This graphic novel is about a boy who has an amazing imagination, a broken family and a confusing feelings for his best friend. The story was heartwarming and the art matched the story.

This one wasn't for me, I really didn't get into the story. Perhaps it was the way it was illustrated, or it might have been that the characters were not engaging, but I must admit that I skipped over parts of the story just so that I could get to the end of it.

Not an enjoyable read for me.

Not really to my taste. A family drama with the father on his way out, a teen girl who thought she was in love, and a little boy confused about who he is. The artwork was fine, but the story left something to be desired.

Out August 22, 2022.

3.5 stars

This book felt like a dream. The art was so ethereal and perfectly captured that feeling of a hot summer day.

With that said, there’s a lot of sadness in this book. A family dynamic that’s falling apart, a first love and a boy coming to terms with his sexuality. In a shorter graphic novel, this meant that it all felt like it had some loose ends. The impact wasn’t as great as it could be.

This is just a glimpse into this family’s life and I wanted something a little more. But it was still a beautiful story and the integration of music into the story really added to the immersive feel.

I really liked it !
The art was beautiful and this little bittersweet story about gender identity, queerness and absent parents was actually very moving.
I'm glad I got to read that book !

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for their trust !

Having gone into this book knowing nothing about it, I was impressed with the atmosphere it managed to create right from the beginning. Encapsulating three different love stories whilst framing the world as it was in the 90s made this story feel nostalgic whilst discussing topics that are very relevant today. The art style complemented the vibe of the story and worked well with creating this nostalgic feel prevalent throughout the book.

This was a lovely story, but a hard one too. I loved the drawing style and the way it was colored, it was really nice and gave a good thing to the story.
It was a hard story to go through, but very realistic too. I loved the ending, it gave hope and I’m sure it will give hope to others who are in the same boat.

Well, it was something. I really understood all the story and I liked it. I recommend this book to my friends or audience. If you want a story about a family and a lgbt person, and acceptance. This book is for you

A whimsical, reflective graphic novel about one day in the summer of 1997 that will change little Lulu's family - and life - forever. The art style was super pretty and went with the child-like wonder of the story. I definitely wish the story itself was fleshed out a lot more - even if it only takes place within a day, I think we still could've seen an even bigger glimpse into this family's life. Overall, this was a cute graphic novel about a boy's struggles with identity, family and growing up.

This is a really nice graphic novel about three love stories at a breaking point during one hot summer’s day in the 90’s. I really liked the drawings and the 90’s references. It’s a story about a boy struggling with his feelings, a mother handling her failed marriage and doing the best she can for her children and a girl who stands up for herself. It was kind of sad and melancholic throughout, but I couldn’t stop reading and it leaves you hopeful for the future.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This is a gentle story of a young boy on the cusp of his teenage years. Overnight everything changes, Princess Diana dies, his dad leaves the family, his sister breaks up with her much older boyfriend and he has his first kiss with a boy. It is a story of upheaval and transition illustrated by good artwork. Not very gripping but still good to read.

Copy provided by Europe comics via Netgalley.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

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All Princesses Die Before Dawn
by Quentin Zuttion, M.B. Valente
★★★★★
153 Pages
Content Warning: homophobic language, mentions of cheating and peer pressure, suggestions of transphobia, broken home


All Princesses Die Before Dawn is a stunning, beautifully illustrated story about family, love and self-acceptance. From beginning to end, there was a flow of plot, strength of character, and a human, realistic exploration of what it means to fall in love, stay in love, and find yourself.

The story explores three romances: 1) Lulu, the MC, who is an early-teens boy who longs to be a princess saved by a prince, specifically his friend Yoyo, 2) Cam, his older sister, who is around 16-18 and being peer-pressured into having sex by friends, and by a college boyfriend she sneaks into the house, 3) their mother, who is keeping the family together, despite being aware her husband is having an (or potentially multiple) affair.

As the story progresses, Lulu learns that not everyone is happy when he expresses himself freely, Cam learns how to stand up for herself, and their mother decides to put her children first. Between claims of being suffocated, not being “fun” enough, and homophobic views, each relationship breaks down, for its own reasons.

