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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
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
robinks's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
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, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
ryel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Life is complicated and this graphic novel paints the picture for us.
Emotions and relationships can become complicated. Valentina loving Valentine's Day was cute, and her friend obviously flitting from relationship to relationship to not get hurt was real. Each character was complex and interesting, and each have their own story that engages and relates to us.
I love the inclusion of similar cultures but highlighting their differences. It wasn't to state who is superior or better but to appreciate them.
Emotions and relationships can become complicated. Valentina loving Valentine's Day was cute, and her friend obviously flitting from relationship to relationship to not get hurt was real. Each character was complex and interesting, and each have their own story that engages and relates to us.
I love the inclusion of similar cultures but highlighting their differences. It wasn't to state who is superior or better but to appreciate them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism
turrean's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Lovely, thoughtful, and complicated. Quite like life 😉
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
indeedithappens's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
A beautifully woven coming of the age graphic novel, coping with the truth of your family and first love.
Yang and Pham tell and illustrate such a gorgeous story with intense and interesting family dynamics. Val is about to give her heart away forever to St. Valentine after learning of her families curse with love. But when she starts lion dancing at a studio in town and meets Les and a Jae. True love may be back in the cards for her. She has one year to convince st. Valentine that love is still real or he will take her heart and pain that love causes forever.
This graphic novel was so magical. I loved the story and the illustrations paired perfectly with the heart warming story. My favorite part of this book was Val being so estranged from her Vietnamese roots growing and then being introduced back into the culture as a teen. Seeing how connected she is and becomes to her family and community was amazing.
Cw
Abandonment
Alcoholism
Yang and Pham tell and illustrate such a gorgeous story with intense and interesting family dynamics. Val is about to give her heart away forever to St. Valentine after learning of her families curse with love. But when she starts lion dancing at a studio in town and meets Les and a Jae. True love may be back in the cards for her. She has one year to convince st. Valentine that love is still real or he will take her heart and pain that love causes forever.
This graphic novel was so magical. I loved the story and the illustrations paired perfectly with the heart warming story. My favorite part of this book was Val being so estranged from her Vietnamese roots growing and then being introduced back into the culture as a teen. Seeing how connected she is and becomes to her family and community was amazing.
Cw
Abandonment
Alcoholism
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
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