Member Reviews
Let's start with the obvious. The illustrations are STUNNING!! The shading and coloring are also top-notch. These elements conduct most of the atmosphere of this graphic novel. Let's be honest and say that the atmosphere is 95% of the appeal of this book. The story is cute. (I do want to give props for not using the the-girl-group-is-a-bunch-of-mean-girls trope and instead opting for a well-meaning group that the main character just doesn't have the gumption to join yet) The simple, tried-and-true story is there to prop up the stellar art and composition, and we are all happy. I only wish there were more. More, please?
An incredibly cute book with beautiful art! I want my own sprite now to help me garden! I will be adding this to my library!
Thank you Netgalley, Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt, and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cute story. The art style was simply beautiful and I really enjoyed the representation of plus-sized individuals in this graphic novel as well. I would highly recommend this to teens that enjoy things like Studio Ghibli, or other high-color graphic novels. I think this will circulate well in my library and would also recommend it to the other affiliates within our system. Thank you for allowing me to review this publication.
A beautifully wholesome and heartwarming story told through incredibly pretty illustrations. Wisteria is a great main character whose emotions are depicted well throughout the story and I love the journey she goes on.
It would've been nicer to have more of the other sprites and the Elena to develop their characters and stories more as i can see a lot of potential in all of them through the character designs.
A highlight would definitely be the use of colour in the magical moments and the beginning and end scenes which really stick in my mind.
I loved this! It's a whimsical graphic novel about sprites who have become disconnected from their past of gardening due to human intervention. One sprite decides to help a girl who is having trouble re-growing their busy mother's garden. But the sprite must be careful as they're not meant to interact with humans. It was a very sweet story. I appreciated the fact that it didn't start by saying that humans caused a sprite genocide or some big war humans weren't aware of. It's a pretty common trope, so it was fun to see something different. The sprites were just chilling lol. I really hope the creative team does more with this world! It has so much potential to be a series.
A beautiful, whimsical read perfect for Spring.
A long, long time ago, sprites tended the flowers and trees of the world with their magical talents. Now, with the arrival of humans, the sprites powers lay dormant, no longer needed. Wisteria is a sprite new to town who happens upon a pitiful garden and it's gardener. Taking pity on the gardener, Wisteria tries her best to bring this sad garden back to life just to see the gardener smile. Enjoying this smile more and more, Wisteria taps further into her long since dormant powers, inspiring others to pitch in.
The artwork? Whimsical and reminiscent of old anime. The story? Adorable and perfect for the beginning of Spring. An entirely too quick of a read, it's so cute that I didn't want it to end!
This was a whimsical story featuring precious characters and lovely artwork! Sadly though it was far too short and ended just as I became familiarized with the setting and sprites.
This was soooooooooooooooo precious, sweet, and darling.
I adored the story now and I know I would've loved to read this as a kid too. This graphic novel really hits all the magical heartwarming notes that it's aiming for with the illustrations, colour palette, and characters!
4/5 Stars
This was a super cute quick graphic novel that follows a fairy that decides to help out a gardener that is struggling to get her garden to bloom. I loved the story of friendship and it is matched with an equally cute art style that feels very whimsical and fits everything perfectly.
I would highly recommend this to people look for a fun graphic novel that has fairies, magic, and friendship.
Definitely worth the 5 stars!
I love how it shows no matter who you are you can do things together and be friends with anyone. Loved the art and wonderful colours!
Will be posting on my instagram (bookgoose_) and recommending to others
Thankyou Netgally!
This blew me away straight from the first page. The art and character design is simply incredible and the story is wholesome and heartwarming.
You get thrown into a world where sprites are responsible for caring for plants and gardens, but this changed when humans started to tend for their own. A little sprite named Wisteria doesn't want to accept this and starts to help a young girl and her garden. We learn that helping others can be a selfish act but it's so much more fun when you do it together.
I very much adored every second of this but it's just so short. I also would've liked a little more background story of the sprites and the world the story is set in.
