A very shrewd but beautifully illustrated graphic novel focusing on the negative impact of controlled eating in Asian culture. As an Asian, I thoroughly understand what she's going through because I too hear the same phrases in my everyday life. The illustrations were brilliant, especially the soft colour palette used. However, the only downside of this story was how quickly it flowed, I would have liked to witness more progression and growth as a character because the novel seemed like it was firmly stuck to a script.

This is definitely a tough read. Whether you have dealt with something similar in your life or know someone that has or even not at all this will still hit you in the heart with something so real and painful. It's hard to read and even has some frustrating moments. I saw a few reviews upset that the mom doesn't really grow or learn anything. I understand being upset by that but sadly that happens way too often. It's real and that can suck sometimes. I enjoyed seeing Val realizing that she has to live and be happy for herself and not her mother or anyone else. I'm glad it wasn't just an instant fix at the end but we see her begin the process of healing. I also really loved the art style. It is beautiful and soft. Reading from the author at the end was also wonderful.

This book was a tough one. Not because it was bad, cause it wasn´t, but because I related to so many things. The mom´s actions, her thoughts about her best friend and herself, and so much more. Truly a book that makes you think about you, your firends and the deeply rooted rules that society has set for us.

Thank you to Hear Our Voices Tour for the ARC of Hungry Ghost!

This, heart wrenching, young adult novel took a look at eating disorders and family dynamics. It was a raw and honest overview of body shaming and fat phobia and how society, culture, and family can impact our thoughts.

This was a new experience for me. It was my first ever graphic novel and it set the bar HIGH. I really appreciated the diversity within the pages and I thought it was extra special to see a Lunar New Year spread on the pages, too!

My favorite quote was when her father said, "If anything happens it will all be okay. I promised myself when I was young I would live my life in the riches way possible. I've done that every day, and if I were to die right here, right now, I would have no regrets because I did it all."

Trigger warnings CW: disordered eating, loss of a loved one, death, body-shaming, fatphobia

This is a truly stunningly illustrated book about a very challenging subject. I really respect the arc that the author took, following the mc through her ed, though I struggle with the lack of culpability the family faced. There’s an important message here about self-recovery but the underlying narrative of tolerance for harms that continue to be done is a challenging one to ask people who are still struggling to swallow. I understand where it’s coming from, but it’s part of a long narrative of giving unearned forgiveness that often leaves those who are suffering in a place of continued harm. That said, it’s an important story to tell and so beautiful in this format.

This is such an important book to read and I'm so glad it's being made. It tackles two topics that are incredibly hard to talk about, internalized fatphobia and the dysmorphia that comes with eating disorders. It showed so well how a parent's views can be so, so toxic to their children, especially when those kids don't know any better or even feel isolated by their parents. And then the journey confronting these toxic thoughts that just -clutches chest- it hurt.

Heartbreaking and Beautiful. Really like the way this one was done touches on a heavy topic but does it in such a beautiful way. The art style is really nice as well. I feel like books like this are so important and for the right people could potentially make a difference in there life. Highly Recommend.

Hungry Ghost is about Valerie, a teenage girl who grows up with restrictive eating thoughts as her family is shown to pay quite a bit of attention to eating. The novel follows Valerie as she goes through messy family dynamics, crushes and friendships and I found it very beautifully done.
The exploration of her mindset and the way she talked to herself about herself and her friends were expressed in a brutally honest way.
If you ever had experiences with disorder eating of any kind, at least some of her thoughts will ring familiar which can be upsetting but I found that the author showed these moments with a lot of tenderness and it made it all very beautifully come together.
I found the storyline to flow well and the situations were explained and unfolded in a lovely way.

The art was also quite nice and I loved that it did not emphasize or glorified any type of ED signs or made it into something pretty at all.

This should be required reading. A discussion about eating disorders from the viewpoint of someone who is struggling with one but not posing it as the afterschool special of the parent being blind and unwilling to accept is so rawl. The focus put on being perfect, while trying to hide herself and what's going on with her family makes Valerie so interesting and feel real. This is a majorly realistic portrayal of disordered eating, and how it can happen without someone thinking about it, with the way our culture is.

CW: disordered eating, loss of a loved one, death, body-shaming, fatphobia

Ying explores the complex intersection between culture and disordered eating in a medium that calls for readers to more closely examine not just how others might see us, but how that might differ from reality. Nuanced, touching, and incredibly reflective, this graphic novel is a much needed call out to the toxic expectations within Asian American families and even moreso, a safe space for readers experiencing similar struggles against stigma. (Whether they be an eating disorder, depression, queerness, etc.)

This might contain spoilers, so you've been warned. An element that I really loved was Val's best friend Jordan. Val labels her as the model of what not to be because she's not "beautiful," but Ying does a great job at subtly suggesting that this is not true. From Jordan's undeniable beauty in her rendition to the unmistakeable glances of admiration from the boys in the school, there is always the suggestion that Val's reality has been morphed into something that is factually just not true. It really emphasizes the mental aspect of eating disorders and makes them easier to understand from a mental health perspective, especially for people who might not have experienced one themselves.

