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mokkekitty's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent and War
Minor: Hate crime and Cannibalism
koreanlinda's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The artwork in this book is amazingly beautiful, and the writer's alternating colors for reality and fantasy add to its aesthetic.
The story falls short for adult readers though. This book is clearly for young adults, and the story lacked the depth to be believable to the level of my satisfaction. For example, Tien's mother is fully accepting of his queerness when he comes out to her; however, the story provides no context in which she might have learned about LGBTQ identities. After fleeing the war in Vietnam and working 24/7 with limited English in the US, it is hard to imagine that she had a chance to read much about the LGBTQ community. This resolution makes the book quite idealist and open to debate whether it is beneficial or not for queer YA readers. It can be beneficial by giving them hope about how parents' unconditional love can play out; however, many of them might have a hard time relating to Tien's experience.
One aspect that I enjoyed of the story is the author's reimagination of classic fairy tales such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. In the new versions, the author integrates elements from Vietnamese culture and queer community.
Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in September 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda
The story falls short for adult readers though. This book is clearly for young adults, and the story lacked the depth to be believable to the level of my satisfaction. For example, Tien's mother is fully accepting of his queerness when he comes out to her; however, the story provides no context in which she might have learned about LGBTQ identities. After fleeing the war in Vietnam and working 24/7 with limited English in the US, it is hard to imagine that she had a chance to read much about the LGBTQ community. This resolution makes the book quite idealist and open to debate whether it is beneficial or not for queer YA readers. It can be beneficial by giving them hope about how parents' unconditional love can play out; however, many of them might have a hard time relating to Tien's experience.
One aspect that I enjoyed of the story is the author's reimagination of classic fairy tales such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. In the new versions, the author integrates elements from Vietnamese culture and queer community.
Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in September 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Violence, and War
starrynox's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence and War
udawn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Homophobia
lightningmc_logyn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am blown away. This is now one of my favorite books of all time. The visual and textual story are breathtaking. The author really understands the medium and the power of graphic novel storytelling, as self-stated in the authors note end of the book. It’s woven together so beautifully. It is heartbreakingly profound and emotional. I was very moved by Tiên and Helen’s stories. The bond they have is beautiful. It was so raw and vulnerable. The art was simply beautiful, the line and color work amazing. It is powerfully delicate. It is inviting and detailed. The composition of each panel was purposeful and communicated the story perfectly. I particularly loved when only a sliver of something was shown in the panel-a wonderful use of spacial storytelling. I was shocked, moved, filled with joy and fear and tenderness and love while reading this book. I borrowed it from the library but I know I must own it someday. I wish I could put this book in the hands of every person on earth and have them read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia and War
Minor: Hate crime and Colonisation
All the listed content subjects are handled seriously and with care in the book. The tone is very much one of accepting painful life experiences and turning to loved ones to guide eachother.palmkd's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
This is a touching story about relationships and family. Tiến's parents immigrated from Vietnam to the US. They speak a mix of languages at home and sometimes it's hard to find the right words in the right language. They read stories together which is a way to practice the language, but also a way to come together.
This story focuses mainly on Tiến and his mom, but is sprinkled with fairy tales, including some gritty dark ones, to highlight some great truths.
Highly recommend!!
This story focuses mainly on Tiến and his mom, but is sprinkled with fairy tales, including some gritty dark ones, to highlight some great truths.
Highly recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Blood and War
Minor: Cannibalism
pheebabeeba_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
beautiful art. touching story. I loved the fairytales in between as well. I found them magical and dark but also very beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia and Blood
Minor: Cannibalism and Murder
i_like_books123's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
It was a looooooooot darker then I thought, see my contact warnings to see what I mean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, and War
Moderate: Violence and Blood
chalchiuhtli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
A masterful story woven with metaphor, a tale of how tales serve as their own language when the languages you speak don’t have the words you need. Very layered and beautiful narrative expressed in layered and beautiful artwork.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Blood and Cannibalism
yy_reads's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Absolutely gorgeous storytelling. Loved the art style, the use of color and attention to detail. Made me cry (positive).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent