Rotem is obsessed with Sunrise: a series of books about vampires (reminiscent of Twilight). No one seems to really understand. Her friends tried to read it, but they didn't get it. Her family doesn't understand how a book can mean so much to her that she's reread multiple passages. It isn't until she meets Ayala, a new girl in school, that she finds someone not only willing to read it, but enthusiastically into it. The two form a deep bond that starts with their shared love of the book, but it goes much deeper than that. I'd consider this graphic novel a "quiet book" and I honestly love it. It's thoughtful, beautifully illustrated, and so much is said through the artwork. Highly recommended for fans of Heartstopper, Bloom, or We Are Okay.

3.5 stars

Rotem feels like no one understands her obsession with the book series Sunrise. Especially her obsession with its lead character, Edmund. But when she gets her fellow classmate, Ayala, hooked on the first book, the two quickly form a fast friendship.

However, as Rotem gets closer to Alaya, she’s trying to figure out what drew her to Sunrise in the first place. And maybe, just maybe, she might have stronger feelings for Alaya than she first thought. Might they be more than just friends?

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAlley for an advanced copy of Sunhead by Alex Assan to review! I was initially drawn to this book because of the color palette, and stuck around for the story. If you were around during the initial height of the Twilight craze, you’ll see a lot of that reflected in this book!

I loved the way that fandom was what initially drew Alaya and Rotem together because so many friendships are formed because of that. At least, in my experience they are. Learning the line between friendship attraction and romance attraction is also a hard one, and we get to see Rotem’s thought process as she figures that out.

For the most part, this book has cozy vibes, focusing definitely on the characters and their journey more than anything else. While some of the side characters could have been developed a bit more, the story worked for the amount of time it was told in.

If you’re looking for a cute, cozy, coming-of-age graphic novel this spring, this one is worth checking out!

2.5/5*s

Hm. Was excited about this one, because it's a queer book about someone learning about themself through fandom, kind of. The art is cute, but the story winds up pretty open ended in a way that didn't feel very satisfying to me. Maybe a better fit for someone who was hardcore into Twilight?

Grateful to HarperCollins and NetGalley for early access!

This feels like Israeli propaganda by a supposedly pro-Palestinian Israeli author. The fact that the author is Israeli and the book takes place in Israel are both hidden from the reader/buyer - the setting is confirmed about halfway through and the author's background required some digging on social media rather than being plainly listed in his bio. The clandestine nature of these hidden facts feels intentional (they should have been mentioned in the blurb and author bio) and I cannot recommend this book.

More specifically, the fact that the author is supposedly pro-Palestinian yet doesn't mention Palestine ONCE while creating a cozy image of Israel (with seemingly politically ignorant Israelis fangirling over a notoriously anti-Indigenous YA novel) is not only disingenuous, but outright reprehensible and unacceptable with the history of Israel's treatment of Palestine. Comparing the images of Israeli life in this novel to what we're seeing coming out of Palestine is just...unthinkable, and the complete lack of mention of Israel's genocide on Palestine in this scenario is disgusting. The author had a great chance to bring awareness to the issue, even with a throwaway line or background image (or with the love interest! Still screaming about this missed opportunity), yet they completely failed on every account.

However, if the author decided to amend this book or release a new one that includes the political reality of Israel's treatment (genocide) of Palestine, then I would be interested in reading and recommending it.

Free Palestine.

In Sunhead, reading and fandom lead to two Israeli high schoolers falling for each other in this LGBTQIA+ graphic novel. Includes reflections on gender identity through Rotem's wonderings about why she pictures herself as the male lead in the vampire YA series "Sunrise". Ayala has arthritis and her disability is covered in a nuanced way.

Having read some other reviews, I wanted to state that it's disappointing to see people giving it 1 star due to the setting in Israel and "towing the line" of pinkwashing. Alex Assan is vocally pro-Palestine and uses his platform to elevate content about decolonizing Palestine. Keep in mind, the publication cycle takes a long time - while I don't the exact timeline of this title's acquisition, I'm sure it was created prior to 10/7/2023 and I'd bet money on it being sold and scheduled for publication prior to that date as well. As for statements about pinkwashing, I just want to remind people that works with LGBTQIA+ characters don't have to address injustice or include commentary on politics. LGBTQIA+ youth should be allowed to read stories that aren't steeped in trauma - it allows them to imagine a world where they can just be kids in love. The critiques of the Israeli government from these reviewers are valid - but directing them at a queer pro-Palestine author/illustrator is misguided.

(post will be published on 4/5/24 so that it does not come out more than a month from publication date)
My Thoughts:

This is a love letter to those readers who find romance and friendship in books more than in people. This is for the readers who are obsessed with certain fictional characters and find the fictional world a much brighter place than reality. Although this takes place in Israel, this still feels like an American story.