Another nuanced and yet vitally important scene that I loved was Val's coming to terms with her mother's love. I know that so many people struggle to cut toxic ties or give themselves space to recover from toxicity when it comes from a person they love. Ying does a wonderful job at justifying self love, noting that sometimes the kind of love we receive from others just isn't enough, and that sometimes, it's hurtful. I have seen it addressed in so many ways, and it's often simplified down to the ultimatum of their completely severing ties or continuing to drown in toxicity. I liked this healthy medium where Val responds to her mother's "don't eat too much" with an "I'll take care of myself." I don't think I can adequately describe the beauty of this exchange.

There were so many other aspects that I loved in this book, and I amvery glad that I was given the chance to read this advanced copy. Thank you First Second Books! I hope this story finds the people who need to read this, and those who think they don't.

With some stories, there's an ache that comes with being seen. This story is one of them. Valerie felt familiar in many uncomfortable ways - justifying that she wasn't too skinny, searching for control, families showing love through food - and although my pressure was internal, seeing Valerie's mom pressure her into eating less even as a child cut me to the core. It was also good to see Valerie's fatphobia laid out there. At first I didn't notice the small comments that creep up, but on my second read through they jumped out at me. The artistry is also beautiful; I love the art style and soft color palette that contrasts the heavy themes of the story.

First, a thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Hungry Ghost is a beautifully drawn story of grief and forgiveness. The story follows a teenager named Val who struggles with accepting her body when her mother scrutinizes every aspect of Val's eating and weight. The mother/daughter relationship depicted is heartbreaking but Val is able to find comfort and validation through friends. At its core this story addresses the struggle of breaking generational trauma and learning to slowly gain body acceptance. The pastel color scheme offers a softer foil to the themes of emotional abuse and struggle with body positivity which is emphasized by the use of darker tones reflecting said negative emotions.

Overall, Ying presents a beautifully illustrated and written story that resonates as hopeful in spite of the heaviness of the themes.

I really enjoyed this manga about a young woman who is told by her mother and her culture that she has to be obedient, and attractive. Her mother takes this to mean "thin" and continues to push her daughter to limit her eating and look her best at all times.

Teens will find this story to be realistic as it deals with eating disorders and disordered thinking. It also deals with friendships and what happens when a crush doesn't choose you.

I think this would be a great addition to our manga collection.

Hungry Ghost tells the story of grief, emotional abuse, and forgiveness. At the center is Val, a teenager struggling with her body in a parental environment that focuses on her weight and her eating. The relationship depicted between Val and her mother is heartbreaking but friendships, family and a stranger are there to help pick up the pieces and be a loving reprieve. As a reader, I could tell that the mother figure was largely influenced by her own upbringing and the sadness of great loss. This is not an excuse but a depiction of generational abuse.
The art style and character growth work together organically to strengthen the story as Val slowly eases toward some body acceptance. It's a hard road, but the illustrations are light and honest with color being expertly chosen to strengthen character emotions. The color scheme is based in light pastels of pink, greens, and blues which work to soften, ever so slightly, the heaviness of the topic. Darker tones are used to depict strong, negative emotions like sadness, depression, and grief. The mother, and with her, the abusiveness, is often pictured in a darker blue hue and when Val deals with intrusive thoughts about her body, food, and her mother, she too is depicted in deeper tones.

The story, while difficult, is hopeful and poignant. It reaches out and holds tight, making it a quick read. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy graphic novels, realistic fiction, and art.

CW: ED, Emotional Abuse, Fatphobia, Death

This graphic novel by Victoria Ying is a beautifully told story of Val, a senior in high school who's spent all of her life trying to be good. Her mother constantly makes snide remarks about her weight; it's no surprise that Val has a eating disorder. No one knows about Val's disordered eating, including her crush and her best friend. This story is very much about learning to love oneself and letting people in as part of your healing. A must-have for any library that serves young adults.

This was so interesting, I was pleasantly surprised with the extent to which I enjoyed it! I knew I’d like it, but I adored it!

It was very enlightening and had the best representation for eating disorders that I’ve personally seen. The journey of self love, the interceptions of family and the whole environment was so well portrayed.

I’ll definitely be recommending this.

This graphic novel was haunting, but important. It's important because it underlines that the things adults say to children matter, often more than we realize. It's important because it shows that those closest to you may be dealing with things you'd never realize. It's important because it forces the reader to remember that you are not your weight--that your weight is not you. Even when tragedy strikes, Val is still so focused on her weight that she doesn't allow herself to properly cope, and she lashes out at her friends as a result--friends who have no idea what she's going through. This book is a reminder to check on the ones who seem okay, because sometimes, they aren't. It was incredibly well written and moving, and I cannot wait to share it with my thirteen year old nieces. I want to have more conversations with them about how their bodies are perfect just how they are, and as long as they are mindful of their health (because let's be real, we also have to encourage kids to get their veggies--life can't be cake 100% of the time), that the numbers on the scale do not matter as much as society would have you think.

