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Lunar New Year Love Story
Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, forgiveness, and lion dancing.
Valentina Tran was named after Valentine's Day, which used to be her favorite holiday. But when Val learns the truth behind what happened with her parents and why she's being raised by a single father, she realizes true love is a lie. This is reinforced when she meets the spirit of Saint Valentine, who tells her she and her family are cursed to always be unlucky in love. Val is ready to give into her fate, until one Lunar New Year festival, where a mysterious lion dancer hands her a paper heart, and ZING. Val becomes determined to change her destiny, prove Saint Valentine wrong, and give her heart to the right person.
Meanwhile, lion dancing is the only thing that has given Jae peace after his dad passed away. It's also what keeps him connected to his father's side of the family. Both Jae and his cousin Leslie notice Val at the Lunar New Year festival, and for some inexplicable reason, Jae hands Val a paper heart. But it's Leslie, with his K-Pop good looks, who starts to date Val. Jae still feels this connection with Val and feels it's somehow tied to how he feels about losing his father.
Both Val and Jae struggle with the spirits who haunt them as they are inextricably brought together in a love story that is satisfying, sweet, and moving.
Valentina Tran was named after Valentine's Day, which used to be her favorite holiday. But when Val learns the truth behind what happened with her parents and why she's being raised by a single father, she realizes true love is a lie. This is reinforced when she meets the spirit of Saint Valentine, who tells her she and her family are cursed to always be unlucky in love. Val is ready to give into her fate, until one Lunar New Year festival, where a mysterious lion dancer hands her a paper heart, and ZING. Val becomes determined to change her destiny, prove Saint Valentine wrong, and give her heart to the right person.
Meanwhile, lion dancing is the only thing that has given Jae peace after his dad passed away. It's also what keeps him connected to his father's side of the family. Both Jae and his cousin Leslie notice Val at the Lunar New Year festival, and for some inexplicable reason, Jae hands Val a paper heart. But it's Leslie, with his K-Pop good looks, who starts to date Val. Jae still feels this connection with Val and feels it's somehow tied to how he feels about losing his father.
Both Val and Jae struggle with the spirits who haunt them as they are inextricably brought together in a love story that is satisfying, sweet, and moving.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2024
115 people are currently reading
10.9k people want to read
About the author
Gene Luen Yang
352 books3,331 followersGene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. As the Library of Congress’ fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, he advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second Books, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the L.A. Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His other works include Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), The Shadow Hero (with Sonny Liew), Superman from DC Comics (with various artists), and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series from Dark Horse Comics (with Gurihiru). In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. His most recent books are Dragon Hoops from First Second Books and Superman Smashes the Klan from DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,348 reviews
February 14, 2025
Valentine's Day had long been the favorite holiday for Valentina. Named after the day and annually visited by an adorable cupid only she can see, Valentina spent her childhood bringing love to everyone on Valentine’s Day until one year the day brings nothing but stressful surprises that completely upends her life. Now she has one year to prove she can find true love or she must give her heart away to never feel either the joys or pains of love in a faustian deal not with the devil but the ghost of St. Valentine himself. So begins Lunar New Year Love Story, the sweepingly gorgeous and emotional graphic novel from Gene Luen Yang (of American Born Chinese fame) and brought to life through eye-popping illustrations from LeUyen Pham. This is a beautiful, multi-faceted story that explores much more than romantic love as Valentina confronts family and cultural identity in a story rife with symbolism and dualities. With mesmerizing artwork and a story that is as heartbreaking as it can be heartwarming, Lunar New Year Love Story is an incredible YA coming-of-age graphic novel that will steal your heart (they let me have mine back, don’t worry).
I didn’t always hate Valentine’s Day
One thing I really appreciate in a good graphic novel is when the story is given the room to breathe. This is on the longer side for a YA but it really lets all the nuances and textures of the story have space to flourish and the slower pace lets each frame squeeze out every drop of emotional intensity. There is a large set-up that completely grabbed me and I enjoyed the way it shows how the things we love in childhood start to fade or become a source of embarrassment in teenage years. The shift from loving Valentine’s Day is really heartbreaking here as it descends into a bleakness about the realization opening oneself to love also means being vulnerable to heartbreak and betrayal, perfectly rendered in the eerie moment when her cute cherubic companion melts into a ghastly ghoul of St. Valentine. There is a really extraordinary blend of various cultural spiritualities and customs here showing the way an immigrant family, for instance, may contain multitudes and Val spends much of the story sifting through the interplay of her Vietnamese heritage and grandmother’s christianity. All of this in an attempt to understand herself through her history and hope to break the family curse of being unlucky in love.
