What do you think?
Rate this book
On Starlit Shores: A Graphic Novel
In this YA urban fantasy graphic novel, Alex must return to the town where she was born to unravel the magical mysteries her late grandmother left behind
Alex Wilson hasn’t been back to Indigo Harbor, the seaside village where she grew up, in years. In fact, she can barely remember anything about it. But when her grandmother dies unexpectedly, Alex will have to return to her childhood home to say goodbye.
Accompanied by her best friend, Grim, Alex travels back to her hometown and begins cleaning out her grandmother’s house, but the longer they stay, the stranger things get. Indigo Harbor isn’t your average town—there are falling stars, witches running tea shops, and a name that comes up again and Elizabeth. Who was this woman, and how did she know Alex’s grandmother?
As she explores the town and sorts through her grandmother’s belongings, Alex reconnects with her past and tries with increasing desperation to uncover the greatest secret of all, the identity of the mysterious Elizabeth. Tackling grief, acceptance, and how to honor a loved one’s life, Bex Glendining has crafted a beautiful and moving graphic novel perfect for readers who loved The Dark Matter of Mona Starr, Girl From the Sea, and the Magic Fish.
Alex Wilson hasn’t been back to Indigo Harbor, the seaside village where she grew up, in years. In fact, she can barely remember anything about it. But when her grandmother dies unexpectedly, Alex will have to return to her childhood home to say goodbye.
Accompanied by her best friend, Grim, Alex travels back to her hometown and begins cleaning out her grandmother’s house, but the longer they stay, the stranger things get. Indigo Harbor isn’t your average town—there are falling stars, witches running tea shops, and a name that comes up again and Elizabeth. Who was this woman, and how did she know Alex’s grandmother?
As she explores the town and sorts through her grandmother’s belongings, Alex reconnects with her past and tries with increasing desperation to uncover the greatest secret of all, the identity of the mysterious Elizabeth. Tackling grief, acceptance, and how to honor a loved one’s life, Bex Glendining has crafted a beautiful and moving graphic novel perfect for readers who loved The Dark Matter of Mona Starr, Girl From the Sea, and the Magic Fish.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2025
18 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Bex Glendining
20 books12 followersBex Glendining (she/they) is a biracial queer, UK based illustrator, comic artist and colourist. Their debut graphic novel ‘On Starlit Shores’ is scheduled for a 2025 release with Abrams Books.
When not working they can usually be found spending time at the beach or fussing Cookie, their very spoilt tortoise shell cat.
When not working they can usually be found spending time at the beach or fussing Cookie, their very spoilt tortoise shell cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 9, 2025
What a lovely, soft, slow musing on grief and memories of our loved ones.
On Starlit Shores follows Alex and her best friend and she goes back to the seaside town of Indigo Harbor to clean up her late grandmother's home. While there, Alex grapples with her grief, with the confusion of having so few clear memories of her grandmother, and with what it means to try to learn more about those who have left us and how to let go.
The magical aspects of this story seep in slowly, as if waiting for Alex and the reader to notice them. Eventually they come out into the open, but they're not a huge deal. They just are. While I think the story could have done more with the magical aspects, the point isn't the magic but Alex's emotional journey.
The art is lovely, if a bit muted in some aspects. It works for the story being told, but I wish it had just a touch more energy and life to it.
Overall this is a really great graphic novel for teens, and fully accomplishes telling the story it wants to tell.
Many thanks to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for this eARC!
🦋 Bluesky 🎥 YouTube 📷 Instagram 🔗 Linktree
On Starlit Shores follows Alex and her best friend and she goes back to the seaside town of Indigo Harbor to clean up her late grandmother's home. While there, Alex grapples with her grief, with the confusion of having so few clear memories of her grandmother, and with what it means to try to learn more about those who have left us and how to let go.
The magical aspects of this story seep in slowly, as if waiting for Alex and the reader to notice them. Eventually they come out into the open, but they're not a huge deal. They just are. While I think the story could have done more with the magical aspects, the point isn't the magic but Alex's emotional journey.
The art is lovely, if a bit muted in some aspects. It works for the story being told, but I wish it had just a touch more energy and life to it.
Overall this is a really great graphic novel for teens, and fully accomplishes telling the story it wants to tell.
Many thanks to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for this eARC!
