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emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy
challenging
emotional
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
This book is about a girl, named Valentina, who believes her family has a generational curse that makes it so none of the family members, including herself, will be able to experience love without extreme loss and heartbreak. She makes a deal with the spirit of St. Valentine that if she can't find true love within a year, she'll give him her heart, that way she'll never experience love or heartbreak. The characters in this book were lovable. The art style was amazing. I loved how the illustrator used drastic color difference from scene to scene to set the mood of each scene. The way St. Valentine was drawn was haunting and creepy. This book explores cultural identity, specifically Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese Americans. It explores the traditions and activities in the cultures and how it can bring family, friends, and community together.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol
This book is stunning. It tells the story of Valentina and her lifelong relationship with love and Valentine’s Day. Through the story, she also comes into more of her Vietnamese culture, and diverse Asian cultures at large through lion dancing. Every piece of this story is intentional, and the art is equally as beautiful and important.