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The Moth Keeper
Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper decides to take a break from the moon and see the sun for the first time? A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about passion, duty, and found family.
Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn't exactly what Anya thought it would be?
The nights are cold in the desert and the lunar moths live far from the village. Anya finds herself isolated and lonely. Despite Anya's dedication, she wonders what it would be like to live in the sun. Her thoughts turn into an obsession, and when Anya takes a chance to stay up during the day to feel the sun's warmth, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.
K. O'Neill brings to life a beautifully illustrated fantasy world about responsibility to yourself and your community. The Moth Keeper is filled with magic, hope, and friendship.
Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn't exactly what Anya thought it would be?
The nights are cold in the desert and the lunar moths live far from the village. Anya finds herself isolated and lonely. Despite Anya's dedication, she wonders what it would be like to live in the sun. Her thoughts turn into an obsession, and when Anya takes a chance to stay up during the day to feel the sun's warmth, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.
K. O'Neill brings to life a beautifully illustrated fantasy world about responsibility to yourself and your community. The Moth Keeper is filled with magic, hope, and friendship.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2023
306 people are currently reading
21731 people want to read
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January 30, 2024
‘Magic's a wild thing. It only flows when life is left to exist in its own natural way.’
I am at all times wanting to vanish into the gorgeous landscapes and whimsical worlds of K. O’Neill’s imagination. The Moth Keeper proves to be another magnificent journey, transporting the reader beneath starry skies and into a village that has adapted to be nocturnal to honor the Moon-spirit. Explores themes of responsibility, cooperation and sharing the burdens of others, the story follows Anya as she becomes the protector of the Moon-Moths that are essential for the flowers the village needs to thrive. Like their Tea Dragon Society books, The Moth Keeper is teeming with tradition, myth, and magic, making for a lovely story full of endearing characters and told through O’Neill’s gorgeous, signature artwork. The Moth Keeper is sure to warm your heart and send your imagination soaring.
Inspired by the landscape of the Tongariro National Park of New Zealand, and a rare species of moths there, O’Neill creates a vast desert world that is exciting to explore and learn about. There is a fun dynamic examining the way a society would learn to thrive living only in darkness, which contrasts with the day-village that appears later in the story. But even in the cold of night there is a lot of warmth in this village, with everyone working together to uphold one another, ‘a village where each person holds the hand of another. So that no one gets lost in the darkness.’ It is a beautiful sentiment and something O’Neill has carried through many of their books, often showing how that extends to the natural world as well. Much like the message in their Aquicorn Cove, the well-being of the village and nature go hand in hand.
‘I want to become a light for others…I want to hold my lantern up high for everyone.’
Anya becoming the Moth Keeper is a great honor but also a heavy responsibility and burden, and long nights alone in the dark begins to weigh heavily on her as well. Her desires to see the world during the day and the loneliness she endures at night dives her into existential anxieties that threaten to undo her, thinking about how she took the role to have a job that would mean she ‘matters to someone,’ to feel her existence is justified. There are thoughtful moments about how it isn’t just our labor that defines us, even in a community where everyone must shoulder responsibilities, and that sometimes love is already right there in the people right in front of us. As usual in O’Neill stories, the characters have a fantasy part-animal element to them and there are adorable, queer romances blossoming as well as the wisdom of elders to help guide the next generation, pass on the stories and traditions, and allow everyone to grow and be cared for. Their books always leave me in such a good mood and lightness of spirit.
There is just so much to love here. I mean, as a lover of stories and a library worker I ADORE the owl-lady “keeper of stories” that has them quite literally inscribed on the feathers of her wings:
But O’Neill’s art is so wonderful as well. Being set mostly at night, it isn’t as bright or as bold as their usual work but the cool colors, excellent use of lighting, and stunning visuals set quite the emotional tone to the story, which all vaguely recalls Studio Ghibli. The style is a bit looser here than their past works, which is quite effective, and I enjoyed the bits of experimentation such as the orange and grays of the charcoal-like style used for the scenes depicting village folklore:
The Moth Keeper is a charming and inspiring graphic novel that, while aimed at a young teen audience, is just as moving and magical for adults. The inclusive cast of characters are wonderful, the art is spectacular, the story is excellent and the messages are beautiful to take to heart. While Anya’s backstory felt a little underexplored, with the tidbits raising far more questions than explaining much (is this the start of a series perhaps?), I still enjoyed the way this story seems to show how dealing with trauma is a lifelong process. If anything, this story shows how we can all help and heal one another and that working together uplifts all. A marvelous book that I can’t wait to revisit again and again.