Caption: “Our family is unlucky in love”
The dualities here are wonderful, such as how Val’s involvement in the Korean Bukcheong lion dance juxtaposes with the story of christian martyrs facing down the lions, the way life is juxtaposed with death, or the way the two potential love interests—cousins Leslie and Jae—are all placed in proximity to examine the idea of yin and yang.
There is also a really adorable romance going on amidst all the self-discovery of her culture and . We see how Les may make her happy but is not a source of stability or loyalty, a rather heartbreaking lesson to learn. And with Jae we see how grief can cast a long shadow over our lives, but that love can be a light in the darkness. It is a moving story full of both sadness and laughs while the deal over her heart is always haunting her every move.
‘Lions roam the world…majesty and misery…there is no hiding. How good it is, then to find someone with whom you can become the lion.’
This was such an extraordinary graphic novel with a really lovely story, a lot of excellent exploration of culture and heritage, and a art style that was an absolute joy to get lost within. The colors are incredible, movement is wonderfully captured and the art beautifully and seamlessly flows between reality and the metaphysical aspects. Lunar New Years Love Story is a massive success.
5/5
I didn’t always hate Valentine’s Day
One thing I really appreciate in a good graphic novel is when the story is given the room to breathe. This is on the longer side for a YA but it really lets all the nuances and textures of the story have space to flourish and the slower pace lets each frame squeeze out every drop of emotional intensity. There is a large set-up that completely grabbed me and I enjoyed the way it shows how the things we love in childhood start to fade or become a source of embarrassment in teenage years. The shift from loving Valentine’s Day is really heartbreaking here as it descends into a bleakness about the realization opening oneself to love also means being vulnerable to heartbreak and betrayal, perfectly rendered in the eerie moment when her cute cherubic companion melts into a ghastly ghoul of St. Valentine. There is a really extraordinary blend of various cultural spiritualities and customs here showing the way an immigrant family, for instance, may contain multitudes and Val spends much of the story sifting through the interplay of her Vietnamese heritage and grandmother’s christianity. All of this in an attempt to understand herself through her history and hope to break the family curse of being unlucky in love.
Caption: “Our family is unlucky in love”
The dualities here are wonderful, such as how Val’s involvement in the Korean Bukcheong lion dance juxtaposes with the story of christian martyrs facing down the lions, the way life is juxtaposed with death, or the way the two potential love interests—cousins Leslie and Jae—are all placed in proximity to examine the idea of yin and yang.
There is also a really adorable romance going on amidst all the self-discovery of her culture and . We see how Les may make her happy but is not a source of stability or loyalty, a rather heartbreaking lesson to learn. And with Jae we see how grief can cast a long shadow over our lives, but that love can be a light in the darkness. It is a moving story full of both sadness and laughs while the deal over her heart is always haunting her every move.
‘Lions roam the world…majesty and misery…there is no hiding. How good it is, then to find someone with whom you can become the lion.’
This was such an extraordinary graphic novel with a really lovely story, a lot of excellent exploration of culture and heritage, and a art style that was an absolute joy to get lost within. The colors are incredible, movement is wonderfully captured and the art beautifully and seamlessly flows between reality and the metaphysical aspects. Lunar New Years Love Story is a massive success.
5/5
December 24, 2024
Ah my dear Gene Luen Yang never fails to amaze me.
Lunar New Year Love Story is a beautiful young adult graphic novel that explores so many complex themes. While the cover and title of this book will make you feel as though it simply centers a teenage romance, Yang uses the development of the two main characters to explore even more complex thoughts and feelings. There are discussions revolving around parental choices/decisions, grief, first love, friendship, and more. I'm not sure what I was anticipating and I should never expect anything less than greatness from Yang; however, this was such an AMAZING read that heavily focuses on carving out your own path without allowing fate or generational curses determine whether you can find success, happiness, and love. The illustrations by LeUyen Pham were exceptional as always. Overall, I can't recommend this enough and I'm glad that so many authors and illustrators are carving out space for an increase in young adult graphic novels.
Lunar New Year Love Story is a beautiful young adult graphic novel that explores so many complex themes. While the cover and title of this book will make you feel as though it simply centers a teenage romance, Yang uses the development of the two main characters to explore even more complex thoughts and feelings. There are discussions revolving around parental choices/decisions, grief, first love, friendship, and more. I'm not sure what I was anticipating and I should never expect anything less than greatness from Yang; however, this was such an AMAZING read that heavily focuses on carving out your own path without allowing fate or generational curses determine whether you can find success, happiness, and love. The illustrations by LeUyen Pham were exceptional as always. Overall, I can't recommend this enough and I'm glad that so many authors and illustrators are carving out space for an increase in young adult graphic novels.
January 19, 2024
Absolutely fantastic! Despite having fantastical elements, this book just felt so real. The heartache, the joys, the struggles with friends and family, just high school LIFE, are portrayed perfectly.
February 17, 2024
This is a heartwarming graphic novel. I really liked the art work and felt it brought the characters to life. The story was interesting and I loved that I learned a little bit of Asian culture. I didn’t know anything about Lion dancing before this, but it was really cool to see what it was like. Valentina grew up loving Valentine’s Day especially since she feels the connection with her. She would make corny cards and give them to her classmates and father. After hitting high school and seeing her efforts weren’t so appreciated she also starts to learn that there is more to her family than she knew. Valentina learns that her family is cursed with love and the saint she was named after gives her one year to find her true love or give up her heart to him so she will never get hurt but will also never love again. The story was amazing and showed the complications of family, finding culture, finding love, and most importantly finding yourself.
March 15, 2024
High school senior Val grew up knowing her family was unlucky in love; for generations, relationships in her family have ended in heartbreak. Her childhood love of Valentines Day ends with a shocking family revelation and what feels like the beginning of a curse. Then her Vietnamese grandmother sweeps her off to a Lunar New Year celebration in downtown Oakland and a pair of cute lion dancer boys catch her eye. Could one of them break the spell on her heart? This story offers a classic and satisfying rom-com, with Val torn between an outgoing, rich, but flaky boy and a broody, shy, loyal one. The story takes several kdrama style twists and includes ghosts, saints, red envelopes, confessions, fights, reunions, tears, and kisses. For a comic, its wordy; the pages are dense with small panels and thick with dialogue, but also illustrated with such warm, humor, and realism. I really liked that the story included as much of Val's relationship with her family and best friend as romance. And the lion dancing scenes practically leap off the page with color and energy!
May 30, 2024
A very sweet read! At its heart, this book is about finding true love but to get there we must explore family and its dynamics- the secrets and lies, the superstitions but also the love and traditions. I loved learning about the Lion Dance.
Not a book I would usually pick up- a YA graphic novel but after reading my friend, Julie Grippo’s enthusiasm for it, it became a must read for me. So glad that I did!
Published: 2024
Not a book I would usually pick up- a YA graphic novel but after reading my friend, Julie Grippo’s enthusiasm for it, it became a must read for me. So glad that I did!
Published: 2024
May 1, 2024
SO CUTE & surprisingly, a lot more than just the romance was unpacked in this graphic novel, and I loved the art style so much!
February 20, 2024
This was really cute, and I loved the stunning illustrations.
February 11, 2024
This was a moving and heartfelt YA graphic novel about a young Vietnamese American girl, Valentina who loves Valentine's day and giving out Valentines until one boy rips hers up and her father gets upset.
The book deals with some heavy issues from parental abandonment, an alcoholic parent, family curses, first loves, friendship and finding true love plus a fun focus on the Lunar New Year tradition of Lion dancing.
The artwork was fantastic and I really enjoyed this first book by a new to me author/illustrator duo! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
The book deals with some heavy issues from parental abandonment, an alcoholic parent, family curses, first loves, friendship and finding true love plus a fun focus on the Lunar New Year tradition of Lion dancing.
The artwork was fantastic and I really enjoyed this first book by a new to me author/illustrator duo! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!!
January 3, 2025
la BD m'a dit "installe-toi ! tu penses que tu vas passer un gentil jeudi soir à lire une petite romcom inoffensive ? mais bien sûr sombre imbécile. c'est parti pour le ride de ta vie, j'espère que tu n'as aucune forme de sécurité émotionnelle à cet instant afin de valdinguer un max". et j'ai valdingué.
ça parle de Valentina qui est amoureuse de l'amour, et plus spécifiquement de la Saint-Valentin, dont elle porte le nom d'ailleurs. et puis un jour, comme souvent quand on grandit, les choses s'enveniment. parfois ça ressemble à un teen movie, parfois à un film d'horreur. assez représentatif de mes propres 17 ans. il y a des secrets qui ont été cachés par volonté de bien faire, il y a des selfies postés sur les réseaux sociaux qui donnent tellement, tellement l'impression d'être amoureux (mais pourquoi ne se sent-on pas l'être alors ?). il y a une grand-mère qui tue tout le quartier au poker. des lions qui dansent. un commerce probablement plutôt véreux de yaourts glacés. instagram. des brownies dont on ne veut manger que les bords. une meilleure amie qui est amoureuse de tous les garçons un petit peu, une autre qui ne l'est d'aucun. la Californie. Rome. grandir. un mariage qui fait mal. et un fantôme pris pour inoffensif, mais qui ne l'était pas tant que ça.
ça sort là en VF chez Gallimard il faut le lire............ absolument....... c'est trop bien............... sauf si vous êtes le Grinch peut-être et que vous n'aimez pas penser à ce que c'est que l'amour et vous souvenir, maintenir vivant et vivace l'élan d'absolu des 17 ans......... auquel cas vous êtes mon ennemi personnel............. mais c'est OK. (ce n'est pas OK je vous trouverai)
ça parle de Valentina qui est amoureuse de l'amour, et plus spécifiquement de la Saint-Valentin, dont elle porte le nom d'ailleurs. et puis un jour, comme souvent quand on grandit, les choses s'enveniment. parfois ça ressemble à un teen movie, parfois à un film d'horreur. assez représentatif de mes propres 17 ans. il y a des secrets qui ont été cachés par volonté de bien faire, il y a des selfies postés sur les réseaux sociaux qui donnent tellement, tellement l'impression d'être amoureux (mais pourquoi ne se sent-on pas l'être alors ?). il y a une grand-mère qui tue tout le quartier au poker. des lions qui dansent. un commerce probablement plutôt véreux de yaourts glacés. instagram. des brownies dont on ne veut manger que les bords. une meilleure amie qui est amoureuse de tous les garçons un petit peu, une autre qui ne l'est d'aucun. la Californie. Rome. grandir. un mariage qui fait mal. et un fantôme pris pour inoffensif, mais qui ne l'était pas tant que ça.
ça sort là en VF chez Gallimard il faut le lire............ absolument....... c'est trop bien............... sauf si vous êtes le Grinch peut-être et que vous n'aimez pas penser à ce que c'est que l'amour et vous souvenir, maintenir vivant et vivace l'élan d'absolu des 17 ans......... auquel cas vous êtes mon ennemi personnel............. mais c'est OK. (ce n'est pas OK je vous trouverai)
June 30, 2024
A nicely done young adult romance follows teenager Valentina Trần through her high school years and her love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day. It's a study of love and heartbreak as Valentina feels her love life is hopeless because all the love stories in her family seem cursed. Her hopes and fears are embodied by an imaginary friend she calls Saint V, who gives the book a supernatural aspect that seems unnecessary but doesn't really detract either.
Once you get past one big lie she's been told by a loved one, the story becomes comfortably predictable and sweet.
Once you get past one big lie she's been told by a loved one, the story becomes comfortably predictable and sweet.
January 19, 2025
this was sooo cute and I absolutely loved it 😭😭
February 25, 2024
A unique and sweet YA love story! Adored the artwork and I learned SO MUCH about lion dancing.
Librarian note: Characters are in their senior year of high school, but this is a 100% chaste romance.
Source: purchased paperback
Librarian note: Characters are in their senior year of high school, but this is a 100% chaste romance.
Source: purchased paperback
January 10, 2024
2023 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): Resolutions
4.5 stars. Loved it. Great collaboration between two comic legends. Read via library.
4.5 stars. Loved it. Great collaboration between two comic legends. Read via library.
December 12, 2023
Lunar New Year Love Story is probably going to be my newest obsession for a while. Not only is this story beautiful and creative, but these illustrations are absolutely next level.
I could not put this graphic novel down! I was literally enthralled with the storytelling. This story is told uniquely including the perspective of St. Valentine. You watch the evolution of Valentine from a small cherub to an elderly saint and with that you watch the main character grow and learn life lessons around various types of love. The way that this story weaves coming of age with culture and mental health was just masterful. I can truly say that this story made put me through an entire gamut of emotions. I was happy, I was sad, I felt defeated, and I triumphed and I can honestly say that I felt these emotions because of how great the writing was.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are also just so beautiful. They are vividly colorful and done in a way that the colors even had me going through emotions.
I truly cannot say enough great things about this graphic novel. I was lucky enough to win a physical copy of this graphic novel at YallFest 2023 and I have been obsessed ever since! Readers are going to delight when they pick up a copy of this story!
I could not put this graphic novel down! I was literally enthralled with the storytelling. This story is told uniquely including the perspective of St. Valentine. You watch the evolution of Valentine from a small cherub to an elderly saint and with that you watch the main character grow and learn life lessons around various types of love. The way that this story weaves coming of age with culture and mental health was just masterful. I can truly say that this story made put me through an entire gamut of emotions. I was happy, I was sad, I felt defeated, and I triumphed and I can honestly say that I felt these emotions because of how great the writing was.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are also just so beautiful. They are vividly colorful and done in a way that the colors even had me going through emotions.
I truly cannot say enough great things about this graphic novel. I was lucky enough to win a physical copy of this graphic novel at YallFest 2023 and I have been obsessed ever since! Readers are going to delight when they pick up a copy of this story!
March 15, 2024
Very well done.
January 16, 2024
Ok, real talk - I already knew I was going to rate this 5 stars before I started, because I rate everything Gene Yang does five stars. But I was blown away. I was captivated from page one. This was so so good. 6 out of 5 stars. Read it now! Don't miss the epilogue during the closing credits ;)
April 17, 2024
I love love love LOVED this book! Fantastic story and incredible art, with such wonderful details. And bonus, it's set in Oakland <3
February 11, 2025
Loved:
-The art.
-The MC was sweet and nice and I could definitely understand that she was not in the mood to chat to her father after learning several things. I loved how she found her passion in Dragon Dancing.
-Hoping that she would pick the right guy.
-The cover, which is just gorgeous.
Didn't love:
-The Ghost, I just hated that in the story. In the start it was cute, but then it just got messy/weird.
-The love triangle and how our MC kept sticking to the wrong boy.
-Mom and dad should just have been honest and talked to our MC when she came of age.
-The art.
-The MC was sweet and nice and I could definitely understand that she was not in the mood to chat to her father after learning several things. I loved how she found her passion in Dragon Dancing.
-Hoping that she would pick the right guy.
-The cover, which is just gorgeous.
Didn't love:
-The Ghost, I just hated that in the story. In the start it was cute, but then it just got messy/weird.
-The love triangle and how our MC kept sticking to the wrong boy.
-Mom and dad should just have been honest and talked to our MC when she came of age.
February 11, 2024
This was the perfect way to spend lunar new year. This was such a cute graphic novel! I loved how this emphasized different Asian cultures, especially with how they do the lion dancing. I appreciated how this touched on themes of loss and grief. I also liked seeing how Saint V evolved throughout the story. This made me cry a few times as I was reading. This is definitely one of my favorite graphic novels that I’ve read recently.
August 6, 2024
"She was destined for heartbreak. Then fate handed her love."
I loved the fact how this story is so simple and heartwarming at the same time. I have found another favorite graphic novel after ages, I guess...? Whatever, it's going to be in my mind for a while... so realistic and wholesome...
