Zuli and her owl friend, Frowly, leave the only world they know (one in which bird souls return to and depart from trees) in order to solve the mystery: why are bird souls no longer returning to their world? While on the quest, Zuli quickly makes friends and enemies, comes up with more questions, and begins to discover more about herself and her people.
I was so looking forward to a kids graphic novel from Marjorie Liu, and I was disappointed to be underwhelmed by this title. It felt like character traits came from out of nowhere, so much so that I never really got a feel for how the characters were distinguished from one another. That being said, fans of Zita the Spacegirl and Amulet will be happy to have a new fantasy adventure series to read, and it's very clear that this will be a series.

I didn't want it to end even when I knew it was the first book in a series. The art is stunning and the story is quick paced. Zuli is a strong, smart, curious lead who appreciates that she can't perform her quest alone. Looking forward to the next installments.

First off, Teny Issakhanian's illustrations are downright gorgeous; I love how the different members of the "wing family" have been rendered. Also lovely is the concept of souls finding a home within the leaves of the Great Tree before being born again. Based on the cover and description, I really wanted to love this story, but I also understand that I'm not the target demographic. Young readers who have read other adventure/quest stories might give this a chance, however.

Wingbearer, written by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Teny Issakhanian, is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2022.It is the first book in a new middle grade graphic novel series.

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now. When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined—one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

Wingbearer is a beautifully drawn and colored graphic novel with fantastic writing. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning, ad my only complaint is that now I have to try and wait patiently for the next installment. Zuli and the the characters that she meets on her journey are well written and complex, with very few good/evil absolutes. The world building, as revealed through the characters and their interactions, was very well done. I feel like I have a reasonable grasp of the important aspects of the world, and never felt like there was an info dump. It was reveals as things became important in a way that really made sense and felt natural. Although, I will admit that I saw the big reveal (not telling), or something very close to it coming on a couple levels. However, I think the way it was done was smart and will keep readers hooked and invested in continuing the series. I think this series will be a new favorite for a wide range of readers and I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Wingbearer is a wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to reading what comes next.

Wingbearer is a children’s fantasy graphic novel published by HarperCollins Publishers under the Quill Tree Books imprint, written by Marjorie Liu, with art by Teny Issakhanian. Meet Zuli. She has had a rather unique upbringing. She has grown up amidst the branches of a magical tree that serves as the spirit haven for birds when they die. All her life, she has been surrounded by love and compassion as she has seen countless bird spirits arrive and leave as they are reborn anew. But then, one day, no spirits arrive. Nor were there any on the next either. Soon it was clear something was wrong. So Zuli takes it upon herself to venture into the outside world, discover what has become of the bird spirits, and perhaps learn a bit about who she is along the way.

From the moment Zuli leaves her sheltered home amidst the branches, Wingbearer delivers on the classic fantastical journey readers have loved ever since Tolkien sent a notable hobbit on an adventure to a lonely mountain. Author Liu does a wonderful job of blending the adventurous nature of the main story with fantastic themes like self-discovery, acceptance, and overcoming fears—all the sorts of messaging one loves to see in an excellently crafted children’s narrative.

This charming story is told against the backdrop of a fun magical world. While all the classic fantasy creatures make appearances—griffins, dragons, goblins, and the like—each is given a bit of a twist to their physiology or social habits. This provides each race with a fresh coat of paint for experienced fantasy fans to enjoy. However, Liu never implements any changes that are so drastic that it feels like the creature should’ve just been named something else.

At the heart of Wingbearer‘s story is Zuli. Liu provides the tale with a lovable protagonist with equal parts, determination, innocence, and hope. With no knowledge of the world beyond her home, or even who she is or where she came from, Zuli goes into her adventure with a charming amount of enthusiasm. She knows something important is happening, and she never takes her eyes off of that, but she also is in near-constant wonder at the marvels she experiences along the way.

While the story lays the foundation for this incredible journey, the art is what truly brings it to life. Artist Issakhanian does an amazing job of bringing Zuli and her world to the reader vibrantly and energetically. Everything from creature designs and emotional expression to the various environments teeming with magic is all brought to life in dazzling style on every page. Topped off with a gorgeous color scheme that perfectly captures all the charm and energy of the story, and you have an art presentation that I can find no faults in.