4/5
I am at all times wanting to vanish into the gorgeous landscapes and whimsical worlds of K. O’Neill’s imagination. The Moth Keeper proves to be another magnificent journey, transporting the reader beneath starry skies and into a village that has adapted to be nocturnal to honor the Moon-spirit. Explores themes of responsibility, cooperation and sharing the burdens of others, the story follows Anya as she becomes the protector of the Moon-Moths that are essential for the flowers the village needs to thrive. Like their Tea Dragon Society books, The Moth Keeper is teeming with tradition, myth, and magic, making for a lovely story full of endearing characters and told through O’Neill’s gorgeous, signature artwork. The Moth Keeper is sure to warm your heart and send your imagination soaring.
Inspired by the landscape of the Tongariro National Park of New Zealand, and a rare species of moths there, O’Neill creates a vast desert world that is exciting to explore and learn about. There is a fun dynamic examining the way a society would learn to thrive living only in darkness, which contrasts with the day-village that appears later in the story. But even in the cold of night there is a lot of warmth in this village, with everyone working together to uphold one another, ‘a village where each person holds the hand of another. So that no one gets lost in the darkness.’ It is a beautiful sentiment and something O’Neill has carried through many of their books, often showing how that extends to the natural world as well. Much like the message in their Aquicorn Cove, the well-being of the village and nature go hand in hand.
‘I want to become a light for others…I want to hold my lantern up high for everyone.’
Anya becoming the Moth Keeper is a great honor but also a heavy responsibility and burden, and long nights alone in the dark begins to weigh heavily on her as well. Her desires to see the world during the day and the loneliness she endures at night dives her into existential anxieties that threaten to undo her, thinking about how she took the role to have a job that would mean she ‘matters to someone,’ to feel her existence is justified. There are thoughtful moments about how it isn’t just our labor that defines us, even in a community where everyone must shoulder responsibilities, and that sometimes love is already right there in the people right in front of us. As usual in O’Neill stories, the characters have a fantasy part-animal element to them and there are adorable, queer romances blossoming as well as the wisdom of elders to help guide the next generation, pass on the stories and traditions, and allow everyone to grow and be cared for. Their books always leave me in such a good mood and lightness of spirit.
There is just so much to love here. I mean, as a lover of stories and a library worker I ADORE the owl-lady “keeper of stories” that has them quite literally inscribed on the feathers of her wings:
But O’Neill’s art is so wonderful as well. Being set mostly at night, it isn’t as bright or as bold as their usual work but the cool colors, excellent use of lighting, and stunning visuals set quite the emotional tone to the story, which all vaguely recalls Studio Ghibli. The style is a bit looser here than their past works, which is quite effective, and I enjoyed the bits of experimentation such as the orange and grays of the charcoal-like style used for the scenes depicting village folklore:
The Moth Keeper is a charming and inspiring graphic novel that, while aimed at a young teen audience, is just as moving and magical for adults. The inclusive cast of characters are wonderful, the art is spectacular, the story is excellent and the messages are beautiful to take to heart. While Anya’s backstory felt a little underexplored, with the tidbits raising far more questions than explaining much (is this the start of a series perhaps?), I still enjoyed the way this story seems to show how dealing with trauma is a lifelong process. If anything, this story shows how we can all help and heal one another and that working together uplifts all. A marvelous book that I can’t wait to revisit again and again.
4/5
February 3, 2023
In a Nutshell: What a gorgeous book! Amazing in plot, deep in meaning, lush in visuals. This begins slow but grows on you. Apt for middle graders and above.
Story Synopsis:
Kay O'Neill is the NZ author who are most known for their Tea Dragon series, which are in my TBR and I have heard so much about. Reading this book showed me why the author has such a reputation.
This graphic novel hits the right mark in all the components necessary for a satisfying reading experience.
🌷 The plot is written in a way that all emotions come out clearly. Anya’s insecurity, her friend’s concern for her, the senior mothkeeper’s dedication, everything is beautifully portrayed. There are some dark themes as well, such as parental abandonment and obsession with the unattainable.
