Queen of the Sea

Queen of the Sea
Dylan Meconis
Walker/Candlewick, 2019 394 pages
Grades 3-Up
Graphic Novel

Orphan Margaret has lived her entire life on a small island off the coast of Albion with an order of nuns, a sleepy priest, a handful of servants, and a crew of various domestic animals. Life is predictable and safe on the island, if not a little dull, until the bi-yearly ship arrives with an elegant lady and a little boy named William. William and Margaret become fast friends and run around the island together exploring and having adventures. After the lady dies William, now a young man, is sent off the island to a prison where he will join his brothers. It is then that Margaret discovers that her island home is actually a prison and that all of the nuns were sent to for various infractions against the crown. Margaret, herself, is not allowed to leave the island, though the nature of her confinement is unclear. One day the bi-yearly ship arrives early and with it comes a haughty grand lady who is clearly a prisoner and a bossy nun who is clearly the lady's captor. The lady turns out to be the unseated Queen Eleanor, who is now banished to the island by her sister, the new Queen Catherine.  More secrets are to be revealed as Margaret and Eleanor become reluctant friends and politics and espionage disturb the former tranquility of the secluded island prison.

Debut graphic novelist, Dylan Meconis, has created quite a masterpiece in this very involved and elaborate book. Slightly over-sized and longer than most graphic novels, it must have taken a very long time to create. The comic illustrations are expertly crafted and the panels read well. Style and coloring changes as stories from the past are relayed, clueing the reader into the time change. The muted colors and mat pages make the volume feel like an ancient tome, helping the reader to fall into the setting. The story has historic context, as related in an author's note, relating loosely the rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I and her sister Mary. The plot is rollicking, offering adventure and surprises. Family secret are revealed and identities and loyalties are questioned. At times the story feels like a fairy tale, yet contains no magic, just secrets from the past and an ancient time period. Margaret is a brave, curious and fearless character that readers will both identify with and root for. Other characters show multiple sides to their personalities and experience growth as the novel progresses. The author leaves the story at a bit of a cliff hanger, making way for a possible sequel. Sure to find an audience, recommend this book to graphic novel experts and fantasy lovers.