Book review: Aquicorn Cove

Aquicorn Cove, by Katie O’Neill

Description: (from Katie O’Neill website)

When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a big storm, Lana remembers how much she’s missed the ocean—and the strong, reassuring presence of her aunt. As Lana explores the familiar beach, she discovers something incredible: a colony of Aquicorns, small magical seahorse-like creatures that live in the coral reef. Lana rescues an injured Aquicorn and cares for it with the help of her aunt, who may know more about these strange creatures than she’s willing to admit. But when a second storm threatens to reach the town, choices made many years ago about how to coexist with the sea start to rise to the surface. Lana realizes she will need to find the strength to stand on her own, even when it means standing up to the people who she has always relied on to protect her.

Publication date: October 16, 2018.
A review copy (eARC) of this book was provided by the publisher through Netgalley. Some things might change in the final copy.

Dealing with grief and healing, fishing, sea pollution and family, this graphic novel is also a lovely work of art.

Set on a seaside town, the community and beach setting made me think of a book I read recently, Summer of Salt, and I love that I was able to read these two during summer. The young protagonist’s struggle with grief was heart breaking, but it was nice to see her so well surrounded and learning about the magic and respect of the sea.

Like in The Tea Dragon Society, we get to see how an adult in the young protagonist life met their beloved. Here, her well-muscled fisher aunt seems to be in a tender relationship of mutual respect with a magical creature of the sea. Their relationship is never defined but their love is definitely easy to notice.

Aquicorn Cove is the third book I read by Katie O’Neill and she keeps on amazing me with her gorgeous art, soft colours and magical tone.