Nova Huang knows more about magic than the average teen witch, but one night she comes across her childhood crush, Tam Lang, as a werewolf in the woods, and soon their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties. - (Baker & Taylor)
“Mooncakes is spellbinding. It had everything I love in a story—magic that felt inventive, characters that became my friends, and a romance that felt truly authentic. It was one of those books that I was sad to see end. Luckily, I can always reread.” —Tillie Walden, creator of Spinning and On a Sunbeam
"Mooncakes transported me to a gorgeous magical realm that I never want to leave, and introduced me to lovable characters who stuck with me long after I finished reading. This graphic novel is the joyful fantasy romance we all need right now, and it might just restore your faith in magic." —Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky
“Mooncakes is heartwarming, playful and absolutely magical! A story about love and family, with a kind and powerful core that radiates through the vibrant cast of characters.” —Katie O'Neill, author of The Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After
A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft.
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. - (Diamond Comics Distributors)
"Mooncakes is that spellbinding, magical-girl queer romance you’ve been looking for." —Readers Digest
"If Mooncakes were a spell, it would be a housewarming charm that settles with care into the softest parts of a home and makes the houseplants grow. I wish I could live inside this book.” — New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston
A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft. 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 townhome. 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.
2019 Goodreads Choice Award Finalist
2019 Cybils Award Finalist
2020 Hugo Award Nominee
A 2020 ALA Rainbow Top Ten Book - (Simon and Schuster)
Suzanne Walker is a Chicago-based writer and editor. She is co-creator of the graphic novel Mooncakes (Lion Forge, October 2019) with artist Wendy Xu. Part of it can be read on mooncakescomic.tumblr.com. Her short fiction has been published in Clarkesworld, and she has published nonfiction articles with Uncanny Magazine, Women Write About Comics and the anthology Barriers and Belonging: Personal Narratives of Disability. She has spoken at numerous conventions on a variety of topics ranging from disability representation in sci-fi/fantasy to the importance of fair compensation for marginalized SF/F creators. You can find her posting pictures of her cat and occasionally yelling about baseball on Twitter: @suzusaur.
Wendy Xu is an award-nominated Brooklyn-based illustrator and comics artist with three upcoming graphic novels from Harper Collins. Her work has been featured on Catapult, Barnes & Noble Sci-fi/Fantasy Blog, and Tor.com, among other places. You can find more art on her instagram: @artofwendyxu or on twitter: @angrygirLcomics - (Simon and Schuster)
Wendy Xu is an award-nominated Brooklyn-based illustrator and comics artist with three upcoming graphic novels from Harper Collins. Her work has been featured on Catapult, Barnes & Noble Sci-fi/Fantasy Blog, and Tor.com, among other places. You can find more art on her instagram: @artofwendyxu or on twitter: @angrygirLcomics - (Simon and Schuster)
Booklist Reviews
Teen witch Nova works at the bookstore run by her grandmothers (who are also witches) and helps their town handle magical problems. One night, she discovers a horse demon battling a white wolf—who turns out to be her childhood friend Tam, a werewolf who moved away years before. Reunited, they rekindle their mutual crush and, as a nefarious cult manipulates Tam for dark purposes, the teens experiment with love and magic as they rediscover themselves in their coming-of-age. Walker and Xu offer a wonderfully cozy, magical romance that also happens to be a cornucopia of beautiful representation. Nova and Tam are Chinese American; Tam is non-binary, using they pronouns; Nova is hard-of-hearing, relying on hearing aids; her nanas are an irresistible pairing, as warm as they are powerful; and everyone in Nova's life models an ideal support system that will bring hope to many readers. While the romantic tension takes center stage, there's enough sorcery here to please aspiring witches. Throw in refreshingly natural dialogue and relatable family drama, and you've got a must-have for all graphic-novel collections. Grades 8-12. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.
