This was a heartwarming and beautiful graphic novel! It's the first graphic novel I've read, and the art blew me away - the colors, the whimsy, just everything about the art made me feel immersed in the story and world. It was stunning and so much fun to see the characters and magical setting[s] come alive in that way.
The story itself is at once charming and entertaining. The two FMCs are firecrackers in their own rights! They have a grumpy/sunshine dynamic that I was all for, and I loved how Aisling was both was still bold, determined, independent, and fierce while still maintaining that 'sunshine' element. Both Aisling and Forget-Me-Not are determined in their own ways, fighting against each other in a sense while still having so much compassion underneath, regardless of anything.
I was impressed by the world-building that Mari Costa was able to put into the novel through both art and dialogue, and I found myself brought back to the lore of fae that I fell in love with in Holly Black's Folk of the Air series. I loved the side characters, too! The villain I loved to hate (or multiple, really, given the folk that try to scheme against Aisling), and Fairweather was a complex character who I had mixed feelings for in a good way!
I found myself caring about both Aisling and Forget-Me-Not, and I had a great time learning about plans, secrets, histories, and everything else regarding the conflicts. Everything really allows the characters' qualities to shine - I really felt for Aisling, whose radiant joy and love never wavered, even when others were against her.
I think this is a great sapphic story for the YA audience because the end truly lets that shine. However, I didn't find myself totally believing in the romance, personally, as it felt a little sudden and rushed. I would have liked more buildup and development beforehand. I also wasn't the biggest fan of Forget-Me-Not's cruelty in the start of the story. I understand her character's motivations and feelings for why she acted as she did, but I thought the physical control and verbal beratement was a bit overdone.
*Thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the eARC to read and review early.