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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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This graphic novel is so beautifully illustrated, and the plot had so many twists and turns. It included a lot of different topics but in a way that didn’t feel too overwhelming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Cute
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Abandonment
emotional
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:
Yes
Beautifully illustrated by Pham, this graphic novel contains a lot in its brief words. While the core romance will feel familiar, there is so much deeper story in each of the teens' families. I found the interweaving of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean culture fascinating, with the lion dance bringing everything together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
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