Rotem, the main character, is a Sunhead, or a fan of the international paranormal vampire series "Sunrise." Yes, it is a nod to Twilight, but the character uses this devotion to then tell the story of finding a friend IRL. I know this is supposed to be a coming of age romance, but the story is a little thin. Rotem's inner thoughts and motivation are a mystery to me. I could not get clues from the graphics and coloring either, so the story feels unfinished. The art is warm and light, but I just feel like there is more to be explored.

From the Publisher:
Rotem is a Sunhead, a fan of the international smash hit Sunrise series of books and films. She’s obsessed with the story’s love interest, Edmund, and no one else gets it. But all that changes when she befriends Ayala, a shy classmate and avid book lover who’s as swept away by the romance as she is. The two become fast friends, but as their deep connection grows stronger, Rotem starts to wonder: What exactly draws her to this story?

Alex Assan’s debut, Sunhead, is an earnest coming-of-age graphic novel that explores how the stories we love help us understand our friendships, our relationships, and ourselves.

Publication Information:
Author, Illustrator: Alex Assan

Publisher: HarperAlley (May 7, 2024)

I enjoyed Sunhead and the ways so much of it revolves around the love of a book. How it can unite people we never could have expected. Additionally, the differences and similarities between the comic art and the 'real' art was gorgeous. Who isn't going to love a bookworm? Sunhead is very much a story about figuring out new friends and queer feels. About questioning things about us we took for granted. The ending felt very sudden.

A nice coming-of-age story of an Israeli teenager dealing with unexpected burgeoning feelings for her new friend Ayala that starts with a shared interest in a very Twilight-esque vampire book.

After checking out the blurb, I dove into Sunhead thinking it'd be a light and comfy queer coming-of-age tale about an Israeli teen. But as I looked up the author, I was stoked to see his strong support for Palestine, openly condemning the Israeli government on his platform. However, despite this, the cozy vibes of the story left me feeling uneasy.

The graphic novel seemed to be towing the line of pinkwashing—a tactic where Israelis use LGBTQ+ themes to divert attention from the government's actions. It felt like a sidestep from addressing the serious issues Palestinians face just miles away.

The story portrays queer Israelis without any social hurdles, which doesn't quite match the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Israel. The absence of this discussion in a queer-themed graphic novel set there felt like a missed opportunity.

Instead of tackling these pressing issues, the book focuses on the struggles of Israeli teens waiting for English books to be translated into Hebrew—a choice that seems curious, especially considering the cultural boycott called for by the BDS movement.

There's also a strange parallel with one of the main plot points revolving around a book akin to Twilight, called "Sunrise," which echoes the problematic colonial perspective in its source material.

While I appreciate the author's outspokenness on certain platforms, I wished this stance translated into more impactful storytelling.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt queer YA coming of age graphic novel debut featuring a plus size teen girl obsessed with a vampire romance book, Sunrise. No one else understands Rotem's obsession until she meets Ayala, and the two girls bond over their shared love for Sunrise. While Rotem and Ayala grow closer, Rotem has to come to terms with new and confusing feelings after the two share a kiss.

The text is spare in this book but I liked that about it since it gave the illustrations a chance to really shine and play the majority of the storytelling. I was also pleasantly surprised with the disability rep (Ayala has arthritis) but I had hoped that would have been expanded on a bit more than it was.

Overall this was a lovely sapphic friends to lovers YA romance set in Tehran perfect for fans of books like Bloom or Persepolis. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading more by this author/artist.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

This book reminds me of the days of Twilight. Our main character Rotem is a “Sunhead”. She is a fan of the Sunrise vampire romance novels. No one else understands her devotion to these books until she makes a new friend who finds them just as wonderful as she does. This book takes place in Israel, which for the most part doesn’t matter, except for the parts when they’re talking about American schools and having to learn a second language. I find that quite funny. However, this story is its own romance and knowing that it’s OK to be a little bit different, to like what you like, and like who you like. This book is very sweet and endearing and I wish it went further than it did, but it ended at a perfect happily ever after.

Reading the blurb, I was not aware that Sunhead is a lighthearted and cozy queer coming of age story about an Israeli teenager. Looking up the author, I was very happy to see that he is very staunchly pro-Palestine, with numerous posts condemning the Israeli government on his X platform and yet, this cozy narrative left me feeling very off.

This graphic novel reads like it is yet another form of pinkwashing where Israelis appeal to the LGBTQ+ community in order to deflect attention from its apartheid government. It feels like a deflection of the problems Palestinians face in their own land as it completes the entire cozy story without once even hinting toward the genocide happening just miles away.

