Hi there!
I haven’t been able to blog for the past 10 days because of recent important life developments that have led me to be beyond occupied: I’m going to be a first-time homeowner! A first-time co-condo owner with my girlfriend, to be specific! We’ve been dealing with the sellers, the bank, and the notary lately and getting all excited for this new adventure. While our search for a new home has been insane with this current pandemic-housing market, we’re so relieved to be in the final stages of the process now.
Unfortunately, one thing that’s not done is the pandemic and with this new Omicron variant, 2021 is ending on such an ugly note. While we’re trying to make the most of our big life event, reminding ourselves of all the awesome projects to come, sometimes you also need to try and escape into fuzzy universes just to temporarily get a break from all the chaos, especially with today’s latest health measures revealed by our Quebec government. So here’s a look at comic book creator Kate O’Neill’s soft and cute collection that is bound to teleport you to places you never thought you needed in your life! 🙂
This feature, published at an undetermined frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, who knows), will present a couple of mini reviews on anything that isn’t in a physical format that I own (ebooks, comic books, TV series or movies).
Click on the covers to be redirected to their Goodreads/IMDB page!
Anything presented in this feature doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t get a full-review treatment in the future. That will entirely depend on how much I loved it, how interested you are in hearing more on it, and how much I have to still say about it! 🤣
Princess Princess Ever After by Kate O’Neill.
Pages: 354.
Format: Digital.
Rating: ★★★☆☆.
“I am no prince!”
When the heroic princess Amira rescues the kind-hearted princess Sadie from her tower prison, neither expects to find a true friend in the bargain. Yet as they adventure across the kingdom, they discover that they bring out the very best in the other person. They’ll need to join forces and use all the know-how, kindness, and bravery they have in order to defeat their greatest foe yet: a jealous sorceress, who wants to get rid of Sadie once and for all.
Join Sadie and Amira, two very different princesses with very different strengths, on their journey to figure out what happily ever after really means — and how they can find it with each other.
A cute, bit preachy, stereotype-breaking tale of princes, princesses, and witches, centered around standing up for what you believe in and taking the throne from the unworthy.
Aquicorn Cove by Kay O’Neill.
Pages: 128.
Format: Digital Comics.
Rating: ★★★☆☆.
When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a storm, the last thing she expects is to discover a colony of Aquicorns—magical seahorse-like residents of the coral reef. As she explores the damaged town and the fabled undersea palace, Lana learns that while she cannot always count on adults to be the guardians she needs, she herself is capable of finding the strength to protect both the ocean, and her own happiness.
An adorable and fantastical story exposing the threatened exquisite ecosystem resulting from unaware selfishness due to instinctual survival and greed, while exploring the intergenerational bond between sea and humans.
Dewdrop by Kay O’Neill.
Pages: 136.
Format: Digital Comics.
Rating: ★★★☆☆.
The tale of an axolotl who cheers on his underwater friends as they each bring their talents to the pond’s sports fair!
Dewdrop is an easygoing, gentle axolotl who enjoys naps, worm pie, and cheerleading. When the yearly sports fair nears, he and his friends—Mia the weightlifting turtle, Newman the musical newt, and three minnows who love to cook—get ready to showcase their skills to the whole pond! However, as the day of the fair gets closer, Dewdrop’s friends can’t help putting pressure on themselves to be the best. It’s up to Dewdrop to remind them how to be mindful, go at their own pace, and find joy in their own achievements.
A devastatingly cute picture book featuring adorable animals questioning their individual abilities only to be motivated by Dewdrop and its adorable morals about doing your best for yourself and not for others.
The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill.
Pages: 96.
Format: Digital Comics.
Rating: ★★★★☆.
After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.
An adorable and beautifully-drawn story that, unfortunately, has no proper narrative guideline to justify itself. Although there are some cute moments depicting kindness and friendship, as well as a hint of action, this story mostly served as an introduction to this world filled with ‘smol’ tea dragons and the unique drinks they allow humans to make.
The Tea Dragon Festival by Kay O’Neill.
Pages: 144.
Format: Digital Comics.
Rating: ★★★☆☆.
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.
A superior and just-as-cute-as-its-predecessor sequel that further embraces diversity and gentle morals centered around kindness, altruism, and understanding.
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Kay O’Neill.
Pages: 160.
Format: Digital Comics.
Rating: ★★★☆☆.
Over a year since being entrusted with Ginseng’s care, Greta still can’t chase away the cloud of mourning that hangs over the timid Tea Dragon. As she struggles to create something spectacular enough to impress a master blacksmith in search of an apprentice, she questions the true meaning of crafting, and the true meaning of caring for someone in grief. Meanwhile, Minette receives a surprise package from the monastery where she was once training to be a prophetess. Thrown into confusion about her path in life, the shy and reserved Minette finds that the more she opens her heart to others, the more clearly she can see what was always inside.
An adorable finale to the Tea Dragon series as it fully embraces diversity within a messy and forgettable narrative that builds upon its central themes of purpose, love, and growth.
Have you read any of these?
Share your thoughts on anything and everything with me! 😁
TILL NEXT TIME,
Roars and Echoes 
Excited to hear about your planned move! We moved earlier this year, so I feel your pain about all the paperwork involved. Wait until you get to packing!
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I can only imagine! At this very instant, the real hassle lies in finding all the necessary furniture in stock as the market suffers from a global shortage… I am, however, still so, so excited to UNpacking though! 😀
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Omg congrats!! Such a hassle to deal with, but you’ll both be happy once everything is settled and done🥰
Those are all looking so cute! I absolutely giggled with the first one’s page with her unicorn just bashing through the tower, no problem 🤣
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Thank you so much, Kristina. I really appreciate it!
