Review: The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Katie O’Neill // Or, The Awaited Conclusion to the Fantastic Story of Tea Dragons

★★★★★| Wholesome and Heartwarming

“Everything that happens is part of your wholeness. The sadness, the loss, the hurt, as well as the joy, the love, the friendship — it is all part of your tapestry.”

☕ LGBT+ rep
☕ chosen family
☕ dragons
☕ tea

The Tea Dragon Tapestry is as beautiful and meaningful as the rest of the series of tea dragon stories.

It ties together the first and the second volume. All of our beloved characters get to shine once again and share their lives with us.

The main theme of this volume is the feeling of displacement — through grief, loss of passion for something you love, nostalgia for the old ways, or not knowing your place in the world and being unsure which parts of you are the genuine you.

The Tea Dragon Tapestry tells us that each part of us matters and has a place in our life. That our tapestry is not made only of the secretly chosen parts we have to guess but that we create it as we live.

Katie O’Neill’s work is always heartwarming and uplifting for me and this one didn’t disappoint. I’m sad the story is over now because I truely fell in love with it but I’m glad I was here for the journey. This is a series which should be read to every kid in the world and adults could benefit as well.

This final conclusion made me incredibly emotional. I was sad to be saying goodbye to these characters. Seeing their growth made me feel proud, oddly, as if I had any hand in it. There were so many moments that brought me to tears. The way that Ginseng's grief was handled is an incredible example for children. Minette no longer knowing who she wants to be, and what that means, felt familiar. A lesson I learned only through experience, and not through books.

I am grateful for these books, and I am grateful for the way they made me feel. They are beautiful, both in the lessons taught and the art held within them. I am sad to say goodbye to the series, but I know I'll be reading the books over and over again.

Full review: 9/21/2020

Oh my heart hurts with how much I love the Tea Dragon series - this was a lovely, final installment, I just wish it could go on forever!

This series is always quiet and lovely and thoughtful, but this final entry is even more introspective - bordering on somber - but still gorgeous and uplifting. The themes of grief and being true to oneself is an important one, and it was handled with such care.

The artwork is as gorgeous as always. I just love Katie O'Neill's work.

The Tea Dragon Tapestry is a Korean Graphic Novel, that explores themes like friendship, reflection on ones past and compassion towards animal. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful colorful illustrations that lit up the page and made it a joy to read. The book also boasts an incredible duo of female main protagonists, of diverse races.

I was so glad we got another Tea Dragon book, they are always so lovely. This book is a piece of art and so heartwarming, I honestly shed some tears from this book. It's just so filled with love, and friendships, chosen family and small dragons.

"Everything that happens is part of your wholeness. The sadness, the loss, the hurt, as well as the joy, the love, the friendship--it is all part of your tapestry."

Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for letting me read and review this book early.

Is there anything Katie O'Neill can do wrong? I'm not sure I blindly recommend an author more. It doesn't matter who I'm talking to, I always suggest her. Her books are so fun, creative, and open. My kids and I love reading them over and over again. Of course, The Tea Dragon Tapestry is NO different. It is so sweet and has just the right amount of get up that we just keep going back again and again.

This review contains minor spoilers, please read at your own discretion!

This series has become something that my sister and I bond over, as we gushed over the first two installments of the series, and love them with all of our hearts. I was so excited when I was approved for this arc - thank you so much!

I'm so sad that this is the conclusion to something that has become so important to me, but I'm so grateful for what it is. It provided such a warm, comforting and safe space for me during these chaotic and confusing times. Everything about this series speaks to my soul, so of course it's become one of my favourites. What a gift this series is to the world, my goodness.

I have to acknowledge the beautiful style of Katie O'Neill's art, and how easy it is to feel transported to the Tea Dragon world. Everything about this book felt autumnal and cozy, like sitting in front of a fire with a blanket wrapped around you, the sound of the rain comforting you. And come on, how cute! I cannot get enough of Katie O'Neill's art and I'll probably read everything she creates and gets her hands on - I'm absolutely obsessed!

The amount of love and care that went into this series is evident through the beautiful story-telling, and the experiences these characters have and what they learn along the way. This story reminded me to love myself through all of the awkward and confusing growths, and all of the phases I go through in my life. No matter what age we are, we are always learning something about the world and about ourselves.