Furthermore, the pinkwashing is also evident for queer Israelis within their community as it seems like these teenagers are just very openly allowed to be happy and queer with their sapphic crushes and then later on, being fluid in gender without any social issues popping up because of their queerness. The absence of any conversation on LGBTQIA+ rights in a queer graphic novel set in Israel where there is still an ongoing fight for queer rights and equality, is to me, a curious choice to make.

Instead this book casually talks about the many difficulty Israeli teenagers who enjoy reading face as they have to wait for translations of English books into Hebrew so they can read them. Also a fairly curious choice to make as a plot point since the BDS movement calls for a cultural boycott since "Israel instrumentalizes culture to cover up their violations of international law, creating a false impression that Israel is a 'normal' country just like any other."

Additionally, there is perhaps an unintentional mirroring in one of the major plot devices as in this graphic novel, the plot revolves around the MC reading this novel's version of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer called "Sunrise" which is a book in and of itself deemed highly problematic for multiple reasons, most notably for its conspicuous colonial gaze on Indigenous people.

While I am very proud of the author for speaking up on one of his platforms, I do wish he used the opportunity to make a larger impact by taking a stance in his published work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc. I thought this graphic novel was very sweet and slice of life. I enjoyed the illustration as I thought they were beautiful!

3.5 rounded up.

SUNHEAD is a cute, cozy graphic novel about a high school student that finds a new friend because of their shared interest in a book. The book is clearly Twilight by another name. This makes the story completely relatable to those of us that were into the Twilight series back in the day when it was releasing!

I liked a lot about this book, especially the art style and the fact that the budding relationship is queer. However, there were things I really would have liked to see expanded upon. Near the end of the book, the main character starts experimenting with their gender expression by getting a shorter haircut and wearing more masculine-coded clothing. I would have loved to see more gender exploration! I also found myself wanting to learn more about Ayana, the romantic interest.

Overall this book is cute, and I recommend it especially if you used to be into Twilight (or are a part of its resurgence in popularity.)

Let’s start with the positives of this debut graphic novel. In summary, this book centers on high school student Rotem who finds herself drifting from her friends and becoming more and more interested in the shy Ayala.

The first positive: normalizing gay relationships. Thank you, thank you, thank you for capturing the emotions of a first crush (regardless of sexuality). Second, one of the appeals of a graphic novel are the illustrations. The color shifts are soft and very pretty, and they do a good job of showing time shifts and changes of time and characters. Third, Rotem’s change in looks by the end of the story works well and makes sense.

There are a few spots where I’m unsure as a reader. I love the idea of carrying a book around and sharing it with others; however, I was right there with Rotem’s friend when she called Rotem out for being obsessive about it. The sub-story of Edmund was too close to the popular vampire series from a few years ago. I understand the connection to romance, but I don’t know that it worked very well. The concept of being a Sunhead feels flat.

I would recommend this book to readers interested in first crushes, queer texts, and readers of vampires series and graphic novels.

Thank you for Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

Sunhead exemplifies the principle of show, not tell, more than possibly any other graphic novel I've read. There are long stretches of pages with little to no dialogue, where the story is told solely through the colors and expressions of characters---and it really works. I had no trouble understanding what was going on or how the main character, Rotem, was feeling about situations.

I also liked how despite the happy yellow and orange colors throughout the book, a lot of the book was distinctly melancholy. It was very character-driven, and even though Rotem pursues Ayala romantically their friendship feels real and important even without romantic aspects.

Finally, I kind of love that Rotem is just a Twilight stan. go for it girl live your authentic life!

This is a great slice of life graphic novel that follows a young girl's journey to finding herself. I love the aspect of making friends through fandom and sharing favorite media, and this captures that beautifully. It's fun to see them talk about Sunrise and see Rotem's life filtered through the book, which felt very relatable. At one point Rotem's dad asks why she's rereading Sunrise again, she asks him why he rewatched Star Wars so many times. It's a quick way to reframe things and remind you that traditionally gendered interests are equally important.

I will say that the last act of the book has barely any dialogue, which left me confused as to if I was missing something! I would've loved to see Rotem and Ayala's relationship explored more as well, as the latter didn't have much talking time in the end and it wrapped up a bit quickly for my taste.

My 10yo read this graphic novel with me and we both enjoyed it! The colours really helped set the tone of the graphics and led into an easy shift between pages. The focus on interpretation of stories as they are in the process of being translated brings the reader into the process of waiting for a good thing to happen. The cute friendship that pops up between crushes is adorable.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

This book is great for the younger YA age group. The friendship between the main characters and their bond over a fandom is very relatable especially for that age group. The illustrations in this were very well done as well. I am not sure if this will become a series or not, but my only complaint was that it felt a little unfinished. Still, I would recommend this one.