Title: The Tea Dragon Tapestry
Author: Katie O’Neill
Pages: 128
Genre: Graphic Novel: Fantasy
Format: E-ARC
Publication Date: 1st September 2020
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Join Greta and Minette once more for the heartwarming conclusion of the award-winning Tea Dragon series!
Over a year since being entrusted with Ginseng’s care, Greta still can’t chase away the cloud of mourning that hangs over the timid Tea Dragon. As she struggles to create something spectacular enough to impress a master blacksmith in search of an apprentice, she questions the true meaning of crafting, and the true meaning of caring for someone in grief. Meanwhile, Minette receives a surprise package from the monastery where she was once training to be a prophetess. Thrown into confusion about her path in life, the shy and reserved Minette finds that the more she opens her heart to others, the more clearly she can see what was always inside.
Told with the same care and charm as the previous installments of the Tea Dragon series, The Tea Dragon Tapestry welcomes old friends and new into a heartfelt story of purpose, love, and growth.
My review:
Thank you to Oni Press for approving an e-arc of The Tea Dragon Tapestry on Netgalley. This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020, and it did not disappoint. I adored the other two Tea Dragon graphic novels, and the world building is amazing.
THINGS I LIKED:
- The characters are amazing and sweet and just so loveable. I just – there’s not enough words in the world to describe the characters. The older characters are wise and supportive of the younger generation, and the younger characters are so carefree, kind and their souls are so pure. I love the relationships between the characters, the healthy friendships, familial relationships and romantic relationships.
- There’s a lot of representation in this series! That’s what I love most about the Tea Dragon world. There’s LGBTQIA+ rep, POC rep and disability rep (one character uses a wheelchair due to an accident).
- The Tea Dragons are adorable. I love how unique the idea of Tea Dragons are. We get to learn about them throughout the series, and at the end of The Dragon Tapestry (can’t remember if they’re in the other books too), we learn about the history of Tea Dragons.
- This graphic novel also deals with the grief of losing a loved one. So be aware of that. But I think the way the author illustrates grief and overcoming grief is relatable, yet gentle. I think the way that the themes of grief and change are illustrated throughout this graphic novel is gentle and children may be able to actually understand this. Like it’s not too sad but not too happy. I don’t know if they made sense, sorry.
- The art style is so so beautiful. Like I could stare at the illustrations all day, especially the tea dragons because they’re so cute.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
- I think that despite my love for this book, and the fact that I can read the series over and over again, I feel like the plot and pacing is slow. That being said, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, just something I noted.
Overall, I adored this graphic novel. Katie O’Neill can write/illustrate hundreds of graphic novels set in the Tea Dragon universe and I would not complain at all (please do hehe).
Are you all excited to read The Tea Dragon Tapestry as well? I’m really bad at reviewing graphic novels because I’m never too sure on what to talk about other than the art, story and characters.
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