Review: The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

by MK French

Greta is a blacksmith's apprentice, and she lives in a world where blacksmiths were integral to make tools, weapons and all kinds of goods. She discovers a lost tea dragon in the market and learns how to care for it from tea shop owners Hezekiel and Erik, as well as their ward Minette. These dragons actually grow tea leaves from their horns, a prized trait.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

October 2017; Oni Press; 978-1620104415
ebook, print (72 pages); children, fantasy

Though this is a comic book, it's nice to see the representation in it. Greta has goblin blood, which is treated like no big deal and not a terrible thing as in most fantasy books. Erik is in a wheelchair, and casually mentions cooking and little details of life with Hezekiel; both are different races, which are not explicitly named in the text. Minette's shyness isn't a big deal, and she blossoms over time with Greta's steady friendship as she learns to care for the tea dragons from Hezekiel and Erik. Through this friendship, Greta learned to appreciate the lost art of dragon tea making and gained a newfound appreciation for the blacksmithing trade she was trying to learn from her mother.

I also really liked the guide to tea dragons that was included at the end of the book. It reads like every other guide on caring for animals, including basics about each breed of dragon. The art is beautiful and well suited for young school-age readers as well as older ones.

Buy The Tea Dragon Society at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever. 

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