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lifeonasofa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Magic Fish 🐟 Review
Real life isn’t a fairy tale. In fairy tales, the prince falls in love with the princess. But Tien had a different story to tell. His parents are refugees struggling to learn English, and he doesn’t know how to come out to them in Vietnamese. If he doesn’t even have the right words, how can he ever known if his parents will accept him? 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 Stars
STUNNING STORY! I was mesmerised by the way fairy tales were used in this book to move the story forward. The illustrations were SO beautiful and colours used, so simple and clever! With language being a barrier for Tien, this graphic novel captured the story perfectly. 🎨
The relationships were everything in this story. Tien and his mother, his parents, his friendships and his family across the pond. They were so heartwarmingly powerful and necessary when both Tien and his mother felt lost in this world. 🥰
Heads up, this is a really emotional read, check triggers. Some of the illustrations during fairy tale retellings are a little gory. But the representation in this book *chefs kiss* I can hear all the queer hearts singing around the world. 🌈
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Animal cruelty, Violence, Homophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Outing, and Suicide
lozinja's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Gore
starstruk99's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Gore, Death of parent, and Death
oliverreeds's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I LOVED this graphic novel. it was a little slow getting started, but it really picked up after that. i loved the way this book intertwined the story of a family with the fairy tales and showed how important they were to the family. i honestly think that the stories were balanced incredibly well and that the author masterfully interweaved them. the characters were all so distinct and lovely. the conflict was built so well. i would recommend this to anyone. i also loved how the text was used in this story in conjuction with the art.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, and Homophobia
ryraeriv's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
5.0
This graphic novel was a beautiful exploration of one family's interactions told through both their lives and fairytales that parallel their experiences. It talks about sexuality, immigration, loss, love, and the intersection of different identities that can occur within one family and within one person. The Magic Fish is hopeful, sorrowful, and emotional as it dances and weaves its way to its ultimate conclusion.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Gore, Murder, and Cannibalism
laneport's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Gore, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Death, and Death of parent
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