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No Rules Tonight: A Graphic Novel
From the creators of Banned Book Club comes a young adult graphic novel about unveiling secrets, confessing your crushes, and finding yourself: all in the mountains of South Korea on Christmas Eve.
It's time for the annual winter camp at Anjeon University. A full weekend, deep in the mountains, with no parental supervision. But this is no ordinary getaway. It is 1980s South Korea, where political tensions are high and curfew is strict. Luckily, it’s the only night of the year when Koreans have no curfew, no obligations, and no rules. Christmas Eve.
In the snowy mountains, everyone has a different plan for their one night of freedom. Hyun Sook is trying to restart her banned book club but has to hide from a boy she suspects of being a spy. Taehee and Kiwoo are trying to build up the nerve to confess their feelings for one another, while Sujji pines after her crush, ready to risk it all and finally tell someone the secret she’s been hiding for her entire life.
Acclaimed creators Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada deliver a cinematic, hilarious, and heartfelt story about the universality of growing up, making friends, and falling in love.
It's time for the annual winter camp at Anjeon University. A full weekend, deep in the mountains, with no parental supervision. But this is no ordinary getaway. It is 1980s South Korea, where political tensions are high and curfew is strict. Luckily, it’s the only night of the year when Koreans have no curfew, no obligations, and no rules. Christmas Eve.
In the snowy mountains, everyone has a different plan for their one night of freedom. Hyun Sook is trying to restart her banned book club but has to hide from a boy she suspects of being a spy. Taehee and Kiwoo are trying to build up the nerve to confess their feelings for one another, while Sujji pines after her crush, ready to risk it all and finally tell someone the secret she’s been hiding for her entire life.
Acclaimed creators Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada deliver a cinematic, hilarious, and heartfelt story about the universality of growing up, making friends, and falling in love.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2024
About the author
Kim Hyun Sook
2 books58 followersKim Hyun Sook was born in Changwon, South Korea. She became a member of a banned book club in the 1980s while studying English Language and Literature. She has co-written comics for websites including The Nib and Oh Joy Sex Toy and she translated Lady Rainicorn's dialogue for Adventure Time comics. She now runs a new banned book club in Busan, where she lives with her husband and her cat, Dog Baby.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 17, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for this e-ARC!
this book has so many layers. it's so informative yet still fun and cute. I definitely want to read Banned Book Club soon too!
this book has so many layers. it's so informative yet still fun and cute. I definitely want to read Banned Book Club soon too!
September 16, 2024
Set in South Korea in the early 1980s, this comic follows up Banned Book Club in which college student Hyun Sook discovered a friend group of students reading books deemed illegal and dangerous by the government. During South Korea's Fifth Republic, a military regime, students could be beaten or jailed for owning banned books. But even under an authoritarian government, college students are still college students: learning, growing, questioning their identities, looking for trouble, romance, and ways to subvert the rules. Set on a camping trip during winter break, this book follows a group of students, including Hyun Sook, with conflicting motivations and interests as they decide who to trust and who they want to become. A timely story about the power of art, literature, theater, and community to resist fascism. Despite the real danger, it's full of humor and deeply human moments. I had the chance to read this book ahead of its release- look for it on shelves in early October!
May 15, 2024
This was really interesting! No Rules Tonight is a YA graphic novel memoir about growing up under dictatorial rule in 1980's South Korea. It captures what it was like to be a young person dealing with curfews, banned books that could put you in prison, fear of government plants in community groups, and mandatory military service. But it's also about friendship, young love, and having adventures. The author says at the beginning that she took four years of experiences going on trips with a traditional musical theater club and condensed them into a single narrative. It's entertaining at times, but also informative in an interesting way that would be accessible to teens. I do recommend it! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
September 30, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I really enjoyed this; I loved banned book club and this kind of takes off where that story left off. I really like this blend of memoir with fictional elements, and this book is so timely for it's conversations around censorship, regime, and book banning connects more broadly to suppression of labor rights.
November 10, 2024
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC through NetGalley.
