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Blog Tour Review + Book Look: A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill

Dini @ dinipandareads14 Comments

Hi friends, I’m back for another blog tour today! I’m excited to share my thoughts and a ‘book look’ as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours for A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill.

Thanks to Random House Graphic for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Click the banner above or here to check out the other incredible bloggers on the blog tour!

A Song for You and I
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Publication Date: 4 March 2025
Genre: MG/YA Fantasy Graphic Novel
Rep: Non-Binary, Trans, LGBT+

Rating:

(4 pandas)

📖 SYNOPSIS

Being a ranger means adventure, action, and protecting the weak. But who protects the ranger when they lose their way? From the bestselling author of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society comes a must read MG graphic novel for fans of soft sweeping fantasy romances. Rowan knows exactly what they to be a ranger, protecting their village alongside their trusted flying horse Kes. But when Rowan’s eagerness to show off their worth gets Kes injured, Rowan is suddenly unsure if they’re capable of being the protector they’ve always dreamed of becoming. With Kes needing to heal, Rowan is assigned a slow and winding expedition across the outlying lands. Paired with a lackadasical sheep hearder Leone, Rowan only finds frustration as they seem to fail even the simplest tasks. But Leone’s own struggles, and endless support brings a new possibility to Rowan. Could their unlikely friendship be something more? And if it is, will Rowan be able to leave Leone behind to pursue being a ranger once Kes is healed?

📚 BUY A COPY

At this point, I will read any story that O’Neill puts down in whatever medium or format they choose. Without fail, their stories are always full of heart, warmth, and kindness. Their stories always include big life lessons told in such a gentle and nurturing way, and their latest graphic novel is no different.

My Book Look for A Song for You and I

A Song for You and I is about self-acceptance, growth, and courage. It’s about learning what fits best for you, allowing yourself to be vulnerable with others to grow, and having the courage to do it all regardless of how terrifying it is but also acknowledging that it’s okay to do so at your own pace. There is wonderful representation in these pages. Rowan and Leone are lovely characters whose stories will make many readers feel seen and heard. I loved their journeys of healing and acceptance and both characters filled my heart with a calming sense of joy. This isn’t a story full of action rather it’s a quiet and wholesome tale that takes place over several parts and across multiple locations. I loved everyone they met and everywhere they went!

It goes without saying that the accompanying artwork is just as amazing as the writing. I’m a huge fan of O’Neill’s artwork because even though their illustrations aren’t the most complex, they have a brilliant way of conveying so much through the character’s expressions that it leaves readers with no doubt about the story’s emotional depth. It’s fantastic and the way the art matches the story so well in terms of softness and peacefulness creates this perfectly magical and whimsical blend that readers can easily get lost in. I loved the colour palette in this graphic novel so much, as well as the close-ups and wide shots of the places Rowan and Leone travel through and to.

Overall, you don’t need to belong to a certain group or even believe a certain thing to understand, appreciate and connect to the stories that O’Neill crafts—you simply need to be human. 💜

K. O’Neill is an author and illustrator based in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a lover of nature, tea, and growing things. They strive to make books with themes of kindness, inclusiveness, and well-being, with worlds that children can play in and characters they can explore these ideas alongside. Past acknowledgements of their work include: 2019 Eisner nominee for Best Children’s Comic (Aquicorn Cove), 2018 Eisner winner for Best Children’s Comic, 2018 Eisner winner for Best Webcomic, 2018 Harvey co-winner for Best Children’s Comic, 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award winner for Kids’ Comics (The Tea Dragon Society), 2017 ALA Amelia Bloomer List, 2017 Dwayne McDuffie Kids’ Comics Award nominee (Princess Princess Ever After).

Author Socials:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Is A Song for You and I on your TBR or does it sound like something you’d enjoy? Have you read anything by K. O’Neill?

14 thoughts on “Blog Tour Review + Book Look: A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill”

  2. Ohhhhh I didn’t know O’Neill had a new release! I love their books and you’re right – they’re full of heart, warmth and kindness. I think Tea Dragon Society is my favorite, but honestly all of their books are equally amazing and it’s so hard to pick! I’m so glad you enjoyed this; I think I’ll have to hunt a copy down when I get a chance because I simply cannot pass.

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