[Review] Raging Clouds by Yudori

Conceptually, Raging Clouds is fascinating. It's a powerful feminist critique of 16th-century Dutch patriarchy. The main character is compelling in her quiet rejection of the housewife role in favor of intellectual pursuits. The story serves as a stark reminder of the deplorable treatment women have historically endured.

However, while the ideas are strong, I found the execution in this sample fell short. The black-and-white artwork felt inconsistent—some panels are beautifully imagined, while others lack detail. More significantly, the narrative pacing is quite slow, and the story is often told through a flat, simple narration that fails to build emotional depth.

It is crucial to state that my review is based on a 130-page partial ARC, not the complete work. It's entirely possible the full context addresses these pacing and artistic issues. However, based on this sample alone, the story felt underdeveloped and didn't live up to its brilliant potential.

Note: I received this book as an ARC. It is scheduled to be released July 15, 2025.

3 stars