🌷 Through Anya’s tribe, who are an indigenous people in a desert land, we see their strong connect to nature and how they live in harmony with the laws of the land without abusing their power. The story also touches upon the importance of having a community spirit rather than allowing only one person to shoulder a task.
🌷 There is a fair balance between visuals and text, which is something many graphic novelists forget. The author doesn’t fill every single panel with text. Rather, they allow their artwork to do the talking on quite a few pages. This approach allows us to focus on the beauty of the sketches as much as on the story.
🌷 The message is wonderfully woven into the storyline. What use is the pursuit of what-if while ignoring what-is?
🌷 The storyline is inclusive, as can be expected of an OwnVoices author.
On the flip side:
🌵 Somewhat mixed feelings about the art style. The character illustrations were quite quirky, and as this is my first book by this author, I am not sure if it is their signature style. But the characters seemed to be part-human-part-animal. (Anya is described as a “fox girl” in the editorial note at the beginning, but there’s no elaboration of this in the story.) I didn’t mind this artistic decision but didn’t understand the significance of it.
🌵 The story takes a while to get going and it is only in the second that the plot actually surges towards its main point.
🌵 There are some minor tracks that stay unexplained. (Is it hinting at a series, I wonder?)
The complaints are minor, the joy is great. The content is aimed at middle graders, but even older graphic novel readers will be able to find much to relish and cherish about this heartwarming book. Definitely recommended.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Random House Children's and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Moth Keeper”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Young Anya has been appointed the moth keeper of her village. Her prime duty is to take care of the magical moon moths that allow the Night Lily flower to bloom once a year. This flower is essential for their village to survive and thrive, and without the moths, the tree will perish. Anya’s responsibility is thus vital. However, in the cold desert nights away from the village, Anya begins to wonder what it would be like to live under the sun. Will her desire to set aside the routine of the nocturnal tribe and attempt a daytime trip affect her work?
Kay O'Neill is the NZ author who are most known for their Tea Dragon series, which are in my TBR and I have heard so much about. Reading this book showed me why the author has such a reputation.
This graphic novel hits the right mark in all the components necessary for a satisfying reading experience.
🌷 The plot is written in a way that all emotions come out clearly. Anya’s insecurity, her friend’s concern for her, the senior mothkeeper’s dedication, everything is beautifully portrayed. There are some dark themes as well, such as parental abandonment and obsession with the unattainable.
🌷 Through Anya’s tribe, who are an indigenous people in a desert land, we see their strong connect to nature and how they live in harmony with the laws of the land without abusing their power. The story also touches upon the importance of having a community spirit rather than allowing only one person to shoulder a task.
🌷 There is a fair balance between visuals and text, which is something many graphic novelists forget. The author doesn’t fill every single panel with text. Rather, they allow their artwork to do the talking on quite a few pages. This approach allows us to focus on the beauty of the sketches as much as on the story.
🌷 The message is wonderfully woven into the storyline. What use is the pursuit of what-if while ignoring what-is?
🌷 The storyline is inclusive, as can be expected of an OwnVoices author.
On the flip side:
🌵 Somewhat mixed feelings about the art style. The character illustrations were quite quirky, and as this is my first book by this author, I am not sure if it is their signature style. But the characters seemed to be part-human-part-animal. (Anya is described as a “fox girl” in the editorial note at the beginning, but there’s no elaboration of this in the story.) I didn’t mind this artistic decision but didn’t understand the significance of it.
🌵 The story takes a while to get going and it is only in the second that the plot actually surges towards its main point.
🌵 There are some minor tracks that stay unexplained. (Is it hinting at a series, I wonder?)
The complaints are minor, the joy is great. The content is aimed at middle graders, but even older graphic novel readers will be able to find much to relish and cherish about this heartwarming book. Definitely recommended.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Random House Children's and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Moth Keeper”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
April 21, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
i just am always completely in love with k o’neil’s characters, worlds, and themes. they create stories that are such a gift to our world, and this newest graphic novel will probably resonate with so many people who are reading this review, because the central theme is all about burn out and not realizing when you need a break and when you need some help, too. we are all so small in the grand scheme of things, and it's so easy for things to feel overwhelming, especially these last few years, and especially in a pandemic that is still going on. but our value as creators and, more importantly, humans, will never ever be dependent on how much we produce.
