Overall, this is a very cute story with an amazingly diverse cast and an adorable art style. The story just sadly wasn't for me. I was mostly bored and couldn't connect to anything. The big finale felt very lacking to me in comparison to the extensive build-up.

I do think that this will be an amazing story to most people though, especially a younger audience that seeks more diverse stories. I could really feel that this was a work of love.

So cute! The art style is great, the story is sweet and I absolutely loved the grandmothers.

Nova and Tam were childhood friends, and when Tam returns under interesting circumstances, they find not only that their feelings for Nova are still there, but that sometimes, home is in unexpected people.

I do feel like the magic plotline was a little rushed, and I wished I could see the resolution between Tam and their mother (my fingers are crossed for them), but overall, I really enjoyed this and hope there will be more.

I requested the ARC from Netgalley, since i was dying to read it.
i gave it 4 stars it gave me the dressmaker vibes. it was adorable, easy to read and to follow. i loved Tam ,Nova and the grands they were awesome and cute. the graphics we so beautiful. can't wait for it to come out.

This was a cute graphic novel. About friendship to love. About family, about being brave. It has some magic & witchy vibes in it. It is also filled with beautiful illustrations :)
I think this book will be perfect for everyone who want to read something light with a little bit of magic in it! Oh yes, read it in fall 💛

This was probably the sweetest graphic novel I have ever laid my eyes on. I loved how diverse the cast was in this book: both of the main characters were chinese-american, one wears hearing aids and is a witch, the other is non-binary and is a werewolf. The vibe of this book screams fall and I would highly recommend it in between your spooky reads. I loved the message of acceptance this book put forth and I loved the family dynamics that came with said theme. That being said, the one complaint I have for this book is it's formulaic/linear plot. The story and character actions went in the exact way I thought they would. The novel read younger to me than the (presumed) ages of the characters and I wish there was a tiny bit more depth involved in its message. Overall, I still really enjoyed my experience with this novel and encourage others to pick it up if they want something light and fluffy!

This is a perfect graphic novel for the fall with witches and wolves, but the color scheme also has a beautiful autumn palette. Mooncakes reminds me of many other witchy stories like Sabrina the Teenage Witch but I like that it's a short but complete story following Nova's reunion with Tam and their fight to stop a demon attempting to overtake Tam.

When I read graphic novels, I usually look for them to do something unique or specific to the format. One thing I enjoyed that this graphic novel did was play with the shape/ style of the panels to show different times. If there was a flashback, the panel shaped changed to show this. I think this can be useful for all readers but is especially helpful for new readers to the graphic novel genre. I also liked some of the things that were done with background and foregrounds zooming in on certain parts of the panel. I think the authors made the format of the graphic novel really work, if not propel their story.

Finally, I think this is a very important story. I have read very few books that have a non-binary character. I think this representation is important and I also think reading text that uses they/ them pronouns can help readers become more comfortable with this.

This was a GORGEOUS work of art. The story is adorable, and the perfect cozy Halloween read. The pictures are beautifully illustrated, the colors of fall just pop off the page. Overall, this was simply a charming read and I absolutely loved the magical bookshop setting!

The characters in this story are lovable and you care what happens to them from page one. I especially loved Nova’s two grandmas. This graphic novel was exactly what I needed on a Monday night after work. I can’t say enough good things about it!

Content Warnings: talk of abusive parental figures and loss of parental figures.

Mooncakes is going to be released October 15th. I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A very cute, low-key romantic suburban fantasy graphic novel with lovely twists.

This graphic novel was received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Witch Nova and werewolf Tam were friends a long time ago, and things move into the more-than-friends area when Tam returns to town. While discovering what they are to each other, however, they have to deal with a violent demon.

This was a really cute, really low-burn romantic graphic novel with lots of queer, magicky goodness. I really enjoyed the depiction of Nova’s hearing impairment, and the visibility of her hearing devices. Tam’s non-binaryness was well-done as well. I liked the art, it was pretty, but almost half the book was fully colored, the other half black and white with some pop colors, and that was interesting, but also sort of weird. The story itself was really good, again, focusing on Nova and Tam’s relationship and respective families and friends, all of which was very well drawn and conveyed. This was definitely a fun, loving graphic novel, and I do hope to see more by this author and illustrator match in the future!

For some reason, I’m always left feeling underwhelmed after reading graphic novels, even though I desperately want to love them!

I’m glad to say Mooncakes was the rare exception. Not only does it offer an interesting story, great art and an adorable romance, it also made for perfect fall reading with its setting and witchy vibes. ♥

Looking forward to more content from the author and illustrator! ♥

This was fun! The magic, the representation, the art style and the story. The reason this is only a 3.5 stars, is that for me the plot and the romance rushed too fast. It took me out of the story, because it stopped making sense. It was too rushed, there wasn't any room for any good development of the characters.

This graphic novel was a very sweet, heartwarming read! All of the characters were great, and I especially loved the very present parental (grand-parental) presence which is often lacking in YA books. I loved the casual witchcraft, and supernatural elements, as well as the queer elements.

Overall this was a super cute, quick read and I'd recommend it to people who love graphic novels, and people who love YA and cute stories!

First time reading a book with a main character who has a hearing impediment. I really liked seeing the diversity, and it doesn’t stop there. There is SO much needed representation in this book from.

Also, the art is freaking beautiful.

This graphic novel was absolutely adorable, sweet and cute!
The artwork is amazing, I love the colors that were used, and how everything gives an autumm vibe.
Also, I loved the characters, especially the two main protagonists (chinese-american!), Nova and Tam, and Nova's grandmothers, who were so precious.
The novel itself is super diverse, there is a non-binary character, Nova uses hearing aids, among other things, and there's so much queer representation. Everything in the story is so so beautiful.
The plot also is super interesting, there are witches, and werewolves, and so much magic, love and friendship.
I love it very much!

P.S. Can we talk about how beautiful the cover is!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ebook to review!
All opinions expressed are my own.

Review was also posted on Goodreads.

This was the perfect autumn/halloween read, very atmospheric and magic.
I loved the characters, they felt very realistic despite the fantastical elements.
I appreciate the multiple representations in this graphic novel: we have an heroine who is hearing impaired and wearing hearing aids. We also have a non-binary person as a love interest. Both characters are Chinese-Americans.
I adored the romance in Mooncakes which was very sweet and pure.
The witchy aspect also gave me life as the main protagonist has fully embraced her powers and is even helping others to own their magic. The subplot was interesting and catchy. It was well developed with a satisfying ending.
The aesthetic of this graphic novel is very pleasing, the illustrations are gentle and a treat for the eyes.
I loved the feeling it procured me, it left me filled with joy and fondness for these characters and I really hope we'll be gifted a second graphic novel within the same universe.

Mooncakes was the soft pastel fantasy I needed in my life. Filled to the brim with witchy wholesomeness and found family, this graphic novel is a warm hug. It has so many of my favourite things - a second chance romance, childhood-friends-to-lovers, grandparents, werewolves, forest spirits, coffee, female friendships, cats - that combined with the adorable art style created a graphic that felt like it was written for me.

I adored all the characters. Tam with their hilarious puns. Tatyana and her science. Nova’s grandmothers - they were iconic. And the representation. It was absolutely beautiful. From the abundant queerness to Nova’s hearing aids playing an active part in her magic, Mooncakes was such a beautiful homage to all the represented marginalised identities.

… so why not five stars? I can’t say I fully understood the cult’s purpose. Why were they trying to harness Tam’s werewolf magic? The entire magic system was left mostly unexplained and sadly, I am the type of person who likes detail. The fact we were left in the dark bothered me; it just made it a tiny bit difficult to follow at points.

But overall? If you adore Katie O'Neill or Taproot, this is going to be your next favourite read.

loved the diverse representation. the side characters were lovely as well. I would recommend it for those wishing a quick and heartwarming read.

Very engaging story with representation for queer, non-binary, hearing impaired, intergenerational family. Great recommendation for a fall/ Halloween read.

Love, love, love! I adore this book. Every character is well rounded and engaging. The story line hooked me from the start, I had to know what was happening next. The art is also above and beyond! It’s simple and bright and really pleasing to look at.

I rarely read graphic novels but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read Mooncakes! The art is beautiful, the characters are delightful, and the story was so sweet and poignant. It’s a perfect read for fall, with witches, and magic, and werewolves! If you’re looking for a pleasant, seasonal read, absolutely check out Mooncakes!

A witch with hearing aids meets a werewolf in the forest one night. That's how childhood friends Nova and Tam are reunited. Together, with the help of Nova's awesome magical-bookshop-owning grandmas, they take on a demon horse and a cult that wants to harness Tam's werewolf magic for themselves. And along the way, Nova and Tam find themselves falling in love with each other.

The art style was adorable and cute. I don't think I've ever read a story that balanced action, levity (oh the puns) and romance quite so well. I also liked how Tam came out as non-binary to everyone and then everyone just adapted to using the right pronouns and that was that. No drama, no fuss, just everyone behaving like normal. To the extent that witches and werewolves can be considered normal of course! The two main characters experience significant personal growth throughout the story, strengthened by the knowledge that their (found) family will love them unconditionally.

My favourite side character has to be Isabel the cat though. Just for her reaction when Nova and Tam kiss for the first time. It literally made me step away from my desk for a minute because it was too cute to handle.