The final piece to this book’s presentation is the lettering. The default lettering flows with the visual style of the book beautifully. Combine this with some alternate styles for the dialogue boxes for internal dialogues, and you have a lovely final piece to the story’s visuals.

When all is said and done, Wingbearer delivers the opening phase of a journey overflowing with adventure, emotion, and charm. If the rest of this story can maintain the quality and fun this opening brings, this will be a story every child will want to experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! I saw this cover on NetGalley and knew that it was something I absolutely had to review. Just look at it! It looks like a fun middle grade graphic novel full of fantasy and adventure. And it lived up to expectations!

From the beginning, Lius establishes this magical world. In the beginning, we meet Zuli, surrounded by magical birds in a wondeful tree. The art in this book defintiely lends itself well to the fantastical world Liu has crafted. Actually, this might be some of my more favorite art I’ve seen in a middle grade graphic novel. The colors are striking, and Issakhanian brings these characters and creatures to life. She helps transport the reader to this fantastical world.

Additionally, I loved that the birds had such personality in this book. Frowly especially, His quips and comments throughout added some humor in tense situations, and it made reading the story even more entertaining. Frowly is supposed to be guarding Zuli, but sometimes it’s the other way around.

However, my only complaint is that the book gets a bit wordy at times. While it is necessary to explain magic and rules, sometimes the text is overwhelming. Finding a way to break it up might have helped reduce some of the text heavy pages.

All in all, if you’re looking for a magical adventure in a graphic novel, this is definitely the book for you!

I feel like I have a tendency to describe illustrations in graphic novels or children’s books as being really emotive. When I read WINGBEARER, though, I was blown away by how expressive Teny Issakhanian’s illustrations are. There are several panels that show closeups of Zuli’s face or just her eyes, and those were so powerful. I loved the way the images communicated a LOT of story, too. I felt like I got a deep sense of how the characters felt about each other from the way they were positioned in the illustrations and some of the looks exchanged between them.

The story is really moving, too. I love Zuli’s courage and her protectiveness over her allies. She has such a pure and loving heart. I couldn’t help holding my breath in some moments, wondering what would happen next and how she was going to navigate some of the obstacles in her way. I loved Frowly, the owl, too! Their friendship was so sweet.

I didn’t realize when I started reading this book that it’s the first in a series. I don’t read a lot of graphic novels (I didn’t realize this was a graphic novel when I agreed to review it, either), and I’m really bad about following a whole series, but I would definitely read this one.

I think fans of ESTRANGED by Ethan Aldridge will love the otherworldly fantasy elements and beautifully illustrated panels in WINGBEARER.

In Wingbearer, Zuli, who has been raised by bird spirits, must leave her home and journey to the living world to find out why bur souls are no longer reincarnating. On her journey, Zuli makes friends and uncovers secrets about herself and the world. I liked the story of Wingbearer, but the art is what really drew me in. The world feels so rich and gorgeous.

Zuli has lived with the guardians of the Great Tree since she was orphaned at a young age. The Great Tree is guarded by mystical bird spirits (which remind me of a phoenix of light). When a bird dies it reappears on the Great Tree as a leaf and the guardians watch and care for it, ensuring it is reborn as a new bird. However lately the leaves have been dying as the bird's souls have stopped returning to the Great Tree. Sure, something is behind it, the guardians sent out Little Red first, but when he doesn't return, Zuli is then sent out to investigate with her owl companion, Frowly. Having been raised among the branches of the Great Tree, Zuli has never ventured beyond her safe home, she's never even saw anyone who looks like herself before. Zuli is however a very determined girl and so she seeks to find answers for what is happening to the bird's souls and to protect the Great Tree from whatever is stealing its magic.

Wingbearer is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. Oh, so gorgeous, and defiantly not to be missed. Issakhanian has a way with the facial expressions of the characters that are so on point, and when added with the humorous narrations between Zuli and Orien and Frowly, it makes for a wonderful story. The colors of each of the illustrations were an amazing blend of these bright pinks and yellows paired with the dazzling changes of landscapes, moving from the greens of the forest to the browns of the runes of the new world that Zuli ventures into. I just love how she builds this immersive world for the characters to quest through. The contrast of Zuli's safe haven to the runes that she finds beyond are stark reminders of the hazards of war. Some of the panels even remind me of a magical Disney movie scene, which would be lovely if this could become a movie. All these beautiful details, like when she ends up in a cave and the way the light plays off the dark cavern, just love it! And the story, such a wonderful fantasy adventure, lots of action and a wonderful mix of characters. I really loved Frowly, probably because I love owls, but also because I'm picturing him as Archimedes from the Sword in the Stone. I'd pair this with the Amulet series.

