Mooncakes (graphic novel)
| Mooncakes | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2015 (webcomic) October 15, 2019 (graphic novel) |
| Publisher | Lion Forge |
| Creative team | |
| Writer | Suzanne Walker |
| Artist | Wendy Xu |
| Letterer | Joamette Gil |
| ISBN | 978-1549303043 |
Mooncakes is a 2019 fantasy graphic novel written by Suzanne Walker and illustrated by Wendy Xu. Originally published as a webcomic starting in 2015, it was adapted into a graphic novel published by Lion Forge.
Plot
[edit]Nova Huang, a bisexual Chinese-American witch who uses a hearing aid, reunites with her childhood friend and long-time crush Tam Lang, a Chinese-American genderqueer werewolf, who is being hunted down by a mysterious demonic horse. The two must find a way to defeat the creature and whoever is controlling it, and deal with their mutual romantic feelings.[1][2][3][4]
Development
[edit]The story of Mooncakes was initially pitched as part of an anthology, with the authors deciding to turn it into a webcomic after it was not picked up.[3][4]
The graphic novel make several changes to the original comic, such as giving Nova a new arc about not wanting to leave home and modifying Tam's relationship to the demon horse. Xu also redrew the webcomic's art for the print release.[2][3]
Reception
[edit]Samantha Puc of The Beat gave the book a positive review, praising the artwork and worldbuilding, writing that "Mooncakes is a world so rich and full that learning more feels like a gift". She also positively noted the representation of queer people of color and visible disabilities through Nova's hearing aids, emphasizing how they are "a bright color that always contrasts against her dark hair." [5] Holly Raidi, writing for Broken Frontier, described the graphic novel as "a sweet fantasy story, exploring relationships and growing up with the struggles that come with that", and further said the art gave Mooncakes "a rich, almost fairy-tale, feeling." [6] Elvie Mae Parian of WomanWriteAboutComics noted the art's "autumnal color palette" and use of strong color saturation to represent magic, as well as the inclusion to Chinese-American cultural traditions and decision to re-release the graphic novel in July 2020 in commemoration of Disability Pride Month in the United States.[7]
The book was given a starred review by School Library Journal.[8]
| Year | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Cybils Awards for Graphic Novel | Finalist | [9] |
| 2020 | Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story or Comic | Finalist | [10] |
| American Library Association Rainbow Book List - Fiction | Top Ten | [11] |
References
[edit]- ↑ McMillan, Graeme (2019-01-29). "Queer Webcomic Hit 'Mooncakes' Coming to Print This October". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- 1 2 Puc, Samantha (2019-08-09). "EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Read the entire first chapter of the MOONCAKES graphic novel". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- 1 2 3 4 Puc, Samantha (2019-08-13). "INTERVIEW: Wendy Xu & Suzanne Walker reflect on transforming MOONCAKES into a graphic novel". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
- 1 2 3 Walker, Suzanne (2016-01-08). "Mooncakes and Hearing Loss: Taking My Own Advice - WWAC %". WWAC. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ Puc, Samantha (2019-10-02). "REVIEW: MOONCAKES invites readers into a warm, magical world". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
- ↑ Raidl, Holly (2019-10-18). "Mooncakes - Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker's Sweet Coming-of-Age Fantasy from Lion Forge". Broken Frontier. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
- ↑ Parian, Elvie Mae (2020-10-12). "REVIEW: The Magic of Mooncakes Is Its Respectful Representation - WWAC %". WWAC. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ Suzanne, Walker. "Mooncakes". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ "2019 Cybils Finalists". www.cybils.com. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "2020 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Award. 2020-04-07. Retrieved 2026-08-05.
- ↑ "The 2020 Rainbow Book List « Rainbow Book List". Retrieved 2026-08-05.