{Review} The Tea Dragon Society, The Tea Dragon Festival, & Dewdrop by Katie O' Neill

Hey, guys!

This summer I fell deep into love with Katie O'Neill's writing style, art style, and overall skill. Her books are so engaging and entertaining. I've loved all three that I have read and they have been instant 5-star reads.  

If you adore beautiful art, wholesome and complex stories with wonderful and complex characters, and engaging story-lines --- YOU WILL LOVE THESE BOOKS! 

Please read these books! They deserve every bit of hype that they receive!

Dewdrop is out April 7, 2020

an eARC copy of this book was provided via NetGalley!

This is such a wonderful and uplifting little book.

Dewdrop is so encouraging and works to empathize with their friends to try to make sure that they aren't damaging their mental or physical health.

The different characters all have different struggles that they face. They all overcome their issues with simple, relatable solutions, and they're generally positive and relatable overall.

I think that this is such an important little book for young readers. It shows readers that everyone struggles at times, but with the proper encouragement and a different look on life, you can accomplish anything. I cannot wait to share this with my younger reader friends, older friends, kiddos --- well, anyone! This was such a delight!

I'm definitely going to be a long-term Katie O'Neill fan! 

The Tea Dragon Festival was released September 17, 2019

An eARC was provided via NetGalley for my honest review

This was such a lovely and perfect little story. I absolutely adore everything about this story, the art style, the plot, and the characters. The representation in this book was so freaking wonderful! Wonderfully done! I loved learning more and more about the world of dragons and tea dragons. I'm so in love with this world. I hardcore recommend this book to anyone who loves whimsical, lovely, soft stories. Everything by Katie O'Neill is perfect so far.

The Tea Dragon Society was released on October 31, 2017

I borrowed this sweet book from my local library

This was such a perfect story. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me feel so much emotion! If you haven't read this beautiful story yet, you are missing out!

Katie O'Neill has a magical, heartwarming storytelling skill that I rarely find in my favorite books. I tend to go for the darker, more violent stories and protagonists, but this book and her later books made me really appreciate the more wholesome and fluffy aspects that I love in my favorite characters, fantasy worlds, and my dragon babies. 

I don't want to spoil too much of this book, but I honestly think that every moment of it is perfect. I cannot wait to read it again and binge all of O'Neill's books. She deserves the world!

Happy reading!

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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{Graphic Novel Series Review #34-38} Full Graphic Novels

Hey, guys!

This batch of mini-reviews has been a long time coming and I'm so excited to share my thoughts on these lovely graphic novels. They're an eclectic mix, so I hope you benefit from my thoughts and opinions.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Enjoy!

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Page Count: 208

Published On: July 15, 2014

Published By: Margaret K. McElderberry Books

Genre(s): graphic novels,  horror, fantasy, short stories, 

YA, fiction, comics, sequential art

Source: paperback - borrowed from the library

Age Rating: Gory and creepy - cannot determine

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 4 stars

I don't usually enjoy horror stories or stories that are on the creepier side, but I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Emily Carroll is such a wonderful writer and the illustrations were so stunning. I have a few books with covers designed and illustrated by her and I'm so in love with her art style. I definitely recommend this graphic novel for those who love a great ghost story and thoroughly creepy illustrations to go along with them. 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Page Count: 525

Published On: March 2007

Published By: Scholastic Press

Genre(s): historical, historical fiction, fiction, YA, children's

Source: hardback- borrowed from the library

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 2.5 stars

I've never really been a historical fiction nut, but I usually like it in graphic novels. Unfortunately, I was just bored throughout this book. I've seen the movie so many times, and I'm pretty entertained, but this book was just so drawn out to me. I really did not care about any of the characters and the plot just dragged on. Granted, the illustrations were STUNNING, but I do not think I will read this ever again. I'm glad I checked it out from the library. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll probably like this, but it wasn't for me.

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson & Emily Carroll

Page Count: 374

Published On: February 6, 2018

Published By: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (Byr)

Genre(s): graphic novel, YA, realistic fiction, Fiction

Source: hardback- borrowed from the library

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 3 stars

I've never read the original story, but I'm glad that I picked up this adaption. I absolutely adore Emily Carrol's work and Laurie Halse Anderson is such a major figure in the YA community that I'm glad I've had a sort of taste for what she has written. I'm not sure when I didn't know about the original Speak, but I've never really found the need to read it. While this graphic novel was fairly interesting, I felt like it just wasn't for me. It's an inspiring and a story worth reading, but I think I've read books that center on similar themes. I just wasn't connected to the characters.

Persepolis 1 & 2 by Marjane Satrapi

Page Count: 341

Published On: October 30, 2007

Published By: Pantheon Books

Genre(s): graphic novel, comics, nonfiction, autobiography, memoir

Source: paperback

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 3 stars

Persepolis has been so iconic and acclaimed that I had to pick up the two volumes during a Half Priced Books trip with Courtney and Mallory. During a readathon this past summer, I picked up the two volumes and read them quickly and eagerly. Marjane's story is just so compelling and interesting that I couldn't stop reading. While I really enjoyed the first volume, I felt the second lagged just a tad. The story was just so addicting and educational. I'm definitely a fan. I recommend this to everyone!