this is also a very heartfelt tale about community, and the things we can achieve when we are kind and offer help to people – and how that kindness and help can go such a long way and have the most beautiful healing rippling effect to so many. but this also touches on how hard it can be to ask for help, when you have been turned away from it by people who are supposed to be there for you. but also, in turn, how unconditional love + friendship can be the most powerful force in all the world.
ah, this is just perfection. i wish i could put this story in the hands of everyone, but especially every child. i immediately finished the arc, and purchased a physical for my own personal library (which surprisingly had the most beautiful art under the dustjacket). i think this will for sure make my best of 2023 come december. truly, a gift to this universe in all ways.
trigger + content warnings: mention of loss of a loved one, parental neglect + abandonment
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
“How would life feel if I didn't have to always hold on tight against the darkness? Who would I be if I could live in the light?”
i just am always completely in love with k o’neil’s characters, worlds, and themes. they create stories that are such a gift to our world, and this newest graphic novel will probably resonate with so many people who are reading this review, because the central theme is all about burn out and not realizing when you need a break and when you need some help, too. we are all so small in the grand scheme of things, and it's so easy for things to feel overwhelming, especially these last few years, and especially in a pandemic that is still going on. but our value as creators and, more importantly, humans, will never ever be dependent on how much we produce.
this is also a very heartfelt tale about community, and the things we can achieve when we are kind and offer help to people – and how that kindness and help can go such a long way and have the most beautiful healing rippling effect to so many. but this also touches on how hard it can be to ask for help, when you have been turned away from it by people who are supposed to be there for you. but also, in turn, how unconditional love + friendship can be the most powerful force in all the world.
ah, this is just perfection. i wish i could put this story in the hands of everyone, but especially every child. i immediately finished the arc, and purchased a physical for my own personal library (which surprisingly had the most beautiful art under the dustjacket). i think this will for sure make my best of 2023 come december. truly, a gift to this universe in all ways.
trigger + content warnings: mention of loss of a loved one, parental neglect + abandonment
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
December 11, 2023
What a beautiful, yet gut wrenching look at the effects of parental neglect, over extension of one self, and the pain of loss. I wasn’t sure what to expect of this one, but O’Neill definitely delivered with beautiful artwork accompanied by artful storytelling that wove in magic, myth, and lore. I thought this was absolutely beautiful and reminded younger readers that it’s okay to not completely conquer your fears. The emphasis on the diversity of the cast and found family was absolutely lovely. I wish that we could have explored the relationship dynamics of Anya’s past. It would have added to her character development. Overall, a solid read and one that I recommend for middle grade readers that love fantasy graphic novels.
May 12, 2023
A new entry for my “kiwi lit” shelf!
I became unnaturally excited when I opened this up to read it to my 12-year-old and discovered that the author/illustrator is from New Zealand.
This graphic novel, fresh off the presses this year, is in big demand at our library, and almost as soon as we got our hands on it, I got an email, reminding me to be “prompt in returning it, as the wait list is long.”
K. O'Neill identifies as a “non-binary” person and the characters in this story reflect those beliefs, each character possessing gender-neutral names and appearances. The characters are also humanoid, but not entirely human, and I think it's safe to assume that the setting is either otherworldly or dystopian.
Interestingly, the themes and artwork reminded me quite a bit of Jim Henson's “The Dark Crystal,” a film that came out 40 years ago, but was way ahead of its time.
My daughter and I found the artwork inspiring, the story line underwhelming, and the overall message a positive one.
I suspect that the theme of "personal identity," may resonate more with readers here, but, what struck me more was the idea of being “in service.”
Volunteerism and community building are at all-time lows, particularly coming out of the pandemic, and the message in this story, of bringing our gifts, our skills and our own personal sacrifices to strengthen our communities feels like an urgent one, to me.
I became unnaturally excited when I opened this up to read it to my 12-year-old and discovered that the author/illustrator is from New Zealand.
This graphic novel, fresh off the presses this year, is in big demand at our library, and almost as soon as we got our hands on it, I got an email, reminding me to be “prompt in returning it, as the wait list is long.”
K. O'Neill identifies as a “non-binary” person and the characters in this story reflect those beliefs, each character possessing gender-neutral names and appearances. The characters are also humanoid, but not entirely human, and I think it's safe to assume that the setting is either otherworldly or dystopian.
Interestingly, the themes and artwork reminded me quite a bit of Jim Henson's “The Dark Crystal,” a film that came out 40 years ago, but was way ahead of its time.
