Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
At first when I read the description for the book I didn’t think it’d be my cup of tea but I wanted to try it regardless. I have no regrets. This was adorable! I finshed it in only a day.
The characters felt so realistic. Like all teens, the characters said things they regretted and made others mistakes. In the end, they all grew for the better. Valentina and Jae were so easy to root for I enjoyed the slow burn! Since The book ends with a kiss. At first, I thought maybe Les would be the love love interest but it slowly unfolded and became clear it was too good to be true. Val and Jae are better and true!! All the family dynamics were well done. Beatrice was immature at times but I grew to like her with her growth. I loved how her hair color kept changing.
The magical realism element was great. The artwork of all the “spirits” filled me with emotion. It told me I love the genre and need to read more if it’s done this well. Continuing, the art style was beautiful! I could tell it was made with passion. I took so many screenshots as I was reading it from Libby. The writing quality was just as high. So fasted pace without it hurting the story. The characters!! I loved learning about lion dancing and Vietnamese culture. The small detail of Val's grandma talking in broken English (Idk if there’s a better term). Theres so many small details I love but id be here all day describing them.
My favorite part of the book is its theme of love, even with its small flaws its theme is strong. I appreciated how it had a minor sapphic couple. It can be difficult to put yourself out there and be vulnerably in love but true love makes it worth it.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Bought and consumed this graphic novel on Valentine’s Day, as it’s great timing with the Lunar New Year as well. I thought it would be a sweet story - and while it was, I also found myself nearly in tears a few times from the realness of the story. Especially in empathizing with the character and how I was reflecting her feelings back onto myself. It was a very genuine heartfelt story and the art was absolutely phenomenal especially in how each chapter had its own color palette (mirrored by the best friend) and the overall use of color and culture to tell the more metaphorical parts of the story. The way St. Valentine (in numerous aspects) was included (both in the narrative and artistically) was also superb.
Just everything about it was amazing and it’s so hard to put down beyond just a few “take a second to breathe” moments here and there.
Just everything about it was amazing and it’s so hard to put down beyond just a few “take a second to breathe” moments here and there.
Very sweet teen rom-com and friendship story. Vietnamese/Chinese/Korean characters. Learn some about Lion Dancing tradition. Some cool ghosts. Really love the drawings particularly of the grandma and the uncle.