A beautifully crafted graphic novel!
The characters are well-written, and each one of them has a unique personality. The illustrations are beautiful and match the story perfectly. I loved the use of colors, especially the way they highlighted Val's emotions. I also noticed the transition to gray tones as the story progressed, mirroring Val's changed perception of life and people – it was such a clever touch!
The lion dance scenes were so powerful and vibrant! I loved how lion dance brought the community and family members together, and how these moments played an important role in Val's later reconnection with her Vietnamese roots during her teenage years.
The addition of Val’s imaginary friend, and his evolution from cupid to ghostly version of St. Valentin, as well as his constant lurking in the shadows as a representation of Val’s growing disappointment and doubt, (and possibly more than that), added intrigue and mystery, and kept me at the edge of my seat!
The cover is also gorgeous – the vibrant palette, illustrations, and the dragon in the background. It looks even more beautiful in person!
In conclusion, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story that explores themes of family, grief, tradition, and the transformative power of love! I highly recommend this graphic novel to every reader, not just those who enjoy graphic novels. There’s so much to love about this book, so make sure to add it to your 2024 tbr!
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher First Second, and authors Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham for the gifted copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham (Illustrations) is due to be released on January 9, 2024.
The lion dance scenes were so powerful and vibrant! I loved how lion dance brought the community and family members together, and how these moments played an important role in Val's later reconnection with her Vietnamese roots during her teenage years.
The addition of Val’s imaginary friend, and his evolution from cupid to ghostly version of St. Valentin, as well as his constant lurking in the shadows as a representation of Val’s growing disappointment and doubt, (and possibly more than that), added intrigue and mystery, and kept me at the edge of my seat!
The cover is also gorgeous – the vibrant palette, illustrations, and the dragon in the background. It looks even more beautiful in person!
In conclusion, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story that explores themes of family, grief, tradition, and the transformative power of love! I highly recommend this graphic novel to every reader, not just those who enjoy graphic novels. There’s so much to love about this book, so make sure to add it to your 2024 tbr!
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher First Second, and authors Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham for the gifted copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham (Illustrations) is due to be released on January 9, 2024.