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v_nessa's review
2.0
A neat, if fictional, story that takes inspiration from Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. It's an interesting story about Margaret, a girl who was left on the island of nuns as a baby. It follows her activities learning about the island's inhabitants, the animals, what each toll of the bell means, and their general life. Margaret also goes around asking about who her parents were, which no one seems to know.
The illustrations are lovely, looking simple at first glance but add to the atmosphere of the story. It treads the line between historical and fairytale. All of the characters are rounded out and feel close to real people.
A woman and her son come to stay on the island, William is around her age and they slowly become friends. However, William's mother contracts a fever and dies, leading to William being forced off the island. Things become tumultuous for Margaret when it's revealed what the island's purpose is and why William is made to leave. Margaret does eventually find out who her parents are.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The illustrations are lovely, looking simple at first glance but add to the atmosphere of the story. It treads the line between historical and fairytale. All of the characters are rounded out and feel close to real people.
A woman and her son come to stay on the island, William is around her age and they slowly become friends. However, William's mother contracts a fever and dies, leading to William being forced off the island. Things become tumultuous for Margaret when it's revealed what the island's purpose is and why William is made to leave. Margaret does eventually find out who her parents are.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
annalisenak97's review
5.0
Glorious in every way-- the historical inspiration, the glorious illustrations, the fiesty Margaret and the cast of loyal and hilarious nuns, NUNS-- this was so fun to read. The art in here is beautiful, vibrant and watercolors, interspersed with embroidered or brightly colored historical asides about what life was like or legends of the island. I wanted to tear through it and savor it at the same time.
maryehavens's review
2.0
Really 2.5 stars. It dragged a lot for me and was a bit too much like a chess game (they talk about chess and saints a lot) so it wasn't a typical afternoon delight like most of the graphic novels I read. I did like the ending and the author's explanation of using real history as inspiration.
I rarely abandon graphic novels but I wanted to abandon this one. So...meh.
LOVED the artwork though!
I rarely abandon graphic novels but I wanted to abandon this one. So...meh.
LOVED the artwork though!
basilbasil's review
4.0
Plucked this one off the shelf at random, and it was worth it! It imagines an alternate history in a country that is England-but-not-England, focusing on exile of a young queen when her sister ursurps her throne. Margaret is the orphan girl who has been raised on the island convent, whose entire world is upended when the queen is forced to spend her exile on the isolated island. Really charming art and a well written plot and characters.
rkiladitis's review
5.0
Inspired by Queen Elizabeth's exile when her sister Mary I ascended the throne, Queen of the Sea begins with the banishment of Queen Eleanor, a young monarch of an embattled kingdom, to an island where nuns live, pray, garden, and sew. Margaret is a young girl who has spent her entire life on the island in the care of the nuns and finds herself drawn to Eleanor. Margaret learns about the island and the reasons behind her presence there, and quietly begins planning with Eleanor and a mysterious man who washes up on the island one stormy night.
Queen of the Sea is gorgeously created historical fiction with fully realized characters and a solidly constructed plot filled with intrigue; revelations; world-building, even light romance. Dylan Meconis' pen, ink, and gouache artwork will appeal to Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson fans; the characters are softly realistic with period costuming and soothing earth and sea colors. I particularly love the back-and-forth between present moment storytelling and Margaret's narration of history and myth, rendered to appear as stone or stained glass. The character growth is a joy to witness: Eleanor, from a taciturn exile to an embattled young woman embracing her feelings, and Margaret, a naïve child to a young woman coming into herself and her own intelligence make this a wonderful read. An author's note discusses Elizabeth I's inspiration of Eleanor. Graphic novel gold.
Queen of the Sea has starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal. You can read an excerpt at Candlewick's website.
Queen of the Sea is gorgeously created historical fiction with fully realized characters and a solidly constructed plot filled with intrigue; revelations; world-building, even light romance. Dylan Meconis' pen, ink, and gouache artwork will appeal to Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson fans; the characters are softly realistic with period costuming and soothing earth and sea colors. I particularly love the back-and-forth between present moment storytelling and Margaret's narration of history and myth, rendered to appear as stone or stained glass. The character growth is a joy to witness: Eleanor, from a taciturn exile to an embattled young woman embracing her feelings, and Margaret, a naïve child to a young woman coming into herself and her own intelligence make this a wonderful read. An author's note discusses Elizabeth I's inspiration of Eleanor. Graphic novel gold.
Queen of the Sea has starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal. You can read an excerpt at Candlewick's website.
zoepagereader's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I would like to start by saying that I went into this thinking it was a fantasy, even though it’s only one because it’s set in a fake world, so already I was disappointed. I also expected it to be YA but it was written more like a middle grade. The explanations of things like what a nun or a martyr is got a little annoying. The art was good and so were the characters, but I also think it could have been shorter.
jkenna1990's review
5.0
This was a fantastic book! The artwork was gorgeous and the story was fascinating as well. I would highly recommend this book if you are a fan of historical fiction type books. This one would be right up your alley!
emilymorgan02's review
4.0
This was well-told and beautifully illustrated. Loosely based on Queen Elizabeth I.
burniescrolls's review
3.0
I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I had read it all at once. beautiful art style.
veronicalathroum's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
This was a beautiful graphic novel. The illustrations are lovely, the story was compelling, and the details of daily life during the Renaissance were nice inclusions. Loosely based on Elizabeth I, this is a fictional story. Elementary aged/ middle school aged me would have been all over it.
This was a beautiful graphic novel. The illustrations are lovely, the story was compelling, and the details of daily life during the Renaissance were nice inclusions. Loosely based on Elizabeth I, this is a fictional story. Elementary aged/ middle school aged me would have been all over it.