I can't express enough how important some of these messages are, and there are so many. We can be there for our loved ones and friends without trying to fix their problems. In fact, we can't fix their problems. Having passion is not always something we feel towards the things we love - our interest will go up and down over time, and that's okay! We can't always be productive and creative. It's also okay to not know who you are... you already are who you are meant to be, and that person is enough - you're already whole.

Please, read and share this book/series with others! This series isn't just important for children, but people of all ages.

This is the third book in the Tea Dragon universe. I LOVE Katie O'Neill's art style! It's so adorable. One of my favorite things about this series is the focus on personal relationships and the casual homely, craft focused feel even though it's set in a fantasy world. This whole series kind of feels like what happiness can look like in a fantasy world in an epilogue kind of way.

This book focuses on passing on tradition, the idea of a life's purpose, and how those things can change. Mourning and memories are also at the heart of this book.

If these books had been released when I was a child, I would have been OBSESSED! I believe these will become a modern classic. Children reading them now will absolutely remember these stories and be molded by the themes. They're going to look back at them as adults with fond memories and create new fantastic worlds.

If you haven't read any of Katie O'Neill's books, get on it! This is a great conclusion to this story. I know it's been said this is the final book, but I really hope we get to return to the Tea Dragon universe. And if not, Katie O'Neill will bring her style and excellent storytelling to new worlds for us.

This book is absolutely a 5/5!

This was an absolute delight! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it since I wasn't a big fan of the first installment, but the series just got better and better! There is more character development and I loved wrapping up the backstory from the second book. Katie O'Neill's use of color is so refreshing and gives calming vibes. This comic touches on grief and loss of identity, which is something many people struggle with! I love that the topic is covered in such an accessible way for kids. Fans of this series will feel so satisfied with the conclusion and will find themselves reading them over and over again, picking out new details each read.

It doesnt support or open after I download the pdf version of it. It's also not showing in my shelf in netgalley and I cant open it to read

Please look into the issue and if you can send me the pdf in my mail ID- taniagungunsarkar@gmail.com

I cant read the book from here. Please look into the issue

The Tea Dragon Tapestry is a beautifully illustrated fantasy for all ages written and illustrated by Katie O'Neill. Due out 27th Oct from Oni Press, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover, and ebook/comiXology formats.

This is such a beautifully written and illustrated book and a wonderful addition to the series. It defies genre, really, though if I had to classify it, I would call it fantasy realism. There are a lot of heavy duty themes like found family, loyalty, truth, love and friendship through adversity, grief, finding one's own path. It was very gently handled and I never felt preached at and the art and narrative fit together so seamlessly that it was delightful to fall into their world for a little while.

The art is gorgeous and whimsical and lush. The story is wonderful.

Though the main characters (other than the tea dragons of the title) are young, it doesn't feel like a tweeny book. I would recommend it to anyone at all who needs a bit of soul soothing and to escape the 'all-too-real' world for a little while (and isn't that really *all* of us with the current state of the world?).

The Tea Dragon Tapestry is a luminously beautiful book. Highly recommended! The publisher's blurb states that this is a conclusion for the series. It didn't read that way at all to me, and I hope there are many (many) more to come. Potential trigger warnings: themes of overwhelming grief, disability, self esteem. All of them are handled in a positive, affirmative manner. The series also contain positive lgbtqia+ role models.

5 stars art and story. Love this!

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Back with Greta and Minette and I am honestly thrilled. I missed seeing these two in the middle book but was so happy to see that the break in the books provided them the opportunity to develop as characters and young women. O'Neill's books are all works of art that teach valuable lessons for readers of every age, and the Tea Dragon Tapestry is no exception. From moving on and accepting that you as well as the world around you will change to letting people deal with their greif in their own time, the life lessons are nothing short of exceptional in this graphic nvel. The illustrations are also beautiful and unique for this novel, just like the previous novels, and enchant the reader and build the wonderful world where the tea dragons live. I love these tea dragon stories and wish O'Neill would continue to bring this wonderful world to life for all eternity.