My daughter and I found the artwork inspiring, the story line underwhelming, and the overall message a positive one.
I suspect that the theme of "personal identity," may resonate more with readers here, but, what struck me more was the idea of being “in service.”
Volunteerism and community building are at all-time lows, particularly coming out of the pandemic, and the message in this story, of bringing our gifts, our skills and our own personal sacrifices to strengthen our communities feels like an urgent one, to me.
March 27, 2023
I'm always craving the next Kay O'Neill title. Their books are so cozy and gentle, with beautiful, soft art and lovable characters, and they always manage to tackle such important conversations: in this case, burnout and how lonely that feeling can be. I love that this book exists for kids right now, especially knowing how many kids these days are feeling so crushed by juggling school, everyday life, the pandemic, and the state of the world in general. I think this story's going to hit home for a lot of readers. ♥
I'll admit that this was missing a special spark that I usually feel with Kay's books and I didn't find myself connecting to the characters as much as I typically do, and I think perhaps that's because this story felt too big for its page count, especially with how many of the panels held no dialogue or plot development. That said, I still enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend picking up a copy!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Representation: a side character is disabled (has an undisclosed chronic illness and walks with a cane)
✨ Content warnings for:
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
I'll admit that this was missing a special spark that I usually feel with Kay's books and I didn't find myself connecting to the characters as much as I typically do, and I think perhaps that's because this story felt too big for its page count, especially with how many of the panels held no dialogue or plot development. That said, I still enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend picking up a copy!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Representation: a side character is disabled (has an undisclosed chronic illness and walks with a cane)
✨ Content warnings for:
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
July 3, 2023
5 stars, I cried (haha) at the end. the way mental health and community were discussed in this beautiful fantasy setting with the most whimsical art was truly amazing.
March 22, 2023
Dang. I absolutely loved The Tea Dragon Society series, but this latest graphic novel just didn’t do it for me. The whole time, I felt like I was missing something. I didn’t really understand the purpose of the moths, so I was confused and not super invested.
I also found it extremely confusing how we kept slipping back in time with no warning. There were flashbacks to Anya’s childhood, but nothing to indicate the change in time. She was just a little bit smaller, but it was hard to tell! So hard to follow.
I’m left with more questions than answers. What happened to Anya’s mom? Did she just straight up abandon her in that one flashback? Why didn’t Anya just move to the sun village when she clearly liked it more? Why don’t they do trade with the sun village instead of struggling so hard to grow things that their environment isn’t conducive to? The world building made no sense. I was just never that bought into the sun village/night Village thing.
O’Neill’s art is nice here, but the color palette is a bit more muted, so I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. Overall, I’m sure many will enjoy this graphic novel, but it just didn’t resonate with me personally.
I also found it extremely confusing how we kept slipping back in time with no warning. There were flashbacks to Anya’s childhood, but nothing to indicate the change in time. She was just a little bit smaller, but it was hard to tell! So hard to follow.
I’m left with more questions than answers. What happened to Anya’s mom? Did she just straight up abandon her in that one flashback? Why didn’t Anya just move to the sun village when she clearly liked it more? Why don’t they do trade with the sun village instead of struggling so hard to grow things that their environment isn’t conducive to? The world building made no sense. I was just never that bought into the sun village/night Village thing.
O’Neill’s art is nice here, but the color palette is a bit more muted, so I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. Overall, I’m sure many will enjoy this graphic novel, but it just didn’t resonate with me personally.
March 14, 2023
o'neill's stories are gentle medicine. they always make me feel like the world is a warmer, softer, kinder place than it seems.
this is a sweet, ambient, wintery graphic novel that starts slow. it's about a community that has a symbiotic relationship with sacred moths who pollinate their tree, and about the pensive mothkeeper who guides the moths through the darkness each night.
this story has much of o'neill's classic cozy comforting community, but its warmth is contrasted with a deep, cold loneliness. our protagonist self-isolates, doing her dutiful mothkeeping job alone each night, rarely allowing herself to rest with her loved ones. can the deepness of the night be balanced with the light of the day?
while o'neill's work often contains notes of melancholy, this story is darker than their others. the quiet, solitary sadness often reminded me of the little prince. there is so much empathy and mutual care.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
this is a sweet, ambient, wintery graphic novel that starts slow. it's about a community that has a symbiotic relationship with sacred moths who pollinate their tree, and about the pensive mothkeeper who guides the moths through the darkness each night.