🦋 Bluesky 🎥 YouTube 📷 Instagram 🔗 Linktree
October 8, 2025
Do you like “The Girl from the Sea”? If yes- you might like this too. 3.5 selkies.
This is a pretty sweet graphic novel, with themes of grief and healing.
Alex has recently returned to her late grandmothers cottage.
While there, she discovers that her grandmother was harboring secrets about love and magic.
Alex goes on a journey to find the woman her grandmother never told her about, and she finds out a lot more than she expected to.
For me, the real selling point of a graphic novel will always be the illustrations.
The ones in this book are nice! Major bonus points for the seals and for the black cat! The cute animals will always have a hold on me.
I do wish that they’d been a bit more vibrant. Though I understand why something with such a heavy theme would be a bit more muted.
The plot is good too, and I become more interested as the story went on. I felt for Alex, and I was eager for her to find what she needed to help her work toward healing.
Although, I have to say, I am confused about the whole “star woman” scene.. It seemed like a big deal, and then the story just moved on and it was left behind.
I feel like there was supposed to be a meaning or a revelation in that, but I don’t know what it was.
Overall, I thought it was a nice story. Certainly quite sad and heavy, but meaningful.
Thank you to Netgalley, Abrams Kids | Abrams Fanfare and author Bex Glendining for providing me with the eARC of “On Starlit Shores”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 30, 2025
This is a pretty sweet graphic novel, with themes of grief and healing.
Alex has recently returned to her late grandmothers cottage.
While there, she discovers that her grandmother was harboring secrets about love and magic.
Alex goes on a journey to find the woman her grandmother never told her about, and she finds out a lot more than she expected to.
For me, the real selling point of a graphic novel will always be the illustrations.
The ones in this book are nice! Major bonus points for the seals and for the black cat! The cute animals will always have a hold on me.
I do wish that they’d been a bit more vibrant. Though I understand why something with such a heavy theme would be a bit more muted.
The plot is good too, and I become more interested as the story went on. I felt for Alex, and I was eager for her to find what she needed to help her work toward healing.
Although, I have to say, I am confused about the whole “star woman” scene.. It seemed like a big deal, and then the story just moved on and it was left behind.
I feel like there was supposed to be a meaning or a revelation in that, but I don’t know what it was.
Overall, I thought it was a nice story. Certainly quite sad and heavy, but meaningful.
Thank you to Netgalley, Abrams Kids | Abrams Fanfare and author Bex Glendining for providing me with the eARC of “On Starlit Shores”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: September 30, 2025
June 4, 2025
A moving, beautifully illustrated graphic novel about grief, loss and moving on after losing a loved one. I really enjoyed this Sapphic romance slash coming of age story about queer friendship, memories of a beloved grandparent and a touch of magic. There's a backstory involving Alex's grandmother and her relationship with a selkie, a magical cat, a charming seaside village, a witch who can brew healing tea and lots more. Recommended for fans of graphic novels like Bingo by Tee Franklin and The girl from the sea by Molly Knox Ostertag. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
January 10, 2026
3.5! This was a short and sweet graphic novel about grief, which really hit the spot since I’ve been missing my Nonna a bit lately. The drawings were really nice in here. I wish the story went into the magical aspect a bit more, but maybe this could be the basis of a whole new novel. The point was the grief and dealing with it, which it handled nicely.
September 25, 2025
Forgive me, but I just don’t quite understand. On Starlit Shores seemed like a story with tons of potential, one that introduced an abundance of interesting and near beautiful plot threads that all went…nowhere.
I’ll give Bex Glendining this, the story is whimsical and exciting at times, the colored artwork some of the most gorgeous I’ve seen. Glendining is masterful at keeping readers intrigued and curious to find out more—all for it to fade out in a rush at the end as the reader is just left wondering, “Is that it?”
Now, a part of me recognizes that the purpose of this story was to find a way to portray someone working through grief, but it leaves me wondering what the point of all the magical aspects of the town truly was. Do we experience forgetting our loved ones because the seaside town we grew up in has some magic over it that messes with our memories when we leave? Are we all going to experience our grandmother having a relationship with a selkie who we must talk to in order to learn more about dear grandma’s life, but due to the selkie’s situation we have to jump through a ridiculous amount of unclear hoops in order to meet and talk with this person?
