Fae and the Moon
In Franco Aureliani’s charming graphic novel Fae and the Moon, a girl pulls the moon from the sky, hoping that it will bring her mother home to her.
Fae lives in her little house with the company of two rats, Frik and Frak, and one rabbit, Percival. She longs for her absent mother, who loved the moon, planted a moon garden, and told Fae stories about the moon. So Fae pulls the moon from the sky, hoping that if her mother sees that it is no longer there, she will come home. But taking the moon leaves the night in complete darkness and the world’s inhabitants vulnerable to dangers that Fae did not anticipate.
The colorful illustrations add life and energy to the story. Their lines are graceful, and their depictions of movements and emotions are thrilling. Each character acts in accordance with motivations that are often unpredictable; who is (and who is not) loyal to the heroine is not obvious. This carries the plot through some surprising twists: a nefarious rat king with an army of underlings and an angry dragon are exciting elements that challenge Fae as she attempts to keep the danger at bay, protect the moon, and find her mother.
The story is set in a fantasy world, and the magic that Fae uses fits the setting well. Fae learns that she has the strength to take care of herself and to face the world and its dangers on her own. The book’s lessons about believing in oneself and the importance of family are clear, important, and meaningful.
Fae and the Moon is an entertaining fantasy story about personal empowerment and family love.
Reviewed by
Catherine Thureson
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
