Such an adorable graphic novel. I love the style and the story. Witches, werewolves, magical animals, everything you wish there was in a fantays story, there is! It's so fun as well; it has humor and you can totally feel the love of the artists in every page.

Mooncakes is the story of Tam and Nova, of witches and werewolves, of good and bad, and of love and home. I thoroughly enjoyed the story; it had bits of everything - humour, romance, action, mystery. I loved the art work. I hope this turns into a series cause it's pretty darn cute and fun.

This was a cute, quick read. I enjoyed the representation in the book through each of the characters, namely Tam and Nova. I wasn't wowed by this, but I did still enjoy the story. I felt like there could have been more depth to it, but I liked it for what it was. I did love the magic involvement a lot!

This was adorable and witchy and queer and I loved it. I adored the relationship between nova and tam. They were so accepting of one another and novas family was the sweetest. I loved that the things that made them different weren’t the focus of the story, just a part of who they were. I loved the magic, though it wasn’t always clear what was happening. I messaged of standing up and believing in yourself was so wholesome and sweet.

**Thank you to Lion Forge and Net Galley for this free review copy in exchange for an honest review!**

This was an adorable graphic novel!

Quick synopsis: Nova and Tam reunite after years apart and are faced with the task of vanquishing a demon from their town. Friendship, love, and hijinks ensue!

Characters:
Nova is a witch who works in her nanas' bookshop. She is spunky and hopeful. She is also queer and hard of hearing.
Tam is a nonbinary werewolf who is struggling with their destiny. They are also queer.
Tatyana is the BEST best friend. She is so supportive of Nova and of Tam!
The cats are so great. They have the cutest little facial expressions!
The Nanas remind me of the aunts from Sabrina the Teenage Witch mixed with the aunts from Practical Magic.

Things I loved:
-The art style is absolutely adorable! The characters are drawn in such a cute way and the panels are really detailed!
-The representation was nice to see. I cannot say that it is accurate and not harmful, but I am happy that there was some non-mainstream representation in the story.
-The characters were all very distinct from one another.
-The plot of the story was really intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Things I didn't overly like:
-The story moved super quickly (which is both good and not good). I feel like there were some panels missing? There were times that the story jumps suddenly.
-The relationship was super rushed. I understand that the two characters knew each other before, but they get together relatively quickly after being reunited.
-They didn't make any mooncakes?? The graphic novel's namesake is mentioned a couple of times, but we never see them make any or eat any mooncakes.

Overall Thoughts:
-This graphic novel was so cute and a quick read! I would definitely recommend reading it!

Unique, likable, and wonderful images. I would recommend this clever story for readers young and old.

Adorable, colorful art? Check.

Way-too-cute romance? Check.

Everything is gay? CHECK.

Yep, this is officially everything I've ever wanted in a book. Everybody can go home now.

In all seriousness, this book is absolutely spectacular and I cannot stress enough that you must give it a read! The plot is fairly standard for fantasy, but what sets this apart is the characters. We have Nova, a teenage witch who was recently reunited with her childhood crush. This childhood crush is Tam, a nonbinary werewolf (which might be the coolest combination of words I've written in years), who is having some problems with their magic. Nova and Tam are officially the most adorable couple in any book, ever, and it's giving me all the LGBTQ+ feels.

The supporting cast is equally fantastic! Nova has two grandmas, who are also a really sweet couple, who are witches and run a witchy bookstore. Nova's best friend (whose name I've blanked on because I'm the worst with names) is a great supporting character and it was fun to read about her trying to reconcile science and magic. The villain wasn't particularly shocking, but it didn't have to be.

Basically, this book does diversity in the best way. Oh, I forgot to mention that Nova wears hearing aids! Which was awesome to see in illustrated form. The art is really lovely and cute and I can't wait to see the finished edition. My ARC had the last few chapters just in black-and-white, which was pretty neat to see, but I'd like to read it in full color.

Perfect for fans of Nimona by Noelle Stevenson and Princess Princess by Katie O'Neill.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

“Mooncakes” was such a sweet, enchanting story full of diversity! Seriously, I couldn’t stop smiling as I read it, charmed by its magic and characters. I thought, as I went from page to page, of the first Harry Potter book, of worlds’ where magic is wondrous and so intrinsic to the characters’ every day.

