This entire series is delightful and wholesome and I would recommend to readers of all ages! We have three volumes of this series in our library and they are much beloved.

This is another long overdue review. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me have access to an egalley in exchange for an honest review...in like 2017. My bad.
This book is so soft! The colors, the shapes, the story, the Vibes...people throw the word "cozy" around far too much when describing books, but this one is, indeed, so so so cozy. It's unambiguously queer as well, and we do love to see that.


Also: Brick, my beloved.

I loved everything about this book. The lore, the tiny dragons, the tea, the cabin....all of it! The art is amazing, the characters are just...warm and huggable. This book was like a warm cuppa. *inhales* *wraps hands around warm mug* Mmmm.

This sweet middle grade graphic novel will spark imaginations. The warm art evokes a sense of whimsy and the beauty of the natural world. The story is simple, but the dragons are WONDERFUL. This book will make you want to snuggle up with a lovely cup of tea.

Very good! Such a cute and happy read. Loved the lgbt+ rep, and the Tea Dragons are so adorable! I Will re-read again sometime.

This was such a cute read I can hardly start putting it into words. But just try to imagine how every once in a while you come across a book which is pure feelgood and happiness. The Tea Dragon Society is one of those books.

The main character gets introduced to the last remaining members of this society and they teach her about taking care of tea dragons. They were so cute (the dragons). The artwork was also very nice and fitted the cuteness and the story, which was all about finding where you belong.

Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I received a dARC copy of this book from the publisher. (But it expired before I read it so I checked a copy out from my library.) Here is my honest review.

This graphic novel is absolutely enchanting! I typically think of graphic novels as a format that deals weightier subjects and is more adventure focused. I also tend to think of them for older readers. I requested this on Netgalley because I wanted to read more graphic novels (but didn't want a horror subject) and because it seemed geared to younger readers. This graphic novel by Katie O'Neill proves that this format works for all kinds of stories.

The two main characters are Greta and Minette, young girls who want to make a difference in their world. They become friends as they learn about caring for tea dragons while also learning the importance of friendship, reliability, community and traditions. It's a simple story, told simply and yet conveys such richness and depth. The artistic style is beautiful and evokes a serene feeling. And of course, the magic and whimsy of tea dragons is just delightful. And what a treat to reach the end of the book, fully satisfied, and find bonus pages at the end about the history of tea dragons and how to care for them. O'Neill also does a great job including characters in her books that display disabilities - so helpful for young children to see and be able to discuss.

I'm enchanted!!!

So enchanted I picked up the next book in the series and have asked my library to order the third.

I no longer have access to my review from like three years ago, but I continue to adore this series!

I loved The Tea Dragon Society! The art is beautiful -- it's colorful and whimsical and so cute! Greta is a wonderful character; she's kind and loyal and fascinated by all things. I like that she is inquisitive and loves learning. All of the characters are lovely and charming and I never wanted this story to end.

Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author/illustrator: Katie O'Neill
Publisher, copyright/release date: Oni Press, 2017
ISBN: 978-1620104415
Price: $17.99
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Summary and Thoughts: In a world that knows peace, a young girl is learning to be a blacksmith from her mother. There is no need for swords, but that doesn't mean the art should die and Greta is determined to learn. One day in the market, Greta comes upon a little creature about to be eaten. She saves it and takes it home. There, she learns it belongs to the tea shop owner. When she goes to return the dragon, she finds the tea shop and owner, who tells her the dragon was a tea dragon. What follows is Greta's apprenticeship with tea dragons, a budding friendship with Minette, who is lost without any memory, and an appreciation for things possibly older than time.

Katie O'Neill is the author of Princess Princess Ever After, which I adored (and need to post a review for it seems). I heard a lot about The Tea Dragon Society before it came out and really had no clue what kind of story I was in for.

First, I love dragons and I love the idea of tea dragons. Tea dragons are a type of dragon where you take care of them and then trim their "horns" to make tea. It is a beautiful tea that can show you memories or stories from long, long ago. Basically I want one.

Greta shows a great appreciation for the arts. She is determined to learn to be a blacksmith like her mom (which is a great way to open a story), but she also takes the chance to learn about tea dragons.

The art in this is just so perfect. O'Neill uses a very "graphic design" style (it's the only way I can currently think to describe it) with a lack of set edges to the characters but defined. Panels vary with the story and there is definitely some manga style going on with plant vines in the background of some of the panels. There is action in every illustration and the characters and settings are beautiful thanks to a wonderful and abundant use of color. The characters themselves are all diverse with different bodies, skins, abilities, and creatures represented (like a character in a wheelchair). There are various adult couples both straight and queer represented. Emotions are conveyed so well and I think the reader can be left to interpret the friendship between Greta and Minette however they like because of the way the emotions are represented.

Overall, it's nice to have a comic without a huge problem to solve, like a battle. Like the tea dragon's horns, this is a comic of gentle growth over a year and the growth of a variety of friendships. Greta is central to all facets of the story, but it is through her you meet everyone else. This is a great, all ages title and almost any graphic novel reader is going to love it, especially those who enjoy fantasy. Basically, The Tea Dragon Society is a breath of fresh air in storytelling and I look forward to more from Katie O'Neill.