Hahahah I’m convinced you’d have a lot of fun with these stories too. Try them out someday! 😀
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I should! I might have a few of thoses on my libby app, ithink I recall seeing the tea dragon society a while ago?
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Congratulations Lashaan such exciting news! We moved last year so know what it’s like with all the hassle of the pandemic. Hope you and your girlfriend will be very happy in your new home. Those graphic novels are very cute! 😍
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Thank you so much, Nicki! I am impressed that you guys succeeded last year! It seems like things are almost just as crazy and it’s no joke! We’ll see by the end of January how we fair! 😛 And yes, these are all so very cute! 😀
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Congratulations on your home acquisition! I understand how it might be a tiresome project, but being able to live in one’s own home is a great experience, so enjoy it to the fullest! In these troubled times it’s important to cling to these little joys that make life more bearable… 🙂
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Thank you so much, Maddalena! You’re beyond right. I don’t want to let this whole pandemic ruin some of the biggest life decisions I’m making now. We’ll make the most out of it, for sure! 😀
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Congrats on buying a condo! With the housing market being so insane (it’s one of the reasons why our move to GA has been postponed. we literally can’t afford anything in the area we need to live in), the Condo Lifestyle is the way to start. Are you going for the townhouse or gardenstyle (apartments) of condo? If gardenstyle, I hope you get really good neighbors.
Mrs B has had her vax and booster because of all the people she deals with at her work, but I’ve shied away from it. But with this omicron variant, I’m beginning to waver.
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Thanks, man. I appreciate it. And I totally understand what you two must have been going through during your search. The prices are insane and people are ready to put just as insane amounts to get these properties… You’d have to find something in the middle of nowhere to even find it affordable.
It’s more like a triplex turned into a condo. I’m not a fan of those modern tower condos. The prices are even more insane for just 1 bedroom within the city. We also hope that neighbours we’re getting are nice but based on what we know so far, they should be fine. We all want the same thing: a safe, clean, and functional home! 😀
My girlfriend will probably be getting her third shot before anyone else here too because of her contracts with certain work environments. It’s saddening to know that we even need to go there now if we’re to survive Omicron…
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Hoho! Big step in life Lashaan! Congrats!!!
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Thanks, Sophie! I appreciate it. 😀
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Congratulations! I hope you can move to new house really soon. 😀🍾It will take another year for us to move to our new flat as it’s still under construction.
Love those graphics. Amazing reviews!
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Thank you, Yesha! Everything should happen mid-January and I can’t wait! 😀 I can’t wait for you guys to move into your new place too. It’s going to be all new and awesome! 😀
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Congrats on buying a home!
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Thank you so much! I appreciate it. 😀
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You’re welcome!
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CongratZ on a new home! How are the prices there? Through the roof or not so much? Big step!
I was disappointed to read that the ‘Tea Dragon’ books did not meet your standards. They looked cute and they are about tea!
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Thank you so much, Goldie! Prices are still insane. You need to have a bucketload of monetary wiggle room to compete against multiple offers… It’s a great time to sell but not one to buy!
Yeh, it would take more than pretty art to impress me here. But sometimes, that’s all you’re looking for and that’s probably why it’s such a winner for many readers. As for tea… I’m pretty sure it’s a very little part of the story, funnily…
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Congratulations on home ownership, Lashaan, too bad about all the restrictions and health scares we are all dealing with. You will have to celebrate in the future. These graphic novels/comics all look cute. I like that they have some good lessons, even if it is a bit obvious at times. If I don’t catch up with you again, have a good holiday.
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Thank you so much, Carla! It is indeed better off celebrated at another time. We’ll just be happy to be under a roof that we can now call our own (or rather a ceiling we can call our own)! Happy holidays to you too, Carla.
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I did not enjoy the entire home buying process, but I can only imagine the extra stress and difficulties of doing it these days. Glad to hear it’s all coming together, though. It’s worth it in the end. I hope the two of you really enjoy your new home. Have you figured out where you’re going to put all the bookcases yet? 🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind words, my friend. It’s a rough business to handle during a pandemic but the joy and excitement that comes with the acquisition are quite fantastic in the end! I’ll have to curate my limited bookcases now… Hello, digital and library books! 😛
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Wow, so much cute 🙂 I’ll remember this author, I might need this kind of comfort reading some day.
Congratulations on the new home, that’s an important step in life! Hope it’s exactly what you wanted, we want some pictures of your bookcases when all is ready 😉
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Thanks, man. Absolutely. Once I perfectly curate its content, it’ll get a post for itself, for sure! 😀 And yes, a fun little comfort read collection for you right here! 😀
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CONGRATS man!! That’s awesome that you and your GF will be homeowners. 😀 Congrats to you both!
Taking in O’Neill’s comics is a great way to deal with the busyness of adulting.
I’ve been pretty busy too doing something similar — just moving, which is making me almost regret every book I’ve bought because boxes are heavy.
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Thank you so much, Zezee. I appreciate it a lot! I really can’t wait to be in our new home in January! 😀 That’s true. Probably why I ended up binging through all of her stuff too hahaha! Oh man, that is one of my own worries too. A bit scared of all the culling I’m going to be doing this holiday hahahaha
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Congrats!!!!
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Thank you so much!! 😀
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Congratulations to you and your gf on your new home!! So happy for you guys! ❤
– Sugar
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Thank you so, so much, Sugar! 😉 I really can’t wait for this next chapter in our life! 😀
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I read Aquicorn Cove this year and I loved it
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Awesome! 🙂
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Well done!
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Thanks!
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