Member Reviews
I absolutely adored this graphic novel. Three different stories, about different kinds of love, all wrapped up in one family’s story. Although there was different versions of love in here, the common theme was loving yourself and those who love you for the person you are, no matter what.
This was sweet and heartbreaking all at once, an impactful story with diverse characters and beautiful illustrations. It took place in the span of one summer’s day but it felt a lot longer to read, but in a good way. It felt just the right length.
I definitely recommend this and I’m sure I will reread this many times. I would love to read more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher for this review copy.
This graphic novel just wasn't for me and I ended up DNFing it. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to read it though, Thank you NetGalley!
Thank you for approving me for this title! However, I unfortunately was unable to download/read this book prior to it being archived on Netgalley. I hope to read and review this book on my own soon, and hope to read other books from this author and publisher. Thanks again!
"All Princesses Die Before Dawn" by Quentin Zuttion is a haunting and evocative graphic novel that explores themes of grief, loss, and self-discovery. Set in a fantasy world of witches, curses, and dark magic, the book tells the story of a young princess named Aurora who sets out on a perilous journey to find her missing father.
One of the standout features of the book is its striking and expressive artwork. Zuttion's illustrations are dark and moody, with bold lines and intricate details that create a sense of depth and texture. The use of color is particularly effective, with muted tones that add to the overall atmosphere of melancholy and despair.
The story itself is also engaging, with a strong sense of pacing and a gripping plot that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Aurora is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, struggling to come to terms with the loss of her father and the burden of her royal duties. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets that add to the intrigue.
At its core, "All Princesses Die Before Dawn" is a poignant and deeply affecting meditation on the nature of grief and the search for meaning in the face of tragedy. Zuttion has created a powerful and unforgettable work of art that will resonate with readers long after they have finished the book. Highly recommended.
I had an idea this was going to make me emotional, but I didn't expect to cry this much, to feel this much.
Thank you so much NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this graphic novel, I'm going to carry Lulu in my heart forever now.
All Princesses Die Before Dawn is a beautiful story about 3 members of the same family who are each dealing with a change. Lulu is a young boy who feels different in his body and knows that he feels things that may make him different. Cam, his older sister, is dealing with being a teenager and wanting to fit in and find her place. Lulu and Cam's Mom knows her husband is cheating. The stories are connected because they are the same family. However, like most families, what each individual member is going through is their own. True to life issues of rejection, understanding one's self, finding your own path, and acceptance are told in beautifully drawn panels. I would recommend this story to high school students. I think that high school students that are trying to figure out who they are can relate to this story. I think that a very mature, late middle grade reader could read this story and also connect to it. I don't think that all middle grade readers would relate or understand the depth. I think it is also a great read for adults. I give it a 3 out of 5 because it was a great read.
All Princesses Die Before Dawn, is a beautifully crafted blend of love and loss, of blossoming and finding self and maturing into the different aspects of our lives. With beautifully colored pages this graphic novel follows three member of a family. One a young child growing into and finding their identity. The older sister learning to navigate sex relations and respect for herself and her body. And the mother, fighting for her children through the changing of her feelings of love in her marriage. Delicately balanced between three intersecting lives the reader is walked through a day that changes everything, with the backdrop of the death of Princess Diana adding to the tension in unfolding stories.
I was thinking this was going to be a romance book even if it was going to be about puppy love but the stories for this one family were all very sad and beautiful at the same time. Highly recommend, especially as a conversation starter for many topics families may go through as adults and as growing adults.
With thanks to netgalley, the author and the artists.
All Princesses die before dawn is set on the day Princess Diana dies, but follows Lulu who is trying to figure out who is he and the feelings he has towards his best friend.
All princesses die before dawn is a beautiful graphic novel that is also bittersweet. The artwork is stunning.
Set on an unforgettable day in world history, All Princesses Die Before Dawn covers 24 hours in the life of one family.
From the very beginning, we know that imagination has a large part to do with Lulu’s world. A young French boy who wants nothing more than to be the princess in a fairytale like the dolls he plays with. The watercolor artwork paints the picture of a child who’s only seen by the women in his life, his mother and sister, both of whom are destined to see the men the love walk away without a backward glance.
His father is barely there, but when he returns we learn that he’s having affairs with multiple women, because he thinks he made a 20 year mistake in being with his wife.
His sister Cam is in high school, but the guy she’s been sneaking into her house late at night is obviously much older. We find out that he’s in college and pressuring her for sex, which is the exact reason her ex broke up with her. She isn’t ready, but they don’t seem to care.
Lulu’s best friend, Yoyo, comes over to play. It’s obvious that both of them have very different ideas of fun. While Lulu’s ideal day has them playing pretend as Prince and Princess, Yoyo wants to climb trees, wrestle, and play with his BB gun that looks like a handgun.