The story follows Nova and Tam, two Chinese-American childhood friends, as they reconnect in the dawn of adulthood. Nova, a witch, is hard-of-hearing and queer; Tam, a werewolf, is non-binary. After stumbling upon a demon in the woods, the two friends must work together to solve its mysteries. While they do, their feelings for each other —unexplored when younger— flare again. Like everything else, the romance is sweet and soft.

Though the relationship between the protagonists is at the heart of the story, the characters around them are just as important. Nova’s grandmothers, her best friend, her whole family… They all play an important role. The grandmothers, in particular, were such a lovely touch: funny, strong and incredibly kind. Oftentimes, fantasy recurs to teens and children being alone, ignored or disregarded by the grownups in the story. “Mooncakes” fully subverts this trope; it is a much a story about families, born into or chosen, as it is about werewolves and witches. More importantly, it’s a story about facing our demons with the help of those around us, and not alone.

The art style was delightful, too! I loved the visual variety and the characters’ designs. I’ve never been to New England, never been outside my little tropical island where every season feels and looks the same, but the novel made me yearn to visit the story’s setting during the fall. The coloring screamed autumn, and every panel felt warmth and welcoming, drawn with care and attention.

What a great book! It reminded me of Practical Magic but in graphic novel and YA form. Full of witchy women main characters- what else could you ask for! I loved the story line and the illustrations were great. Definitely recommend. Perfect fall read.

Cute drawing and lovely story with diverse cast that represents Asian Americans and people with hearing impairment. I enjoy reading it.

Mooncakes is going to be a comfort read, for sure! This adorable graphic novel features all of my favorite things - beautiful art, fully developed characters, magical elements, and a compelling storyline. Speaking of characters - the main protagonists are: Nova, who is Chinese-American, hard of hearing, and a witch; and Tam, a nonbinary, Chinese-American werewolf (they/them pronouns). It also features Nova's witch grandmothers and her best friend Tat, so the story filled to the brim with wonderful, supportive women side characters that are trying to solve a central mystery. During a family gathering, a sukkah and mooncakes are both featured, which is the first time that I've seen Jewish-Asian representation in a graphic novel so far. The coloring wasn't complete in the eARC I received, but all the more reason for me to buy this when it comes out and share it with friends. Thanks to NetGalley for providing this eARC, a wholesome queer story that fills the whole in my heart left by Teen Wolf and never fulfilled by the darkness of the new Sabrina.

3.5

What a quick read! This book is packed full of so much diversity and a wonderful witchy aesthetic. Now I’m wishing for Autumn and Halloween like crazy!

Read this if you appreciate feminine stories, diversity in stories, or even just really soft, fluffy stories. I really liked the resolution with “the monster” and I hope to see more books, movies, and shows take this feminine angle instead of what we’ve come to expect from media.

I didn’t see any real problems with this book, but I felt I would’ve enjoyed it more if it had been less fluffy. I understand that this is a very personal take, but I just find more enjoyment from angsty stories rather than fluffy ones. Honestly, this is actually a point in the Mooncakes favor for most readers, so it’s not really a bad thing. It’s just my way of explaining the less than perfect rating.

There's so much to love about this graphic novel! It's about witches and werewolves, first love and belonging, ghost parents, and non-binary, queer Asian characters. It's pretty much everything I ever wanted in a graphic novel, plus mooncakes! Mmm, mooncakes.

Nova and Tam are both great, well-developed protagonists. Their struggles feel compelling and real, and I love the supportive background of Nova's grandmothers, both powerful witches. I also love the scenes between Nova and her deceased parents. They're tinged with longing, love, and hope, hitting all the right notes.

All in all, I thought Mooncakes was great, and would love sequels about Nova and Tam's future adventures!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. Mooncakes will be published on October 15th.

This graphic novel was just perfect! It is a fantasy/paranormal with witches, werewolves and demons that has queer characters, a character who is nonbinary, pretty and colorful art style, fun story and an adorable romance. I loved it!
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I got an advanced copy of this which is set to be released in October 2019. Because of that the last hundred pages or so hadn't yet been coloured in but it still had detailed illustrations.

