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Norroway #1
Norroway Vol. 1: The Black Bull of Norroway
Sibylla has always craved adventure, but she never guessed it would finally arrive in the form of a giant, magical bull. Is he a man, or a monster? And who knew a prophecy could be so literal? With this first book in a new series co-created by sibling writer/artist team CAT SEATON and KIT SEATON, the adventure of a lifetime begins.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2018
About the author
Cat Seaton
3 books34 followersCat Seaton grew up in the Inland Northwest where she never learned to swim. Born to a family of theatrical-types, she's prone to errant whimsy and reckless symbolism. As a child, she was an avid devourer of fairy tales, poetry, and horror flicks. Now, she wants to create works that mix elements of all three. Her goal is to create stories that illuminate, unsettle, and amuse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
March 27, 2022
Esta es una novela gráfica que reinterpreta, aparentemente, una leyenda escocesa acerca de un toro negro. A decir verdad, no conocía esta leyenda, pero la historia que nos encontramos aquí es la de una chica de un pueblo que, cuando es muy joven, va a donde una bruja con una ofrenda para que le diga cuál será su destino. A sus amigas les dice que se van a casar con nobles y hombres importantes, pero a ella le dice que su destino es ser la esposa del toro negro de Norroway. La chica acepta su destino y espera.
Pasan los años y entonces llega el toro a reclamarla. Resulta que el toro, que alguna vez fue un hombre, cayó bajo una maldición por alguna razón y necesita una espada, un escudo y una esposa para poder romper aquel hechizo. Así que juntos viajan hacia las tierras del hermano del toro y Sybilla, la protagonista, cada vez se va confundiendo más con respecto a la maldición y la verdadera historia que hay detrás de todo.
La verdad es que aunque esta novela gráfica no responde muchas preguntas, pues es la primera de una serie, me gustó mucho el enfoque de la historia, las ilustraciones y los personajes. Me enganché desde el primer momento y ya quiero saber cuál es la verdadera razón de la maldición y la suerte de los personajes, pues el final de este primer tomo deja las cosas demasiado abiertas.
Pasan los años y entonces llega el toro a reclamarla. Resulta que el toro, que alguna vez fue un hombre, cayó bajo una maldición por alguna razón y necesita una espada, un escudo y una esposa para poder romper aquel hechizo. Así que juntos viajan hacia las tierras del hermano del toro y Sybilla, la protagonista, cada vez se va confundiendo más con respecto a la maldición y la verdadera historia que hay detrás de todo.
La verdad es que aunque esta novela gráfica no responde muchas preguntas, pues es la primera de una serie, me gustó mucho el enfoque de la historia, las ilustraciones y los personajes. Me enganché desde el primer momento y ya quiero saber cuál es la verdadera razón de la maldición y la suerte de los personajes, pues el final de este primer tomo deja las cosas demasiado abiertas.
March 15, 2019
I fell in love with this graphic novel! I look forward to however many books there are going to be.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
December 23, 2018
I stumbled upon this gorgeous graphic novel at the BookCon in NYC earlier this year… and how glad I am that I did. As it mingled mid-way down in my soon to read section of my tbr with other treasures the entire rest of the year, it sort of was lost out of sight - out of mind until I unearthed it again during the holidays.
This is a different kind of review for me as I usually don’t begin them with a personal note and then a brief overview of the novel, but the other way around. But as I was getting into this novel, I could not shake the feeling of familiarity of this story. It had such fairy tale characteristics that I ended up looking this up. And as my suspicions were correct, there does exist an original ‘The Black Bull of Norroway’ and it is a Scotish fairy tale. It first appeared in print in the 1870 edition of ‘Popular Rhymes of Scotland’ and was reprinted in an Anglicised version by Joseph Jacobs in his 1894 book ‘More English Fairy Tales’. There actually is a predecessor of this tale, ‘The Red Bull of Norroway’ printed in 1842. So somewhere along my childhood, I may have heard of this tale and it has rested dormant in my mind for many years until I recognized it in this gem of a graphic novel.