All of them spend the day as if it’s regular, while around them their world crumbles… all while the radio covers the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death. That day was definitely chosen as foreshadowing for the relationships that would be no more by the next day.
This book was beautiful and heart wrenching and even though I loved it, I hated it too. I felt a kinship to that poor little boy who would have to learn soon how fitting the 3 letter f slur that his best friend calls him would be in relation to himself too soon in his life. All I wanted to do was save him, but at the same time, he doesn’t know the truth about himself at such a young age… not yet atleast.
All Princesses Die Before Dawn by Quentin Zuttion (4⭐️)
‘All Princesses Die Before Dawn’ is a middle grade queer romance graphic novel. Three love stories, from budding desire to fading passion, play out within one family on a late summer’s day - a day that will change all their lives forever.
This was a cute queer romance of a little boy figuring out his sexuality while experiencing his parents’ separation. Lulu’s friend Yoyo is very homophobic but Lulu’s family accepts him immediately. The story is very realistic with how it shows every character having their own personal problems while also showing world issues and overall family problems all at the same time. Life and people are so complex and I think this showcases that perfectly.
Rep - queer (MC)
TWs/CWs - Abandonment; Adult/Minor Relationship; Blood; Car Accident; Cheating; Death; Fire; F-slur; Guns; Homophobia; Medical Detail; Smoking; Suicide jokes; Sunburn
Thank you to Netgalley for an arc
3.5
trigger warnings for homophobia and adult-minor relationship
Set in 1997 this story takes a short snippet of a families life to tell a meaningful story. The art style was beautiful and unique.
This graphic novel shines by being able to show the entire family going through difficult moments but in the end we see the strong bond between them that keeps them smiling. It was short and sweet, and made me feel like I might cry. This story didn't need to be spanned across a long timeline to be able to show what it needed to and I think it was impressive to be able to tell the story the way it did.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a beautifully wholesome read. Every character in this story had their own problems which felt very relatable.I've finished reading this graphic eBook few months ago but I'm only now writing a review because I really didn't know what to say. It's really hard to put my feelings into words regarding this, this was really beautiful story and I love the art work it's was really beautifully done
This was a beautifully wholesome read. Every character in this story had their own problems which felt very relatable.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've finished reading this graphic novel over a month ago but I'm only now writing a review because I really didn't know what to say. It's really hard to put my feelings into words regarding this book. One part of me feels like we should encourage children to be themselves and to express themselves freely BUT the other part feels like children shouldn't be exposed to this stuff. And by "stuff" I don't mean lgbtq, no not at all, I wouldn't tolerate this even if it was about straight children, but by "stuff" I mean kissing and having sexual thoughts of any kind. I mean the kid in this graphic novel looks barely 10 and he's already thinking this way? I don't think it's something children should be knowing at such a young age. 2 stars for the art style only.
This book hits a little bit too close to home that I am left scrambling for words. I will write a more coherent review some day when I can gather more of my thought. For now, I have the knowledge that this will leave a mark in my soul and I will just have to be content with that.
Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced reading copy.
This is a short, adult, graphic novel about an evening that affects the characters in different ways. From the mother's troubled marriage, the daughter's much older boyfriend, and the son struggling with his identity all the characters must decide how to move on, in this case to the next day.
This was a beautiful and heartwrenching story and I absolutely loved the artwork.
This is by no means a light or cheerful story. A marriage is imploding, a young teen is trying to grow up too fast and deal with her emotions and an 8 year old is discovering they may be trans without having any of the language to express it.
However, it is a lovely little tale with a hopeful finish that will speak to anyone going through any of these things.
Nice art, and a powerful story with emotions bursting from the drawings. Most graphic novels don't provoque emotions as good as a book does, however, this was an exception, all the topics were also handled carefully and in such a delicate way I can see myself giving this one to the youngest readers. 4 out of 5 stars.
This was a beautifully wholesome read. Every character in this story had their own problems which felt very relatable.
The graphic novel follows Lulu who is figuring out his identity, his sister Cam who wants to feel like a woman and his mother who is unhappy in her marriage. It is a very short story but it really tugs at your heart and not a page is wasted.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is an inspiring and thought provoking story of a young boy who is trying to work out what his identity is. This book is set in the time when Princess Diana has been killed and this is an underlying theme for the narrative. However the true story is about Lulu and him trying to put his thoughts together and decide if he likes boys or girls. It is an understandable difficult thing for him to deal with at the tender age of 8. He finds that he is able to confide in his sister and the bonds between the family get stronger and stronger. I like the way that the author has dealt with this and will be looking to refer this book to all of my younger relatives who are asking questions about sexual orientations and the associated feelings that they have.