How was everyone’s June? I can’t believe it’s already July. I feel like June went quick and slowly at the same time. I’ll do a wrap-up in a few days. What I found most remarkable about June was the heat. I’m not ready for summer weather. Where I live, it was 105 yesterday! And I take medication that makes it so I can’t tolerate the heat even worse. Unfortunately, we have a long summer in front of us, you can find me sitting in front of a fan for the next three months.
I am spending more time reading than I usually do in the summer, though. That is a direct result of being more mindful about putting books at the front in center when I really want to rot in bed. I know I’ll have many fewer problems reading in a few months when it’s cooler, but it’s essential to stay on top of my goal, especially since I’m traveling in September.
Synopsis
Atana and the Firebird was a wonderful treat to read in the middle of some longer books. The story follows a young mermaid, Atana, who has to live on an island all by herself. She sees a group of Firebirds in the sky one night and gets close to one who decides to come down to earth. The firebird, Ren has heard stories about Earth from her family members and wants to explore the world. She gets the cautious mermaid to agree to trying to explore some of the places the mermaid has only read about.
But as soon as they set off from the island, they are beset by magic hunters and others who are after the mermaid and seem to know the firebird has landed. They eventually get caught but find out the seemingly all-powerful Witch Queen wants an audience with them
They are introduced to a guard who shows them around the castle and the two girls become friends with the guard. The three of them get to be better friends as the firebird has meetings with the all-powerful Queen.
But as things progress, the Queen’s intentions are called into question. Will the three of them be able to stick together and save one another from what the Queen has planned? What does the prophecy for Atana mean for the rest of them? And will the Queen’s past come back to haunt them?
Review
First things first, this is an excellent book for its target audience. It has strong themes of self-acceptance and friendship. Another cool thing about the book is that the cast is primarily female/femme leaning. I think there might be a few male/masc side characters but most of the speaking cast is femme. I think this is a great thing. We don’t see enough stories with large female ensemble casts for this age.
Now as for the art. It is gorgeous. I’m talking that this this is K. O’Neil level excellence. I have to say it is most certainly my favorite graphic novel so far this year and I can’t wait to read the second volume. I happily give this volume five stars.
Happy reading
Solara
Rose's Book Garden 