On top of the story, the illustration in this book was absolutely stunning. It was somehow equal parts simple yet so detailed and the color scheme fit the scenes flawlessly.

One last thing that I appreciate so much in books: Hungry Ghost starts with a content warning, and ends with resources for anyone who is struggling with, or wants to support someone struggling with, an eating disorder. 

This story was an honor to read. Thank you, Victoria Ying, First Second Books, and NetGalley.

An emotional wreck speaking. This book deserves 1000 stars. Minimum. Every single line hit so deep and I'm not even anorexic. By the time I was finished with this book, it validated some of my deepest, darkest feelings. Thoughts that can tag me as a disobedient, disrespectful, unruly daughter in front of the previous generations. Being a South Asian, I can't say the opportunities to fall into the beauty trap weren't there. Weighing over 75 kg in a poverty stricken country, I was constantly bullied. I just learned to get used to it, something no kid should ever have to do.

The illustrations - they are pretty, eye-catching and carry emotions so well. They perfectly capture the vibes of the moments, and the detailing broke my heart a billion times. Above all, the writing portrays reality, instead of giving false hope and that is what I love the most.

I'm simultaneously glad and nervous that it was my first book of the year. Glad because I can't imagine picking a better book, sad because how am I going to survive the rest of the days?!

4.5 stars

Content warning: eating disorders

The art:
Absolutely perfect for the story delivered! Pastel, muted colours, sketchy lines, adorable, expressive and at times heartbreaking, the illustrations do so much for the story, and I was hooked from the start.

The story:
I think too many of us can relate to a strict upbringing; academic grades above all, watch your figure at all costs (never mind that you're a growing child), having our lives micromanaged, having our friends insulted for being carefree or "fat". On top of that, the absolute irony that a lot of the same cultures that over-emphasise being thin are also centred around good food! You're proud of your culture, but you have to stay beautiful a.k.a skinny.

And yet, we want to be good, no perfect! We want to blend in, be cool and be a model child, so we cope, we create a facade at the cost of our well-being.

This story delves into this and more so poignantly, delivered with brutal honesty and yet so much care. It was what I needed and I am sure it will help so many other young readers.

Thank you so much Macmillan, Netgalley and the author for a digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This was an absolute pleasure.

Hungry Ghost is a graphic novel about a girl trying to deal with her eating disorder while juggling school, first love, and family problems. I really wanted to love it, because the theme of EDs is one very close to my heart, but I sadly found this book lacking. I am sure that it could be triggering to MANY readers and if you are looking for a book that deals with mental health and specifically EDs, I would not recommend this one.

And here are just some things that I think should've been handled with better care:
- ED behaviours are shown on-page - and we know that this sort of modeling can be triggering to people with EDs
- EDs are shown in a pretty hopeless, "you are probably never gonna get better" way. I think this could be so discouraging to so many people, because NO; You can heal from an ED. Period. It's a complex issue that deserves care and attention, but it is not hopeless.
- MCs fatphobia was never challenged. She has a fat friend who is happy and content - and this was such a good thing, a plus-size SC who loved to eat and liked herself. But sadly the MC and her honestly horrible and toxic views of fat people ruined even that good aspect of the book. The MC was downright vicious with her friend and the fight they had never really got resolved. Yes, they "became friends again" but where were the discussions about the fatphobia she expressed very plainly in their fight? Where was the growth on the MCs part? We'll just let her feel bad about the fight itself and losing her friend, but not about all the horrible things she said about her body. Books
- A big part in the MCs journey was her mother, who had very toxic views on beauty and weight. A lot of people who struggle with EDs can sometimes track the origins to the views of their families. BUT despite the MC realizing that she should distance herself from her toxic mother, she still doesn't challenge her views. Once her aunt tells her that her mother still "loves her in her own way", the MC just rolls with it. Sure, family is important and the relationship between the MC and her mother is worth something, but Hungry Ghost makes it seem like you should endure that toxicity without talking about it and regardless of the toll it takes on your mental health.
- There was also a grief component that played a part in the MCs questionable growth, but I think this graphic novel was simply too ambitious - too many themes in too few pages, none handled with care and sensitivity it deserves.

I would never want to minimize the experiences of the author who dealt with an ED as well (or still does?). There are so few books out there aimed at teens who deal with EDs, I simply wish the ones that do get published dealt with this theme in a more sensitive way, thinking about all the people who might stumble upon this book, who might have an ED, a loved one with an ED or are in recovery. Some might find solace in it, but I do believe that it could be triggering to many more with the messages it passes on.