4.5 stars. With buzz behind this book based on Kim Hyun Sook's "Banned Books Club", I had high hopes and wasn't disappointed. I appreciate how the story gives an inside look about life in South Korea during the mid-1980s. Even though it's historical, the issues the students deal with are ones that are prevalent today all around the world, to varying degrees. As a librarian, I appreciate one of the main topics is banned books.
The story weaves together the lives of the students who deal with being under curfew, having that restriction lifted slightly, and trying to improve their lives and country without being caught by the military. The characters are relatable and vulnerable. The artwork is stunning - moving the story forward with introducing characters, explaining the dance club, and using contrasting colors to change moods.
4.5 stars. With buzz behind this book based on Kim Hyun Sook's "Banned Books Club", I had high hopes and wasn't disappointed. I appreciate how the story gives an inside look about life in South Korea during the mid-1980s. Even though it's historical, the issues the students deal with are ones that are prevalent today all around the world, to varying degrees. As a librarian, I appreciate one of the main topics is banned books.
The story weaves together the lives of the students who deal with being under curfew, having that restriction lifted slightly, and trying to improve their lives and country without being caught by the military. The characters are relatable and vulnerable. The artwork is stunning - moving the story forward with introducing characters, explaining the dance club, and using contrasting colors to change moods.
November 15, 2024
No Rules Tonight by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada is a lively graphic novel about friendship, rebellion, and self-discovery. Known for Banned Book Club, the authors dive into the thrill of defying rules as a group of young friends sets out to make their own path. Fast-paced and full of heart, the story balances humor, suspense, and moments of reflection, brought to life through expressive, engaging illustrations. No Rules Tonight is a captivating read about the power of unity and the courage to challenge the norm—a fun, thought-provoking adventure for anyone ready to break free.
August 9, 2024
This book was amazing!! I loved the illustrations and I learned so much. I had no idea what it was like living in South Korea in the 80’s under dictatorship. I live in America and I genuinely felt guilty for not being more grateful that I am not someone who has to deal with these issues. I am so happy for the people of South Korea as they no longer have to deal with life like it was in the 80s. I loved all of the people in the book and thought they were so amazing for being apart of their club during that time.
June 23, 2024
It might be hard to believe that the democracy that South Korea is enjoying is fairly recent. Up until the 1980s South Korea was under a military dictatorship, and there were banned books, banned music, and for a while a curfew for everyone at midnight.
It is in this time period that this book takes place, with the author of the previous book, Banned Books, talks about getting away from school, getting away from everyone so they could have a little bit of freedom, on Christmas Eve. However, one of their classmates gets arrested early on, for not stopping to listen to the national anthem at 5pm, because he was distracted.
From there, things go badly for the group of kids that are together because they put on plays that aren’t banned, because they are too old to be. Yes, they criticize the government, but it is a government from hundreds of years ago.
The main character Hyun, thinks that one of the boys that joins the group is a spy for the police, and here she is with one of the banned books.
I liked this book, as I liked her first book. She is amazing how hard she had to work to get the books that were banned, and the funny story she tells of how Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see got banned because the author had the same name as a radical writer. The same mistake some of the book banners in the US have made. Because of course they didn’t bother to read the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out the 1st of October 2024.
It is in this time period that this book takes place, with the author of the previous book, Banned Books, talks about getting away from school, getting away from everyone so they could have a little bit of freedom, on Christmas Eve. However, one of their classmates gets arrested early on, for not stopping to listen to the national anthem at 5pm, because he was distracted.
From there, things go badly for the group of kids that are together because they put on plays that aren’t banned, because they are too old to be. Yes, they criticize the government, but it is a government from hundreds of years ago.
The main character Hyun, thinks that one of the boys that joins the group is a spy for the police, and here she is with one of the banned books.
I liked this book, as I liked her first book. She is amazing how hard she had to work to get the books that were banned, and the funny story she tells of how Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see got banned because the author had the same name as a radical writer. The same mistake some of the book banners in the US have made. Because of course they didn’t bother to read the book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out the 1st of October 2024.
