While I typically enjoy K. O'Neills work,I found this story to be a bit bland. As usual I love the art style and colors a lot, but we’re not told much about the characters and it makes it hard to form any connection to them. The ending was very abrupt and left me feeling incomplete.

I do want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

K. O'Neill delights once again with another gorgeously illustrated graphic novel about imperfect people and the worries they carry doing their best. A wonderful story featuring two characters who are scared of failure but aching to be their truest selves, Rowan and Leone live in a richly colored world that manages to feel fully realized without trying too hard, with O'Neill's typical style of giving glimpses without over-explaining.

It's a story that validates who you are and encourages you to keep trying despite failures and shortcomings; a warm hug when you're being too hard on yourself.

There is something deeply healing about K. O'Neill's work. "And A Song For You and I" is no different. With lovable relatable characters, beautiful art, and a story of self love this book was just what I needed.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy! K O’Neill does not disappoint! This book has so much charm. I love the character so much. It’s such a simple story but there’s so much to love. The art blows me away. Just a stunning book about love and finding confidence. K is an auto-buy author for me so I can’t wait to get this when it comes out!

(I somehow accidentally requested both copies of this gorgeous graphic novel- oops!!!)

11/04/2024 || A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill || #ASongforYouandI #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley, K. O'Neill, and Random House Children's | Random House Graphic for making this e-ARC available!

Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author and myself.
All of my thoughts are my own~

5 Stars

Honestly, K. O'Neill's books never, ever miss! From the story to the illustrations, I always enjoy O'Neill's works to the fullest! This one made me cry and yearn for more of the story of Rowan, Leone, and Kes - and all their other friends/characters.

K. O'Neill once again has created a story full of self discover, self love, love of community and friends and found family, respect, and kindness.
Rowan's story touched my heart! There are so many gorgeous environment illustrations to enjoy, the different transition pages with illustrations, and the general plot line were all just so well done. I really liked the character development as well.

*thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.*

this is such a lovely and heart-warming story. pieces like these where the reader is brought along with the main character's journey of self discovery and acceptance are some of my favourite. i like how O'Neill develops characters, showing them make mistakes and figuring out how to fix them and take responsibility for their actions.

it's truly an unashamed humanness that K. O'Neill illustrates in both her art and narratives. as always, a delight to read what this author and artist shares.

K. O'Neill has once again written a beautifully illustrated soft fantasy for all ages to enjoy. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.

This was a highly anticipated release for my 8 year old. Per her, she loved the story and the art. She has not yet read The Tea Dragon Society, but this made her very excited to read it. She read the whole book in one sitting.

I was so happy to read another K O'neill work. Their works are so comforting like breathing in freshly made bread. A reader can't help but be swept away into a tender, beautiful world. And A Song For You and I is just like that.

O 'Neill's works are all about accepting yourself and understanding the world around you. Rowan is a Ranger Initiate who is eager to prove their self but in that eagerness she gets her pegasus Kes injured. Now they doubt if they should be a Ranger. while Kes is healing, Rowan is given the the task of helping out Leone, a sheep hearder who would rather play the violen then watch the flock.

This story is a great read for kids and adults alike. Both Leone and Rowan struggle with their own identities and what they want to be in the future. One of the best lines from the book is a beautiful line of accepting yourself:" It gets a bit tirin ', tryin' to prove yourself to others. Some people are just never gonna see you the way you want to be seen, y 'know? I reckon it's best to please yourself first, and the ones who love you will get it."

The art work as always is simply beautiful. Everything is colorful and soft and cozy. It is a great way to escape from what we are dealing with in the real world. I love how the horses look and move, I know the author stated they weren't sure about them but i think they did a great job. I also really love how the hair looks like it is blowing in the wind.

I will definitely be recommending this book to others. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Graphic for an ARC of A song for you and I.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A Song for You and I follows Rowan, a ranger in training on a mission to protect the meadow near her village. However, her eagerness to prove herself leads to an unfortunate incident that injures her companion, Res, a majestic flying horse.

At its core, this story is a heartfelt exploration of love—both for oneself and for the connections we forge with others. K. O’Neill beautifully captures this message, reminding readers of the importance of self-acceptance and embracing one’s true identity.

As always, O’Neill's imagery is stunning, perfectly complementing the narrative. The soft color palette and sweeping landscapes create a serene atmosphere that invites readers into Rowan's world. Each page feels like a warm hug, making this book a delightful escape.

