The Moth Keeper by K. O’Neil. Random House Graphic, 2023. 9780593182260. 272pp.
O’Neil’s new graphic novel centers around Anya, who has chosen to become a Moth Keeper for her nocturnal village. Her duty is to make sure the moths, which pollinate the magical Night Flower tree once a year, don’t become lost. (Their magic helps the village survive.) It’s a cold, lonely life spending so much time outside the village, but Anya has lots of support, including her friend Estell, who is training to be a healer, and her mentor, Yeolen.
I loved every character in the book, especially in how they reacted when Anya messed up. But my favorite character by far was the bird lady (the village leader) who tells stories from her library, which is written on her wings.
This is a lovely, quiet, inclusive fantasy graphic novel about finding oneself and responsibility. And it’s full of anthropomorphic animal characters, love, and stories.
Note: This book “was created on an iPad Pro with Procreate.” Plus there are preliminary sketches in the back. The art is as gorgeous as the story is kind. (You may know some of O’Neil’s previous work which includes The Tea Dragon Society series, Princes Princess Ever After, and the picture book in comics format, Dewdrop.)
