This novel is so cute. The artwork is beautiful and intriguing. It’s a bit different, a mix of darkness and light but it fits the setting perfectly.
The story is about a little blue bird named Haru and their best friend Yama. Yama comes across an ancient dark object and the two set out on a quest to find out what to do with it. Of course neither of them realizes the perils that are about to befall them! The story begins with a little lore to set the scene and then starts off with Haru heading to school with their little brother tagging along. It’s very cute and relatable.
The book moves along at a pretty quick pace and skips through some of the unnecessary day-to-day timelines which feels a little confusing as you read through, but I think it’s to move the story along quickly. Those parts are most likely completely unnecessary, but we may find out in future books if they were left out for other reasons. You can tell that there is so much more to the backstory of the individual characters and the whole plot that will be uncovered as we continue the series and it makes me very excited for the next book!
I would recommend for any YA reader that likes fantasy adventures, this has the beginnings of an epic fantasy story. Also for readers who get confused on where to read next in graphic novels, this flows nicely and is easy to follow. There is only one spot near the end which may be a little confusing as to who is talking when, but you can read the conversation in order or individually and it doesn’t change the conversation much.
Overall an intriguing and engaging graphic novel that left me wanting more!

Haru is marvelous, atmospheric, lyrical, sweet, and frightening. The lore is breathtaking; the diction and pacing perfectly tuned.
It reads like Sam and Frodo on a Studio Ghibli adventure as a small blue bird and a wild pig. It resonates visually and emotionally w the likes of Lightfall (Probert), Amulet (Kibuishi), and Pilu in the Woods. And yet it’s its own experience. A definite must.