This is the story about Valentina aka Val. She belongs to such a family where nobody ever had a successful love life. And it's been happening from generation to generation. Val is really concerned about whether she is gonna embrace that same fate or find true love about which she is fascinated about. She has got one year to find the true love of her life...otherwise, she has to sacrifice her heart... and that's how the story goes on...This novel explores various themes of grief, sadness, guilts, love, familial relationship, friendships, misunderstandings, fear of being heartbroken and many more...
Besides, most of the characters featured in the story are really amazing. For example, Bernice...she is the best bestie, ever... ( such a funny and loveable character...). Then there is the Korean uncle of Les and Jae...his sense of humor is the best thing ever... Also, the grandma of our protagonist, Val. She is just a great grandma... I am so overwhelmed about the fact that I just loved so many of the characters here. Also... the way the father-daughter relationship is developed between Val and her father_ it just made me so emotional and happy eventually. Everything was captured in a brilliant manner. Such an amazing story with simple characters and simple events.
The way Val experiences various issues related to love life... that's just so perfect. As a teenager, all of us probably have to go through such confusing emotions...that's so simple and realistic and relatable as well... Val explores finally that she needs to overcome her fear in order to achieve the desired things... and she finally does... I loved the way the story ends. I loved everything in here.
Graphic Novel is quite a new and interesting genre to me and I am still exploring it. And undoubtedly this one is one of the best ones I have ever encountered. I really think you should give it a try if you love to read YA romances which include real-life issues along with romance.
4.75🌟
I loved the fact how this story is so simple and heartwarming at the same time. I have found another favorite graphic novel after ages, I guess...? Whatever, it's going to be in my mind for a while... so realistic and wholesome...
This is the story about Valentina aka Val. She belongs to such a family where nobody ever had a successful love life. And it's been happening from generation to generation. Val is really concerned about whether she is gonna embrace that same fate or find true love about which she is fascinated about. She has got one year to find the true love of her life...otherwise, she has to sacrifice her heart... and that's how the story goes on...This novel explores various themes of grief, sadness, guilts, love, familial relationship, friendships, misunderstandings, fear of being heartbroken and many more...
Besides, most of the characters featured in the story are really amazing. For example, Bernice...she is the best bestie, ever... ( such a funny and loveable character...). Then there is the Korean uncle of Les and Jae...his sense of humor is the best thing ever... Also, the grandma of our protagonist, Val. She is just a great grandma... I am so overwhelmed about the fact that I just loved so many of the characters here. Also... the way the father-daughter relationship is developed between Val and her father_ it just made me so emotional and happy eventually. Everything was captured in a brilliant manner. Such an amazing story with simple characters and simple events.
The way Val experiences various issues related to love life... that's just so perfect. As a teenager, all of us probably have to go through such confusing emotions...that's so simple and realistic and relatable as well... Val explores finally that she needs to overcome her fear in order to achieve the desired things... and she finally does... I loved the way the story ends. I loved everything in here.
Graphic Novel is quite a new and interesting genre to me and I am still exploring it. And undoubtedly this one is one of the best ones I have ever encountered. I really think you should give it a try if you love to read YA romances which include real-life issues along with romance.
4.75🌟
March 15, 2024
Valentina loves Valentine's Day. She makes individual, hand-made cards each year. When she "delivers” each card, she adds a personal wish for each recipient. This is wonderful and heart-warming until Valentina gets to high school. Her hand-made cards are then considered odd and infantile.
Valentina's mother is out of the picture. Her dad is a single dad doing the best he can. As a high school student, she navigates love with trepidation as her family has a "curse" and is unlucky in love. Valentina believes she is doomed to never have true love in her life.
She becomes part of a dragon dance team and finds that she is a natural at it. Les, her partner and crush, gives Valentina a preview of what cupid has in store for her. But Les is always chasing the next best thing and Valentina isn't sure that's what she wants. Jae, another member of the team, looks from afar and bides his time. Maybe he can be the one to show Valentina she can be lucky in love?
The illustrations are vivid and full of color. When I finished, I shared it with a student and they decied to borrow it and read it! I am looking into purchasing one for my school library.
Valentina's mother is out of the picture. Her dad is a single dad doing the best he can. As a high school student, she navigates love with trepidation as her family has a "curse" and is unlucky in love. Valentina believes she is doomed to never have true love in her life.