this story has much of o'neill's classic cozy comforting community, but its warmth is contrasted with a deep, cold loneliness. our protagonist self-isolates, doing her dutiful mothkeeping job alone each night, rarely allowing herself to rest with her loved ones. can the deepness of the night be balanced with the light of the day?
while o'neill's work often contains notes of melancholy, this story is darker than their others. the quiet, solitary sadness often reminded me of the little prince. there is so much empathy and mutual care.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 9, 2022
What a beautiful story! I love Kay's work and The Moth Keeper feels very timely having gone through a global pandemic. The Moth Keeper is a graphic novel about a child who becomes the new moth keeper for her village. It's a big responsibility and requires a lot of time in solitude through the night. This is a story about burnout, loneliness, and the effects of parental neglect, all delivered with gorgeous art in a way that will be accessible even for young children. It's about the importance of community, about how love and friendship can be healing, and about how we don't have to shoulder everything ourselves. I found this to be incredibly moving and will be buying a copy when it's released. I received a digital advance copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
January 19, 2024
In a desert village, a group of folks choose to live a nocturnal life to keep the moon company, and to care for a small group of magical moths, the only creatures who can pollinate a magical tree which helps sustain the whole ecosystem. One youngster, Anya, volunteers for the important but lonely job of Moth Keeper. She yearns to be of service to others, and feels she must earn her place in the village. In reality, help and friendship are only an ask away, and in this space everyone is cared for. This is a very beautifully illustrated and brief tale of responsibility, community, and resilience.
November 3, 2022
"Magic's a wild thing. It only flows when life is left to exist in its own natural way."
O'Neill has been on my radar since I've seen the cover for The Tea Dragon Society but I have never read their work. Their work seems like something I wished for as a kid and reading this book was like reliving my childhood.
The Moth Keeper was a magical read. The story flowed beautifully and it really touched my heart. The narrator is so super lovable and you never wanted it to end. It packs quite an emotional feel to it. It was super cute and one I can see a lot of kids and adults loving. The art was adorable and really stands out from the rest. The entire package was fantastic and memorable.
O'Neill has been on my radar since I've seen the cover for The Tea Dragon Society but I have never read their work. Their work seems like something I wished for as a kid and reading this book was like reliving my childhood.
The Moth Keeper was a magical read. The story flowed beautifully and it really touched my heart. The narrator is so super lovable and you never wanted it to end. It packs quite an emotional feel to it. It was super cute and one I can see a lot of kids and adults loving. The art was adorable and really stands out from the rest. The entire package was fantastic and memorable.
January 18, 2025
the super cute art style scratched something in my brain. absolutely loved the visuals. the plot was just meh to me though
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May 1, 2023Igual que en sus anteriores trabajos, K. O’Neill consigue crear en «La guardiana de las polillas» un hermosísimo universo que funciona con sus propias reglas. La historia que se narra sucede en un mundo con una mitología creada de la nada por le autore, y en esta narración es muy importante la intrahistoria de ese microcosmos, las relaciones (tan diversas como especiales) de los personajes protagonistas, así como una serie de valores (el ecologismo, la sensibilidad, las redes de apoyo…) que son ya marca de la casa.
En esta ocasión, O’Neill nos cuenta la historia de Anya, una joven que acepta una misión trascendental para la vida de la aldea nocturna en la que vive. Con Anya nos adentraremos en un mundo cargado de leyendas y de magia, y con ella recordaremos el valor de la responsabilidad y de las promesas.
Este cómic, ilustrado con la reconocible delicadeza de O’Neill, es una lectura tierna y original disfrutable por un público de cualquier edad.
En esta ocasión, O’Neill nos cuenta la historia de Anya, una joven que acepta una misión trascendental para la vida de la aldea nocturna en la que vive. Con Anya nos adentraremos en un mundo cargado de leyendas y de magia, y con ella recordaremos el valor de la responsabilidad y de las promesas.
Este cómic, ilustrado con la reconocible delicadeza de O’Neill, es una lectura tierna y original disfrutable por un público de cualquier edad.
March 22, 2024
Kay O'Neill has the coziest of art styles! Their graphic novels just make me want to cozy up with a nice cup of tea.