This was everything I wanted it to be. A cute witch themed graphic novel that included a character with a disability, a non-binary character, and two gay grandmas. What more can you want. The illustrations were beautiful and showed off this magnificent world. I loved how accepting the characters are. When Tam, our non-binary character, explained that they used the them/their pronouns no one slipped up or acted shocked. They simply just accepted it which is something that we need in this day and age.

The relationship that flourished over this felt a bit rushed but that's probably due to the lack of the backstory between Nova and Tam. A few added details here and there, maybe talking in depth about their respective crushes back in the day, would have made it feel a bit less rushed. But I still adore those two together.

Nova being deaf was a wonderful addition, and I especially loved that she used this as a part of her magic. It didn't limit her in any way, the only minor inconvenience being the phone at the start. As a protagonist she was lovely to read about and it truly humanises a day to day disability that affects so many people.

The plot overall was interesting. Yet like the aforementioned romance felt a tad rushed. It all just sort of happened and, in my opinion, I could have done with a little more intrigue rather than everything just conveniently happing there and then. But the premise, however, was incredibly interesting. I just wished it had been spread out over a few more chapters.

If anything, I'd just like to know a little bit more about the side characters. Who they are and what happened to them. They were all so wonderfully illustrated that I just felt the need for something else to grip onto when it came to them.

However, as a whole, this is incredibly charming and I'd be interested to find out the little tweaks before this is released to the general public. It was heartwarming, inclusive, and simply adorable!

This graphic novel was adorable - I read a digital copy via NetGalley, and will definitely pick up the finished copy when it's out later this year.

Nova is a young, hard of hearing witch living with her and apprenticing for her grandmothers. She is told about a white wolf roaming the woods near her house, and while investigating discovers that the wolf is actually her childhood best friend Tam.

Then the cuteness but also the witchy shenanigans start and there is a lot of spell craft and soul searching to do. Plus super cute animals!

Rep - both main characters are Chinese American, Nova is hard of hearing and uses hearing aids and Tam is non-binary.

4.5 stars

A D O R A B L E

I love Wendy Xu's art, I follow her on Twitter. I find that she's always a delight, and this was just as delightful as she is. I want to get a physical copy!

Wooow, that's an awesome trip. Werewolf + witches, want more? Queer characters, one of them non-binary and the other one has a hearing disability. Asian-american characters! Magical environment and creatures, and an amazing artwork. Colorful and very interesting plot. The power of love and friendship to the max. We could easy compare the villain on the book being the evil in the world. I highly recomment it and I will definietely check other books written by them (Suzanne and Wendy)

This was as utterly adorable as I had hoped it would be. The illustration style is cute as heck, the colour palette is super satisfying, and the text is wonderfully clear to read.
I'd absolutely be interested in more from this world, the Nanas in particular!

[This eARC was given to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

One of my reading goals for 2019 was to read more graphic novels and I am so very grateful that Mooncakes was one of them. It is a story about love, family, and magic, which are basically all the things I need in life. I loved this one so much!

A (Queer, Chinese-American) Paranormal Romance

One night, a girl goes into the forest following up on reports of a white wolf being spotted there, only to end up fighting a horse demon and finding out that the wolf if her childhood crush. The two, with the help of two very cute grandmas, search for a way to destroy the horse demon and uncover a secret cult determined to harness werewolf magic to use for themselves.

There are two main characters in this story who are both Chinese-American. Nova Huang is a witch who is hard of hearing. She lives with her two Nanas (AKA the cutest grandmas ever!!) and works with them in their book store. Tam Lang is a nonbinary werewolf who has recently left their family because they weren’t very nice to them.

On top of the magical elements, this story is about self-discovery and being who you truly want to be. Nova and Tam rekindle the feelings they once had for each other. They both must overcome the hurt they both have from their parents, and even though the situations are different, they are there for each through the hurt and the magic.

Overall, I had a huge smile on my face the entire time I was reading this one. It was beautiful, powerful, and magical in every way. When Tam notices Nova changed her hearing aid color, my heart was so happy. And don’t get me started on the queer Nanas, I loved them so much and their witty banter. I can’t wait to see what Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu have in store for us next.