There are some differences to the actual tale, but here is the synapsis of the original as I found it on Wikipedia.
***
A washerwoman's three daughters each in succession ask her to cook them some food to take with them on a journey to seek their fortune. Along their way, they consult a witch on how to seek the fortune. The woman advised them to look out her back door. On the third day, the eldest sees a coach-and-six come for her and leaves with it, delighted; the second daughter finds a coach-and-four and leaves; but the third and youngest finds only a black bull, which the witch tells her she must accompany.
The daughter is terrified but goes off with the bull, who surprises her by being kind and gentle. When she grows hungry, he tells her to eat out of his right ear, and drink out of his left. The first night of their journey, they arrive at a castle, which, the bull tells the girl, belongs to his eldest brother. The daughter is welcomed and treated lavishly. As a parting gift, she is given a beautiful apple and told to never use it until she comes to the first great need of her life, and then it would help her. The second night of the journey, they once more stay at a castle, this one belonging to the bull's second brother. Once more the daughter receives a parting gift: a beautiful pear that she is not to use until the second great need of her life; the third night, they are hosted at the youngest brother's castle, and the daughter is given a final gift of a beautiful plum, not to be used until the third great need of her life. At last, the girl and the bull arrive at a valley of glass.
"You must wait here," the bull tells the girl, "and whatever you do, do not move, even an inch, or I will not be able to find you". He goes on to explain that he is to fight the devil who rules the valley so that they may exit. If the sky turns blue, then she will know that the bull has won; but if the sky turns red, then he has lost. The black bull leaves the girl there, and after some time she sees the sky turn blue. Overjoyed, the girl shifts her position slightly... and so the black bull does not return for her.
Unable to climb out of the valley on her own, the girl wanders alone until she finds a blacksmith. He tells her that if she serves him for seven years, he will repay her by making her a pair of shoes. When seven years have gone by, the blacksmith, true to his word, makes the girl—now a young woman—a pair of iron shoes, and nails them to her feet. With the shoes, the young woman is able to climb out of the glass valley.
The young woman eventually wanders back to the home of the witch, who offers her shelter if she will wash some bloody shirts that both she and her daughter have been unable to clean. Whoever could clean the shirts would marry the gallant young knight staying at the witch's home, whom the shirts belong to. Despite the failure of those before her, no sooner has the young woman touched the soap to the shirts than the bloodstains vanish, and the young woman's feet heal perfectly, as if they had never been bloodied or injured. Delighted, the witch brings the knight his shirts and convinces him that it was her daughter who cleaned them. Thus, the knight and the daughter are to be married.
Desperate, the young woman realizes that she is in the first great need of her life. She breaks open the apple, and finds it full of rich jewelry. She offers the jewelry to the witch's daughter, in exchange for being allowed to sing outside the knight's room at night. But the witch gives her daughter a sleeping-drink to offer the knight, so the young woman cannot wake him, though she sobs and sings:
"Seven long years I served for thee,
The glassy hill I clamb for thee,
Thy bloody clothes I wrang for thee;
And wilt thou not waken and turn to me?"
She is in the second great need of her life, so she tries the pear, and finds it full of jewelry richer than that of the apple, but the second night goes as before. Finally, the young woman is in the third great need of her life, and breaks the plum to find the richest jewelry yet. This time, though the sleeping-drink is brought again, the knight accidentally knocks it over, so, when the young woman buys her third and final chance, the knight is awake to hear her song. In this way he learns the truth.
The young woman marries the knight, who had been her black bull all along. He has the witch and her daughter burned, and the knight and the washerwoman's youngest daughter live happily ever after.
***
The graphic novel by Kit & Cat Seaton that I read is BOOK 1 and I am not certain how many books there will be to come forth in this series, but I am definitely staying tuned.
Now, not all of the details in the graphic novel resemble an exact retelling, so don’t miss out on this gem. It is beautifully illustrated and worth your reading time. Coming in at 224 pages, it is surprisingly meaty and satisfying for a graphic novel. An enchanting tale to get lost in, in one sitting or two, with a feeling of accomplishment. In other words, it isn’t empty squiggle, but has a nice plot.