PS: There's a board game, a cute tea dragon plushie, and an enamel pin and I have all of them!
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Recommended Audience: All
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Things to be aware of: Nothing unless you don't like fantasy.
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Source: Library

This was such a perfect little book. I absolutely adored the art style, the characters, the story, and the message. This is perfect for all ages and deserves all of the awards. I'm going to be a Katie O'Neill fan for the rest of my life.

Super cute graphic novel! I love though despite being such a short read that we get so much world building. Both main characters are relatable and the development of the friendship is super adorable! Pity it was so short and that there wasn't enough about the tea dragons though.

A young blacksmith apprentice, Greta, saves a tea dragon from a pack of hungry mystical creatures. This act of kindness propels Greta to meet new friends, learn new stories, and gain a new path in life.

Umm... The idea of tea dragons could possibly be the cutest and best mythical creature combination I've ever heard of. Imagine cute little dragons (that apparently stay small and adorable like how we all wish puppies would stay) that have tea leaves growing out of their heads. It's a little bit odd with the whole tea leaves bit but I know all the tea drinkers would not be complaining. The Tea Dragon Society has definite originality, a pretty pastel like aesthetic to the pages, and some wonderful portrayals of everyday characters.

I enjoyed how Greta was portrayed as such a caring person for animals. She's a goblin... (I know I don't see it either) that meets Hesekiel, this upright kind of gazelle looking character (I might be stretching it there) after she saves his tea dragon, Jasmine, who looks very much like him. He sends her off to Erik, another tea dragon caretaker, to teach her the ways of the tea making process. She also meets Minette, the very allusive pink haired girl who resembles a faun with a dark past.

I was very happy that there were characters that were all types of colors, shapes, sizes, abilities, and loved whomever their heart chose. I was very surprised when I first realized Greta's spark of interest in a certain somebody and other love interests in the story. The relationships shown were very sweet and innocent.

The whole look of the comic was very girly and pretty. There were flowers in the background of some panels that looked like they either represented a person, an emotion, or just to look pretty. Even the tea dragons names went right along with the vibe of the story. There was Jasmine, Chamomile (I kind of want a kitten names Chamomile now), Ginseng, and Rooibos (didn't know that was a tea name!). I'm not into tea - shocking I know given the comic I'm reviewing - but I loved that the story touched upon how the art of tea is fading. That statement is very much how it feels the modern world is turning. There seems to be less artisans or traditions that can be found in everyday places.

There are a couple of things I didn't like in the comic including the weird fat feet/legs compared to Greta's skinny body. I thought her proportions were off compared to all of the other characters and it weirdly bothered me more than it should have.

There were also some flashbacks (Oh, yeah the tea can show you past memories. Kind of important to the story...) where Hesekiel's clothes looked like he had some extra to him in the chest which was very confusing. So although the aesthetic is pretty cute not everything felt like it was drawn a hundred percent correctly.

Minette, the cute little faun girl? Well, she has trouble remembering things but somehow remembers how she lost her memories.... Um... what?

Lastly, I wanted more detail into their lives. I wanted more plot and story. Going from season to season was nice but I felt like I missed a lot in between.

The Tea Dragon Society had only minor issues with my most worrisome one being I wanted more of it. It was a fluffy read about kindness, love, and cute mini dragons. I'd recommend The Tea Dragon Society if you are looking for something light and sweet.

I enjoyed the art in this book. The story was well-written but didn't grab me. The art was definitely the highlight.

'The Tea Dragon Society' written and illustrated by Katie O'Neill is a pretty graphic novel with a light story to go along with it. It would likely appeal to grade school readers.

Greta lives in a family of blacksmiths. She is being trained to be one, which she sometimes finds boring. One day, she rescues an unusual creature and returns it and discovers the world of dragons that bloom and make different kinds of tea. She also finds a new friend in a shy girl named Minette.

The story takes place in 4 chapters as the seasons go. Greta's journey is not a hard one, and there isn't a whole lot of conflict. She does grow somewhat through the journey, but the plot is a bit on the slow side. The illustrations are pretty cute, and will probably only appeal to young girls. It has a sort of manga feel to the drawings with really nice coloring.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This was super cute and adorable and I loved everything about it!!!
The graphics were absolutely wonderful and so detailed and just flat out gorgeous. The story was so compelling and the characters worked so well together that I literally could not put this book down!!

I loved the story!!! So cute, so nice to read and the drawings are spectacular!!!! I would love the story to be continued!!!!

Dragons! Tea! What's not to love?!

This is a cute tale of traditions and culture, past and future, friendship and love, dragons and tea. It is a quick and easy read (maybe a little too quick - I was definitely left wanting more!) that will leave you with a strong desire for a Tea Dragon of your very own.

New Zealander Katie O'Neill (Princess Princess Ever After and the forthcoming Aquicorn Cove) writes and draws sumptuous comic books, filled with fantasy, magic and fabulous diverse characters. They are all, without exception, adorable.

Katie O'Neill has beautiful style and the depth of this book is incredible. I want every single Tea Dragon there is, please.

Not only is the art gorgeous, but this sweet story manages to share the value of arts that we are losing (like tea making and blacksmithing) while emphasizing friendship. I loved it so much.