Review by Booklist Review
Fae and the Moon is a cute fantasy adventure with the potential for some rich world building featuring a brave little girl and her mother, who both have a mystical connection to the moon. The disappearance of Fae's mother leaves her bereft, and in a desperate move, Fae pulls the moon down from the sky, thinking surely this would lure her mother back home. But with the moon out of the sky, all sorts of unusual things begin to happen around her, and she has to try to undo her actions to make things right. Cute, jewel-toned cartoon artwork takes the reader to such places as the underground tunnels of mice and rats and to the sky on dragonback. There is a heartfelt premise with a satisfying ending, and hope for more adventures. Fae is a quick-thinking kid who just wants her mother back, and as a result allows herself to be manipulated into doing something she isn't supposed to. This is a great read to see that looks can be deceiving, and not everyone will have the best intentions at heart.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This cozy graphic novel fairy tale by Aureliani (Peach and the Isle of Monsters) and twin animators and comics illustrators the Satruns examines grief through the lens of a winsome protagonist embarking on creature-filled adventures. Still reeling from the death of her mother, red-haired, pale-skinned Fae finds comfort in her companions, a talking white rabbit named Percival and gray mice named Frik and Frak, who help her maintain her mother's garden. But the vivid dreams she has of her mother convince Fae that the woman is still alive, stalling her grieving process. Desperate to reunite with her mom, Fae builds a ladder out of tree branches and plucks the moon from the sky, hoping that doing "something so big she just has to notice" will prompt her mother's return. But Fae's theft lures villainous creatures to her door. Suddenly being pursued by the Rat King, Fae struggles to keep the moon captive while uncovering secrets from her mother's past and encountering betrayal at every turn. The Satruns enliven Aureliani's familiar character arcs and stakes with brightly colored illustrations rendered in soft lines reminiscent of wide-eyed, Disney-esque protagonists. Easy-to-follow panels and concise dialogue conjure an epic quest that provides audiences with a handy stepping stone into larger fantasy worlds. Ages 8--12. Agent: Marie Lamba, Jennifer De Chiara Literary. (Feb.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3 Up--A young girl named Fae misses her mother and frequently dreams that she is still alive somewhere. Fae is alone in the house, with only a few small creatures to keep her company. She knows that her mother had a strong connection to the moon and thinks that maybe if she climbs into the sky and takes the moon, it will make her mother reappear. But climbing a series of ladders, taking the moon, and hiding it in a chest at home makes everything worse. Suddenly, all kinds of dangerous creatures, from a dragon to a horde of rats, emerge from the darkness to try to get the moon for themselves. It will be up to Fae to survive against the forces of evil, keep the moon safe, and maybe even find her mother. But first, she will have to figure out who her friends and enemies really are, because she will need help keeping the moon safe. This story is illustrated in soft blues, pinks, and purples, and even when the plot takes dangerous turns, the world still looks enchanting. VERDICT For young readers who enjoy fantastic stories that feel like fables, fairy tales, and bedtime stories all rolled into one.--Andrea Lipinski
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A child in turmoil takes matters into her own hands. Light-skinned, red-haired Fae lives in a secluded cabin, lonely and aching for her missing mother. With only two silent mice, a talking bunny named Percival, and her nightmares for company, Fae struggles with anger and sadness while holding out hope that her mother will return. Her mysterious mother brought her to this place and, before she disappeared, told her stories from their old home, tales of the moon, dragons, and the blue rose. Those stories keep Fae feeling connected to her mother, so when Percival suggests that she find a way to honor her mother's memory by the light of the full moon, Fae plucks the moon from the sky. This sets off a chain of events Fae could not have predicted, with wild beasts, long held at bay by the protective glow of the moon, once again going bump in the night, forcing her to finally understand her own mystical abilities and purpose. Fae's expressive, innocent face contrasts perfectly with the more sinister characters throughout. Aureliani spares no time getting into the plot, building suspense and layering in the emotional complexity of Fae's abandonment. However, this pace sometimes feels breakneck, set at Mach 10 to keep a low page and word count to suit a younger audience when the complexity of the tale could have easily been scaled up for an older age group. Readers aren't likely to be moonstruck by this one. (Fantasy graphic novel. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