Among some of the pics I took from my copy, I found this promo video for you to check out on my blog. You can find it here:
https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/clas...
Enjoy :)
This is a different kind of review for me as I usually don’t begin them with a personal note and then a brief overview of the novel, but the other way around. But as I was getting into this novel, I could not shake the feeling of familiarity of this story. It had such fairy tale characteristics that I ended up looking this up. And as my suspicions were correct, there does exist an original ‘The Black Bull of Norroway’ and it is a Scotish fairy tale. It first appeared in print in the 1870 edition of ‘Popular Rhymes of Scotland’ and was reprinted in an Anglicised version by Joseph Jacobs in his 1894 book ‘More English Fairy Tales’. There actually is a predecessor of this tale, ‘The Red Bull of Norroway’ printed in 1842. So somewhere along my childhood, I may have heard of this tale and it has rested dormant in my mind for many years until I recognized it in this gem of a graphic novel.
There are some differences to the actual tale, but here is the synapsis of the original as I found it on Wikipedia.
***
A washerwoman's three daughters each in succession ask her to cook them some food to take with them on a journey to seek their fortune. Along their way, they consult a witch on how to seek the fortune. The woman advised them to look out her back door. On the third day, the eldest sees a coach-and-six come for her and leaves with it, delighted; the second daughter finds a coach-and-four and leaves; but the third and youngest finds only a black bull, which the witch tells her she must accompany.
The daughter is terrified but goes off with the bull, who surprises her by being kind and gentle. When she grows hungry, he tells her to eat out of his right ear, and drink out of his left. The first night of their journey, they arrive at a castle, which, the bull tells the girl, belongs to his eldest brother. The daughter is welcomed and treated lavishly. As a parting gift, she is given a beautiful apple and told to never use it until she comes to the first great need of her life, and then it would help her. The second night of the journey, they once more stay at a castle, this one belonging to the bull's second brother. Once more the daughter receives a parting gift: a beautiful pear that she is not to use until the second great need of her life; the third night, they are hosted at the youngest brother's castle, and the daughter is given a final gift of a beautiful plum, not to be used until the third great need of her life. At last, the girl and the bull arrive at a valley of glass.
"You must wait here," the bull tells the girl, "and whatever you do, do not move, even an inch, or I will not be able to find you". He goes on to explain that he is to fight the devil who rules the valley so that they may exit. If the sky turns blue, then she will know that the bull has won; but if the sky turns red, then he has lost. The black bull leaves the girl there, and after some time she sees the sky turn blue. Overjoyed, the girl shifts her position slightly... and so the black bull does not return for her.
Unable to climb out of the valley on her own, the girl wanders alone until she finds a blacksmith. He tells her that if she serves him for seven years, he will repay her by making her a pair of shoes. When seven years have gone by, the blacksmith, true to his word, makes the girl—now a young woman—a pair of iron shoes, and nails them to her feet. With the shoes, the young woman is able to climb out of the glass valley.
The young woman eventually wanders back to the home of the witch, who offers her shelter if she will wash some bloody shirts that both she and her daughter have been unable to clean. Whoever could clean the shirts would marry the gallant young knight staying at the witch's home, whom the shirts belong to. Despite the failure of those before her, no sooner has the young woman touched the soap to the shirts than the bloodstains vanish, and the young woman's feet heal perfectly, as if they had never been bloodied or injured. Delighted, the witch brings the knight his shirts and convinces him that it was her daughter who cleaned them. Thus, the knight and the daughter are to be married.
Desperate, the young woman realizes that she is in the first great need of her life. She breaks open the apple, and finds it full of rich jewelry. She offers the jewelry to the witch's daughter, in exchange for being allowed to sing outside the knight's room at night. But the witch gives her daughter a sleeping-drink to offer the knight, so the young woman cannot wake him, though she sobs and sings:
"Seven long years I served for thee,
The glassy hill I clamb for thee,
Thy bloody clothes I wrang for thee;
And wilt thou not waken and turn to me?"