May 23, 2024
♡ Banned Books
♡ Beautiful Artwork
♡ South Korean in the 1980’s
First off, the artwork in this was seriously so good! Second this graphic novel was so well balanced, it showed the harsh reality of what it was like growing up under dictatorial rules in South Korean in the 1980’s, but also the friendships and relationships built.
Banned books, adventures, and young love being some of the highlights of this book, leaving in some lighthearted moments to the depressing time of curfews, mandatory military service, and overall fear of the government. It was a great and informative way to tell a story and a part of history.
After living under strict curfews and political tensions they get a night where they’re allowed to break some of the rules their government forced on them. Taking a trip to the snowy mountains where things don’t go as planned but everything seems to work itself out in a once in a lifetime kind of trip.
Thank you to Penguin Teen for this eARC in exchange for a review.
Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
POV: Graphic Novel
Release Date: 01, October 2024
Rep: Korean (Main and Side Characters), LGBTQIA+ (Side Characters)
⚠️ Content Warnings:
Graphic: Ableism and Violence
Moderate: War, Sexism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Gaslighting, Torture, Homophobia, and Misogyny
August 18, 2024
Hi Again!
I did accomplish my 7 books in a week challenge I set for myself last week, I was able to read a variety of graphic novels, manga, audiobooks, Kindle books, and more. One of the graphic novels I picked up during my 7 books challenge was an E-ARC copy of No Rules Tonight an upcoming graphic novel (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). So without further ado, let’s jump into this new graphic novel!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Hyun Sook lives in South Korea during a very tumultuous time. There are super strict rules about what you can read, listen to, and how to live life in general. However, Hyun Sook is about to go on a trip to the mountains with a club she is in. While Hyun Sook is unable to trust everyone in the group she is excited to get away from all the rules and pressures and maybe do some forbidden reading. It’s going to be a night of freedom for all and everyone could not be more excited. From the start of the trip, things do not go as planned and stuff gets weirder as things go on, but maybe they can still make this trip a night of freedom in some ways.
I learned so much from this graphic novel. I was a history major in my undergrad but I never really had the opportunity to learn much about Korean history. As an adult I got to learn a bit about South Korea but never the history of the country. I feel like this graphic novel did a great job of teaching about some of the history and daily life of people in the country during a tough time. I also really loved all the illustrations and colors that came alive on the pages. This graphic novel comes out on October 1st, 2024.
Goodreads Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 because I can not do half stars on Goodreads).
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I did accomplish my 7 books in a week challenge I set for myself last week, I was able to read a variety of graphic novels, manga, audiobooks, Kindle books, and more. One of the graphic novels I picked up during my 7 books challenge was an E-ARC copy of No Rules Tonight an upcoming graphic novel (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). So without further ado, let’s jump into this new graphic novel!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Hyun Sook lives in South Korea during a very tumultuous time. There are super strict rules about what you can read, listen to, and how to live life in general. However, Hyun Sook is about to go on a trip to the mountains with a club she is in. While Hyun Sook is unable to trust everyone in the group she is excited to get away from all the rules and pressures and maybe do some forbidden reading. It’s going to be a night of freedom for all and everyone could not be more excited. From the start of the trip, things do not go as planned and stuff gets weirder as things go on, but maybe they can still make this trip a night of freedom in some ways.
I learned so much from this graphic novel. I was a history major in my undergrad but I never really had the opportunity to learn much about Korean history. As an adult I got to learn a bit about South Korea but never the history of the country. I feel like this graphic novel did a great job of teaching about some of the history and daily life of people in the country during a tough time. I also really loved all the illustrations and colors that came alive on the pages. This graphic novel comes out on October 1st, 2024.
Goodreads Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 because I can not do half stars on Goodreads).
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
September 19, 2024
If you had Christmas Eve to do whatever you want, what would you do?
In the 1980s, the police in South Korea were constantly monitoring the public, making it difficult for people to express themselves freely without the risk of being arrested. The one exception was Christmas Eve, the only day of the year when everyone could do as they pleased without fear of repercussions. During this time, a group of students from Anjeon University is making plans for a getaway in the mountains. Hyun Sook is taking charge of her friends' banned book club, and Suji and others are summoning the courage to confess their feelings to their loved ones. How will this Christmas Eve Getaway unfold?