One of my favorite things about O'Neill's graphic novels, are that they are wonderfully diverse and inclusive - I also love that their works put a lot of emphasis on community, acceptance, and gratitude. The Moth Keeper was no different.
I don't think I liked this quite as much as The Tea Dragon Society, but it is still definitely worth the read!
(Book 1 of the #transrightsreadathon🏳️⚧️)
One of my favorite things about O'Neill's graphic novels, are that they are wonderfully diverse and inclusive - I also love that their works put a lot of emphasis on community, acceptance, and gratitude. The Moth Keeper was no different.
I don't think I liked this quite as much as The Tea Dragon Society, but it is still definitely worth the read!
(Book 1 of the #transrightsreadathon🏳️⚧️)
July 16, 2023
Such a beautiful book in every sense, from the aesthetics and visuals to the plot and themes. Yet I wasn't captivated at all.
Perhaps it's because of the minimal text, but the story didn't fully engage me. I got the gist of it but just wasn't super invested despite everything this graphic novel had going for it. There's magical world-building, fascinating lore, interesting characters and more – but I wish we had more detail about everything.
The artwork and colours are undoubtedly breathtaking. The book also did a pretty good job in exploring themes such as loneliness and isolation, duty and expectations, the desire and pursuit of more, all of which are relevant to everyday life.
Thank you to Random House for the Netgalley ARC.
Perhaps it's because of the minimal text, but the story didn't fully engage me. I got the gist of it but just wasn't super invested despite everything this graphic novel had going for it. There's magical world-building, fascinating lore, interesting characters and more – but I wish we had more detail about everything.
The artwork and colours are undoubtedly breathtaking. The book also did a pretty good job in exploring themes such as loneliness and isolation, duty and expectations, the desire and pursuit of more, all of which are relevant to everyday life.
Thank you to Random House for the Netgalley ARC.
May 5, 2025
A warm and cozy little fantasy story about community and finding one's place in the world.
In this little village, humans and manimals live on a nocturnal schedule. Anya is training to shepherd the moths that help pollinate the plant at the center of the village's culture and ecology. She has some doubts and trauma to deal with and, of course, eventually, a moth emergency.
Sweet.
In this little village, humans and manimals live on a nocturnal schedule. Anya is training to shepherd the moths that help pollinate the plant at the center of the village's culture and ecology. She has some doubts and trauma to deal with and, of course, eventually, a moth emergency.
Sweet.
April 17, 2023
Very sweet as always, but is missing a little something for me that I always find in K. O'Neill's work.
Read
August 2, 2024So beautiful and such a marvel to read and behold. A gentle portrayal of burnout and the weight of responsibility, set in a lush and vivid fantasy world.
May 8, 2023
I know this is a children’s book, but I wanted more detail!
What was up with Anya’s mom? How sick was Estelle? What was up with ghosty moon girl? Does Anya have seasonal depression that could be cured by moving to the sun village? Why can’t the moths hang out by the village? Why isn’t there a team of moth keepers?
This book is beautiful, but I needed some answers lol.
What was up with Anya’s mom? How sick was Estelle? What was up with ghosty moon girl? Does Anya have seasonal depression that could be cured by moving to the sun village? Why can’t the moths hang out by the village? Why isn’t there a team of moth keepers?
This book is beautiful, but I needed some answers lol.
Read
August 30, 2025Maybe not my favorite of K. O'Neill's works, but still super sweet.
March 27, 2023
i am terrified of moths but i love kay’s art style so i will do anything for them 🙏🏻this graphic novel was precious!!
June 26, 2025
verryyy cutesie 🦋 ik hou zo van mooie luchten en de nacht met haar maan en sterren, en dit boek zat daar vol mee ✨
January 20, 2023
I am obsessed with The Tea Dragon Society books, so I was ECSTATIC to see Kay O'Neill came out with a new graphic novel.
First of all, artwork is BEAUTIFUL as always. I could frame so many of these pages and literally use them as artwork.
The Moth Keeper is a lovely, earthy story about the night village, a community of people who choose to be nocturnal and live under the stars rather than the sun. Lots of the book is filled with the mythology and oral history of this community. This focus on world building made me hopeful that this has potential to maybe become a series in the future (?!), but if not I do think it was wrapped up nicely :)
My one complaint is a personal one and doesn't reflect negatively on the graphic novel at all. I don't ~love~ it when a book has a super clear moral. I find that when a lesson is being spelled out to me as the reader from the beginning, it takes me out of the story and reminds me that I should be "learning something" from the book instead of just immersing myself in the story. Obviously this is middle grade (so I am not the intended audience), and that is absolutely to be expected, so I don't think it should be any different. Just a personal preference.