She becomes part of a dragon dance team and finds that she is a natural at it. Les, her partner and crush, gives Valentina a preview of what cupid has in store for her. But Les is always chasing the next best thing and Valentina isn't sure that's what she wants. Jae, another member of the team, looks from afar and bides his time. Maybe he can be the one to show Valentina she can be lucky in love?
The illustrations are vivid and full of color. When I finished, I shared it with a student and they decied to borrow it and read it! I am looking into purchasing one for my school library.
March 5, 2024
The depth of this book surprised me. It's much more than a YA love story, taking the time to unpack grief and vulnerability amidst the trials of adolescence and family relationships. Culture and heritage are weaved through and balanced so well with the story, which does involve young love and coming-of-age, but not in an overly cutesy way.
[review of an ARC]
[review of an ARC]
January 30, 2025
Happy Lunar New Year! Today is a perfect day to post a review on a book I have been meaning to read for the last year.
Valentina Tran loves Valentine’s Day, as she was named after the holiday by her young parents. She has an imaginary adorable cherub friend, who morphs years later into the ghostly Saint Valentine when she discovers a secret about her mother whom she thought was dead. Devastated, she begins to reject those close to her, yet makes a deal with the apparition to try to find true love before the next year is up.
Her grandmother reintroduces her to Vietnamese culture, and she is entranced with Lion Dancing at a Lunar New Year celebration. She meets two cousins, Jae and Les, and a love triangle develops. At first, Valentina falls for Les the suave but shallow cousin, but readers will all be rooting for Jae to preserve at the end (and of course he does!). It is through his steady love, that shows Valentina that love is worth the possibility of heartbreak.
While I really enjoyed this book, and understand the teenage angst that Valentina was going through, I hated her rejection of her father and how she ignored and then manipulated her grandmother. They were both in her corner, and she selfishly pushed them away. On the other hand, I appreciated how she began to embrace her Vietnamese culture, as too many Americans lose their connection with their family heritage. Her new respect for the Lunar New Year holiday and Lion Dancing was engaging. Author Gene Luen Yang always does his research and brings authenticity to every book he writes.
The artwork by Leuyen Pham was evocative and really captured the Asian community. She used pink and red coloring to reinforce the imagery which contrasted with the otherwise muted color palette. Valentina and Jae were realistically rendered as teens, and their family and friends were an appealing group. But it was the Lion Dancing that was the absolute highlight- the illustrations really made it feel like you were watching a beautiful celebration. Pahm is a talented artist and I hope to enjoy more of her work in the future.
This graphic novel is a treat from beginning to end. The fantastical elements strengthen what could have just been a typical rom-com, and elevate the story. Yang and Pham braided together fate, family and faith in this must-read story! (Actual review 4.5/5)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2025/01/2...
Valentina Tran loves Valentine’s Day, as she was named after the holiday by her young parents. She has an imaginary adorable cherub friend, who morphs years later into the ghostly Saint Valentine when she discovers a secret about her mother whom she thought was dead. Devastated, she begins to reject those close to her, yet makes a deal with the apparition to try to find true love before the next year is up.
Her grandmother reintroduces her to Vietnamese culture, and she is entranced with Lion Dancing at a Lunar New Year celebration. She meets two cousins, Jae and Les, and a love triangle develops. At first, Valentina falls for Les the suave but shallow cousin, but readers will all be rooting for Jae to preserve at the end (and of course he does!). It is through his steady love, that shows Valentina that love is worth the possibility of heartbreak.
While I really enjoyed this book, and understand the teenage angst that Valentina was going through, I hated her rejection of her father and how she ignored and then manipulated her grandmother. They were both in her corner, and she selfishly pushed them away. On the other hand, I appreciated how she began to embrace her Vietnamese culture, as too many Americans lose their connection with their family heritage. Her new respect for the Lunar New Year holiday and Lion Dancing was engaging. Author Gene Luen Yang always does his research and brings authenticity to every book he writes.
The artwork by Leuyen Pham was evocative and really captured the Asian community. She used pink and red coloring to reinforce the imagery which contrasted with the otherwise muted color palette. Valentina and Jae were realistically rendered as teens, and their family and friends were an appealing group. But it was the Lion Dancing that was the absolute highlight- the illustrations really made it feel like you were watching a beautiful celebration. Pahm is a talented artist and I hope to enjoy more of her work in the future.
