A stunning narrative of coping with grief and loss, "On Starlit Shores" delivers a magical tale set in a whimsical seaside town. The artwork is visually very appealing, and I enjoyed the color palette that Glendining used for the story. I liked the idea of the star storyline, and I liked the selkie storyline too. I thought this book had a lot of potential, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. I wanted so much more from the star storyline, but it never ended up going anywhere. I also wasn't sure why Alex would lose her memories of her grandmother once she left the town, and I wish that had been explained more. Some of the side characters also felt a bit flat for me, and I found myself not being super invested in some of their stories.
Overall, this is a good book to read if you are looking for stories about young adults coping with grief and the loss of a close family member. Other readers hoping for a cozy fantasy might find themselves lost with this story.

This was lovely! At first, based on the many seals that were appearing (like keychains and memorabilia, not living seals) I thought the reveal would be that the protagonist was a seal, or the town was made up of all seal people. I won't spoil the book beyond saying that was not the plot, thankfully. This graphic novel navigates aspects of grief and regret in a positive way, and features a protagonist who has a support system and who is willing to ask for and accept support from others. I would recommend this for teens and adults alike, and would stock it in a school library as well.

💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫

Absolutely captivating! "On Starlit Shores" is a magical journey that flawlessly blends grief, self-discovery, and enchanting mystery into a truly unforgettable graphic novel. From the moment Alex steps foot back into her enigmatic hometown, I was utterly hooked.

The art style is simply breathtaking, perfectly capturing the whimsical yet melancholic atmosphere of Indigo Harbor. Each panel is a treat, bringing the peculiar charm of falling stars and witch-run tea shops to life. Alex and Grim are a delightful duo, and their friendship provides a much-needed anchor as Alex navigates the increasingly strange occurrences.

The central mystery surrounding Elizabeth is incredibly compelling, keeping you turning pages late into the night. I found myself invested in Alex's quest to uncover her grandmother's secrets and unravel the truth about this mysterious woman. While the themes of grief and acceptance are handled with a sensitive and heartfelt touch, I found myself wishing the mythology of Indigo Harbor was explored even deeper. I longed to understand more about how the city's mystique influences its inhabitants and the intriguing origins of its magic.

Despite this, "On Starlit Shores" is a triumph. It’s a beautifully crafted story that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with loss or sought to understand their past. Highly recommended for fans of heartwarming mysteries with a touch of magic!

I loved this graphic story! From animation to the plot it had me fully submerged as a reader. I actually read it twice, because I was so engrossed in it and can’t wait to see what next!!

Forgive me, but I just don’t quite understand. On Starlit Shores seemed like a story with tons of potential, one that introduced an abundance of interesting and near beautiful plot threads that all went…nowhere.

I’ll give Bex Glendining this, the story is whimsical and exciting at times, the colored artwork some of the most gorgeous I’ve seen. Glendining is masterful at keeping readers intrigued and curious to find out more—all for it to fade out in a rush at the end as the reader is just left wondering, “Is that it?”

Now, a part of me recognizes that the purpose of this story was to find a way to portray someone working through grief, but it leaves me wondering what the point of all the magical aspects of the town truly was. Do we experience forgetting our loved ones because the seaside town we grew up in has some magic over it that messes with our memories when we leave? Are we all going to experience our grandmother having a relationship with a selkie who we must talk to in order to learn more about dear grandma’s life, but due to the selkie’s situation we have to jump through a ridiculous amount of unclear hoops in order to meet and talk with this person?

And what the heck was the purpose of the star story? Don’t get me wrong, I loved the star story. It was super interesting and fun and exciting. But it never went anywhere! Alex just tells her friend about the star legend and that’s it! We never meet a star, there’s no further expiration of what this story means to the town or the family. It’s just there and then it’s not.

I just…honestly? I feel like the author wanted to write one story that should have been two completely separate ones. One story about grief and one story about this mystical Indigo Harbor and all the amazing happenings there. The story as it stands? I’m just so disappointed. Such a gorgeous story with so many creative ideas that never panned out into anything brilliant. i>

On Starlit Shores is an absolutely beautiful graphic novel about grief. Alex's grandmother passed away so she returns to the mysterious town of Indigo Harbor for the first time in over a decade to go through her things. Alex struggles to remember details about being raised by her grandmother and stumbles across a witch who helps her find her grandmother's partner Elizabeth. There are folktales, carnivals and magic bursting at the seams of this town as Alex struggles with wide ranging emotions. I loved reading this and its interesting side characters. I look forward to reading more of Glendining's work. Thanks to Abrams and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This debut YA fantasy graphic novel by Bex Glendining left me wanting to book a vacation to the coastal town of Indigo Harbor. The village is quiet, yet magical and mysterious. I enjoyed following Alex as she returned to her hometown—a place she had mostly and mysteriously forgotten—to uncover the magical secrets of her late grandmother.

The graphic novel beautifully explores themes of grief, acceptance, and rediscovering lost memories. Glendining also weaves in heartfelt queer representation and tender romantic elements.

The illustrations were stunning and perfectly complemented the story. Each page was rich in color and carried a dreamy effect that reflected both the main character and the town’s atmosphere.

Overall, I truly enjoyed the story and believe that both middle and high school readers will love it as well.

