I don't read a lot of graphic novels, but I liked the style of the illustrations so I gave this one a shot. I loved all of the representation, and enjoyed the story and writing, but the illustrations were my favorite part!

This graphic novel was so cute! It had a female/female relationship and it was the best! There was so much rep in this graphic novel, beside the f/f relationship (actually also a f/nb relationship) there was also a non-binary character and a hard of hearing character!
The story was amazing! It was about witches and werewolves, fighting a demon. I loved how the characters worked together, the amazing family relations, the friendship and just everything!
Besides the story and the characters, the art style was also really great!
I don’t really know how to review graphic novels, but my main message is, PLEASE all pick this up when it releases!

Let me start this review remind you once again that I’m not a huge fan of graphic novels. I keep trying some of them because I really think I’m going to like them, but in the end it seems that I always have the same problem: the plot is always too rushed and predictable. So my conclusion is that this format is not for me. Will I stop reading graphic novels? No, I won’t. But I think it’s going to be a while before I decide to read another one. Anyway, we are here to talk about Mooncakes.

Mooncakes is the story of Tam and Nova, a werewolf and a witch. They were friends during their childhood but then Tam had lo leave town. Now, years later, Tam returns in order to face an evil creature in the woods of Nova’s town. Together, they will try to find and end that evil and, during the process, they will face what they feel for each other.

Let’s start with the aspect I liked of this story: the representation. Both main characters are Chinese-American, Tam is non-binary and Nova is hard-of-hearing. Also, there is fat rep through Tatyana, Nova’s best friend. I also liked the illustrations of the magical bookstore. My problem with the story was the plot. The story has a good premise and the setting had a lot of potential, but in the end it’s too rushed and completely predictable.

I was excited about the non-binary/female romance and although I think they were really cute together, it was an insta-love story. I get it, they have had feelings for each other for years, but they just met again and they are rushing into a relationship without barely knowing anything about what they been doing and living during the past years. I needed more real and necessary conversations about their lives. Also, I didn’t understand the fact that there is not a real talk about Tam being a minor who have left home or that no one thinks about taking legal action against their mom for maternal negligence.

Overall, Mooncakes was just an okay reading for me. I loved the rep, but the story was too predictable and the romance too rushed. I was expecting a story more spooky, but unfortunately I didn’t get what I was hoping for.

I loved this story and the artwork was so wonderful. I loved the witch-i-ness of it all and the representation in this graphic novel was amazing. The characters were all so likeable (especially the cats). The romance aspect of the story was a nice addition, I didn't find it was unnecessary or forced which is often a much needed breath of fresh air. I loved the family and friendship storylines as well. Overall a very wholesome and exciting reading experience.

Moon Cakes written by Suzanne Walker and published by Lion Forge is a graphic novel starring two teens.

I read it in one sitting. This was an interesting read but it was not my cup of tea.

The art was just okay. It was nice but not what I would call breathtaking or amazing. There were coloured illustrations only for half the book. After halfway through the book though, the art was just black outlines. It was not coloured and appeared messy to my eyes.

The plot was too predictable, story too bland and the antagonist(s) were merely one dimensional characters.

I love graphic novels but this graphic novel was just not for me. It was more of a disappointing experience than an enjoyable one.

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced copy of Mooncakes!! I absolutely loved the story and the artwork. This was such a fun, original work of art. I will definitely purchase a finished copy of this book to add to my collection. The diversity of the characters was clearly portrayed and I fell in love with them all. Hoping to see this book as a series in the future!

This is absolutely adorable. I love the art and the story is truly inventive. Can't wait to share with my teens!

I'm OBSESSED with this book. I want to read it every Halloween. It's perfect. I love how seamlessly all the characters used They pronouns for Tam, I loved the development for both Nova and Tam, and I loved that Tat was fat. Seriously, all the awesome representation and *none* of it was unnecessarily explained. It was organic and beautiful.

This was a super cute graphic novel about two childhood best friends/crushes who reunite and have to save their adorably autumnal New England town from a forest demon. The witchiness is soft and lovely, as is the artwork and Nova and Tam's relationship. There's also fabulous diversity representation going on here - both MCs are Chinese-American, Nova wears hearing aids, Tam is non-binary, and Nova's grandmothers are couple goals for sure. I can't wait to get my hands on a published copy so I can see what the final chapters of art look like all colored and finalized.

