Mooncakes

It was sweet, definitely YA and I guess written to possibly have a sequel.

such a cute story!

I recieved an advanced review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book's planned release date is October 15, 2019 and my review does not contain any spoilers.

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Mooncakes is an adorable yet impactful graphic novel which manages to take matters of identity, disability, and family trouble and weave them into the characters in a way which feels completely natural and not like an attempt to tick off inclusivity checboxes. Unlike so many works where the elements of characters' identities are used in place of personalities as if being queer, having a certain body type, or being differently-abled is some sort of caricature, Mooncakes makes these things elements of the characters who also have fully-formed personalities.

I was especially happy to see how well Tam's identity as nonbinary was handled and how Nova's hearing aid was more than just a prop (she takes it out to sleep and use the phone; clearly, care and attention were put into portraying this properly). Having Tatyana, who's a heavier set girl, never become a spectacle and instead just be perfectly accepted for who she is also brought such happiness to me as someone who is terribly sick of fat jokes and body shaming in media.

The art style is beautiful even if not always anatomically correct (most notable on Tam's wolf form, which occasionally has a short neck or a small head yet never truly looks off-putting) and has this cozy vibe which perfectly suits the autumn release date and witchy theme. I especially liked a moment in the beginning where, when a character muttered, her words were portrayed as the thing she said but twisted and warped so it's almost impossible to comprehend - a perfect way to show that she said actual words but wasn't understandable. I eagerly await the full publication of this book so I can see how all of the art looks when completed! This is definitely something I want to own in its full glory and experience in the final form.

As for the plot, I feel it's a little simplistic and formulaic while also maintaining intrigue. (Think: an episode of an anthology style television show.) A complete story is told within a couple hundred pages of graphic novel and that means the plot has to be rushed in places, but I love how the authors chose to give Tam and Nova a history with a mutual crush so the annoying insta-love trope could be avoided. It makes sense when they share affection because it was part of their lives previously and we're told in the most natural-feeling way possible; exposition feels like it fits and like it actually has a place in the conversation.

The story is... ‘cute' doesn't feel quite right considering some of the darker elements, but in places it fits. Tam has finally returned to the one place which felt like home after living on the run from a creepy cult which wants to utilize their werewolf magic for evil purposes. They reunite with mutual crush Nova, who has spent a long time trying to find them, and the friendship rekindles into affection. Meanwhile, Nova's friend Tatyana provides a strong support as a scientifically-geared mind who's still learning to accept magic after having it proven to be real. And Nova's adorable grandmothers provide a strong backbone of heart, amusement, love, and support. Other characters with fascinating traits also appear, though to mention them in detail would be to ruin the fun of discovering them while reading... but do look out for the absolutely adorable cats, as they appear almost everywhere with cute and sometimes very plot-important antics.

There's an air of hope and whimsy throughout despite the tensions and fears and looming dangers. Mooncakes is overall very uplifting and heart warming and seems like it'd be a great companion for a cup of pumpkin spice tea and a snuggly blanket on a chilly October night.