And what the heck was the purpose of the star story? Don’t get me wrong, I loved the star story. It was super interesting and fun and exciting. But it never went anywhere! Alex just tells her friend about the star legend and that’s it! We never meet a star, there’s no further explination of what this story means to the town or the family. It’s just there and then it’s not.
I just…honestly? I feel like the author wanted to write one story that should have been two completely separate ones. One story about grief and one story about this mystical Indigo Harbor and all the amazing happenings there. The story as it stands? I’m just so disappointed. Such a gorgeous story with so many creative ideas that never panned out into anything brilliant.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll give Bex Glendining this, the story is whimsical and exciting at times, the colored artwork some of the most gorgeous I’ve seen. Glendining is masterful at keeping readers intrigued and curious to find out more—all for it to fade out in a rush at the end as the reader is just left wondering, “Is that it?”
Now, a part of me recognizes that the purpose of this story was to find a way to portray someone working through grief, but it leaves me wondering what the point of all the magical aspects of the town truly was. Do we experience forgetting our loved ones because the seaside town we grew up in has some magic over it that messes with our memories when we leave? Are we all going to experience our grandmother having a relationship with a selkie who we must talk to in order to learn more about dear grandma’s life, but due to the selkie’s situation we have to jump through a ridiculous amount of unclear hoops in order to meet and talk with this person?
And what the heck was the purpose of the star story? Don’t get me wrong, I loved the star story. It was super interesting and fun and exciting. But it never went anywhere! Alex just tells her friend about the star legend and that’s it! We never meet a star, there’s no further explination of what this story means to the town or the family. It’s just there and then it’s not.
I just…honestly? I feel like the author wanted to write one story that should have been two completely separate ones. One story about grief and one story about this mystical Indigo Harbor and all the amazing happenings there. The story as it stands? I’m just so disappointed. Such a gorgeous story with so many creative ideas that never panned out into anything brilliant.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2025
I guess the story was good.. But it didn't keep me engaged though... When it started i had higher hope i guess... Didn't get what i expected.. But yeahh was not boring..
November 29, 2025
RTC (maybe)
June 6, 2025
Equal parts breathtaking and heartbreaking, On Starlit Shores is a beautiful story about loss and the aftermath of losing a loved one that you weren’t able to say goodbye to. For fans of Practical Magic, The Girl From The Sea, and The Secret of Roan Inish.
Indigo Harbor has a way of getting deep inside of you, but after you leave, it makes you forget. Alex is coming back to pack up her grandmother’s cottage after her passing and even though she lived in the small town by the sea for years, her memories are foggy at best and non-existent at worst. But while she’s categorizing belongings into keep and donate piles, she’s also searching for answers… on who her grandma was.
A magical town brought to life by a talented artist and storyteller. I hope that the author gives us more beautiful stories and folklore of Indigo Harbor, because while I feel like this character’s story may be over, but Emmanuel is still there and he’s lived a long life. I’m sure he could tell us a few tall tales and I’d eat them up.
Ughhhhhhhhh! I hate when a great story ends. It leaves me begging for more.
Thank you to Abrams Fanfare and NetGalley for my eARC.
Indigo Harbor has a way of getting deep inside of you, but after you leave, it makes you forget. Alex is coming back to pack up her grandmother’s cottage after her passing and even though she lived in the small town by the sea for years, her memories are foggy at best and non-existent at worst. But while she’s categorizing belongings into keep and donate piles, she’s also searching for answers… on who her grandma was.
A magical town brought to life by a talented artist and storyteller. I hope that the author gives us more beautiful stories and folklore of Indigo Harbor, because while I feel like this character’s story may be over, but Emmanuel is still there and he’s lived a long life. I’m sure he could tell us a few tall tales and I’d eat them up.
Ughhhhhhhhh! I hate when a great story ends. It leaves me begging for more.
Thank you to Abrams Fanfare and NetGalley for my eARC.
July 14, 2025
This was a magical realism graphic novel about grief. Alex’s grandmother has died so she has to go pack up her house. This takes her in a journey of discovery dnd exploring her young life and also who her grandmother really was. This was moving and beautiful and the illustrions were fantastic.
November 18, 2025
Absolutely pitch perfect. I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the gentle blend of fantasy and reality. I only wish it was longer! I wanted to know more about the town and some of the people in it. I would happily return for more tales of Indigo Harbor.