Nevertheless I highly recommend this to everyone and I will never stop talking about it.
‘The Sprite and the Gardener’ by Rii Abrego and Joe Whitt was a super quick, super cute read. It was an absolute delight, and I highly recommend it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for the early e-arc!
this was SO CUTE! i love the illustrations and the overall message of togetherness and community. it's so sweet and cozy and flowery and has such lovely magical vibes. the diverse character art, beautiful illustrations of nature, and everything in between, i love it
it's a super short read, i managed to finish it in 15 minutes, so it's perfect for someone who wants a little sprinkle of magic in their day <3
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for the arc of this comic.
ADORABLE, if you are looking for a one-word review, Then adorable is the word you are looking for.
The drawings are stunning and magical. The colors really give it more of an autumnal feel, but the story screams spring. I love the idea of little nature spirits living in our own gardens and helping out to let everything grow and look beautiful.
The story felt so comfy and cute, but I am left feeling wanting more. The story itself is very easy and basic. And yes I know it is a middle-grade comic, but even they can have more depth to the story then this one has.
It's cute and a fun read especially if you are looking for a quick read in between other books. Since you can easily read this within 30 minutes.
The characters were fun, but don't have a lot of personality to them. Maybe there are too many characters in such a short story. Because of the number of characters they all feel very shallow and underdeveloped.
I just feel that this could have so much potential, but to me, it did not reach it. It definitely lacked depth in the story and character development. For the feeling this book gives and the beautiful drawings, I would recommend it, but if you are looking for a more detailed story, then this is not the one.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my review in any way and the thoughts expressed are my own.
This is a beautiful new cozy graphic novel sure to warm your hearts. The art style is beautiful yet simple and is perfect for the sweet story. Wisteria, a little sprite, wants to help grow plants like they used, but that’s just not done anymore - until she sees a human struggle with their failing garden.
The plot line of being new to town and feeling like you don’t fit in since everyone already has friends was interesting and easy to relate to. It was great to see how Wisteria dealt with this and watch her bond with the other sprites.
Beautiful art and equally beautiful writing, I will definitely be reading more from this team in the future! We need more cozy graphic novels!
pretty pretty aesthetics for a pretty pretty story. I absolutely adored this graphic novel; the story was comforting and wholesome (something I really needed right now) and the character designs were top hole. the illustrators/authors absolutely smashed this one 🫶
This is a very sweet and happy graphic novel. Wisteria is a new sprite to town and where she moved the gardens are already beautiful and lovely. There are nothing for sprites to do. Out exploring her new home, she finds the yard next-door that needs help. She also meets a gardener with a nice smile who doesn’t quite know how to garden. She helps bring the garden to life with only the magic that sprites can do, and ends up making new friends. She also brings the sprites and other garden loving people together. This is a sweet story with not a lot to it. The artwork is beautiful. Tt’s soft and flowery. It feels like watercolor while not feeling like water color. All together the book just works for anybody who likes sweet stories of Sprite.
Thank You, NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wow, the art style in this was just stunning! It was such a simple, yet heartwarming book. Wisteria just wants to help a gardener make their garden beautiful, and it was adorable. I love how it started with the history of the sprites and then went on to the present. While the story itself was short, it was perfect! I loved the art style so much, it is one of those books that just makes you happy! I loved my experience reading this and I would definitely recommend it!!
This graphic novel is a short yet adorable read. It follows Wisteria, a new sprite in town who is finding her way. She stumbles into the backyard of Elena, the aspiring gardener, and Wisteria just wants to help.
My only complaint with the book was how short it was. I would have loved to see more after the graphic novels end, or a continuation in another installment.
As an avid gardener, I found this inspiring with tidbits of good, factual information. The artwork was gorgeous and the story itself was sweet.
Heartwarming, beautifully illustrated story about self-grow and finding your purpose. Parallels between Sprite and Gardener weren't complicated, but with so little words authors managed to tell such universal truth. And the art – it's a pleasure to look at! Colors, art style, character design, truly amazing.