrated but hard to follow.