**A huge thank you to Sparkpress and the publisher for my E-ARC **

I had no idea this was the first in a series, so I’m BIG MAD at that cliffhanger ending! When I got to the last page, I got so mad that the next page was the acknowledgments! I thought I missed a page! Ugh!

HOWEVER, this is one of the most visually stunning graphic novels I’ve ever read. The panels and full page artwork is truly, truly masterful. I was so impressed and it took me longer to read this than normal because I could not stop staring at it. Absolutely breathtaking.

The story itself is EXTREMELY interesting. I was super impressed with that. The only problem I had with it was it fell into the graphic novel trap of some page transitions felt like you missed something when you flipped between them. Happens, but it’s not the end of the world.

I’m DEFINITELY eager to see what happens next!

3 stars. Thank you Netgalley for the arc. The big plus for this first installment of a new graphic novel series is the art style. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and is a large part of the 3 star rating. I would still be interested in continuing the series but it was a very slow start plot wise and world building wise in a new fantasy series. The plot twist at the end obviously makes you want to continue. Overall, this is a good start to a new middle grade graphic novel series by an author favorite.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wingbearer is the first in a new series of graphic novels. There were a lot of fantasy elements within this like dragons, goblins, etc. The illustrations were also beautiful.

I wish there had been a bit more background at the beginning. For being the first in the new series, there was not a lot of explanation of the setting we started out in. There were also some creatures named but not really explained.

Looking to be swept away to a magical world with goblins, dragons, griffins, and magnificent fantastical beings? Wingbearer by Marjorie M. Liu and illustrated by Teny Issakhanian is a promise of a dazzling fantasy adventure with a compelling quest and mystery that will keep you turning the page. The story follows young Zuli, a young dark-skinned girl raised by bird spirits in the Great Tree where the souls of birds go to rest before their journey into their next lives. When a mysterious force threatens the Great Tree, Zuli, along her guardian owl Frowly, leaves and sets off an adventure where she will make unexpected friends, meet powerful magical beings, and confront her true identity.

Wingbearer inspires a sense of wonder and adventure. Issakhanian’s illustrations bring to life a vivid and realised world, the details in the art illuminating boundless magic and mysteries unknown. Readers will be swept away from the very first page, intrigued by Zuli’s enchanting home in the Great Tree and intrigued even more to discover that the world beyond everything she ever knew is, in contrast, cold, sad, and devoid of life. For readers who are looking for something thematic, Wingbearer has an unexpected yet welcome leaning towards philosophy, spirituality, and nature, and Zuli’s contrasting perspective on nature compared to other characters will definitely inspire discussion.

Indeed, Wingbearer is a compelling fantasy adventure, but it is also a profound story about identity, belonging, and doing what is right. Zuli is a fantastic protagonist and I enjoyed following her journey from her perspective. Her upbringing with the mystical birds and her perspectives of life, death, and the nature of things empower her clear sight of what is right and good, furthermore unclouded by the prejudices and implications of wars past. Yet, when Zuli steadily discovers that her quest is also tied to her true identity, everything that she has ever known will be called into question – and the twist in the story will surprise and excite.

Ultimately, Wingbearer is a faultlessly fun adventure and I had a great time reading it. In fact, Wingbearer made me nostalgic for the visual stories that I read as a kid; the kind of stories with vast new worlds or memorable characters that made me not only want to dive right into the world but also be like the characters embarking on a brave adventure and experiencing wondrous things beyond my imagination. In saying this, I am confident that Wingbearer will one day be the story that young readers today will be nostalgic about in the future and a story that will inspire future dreamers, storytellers, and adventurers.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Thought provoking and exquisite artwork, paired with an amazing story and a main character that is not the standard issue hero, this book is Amazing! I absolutely love Zulli and her band of friends. I can't wait for future installments.

