#atana and the firebird

[vivsdraws]

It's been one year since ATANA AND THE FIREBIRD was released! It's still a little surreal see this story out in the world, in the hands of readers from so many different countries, when for so long it only existed in my head and in these little sketches scattered across my various sketchbooks. Thank you to everyone who has read this book, picked up a copy, or recommended it to a friend. Thank you to all the librarians and booksellers for your support and enthusiasm. I wouldn't be able to do this without you all.

[aroaessidhe]

faves of 2023: graphic novels

The Moth Keeper

Project Nought

The Well

Cosmoknights: Book 2

The Hills of Estrella Roja

Over My Dead Body

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Witch Hat Atelier (all of them)

Atana and the Firebird

Is Love The Answer?

Ink Girls

The Ojja-Wojja

Boys Weekend

A Map to the Sun

Roaming

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 5/5

Book Blurb: A mermaid, a firebird, and a witch become entangled with the mysterious and powerful Witch Queen, who may hold the key to each of their past in this epic middle grade fantasy by debut author Vivian Zhou.

Atana’s island may be quiet and peaceful, but mostly, it’s lonely. With the outside world full of magic hunters who would stop at nothing to capture a mermaid like her, Atana has never been brave enough to swim far from her island’s shores and seek the answers to her mysterious past—until a firebird named Ren unexpectedly crashes into her life.

Ren’s arrival does not go unnoticed, as it has been hundreds of years since a firebird last landed on Earth. Determined to both protect Ren and finally chase the answers she’s longed for, Atana embarks on an adventure that takes her and the firebird to strange new islands and entangles them with the powerful yet secretive Witch Queen.

Generous though the Witch Queen’s offer of protection may be, an invitation to the Blue Palace can’t come without a price. And while the Palace’s splendid halls and library might hold the key to Atana’s past, will she be willing to pay the cost when it risks her chance of a bright new future?

Review:

A charming and magical story about a mermaid, a girebird, and a witch who all become entangled with the mysterious Witch Queen and the prophecy that surrounds them. Atana is a mermaid who has been exiled from the merkingdom all because she was prophesized to be the downfall of all merfolk, she's lived on a quiet island alone and has been afraid to step outside it's shores.... until a firebird named Ren crashes into her life (literally). Ren is the first firebird in hundreds of years to land on Earth and now magic hunters and all are after her. Ren and Atana find themselves being invited to stay with the mysterious and powerful Witch Queen, who has her own motive for wanting them. The protection the witch queen offers comes with a price and now Ren and Atana, as well as their new witch friend Cosmos must find out what exactly she wants with them! This was such a charming and fun adventure to read, I loved the world and can't wait to read more books from this author and discover more adventures with this trio. Seriously, it was a really cute and magical read and the artwork was fantastic!

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperAlley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[bookcub]

24 in 2024

so three people have tagged me in this meme soooooo this is for @sixofravens-reads @asexualbookbird and @dustjacketmusings

hopefully this year i wont lose this list as i seem to do every other there

1. the fifth season by nk jemisin

2. the phoenix king by aparna verma

3. the darkening by sunya mara

4. godly heathens by h.e. edgmon

5. burn for me by ilona andrews

6. a power unbound by freya marske

7. emily wilde's map of the otherlands by heather fawcett

8. godkiller by hannah kaner

9. a study in drowning by ava reid

10. a spear cuts through water by simon jimenez

11. mickey chambers shakes it up by charish reid (dnf)

12. oathbound by tracy deonn (2025 pub date)

13. a sorceress comes to call by t kingfisher

14. long live evil by sarah rees brennan

15. the ashfire king by chelsea abdullah (2025 pub date)

16. faebound by saara el-arifi

17. atana and the firebird by vivian zhou

18. gods of jade and shadow by silvia morena-garcia

19. a song of salvation by alechia dow

20. ink blood sister scribe by emma torzs

21. warrior girl unearthed by angeline boulley

22. dragonfall by l r lam

23. bitter medicine by mia tsai

24. before i let go by kennedy ryan

tagging anyone who wants to do this!!

[bookcoversaroundtheworld]

Atana and the Firebird - US

[vivsdraws]

Cover reveal for ATANA AND THE JADE MERMAID, the sequel and grand finale of the ATANA duology!

I am so, SO excited for this book... and I hope you are too! Pre-orders are now OPEN anywhere books are sold, including your local bookstore! On shelves May 13, 2025.

[vivsdraws]

"Atana et l'Oiseau de feu", the French edition of "Atana and the Firebird", is coming January 22 from Bayard Jeunesse! And I got to do a new illustration for the cover!

Translated by Camille Cosson.

[vivsdraws]

ATANA2 has a title! And a release date! ✨

ATANA AND THE JADE MERMAID is eligible for the B&N 25% off pre-orders promotion that's running from today till the 6th!

If you want to be one of the first to snag a copy, here is the link!

Cover reveal...soon! :^)

[vivsdraws]

Happy Mermay!

From my graphic novel Atana and the Firebird.

[vivsdraws]

So happy to finally be able to share the cover to my debut graphic novel, Atana and the Firebird!

If you enjoy a story with magic, mermaids, the power of friendship, and just a teeny tiny dash of angst, this is for you!

Pre-orders are open NOW. You can get this anywhere books are sold (including your local bookstores!) The book will be available in stores November 7th. ✨

[vivsdraws]

Warm wishes for 2024!!

It's been a year of lots of growth for me, and looking back I'm really happy with how far I've come and all that I managed to do. I hope 2024 will be a good year, too. Happy New Year everyone!

[vivsdraws]

This page took an agonizing amount of time to figure out, so here are some progress shots from thumbnail to pencil to inks to final art! From my debut GN Atana and the Firebird, coming out TUESDAY! 🌟

[vivsdraws]

2018 vs 2023 designs of the protagonists of ATANA AND THE FIREBIRD! It's been a long journey since I created these kids to fight a bad art block, and I like to think that we've all grown a lot since then.

Excited for you to meet them in my debut GN, ATANA AND THE FIREBIRD. In stores NEXT TUESDAY, November 7th!

[vivsdraws]

took a break from penciling the second Atana book to draw the girls going to see the Barbie movie

[vivsdraws]

started inking the second (and final) ATANA book and I'm feeling 50 different kinds of emotional right now

[vivsdraws]

Just finished penciling the second (and final) ATANA book... I'm going to lie down now...