This graphic novel is a treat from beginning to end. The fantastical elements strengthen what could have just been a typical rom-com, and elevate the story. Yang and Pham braided together fate, family and faith in this must-read story! (Actual review 4.5/5)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2025/01/2...
August 27, 2024
lindo de morrer!!!!!!! minha graphic novel favorita que li esse ano
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May 31, 2024TW: abandonment, alcoholism, cancer, death, death of a loved one, fatphobia, grief.
Such a sweet story! I don't always connect well with graphic novels, but I think the length of this one really helped as well as the incorporations of complex topics (such as grief and generational curses) amidst the romance/humor. I also really loved how the magical realism was handled.
On top of that, the art itself was stunning.
Overall, I recommend this if you're looking for a quick and cute, but still meaningful read.
Such a sweet story! I don't always connect well with graphic novels, but I think the length of this one really helped as well as the incorporations of complex topics (such as grief and generational curses) amidst the romance/humor. I also really loved how the magical realism was handled.
On top of that, the art itself was stunning.
Overall, I recommend this if you're looking for a quick and cute, but still meaningful read.
February 11, 2024
I really enjoyed the art and story, and it was fitting to read on Lunar New Year.
Val loved Valentine’s Day, until she didn’t. Now its her least favorite holiday. She’s become cynical and believes that her family is cursed. In her mind she’s destined for heart break, but if she doesn’t love, she can’t get hurt, right? An encounter with lion dancers on Lunar New Year may lead to exactly what she needs.
Val’s story was very moving. There were layers to the story which involved healing her familial relationships, strengthening her friendships, and opening herself up to new possibilities.
Val loved Valentine’s Day, until she didn’t. Now its her least favorite holiday. She’s become cynical and believes that her family is cursed. In her mind she’s destined for heart break, but if she doesn’t love, she can’t get hurt, right? An encounter with lion dancers on Lunar New Year may lead to exactly what she needs.
Val’s story was very moving. There were layers to the story which involved healing her familial relationships, strengthening her friendships, and opening herself up to new possibilities.
March 10, 2024
4.5/5 stars
This is a wonderful YA coming of age graphic novel.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The story is so good. And the illustrations are beautiful.
The main character is a Vietnamese American teen named Valentina. As a child she loved Valentine's Day. And she tried to make it as amazing as possible for those around her. She is visited yearly by a cupid friend that only she sees.
The book focuses on love and family and friendships. I really loved the lion dancing. I also enjoyed Valentina trying to find love and break her family curse. I loved learning about different Asian cultures. This is one of the best graphic novels that I've read. So good.
This is a wonderful YA coming of age graphic novel.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The story is so good. And the illustrations are beautiful.
The main character is a Vietnamese American teen named Valentina. As a child she loved Valentine's Day. And she tried to make it as amazing as possible for those around her. She is visited yearly by a cupid friend that only she sees.
The book focuses on love and family and friendships. I really loved the lion dancing. I also enjoyed Valentina trying to find love and break her family curse. I loved learning about different Asian cultures. This is one of the best graphic novels that I've read. So good.
May 13, 2024
(4.5) Super-cute story and gorgeous illustrations, with lots of pink and red shades to suit the Valentine’s theme. We follow Vietnamese-American Valentina through all four years of high school as she plays host to an internal debate between cynicism and romanticism. Ever since her mother left, she’s longed to believe in romance but feared that love is a doomed prospect for the members of her family. Boyfriends come and go, but true love seems an impossible dream. The Asian community of Oakland, California and Valentina’s new hobby of lion dancing provide a lot of engrossing cultural detail and all of the secondary characters are well drawn, especially her grandmother, who is hilarious. This would be a great one for fans of Heartstopper (just everyone is Asian instead of queer), or people who are new to graphic novels but have a soft spot for sweet teen romances.
April 15, 2024
Романтичний мальопис з нотками магічного (або просто релегійного?) реалізму. Сімейні прокляття, які можна змінити, змінивши свій спосіб мислення, культура азійських іммігрантів, дорослішання. Намальовано дуже мило і wholesome. Читати на День Св. Валентина!
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