LGBTQ+

The Moth Keeper / K. O’Neill

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
The Moth Keeper
By: K. O'Neill
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 272
Published: March 7, 2023
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Dates Read: February 20, 2023
Format: ARC / eBook

Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths. Lunar moths help the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year and her village uses the flower’s nectar to thrive and survive. But, the nights in the desert are cold and lonely, and Anya finds being a Moth Keeper isn’t exactly what she thought it would be. She finds herself wondering what it would be like to feel the sun’s warmth. One day, she decides to stay up during the day to experience the sun and her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences of her choice.

I absolutely adored the Tea Dragon Society series, so I knew as soon as I saw K. O’Neill had a new graphic novel coming out, so I needed to read it as soon as possible.

It wasn’t a disappointment.

This is a story about burnout and loneliness that is written alongside beautiful artwork from K. O’Neill that is done in such a way that younger audiences will be able to understand the message too.

Overall, this is a beautiful and gentle graphic novel that I can see those of all age groups loving and enjoying – both for the story and for the art.

*Thank you Random House Graphic and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Nick and Charlie: A Heartstopper Novella / Alice Oseman

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment
A photo of the novella, "Nick and Charlie" by Alice Oseman being held by a woman in a pink sweater with red lipstick prints all over
A 5 Star Gold Rating
Nick and Charlie: A Heartstopper Novella
By: Alice Oseman
Genre: YA, Romance
Number of Pages: 176
Published: January 3, 2023 (July 16, 2015)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Dates Read: January 24, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: mention of eating disorder recovery

Nick is leaving for university soon, and Charlie, a year younger, will be left behind to finish his last year of school. Everyone keeps asking them if they’re going to stay together, and Nick and Charlie both think that’s a silly question… at first. As the time for departure gets closer and closer, the boys start to question whether or not their love is strong enough for the distance – because of this, communication is mixed up and things begin to spiral. Can the boys’ love survive?

What a cute and adorable novella in the Nick and Charlie universe! I absolutely loved the graphic novels, so I knew I would enjoy this novella too. I haven’t read any of Alice Oseman’s novels yet, so this was kind of a sneak peak for me to see her writing style outside of graphic novels – and I really enjoyed it. Oseman was able to convey descriptions of what was happening, in the various first person POVs of Nick and Charlie, well and I know that can be a bit of a challenge when writing it versus drawing it.

I’m glad Oseman still brought up Charlie’s eating troubles and what that looks like years down the line. As it was kind of mentioned, it’s not something that just “gets fixed”, and it’s something Charlie is constantly working on and something that Nick is aware of (like the eating of snacks). 

This was a nice and cute, quick and short read. Totally started the book at 9 in the evening and had it finished before bed. I highly recommend this to lovers of the Heartstopper series as you’ll get the same lovey-dovey feels you got from the graphic novels!