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bashahn5's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
Gene Luen Yang and Leuyen Pham have created a beautifully complex coming of age story. The title, Lunar New Year Love Story, may sound like a cliché teenage heterosexual romance, but it’s truly not. Through the development of the two main characters, Yang grapples with tough parental choices and their lasting impact, grief, friendship, and the idea of generational curses. Pham’s illustrations complement the writing beautifully with fantastical elements that feel real. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
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
4.5
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, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
readandfindout's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
3.75
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, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Violence, and Death of parent
clarabooksit's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
megreads12's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
tinysierra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Cute
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
drbex's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Abandonment
serendipitysbooks's review
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
4.25
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, and Death of parent
katievallin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
I loved this! A good story, great illustrations, lovable characters. The ending was a bit rushed, but otherwise I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
idesofmarch's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Violence