If you're looking for a story that combines enchanting visuals with a touching message, A Song for You and I is an absolute must-read. K. O’Neill’s work continues to be a source of joy for me, and this story is no exception.

K. O'Neill never misses! "A Song For You And I" has a similar melancholia that was present in "The Moth Keeper," but instead of burnout, this story explored self-doubt and the burden of expectation. It was the first of their novels that explored difficulty in queer identity (most are queer normative) and it felt so genuine without being depressing. The art is spectacular as always! I've heard horses are difficult to draw, but they looked very lifelike. And the scenery is just stunning and adds to the overall mood of the story. Every single story K. O'Neill writes reaffirms my optimism and I feel so grateful they share their gift with the world.

K O'Neill has done it again!
I loved the Mothkeeper and Tea Dragon series, so when I heard K. O'Neill was releasing another graphic novel, I just had to read it!
This story is about living as your true self and accepting/believing in others! There is such a powerful meaning behind this sweet story.
Not to mention the art is gorgeous. This is going to be a book for my collection.
10/10.

Middle grade graphic novels have such a special place in my heart. They always fill me with such warmth and wonder. No one has cemented that feeling as well as K. O’Neill. I have read all of their graphic novels and they are all just a delightful as the last. This book is no exception.

We follow Rowan, a ranger in training, who is forced to assist a violin playing shepherd named Leone make his wool deliveries. At first, they struggle to connect, but as they grow more comfortable with themselves, their friendship blossoms.

As always, the art is stunning. It’s full of such color, texture, and whimsy. Every inch of it shows such a deep and interesting world that I’m desperate to learn more. The story is sweet and something anyone who wants to find their place in the world needs to read.

Another absolutely gorgeous story from this author. I've loved every one of these, and I'm so happy that I got to dive into this one as well.

I've always enjoyed K. O'Neill's writing, and so I had no doubt that I would find this story every bit as heartwarming as "The Tea Dragon Society" or "Moth" and boy was I right. Though there is minimal wording in this graphic novel, O'Neill's illustrations help to say everything that the characters do not, bringing the reader fully into the story as they explore the beauty laid out before them.

Without giving too much away, this was a gorgeous story about finding yourself even when you're unsure if those around you will accept you for who you are. I cannot wait to give this to all of my tweens & teens who need some reassurance that those who truly care for them and love them will be by their side during any changes they may make during their lives.

A beautifully illustrated, cozy, magical graphic novel from the writer of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society. With similar themes of questioning one’s place in the world as other titles from the author, Rowan wants to be a protector and knows they can be a good one, but is questioning if this life is truly for them when they begin to travel and see the world around them. But they do know that the name everyone calls them is not the name they want preserved but is unsure of how to tell their friends and superiors. As Rowan struggles with their frustrations of not being able to share that side of them, they struggle finding the courage to ride again in a parallel emotion. While the story has illustrations of a happy ending it also leaves it open with a lot of showing and little telling, but leaves the reader feeling as though they are soaring through the sky.

Such a wholesome and cute graphic novel. I loved the world building, the art style, and I especially loved seeing Rowan's character arc.

I read this in one sitting, and I can’t recommend it enough! Rowan's journey is beautifully drawn and deeply felt—every page pulls you into a world of gentle fantasy, self-discovery, and tender relationships. Watching Rowan struggle with self-doubt and then gradually find confidence through friendship (and maybe a little more) with Leone is such a heartwarming experience. The pacing is just right, letting the story unfold in a way that feels natural and uplifting. If you love graphic novels that wrap adventure and introspection in a cozy package, this one’s for you! That being said, while the book could be enjoyed by middle graders and romance fans, it wasn't particularly middle grade or romantic; I viewed it as more of a universal story.

Adorable and cozy with incredible art! I love K. O'Neill's Tea Dragon series, and this one is just as cozy and impactful.

Rowan is training to be a ranger, but an "easy" assignment and an accident that hurts their flying horse Kes send Rowan spiraling. With the help of a fiddle-playing sheep herder named Leone, Rowan might just become an even better ranger than before.

The art is outstanding, as usual, especially Kes. I want a flying horse. I related so much to Rowan's journey finding what fits for themself, especially in a name. And, as a music lover, I really liked seeing Leone spread his own wings.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for this ARC. I’m always looking for new graphic novels for myself—and for the children in my family and community, I’m quite looking forward to reading this (the cover is charming) and will update my review promptly when I do so.