November 13, 2025
Beautiful art and a beautiful story, I loved this book. Sometimes a shorter graphic novel can struggle with worldbuilding and pacing, but it worked really well.
October 16, 2025
*Thanks so much to Netgalley, ABRAM Kids and Bex Glendining for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions*
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Initial thoughts:
This graphic novel was bittersweet. Cozy with an edge of sadness.
About the story:
Our FMC visits her grandmother's home to pack up her belongings after she passes. Our FMC is grappling with memories and the loss of her grandmother, and also how they grew apart as she got older. Something lingers on the edge of her memory though, and she is determined to find out what that might be.
Things I enjoyed:
- I loved the depiction of friendship in this book, of being there for your friend during hard times but also calling them out when needed.
- I enjoyed the art style, especially the color pallet!
- I appreciated the ocean side setting of this story.
- I thought the depiction of grief was handled really gently and kindly.
While there were many things I enjoyed about this story, there was just something missing to give this higher than a 3.5 star rating.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Initial thoughts:
This graphic novel was bittersweet. Cozy with an edge of sadness.
About the story:
Our FMC visits her grandmother's home to pack up her belongings after she passes. Our FMC is grappling with memories and the loss of her grandmother, and also how they grew apart as she got older. Something lingers on the edge of her memory though, and she is determined to find out what that might be.
Things I enjoyed:
- I loved the depiction of friendship in this book, of being there for your friend during hard times but also calling them out when needed.
- I enjoyed the art style, especially the color pallet!
- I appreciated the ocean side setting of this story.
- I thought the depiction of grief was handled really gently and kindly.
While there were many things I enjoyed about this story, there was just something missing to give this higher than a 3.5 star rating.
October 18, 2025
On Starlit Shores is a very magical graphic novel. It deals with grief and missed time but focuses on healing and acceptance as well. I loved the art style of this book but I do with the magical element, specifically the location, was explained a bit further. Overall, I still enjoyed it!
October 8, 2025
Thank you to Bex Glendining and Abrams Fanfare for providing me an advance copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!
This book is such a beautiful representation of grief and finding the start of one’s own healing process. It has some light fantasy elements, but it’s achieved in such a way that it doesn’t overwhelm the plot and feels quite natural as a result. The characters are incredibly well written and quite loveable, and the setting is cozy and engaging. I highly recommend this graphic novel if you’re looking for a short yet heartwarming read with a little bit of magic intertwined.
This book is such a beautiful representation of grief and finding the start of one’s own healing process. It has some light fantasy elements, but it’s achieved in such a way that it doesn’t overwhelm the plot and feels quite natural as a result. The characters are incredibly well written and quite loveable, and the setting is cozy and engaging. I highly recommend this graphic novel if you’re looking for a short yet heartwarming read with a little bit of magic intertwined.
Read
August 25, 2025This graphic novel is like a Ghibli movie in book form; its gorgeous art style and sensitive storytelling combine to create a truly one-of-a-kind safe haven of warmth, color, and heart. It's so rare that books like this are written by and about queer Black women, which made watching the protagonist navigate the magic of her hometown while reconnecting with her memories of her late grandmother extra special.
July 27, 2025
What a beautifully queer and magical story! This graphic novel is about love, grief, family, friendship, and memories. It truly moved me as the stunning art was paired with gorgeous prose. I loved how the magical and whimsical elements just felt natural in this story. It also made me miss my own Grandma. I could read this one over and over again. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
October 17, 2025
I liked the slow reveal of fantasy. It felt like actually being there as an outsider.
November 21, 2025
“Do you think the things we forget lose all meaning? That they no longer shape us into who we are?”
It’s been years since Alex Wilson visited her sea-side hometown, Indigo Harbor, and her memories of the town have grown hazy around the edges. But when her beloved grandmother passes away, Alex returns to her childhood home with her best friend, Grim, to say goodbye and sort through her grandmother’s possessions. Together, they stay in Alex’s grandmother’s cottage and slowly sift through her things. As they do, the town proves to be as strange as it is nostalgic. Alex bumps into witches and their familiars, stumbles across fallen stars, and discovers selkies swimming in the harbor. Most curious of all, though, is the name Alex keeps running into: Elizabeth. Determined to find this mysterious woman to uncover more about her grandmother’s life, Alex searches the town—and herself—for answers, learning to live with grief along the way.
