Scan barcode
befrazzledenby's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Slow start and a little too low contrast illustrations to warrant 5 stars, but other than that, man this was a good, meaningful, very relatable graphic novel. Lee tells her story with grace and vulnerability with some really lovely, perfectly-fit illustrations. I'm happy to have this in YA (but please check the content warnings before reading)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
cryscries's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I felt it was a very relatable experience that I appreciate reading at this time of my life. The struggles of their mental health reminded me of my own experiences during the same time during high school years. The feelings of change and familial pressures and even cultural shock was expressed very well. Also the art is stunning!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
_jane4's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you, First Second Books and Net Galley for an advanced for copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This beautiful memoir follows Deborah/ Jung-Jin on her path of struggling to adapt in new places as a person of colour, to find and express herself, miscommunication and her coping with it.
This book belongs to my most anticipating ones which are releasing this year and it exceeded my expectations. I love how the author portrayed grief, mental illness and other heavy topics. The side characters had their own role and complexity. The art was stunning, and I could not help but catch myself many times just admiring the panels. I still cannot believe this is a debut book and that makes me even more excited for new upcoming releases by them!
Especially because this graphic novel deals with topics that are hard to swallow, I do recommend checking the trigger warnings.
This beautiful memoir follows Deborah/ Jung-Jin on her path of struggling to adapt in new places as a person of colour, to find and express herself, miscommunication and her coping with it.
This book belongs to my most anticipating ones which are releasing this year and it exceeded my expectations. I love how the author portrayed grief, mental illness and other heavy topics. The side characters had their own role and complexity. The art was stunning, and I could not help but catch myself many times just admiring the panels. I still cannot believe this is a debut book and that makes me even more excited for new upcoming releases by them!
Especially because this graphic novel deals with topics that are hard to swallow, I do recommend checking the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Eating disorder
nikspandya's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is was an amazing emotional journey that I’m so happy I got to read. I loved the illustration style and felt that it went perfectly with the subject matter. This is quite a heavy read so pls read with care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Racism
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: depression
In Limbo is a heartbreaking and emotional memoir. With stunning illustrations, especially the shading and some beautiful effects, In Limbo is a story about the pressure of performance. The expectations of those around us, influencing and shaping us. Used to playing piano, Deb has to figure out what it would be like for her if she didn't let her life revolve around music. The beginnings of changing what we think and care about as a teen Yet at the same time, how so much of identity is tied to "what we do" and how when we change that, we can lose a community. Watching Deb try to find what she's passionate about, is a striking emotional chord.
Watching Deb try to find what she's passionate about, is a striking emotional chord. How much of who we are tied to what we can do, how we perform, and not who we are. But even more so, Deb is struggling with her disorderd eating. Throughout In Limbo Deb has to examine her own relationship with food, her mother, and her own sense of self. As an Asian reader, there were some moments that absolutely had my heart in my throat.
TW: depression
In Limbo is a heartbreaking and emotional memoir. With stunning illustrations, especially the shading and some beautiful effects, In Limbo is a story about the pressure of performance. The expectations of those around us, influencing and shaping us. Used to playing piano, Deb has to figure out what it would be like for her if she didn't let her life revolve around music. The beginnings of changing what we think and care about as a teen Yet at the same time, how so much of identity is tied to "what we do" and how when we change that, we can lose a community. Watching Deb try to find what she's passionate about, is a striking emotional chord.
Watching Deb try to find what she's passionate about, is a striking emotional chord. How much of who we are tied to what we can do, how we perform, and not who we are. But even more so, Deb is struggling with her disorderd eating. Throughout In Limbo Deb has to examine her own relationship with food, her mother, and her own sense of self. As an Asian reader, there were some moments that absolutely had my heart in my throat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
literarybookishness's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you First Second Books and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Wow, this book got me really emotional. That's how impressed I am. I usually read fiction, so reading non-fiction is always a very different experience. Whenever I see the words 'Graphic Memoir', I always feel like it's gonna be good. Many illustrators are just so skilled at making memoirs and Deb was no different. It had every element you need to tell a good round story. It was an impactful read and I'm sure that a lot of folks will feel very seen reading this story.
I finished the book feeling so proud of Deb and how far they've come. At the end you get a short update on how they're currently doing, which I thought was a really nice addition.
Thank you Deb for being so open with sharing your story.
I highly recommend reading this book, but I do encourage you to look at the content warning, because the book does discuss heavy subjects.
CW: racism, bullying, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt and domestic abuse
Wow, this book got me really emotional. That's how impressed I am. I usually read fiction, so reading non-fiction is always a very different experience. Whenever I see the words 'Graphic Memoir', I always feel like it's gonna be good. Many illustrators are just so skilled at making memoirs and Deb was no different. It had every element you need to tell a good round story. It was an impactful read and I'm sure that a lot of folks will feel very seen reading this story.
I finished the book feeling so proud of Deb and how far they've come. At the end you get a short update on how they're currently doing, which I thought was a really nice addition.
Thank you Deb for being so open with sharing your story.
I highly recommend reading this book, but I do encourage you to look at the content warning, because the book does discuss heavy subjects.
CW: racism, bullying, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt and domestic abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
jessicaludden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
3.0
“Having more worlds, circles like these means you have pillars to support you if one of them falls. And then you'll have so many pillars that maybe, just maybe, you'll eventually rediscover that love for your first one."
In Limbo is a beautiful graphic memoir that follows the story of a young Korean American girl as she grows up throughout high school and deals with different mental health challenges.
I loved the art style of this book. The drawings were so captivating and did a great job of depicting the emotions of the main character. I really liked the story it told about the main character's mental health struggles and how she unintentionally hurt others in her life. It was great to see her begin the process of forgiving herself. I also really liked how she discussed the problems she was experiencing with her family. It hit on a lot of important points that many Asian American families experience. Overall, this book had beautiful drawings and a beautiful story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC of this book!
In Limbo is a beautiful graphic memoir that follows the story of a young Korean American girl as she grows up throughout high school and deals with different mental health challenges.
I loved the art style of this book. The drawings were so captivating and did a great job of depicting the emotions of the main character. I really liked the story it told about the main character's mental health struggles and how she unintentionally hurt others in her life. It was great to see her begin the process of forgiving herself. I also really liked how she discussed the problems she was experiencing with her family. It hit on a lot of important points that many Asian American families experience. Overall, this book had beautiful drawings and a beautiful story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC of this book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
paiges_on_pages's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
nicolepaul_ine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for an advanced copy of In Limbo by Deborah Jung-Jin Lee to review! I was immediately drawn in by this cover. It is absolutely stunning. Since this is an advanced copy, the illustrations were in black and white, and I'm not sure if the final draft will be in color. Even so, if they stay in black and white, the artwork throughout the book is just as stunning as the cover.
There have been quite a few graphic novel memoirs of this nature that have come out in the past few years, about growing up an immigrant in the United States. This one delves a little deeper in talking about mental health, specifically suicide and depression. There are some absolutely heartbreaking moments in this, and you can feel the emotions through the illustrations. The writing paired with the art makes this book a truly emotional experience.
Lee doesn't shy away from the difficult nature of suicide and the aftermath of a suicide attempt. I appreciated that art was one of the ways that she used to help take care of her mental health, and it's reflected in the graphic novel format itself.
I always have a hard time rating memoirs because they are accounts of real people's lives. But I think there's a lot teens will find to relate to in this one, and I can't wait to see what the final illustrations look like, honestly. I'll have to check out a final copy when it comes out in March.
All in all, this is a powerful, emotional graphic memoir that you'll want to add to your shelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs