The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Tea Dragon #3) by Kay O’Neill
- Publisher: Oni Press, 2020
- Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Children’s Literature, LGBTQ+
- Format: Hardcover (eARC)
- Page Count: 128 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
The final instalment of Tea Dragon series brings the whole story to a beautiful end. It takes place one year after The Tea Dragon Society and many years after The Tea Dragon Festival. We get to see Greta, Minette, Erik, Hesekiel, Rinn, and Aedhan again. I totally recommend reading the previous books first for full enjoyment as I am unsure if this book would make sense as a standalone.
“It made me feel, for a moment, envious of someone who had the freedom of mind to make something that existed purely for its own sake, just to create a joyful object.” – Kleitos
Tea Dragons did not actively participate much in previous books despite being the main theme. But since Ginseng, the Tea Dragon under Greta’s care, is having troubling dealing with her grief of losing her last owner, her storyline is now part of the main plot. I love other little details of the Tea Dragons, too. Chamomile’s eyes are always half-closed, and he is just adorable. Then there is Rooibos, following chickens around. All Tea Dragons are unbelievably cute, and I cannot help miming their facial expressions. Um, yes, I look at their cute little faces and reenact their expressions without consciously doing so.
“It’s alright to let those feelings wash over you, and give them time to soak into the earth. That’s when things start to grow again.” – Erik
A kind reminder: don’t just read the dialogue and skim through the illustrations, but really examine the drawings. There are so many details in addition to the lovely colour palette. Not all sketches are reflecting reality, and they show us how the author’s brain works. When brewing tea, leaves and flowers are in the background even though they are not really there. They paint a picture for the scent of the room. Literally. There are other things: fish with antlers, the lighting, etc. And after the epilogue, be sure to read the extracts from “The Illustrated History of Tea Dragons,” too. They are so informative and helpful for understanding the peculiar species in the story.
“If you do not make something your heart is completely happy with, you will never be able to accept the result, whether it is success or failure.” – Master Fraida (Greta’s mama)
The Tea Dragon Tapestry conveys beautiful messages in alluring illustrations. It is about sharing memories, finding belonging, reigniting passion, dealing with grief and loss, and providing support without being overbearing. My only complaint was that it ended too soon and would probably cover all subplots better if longer. With all the characters we have gotten to know throughout the series, this is a perfect ending. [3 Jul 2020]
I received an e-ARC from Oni Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
