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a_libra_library's review against another edition
2.0
There was a lot going on for just one volume. I wish this world and our characters were more fleshed out. Or some plot points were removed to give the main page time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Violence
ednam0dewannabe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This graphic novel has been a light read that I needed: lovable and well-developed characters, interesting and original story, and good representation. Although I couldn't give it more than 3.5 stars because the narrative is too fast and doesn't give the reader time to digest anything (besides the insta-love) . Despite that, I liked it a lot and will surely read it again soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
thelibraryofanolive's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This book was sweet but pretty boring lolz but the inclusivity and gay grandmas were a slay fr
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Violence, and Deadnaming
spinesinaline's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a very sweet graphic novel. I really enjoyed all the relationships in it, both those among family and this budding romance. It moves quickly in this format but it felt like a nice slice of life and a pleasant town to wander into, even though they do have to tackle difficult enemies and family drama.
All that said, from the title and this cover, I was expecting more baking! I didn’t even see the cover image in the actual story, the most these characters do is cook together but I didn’t find any baking. There is one mention of mooncakes for a family dinner but I didn’t actually see illustrations of them, just the textual mention. So it was a little disappointing that this wasn’t featured more but still an enjoyable story.
All that said, from the title and this cover, I was expecting more baking! I didn’t even see the cover image in the actual story, the most these characters do is cook together but I didn’t find any baking. There is one mention of mooncakes for a family dinner but I didn’t actually see illustrations of them, just the textual mention. So it was a little disappointing that this wasn’t featured more but still an enjoyable story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
anna978's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Animal cruelty
emily_mh's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
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
Let's start with the positives! The art style was incredible. The four main characters had such wonderful relationships with one another and were all super sweet in their own rights. I also loved how central the witchiness and paranormal elements were in the story, which was unexpected yet welcome, as I thought it would be more romance-focussed. I ended up really loving the plot and the magic system.
I did, however, have some gripes. The first two are spoilery, and the other ones are about the disability rep.First of all, I felt like Tan's block was so important to the progression of the story, yet it appeared to have been resolved off-page. Secondly, the ending decision of Nova seeking her apprenticeship elsewhere seemed out-of-character, and also at odds with the rest of the book, where the focus was more on her parents accepting her decision (one that suited her better, too). I don't think every coming-of-age style story needs to end with the MC leaving their hometown.
Now, about the hearing disability rep. I also have a hearing disability and, like Nova, wear hearing aids for it, which is why I'm commenting about it. I know that Suzanne Walker has a hearing disability, so this is own-voices rep, yet I have very mixed feelings about the way in which it was done. First of all, I loved that in most illustrations of Nova her hearing aids were visible. I also liked that her disability was referenced throughout the book, so that while being disabled wasn't who Nova was as a person, it was never glossed over as part of her life. But some of the references were just... ??? It felt like certain situations were engineered to show that Nova was disabled - for example, Nova has to dial down her aids when the shop phone rings, but it turns out the caller is her best friend who (as stated in the book) would usually text, or if they would call, would call Nova's personal phone, which presumably would ring at her preferred volume. Also, I hated the comparisons that were drawn between being a werewolf and having a hearing disability. It felt kind of degrading to have my disability compared with something that doesn't actually exist. Sure, in a world where werewolves were real, it would make more sense to compare the two, but this book is written for readers who live in a world where it doesn't, so that felt pretty gross to read.
I did, however, have some gripes. The first two are spoilery, and the other ones are about the disability rep.
Now, about the hearing disability rep. I also have a hearing disability and, like Nova, wear hearing aids for it, which is why I'm commenting about it. I know that Suzanne Walker has a hearing disability, so this is own-voices rep, yet I have very mixed feelings about the way in which it was done. First of all, I loved that in most illustrations of Nova her hearing aids were visible. I also liked that her disability was referenced throughout the book, so that while being disabled wasn't who Nova was as a person, it was never glossed over as part of her life. But some of the references were just... ??? It felt like certain situations were engineered to show that Nova was disabled - for example, Nova has to dial down her aids when the shop phone rings, but it turns out the caller is her best friend who (as stated in the book) would usually text, or if they would call, would call Nova's personal phone, which presumably would ring at her preferred volume. Also, I hated the comparisons that were drawn between being a werewolf and having a hearing disability. It felt kind of degrading to have my disability compared with something that doesn't actually exist. Sure, in a world where werewolves were real, it would make more sense to compare the two, but this book is written for readers who live in a world where it doesn't, so that felt pretty gross to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Excrement, Ableism, Sexual content, and Death
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
I loved this so much! This was the cutest graphic novel ever and I've read Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey. Now I kind of want to reread it.
Mooncakes follows a witch and a nonbinary werewolf who used to be childhood best friends and they meet again when Tam comes to track down a demon. Together, the two will have to figure out Tam's werewolf magic and stop the demon before it can hurt anyone.
I love Nova and Tam so much. They're both so precious. This story is precious. I need it to be a series. I loved every single second of this graphic novel and I want more of everything in it. Queer nonbinary werewolf? Yes! Queer sapphics witches? Yes! magic and mayhem? Extra YES! I wish I read this sooner.
Rep: Jewish Sapphic female MC who uses hearing aids, queer nonbinary BIPOC love interest, WLW side couple.
CWs: Kidnapping, violence, confinement, emotional abuse. Moderate: death, death of parents, blood, animal cruelty, grief.
Mooncakes follows a witch and a nonbinary werewolf who used to be childhood best friends and they meet again when Tam comes to track down a demon. Together, the two will have to figure out Tam's werewolf magic and stop the demon before it can hurt anyone.
I love Nova and Tam so much. They're both so precious. This story is precious. I need it to be a series. I loved every single second of this graphic novel and I want more of everything in it. Queer nonbinary werewolf? Yes! Queer sapphics witches? Yes! magic and mayhem? Extra YES! I wish I read this sooner.
Rep: Jewish Sapphic female MC who uses hearing aids, queer nonbinary BIPOC love interest, WLW side couple.
CWs: Kidnapping, violence, confinement, emotional abuse. Moderate: death, death of parents, blood, animal cruelty, grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
morganperks's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Grief
Minor: Death
yogomagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked it. It's a short and sweet story with interesting characters and lovely vibrant artwork by Wendy Xu. Loooved the grandmas.
I thought it was too fast-paced and predictable, and maybe would have been better as a multi-book series.
I thought it was too fast-paced and predictable, and maybe would have been better as a multi-book series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Grief
make_believer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, and Violence