Stig & Tilde: Vanisher's Island: Stig & Tilde 1

Stig & Tilde #1

by Max de Radiguès

Stig and Tilde are just following along with tradition when they find themselves on an unexpected adventure.

Keeping with a local tradition, Stig and Tilde hop on a dinghy and head to a desert island to survive alone without adult supervision. However, a unexpected detour leads them to the wrong island and it looks like it's inhabited by something that isn't too fond of guests.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Bande Dessinée

64 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2018

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

All kids coming-of-age in the country Max de Radiguès sets this story are required to spend a year without adults on an island. They call this practice “kulku.” In the old days, it was tougher, of course, (because the old days are always tougher, they say). Now the kids all go together on the island, they have access to greater amenities, even have access to technology (phones). So twin fourteen-year olds, Stig and Tilde, leave home via family boat in the direction of an island; a storm comes up, they go below and get locked in, crash on the rocks of an island they have never seen before.

So it’s an adventure, they have to survive on their own. It’s Swiss Family Robinson, Robinson Crusoe. . . or maybe. . . Lord of the Flies. They have limited amount of food, they have a broken,sunken boat, so this like their grandparents had to do h kulku! But the tale is very short, and things on the adventure side happen too quickly and easily. Stig on his own figures out how to get the boat out of the water (ooh, a system of pulleys and levers!) and patches it up quickly as Tilde goes into the island to find food.

But this is the main part of the story: Tilde encounters a ghost who kills some rabbits for her but becomes increasingly creepy, insisting she stay on the island to be with him and not go off with brother Stig. And she’s not the first girl he has seen stranded there. . . so it turns a little bit scary for kids, maybeI? Adventure story turns horror? And this undercurrent of jealousy not quite defined.

The drawings are great, but the story is a little thin, maybe not quite edgy enough for horror, not quite adventurous enough for adventure. 3.5.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sort of interesting children's adventure, but the tone and pacing just didn't quite click with me. I like the creator, so I might still try the sequel if I see it at the library.

[Hadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the concept was AMAZING, the story felt rushed. So, I couldn't really connect to either of the main leads 🤷🏽‍♀️. If the book had been a little longer and we had spent some more time learning about the characters and their feelings, I would have probably loved it more😭.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but I was still pleasantly surprised.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this, but there are a few things that make it a bit more challenging to categorize. It starts off strong, a brother and sister (twins) go off course on a large lake and find themselves on an unoccupied island, except for a ghost of a boy from the 1940's, who may have some issues with women. The brother doesn't find out about the ghost until they leave the island, so it's mostly the sister who interacts with him, in a mostly friendly way. She may even have a little crush on him. The story turns a bit dark when the ghost threatens to kill her so she can't leave when the brother fixes the boat. She kisses ghost boy to trick him into becoming solid (which uses up his energy) so she can escape. The ghost boy gives chase and nearly pulls the sister off the boat by her hair before her brother hacks off the ends of her hair with an axe. The ghost boy is at the edge of how far he can leave his bones and the sister speaks gently with him, calling him a "nice guy," and encouraging him to let go so he can enter the afterlife. When her brother asks about it, she says he was her first kiss and also a "lunatic poltergeist." I'm not a woman, so I don't think I can provide answers to these questions. Is her decision to make the choice to kiss the ghost boy to trick him a bad example for young women about using their bodies to protect themselves against men or a good example of her using her agency to protect herself? Was she being nice to the ghost boy who tried to kill her because she was confused about how she deserves to be treated in a relationship with a boy or was she tricking him again? The "lunatic poltergeist" comment could be interpreted both ways.
There's a lot of subtext here, and while it's marketed to kids, the content goes right up to the line of what is generally considered acceptable content for a kids' book. There are definitely 5th graders with whom this would resonate, so I'm going to add it, but also keep an ear out in case there are any issues with patrons.
Some would say that the lack of clarity in the instances I cited mean lack of quality; I think it leaves a lot of room for discussion, which makes a better story in my opinion.
I'd love to hear feedback from anyone else who's read this in the comments!!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discovered this series when I took a glance at the second volume as it passed through the library, so I was initially surprised by the lack of wolves. It proved to be an enjoyable little story, though nothing monumental. One thing that didn't quite make sense to me is why Tilde was so quick to conceal her inland adventures from her brother; I suppose the idea is hinted at in her sort of opening monologue where she resents having to spend time with her lame brother, but it still seemed a bit extreme.