Equal parts breathtaking and heartbreaking, On Starlit Shores is a beautiful story about loss and the aftermath of losing a loved one that you weren’t able to say goodbye to. For fans of Practical Magic, The Girl From The Sea, and The Secret of Roan Inish.

Indigo Harbor has a way of getting deep inside of you, but after you leave, it makes you forget. Alex is coming back to pack up her grandmother’s cottage after her passing and even though she lived in the small town by the sea for years, her memories are foggy at best and non-existent at worst. But while she’s categorizing belongings into keep and donate piles, she’s also searching for answers… on who her grandma was.

A magical town brought to life by a talented artist and storyteller. I hope that the author gives us more beautiful stories and folklore of Indigo Harbor, because while I feel like this character’s story may be over, but Emmanuel is still there and he’s lived a long life. I’m sure he could tell us a few tall tales and I’d eat them up.

Ughhhhhhhhh! I hate when a great story ends. It leaves me begging for more.

Thank you to Abrams Fanfare and NetGalley for my eARC.

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that tells the tale of love, loss, grief and how it feels when you try your move forward. An interesting read.

On Starlit Shores is a YA graphic novel by Bex Glendining. This is a fantasy story that follows the character Alex who has to return to the seaside town of Indigo Harbor to gather her grandmother's things after she has died. It's been a while since she was back there, and she regrets not seeing her grandmother more in the recent years. Alex travels with her friend Grim as they spend some time in her grandmother's apartment and around the town as Alex works through her grief about her grandmother. Alex tries to connect with her past, but she realizes after you move away, your memories of the people and things at Indigo Harbor drift away. Nevertheless, she connects with some characters on the island and learns some fantastical things about her grandmother. The plot is simple but sweet and does touch on some heavier emotional topics; the drawings are colorful and easy to follow. This is a good purchase for any school library. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC.

The artwork is GORGEOUS, I was stunned at how beautiful and colorful it was. I’m glad I read this on my phone to get full color vs my kindle where I would not have been able to appreciate it the same way. I enjoyed the plot, I think the storyline of selkies is very interesting and was interesting and I was intrigued and wanted to know more.

This is a beautifully illustrated YA fantasy that explores grief, family bonds, and small-town magic.

First of all, the artwork is gorgeous with a stunning, luminous color palette. Illustrations bathed in pastels and vibrant hues bring Indigo Harbor to life including the falling stars, sea-swept streets, and cozy witch teashops are enchanting.

Second, the story is beautiful and captivating. When Alex returns to her grandmother’s seaside hometown after her passing, she undertakes chores that slowly peel back layers of family history and uncover town secrets. Hints of magic are sprinkled throughout the town including fallen stars, witches in everyday roles, and a mysterious figure named Elizabeth tied to her grandmother’s past. This magic creates a good balance between mystery and addressing grief, remembrance, and acceptance.

If you like other queer graphic novels with a hint of magic like Girl from the Sea or The Deep Dark, this is an absolute no-brainer read for you. The blend of atmospheric art and gentle mystery creates a perfect read for fans of introspective, character-driven fantasy.

A moving, beautifully illustrated graphic novel about grief, loss and moving on after losing a loved one. I really enjoyed this Sapphic romance slash coming of age story about queer friendship, memories of a beloved grandparent and a touch of magic. There's a backstory involving Alex's grandmother and her relationship with a selkie, a magical cat, a charming seaside village, a witch who can brew healing tea and lots more. Recommended for fans of graphic novels like Bingo by Tee Franklin and The girl from the sea by Molly Knox Ostertag. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book was phenomenal. From the art to the story line to the overall message, it was just gorgeous. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard and when you harbor this guilt that you should have seen them more makes it harder. She looses her grandmother and feels like all those memories she had with her are slipping away.
Its a fun graphic novel that is a comforting read and gives you those warm fuzzy feelings but also delves into the topic of guilt for not spending time with you grand parents enough. Which is something many of feel no doubt, I really enjoyed this book and it was a fun read.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book. I was immediately drawn to the cover art and title, but I was completely blown away!

I absolutely loved the mixture of realism and magic! The folklore elements were super interesting to me! I loved seeing the sort of magical scavenger hunt that Alex goes on to discover her grandmother's past!

Indigo Harbour, the setting for this book, is a quaint little town with some interesting and mysterious characters! My favorite being Emmanuel! There are so many exciting and magical things you'll discover in this book!

This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel portrays a beautiful story of grief. Showing that there is no "right" way to grieve. I think that this is wonderful book for anyone who is grieving or has gone through some kind of grief.

WOW this is such a beautiful, whimsical, and heartfelt portrayal of grief. I’m actually speechless and don’t think my words can do justice to describe how wonderful this was to read.

The art is so pretty, even in black and white it looks so magnificent.

I looove the diverse cast and how so many types of relationships were covered (familial, friendship, romantic).

Thank you so much for this arc.

The artistry and the mysterious folktale really exceeded my expectations and had me invested in the story from the beginning. I loved the diverse characters, the mix of old and new folktales, and the close connections between Alex, her grandmother, and everyone in Indigo Harbor. The book made Indigo Harbor seem so magical, I wish I could visit.

I loved this short fairy tale and hope to read more by this author.