highlandsbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent
alexus_sb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent and Mental illness
bunix's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This graphic novel was much different from what I expected. I got rather emotional in the end as I somewhat relate to her story. The novel was a book that showed me that sometimes the flaws of parents aren’t intentional and that sometimes it can just be their form of showing us love. Even through all of this I really enjoyed the story and like how they made the story about her without using romance/crush to be a big part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent
emmaopaline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent
cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Grief
litematcha's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent and Vomit
summyrenea's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a beautiful graphic novel about complicated relationships with food and mothers with daughters. I can’t wait to add it to my library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Vomit
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hungry Ghosts is a short but impactful graphic novel in which Valerie has to cope with her father’s death and her mother’s body shaming and fat phobia. This is informed by the author’s own experiences with disordered eating . I appreciated the hopeful ending made possible by Valerie seeking professional help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Death of parent, and Eating disorder
thecozyarchivist's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read Hungry Ghost in one sitting, and I feel like it’s a book that is going to stay with me a long time. Discussing eating disorders is never a comfortable topic, but Victoria Ying handles it with such care and grace while not shying away from the truth. The art in the book was beautiful and really pulled me into the story. This is the type of book I hope young people will read, despite the heavy subject, because it’s a reality for so many people. And the more we try to understand other people’s lived experiences, the more empathy and love we can share with the world. I also really appreciated the list of resources at the back of the book, and thought the books suggested for further reading were fantastic options from diverse voices.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the review copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Death of parent
carriepond's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There are many heavy topics in Hungry Ghost: the way that the toxic beauty standards and fatphobic views embraced by society at large and the people who love teens can whittle away at their self-regard and confidence, disordered eating, and grief. There were some really sad moments and some really poignant moments. I am glad that this graphic novel exists for teens.
I also think everyone who has a child in their life should engage in some self-reflection on how our own views and baggage can impact our children, even when we think we are coming from a place of care and love. And keep the self-reflection going by reading Virginia Sole-Smith's fantastic book, Fat Talk.
I also think everyone who has a child in their life should engage in some self-reflection on how our own views and baggage can impact our children, even when we think we are coming from a place of care and love. And keep the self-reflection going by reading Virginia Sole-Smith's fantastic book, Fat Talk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Vomit, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent