My thanks to Oni Press for a digital copy via NetGalley of Katie O'Neill’s ‘The Tea Dragon Festival’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is a companion to her 2017 graphic novel, ‘The Tea Dragon Society’. It is set some years before ‘Society’ and features two characters from it during their younger years as well as introducing Rinn, an aspiring cook, and Aedhan, a young dragon of the Shining Wing clan, who is keen to prove himself as a guardian for the village of Silverleaf.

This is such an enchanting story and O’Neill has created a diverse, inclusive cast of characters that were so inspiring. She also has her characters use ASL along with voice to communicate.

Her artwork is wonderful and she uses a pastel colour palette with delicate detailing. The tea dragons themselves are adorable. I quickly fell in love with her created world.

Although this works fine as a stand alone, I was grateful that Katie’s website contains ‘The Tea Dragon Society’ in its web comic format so I could read the original tale. I would be intrigued to learn more about her non-human characters and inspirations for her art.

A charming, wonderful graphic novel that is bound to appeal to children and adults alike.

Disclaimer: I received this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this, I wish I could give it 10/5 stars, and I felt the same way about The Tea Dragon Society. I just love these soft, cute, comforting graphic novels so much.

There's tea and dragons, what more could you want. I've loved everything I've read by Katie O'Neill so far - The Tea Dragon graphic novels, Aquacorn Cove, and Princess Princess Ever After - and I'm always so excited when I see they're coming out with something new.

I cannot recommend this, along with all the others I've mentioned, enough. They're beautiful and cute and casually queer. And just leave with you with this warm feeling, they're so good?

And this one involved some sign language, which I wasn't sure how it'd come across in graphic novel but I was surprised that it did work? Obviously the english translation is there, because comics don't move, but it was fun to be able to recognize most of the signs they were shown using.

I'm going to stop here before I just keep going but imagine me going AHHHHHHHHH and that's pretty much my feelings for this book. Can't wait for my physical copy to come in the mail, and I hope one day to be blessed by a visit from a tea dragon. Preferably the mountain chamomile because they seem so fluffy and grumpy, but this changes daily if not hourly.

If you've read and enjoyed the first book then you'll be pleased to know that you can look forward to more of the same breath takin artwork and wholesome story. Equally, if this is your first foray into the world of Tea Dragons then never fear because this can absolutely be read alone no problem and is actually a prequel of sorts in that it's set before the events of the first book and includes two characters we see in the second book, but they can easily be read in any order and still compliment each other. 

The Tea Dragon Festival is filled with a brilliant cast of colourful and diverse characters, each more charming than the last, I particularly loved Aedhan and main character of sorts, Rinn, an aspiring cook who loves to gather fresh ingredients and help the people of her town. A new inclusion in this instalment which I really loved was the use of sign language which Katie has brought onto the page fantastically with the simple use of different coloured blocks of text to indicate if someone is communicating through sign and if they are signing and speaking out loud.

I was given this free review copy graphic novel at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This is the second Tea Dragon graphic novel I have read and I was not disappointed! This is seriously the cutest thing EVER! I loved the art work, the characters and the world that has been built. I cannot wait for the finished copy!

5/5 stars

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Oni Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this amazing digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am just in love with this series! This addition to the story is pure heart and has so much beauty packed into every magical illustration.

<u>Synopsis</u>
This story takes place years before "The Tea Dragon Society". It's the story of Rinn, a girl who longs to be a cooking apprentice, who goes into the woods in search of ingredients for herself and her village. On the way, she stumbles across an abandoned shrine hidden in the forest. There she finds a dilapidated home with a sleeping dragon inside and it's not the tea kind.

<u>Characters, Story & Illustrations</u>
I really loved reading about all the new characters as well as seeing some familiar faces from years before the first story. Rinn was a fun character to read as she figured out herself and what she wanted to do with her life. I really liked the addition of the new characters such as the dragon and the dream spirit which were both drawn beautifully! The mountain chamomile was one of my favorite side characters. I loved seeing him sometimes in the background of the illustrations just sitting there puffed up and grumpy. It made me smile every time! I thought the addition of sign language in parts of the book was interesting and appreciated that it was explained how it would appear before the story even began. When the characters signed, the explanation made it easy to identity and acknowledge rather than breezing over the thought bubbles. Once again, I loved the little tea dragon index at the end of the story and notes about the dragons vs. tea dragons. I always love reading the little dragon factoids about each one and it makes me love them more!

<u>Overall</u>
Overall, I loved this precious story and all of the magical illustrations. It was another beautifully drawn story by this author that was told from the heart. I feel ridiculously lucky to be granted an advanced NetGalley copy so thank you again. I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future and I especially hope she continues this series!