She is in the second great need of her life, so she tries the pear, and finds it full of jewelry richer than that of the apple, but the second night goes as before. Finally, the young woman is in the third great need of her life, and breaks the plum to find the richest jewelry yet. This time, though the sleeping-drink is brought again, the knight accidentally knocks it over, so, when the young woman buys her third and final chance, the knight is awake to hear her song. In this way he learns the truth.
The young woman marries the knight, who had been her black bull all along. He has the witch and her daughter burned, and the knight and the washerwoman's youngest daughter live happily ever after.
***
The graphic novel by Kit & Cat Seaton that I read is BOOK 1 and I am not certain how many books there will be to come forth in this series, but I am definitely staying tuned.
Now, not all of the details in the graphic novel resemble an exact retelling, so don’t miss out on this gem. It is beautifully illustrated and worth your reading time. Coming in at 224 pages, it is surprisingly meaty and satisfying for a graphic novel. An enchanting tale to get lost in, in one sitting or two, with a feeling of accomplishment. In other words, it isn’t empty squiggle, but has a nice plot.
Among some of the pics I took from my copy, I found this promo video for you to check out on my blog. You can find it here:
https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/clas...
Enjoy :)
October 12, 2018
I received an ARC copy of this book from Edelweiss
This was a really fun start to a new series. It is apparently based on a Scottish folk story although I'm not familiar with it at all so I can't say how well they adapted it. If I had to compare it to a more 'popular' fairy tale I would probably say it has a bit of Beauty and the Beast to it, but with the added bonus of not being all gross and Stockholm Syndromy and me actually liking it. Also I just wanted to point out that while there are queer characters in this, they are side characters so don't go into it expecting more than that. Overall it was a really fun story and I loved the art and character designs so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.
This was a really fun start to a new series. It is apparently based on a Scottish folk story although I'm not familiar with it at all so I can't say how well they adapted it. If I had to compare it to a more 'popular' fairy tale I would probably say it has a bit of Beauty and the Beast to it, but with the added bonus of not being all gross and Stockholm Syndromy and me actually liking it. Also I just wanted to point out that while there are queer characters in this, they are side characters so don't go into it expecting more than that. Overall it was a really fun story and I loved the art and character designs so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.
Read
January 31, 2019Was not a fan, the writing was a little all over the place for me and sometimes did not match up to the illustrations? I was very confused about the story line (though I understand the character was “confused” as well) but it was to the detriment of the story.
The illustrations were gorgeous but the story was just not there for me.
Will review on my channel!
The illustrations were gorgeous but the story was just not there for me.
Will review on my channel!
November 1, 2019
A winning adaptation of an old Scottish fairy tale. I was a little slow to warm up to the odd plot turns because I did not know it was based on a fairy tale as I read it, but the portrayal of the characters sucked me right in. It's a little Beauty and the Beast in tone as a spunky young woman tries to help break the curse which has transformed the title character from man to beast. I'm tempted to read the original tale now to see how things turn out, but I'm not going to since I'm pretty sure I'll prefer the Seaton sisters' take and would rather not have the spoilers. But I do look forward to reading it afterward and seeing how different it is.
July 13, 2020
Just heard about this the other day, and can't believe that it hadn't been recommended to me before! (Frowns at all the friends who should have told me about this series.)
This is a great story, a sort of Beauty and the Beast tale, and the art is stunning. I must find more!
This is a great story, a sort of Beauty and the Beast tale, and the art is stunning. I must find more!
September 2, 2018
Absolutely gorgeous art, and an intriguing story filled with classic fairytale charm and a dash of snark. My only real complaints are that the transitions were occasionally choppy to the point of being confusing, and it skews a little young for my tastes. Overall I really enjoyed it though, and heartily recommend it for people looking for good YA graphic novels, especially with strong lady leads. I look forward to reading more.
