Lunar New Year Love Story is a fantastic graphic novel that delves deep into what love should be/do in relation to romantic love but also family relationships. Valentina Tran, born on Valentine's Day, has a friend, Saint Valentine. Thought to be cursed at love, Val is hesitant as to whether love is worth the risk and guards her heart until she meets two men who try to break through her walls.
This story did well incorporating magical realism through Val's repeated interactions with Saint Valentine, a character who brings a lot of thought-provoking questions to Val. I also enjoyed the color use in the graphic novel; the brightness and darkness of the pages matched with Val's mood and contemplations. I enjoyed all the characters who seemed realistic in their actions, words, and relatability. There is a lot of culture to learn about from language, food, festivals, and lion dancing. The graphics were great, story was serious but heart-warming, and a novel I highly recommend to any age!
This story did well incorporating magical realism through Val's repeated interactions with Saint Valentine, a character who brings a lot of thought-provoking questions to Val. I also enjoyed the color use in the graphic novel; the brightness and darkness of the pages matched with Val's mood and contemplations. I enjoyed all the characters who seemed realistic in their actions, words, and relatability. There is a lot of culture to learn about from language, food, festivals, and lion dancing. The graphics were great, story was serious but heart-warming, and a novel I highly recommend to any age!