Favorite of the Bunch: Through the Woods

Least Favorite: Speak the Graphic Novel

Happy reading, everyone!

Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Graphic Novel Mini- Reviews #29-32} Partial and Incomplete Series

Hey, guys!

Pairing up and grouping my 2018 reads has been so much fun, but this group is just very random. Here are some fun graphic novels that I read this year! 

Rat Queens Volume 1: Sass and Sorcery and Volume 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe, Roc Upchurch, and Stjepan Sejic

Published on: March 2014, May 2015

Published by: Image Comics
Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Who are the Rat Queens? 

They're a pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire and they're in the business of killing all the god's creatures for profit. Meet Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief. 

This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent, monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack! 

~~~

These two volumes were a lot of fun to read. I really enjoyed the art style and the story that was introduced. I also really enjoyed the relationships that developed, the dialogue styles, and characterization. I love the female friendships and relationships in this series. I don't plan on continuing on with this series, but if they come my way in the future, I'm not against picking them back up.

Plutona (Plutona #1-5) by Jeff Lemire, Emi Lenox, Jordie Ballaire, Steve Wands

Published on: July 26, 2016

Published by: Image Comics
Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction, Superheroes, Fiction, YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Five suburban kids make a shocking discovery while exploring the woods one day after school... the body of the world's greatest superhero, Plutona, laying dead among the mud and grass. This discovery sends them on a journey that will threaten to tear apart their friendship and their lives.

~~~

This graphic novel has a really fun premise, but the execution wasn't done well. This novel is compiled of 5 issues that follow the characters. I liked these characters, but they weren't as captivating or intriguing as I would have hoped. I would have thought that this book would have continued on after reading the ending, but as of right now it does not have a sequel lined up. This book was just underwhelming and I don't plan on continuing on with this.

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 7: Mothering Invention by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson

Published on: October 9, 2017

Published by: Image Comics
Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

In the past: awful stuff. In the present: awful stuff. But, increasingly, answers.

Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #34-39

~~~

This is the seventh volume in the fantastic and completely addicting and wonderful The Wicked + The Divine series. This addition to the story was so much fun to read. I loved how the authors delved into the history behind the divine mythos and the character's stories. I cannot wait for the next volume. There are two more volumes left; and while I'm dreading the end, I'm so excited to move forward with these characters. 

Review for Volumes 1-6 + the Christmas Single Issue: {click here}

I hope you guys enjoyed these mini-reviews! 

Happy reading!

Olivia 

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Graphic Novel Series Review #25-28} Picture Books

Hey, guys!

I read three picture books this year and I thought they were just so much fun. Here are my thoughts on these books. I definitely recommend them for younger readers. 

Page Count: 40
Published on: September 12, 2017
Published by: Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Education (Language and Writing), Fiction
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

From E.B. White Read Aloud author Adam Lehrhaupt comes an inspiring new picture book that takes apart the pieces of a story—hero, heroine, setting, conflict—and asks the reader to put the story back together again. This is a good story…or is it?

As a child takes her pencil and begins to draw pictures for a story, the narrator takes her and the reader through a rollicking sequence of events in this classic tale of bad guys and townsfolk and dungeons. With simplicity and flair, Adam tells a story and then a meta-story of the parts of the story at once! This Is a Good Story is a wonderful primer on the parts of a story and an imaginative way to encourage creative thinking, writing, and storytelling.

~~~

This was such a fun book for educational use. My sister, who is studying to become a teacher, was gushing about the concept of this book and I had to check it out. This story basically breaks down the parts of a story in a way for children to learn about them in an engaging and entertaining way. As an English major, this book made me so happy. I loved this book. I think that it should be used in school curriculum regularly. 

Page Count: 32
Published on: April 1, 2006
Published by: HMH Books For Young Readers
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Set during the devastating tsunami of 2004, MAMA is the touching true story of a baby hippo that was separated from his mother when the wave hit. After struggling alone for several days, the baby was rescued by Kenyan wildlife officers and brought to live in an animal refuge. There, all by himself, he adopted a new "mother"--that just happened to be a 130-year-old giant male tortoise. And they've been inseparable ever since.

Although MAMA takes place against the backdrop of a terrible human tragedy, at the heart of this story is a moving and original tale of adoption--and of finding love and companionship in the least likely of circumstances. 

~~~~

I picked this picture book up on a whim while on my break at my job at the library. I thought this was so touching. I loved the art style and the overall story. I loved the story of the baby hippo and I loved the pictures at the end of the book that tied it all together. The art style was so nice and the color scheme was probably my favorite part of the book.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Page Count: 32
Published on: April 1, 2006
Published by: HMH Books For Young Readers
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

A book with no pictures? 
What could be fun about that?
After all, if a book has no pictures, there's nothing to look at but the words on the page. 
Words that might make you say silly sounds... In ridiculous voices...
Hey, what kind of book is this, anyway?