June 9, 2018
I received an ARC of this YA graphic novel at BEA 2018 and I need volume 2 now! What a cliffhanger ending! As young girl a witch tells Sibylla that she will marry the black bull of Norroway, a cursed man in bull form. As a teen, the bull comes for her and the prophecy to free him of this monstrous form is set in motion. Sibylla is they key, but why? Strong independant characters, a curse that needs lifting, magic abound, and a mysterious history that has trapped many characters. The illustrations are fantastic! The smooth incorporation of a gender nuetral character was welcoming to see. While the reader is left at the end with more questions than answers, this fairy tale inspired quest has me wanting to read the next volume as soon as I can get my hands on it.
June 11, 2018
I want to give it 5 stars so badly, but the transitions between conversations and scenes was not well developed. I flipped through multiple times because I felt like I had missed a page or a couple panels at least. However, the representation (abilities, race, gender identity, sexual preferences, etc) was amazingly inclusive and the world building was well done. I look forward to seeing the finished copy (ARC from BEA) and future volumes.
February 10, 2019
I'm excited to see where this graphic novel series goes! It's an engaging fantasy tale with a diverse cast of characters based on a Scottish fairytale and I loved it! It follows a girl who has never wanted a traditional life of marriage and babies, and is told by a witch that she will be the bride of a mythological black bull. Then he shows up and adventures ensue. I was very taken with it and the art is beautiful!
June 6, 2018
This was a fun start to a new YA graphic novel series! I’m excited to see where the story goes in book two.
March 30, 2019
Second re-read and this is just as good as the first time! 4.5 stars. I rarely care for fairy tales anymore, but this is wonderful and a nice mix of humour and dark retelling.
September 19, 2018
*actual rating is 3.5 stars*
July 30, 2019
overall this was enjoyable but it was also confusing to the point of it being super infuriating and the cliff hanger pissed me off
December 3, 2021
I wish I'd made a Goodreads shelf for 'protagonist has a cool pet bird' because it's a deeply important trope actually
February 14, 2022
4/5 ✩✩✩✩ || This graphic novel is incredibly beautiful and I love the mysterious and fairytale feeling of it! The characters are really likeable, I love Sibylla she is a fun protagonist and The Bull is intriguing. The plot is fantastical, full of mystery and unanswered questions which I think works. Sometimes the pacing is a bit quick though and I wish we spent more time on the different characters and fleshing out the world a lil more. Either way I’m really looking forward to seeing where this story goes!
March 4, 2019
This is story about a young girl who receives a prophecy that she will marry the Bull of Norroway. This is the first in a series telling the story based on the folk tale, and has the young girl heading off on an adventure with the bull involving curses, ships and lots of bickering.
The main theme of the book is that things aren’t always what they seem and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. It’s a little trite, and the bull is fairly obvious here, but sometimes the things the protagonist learned about people genuinely surprised me. It was a nice take.
My main criticism was all the bickering. I was annoyed by how many times characters had a repeat conversation of not knowing enough to make up their minds, refusing to know more, wanting to know more, not being told more.
The main theme of the book is that things aren’t always what they seem and we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. It’s a little trite, and the bull is fairly obvious here, but sometimes the things the protagonist learned about people genuinely surprised me. It was a nice take.
My main criticism was all the bickering. I was annoyed by how many times characters had a repeat conversation of not knowing enough to make up their minds, refusing to know more, wanting to know more, not being told more.
February 21, 2019
I really enjoyed this first volume of the new Image series!
Kit & Cat did an awesome job with interpreting the Black Bull of Norroway fairytale.
I do like that they changed the characters a bit & added some diversity that honestly is apt for the times.
Really can’t wait for the next issue!! I have to figure out how to get issues.
Second book of #blackathon
Kit & Cat did an awesome job with interpreting the Black Bull of Norroway fairytale.
I do like that they changed the characters a bit & added some diversity that honestly is apt for the times.
Really can’t wait for the next issue!! I have to figure out how to get issues.
Second book of #blackathon
May 9, 2021
Honestly, I read it because I thought it would be fast. I didn't expect to LOVE it but I did. The art and the story are so good. I already ordered book two!