This is more of a companion or prequel to the Tea Dragon Society, the series could easily be read in any order without the reader loosing their understanding of the stories. You would just be introduced to some characters a little earlier.
The Tea Dragon Festival is just as gorgeous in its writing, artwork and colour palette as the Tea Dragon Society. It adds a lot more to the lore of the Tea Dragons, we meet true Dragons and we get a glimpse into the past of a couple of the characters from the Tea Dragon Society. It also maintains the same level of diversity. The inclusion of a deaf character and sign language is done in such a tasteful way, having a mix of those who communicate solely by signing and those that combine speech and signing is excellent. The message is still as heartwarming and it still leaves the reader in that beautiful calm place the first did. I am hoping that we keep getting glimpses into the world of the Tea Dragons.

Beautiful story for kids and adults. I really enjoyed the creativity and skill that went into making this delightful story. I will be getting hard copies as gifts for nieces and nephews.

I live a tea dragon-appreciation life. There's just something about them. The Tea Dragon Society remains a favourite of mine, and it's a book I return to on cloudy days when I'm cranky because it's got magical healing properties and always cheers me up. Does that colour my appreciation for The Tea Dragon Festival? Probably not, because it's pretty darn good all on its own.

Rinn, the main character in TDF, is an aspiring cook living in a village where they, obviously, have tea dragons galore. However, one day when she's out gathering ingredients in the woods, she stumbles upon an actual dragon, Aedhan, who's been asleep for eighty years. With help from Rinn's uncle, Erik, and his partner Hesekiel (who we know from TDS) they try to solve the mystery of the enchanted sleep - all while trying to help Aedhan come to terms with all the time he has lost.

While the tea dragons are the most adorable things and all the characters are actual angelic sweethearts who must be protected, what really struck me about this was the use of sign language between the characters. It's obvious in the panels but never intrusive and, you know, "obvious", and in the review copy I received there were several pages about sign language-related things in front of the book (where this will be in the final edition I obviously don't know, but it made me so happy). As someone who is hard-of-hearing, that was just so, so wonderful.

All in all a new favourite pick-me-up of mine - definitely don't miss out on this, guys. Please, for all that is pure and sweet (here I'm thinking specifically tea dragons because let's be real), do not miss out.

"Revisit the enchanting world of Tea Dragons with an all-new companion story to the two-time Eisner Award-winning graphic novel The Tea Dragon Society!

Rinn has grown up with the Tea Dragons that inhabit their village, but stumbling across a real dragon turns out to be a different matter entirely! Aedhan is a young dragon who was appointed to protect the village but fell asleep in the forest eighty years ago. With the aid of Rinn’s adventuring uncle Erik and his partner Hesekiel, they investigate the mystery of his enchanted sleep, but Rinn’s real challenge is to help Aedhan come to terms with feeling that he cannot get back the time he has lost.

Critically-acclaimed graphic novelist Katie O'Neill delivers another charming, gentle fantasy story about finding your purpose, and the community that helps you along the way."

Last year I read The Tea Dragon Society and not only immediately wanted a Tea Dragon of my own but started following all that the talented Katie O'Neill does. Seriously, follow her on Instagram, buy all her books, you won't regret it!

The artwork is incredible and the story is really cute. I haven't read The Tea Dragon Society, so I was not familiar with the characters, but it didn't really retract from the story. Full review to come soon, but I loved it!

The Tea Dragon Festival takes place in the universe introduced in The Tea Dragon Society (2017) and is a prequel of sorts, featuring two characters from the first book. Taking place in a mountain village called Silverleaf, Tea Dragons are small dragons that live with the villagers; the villagers care for them, even pamper them, and harvest tea leaves that the dragons grow on their bodies. Each dragon is named for the teas they produce: we've previously met Jasmine, Roobios, and Chamomile, and The Tea Dragon Festival debuts some additional dragons: Fennel, Marshmallow, and Mountain Chamomile. 

A girl named Rinn goes into the woods to gather ingredients and discovers a real dragon, fast asleep. Upon waking, Aedhan - the dragon - explains that he was sent to protect Silverleaf, but dozed off. But he's ready for the barley tea celebrations at the next Tea Dragon Festival! The only problem is... the barley tea celebration happened 80 years ago. To lift Aedhan's spirits, Rinn brings him back to the village and introduces him to everyone, including her Uncle Erik and his companion, Hesekiel, who previous Tea Dragon readers will remember. The couple are younger here, and are still in their bounty hunting days; they deduce that the bounty they are hunting - a mysterious forest creature who can put people to sleep for decades. While Erik and Hesekiel seek out the bounty, Rinn includes Aedhan in festival preparations, and endears him to the village - and vice versa. 

This is just a lovely, uplifting story. Katie O'Neill once again gives us a world where diverse characters live and work together in harmony; we have fluid gender identities and diverse characters, even diverse species, living among one another in peace. It's a visually beautiful story, with verdant forest colors and lush landscapes. Aedhan is a shape-shifting dragon who looks stunning, majestic, in flight and shifts into a softer, humanoid form to interact with the Silverleaf inhabitants. Back matter includes a note about tea dragons and dragons, and an Alpine Tea Dragon Handbook, introducing three new tea dragons from the story. A wonderful fantasy that will make readers happy.