~~~

I picked this book up for three minutes at a super market and quickly zoomed through it. I thought that this was a super fun and quirky children's book. I know B.J. Novak from the Office and from some videos on YouTube, but I was really suprised to see his name on a children's book. I'm actually quite impressed with the cleverness of this book 

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Page Count: 40
Published on: April 8, 2014
Published by: Little Brown Books For Young Readers
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Fantasy
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle.

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.

~~~

This story is super cute. Beekle reminded me of the little creatures from Doctor Who that were made up from fat in humans. This story is so colorful and beautiful. I loved the illustrations. I love the focus on the imaginary worlds of children and the real-life world. This was just really lovely and delightful. I recommend this for bed-time reading for younger readers (and older readers too!)


Which picture books are you jazzed about this year?

Happy reading and happy holidays!
Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~
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2018 Favorites: Graphic Novels

Hey, guys! 

This year I read 43 graphic novels, comics, and picture books. This is such a massive amount and I'm sure that is why I was able to read over 100 books this year. I absolutely love this form of literature. They are so much fun to immerse myself into. Artists and illustrators are so talented and the writers that they work with are just as amazing! I'm excited to see which graphic novels, comics, and picture books that I pick up in 2019! Here are my top 4 favorite graphic novels and series that I read this year!

1. The Saga Series by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

This series just takes the cake for 2018. I absolutely adore everything about this series. I cannot wait to read Volume 10 in 2019. I'm already in withdrawls. Rereading the first two volumes and continuing on with the next five volumes has been such an amazing reading experience. I cannot wait for volume 10. The end of 9 left me completely broken and dead.

Reviews:

Volumes 1-3: {click here}

Volumes 4-9: {click here}

2. The Wicked + The Divine series by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson

This series is so freaking addicting. When I started this series in January I could not put it down. I read the first several issues within 2 or 3 days, putting off all responsiblity. I cannot wait for the next issue to come out! I'm so excited to see where this story goes on!

Reviews: 

Volumes 1-6 + Christmas Single Issue: {click here}

Volume 7: Review coming soon!

3. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

This summer, Julia and I read this gorgeous book for one of our book club picks. This has quickly become one of my all time favorite stories. If you haven't picked up this beautiful book, you need to! Quickly!

Review: {click here}

4. The Runaways by Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka

I've only read the first 7 issues of this awesome series, but I'm absolutely obsessed with Rainbow's writing and Kris's art style. I'm so excited about this series. I'm definitely trying to keep up with it! 

Issues #1-6: {click here}

What kind of graphic novels did you read this year? Do you have a favorite? Let's discuss in the comments!

Happy reading!

Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Graphic Novel Series Review #19-24} Saga Volumes 4-9 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Total Pages: 916

Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction

Where to Find Them: Goodreads // Amazon

Series Synopsis:

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. 

~~~

My Rating (overall): 5 stars

Volume 4: 5 stars

Volume 5: 5 stars

Volume 6: 5 stars

Volume 7: 5 stars

Volume 8: 5 stars

Volume 9: 5 stars

Hey, guys!

It feels like it's been ages since I first read the first volume of Saga, but I feel like this story just gets better and better with every volume. I'm still reeling from volume 9. Vaughan and Staple's characters have this fantastic complexity and intensity that just resonates with me. Their fantastical story is just so well written and the full-color illustrations that tell the story are just absolutely stunning. The author and illustrator just do a fabulous job with this story. I've never really been bored while reading these books. They have captured my attention throughout and they have thoroughly captivated my heart. I absolutely recommend this series to everyone. 

Trigger warnings for gore, sexual content, NSFW content, intense violence, death, drug abuse, PTSD

Other Saga Reviews

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

I hope you guys pick up these graphic novels. They are just so freaking fantastic and deserve all of the praise that they receive. If you love incredibly written characters, an action-packed storyline with amazing story/character arcs, and fantastic romance and humor; then this is the series for you!

Happy reading, guys!

Olivia 

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Comic Series Review // GN Reviews #12-18} The Wicked + The Divine #1-6 + Christmas Single Issue by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, & Matt Wilson

Single Issues #1-33 of the series

Number of Pages (total): 1,000

Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, Action

Where to Find Them: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

Single Issue: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis (volume 1):

Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. The team behind critical tongue-attractors like Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM reunite to create a world where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. But remember: just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you’re going to live forever.

Back in January, I found these amazing graphic novels on the Hoopla app through my local library. After reading the first few single issues, I absolutely fell in love with this series. The art style is absolutely stunning, the characters are so much fun, and the story is sooo addicting. I am so impatient for volume 7 to come out. I also haven't read the single issues that take place in the past either, so I'm really excited to get my hands on those too. This graphic novel series is one of those that I will continue to keep my interest as time goes by. I basically binged the first 6 issues within a week, so I'm going to die when the series is completely over. I will not be a happy book nerd. 

If you haven't checked out this series, I highly recommend that you do. It's absolutely fantastic. The cast is so beautifully diverse and the relationships between the gods were just so much fun to read about. They're just a fantastic bunch of characters. I cannot wait to see how the story continues. If you enjoy other graphic novel series like Saga, Moonstruck, Lumberjanes, 

I hope you enjoyed this review! I will have more graphic novel reviews and graphic novel series reviews coming soon!

Happy reading!

Olivia 

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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