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilda meets Swallows and Amazons. Stig and Tilde are twins. They go on the traditional trip all by themselves at fourteen. It's supposed to be a month of partying on an island without adults. Except, they end up stranded on another island. Tilde, weary of having to do everything with Stig, doesn't tell him about the boy she meets on the island. But things aren't what they seem and she'll need Stig's help for them to get off the island. The art is beautiful and brilliantly drawn. The story is creepy enough to intrigue, but not too scary. A good adventure with a pinch of sibling trouble, mystery and horror. Recommended for those who like rabbit meat, wooden masks and arrows.

[Mars Dorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little story about two siblings going through a ritual on a seemingly deserted island. The story is an odd genre mix with a supernatural bent that isn’t “advertised” on the cover. Not quite horror; not quite adventurous but an entertaining read nevertheless.

The drawing style is simple and cartoonish with an equally simple but serviceable coloring.

I enjoyed getting it from the library but I’m not sure it’s wirth a buy.

[Tris The Book Whisperer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the books in this series for our Primary school library. They are well written and beautifully illustrated. The stories are simply told, but filled with adventure that keep you wanting to turn the page. The stories do go a little darker in places, but that serves only to grip the reader tighter into the adventure and certainly readers 10+ will love them. Can't wait for more to be released!

[Nick Swarbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and original, this is an odd story of a boy and girl set of twins marooned after a boating accident - some odd little corners of plot holes but sparkling with quirky ideas that make it worth the read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short graphic novel was surprisingly suspenseful with some interesting plot twists. Follow 14 year old twins Stig and Tilde as they plunge from one life-threatening misadventure to the next, including a close encounter with a ghost on a deserted island.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would best be read with the other volumes, as this installment tells a very short part of the story. I enjoyed the art and illustrations, and there’s a nice little twist appropriate for the age group. Recommend to readers who liked the Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holyseries.

[LaLa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this comic with the 10 year old and we both loved it. Great scary stuff without anything truly bad, lots to talk about with each other which we always like, a happy ending and more of this series to come. Yay!

[:¨·.·¨: `·. izzy ★°*ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit boring and odd. I was hoping for more of an adventure survival, but it was a very quick graphic novel, with weird pacing and a bit of an empty plot.

It did make for a quick read and wasn’t the worst, though.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me, personally.

[Larakaa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hum...why is he Mr. Capable and she Ms. Emotional?

[lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a quick read and that is what you get from this book. They story was ok. Definitely not my favourite art style though.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute art and a slightly more disturbing story than is strictly necessary. In other words, a good European children's comic.

[Caitlyn G · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting concept and was a fun and quick read, interested to see where the series goes

[Brie Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explores much darker themes than I had anticipated, given the art style. Overall, it's a fulfilling and relatively short story.

[Ben Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute and short. I enjoyed the art.

[Chris Simerly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Excellent artwork! A little disappointed it’s not an AR book for my students, but a great read!!!

[four diphenhydramine and a gravy boat · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was gonna be 4 stars until the last couple pages…

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adventure that goes unexpectedly dark. Interesting concept, but I would have liked the characters to be a bit more developed, especially the siblings relationship.

[Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.5/10

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story

[Annie L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belle bd. Action et mystère au rv. J'ai bien aimé.

[Kelly Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun little survival story with twins. I thought the art was great. Love the clear line style.

[Morvling Bookink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange read during a powercut