I would like to express my gratitude for the Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

"Yazidi!" by Aurélien Ducoudray and Mini Ludvin stands out as a commendable graphic novel that offers a valuable and informative exploration of the challenges faced by the Yazidi community. I found the book to be an enlightening and well-researched work that sheds light on the tragedies of violence and displacement endured by the Yazidi people.

The graphic novel successfully serves its purpose in raising awareness about an often-overlooked humanitarian crisis, providing readers with crucial insights into the Yazidi community's struggles. The narrative is informative and engaging, offering a window into the lives of those affected by these challenges. I appreciated the effort made by the creators to bring attention to such an important issue

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 while 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 book.

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! All opinions are my own.

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.

A wonderful yet heartbreaking story of the Yazidi genocide told by two families, one that fled and one who stayed. Zere is the main character who has been separated from her family, betrayed and becomes a freedom fighter. Yazidi is considered to be a religion of devil worshippers by the ISIL.
Most of the violence is not shown on the pages, but there is reference to such themes as slavery
There are some heavy hitting themes throughout the story and I felt the illustrations really complimented them with their colour palette. The illustrations themselves were really beautiful and thought provoking.
A graphic novel for Upper Key stage 2 and early secondary school.

This graphic novel was beautifully written and amazingly educational for people about the Yazidi people. I do not think this should be targeted to a super young audience as there are many heavy topics discussed.

Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for giving me the opportunity to read this!

Yazidi! by Aurélien Ducoudray & Mini Ludvin is a masterpiece of a graphic novel.
I particularly appreciated the choice to use a clean, simple, calm illustration style with an almost monochromatic color palette as a contrast to the heavy hitting themes in the story. Well done.
This feels like a must read for any middle grade and maybe even high school student.

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.

This is a really beautiful story, highlighting an experience that I think many people haven't heard about. There's a juxtaposition between the color palette of the gorgeous drawings and the heavy subject matter, which I thought was very well balanced.

Yazidi is a religion that is considered devil worshipers by ISIL. The ISIL soldiers are trying to eradicate anybody who lives under this religion. They do this by taking the men to work and selling the women off as slaves. This book follows the story of Zere as she is taken from her home, betrayed, and becomes a soldier in the fight for freedom. This book is extremely well done and is a look at modern history that is not taught in the US. It’s a story of genocide, but also a story of hope for a better future. This story is very moving, and I think anyone who reads it will be a better person for learning about things not seen in our society.

A good, but bittersweet story about the strife faced by the Yazidi people due to religious and political tensions. This is a really good comic with beautiful art, but the topics are very serious. Though not graphic, the weight of the characters' struggles is not lost. This is a good read for young readers (middle grade/YA), for social studies themes especially.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc!
This small little graphic novel packed a punch. It’s heartbreaking to see what’s going on in this world. I loved this beautiful story and I hope there’s more by this author out there.

This was a good graphic novel. I am not sure if it should be in the children's or tween area, but overall a great book that will make a nice addition to a library's collection.

This graphic novel was hilarious and well-drawn, definitely worth the money and the hype, and I hope will be successful!

Beautiful comic book, with heartbreaking information. Would not be able to apply to curriculum but would put in classroom library.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC!

“ISIL soldiers might hide the sun, but they can’t stop it from shining.”

4.5 stars rounded up

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.

This book was a heart-rending depiction of current events. The illustrations are done beautifully and I recommend you reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for giving me the opportunity to read this!

A beautiful graphic novel with a deep storyline. I jumped into reading without much info on purpose. I like to see the story unfold. It was very enlightening to learn about genocide and see things I wouldn't normally. Super easy to read and a great way to introduce others and young people to the things happening outside our bubble. Do check the trigger warnings too, while some things are subtle this book doesn't shy away from sharing gruesome truths happening in our world.

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.

An eye opening look at genocides that are not spoken about often to not at all. Yazidis genocide of 2014 I did not know a lot about but after ring this beautiful in the art work of the illustrations with a hard hitting view through young girls. This book is more aimed at 15 or older year old as some of the issues need more a mature mind in the understanding of the events that unfold. The dialogue that is used and story that is told is a real page turn and differently tugged at my heart strings. This is must read book for all.

I chose this book based on its captivating cover and my curiosity led me to explore the Yazidi culture. Yazidis follow a monotheistic ethnic religion with roots in a pre-Zoroastrian tradition originating from the Indo-Iranian heritage. Mainly spoken by the Kurdish community, this religion revolves around the belief in one God who entrusted the world to the care of seven Holy Beings known as Angels. Among these Angels, Tawûsî Melek, also known as "Melek Taûs," holds a prominent position as the leader and authority figure. Unfortunately, the Yazidi minority has endured persecution for centuries, including recent acts of brutality from ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant).

This powerful graphic novel delves into the true events of the 2014 Yazidi Genocide, presenting the story through the perspectives of two Yazidi families—one that fled and another that remained in their home village. While the book addresses sensitive subjects, it is crafted with a younger audience in mind, resulting in a portrayal that is less graphic than the harsh realities faced by the Yazidi people. It's important to note that there are trigger warnings for topics such as childhood sexual assault, sex slavery, and genocide, although they are not explicitly depicted.

The graphic novel format serves as a conduit for an immediate and profound connection to the story, amplifying its emotional impact and leaving us with a sense of hope for a brighter future, even though the ultimate outcome remains unknown. However, despite the uncertainty, the book sparks hope for the future, reminding us of the resilience and strength of the Yazidi people. By delving into their experiences, the narrative encourages us to contemplate a world where such atrocities are overcome, leaving us with a sense of optimism and a longing for a brighter tomorrow.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all ages. The illustrations brilliantly capture the characters' emotions, effortlessly immersing readers into the heart of the narrative. With its earthy colours and meticulous attention to detail, the artwork enhances the reading experience, allowing readers to truly connect with the world of Yazidi families.

Thank you, NetGalley and Europe Comics for the opportunity to read this book and write a review!