Despite it all, Lulu, Cam and their mother stick together, loving and supporting one another in away that is both real, brutal and beautiful. Both women seem aware of who Lulu truly is – maybe femme, non-binary or potentially trans, its never clarified, and doesn't need to be – and accept him for who he is. The way Cam – while sad, in pain, and annoyed with him – accepts Lulu and promises to always be on his side, is absolutely beautiful.

The story is not only a realistic portayal of relationships at different stages, ages and with different histories, but it's also a lesson on how to stay strong by sticking together. By supporting and loving your family, no matter what you're going through, because *everyone* has their own struggle. Everyone has their own demons, their own doubts, and their own story.

In the wake of the death of Princess Diana, Lulu and his family play out their own dramas in this short graphic novel that takes course over the span of a single day. Quentin Zuttion has a very dreamy style of artwork and it is quite beautifully delicate. The story is simple, rooted in imagination that has a hold in reality, but a lot of what we see in the story is through the eyes of a young child and is quite imaginative.

Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

All Princesses Die Before Dawn is a quick to read graphic novel, but by no means does this mean that it is a half baked story. The novel explores three stories within one family, all of them related to love and growing up, in one way or another.

From the start, there is a feeling of tragedy in the air. However, the characters are able to learn that individual struggles can be better dealt with if one has the support of their loved ones.

A perfect light read, for a short train ride to work!

I enjoyed this quick graphic novel. The ending really got me emotional. I was not quite sure of the Princess Diana story fit into the storyline except the princess simile. I appreciate the story, while short, was concise and provided a full story. Out of the three stories I connected the least to that of the sister's. I feel what was happening with her friendships and ex relationship could have been explained a bit more clearer to really connect.

I’m so lost with what this graphic novel has to offer. A family falling apart while the children are growing and discovering life. I didn’t understand the need to add Diana’s death into. The stories didn’t seem to interlock in anyway.

This was an interesting, and very personal exploration of the life of the author, as well as a blisteringly honest interpretation of the different stages of love.

A nice short read, didn't like Lulu's friend or the way he called him a 'fag' and disappeared. I loved Lulu just as he is.

I adored this. This was a heartbreaking look at the struggles family members go through. They keep these struggles to themselves and slowly learn that the hard times can be a little easier if shared with loved ones. I love the representation provided by Lulu. I thought the artwork was absolutely beautiful and the use of music throughout made the family feel even that much more real. The translator, M.B. Valence, did a very good job as nothing felt like it was missing from the script and the story flowed easily. I would highly recommend this.

I was lucky enough to be granted a copy of All Princesses Die Before Dawn. This is a graphic novel that’s set within the day of and the days following Princess Diana’s death in France.
In a slice of life like book we follow a small family living in France, Lulu, Cam, and their mother. Each one is going through the different stages of love. Lulu has a crush on his friend, Cam is dating an older man who she’s sneaking about with, and their mother is dealing with the fact her husband is cheating on her and makes him have one more meal with her and the kids before he leaves them for good. Lulu is 8, an age where he’s finally becoming who he is. Though, admittedly, I wish the author did give us a bit more. In my opinion Lulu is trans, as a trans person who has gone through similar things. He wants long hair, he wants to wear dresses, and he wants to be a princess. But this isn’t explored. Instead the author chose to keep he/him pronouns and leaving his side of things unexplored in a way. Mind you, it is 1997, being queer, let alone trans, was a bad thing to a lot of people, which we see with his friend once Lulu tells him his feelings. But to me, it kinda left the story lacking a little. Thankfully, his mom encourages him, makes him a dress he can wear.
I related to Cam, being the younger one in a large age gap relationship. I was her age when I dated a 18 year old, went through that same painful love that makes you feel sick. To me, I found this was expressed a lot better than Lulu’s narrative.
The artwork in this book was well done and expressive. It gives a nostalgic feel to the whole story. Light and bright but very clearly the 90s. To me, the artwork saved my rating some, pushing it up to a 3 star read.