Overall I loved this precious graphic novel and will continue to read anything this author creates.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
First of all, artwork is BEAUTIFUL as always. I could frame so many of these pages and literally use them as artwork.
The Moth Keeper is a lovely, earthy story about the night village, a community of people who choose to be nocturnal and live under the stars rather than the sun. Lots of the book is filled with the mythology and oral history of this community. This focus on world building made me hopeful that this has potential to maybe become a series in the future (?!), but if not I do think it was wrapped up nicely :)
My one complaint is a personal one and doesn't reflect negatively on the graphic novel at all. I don't ~love~ it when a book has a super clear moral. I find that when a lesson is being spelled out to me as the reader from the beginning, it takes me out of the story and reminds me that I should be "learning something" from the book instead of just immersing myself in the story. Obviously this is middle grade (so I am not the intended audience), and that is absolutely to be expected, so I don't think it should be any different. Just a personal preference.
Overall I loved this precious graphic novel and will continue to read anything this author creates.
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
July 10, 2023
3.5 stars
As expected, the art was stunning but the book felt a bit underdeveloped in terms of character and plot. But the worlds that O'Neill creates always leave me with the same feeling that many Ghibli movies do, yearning for a slightly more magical and whimsical world. I always appreciate when something is able to evoke those feelings.
While I also appreciate the message in The Moth Keeper I can't really say much else about it because of the sparse character development. I think the plot and characters would have benefited from the book being longer but I honestly didn't mind it too much anyway. The length may be due to the fact that it's middle grade and I was too busy looking at the art and enjoying being in a new K. O'Neill world regardless.
As expected, the art was stunning but the book felt a bit underdeveloped in terms of character and plot. But the worlds that O'Neill creates always leave me with the same feeling that many Ghibli movies do, yearning for a slightly more magical and whimsical world. I always appreciate when something is able to evoke those feelings.
While I also appreciate the message in The Moth Keeper I can't really say much else about it because of the sparse character development. I think the plot and characters would have benefited from the book being longer but I honestly didn't mind it too much anyway. The length may be due to the fact that it's middle grade and I was too busy looking at the art and enjoying being in a new K. O'Neill world regardless.
August 13, 2023
Una historia muy calida que toca temas como el trauma y la soledad
May 19, 2023
Otra vez, un libro precioso de K. O’Neill <3
January 2, 2024
flawless first read of the year
April 20, 2023
The Moth Keeper wasn't my favorite of K. O'Neill's graphic novels but was still stunning nonetheless.
As always, this story was told through incredible artwork and was super inclusive. The concept of this book was really interesting and I find the author's creativity to be so inspiring. I also really admire the effort they make to ensure there is representation for both physical and mental disabilities.
This story touches on feelings of belonging, loneliness, and friendship but didn't get too deep into any of the topics. The graphic novel wasn't heavy on text bubbles or dialogue and relied on analyzing the illustrations which also left a lot to be determined on your own. Because of this, we didn't get to connect with the characters as much as we could have so I wasn't THAT invested in what was going on.
I still highly recommend picking this up to support such a talented author but ultimately this one didn't work for me like some of their past work.
As always, this story was told through incredible artwork and was super inclusive. The concept of this book was really interesting and I find the author's creativity to be so inspiring. I also really admire the effort they make to ensure there is representation for both physical and mental disabilities.
This story touches on feelings of belonging, loneliness, and friendship but didn't get too deep into any of the topics. The graphic novel wasn't heavy on text bubbles or dialogue and relied on analyzing the illustrations which also left a lot to be determined on your own. Because of this, we didn't get to connect with the characters as much as we could have so I wasn't THAT invested in what was going on.
I still highly recommend picking this up to support such a talented author but ultimately this one didn't work for me like some of their past work.
May 11, 2023
K. O'Neill struck me as quite an accomplished artist when I read their previous work, but this is a step backwards. I found the plot confusing; the art does not tell the story well. I also thought the character design was lazy; too many characters look alike. A shame.
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