Wingbearer is a Middle Grade, Graphic Novel about a young girl that has known nothing of her life before the Great Tree and the birds. She has been there since she was an infant and raised by the birds and the bird spirits that come there to be reborn into the world. The book begins when something starts to threaten the magic of the tree and the spirits are no longer appearing to be reborn, Zuli, our main character is confused, upset, but determined to figure out what has happened and fix it. The means venturing into the real world to figure it all out.

Zuli is young, innocent, and very sheltered. She doesn't know anything of her background or history, but is fully alright with leaving the safety of her home/tree to save it. She is determined and a bit stubborn. When she doesn't understand something she just pushes forward and hopes for the best. She is a strong character that I think younger readers will like.

The plot of the book begins with the missing spirits and then leads us on a journey about who Zuli might be. Although we don't learn a lot about her yet, there is a lot of mystery for the reader to follow and attempt guesses with.

This graphic novel was very well done. The illustrations were bright and the worldbuilding was very well done throughout the images and the plot. I found that there was a lot of dialogue and not enought being told through the images, however I know that middle grade graphic novels tend to have this issue as it tries to lead younger readers more easily through the story.

Overall, if you liked the Amulet series or are looking for more middle grade graphic novels, this is a great beginning to a new series that you may also enjoy.

Unbearably beautiful STUNNING artwork and a good beginning to a story that will appeal to young fans of sci-fi and fantasy such as Amulet and Bone.

Zuli was raised by bird spirits in a mystical great tree that is a haven for their souls. Her origin is a mystery and she seems to be the only one of her kind. When bird souls are taken and not allowed to come to the great haven in order to be reborn, Zuli leaves her home to solve the mystery and retrieve the souls.

Accompanied by her owl guardian Frowley, Zuli goes on a journey, gathering unexpected friends and fighting enemies along the way. She discovers her own unexpected gifts, and begins to uncover her identity.

This engaging adventure swept me away to Zuli’s world and I didn’t want the story to end. The artwork is wonderful and fits the tone of the story perfectly. The world building is very well done, complex and immersive, without being confusing. This is fast paced and action-packed but the characters really shine through. Recommended for fans of Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi.

Charming story, likable characters, pretty art…. The book this one put me in mind of was the first volume of Princeless. Not because the stories are super similar but because they both gave me the feeling that the creators were having a good time making the story and really just put their whole hearts into making something that would be fun for kids to read. Both of them just left me with a smile on my face and feeling like aw that was fun. And nice! Adventure stories a kid could have a good time reading without them either being too violent or scary for a kid and without being too cutesy or sanitizing any sense of excitement or peril out of the story. Fun to read for an adult too if you’re sufficiently in touch with your inner child. Where were some of these really good kids books when I was little?

What a stunning graphic novel! Completely magical and immersive, the story follows Zuli and her companion owl Frowly as Zuli searches for information about her origins. When the souls of birds go missing from the spirit-tree Zuli inhabits, Zuli embarks on a quest to discover why, while also discovering the truth of her origins. Action-packed and full of adventure (as well as tense moments where Zuli is pursued by dragon-like creatures and other foes), this book makes for a great page-turner. Zuli fits into the role of hero nicely, with Frowly providing great comic relief. On her journey, Zuli meets many friends and faces a range of baddies. This story touches on themes of friendship, hope, betrayal, conservation, and following your heart to find the truth. The art is gorgeous, the world beautifully depicted and thought out, and the characters well-rounded and relatable. I can’t wait to press this book into the hands of readers.

Wingbearer is one of my first graphic novels to read in 2022 and it does not disappoint.

Beautiful art and landscapes provided by Teny Issakhanian with a story crafted by the celebrated Marjorie M. Liu. I’ve read a few of her stories before this but this first volume is something that brings a breath of air into her story crafting I’ve been excited to dive into. This novel is perfect for the readers who want to see diverse characters, fierce heroines and a richly illustrated world that takes my breath away.

A touch of spoilers, but nothing too illuminating.

Zuli, our main character is given a quest and made to leave her home in order to save it. We go along with her as she learns about the world outside of The Great Tree, learning about its people and the history. But she has more connections than any of us could imagine, and her appearance back in the living world has a ripple effect that shakes the foundations of all its people.

While this simply sets up for a bigger adventure and a wider story, I’m wholly impressed by the way it's been laid out. There are a few times that it feels a bit dialogue heavy, but it goes hand in hand with revealing the lore of the land, creating an intricate world with just as much depth as one like ours could be.