The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Oni Press via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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The Tea Dragon Society REVIEW

Title: The Tea Dragon Festival
Author:  Katie O'Neill
Recent Release Date: September 17, 2019


Synopsis: Rinn has grown up with the Tea Dragons that inhabit their village, but stumbling across a real dragon turns out to be a different matter entirely! Aedhan is a young dragon who was appointed to protect the village but fell asleep in the forest eighty years ago. With the aid of Rinn’s adventuring uncle Erik and his partner Hesekiel, they investigate the mystery of his enchanted sleep, but Rinn’s real challenge is to help Aedhan come to terms with feeling that he cannot get back the time he has lost. 

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Review: I love all of Katie O'Neill's books! The art style accompanied with the beautiful stories make them all such a great combination. This book takes place in the same world as The Tea Dragon Society, but at a different time. It can absolutely be read separate, but there are fun references.

There is such beauty within the pages of this book. The scenery is gorgeous. The details of the world make it vast. The tea dragons are adorable! The world is so big, but we get to see such quaint, pleasant areas.

Sign language is used in this book. Katie O'Neill always finds ways to be inclusive and really show representation to a diverse audience. There are some great questions about gender. The messaging of following and recognizing your passions and strengths is throughout this book. 

There's a guide to tea dragons at the end of the book. I just can not get enough tea dragons. I obviously give this book a 5/5. If you haven't read any of Katie's books, I highly recommend any of them. This is technically a prequel, but that isn't the focus of the story. It's just a fun bonus.


--PAUL

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O'Neill - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Aquicorn Cove
Author: Katie O'Neill
Upcoming Release Date: October 16, 2018

Synopsis: When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a storm, the last thing she expects is to discover a colony of Aquicorns—magical seahorse-like residents of the coral reef. As she explores the damaged town and the fabled undersea palace, Lana learns that while she cannot always count on adults to be the guardians she needs, she herself is capable of finding the strength to protect both the ocean, and her own happiness.

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Review: Katie O'Neill is an amazing storyteller. Not only is her art adorable, but her characters and story are beautifully woven. This story has grief at the heart of it, but there are also adorable mythical animals and a connection to the sea. A sibling relationship is shown between sisters. A grieving father and his young daughter help an island recover. There are big world issues involved such as over-fishing and global climate change, but the story itself is very personal. 

I give this comic a 5/5. It's a beautifully adorable story about modern environmental issues and grieving. This is another wonderful work of art from Katie O'Neill. 


--PAUL

Paul's TOP FIVE COMIC BOOKS Read in 2017

Out of the 47 books I read in 2017, a large majority were comic books. I read mostly Star Wars and Power Rangers comics, but also some other great ones. I got to read some awesome comics with queer representation this year. Below you will find the TOP FIVE comic books that I read in 2017. Click on the titles or cover pictures for links to my reviews!

 MY TOP 5 COMIC BOOKS OF 2017

5.Love is Love

4.The Tea Dragon Society

3.Taproot

    

2.The Flinstones (Volumes 1 and 2)

1.Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: PINK

What were your favorite comics of 2017? What comics are you looking forward to in 2018?

--PAUL

The Tea Dragon Society (graphic novel) by Katie O'Neill

*I received this book as an eARC from Diamond Book Distributors and Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author: Katie O'Neill
Upcoming Release Date: October 31, 2017

Synopsis: From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. 

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

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Review: I love absolutely everything about this book. There is so much packed into such a short story. The world building is full and has a luscious past. There is diversity of everything (race, species, sexual orientation, etc). The art is breathtaking. The story is heartwarming and adorable. I want more stories about these character or at least set in this world! I obviously give this book a 5/5 and will be looking for more from Katie O'Neill!


--PAUL

Crystal Cadets (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Lion Forge and Roar Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Crystal Cadets
Author: Anne Toole
Illustrators: Katie O'Neill, Paulina Ganucheau
Recent Release Date: December 23, 2015

Synopsis: Tantalizing and lively - Booklist Cadets Go! Join this team of darkness-fighting, world-saving, power-packed teen girls from all over the world on their first adventure! Zoe has always felt out of place; her foster parents are great and all, but she's long felt like something was missing. That is, of course, until she discovers a mysterious gem left to her by her birth mother and her whole universe gets flipped around! When the crystal grants Zoe mysterious powers of light she becomes the Diamond Cadet, and she's not the only one; suddenly she's meeting new friends who shoot flames and glowing green arrows. It's all fun at first, but when The Darkness possesses Zoe's foster parents her only choice is to join this wild group of action-hero girls, traveling the globe to defeat The Darkness and find a cure!"

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Review: This comic book is the beginning of a new "magic girls" series. It follows the tropes of the type of storytelling, but tries to bring it to the modern times. If you like popular "magic girls" series like Sailor Moon or Steven Universe, you'll probably enjoy these. There's diversity!

Each character has a unique weapon and a unique animal they ride. There's also The Darkness. Each character seems to have a color associated with them. Gems are also present. And of course, fantastical transformation outfits. There's also a cool command center.

I really enjoyed the team building story. Parts were definitely cheesy, but there's a cool groundwork for a fun and interesting world and story. I would watch this as a tv show. I give this graphic novel a 3/5. I probably won't continue following it, but if you are looking to absorb as many "magic girls" stories as you can, this one will not disappoint. 


--PAUL