Equal parts breathtaking and heartbreaking, On Starlit Shores is a beautiful story about loss and the aftermath of losing a loved one that you weren’t able to say goodbye to. For fans of Practical Magic, The Girl From The Sea, and The Secret of Roan Inish.

Indigo Harbor has a way of getting deep inside of you, but after you leave, it makes you forget. Alex is coming back to pack up her grandmother’s cottage after her passing and even though she lived in the small town by the sea for years, her memories are foggy at best and non-existent at worst. But while she’s categorizing belongings into keep and donate piles, she’s also searching for answers… on who her grandma was.

A magical town brought to life by a talented artist and storyteller. I hope that the author gives us more beautiful stories and folklore of Indigo Harbor, because while I feel like this character’s story may be over, but Emmanuel is still there and he’s lived a long life. I’m sure he could tell us a few tall tales and I’d eat them up.

Ughhhhhhhhh! I hate when a great story ends. It leaves me begging for more.

Thank you to Abrams Fanfare and NetGalley for my eARC.

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that tells the tale of love, loss, grief and how it feels when you try your move forward. An interesting read.

On Starlit Shores is a YA graphic novel by Bex Glendining. This is a fantasy story that follows the character Alex who has to return to the seaside town of Indigo Harbor to gather her grandmother's things after she has died. It's been a while since she was back there, and she regrets not seeing her grandmother more in the recent years. Alex travels with her friend Grim as they spend some time in her grandmother's apartment and around the town as Alex works through her grief about her grandmother. Alex tries to connect with her past, but she realizes after you move away, your memories of the people and things at Indigo Harbor drift away. Nevertheless, she connects with some characters on the island and learns some fantastical things about her grandmother. The plot is simple but sweet and does touch on some heavier emotional topics; the drawings are colorful and easy to follow. This is a good purchase for any school library. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC.

💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫

Absolutely captivating! "Indigo Harbor" is a magical journey that flawlessly blends grief, self-discovery, and enchanting mystery into a truly unforgettable graphic novel. From the moment Alex steps foot back into her enigmatic hometown, I was utterly hooked.

The art style is simply breathtaking, perfectly capturing the whimsical yet melancholic atmosphere of Indigo Harbor. Each panel is a treat, bringing the peculiar charm of falling stars and witch-run tea shops to life. Alex and Grim are a delightful duo, and their friendship provides a much-needed anchor as Alex navigates the increasingly strange occurrences.

The central mystery surrounding Elizabeth is incredibly compelling, keeping you turning pages late into the night. I found myself invested in Alex's quest to uncover her grandmother's secrets and unravel the truth about this mysterious woman. While the themes of grief and acceptance are handled with a sensitive and heartfelt touch, I found myself wishing the mythology of Indigo Harbor was explored even deeper. I longed to understand more about how the city's mystique influences its inhabitants and the intriguing origins of its magic.

Despite this, "Indigo Harbor" is a triumph. It’s a beautifully crafted story that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with loss or sought to understand their past. Highly recommended for fans of heartwarming mysteries with a touch of magic!

The artwork is GORGEOUS, I was stunned at how beautiful and colorful it was. I’m glad I read this on my phone to get full color vs my kindle where I would not have been able to appreciate it the same way. I enjoyed the plot, I think the storyline of selkies is very interesting and was interesting and I was intrigued and wanted to know more.

This is a beautifully illustrated YA fantasy that explores grief, family bonds, and small-town magic.

First of all, the artwork is gorgeous with a stunning, luminous color palette. Illustrations bathed in pastels and vibrant hues bring Indigo Harbor to life including the falling stars, sea-swept streets, and cozy witch teashops are enchanting.

Second, the story is beautiful and captivating. When Alex returns to her grandmother’s seaside hometown after her passing, she undertakes chores that slowly peel back layers of family history and uncover town secrets. Hints of magic are sprinkled throughout the town including fallen stars, witches in everyday roles, and a mysterious figure named Elizabeth tied to her grandmother’s past. This magic creates a good balance between mystery and addressing grief, remembrance, and acceptance.

If you like other queer graphic novels with a hint of magic like Girl from the Sea or The Deep Dark, this is an absolute no-brainer read for you. The blend of atmospheric art and gentle mystery creates a perfect read for fans of introspective, character-driven fantasy.

A moving, beautifully illustrated graphic novel about grief, loss and moving on after losing a loved one. I really enjoyed this Sapphic romance slash coming of age story about queer friendship, memories of a beloved grandparent and a touch of magic. There's a backstory involving Alex's grandmother and her relationship with a selkie, a magical cat, a charming seaside village, a witch who can brew healing tea and lots more. Recommended for fans of graphic novels like Bingo by Tee Franklin and The girl from the sea by Molly Knox Ostertag. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book was phenomenal. From the art to the story line to the overall message, it was just gorgeous. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard and when you harbor this guilt that you should have seen them more makes it harder. She looses her grandmother and feels like all those memories she had with her are slipping away.
Its a fun graphic novel that is a comforting read and gives you those warm fuzzy feelings but also delves into the topic of guilt for not spending time with you grand parents enough. Which is something many of feel no doubt, I really enjoyed this book and it was a fun read.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book. I was immediately drawn to the cover art and title, but I was completely blown away!

I absolutely loved the mixture of realism and magic! The folklore elements were super interesting to me! I loved seeing the sort of magical scavenger hunt that Alex goes on to discover her grandmother's past!

Indigo Harbour, the setting for this book, is a quaint little town with some interesting and mysterious characters! My favorite being Emmanuel! There are so many exciting and magical things you'll discover in this book!

This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel portrays a beautiful story of grief. Showing that there is no "right" way to grieve. I think that this is wonderful book for anyone who is grieving or has gone through some kind of grief.

WOW this is such a beautiful, whimsical, and heartfelt portrayal of grief. I’m actually speechless and don’t think my words can do justice to describe how wonderful this was to read.

The art is so pretty, even in black and white it looks so magnificent.

I looove the diverse cast and how so many types of relationships were covered (familial, friendship, romantic).

Thank you so much for this arc.

The artistry and the mysterious folktale really exceeded my expectations and had me invested in the story from the beginning. I loved the diverse characters, the mix of old and new folktales, and the close connections between Alex, her grandmother, and everyone in Indigo Harbor. The book made Indigo Harbor seem so magical, I wish I could visit.

I loved this short fairy tale and hope to read more by this author.