"In Limbo" is the autobiographical coming of age story of Deb Lee, a Korean American with mental health issues and a strict Korean mom. Their story starts on the first day of high school where we see Deb's general struggles with friends, peers, and teachers, and also with school classes in general. Not far into our story we also see that she plays violin in the school orchestra, which is how she's made most of her friends at school, but she has since fallen out of love with the violin and wishes to make art instead. Through her story, we can see that Deb's mom must also suffer from some mental health issues of her own, as she bounces back and forth between acceptance and violence towards Deb, even resulting in her mother beating her on more than one occasion. The story progresses through Deb's high school years where we see her start going to an art school where she meets new friends, and also comes out of her shell and accept herself a bit more, though still not entirely. Deb eventually meets Quinn, who quickly becomes one of her best friends, her only friend, the person she is joined at the hip too. During their senior year Quinn starts hanging out with other people more, and though she invites Deb to join in, they don't have anything in common and Deb feels awkward and out of place. Quinn essentially "moving on" puts Deb in a weird place, and eventually leads her to attempting suicide- something that she openly blames Quinn for. As the years pass and Deb spends time in therapy and grows as a person, she apologizes Quinn for blaming her, and also to her old friends for not paying more attention to their struggles in high school or being a better friend. In the afterward, Deb explains that the real Quinn mend their friendship temporarily, but it eventually fades out as some friendships do, while her old friends from orchestra (before Quinn) are still strong even today.

When I write reviews of someone's biography I tend to rate them 5 stars, as who am I to tell them that their life story is "bad" or "not entertaining enough". This is a real person you need to consider here. That being said, If I were to give this a star rating, I would probably give it a 2/5. The beginning of the story is all over the place and generally doesn't make sense. Who is Sam? Why do I care he is also taking violin lessons? Characters are brought in and introduced for no reason with no explanation, and then disappear without notice or reason either. Other than this story being an autobiography, I can't seem to understand the why? Why was it necessary for this to be written and shared? Simply because it was one Korean American's experience and story of growing up? I want to give Deb the benefit of the doubt that she was young and immature and that was why she tried committing suicide because her friend got other friends, but this happened when she was 17? 18? There comes a point where immaturity cannot excuse poor actions. And her apology to Quinn is also quickly glanced over and not dwelled on, it just happens on a page and then all is hunky dory after. Deb needed to take responsibility for her actions instead of blaming someone else. Especially with how she treated and reacted to Quinn after telling her that was why Deb attempted suicide- Quinn understandably distanced herself and was upset. I unfortunately feel like "In Limbo" was a one sided autobiography used as a way to explain away Deb's (for lack of a better word) shitty behavior, and act as a catch all "oops I'm sorry". I just simply wasn't a fan.

This is a great book but it can be dark and tended to drag. I feel that fell more on me and where my head was at while trying to read it. I just wasn’t in the mood and I had to take breaks while reading it. The book itself is a lot. We follow a korean American girl as she struggles with her identity and mental health. I definitely recommend it for those interested.

This story communicated a sense of loneliness and alienation that I haven’t quite felt before within a book. Its nuanced exploration of depression and suicidal ideation in marginal communities was one that felt incredibly real. Though its contents are quite triggering, this book is a great intro to the topic for folks in their late teens or early twenties.

As a memoir, this doesn't fit into the typical narrative structure we expect from a graphic novel. It feels more like isolated incidents, less like a cohesive story. The messaging is less distinct, more introspective.

Author Deb JJ Lee gives us a glimpse into their life with this heart-wrenching graphic novel.

At times, the way Lee chose to address certain events very vaguely/solely through illustrations was somewhat confusing (especially with random flashbacks) to the chronology of their memoir. Overall I think this is a visually appealing and interesting and relatable story for a lot of teens, but a trigger warning for suicide/suicidal thoughts should definitely be considered.

This graphic novel is beautiful and tells a story that too many kids relate to. The book is relatable and tragic but gives hope to readers in a similar place

This is one of those books you keep on your shelf to browse in its relatability and its form again and again. Limbo is a graphic memoir centering on a young teen going through the pressures of self-image, where the author recounts her experiences growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey as a 1st generation Korean American.