The Tea Dragon Tapestry, the third book in the Tea Dragon series, picks up where it left off in the second book. Greta learns to care for Ginseng and prepare for impressing the blacksmith. Minette receives a surprise package from something in her past. There's no denying that the artwork in this series is just beautiful; colorful, creative, and whimsical. The tea dragons are just the cutest and even after the third book, I still long to adopt them all. I thought the discussion on caring for someone who's grieving was well done for a graphic novel with a younger target audience. That being said, I did feel like the plot was a little lacking, I kept waiting for something to propel the story. I do hope the series continues and will be reading any continuation.

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute! I’m sad because this is the last book but also excited because we get more Tea Dragon Society! As always, I love the characters in this series and the diversity that they have. I absolutely adore this series and I would highly, highly recommend this series to anyone. It is such a good series!!

This, the third and final installment in Katie O’Neill’s Tea Dragon graphic novel series, focuses on two characters, Minette and Greta. Greta has been tasked with creating something in her forge to share with master blacksmith Kleitos in hopes of being taken on as his apprentice. At the same time, she is worried about her tea dragon, Ginseng, who is grieving the death of it's previous caretaker. Minette receives a package of an unfinished tapestry from her time at the monastery. The parcel triggers difficult dreams of loss and homesickness.

Reading these books is like visiting with old friends. A large part of the enjoyment is following the characters' continuing stories and connecting with protagonists from other previous adventures.

Like others in the series, this is a coming of age tale. Both of these characters must learn to accept who they are, find their purpose in life, and create from their hearts. This piece of sage advice Minette received from her ancestor is one that is applicable for all of us, “Remember that you are already whole.”

Through her words and art, Katie O’Neill takes us into an alternate magical reality. Her world is vibrant with colour that will dazzle you with its intricate splendour. Her world celebrates diversity in multiple ways. It's there in the different shades of skin, it's there in the deliberate nongendering of some of the characters and it's there in the pairing relationships across species.

For those who have not read other books in the series, (and even if you have) the back matter is full of additional information extracted from The Illustrated History of Tea Dragons. It includes details about the first tea dragon, tea dragon biology, tea dragon varieties, living with tea dragons, and the Tea Dragon Society.

As always with these books, I loved this one. This storyline is amazing. I can't wait to purchase the physical copy when it comes out.

I got an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I find it extremely hard to judge, or give my opinion on this series. If this series was a person, fictional or not, I would say it's Uncle Iroh, of the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. Everything about this book makes me feel like I am home, warm, and comfortable. And most importantly, safe. It'd be redundant by now to say that O'Neill's art is *chef's kiss.* I have said it for the past two books and I will continue to say this as long as I keep reading more of her books. The message in this book is great for children and adults, alike. I hope to someday see what comes of Greta and Minetta. And everyone else.

Also absolutely love the history on how tea dragons came to be!

Words cannot express how much joy this book brought me. After reading the Tea Dragon's Society with the rest of the online book community last summer, I was really intrigued and attached to these characters. A little over a year later, I reread the first book and read The Tea Dragon's Festival and the Tea Dragon's Tapestry and got so up in my feels.

The Tea Dragon's Tapestry does a fantastic job of weaving a story about grief in with the hope of finding your passion. Getting to follow Minn on this journey and grow with her made me tear up a few times, but also lead to this ending of hope that I think all readers should experience.

As an adult who is currently trying to find her calling in line, watching Minn and Greta discover and start to pursue their passions really spoke to me and was super relatable, especially since changing passions and not living up to expectations was touched on. This is something I've experienced in my adult life and knowing that this series is targeted to younger readers, it was great seeing this message aimed at a young audience as well.

I didn't realize this was the concluding graphic novel in this series. While I will be disheartening that we will not be getting any more Tea Dragon books, I did like the satisfying note this graphic novel ended on. I, of course, hope to see more in this world in the future, but will also find myself revisiting this series frequently. I've already preordered my finished copy.

The third book in this series of young graphic novels is illustrated with soft colours with more illustrations than text to demonstrate that thinking about others and doing things to make others happy means that it can make us happy too.
Each character has their own strengths, and in such a short book, a huge diversity of characters are presented – LGBTQ+ and all colours. This series defies the usual genres and is as inclusive as each character.

This graphic novel was a perfect conclusion for the series about the tea dragons. As always it was heartwarming and beautiful, and the art was gorgeous. Someone wrote that the story is also about coming to peace with uncertainty, and I think that is very true. The Tea Dragon Tapestry is full of love, diversity, beauty and lovely messages. I'm not ashamed to say that it made me cry.