October 13, 2018
Hmmm… I wasn't expecting this tale of a girl and her husband-to-be of a speaking bull to come from Scottish folklore. It certainly does smack of some traditional tale, but it's not got an ounce of the Gallic – more Hellenic, for obvious reasons. What it does have, as well, though, is the smack of being something that's just bulked out and expanded on til the seams are bursting. This volume – which does admittedly read a lot quicker than the page-count would have you believe – just stops in the middle of nowhere, meaning I have no idea where we are in this saga, and that's a problem. If we're halfway that's about OK and correct; if there is supposed to be more than one book more of this then I won't wish to return. It's tried to give our heroine a veneer of sass, which doesn't really work, and the number of times somebody gives her no answer to a reasonable question just because the authors want a further title out of this franchise is nobody's business. So what we have is a book that isn't as long as it appears, but really has turned a woolly jumble out of the concise thread through its particular labyrinth. One bonus it has is the quality of artwork, but I'm clutching at strands here to get a complete positive. Two and a half stars, for now.
July 15, 2020
I went back and forth between 2 and 3, so realistically I'd probably go with 2.5
I'll start with visual aspect. The art is gorgeous! I loved it. Aesthetically, it was just so appealing to look at.
And while most of the characters were really growing on me by the end, to me, the plot felt disjointed and incomplete. The dialog was very stilted (although this aspect was probably intentional in some cases). I kept having to go back a few panes to see if I missed something because I was frequently like, wait, what's happening now? How did we get here? Why is this happening? It was confusing and frustrating.
I'm sure the next book will probably answer some of my questions, but sadly, I didn't think this book did a good job of immersing me in this adventure.
I'll start with visual aspect. The art is gorgeous! I loved it. Aesthetically, it was just so appealing to look at.
And while most of the characters were really growing on me by the end, to me, the plot felt disjointed and incomplete. The dialog was very stilted (although this aspect was probably intentional in some cases). I kept having to go back a few panes to see if I missed something because I was frequently like, wait, what's happening now? How did we get here? Why is this happening? It was confusing and frustrating.
I'm sure the next book will probably answer some of my questions, but sadly, I didn't think this book did a good job of immersing me in this adventure.
November 12, 2018
Image Comics has been putting out some truly great graphic novels recently, and this is absolutely one of them! As a lover of folktales, this is exactly the kind of diverse retelling I am here for--one which includes WoC, queer romance, and disabled persons alike. The characterization was wonderful, the plot carefully balancing humor with pathos, and the art is some of the best I've seen recently. There were some panels that just knocked me out. I can't recommend this enough.
June 30, 2018
I love this fairy-tale graphic novel! It features a non-binary character as well!! #lgbtqpride The artwork is gorgeous, it's well written, and I cannot wait to read the next book. I got this Advanced Reader copy from the ALA conference, so if anyone wants to borrow please let me know! Highly recommend
July 10, 2018
This comic was so cute. I loved the main character. At the beginning she just tugs at my heart because it reminded me of all the ways we are taught to 'dream less' at the beginning of her life. But that doesn't stop her because she is still going to do fabulous great things. This is a comic I want to give to all the people in my life really.
August 17, 2018
This is a magical re-telling of a classic tale. The creators did a wonderful job of updating the story to reflect a diverse and tolerant world. I will be recommending this to young adult and new adult readers.
December 21, 2018
AMAZING!!! TRULY FANTASTIC!!! I cant wait to read the next book!!! The art was stunning, and the story! Oh man I dont have the words to explain how much I enjoyed reading this. I highly recommend you read this book! Especially you, Yvonne! Put this in your queue. You'll love it =)
December 26, 2018
I need the second installment now please.
My roommate handed me this graphic novel, knowing I love fairytales, legends, and this particular art style.
I was mesmerized. I know of this tale vaguely, so this is a wonderful breath of fresh air learning about it again.
My roommate handed me this graphic novel, knowing I love fairytales, legends, and this particular art style.
I was mesmerized. I know of this tale vaguely, so this is a wonderful breath of fresh air learning about it again.
January 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this one! There were some meandering moments, and repetitive dialogue, but the art is beautiful and I love the lesser-known folktale adaptation. Looking forward to the next installment!
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