The recounts of racism and isolation, of feeling like an 'other', melded with the realities of friendship, depression, and mental suffering. It was a poignant read; it was a sad read because it was a realistic account that many could empathize with.

In combination with the art style, a somber, dreamy landscape of adolescence, it is a story of growth and hard-won independence. I just wish some aspects were further developed or focused on in greater detail but in looking back, detailing your teenage years in full detail is a difficult process not only due to past traumas but due to the erosion of time so it was a minor grievance.

Overall, a great story. Thank you Netgalley and First Second for the review copy!

TW: Suicide attempt, suicide ideation, familial abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley, Deb JJ Lee, and Macmillian for an ARC of this graphic memoir. I enjoy the niche of Asian American graphic memoirs such as Trung Le Nguyen's The Magic Fish, Laura Gao's Messy Roots, and Thi Bui's The Best We Could Do.

An absolutely gorgeous graphic memoir. Powerful and impactful, I can see myself handing this graphic novel to a ton of my students.

Thank you so much for letting me read this graphic novel. I am completely in awe of this piece of art. I loved the story and the artwork.

A lovely graphic novel touching on how hard it is to grow up experiencing poor mental health. It highlights the importance of family relationships and friendships in forming a strong support system.

Caught between her Korean heritage and her New Jersey home, Deborah Lee writes of her experiences trying to stay loyal to her mom and ancestors but also desperately wanting to fit in with her new American classmates. Deborah feels completely "other" in a world she so much wants to belong to, and everything feels hard: school, friendships, her relationship with her mom. Deborah eventually finds her breaking point and attempts to take her own life, but when the attempt fails, she discovers that she might be more resilient and have more hope that she realized.

Blown away by the stunning storytelling in this memoir, through the writing and artistry of Deb JJ Lee. I was absorbed and deeply connected to the protagonist’s journey. I did underestimate the impact this book would have on me.

Deb’s childhood struggles with belonging, identity, and mental health are quietly but profoundly unfolded.

Reading this book made me think of the struggles my “inner child” experienced growing up, though diff than the author ... just the messiness of growing up, then being in a country where you’re “different”, being able to heal, and forgive while still finding a way to love and be loved.

I loved this book through and through. Flawless, stunning debut 💎✨

Thank you Net Galley for the digital ARC!

I'll come back once I finish sobbing. Just HOW? How can someone portray such intense, complicating emotions so well? Highly highly recommended ❤️ My Asian heart and soul are rooting for you.

Wow, this is…really intense. It’s a very emotional story that touches on generational distance, micro aggressions, finding yourself and where you fit into the world, mental health, and so much more. It’s not a light read, but a great one. Absolutely incredible.

This book was so beautiful, both the writing and the art took my breath away. Lee gives us a great look into what it is like growing up with so many expectations and what that can do to our mental health. We get a look into Korean-American culture, and how sometimes that can lead to isolation in both Korean and American communities.

I completely fell in love with this book 💗 for all of you who have ever felt different, this graphic novel is for you.

✨ The author was based on her real life!

✨ The illustrations were taken care of down to the smallest detail and they are beautiful 💗

✨ History has a very important point: Mental health. What happens when you don't feel part of something? What if you need or want to order at school or a group of friends?

Deborah Lee takes us by the hand into her own story, opening her heart as part of her Korean-American life and how her perspective on life changed after a trip to South Korea. .

This was an eye opening graphic novel, it was interesting to read about struggles that I haven’t experienced myself and how that affects people. I really enjoyed it and the perspective of the main character. Would read again!

The cover art is what drew me to this memoir in graphic novel format, and the art within is what pulled me through Deb JJ Lee's story of growing up. The author has room to grow as a writer, but the story is touchingly told and provides a look at the pressures of not fitting expectations in academics, coping with racism, navigating the unique pains of an unpredictable parent who is sometimes violent, and struggling to find her place in the world with limited peer support. Recommended.

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.
TWs: bullying, body shaming, racism, suicide, depression, gaslighting, xenophobia, body dysphoria, emotional, physical and child abuse