Last year, I read Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill. I was blown away by the art along with how Katie can write heavy topics with a bright artistic style. Once I read Tea Dragon Society, I had purchased Aquicorn Cove, another book written in the same world as Tea Dragon Society. It’s no surprise that Aquicorn Cove was a graphic novel I would adore. This story focuses on the loss of a family member and ocean preservation which are two topics that are drastically different, yet Katie can focus on both topics equally.

Aquicorn Cove stars a young girl named Lana. Lana goes on a trip to her father to visit her Aunt Mae who lives by the sea. Lana would visit Mae when she was younger with her mother. Unfortunately, Lana’s mother is killed in a boating accident when Lana was young. As Lana visits Mae, Lana discovers a young, injured Aquicorn which resembles a Tea Dragon seahorse. Throughout the story, Lana realizes that Mae’s actions may have damaged the ocean and led to the injury of the Aquicorn. This forces Mae to recognize that her actions have consequences.

I see the struggle Lana faces as she visits Mae. Lana is struggling with memories of her mother. As someone who has lost a parent at a young age, I felt Lana’s pain. She is coming to terms with the fact that these memories will preserve her mother in her mind, although, it’s painful to think that her mother is gone. This is all illustrated by Katie O’Neill across the pages of the story.

Katie’s imagery in this is breathtaking. The sea is bright, the sky is sparkling, and the aquicorns are cute creatures living in the sea. Each panel was interesting to look at. While this book is about 100 pages long, I found myself taking longer to read it because I kept looking at each panel.

Aquicorn Cove is a beautiful story of life, loss, and reflection. I would recommend reading Tea Dragon Society first because I think it sets the tone for this story. Both Tea Dragon Society and Aquicorn Cove can be purchased on Oni Press‘s website or through your local book store.