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robinks's review
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
tinysierra's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Cute
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Racism, and Abandonment
jehansen127's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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
4.25
Lunar New Year Love Story is a delightful YA romance told in graphic novel format. The illustrations are great and I especially appreciated the variety in the colour palettes that were used. The story also had depth and breadth exploring addiction, family secrets, identity and a variety of teen relationships without shame or judgement. Val was such a lovely character, tender and vulnerable while her grandmother was a real force of nature. One of the highlights was the pan Asian nature of the story. At least where I live Lunar New Year and the Lion Dance are often solely portrayed as Chinese so I really valued the Vietnamese and Korean angles. I also loved getting an inside peek at all the effort that goes into a Lion Dance. Just thinking about this book still brings a smile to my face.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
katievallin's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
I loved this! A good story, great illustrations, lovable characters. The ending was a bit rushed, but otherwise I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Grief, and Death of parent
kwthor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
jade13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
shybearfog's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
This was a great read; it was heart warming while still having some real complexities to the people and relationships. The art was beautiful. I liked the use of color for the different "spiritual" characters or feelings of the main character. I liked the use of small visual details, like facial expressions of non-main characters or characters' clothing. It was also funny; the grandma and uncle were especially fun characters. Culturally, I liked that there were different east Asian ethnicities (Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese) and their Lunar New Year traditions and beliefs represented.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
overthinkereading's review against another edition
4.0
Really great coming of age YA graphic novel that explores the different kinds of love, relationships, and forgiveness that can feel really disorienting in early adulthood.
As the title suggests, Lunar New Year is central to the story and I loved that we got the chance to learn about New Year traditions from Vietnam and Korea. The fantasy elements of the story were also really well done, and a clever device for illustrating the main character’s growth over the course of the novel.
As the title suggests, Lunar New Year is central to the story and I loved that we got the chance to learn about New Year traditions from Vietnam and Korea. The fantasy elements of the story were also really well done, and a clever device for illustrating the main character’s growth over the course of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol
turrean's review
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: Death of parent and Alcoholism