The book provided me with a glimpse into life in 1980s South Korea, revealing the harsh realities that I had been unaware of. It effectively captured the emotions of the people during that era and offered valuable insights into Korean culture.
I found Hyun Sook to be a relatable character, and I wished the story had given her more prominence. Suji, a hardworking young lady, evoked my sympathy due to her challenging circumstances. Yuni, on the other hand, came across as a laid-back individual.
I recommend this book to history enthusiasts who appreciate narratives that elicit feelings of nostalgia.
Pub Date: October 1, 2024
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @netgalley & @penguinworkshop, for the complimentary ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the 1980s, the police in South Korea were constantly monitoring the public, making it difficult for people to express themselves freely without the risk of being arrested. The one exception was Christmas Eve, the only day of the year when everyone could do as they pleased without fear of repercussions. During this time, a group of students from Anjeon University is making plans for a getaway in the mountains. Hyun Sook is taking charge of her friends' banned book club, and Suji and others are summoning the courage to confess their feelings to their loved ones. How will this Christmas Eve Getaway unfold?
The book provided me with a glimpse into life in 1980s South Korea, revealing the harsh realities that I had been unaware of. It effectively captured the emotions of the people during that era and offered valuable insights into Korean culture.
I found Hyun Sook to be a relatable character, and I wished the story had given her more prominence. Suji, a hardworking young lady, evoked my sympathy due to her challenging circumstances. Yuni, on the other hand, came across as a laid-back individual.
I recommend this book to history enthusiasts who appreciate narratives that elicit feelings of nostalgia.
Pub Date: October 1, 2024
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @netgalley & @penguinworkshop, for the complimentary ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 26, 2024
✨ Review ✨ No Rules Tonight by Kim Hyun Sook; Illustrated by Ryan Estrada
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!
Made by the creators of Banned Book Club, this graphic novel brings us to 1980s South Korea. It's set in a police state where someone is always watching and there are fears of the peace, of spies, of the military, and more.
Hyun Sook and her college performance club at Anjeon University are headed to the mountains for a full weekend to hike and camp and live without supervision. While there aren't adults around, there's still a lot of fear and uncertainty. Eventually, the students explore their identity, make new friendships and strengthen old ones, and pursue their crushes.
The book mixes sweet coming of age feelings with the really intense feelings of fear of individuality, queerness, and exploring banned books and ideas. I really enjoyed reading this and thought the narration from different POVs and the colorful art styles brought this to life.
This is perfect for YA audience, and even perhaps older middle grades audiences ready to explore political suppression and book banning, and definitely can still be appreciated by adult readers. Kudos to these two for delivering again!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: YA graphic novel, historic fiction
Setting: South Korea, 1980s
Reminds me of: Kim Hyun Sook's previous book, but a bit lighter and brighter
Pub Date: Oct 01 2024
Read this if you...:
⭕️ like coming of age stories
⭕️ enjoy learning about South Korean history and culture
⭕️ can handle the tension of political and police suppression
⭕️ love graphic novels
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!
Made by the creators of Banned Book Club, this graphic novel brings us to 1980s South Korea. It's set in a police state where someone is always watching and there are fears of the peace, of spies, of the military, and more.
Hyun Sook and her college performance club at Anjeon University are headed to the mountains for a full weekend to hike and camp and live without supervision. While there aren't adults around, there's still a lot of fear and uncertainty. Eventually, the students explore their identity, make new friendships and strengthen old ones, and pursue their crushes.
The book mixes sweet coming of age feelings with the really intense feelings of fear of individuality, queerness, and exploring banned books and ideas. I really enjoyed reading this and thought the narration from different POVs and the colorful art styles brought this to life.
This is perfect for YA audience, and even perhaps older middle grades audiences ready to explore political suppression and book banning, and definitely can still be appreciated by adult readers. Kudos to these two for delivering again!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: YA graphic novel, historic fiction
Setting: South Korea, 1980s
Reminds me of: Kim Hyun Sook's previous book, but a bit lighter and brighter
Pub Date: Oct 01 2024
Read this if you...:
⭕️ like coming of age stories
⭕️ enjoy learning about South Korean history and culture
⭕️ can handle the tension of political and police suppression
⭕️ love graphic novels
October 6, 2024
Having read the authors’ previous graphic novel, Banned Book Club, I knew this graphic novel was one not to be missed. And I certainly was not mistaken.
