About the Book

A young girl must stop a threat to her magical world in this epic graphic novel from New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu and remarkable debut illustrator Teny Issakhanian.

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now.

When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined—one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

204 pages.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

 

Indie #1 Bestseller - IndieBound

Early & Middle Grade Readers

Best Book of the Year - School Library Journal

Graphic Novel

Common Sense Selection for Families - Common Sense Media

Young Reader Monthly Pick - Barnes & Noble

March 2022. “Wingbearer” became the first graphic novel to ever be selected for this program!

2022 ALSC Graphic Novels List - Association for Library Service to Children

2022 New England Book Awards Finalist - NEIBA

Middle Grade

Bestseller - New England Independent Booksellers Association

Children’s Interests

Bestseller - New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association

Children’s Interests

Bestseller - Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association

Early & Middle Readers

Bestseller - Publishers Weekly

Early & Middle Grade Readers

Kid’s Indie Next List - IndieBound

March/April 2022

Featured in Entertainment Weekly’s “The best comics to read right now: Doctor Strange edition”

REVIEWS

“Debut artist Issakhanian renders painterly illustrations with luminescent, vibrant colors that convey captivating magic and energy.” - Publishers Weekly ⭐ Starred Review

“Liu (Monstress) creates a dreamy, thrilling narrative. Issakhanian’s artwork is the perfect complement to the story; the illustrations are gorgeous, the facial expressions dynamic, and color deftly depicts the ethereal spirit worlds, contrasted with the more dramatic worlds and creatures Zuli visits.” - School Library Journal ⭐ Starred Review

“The art, by Issakhanian, a storyboard artist for animation studios, is a sure-footed explosion of leaves and color. Solid character design makes it easy to keep track of the many faces, and even the most complicated scenes possess an intuitive visual through-line.” - New York Times Book Review

“The format is deftly employed, with dramatic color shifts signaling transitions and establishing tone, rare full-page illustrations highlighting key moments, and scale changes reflecting Zuli’s emotions.” - The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Storyboard artist Teny Issakhanian's glowing mixed-media illustrations direct the story's mood as the characters experience hope, worry, shock and curiosity. Her borderless panels give the individual illustrations a limitless feel--as if the reader is looking through a window into a larger world--and all her creatures are entertainingly expressive.” - Shelf Awareness

“Issakhanian’s dynamic art, reminiscent of classic animation, is deeply expressive. Her use of lush, vibrant colors gives each scene an ethereal glow.” - Booklist