Bex Glendining’s debut graphic novel is a gentle testament to love, one that made my heart positively glow. The story is soft and slow, and though it doesn't exactly have a strong plot, it flawlessly encapsulates the feelings of grief and healing, which are often non-linear and entirely confusing. I resonated with Alex’s complicated emotions and sense of guilt towards her grandmother, and also appreciated the community and humor incorporated amidst the heavy loss pervading the novel. The residents of Indigo Harbor came together for Alex despite her long absence, and Grim, in particular, nicely represented the balance between the reality of dealing with grief and the comedic relief necessary to overcome the worst of it. (Although Milo, the neighborhood cat, was also helpful in that regard.) I do wish the world-building was done a little differently, as the fantasy elements in the story seemed out of place at times, and the characters’ reactions to it were occasionally confusing. However, I still loved the otherworldly aspects of the story, and the illustrations greatly bolstered their magic. While most of the artwork was done in pastel hues of pinks, purples, and blues—which suited the quiet tone of the story perfectly—panels depicting magic were much more colorful and vibrant, reminding me of certain scenes in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). I was charmed by the flowing lines and sparkling details of Glendining’s art, even when I found myself wanting to see more expressive facial illustrations. All in all, I was simultaneously pleased and touched by this novel and would recommend it to anyone experiencing a loss, whether old or new.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Abrams Fanfare for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
It’s been years since Alex Wilson visited her sea-side hometown, Indigo Harbor, and her memories of the town have grown hazy around the edges. But when her beloved grandmother passes away, Alex returns to her childhood home with her best friend, Grim, to say goodbye and sort through her grandmother’s possessions. Together, they stay in Alex’s grandmother’s cottage and slowly sift through her things. As they do, the town proves to be as strange as it is nostalgic. Alex bumps into witches and their familiars, stumbles across fallen stars, and discovers selkies swimming in the harbor. Most curious of all, though, is the name Alex keeps running into: Elizabeth. Determined to find this mysterious woman to uncover more about her grandmother’s life, Alex searches the town—and herself—for answers, learning to live with grief along the way.
Bex Glendining’s debut graphic novel is a gentle testament to love, one that made my heart positively glow. The story is soft and slow, and though it doesn't exactly have a strong plot, it flawlessly encapsulates the feelings of grief and healing, which are often non-linear and entirely confusing. I resonated with Alex’s complicated emotions and sense of guilt towards her grandmother, and also appreciated the community and humor incorporated amidst the heavy loss pervading the novel. The residents of Indigo Harbor came together for Alex despite her long absence, and Grim, in particular, nicely represented the balance between the reality of dealing with grief and the comedic relief necessary to overcome the worst of it. (Although Milo, the neighborhood cat, was also helpful in that regard.) I do wish the world-building was done a little differently, as the fantasy elements in the story seemed out of place at times, and the characters’ reactions to it were occasionally confusing. However, I still loved the otherworldly aspects of the story, and the illustrations greatly bolstered their magic. While most of the artwork was done in pastel hues of pinks, purples, and blues—which suited the quiet tone of the story perfectly—panels depicting magic were much more colorful and vibrant, reminding me of certain scenes in Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). I was charmed by the flowing lines and sparkling details of Glendining’s art, even when I found myself wanting to see more expressive facial illustrations. All in all, I was simultaneously pleased and touched by this novel and would recommend it to anyone experiencing a loss, whether old or new.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Abrams Fanfare for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Read
November 27, 2025Incredibly beautiful and atmospheric. A quiet story exploring loss and half-forgotten memories - it reminds me of the parts of Ghibli films exploring a new place and finding hints of intriguing things, with a warmth to its melancholy and a fairytale feel. There's something really lovely in the way the art takes care over everyday objects, ordinary bits of bleak seafront, telephone poles. It adds to the town feeling very real, even as the magic creeps in, beginning hidden in the panels in a fun way as it only slowly becomes noticeable by the MC. Also love how the star was drawn!!
January 27, 2026
I might have aged out as the right audience for this YA graphic novel. While I appreciated the illustration style, color palette, and diversity on the page, the narrative execution felt underdeveloped. The novel explored themes of grief and incorporated interesting fantasy elements, but ultimately only skimmed the surface of these topics. Like the Elizabeth in the story, I prefer deeper dives.