I want to start off by saying that the ONLY reason TDF didn't get 5 stars is because I just can't deny that I loved The Tea Dragon Society better. I just think that the plot-line in TDS just gave more. But I still loved this gorgeous little gem and the return of the world of tea dragons!

This story introduces a new MC, Rinn, who is an aspiring cook living in a close-knit village. Who of course live alongside tea dragons. When Rinn comes across a (not-tea) dragon who has been asleep for WAY too long, she becomes a guide and special friend.

Just like its prequel, this graphic novel features some of the most incredible representation. With characters utilizing ASL within their village to include villagers hard of hearing, queer rep left-right-and-center and characters of all colours and sizes this book is so ridiculously heart-warming and inclusive.

In addition the artwork is absolutely to die for. I would happily allow O'Neill to create anything I ever lie my eyes on because this human being has talent!

This is a book that I could easily recommend to anyone, no matter what stage of life they are at. It's just that kind of story.

I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful story I just read. It had good characters, it had a "dilemma" and solution, and it was inclusive!

The graphics is this book are lovely and bold.

I have heard about the Tea Dragon Society for awhile now, I picked it up and read it. Shortly after, this arc appeared! I'm so glad I was able to read this one.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

5/5
What a great, wholesome, lovely book. I loved every bit of it. The world is rich and the characters are all beautiful and interesting, and the backgrounds and scenery are breathtaking.
Katie O’Neill’s art style is the perfect blend of magic and fun. I will never get tired of her tea dragons.
Apart from some problems I found with the ASL bit of her book, this book is a perfect read for those who love magic and tea and the feeling of home.

I am by no means an expert/fluent in ASL (truly I am a beginner), but now because I have to explain myself, it’s uncommon for someone to speak English and sign at the same time. ASL sentences are not formed the same way as English sentences most of the time. So to sign and speak English is a little jarring, for if you signed exactly what you were saying, it would not make complete sense in ASL, as they are 2 different languages. Again, I am not an expert or fluent in the language, but I do believe this to be correct. Usually one person would speak English/sign and another would translate, but I understand that in the constraints of comic form this is a good interpretation.

Ever since I read Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill I fell in love with her art, always delicate and relaxing, and her soft stories that make me feel like a cup of hot cocoa under the blankets in the middle of winter.

The Tea Dragon Festival is the second comic by the author that takes place in this world, but you don’t need to read the previous one, The Tea Dragon Society, to be able to enjoy this one (although I thoroughly recommend it because it’s such a delight and a good introduction to the adorable creatures that are the tea dragons). Even though some of the characters who appear in this story already appeared in that one, this one takes place years before and the main characters are completely different.

In this comic we follow Rinn, who collects herbs, fruits and other plants for the other residents of the village. In one of their trips they find a real dragon (a different species from the tea dragons) who was ordered to protect the village – a mission he accomplished until a magical creature sent him into a deep sleep for decades. On the other hand we have Erik and Hesekiel, whom we already met in The Tea Dragon Society, and they’ve come back to the village to investigate said creature.

Katie’s stories are never pretentious, but simple, serene and slow, and the author perfectly knows how to represent these feelings with her art full of pastel colours, soft and delicate lines, details, lots of nature and magic. In The Tea Dragon Festival, Katie talks about the importance of friendship, of finding your own path and of learning to value yourself and your little talents.

In addition, just as in The Tea Dragon Society we found sapphic characters, a gay couple and POC as the main characters, this is still like that in this one, but with the addition that the main character is genderfluid and many of the characters use sign language.

In conclusion, its positive values and the fact that the art predominates above text make this comic a perfect story for people of all ages, even the smaller ones. If you haven’t experienced Katie’s magic yet, you’re still on time, and The Tea Dragon Festival is ideal to step into her world.

You can always count on Katie O’Neill to give you the most beautiful art and equally beautiful stories and characters. I loved this one just as much as Aquicorn Cove. The story was amazing and heartwarming, and the characters were so diverse. The entire book was just wonderful. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work!

I was so excited the day I got the email that this was an ARC! The artwork of Katie O'Neill is adorable and stunning again in this delightful tale. Her rich landscape and memorable characters make the Tea Dragon series a bright spot in the Graphic novel world.

Lovely expansion of the world from The Tea Dragon Society. It takes place many years earlier, but you do not need to have read the first book to enjoy this one.

Katie O'Neill is the queen of diverse graphic novels for kids. Such a beautiful story with stunning art to match.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I think my students that enjoy high fantasy, dragons, etc. would really like this series. While I enjoyed it, high fantasy (especially graphic novels) are not my favorite so I thought it was cute but nothing stellar. The illustrations are absolutely adorable.