Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

A Whimsical & Kindhearted Premise, Coupled With Intricate & Stunning Artwork

(Full disclosure: I received a free book for review through Blogging for Books.)

This is only the second adult coloring book I've owned, and I had no idea what to expect from a book billed as an "adventure and coloring book." As it turns out, The Night Voyage is primarily a coloring book, but with several pages of introductory text to provide some background to the story and fuel your imagination.

It's the eve of the little girl's birthday, but sadly she will spend it alone (save for her cat, Phoebe): mom and dad will be away on a business trip. But they left her a huge stack of presents to unwrap, almost by way of apology. Feeling understandably lonely, she fantasizes about sharing her gifts with other kids her age, meeting new people and maybe even making a few friends in the process. Before she knows it, she's drifted off. That night, with the help of her toy train set (now life-sized), a flock of paper cranes, and her trusty friend Phoebe, the little girl goes on a night voyage, making her daydreams a reality. (Spoiler alert: she wakes up to a giant stack of pancakes. Mom and dad either never left, or just completed the 'verse's shortest business trip ever.)



Daria Song's artwork is sumptuous: whimsical and imaginative, and packed with lots of surreal and fun scenes. The drawings are intricate and highly detailed; most likely you'd categorize this as an intermediate to advanced coloring book. There are quite a few tiny little lines and shapes, and a steady hand is a must for some of the scenes.



The book is a near-perfect 10"x10" square, and many of the drawings stretch across two pages, lending them an even grander air.



There's even a Visual Index at the end - each layout has a name - as well as a cut-out greeting card that you can decorate yourself. I also love the few blank frames scattered throughout the book; you can either sketch in your own favorite people, or cut a photo to fit and paste it in there.



The pages are thick and sturdy; you'd really have to use some elbow grease to press through to the other side. The paperback book comes with a dust jacket (look underneath! there's printing on both sides!), and the naked cover is quite lovely on its own.

The Night Voyage would make a wonderful Secret Santa gift or stocking stuffer, especially for book lovers: You've got to love a coloring book that features drawings of book piles inside!

http://www.easyvegan.info/2016/12/02/the-night-voyage-by-daria-song/ ( )