January 6, 2026
Honestly this sort of make me think of my own grandma and how I think...I barely knew much about her, and a lot my memories of her have faded over the years, but sometimes I'll eat food that reminds me of her or I'll find a card with her handwriting and suddenly something comes back and I miss her and wish I had spent more time with her when I still could.
January 12, 2026
3.5 stars but rounding up. Kinda felt like something was missing at the end but it was mostly a soft and sweet read abt love and grief and memory, and a little bit of magic
January 15, 2026
3.5⭐️
October 13, 2025
cute, but forgettable
Read
November 12, 2025Borrowed this on a whim from hoopla and was completely blown away. This is a gentle, emotional discussion of grief, family, and the pain and beauty of memories. I adored Alex's relationship with her grandmother and her quest to remember her. Absolutely beautiful story that packs and emotional punch.
October 24, 2025
Graphic novel about a complicated grief cycle, with cozy fantasy framework.
July 19, 2025
4/5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Kids for the ARC of On Starlit Shores! My 10 year old read this book with me and has reviewed it in their words:
“I thought this book was really, really, really good. I loved that it had Selkies in it—I had read about them in another book before, so it was super cool to see them again here in a different way. I really like magical creatures, and this story made them feel real and special.
The book is also about a girl named Alex who is really sad because someone she loves is gone. It made me think about how hard it can be when you miss someone, and how sometimes you feel like you’re carrying a big, heavy feeling inside. But even though it was sad sometimes, it also made me feel hopeful—like things can get better when you talk to people or go on adventures, or even just when you remember the people you miss in a special way.
The setting was really magical too. I could picture the ocean and the stars and the quiet little town so clearly, especially because the illustrations were amazing. They were full of color and emotion, and they made the story come to life even more.
I think this book is perfect if you like stories with adventure, feelings, magic, and creatures like Selkies. It made me feel a lot of things, and I didn’t want to stop reading. I think a lot of kids would really like it—even if it makes you a little sad sometimes, it also makes you feel warm and brave by the end.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Kids for the ARC of On Starlit Shores! My 10 year old read this book with me and has reviewed it in their words:
“I thought this book was really, really, really good. I loved that it had Selkies in it—I had read about them in another book before, so it was super cool to see them again here in a different way. I really like magical creatures, and this story made them feel real and special.
The book is also about a girl named Alex who is really sad because someone she loves is gone. It made me think about how hard it can be when you miss someone, and how sometimes you feel like you’re carrying a big, heavy feeling inside. But even though it was sad sometimes, it also made me feel hopeful—like things can get better when you talk to people or go on adventures, or even just when you remember the people you miss in a special way.
The setting was really magical too. I could picture the ocean and the stars and the quiet little town so clearly, especially because the illustrations were amazing. They were full of color and emotion, and they made the story come to life even more.
I think this book is perfect if you like stories with adventure, feelings, magic, and creatures like Selkies. It made me feel a lot of things, and I didn’t want to stop reading. I think a lot of kids would really like it—even if it makes you a little sad sometimes, it also makes you feel warm and brave by the end.”
June 6, 2025
This is a beautifully illustrated YA fantasy that explores grief, family bonds, and small-town magic.
First of all, the artwork is gorgeous with a stunning, luminous color palette. Illustrations bathed in pastels and vibrant hues bring Indigo Harbor to life including the falling stars, sea-swept streets, and cozy witch teashops are enchanting.
Second, the story is beautiful and captivating. When Alex returns to her grandmother’s seaside hometown after her passing, she undertakes chores that slowly peel back layers of family history and uncover town secrets. Hints of magic are sprinkled throughout the town including fallen stars, witches in everyday roles, and a mysterious figure named Elizabeth tied to her grandmother’s past. This magic creates a good balance between mystery and addressing grief, remembrance, and acceptance.
If you like other queer graphic novels with a hint of magic like Girl from the Sea or The Deep Dark, this is an absolute no-brainer read for you. The blend of atmospheric art and gentle mystery creates a perfect read for fans of introspective, character-driven fantasy.
