Book Info:
The Moth Keeper by Kay O’Neill
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Graphic Novel
Publishing Date: March 7, 2023
Synopsis:
Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper decides to take a break from the moon and see the sun for the first time? A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about passion, duty, and found family.
Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn’t exactly what Anya thought it would be?
The nights are cold in the desert and the lunar moths live far from the village. Anya finds herself isolated and lonely. Despite Anya’s dedication, she wonders what it would be like to live in the sun. Her thoughts turn into an obsession, and when Anya takes a chance to stay up during the day to feel the sun’s warmth, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.
K. O’Neill brings to life a beautifully illustrated fantasy world about responsibility to yourself and your community. The Moth Keeper is filled with magic, hope, and friendship.
Content Warning: depression, trauma, burn out themes, abandonment (historical, shown on page through flashback), ableism (historical, minor)
Book Links:
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593182284
About the Author:
I am a self-taught writer and illustrator based in New Zealand. I’m interested in nature and all kinds of creatures, mindfulness and mental health, and the magic of every day life. To date I have published three books, which have won Eisner, Harvey and Dwayne McDuffie awards for children’s comics, as well as being Cybils Award finalists and featured on the ALA Rainbow List.
Outside of work I love tea and food, plants, transitional seasons, reading, walking and listening to podcasts.
Author Links:
Website: http://ktoneill.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/strangelykatie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangelykatie/
Tour Schedule:
Well what can I say K O'Neill has done it again with a very different feel than her other graphic novels which i have adored. This time the story is about Anya who becomes the moth keeper and through her character K shows such topics as Depression and Burn Out.
I liked Anya as a character but would of liked to see more of a back story as well as maybe more about the girl who was obsessed by the moon. I found these drawings particularly stunning they actually took my breath away. The Art style is muted throughout which in my view suited the story.
This is all I am going to say about this wonderful book as I believe it is a kind of book which each persons reads has a very different experience while reading and that is what I love about books in general. For all these reasons I am giving The Moth Keeper 4 Stars and can't wait to see what is next.