“The next full moon snuck on me.”

This was an absolute delight to read and I’m glad I chose to request it as somebody who doesn’t read graphic novels anymore. It has everything I love and more. Magic, werewolves, cute vibrant colors, and LOVE.

Our main characters are Nova and Tam. Nova is a young witch I believe who lives with her grandparents and helps out in their magical store. She comes across her long lost friend/crush Tam in the woods and helps them heal from their injuries. Oh yeah, forgot to mention Tam in a shapeshifting werewolf.

This was a cute graphic novel that in my opinion was too short for my liking!!! I wanted more, I’m greedy! I loved the inclusivity of it. Nova wears hearing aids, Tam uses they/them pronouns and I believe Nova’s grandmothers are lesbians.
Everyone is asian and the food...the food looks amazing.

The plot was well done and the art is so great. I loved the magical aspect as well. NOVA’S WAND IS SO CUTE. I feel like a lot of the backstory was just thrown at us so that’s the only downside so I’m hoping for another book soon. I greatly enjoyed this however and I know a lot of other people will as well.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. Please check out my blog for more reviews.
https://aelilyreads.home.blog/

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy if this book in exchange for an honest review. 

When I first saw this graphic novel I was very much on the fence about requesting it. After listening and reading other peoples reviews I decided to give it a go and I'm honestly so glad that I did. 

This is such a diverse novel with amazing characters and a magical storyline. Whilst it was an incredibly quick read I was completely hooked into the world that Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu have created.

I loved the family dynamic and I have to admit that Nova's Gandmas were definitely my favourite characters! I loved how accepting,understanding and badass they were!

I would like to have seen more of how Nova and Tam's friendship began as it did feel like we were jumping into the middle of their story.

Overall this was a super cute and fun to read and I cannot wait to get the final copy in October.

Disclaimer: I have voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley, thank you!

I’ve seen a lot of Mooncakes around booktube and in overall graphic novel recs and I was very hyped to read it. Sadly, I have to say it did not live up to my expectations.

It was an absolutely sweet, diverse and queer read including gay people, nb people, biracial people, people with disabilities and cute romance. However, the plot seemed like just a background for tons of fluff and some angst. I wasn’t also that into the romance. It was cute but for some reason felt kind of rushed to me. Maybe because I’m not too into childhood friends to lover trope and I like to see the romance develop from the beginning. It was still really sweet and wholesome, though, just not what I’m personally into.

The characters were really pleasant to read about and super diverse (gotta love badass grandmas), but I didn’t feel really connected to them. They were a part of a sweet story with a ton of representation but quite a forgettable plot.

The art style was really cute and very colorful. The characters’ faces were cute and I loved the way magic was drawn. Some of the pages at the end were not colored, but that’s understandable in an early version and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the comic.

All in all, Mooncakes is a sweet, short graphic novel with a diverse cast of characters. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes witches and magic but doesn’t mind only a few action scenes and plot that’s more of a background to the relationships.

Everything about this was adorable and I am so pleased about nonbinary inclusion in comics. Excellent art, and the story, while a bit predictable, was so sweet that this could likely be recommended to much younger readers than the target audience.

What we have here is an incredible cute story that stands out for many different reasons, from the characters to the incredible representation that portrays. I’m honestly in awe at how the author manages to include so many things and being constant with those details throughout the story.

For example, one of the main characters wears hearing aids, and she wears them constantly and there are multiple references to how she deals with them in different situations such as when flying on her broomstick. It’s not mentioned once so the book can be credited for the representation and then it’s never mentioned again. Nope, that’s not the case with this story, and that’s awesome.

A few of the points making this graphic novel so diverse and inclusive:
•Chinese-American main characters
•All kind of representation when it comes to queer and non-binary characters, and also two grandmothers in a relationship. Awesome.
•One of the characters is hard of hearing.
•Consistent use of they/them pronouns when it comes to Tam and total acceptance and respect from the other characters.
•Healthy friendship relationship between Nova and her bestie, a skeptical and scientific true friend to a witch nonetheless (also fat rep here).
•WITCHES AND WEREWOLVES (and in a relationship!)
•All of the above tòpics are handled in a really natural way.
•Talk of sensitive topics such as the loss of loved ones, captivity and abusive parents.

All in all, a sweet, magical, quick read that will melt your heart. I only wish we knew more about the characters backstories and past, because that would have made them more fleshed-out, but this is just the way it is with stand-alone graphic novels.

Also, would definitely recommend it as a seasonal read for autumn, because all these witches and werewolf stuff, plus the way the art is done, it just gives you the vibes.

It's a super cute story and the relationship between Tam and Nova is adorable. If you like a story full of magic, werewolves and demons, this might be the one for you. The romance is youthful and sweet and the main characters are well-rounded and make mistakes, like they should. Mooncakes reminded me a little of another graphic novel I read this year called The Witch Boy. The art style of both books is cute and quirky, which I adore.
I recommend anyone who is looking for a quick summer read to pick up Mooncakes, I'm sure you won't regret it.

How cute?! I couldn't find a single thing to be upset about. The art, the relationships, the pacing...just right.

Normally, I find myself more attached to a side character over the MC, but not this time. I loved them all equally. I really want to join in on the next adventure 😭😭😭

If you're in need of something punny, adorable and enjoyable, then this one's for you...

It's just recently that I have started to read graphic novels and when I saw this one I thought it was perfect for me! This magical story shows how true friendship means and how that friendship, sometimes, can mean more. The story of Nova and Tam is so cute, and it expresses their emotions perfectly that it is impossible not to cry when they're crying or laugh when they're happy. In my opinion, literature nowadays lacks inclusive stories and LGBT+ representation is needed in 2019, Children and young people needs to feel identified with characters in the books too, and that is also one of the reasons why I loved this story so much, it shows that inclusivity is easy to write about and that these kinds of characters are not going to influence in a negative way to those children reading it, but the opposite. 100% recommended.

How cute can a graphic novel be?! I've seen Mooncakes making the rounds on a few blogs and it sounded so cute I just had to pick it up asap. It's a very quick and enjoyable read that is full of representation and diversity. We have queer grandmas, a queer young witch that wears hearing-aids, and a nonbinary young werewolf. We also have lots of magic, books and cute little forest creatures! Not to mention a demon and a cult... This fantasy graphic novel really has it all! The artwork was rich and full of vibrant autumn colors that leant a cozy but also a darker mood to the story. The art style reminded me of the late 90s-early 00s comics that I'd always read.

Tam and Nova are lovely main characters and the relationship that blossomed between them was sweet. The grandmas were also great and extremely supportive--I loved the little grandma jokes and banter! I do wish that we got more backstory to the characters. Nova and Tam got together pretty early on and while they were 'picking up where they left off' as the reader, I found their chemistry lacking at that point and I would've liked to know more about their history together as kids and how their friendship grew, and had the potential for romance. I still enjoyed their relationship and how they learned to grow together and as individuals. Everyone was heartwarmingly supportive in this novel!

It initially felt like we were jumping into the middle of a story that was already almost finished because there was very little backstory and world building. I also found it a little unbelievable that they could get away with carting a demon in a floating magical cage and there were still zero people around. Where were the townspeople that they'd occasionally mention?

Overall, a quick, witchy and heartwarming read. I can't wait to see the finished product and the bonus material that will be included. Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. My review will be posted on my blog closer to the release date.

This Arc was provided by the publishers via net galley in exchange for a fun and honest review..

This Graphic novel was such a fantastic and amazing story, the story has so many aspects that I really enjoyed very much such as. The.magic and family relationships that were so supportive all the time. It was amazing to see rep of a Female/Non binary relationship.(which was the cutest in the world).

This Graphic novel follows Nova a Chinese-American witch who sadly lost her parents and is still trying to grief in the best way she can. Nova lives with her Grandmas ( the best couple alert). All three of them work and look after Rare and special witch books which sometimes people come and and ask to rent them for a couple of days.
We also follow Tam a Non-Binary werewolf, who has come back to New England after leaving many years ago. Before they moved away Tam and Nova were really great friends and grew up together. Tam has came back because where they lived before he was having some issues with their family and they were not very kind at all to them.

I really enjoyed the underlay of the story of trying to find yourself in a world that can be very intimidating and tough at times, I Love how Nova and Tam always stuck together through everything and made sure that the other person was okay. Even though they both have their struggles individually they have that loving bond that can last a lifetime.

I just got to say that the Grandmas in this graphic novel are some of my fav people, they were so supportive, always wanting what was best for Nova and also welcomed Tam in with open arms and loving care.

Overall this Graphic novel was a Queer,Magical read that everyone needs to read when it is released and to meet these amazing characters. The rep in this I loved so much, the characters were amazing and finally the illustrations were gorgeous. Im definitely going to pick up a finished copy once it has been released just so I can digest these visuals once again they are just the best.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH! This was so cute and so much about family, both blood and found. The romance was absolutely adorable and so sweet and healthy! It just made me really happy and warm to read. Highly recommend!

Rep: both main characters are Chinese-American and queer! Nova's got queer grandmothers. She also wears hearing aids. Tam is non-binary.

I really liked how cute and queer and magical this was. The illustrations were pretty too. The family dynamic was relatable.

I would highly, HIGHLY suggest picking it up if you're a reader of graphic novels because this was wonderful. The artwork is simply beautiful and there is so much representation and diversity in this story. I love it especially because it's done so seamlessly and they don't make a big deal about it because it's just everyday. The main characters are both Chinese-American and queer, while one identifies as non-binary. I love the story because it's witchy and paranormal and heartwarming and sweet. I can't wait to get a final copy in October and I hope this is a first in a series because the characters are so wonderful.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute! As a graphic novel, it's a very quick read, and as I often find myself doing with graphic novels, I wanted more. But, that speaks more to the book's quality.

I loved the diversity. Both protagonists were Chinese-American, Nova the witch is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids, Tam is nonbinary and goes by they/them. I always love witchy stories, especially diverse ones, and this book also reminded me that I love werewolves (done right) too.

Nova's outfits were goals and I really found myself taking notes because the aesthetic in this book is perfect. I wish I'd read in during fall, because this is definitely a Halloween-ish book.

Anyway, definitely read this book if you are gay and love Halloween like I do!

Not bad but not particularly good either.
A predictable plot with lazy world-building and one-dimensional characters. It may be because of all the hype that's surrounding this book but when I actually sat down to read it I found it impressively dull (which is impressive since its about queer magic users battling demonic forces).
The art itself was fine, but I found myself being taken out of the story by the easter eggs hidden in the panels. The pannels themselves moved time forward so quickly it was difficult to establish the passage of time from event to event so it made the plot feel rushed. Some time could have been better spent fleshing out the relationships between the characters slowly, making them more likeable and the relationships that are formed and tested more engaging for the reader.
(What was the point in the BFF character please?)

The diversity in this graphic novel is commendable but as a queer reviewer, I expect a level of engagement from a story that this didn't supply. It wasn't good enough just to have a diverse cast because there was barely a story there. This is sometimes forgivable when a story is supposed to be character-driven but this is hard to do when your cringing at every chapter. The dialogue between the protagonist and her love interest was cringe-inducing at the best of times and don't even get me started on the adults. They speak like teenagers and act as irresponsibly as a parent in a Disney Channel Original Movie.
The pacing was off for the entire book. Due to the position of events in the story, it lacked tension throughout and because of this I didn't care what happened to the characters. I already knew how the book was going to end because it was so predictable.
Overall the plot was what I expected from the moment I turned the first page, the characters were flat and I am really disappointed by this book.

I was sent this book as an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mooncakes gave me so much nostalgia for all things witchy. I honestly want to watch Sabrina the Teenage Witch right now. This was such a fun, quick read. I loved the rep, I loved the family and friendship dynamics. I can’t wait for the next installment 💜

There’s so much that I love about this graphic novel that I don’t even know where to start. The art style is beautiful and expressive, the story is sweet and exciting and gripping, and the characters all come from very diverse backgrounds, making them beautifully intricate and adding several dimensions to the story. To make a good piece of writing, you need to not only have a good story but characters that your audience can become invested in, characters that they want to see succeed. Mooncakes has done all of this and more; it was truly a pleasure to read.

Mooncakes was a fantastic story. Nova and Tam have a wonderful dynamic, and the storytelling is captivating and spellbinding. The other characters shine as well. My criticisms are small, but I do feel as if some of the coloring details could have been better; for example, I was unaware at first that Nova's parents were dead, and feel as if this could have been illustrated a little better during the festival. I figured it out eventually given earlier context given, but this may be tricky for others to pick up on as well.

Overall, I enjoyed Mooncakes. It gives excellent representation to Chinese American, queer youth and I will be recommending this graphic novel for our Teen Lit collection!

'5/5 stars

I recieved an E-ARC from Netgalley of this book for an honest review in return.

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods.

As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery.

The book was amazing! I really loved the art style and the constant funny moments in this book. My one and only con was that everybody seemed to already knew that Tam was non-binary, even the people who Tam knew before she identified as non-bonary seemed to immediately refer to her with the right pronouns which i kinda found unrealistic. The relationship was also great and i found the creatures and magic charminf!

4 Stars

This was a really cute graphic novel about witches, werewolves, and LGBTQ characters. It was very light hearted and fun, and the characters were well rounded and interesting to read about. I also appreciated the non binary character, as novels in general need more non binary rep.

Overall this was a cute and quick read and I would recommend it to anyone who just wants to enjoy a graphic novel with cute characters and lots of rep.