This graphic novel centers around Mia, a teen girl who has recently been assigned as a crew member of a team that rebuilds broken down structures in space. On a Sunbeam is split between two timelines: the first features Mia and her new space crew as they bond and go on missions together throughout space. The second timeline shows Mia in boarding school and falling in love with a fellow classmate named Grace. The reader is forced to make connections between the two timelines to figure out why Mia is now in space with her crew and not in school anymore with her love, Grace. The timelines converge in a thrilling conclusion. This was a wonderful graphic novel. I loved the space setting and science fiction elements. The art style is simple but striking. The outer space imagery is beautifully depicted, and the spacecraft setting is excellently crafted. I loved that it is split in two timelines, one in a boarding school and one aboard a spacecraft, both of which are really fun settings. Mia's crew members all have their own compelling storylines and relationships, and the reader falls in love with all of them. Mia is a lovely, flawed protagonist. She's a little lost and confused, but the reader can't help but root for her. I also found it incredibly interesting that there is never a mention of men in the story at any point. All the characters are in relationships with women, and there seems to be no men in this universe, which is such a unique and interesting detail.Publisher's description:
A ragtag crew travels to the deepest reaches of space, rebuilding beautiful, broken structures to piece the past together. Two girls meet in boarding school and fall deeply in love, only to learn the pain of loss.