First of all, the artwork is gorgeous with a stunning, luminous color palette. Illustrations bathed in pastels and vibrant hues bring Indigo Harbor to life including the falling stars, sea-swept streets, and cozy witch teashops are enchanting.
Second, the story is beautiful and captivating. When Alex returns to her grandmother’s seaside hometown after her passing, she undertakes chores that slowly peel back layers of family history and uncover town secrets. Hints of magic are sprinkled throughout the town including fallen stars, witches in everyday roles, and a mysterious figure named Elizabeth tied to her grandmother’s past. This magic creates a good balance between mystery and addressing grief, remembrance, and acceptance.
If you like other queer graphic novels with a hint of magic like Girl from the Sea or The Deep Dark, this is an absolute no-brainer read for you. The blend of atmospheric art and gentle mystery creates a perfect read for fans of introspective, character-driven fantasy.
September 15, 2025
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After her grandmother, Sophia, passes away, Alex and her friend Grim visit Sophia’s home by the sea. In the close-knit community of Indigo Harbour, where magic and the whimsical collide, Alex wonders why she can’t remember her childhood with her grandmother growing up. Through dealing with her grief and the goodbyes, Alex learns that her grandmother had secrets, especially the name Elizabeth that surrounded Sophia’s life. Can Alex come to terms with the hidden secrets and embrace the strangeness of Indigo Harbour before she leaves for good?
This graphic novel was as beautiful as it was eerie. The simplicity of the coastal town of Indigo Harbour drew me in like the rays of light from a lighthouse. I enjoyed reading about the mysteries of Alex’s past, the quirkiness of her friend Grimm, and the relationship her grandmother, Sophia, had with Elizabeth and everyone in that town. Shades of purple hues meet softened blues, as they collide in a mythical way of Indigo Harbour. A dreamy graphic novel of letting go and saying goodbye.
After her grandmother, Sophia, passes away, Alex and her friend Grim visit Sophia’s home by the sea. In the close-knit community of Indigo Harbour, where magic and the whimsical collide, Alex wonders why she can’t remember her childhood with her grandmother growing up. Through dealing with her grief and the goodbyes, Alex learns that her grandmother had secrets, especially the name Elizabeth that surrounded Sophia’s life. Can Alex come to terms with the hidden secrets and embrace the strangeness of Indigo Harbour before she leaves for good?
This graphic novel was as beautiful as it was eerie. The simplicity of the coastal town of Indigo Harbour drew me in like the rays of light from a lighthouse. I enjoyed reading about the mysteries of Alex’s past, the quirkiness of her friend Grimm, and the relationship her grandmother, Sophia, had with Elizabeth and everyone in that town. Shades of purple hues meet softened blues, as they collide in a mythical way of Indigo Harbour. A dreamy graphic novel of letting go and saying goodbye.
September 7, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for a fair review.
4.5/5 stars, rounded to 5
This was a beautiful tribute to grief, to family, to love and friendship. I loved the art style; I want to live in the color palette of this book. Every page was beautiful, and it worked so well with the story.
Most people have lost someone unexpectedly. Maybe they were close, maybe they were estranged, but losing someone when you think you have more time is extremely tough to cope with. Seeing Alex deal with that grief and that guilt for not reaching out to her grandma was so relatable for me. It was real and raw and beautiful when she comes to terms with things.
I think my only vague complaint was that I would’ve loved more of Grim, but that’s just because I loved his banter with Alex so much. It was very “best friends for a long time and we have insides jokes and teasing.” It’s similar to a lot of the relationships I have with my friends and I loved seeing it.
This book made me want to call my grandparents <3
4.5/5 stars, rounded to 5
This was a beautiful tribute to grief, to family, to love and friendship. I loved the art style; I want to live in the color palette of this book. Every page was beautiful, and it worked so well with the story.
Most people have lost someone unexpectedly. Maybe they were close, maybe they were estranged, but losing someone when you think you have more time is extremely tough to cope with. Seeing Alex deal with that grief and that guilt for not reaching out to her grandma was so relatable for me. It was real and raw and beautiful when she comes to terms with things.
I think my only vague complaint was that I would’ve loved more of Grim, but that’s just because I loved his banter with Alex so much. It was very “best friends for a long time and we have insides jokes and teasing.” It’s similar to a lot of the relationships I have with my friends and I loved seeing it.
This book made me want to call my grandparents <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews