Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my heart is broken in a good way. This was so beautiful and touching. My heart aches for anyone who has experienced loss. This graphic novel provides some hope that souls will find peace and rest. Although it is touching and hopeful and beautiful I'm still bawling like a baby.

49 Days by Agnes Lee is an emotional narration of a soul’s travels to another world. The graphics were excellent and charming. The book is filled with grief, loss, and emotions. But it is not only the family that struggles but also the soul. One thing that I could not understand was what really happened to the main character. I have not read much about Buddhist religion, but in Hindu religion, we believe that there are forces who guide you in your afterlife. The book is worth a one-time read and deserves 4 stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars.
Wow...that's what I thought as I finished reading this. I started it, and I found it a bit confusing. I thought, well this will probably be a solid three star read. Then, as I continued to turn the pages, something inexplicable happened. I started crying. Not sobbing, just quiet tears trickling down my face. And the tears continued right until the last page. My cheeks are still wet as I write this.
This book manages to capture the many facets of grief, of losing someone you care about. It's so heartfelt and emotional. Although I at first was a bit confused as to what was going on, the story and emotion was able to transcend this. The art was simple but beautiful and effective. I haven't cried reading something in a long time, so that was definitely unexpected. I always keep five star ratings for the best of the best. In my opinion, this book outstanding in its genre. That's why I have given it five stars. That and the fact that it seems to have a magic about it, a message that transcends language, culture, place and time.

Thank you Netgalley, Levine Querido Publishing and Agnes Lee for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was sooo beautiful! The art is simplistic, but therefore very effective and just lovely. Story itself was powerful. I did not understand the story at first, but the afterword helped (I forgot the synopsis). It made me appreciate learning more about other cultures. Would highly recommend!

A most warm and beautiful graphic novel to start the year on. Thank you to the publishers and Agnes Lee for letting me read this ARC!

3.5 stars
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Thanks NetGalley, Levine Querido publisher and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

I was very excited to read this comic when I saw the summary. I have always been curious about this topic. The story was beautiful, relaxing, tender, but at the same time, heart-breaking. I liked how the story was executed in parallel between the living world and the underworld (I thought so).
On the other hand, there were some drawbacks that I have noticed. The artwork was very confusing for me. It was nice, but maybe it needs improvements. I hope the story could be elaborated more because I was left hanging at the end of the comic. I felt like I didn't get much out of the story. There was no climax as well as resolution. From my point of view, the story fell flat.

This book is remarkably beautiful. I loved the alternating storylines of the deceased and their loved ones with stories told from both past and present. It was a sweet, sweet journey of a life well lived and a glance into a culture and religion I am not myself familiar with.

When I started reading it, it wasn't quite resonating with me and I wondered where it was going (literally) but by the time I finished this short work, I felt totally connected to it and very moved by it. It's lovely and sad at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's quietly moving.

This was a quick read that will linger. The 49 days of suspension between life and death is a new concept to me and well integrated into the story. This will read well for higher level middle school students but is probably best geared towards high school students and adults.

This is such an exquisitely told story of the journey of grief for both the deceased and the living. Kit, a Korean-American, has died and according to Buddhist belief's, her soul has 49 days between death and fully crossing over. We travel with Kit over the 49 days as she overcomes different emotions and obstacles, at times aided through flashbacks of her life. We also see how her family and friends are dealing with her death over the same 49 days as well and how their journeys parallel each other. Beautifully written and illustrated by Agnes Lee, showing how images and only the necessary words can evoke such emotions from the reader.

49 days is a comic about a young Korean-American girl named Kit’s journey through bardo, in Buddhism it is a state in between life and rebirth for 49 days before their soul can move on. We get to learn about her family and friends and how they deal with grief along with how Kit processes her own death. The art was beautiful and simple, the colors telling you the difference between Kit’s point of view versus the living. The story drew me in and I went through it in one day, unable to let go. My review will be on Instagram and goodreads.

From brush to e-book, Agnus Lee’s illustrations and writing captures the vulnerable journey of Kit and her family as they understand acceptance, peace, and unconditional love within grieving a lost one.

As each day passes, the reader finders themselves simultaneously living between worlds. We read about sentimental conversations, frustrations, and enlightenments. Through the weeks, we learn how to navigate emotional grief and fear. At the end of our journey with Kit and her family, the reader understands the beautiful acceptance of fully crossing over.

49 Days is transformative, beautiful, and a must have on your shelves!

Thank you for the ARC! All thoughts are my own and not endorsed.

I'm captivated by this brilliant book, where Buddhist tradition is artfully woven into a tapestry of wisdom through images and concise prose. The illustrator skillfully guides us through the journey of grief and life's phases, exploring the transformative 49-day period. The beauty lies in the visual splendor and the reflection on life, loss, and familial traditions. In essence, it's a celebration of life's transient nature and the enduring legacy of traditions, urging readers to embrace the ebb and flow with newfound wisdom. This soul-stirring exploration leaves an indelible mark on the reader's attention.

It is more than just a little graphic novel with minimal words.

Wow! Excellent narrative, I learned so much about Kit and her family dynamics while anticipating what had happened to her and where exactly she was. Reading the author’s acknowledgment about Buddhist beliefs put it into perspective for me and I loved this method of learning. I could see this being adapted for an English curriculum and an excellent way to learn about others.
The illustrations were perfect for what this story entailed, no need for overt details.

A short but touching story about death and grief.
I enjoyed the simple art style and liked the story as well, even though I was a bit confused by it at some points.

This compelling little book explores grief and loss through Kit, a young Korean American woman, and the loved ones she left behind. I appreciated the way their Korean culture played a role in Kit’s family’s lives as well as their grief, especially the kimchi.

The art in this book is simple but powerful and reflects its subject matter very well.

What a touching story. A beautiful book that talks about grief, the cycle of life, and remembering those we love after they have passed. The art is simplistic yet beautiful.
I was very moved by the story. Highly recommend!

This was such a sad story about grieving. The simple art complemented it well, and I really liked it. Nothing was blatantly explained. The emotions and situations were clearly conveyed through the depictions of both the present and the past. It was really just a wholesome story.

This book was a work of art from start to finish. It beautifully portrays the author's view of the afterlife through what Kit sees after death but parallels that with Kit's family processing their grief at her passing. The art is very minimal but it conveys the story well. I finished the book and I want to read it again already. This is one of the best books I have ever read that depicts the processing of grief after someone close to you passes away.

A beautifully moving story of grief, loss, and acceptance. 49 Days follows Kit’s journey in the afterlife, her family she left behind and flashbacks to the life she had.

This is a story of a life taken too soon, told in snippets. It is a journey of healing on both sides of life and afterlife through relationships and food. Kit’s family’s story was especially touching, and I thought the grief they felt was palpable and real.

Such an engrossing story told through imagery. Fantastic debut!