Fans of K. O’Neill’s charming Tea Dragon Society series and Princess, Princess Ever After will be delighted by this graphic novel in a brand-new world—and readers who aren’t fans yet just might be soon.
The story is set in a village of nocturnal folk with animal-like ears and tails, where a girl named Anya has just become a Moth Keeper, protecting the enchanted moon-moths. These moths pollinate the tree that gives her village special gifts and blessings. Anya is mentored by Moth Keeper Yeolen, whose partner is the village healer, Aimoss; she is also friends with the village apothecary Estell, who is often full of help and wisdom.
Anya is eager to prove herself and to “become a light for others,” but during the long, lonely nights of caring for the moths (where we sense she is pushing herself too hard), finds she retains a fear of the dark. Her mind wanders to what life might be like in the sun village, peopled with those who live by day. And then, one night, she encounters a ghostly presence and everything she’s worked to protect is suddenly at risk.
O’Neill manages to weave in enough suspense to keep the story moving, while maintaining its soft, gentle pacing. It’s a delicate balance, masterfully handled. Themes of found family, community, moving through past trauma, and connection to the natural world are expressed both through dialog and through O’Neill’s beautiful, warm illustrations—there are many parts of the story told through images alone.
The setting was inspired by Aotearoa New Zealand and the plants and creatures there that “require one another to survive,” O’Neill notes at the end.
Thoughtful worldbuilding and characters, along with O’Neill’s gorgeous images, make this a recommended read.
The characters have a range of skin/fur/feather tones, and Aimoss is albino; Anya’s skin is a light tan, and she has light brown hair/fur. Aimoss uses he/him pronouns but has a somewhat feminine appearance; the book doesn’t ever use pronouns for Yeolen, but Yeolen’s scruffy chin gives a masculine appearance. Estell uses a cane.
Content warning: Parental abandonment (told as a flashback, and quickly evolving into a story of found family).