This was one of the best graphic novel’s i’ve read. It was witchy, it was queer, it was cute and it had the sweetest romance! The artwork in this was also incredible! I really hope we get to see more from Tam & Nova!

I first encountered Mooncakes as a webcomic a few years ago. It was one of those things, like most webcomics, where it capture my attention for a bit and then in this age of binge-watching, I got tired of waiting and moved on to other things. Let me just say, I am so glad it's getting a graphic novel release, because it is absolutely delightful. The characters are colorful and diverse and interesting and the story is a bit mysterious with a nice helping of sweetness to it. Also, I appreciate how unabashedly queer it is. It's definitely worth checking out if you're into magic, cute romance, and unique world-building.

What an amazing graphic novel! The illustrations fit perfectly to the charm of the story. It will warm your heart and you will fall in love with these delightful characters. I can't wait for the next volume!

this graphic novel was SO CUTE. everything i wanted and more

also, the diversity? A+++, featuring two chinese-american main characters, one beings a queer hard-of-hearing witch, and the other a nonbinary werewolf who uses they/them pronouns. childhood friends-to-lovers too ugh it was just so good

the art style is adorable. i love the coloring and all the little details

definitely a new favorite of mine.

I really enjoyed this book! The story is really interesting and combined with the stunning art it’s such an enjoyable read.

The characters are so diverse. There’s very few books that I’ve seen that have queer, non-binary and hard-of-hearing people as main characters. And this combined with all the fantasy creatures, make the story even better.

The plot is quite lovely. The story begins with a family of witches that have a library and a lonely werewolf that comes back to town after a long time to take care of a demon. The witches and the werewolf were old friends, so they start to search for a way to take care of the demon.

I really liked the art, it was so nice and it make the reading so much better in the moments where the witches used their magic and stuff like that. The coloring was well-done and that was very important! Like 50% of it was the drawing and the other 50% was the coloring; the coloring gave it the magic touch. And I remark this because the last few pages are not colored and I would have liked they were. I don’t know if the final version will have them colored or it is like this because of some reason, but I really think they would’ve looked better colored.

About the romance I have to say I would have liked to see more development, and I know Tam and Nova were old crushes and stuff, but I didn’t feel quite empathic with them. They were cute, and had a lovely friendship but that’s the thing: I see them as friends and not as a couple.

Anyway, I really do recommend this book. It’s been quite a while since I last read a graphic novel, but I can say this one was entertaining, lovely, diverse and magical.

I´m not into graphic novels, but I heard nothing but good things about Mooncakes, so I want to try it. I really loved it. The art style is beautiful and colorful and the story is great. I absolutely adored Nova´s Grandmas . I hope we get more stories with Nova and Tam, I really want to read more of this!

My aching queer heart!!!! This story packs in representation in the cutest ways. Not just queer rep but disabled, deaf, fat, non-binary, Chinese & multiracial rep as well. Meanwhile, it follows a sweet and wholesome storyline, and confronts morals of growing up and entering adulthood. The artwork and color scheme is great, I’m looking forward to reading a completed copy in October!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for supplying me with an ARC*
This was such a cute comic. I loved the story and all the diverse characters of it. This was a lovely comic filled with magic, witches, werewolves, ghosts, etc. A lovely easy read filled with beautiful autumnal colours.

With a dreamy, autumnal color palette, a femme-centric queer cast, and lots of heart, MOONCAKES is one of the sweetest graphic novels I've read in awhile. The drawings are detailed and cozy, the characters are well-rounded, and the magic is interesting without being confusing. I hope they end up writing a sequel (or maybe even a prequel? I'd love a story about the grandmas when they were young!) because I just love this book.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

I adored this graphic novel. So cute and sweet and full of great characters. I love love the grandmas! Overall just a fun, cute, sweet romp! Loved it!

5 Stars

This graphic novel has a cute love story, a compelling storyline, and lots of well rounded characters.

I absolutely loved Nova and Tam! We get explained that Tam is non-binary right off the bat without it feeling forced. One of the great things about this graphic novel is that there is no instalove! Nova and Tam’s romance builds slowly throughout the story and then they realize it’s more than friendship they’re after. Just adorable! All of this is happening while Tam is learning how to use werewolf magic and other conflicts come into play like a fully formed story should be.
Not one character is forgotten throughout the story. Everyone has a purpose in the story and they play their part (major or minor) in the storyline effectively.
The art work is spectacular. All the colors flow well and there is just enough white space.

Thank you Netgalley & Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC for an honest review!