Wendy Xu
Quill Tree, Nov. 2021
240 pages
Grades 3-8
Graphic Novel/Fantasy
Sophie is sent by her mother and grandmother to a faraway seaside town to learn the family craft of magic in order to apply to a prestigious magic academy. Grandmother's sister, Auntie, is a serious and demanding individual and Sophie isn't sure that she can measure-up to what is expected. Luckily, a kind cousin takes Sophie under her wing and makes her feel at home. Frustrated because all she is doing is backbreaking chores, Sophie tries to do a bit of magic on her own and it goes predictably haywire. Her magic crosses with a shape-shifting dragon-prince of the sea, who is thrust upon the shore in his human form, forgetting his entire past. Prince Lir and Sophie must learn to trust and cooperate in order to detangle their own personal magic. Lir's father appears and he's angry. He wants his son back and threatens to destroy the entire ocean. Can Sophie and Lir work together to straighten their magic out before it's too late?
This is a very sweet graphic novel by an unknown creator. Manga is trending again with younger audiences and this story has a bit of a manga feel to it. Magic is also popular and a common theme in current graphic novels. Dragons are also a slam-dunk for readers, making this book an instant winner. I love the shape-shifting water dragons, which are based on Chinese folklore. They will appeal to today's kids, while offering them something a bit different. Sophie is a bold and likable character to whom kids will relate. Her "Sorcerer's Apprentice" move predictably backfires, showing the price of impatience, yet she manages to fix the problem and makes a friend along the way. The illustrations are beautiful and fresh. The soft and colorful pallet reflects the magical watery land and sooths the reader as they turn pages. Sure to be a hit, share with fans of Kiki's Delivery Service, The Okay Witch, and Witches of Brooklyn.
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