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Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Violence
emotional
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
This graphic novel was absolutely beautiful. Both the story and art were absolutely captivating. I really fell in love with the way the artist used color, the changes from vibrant to dark, and even muted at times was just done beautifully. The art style is stunning, I just love all the detail that was put into the art. Sometimes it felt like I could actually see the lions dancing right off the page. It made me want to go see a lion dance again. And don't even get me started on those full page spreads! I could stare at this art forever.
The story was really good too. It was easy to fall in love with the characters, even the minor ones I didn't see much. And they all just felt so relatable. I enjoyed tagging along with Valentina as she made her journey through love, even though I'm not one for romance. I just wanted to hurry up and devour this graphic novel but at the same time I didn't want it to end. I'll have to read it again and again, it is easily something I could read a million times.
The story was really good too. It was easy to fall in love with the characters, even the minor ones I didn't see much. And they all just felt so relatable. I enjoyed tagging along with Valentina as she made her journey through love, even though I'm not one for romance. I just wanted to hurry up and devour this graphic novel but at the same time I didn't want it to end. I'll have to read it again and again, it is easily something I could read a million times.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moving and heartwarming tale about connecting to one’s culture, overcoming generational family conflict, and learning how to love and be loved in return. Along with the beautiful illustrations that connect readers to the heart of the story, both of the main characters, Val and Jae, each get their own moments to address their pasts and what their futures could look like together. Side characters also get their own little moments, but is balanced with the main characters. While it’s a bit longer than other YA graphic novels, you definitely get the heart and connection that Yang puts into this story. Definitely will check out Yang’s other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief
Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Vomit
emotional
fast-paced
Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Art: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Art: 4 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Violence, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
Lunar New Year Love Story is a delightful YA romance told in graphic novel format. The illustrations are great and I especially appreciated the variety in the colour palettes that were used. The story also had depth and breadth exploring addiction, family secrets, identity and a variety of teen relationships without shame or judgement. Val was such a lovely character, tender and vulnerable while her grandmother was a real force of nature. One of the highlights was the pan Asian nature of the story. At least where I live Lunar New Year and the Lion Dance are often solely portrayed as Chinese so I really valued the Vietnamese and Korean angles. I also loved getting an inside peek at all the effort that goes into a Lion Dance. Just thinking about this book still brings a smile to my face.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Cancer
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a fantastic story. I loved learning more about the lion dances and seeing the differences between Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean ways of celebrating Lunar New Year.
I also love how the different types of love were presented - love in friendship, in family, and in romantic love. It was so heartwarming and a little bit magical combined with everything else in the story.
That all being said, the grandma was definitely my favourite character. We love a fun granny.
The art was stunning, the story was heartwarming and hopeful, this book was definitely a win for me.
TW: alcohol consumption; mentions death of a parent, violence, cancer
I also love how the different types of love were presented - love in friendship, in family, and in romantic love. It was so heartwarming and a little bit magical combined with everything else in the story.
That all being said, the grandma was definitely my favourite character. We love a fun granny.
The art was stunning, the story was heartwarming and hopeful, this book was definitely a win for me.
TW: alcohol consumption; mentions death of a parent, violence, cancer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Violence, Death of parent