This story is basically a continuation of one of the authors, Kim Hyun Sook, as the main character with her university/dance club/banned book club friends and comrades from the previous book. Everyone in South Korea has ONE free day (Christmas Eve) to do as they please with no curfews. Hyun Sook and her group plan to take a weekend trip to Jiri Mountain during their university winter break. Lots of humor and silly situations arise on their jaunt to and while in the snowy mountains as they come unprepared without food, sleeping bags, or proper attire. In addition, Hyun Sook suspects an uninvited companion is a government spy which makes her imagination run wild when she is in possession of a banned book with plans on starting a new banned book club.
Even though I absolutely loved the story of Banned Book Club, I enjoyed the illustrations, artwork and color significantly more in this novel. The drawings go along with the lightness and humor of the story akin to reading a comic strip.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
This story is basically a continuation of one of the authors, Kim Hyun Sook, as the main character with her university/dance club/banned book club friends and comrades from the previous book. Everyone in South Korea has ONE free day (Christmas Eve) to do as they please with no curfews. Hyun Sook and her group plan to take a weekend trip to Jiri Mountain during their university winter break. Lots of humor and silly situations arise on their jaunt to and while in the snowy mountains as they come unprepared without food, sleeping bags, or proper attire. In addition, Hyun Sook suspects an uninvited companion is a government spy which makes her imagination run wild when she is in possession of a banned book with plans on starting a new banned book club.
Even though I absolutely loved the story of Banned Book Club, I enjoyed the illustrations, artwork and color significantly more in this novel. The drawings go along with the lightness and humor of the story akin to reading a comic strip.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
August 25, 2024
Brown bear, brown bear...what do you see?
This book was a great graphic read- notably for adults or young adults. I haven't read anything like this is a graphic novel. It is an educational graphic novel - and I enjoyed this much more as an adult. I found it much easier to follow than some of the adventure graphic novels where the story seems stunted or jumpy -or where they seem "childish" in language despite being labeled for adults.
This graphic was great at putting fun/interesting facts in with more serious storyline of how South Koreans lived. Including information on vampire deer (water deer).
I would have loved something like this as a mandatory read in high school versus the heavy content dense reads that we typically had. Reading 3-4 graphic novels like this would have encouraged more diverse conversations and transitioned us between topics much more easily. Versus spending a month on a single dense book.
Likewise adults who are more serious/bookish readers who are interested in trying a graphic novel - this would be a good way to start.
Thank you to Penguin Reading Group and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions in the review are my own.
This book was a great graphic read- notably for adults or young adults. I haven't read anything like this is a graphic novel. It is an educational graphic novel - and I enjoyed this much more as an adult. I found it much easier to follow than some of the adventure graphic novels where the story seems stunted or jumpy -or where they seem "childish" in language despite being labeled for adults.
This graphic was great at putting fun/interesting facts in with more serious storyline of how South Koreans lived. Including information on vampire deer (water deer).
I would have loved something like this as a mandatory read in high school versus the heavy content dense reads that we typically had. Reading 3-4 graphic novels like this would have encouraged more diverse conversations and transitioned us between topics much more easily. Versus spending a month on a single dense book.
Likewise adults who are more serious/bookish readers who are interested in trying a graphic novel - this would be a good way to start.
Thank you to Penguin Reading Group and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions in the review are my own.
September 19, 2024
“No Rules Tonight” by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada is a graphic novel that talks about life and repressive rules for teenagers in South Korea in the 1980s, including government curfews along with bans on music and books. The setting is a university folk dance club’s camping trip over winter break, and students are struggling with young love, gossip, planned military service, their sexual identities and fear of being caught with banned books or out of the dress code. I enjoyed reading about this time as well as about the disorganized but fun camping trip and the freedom that the characters experienced there. This book is relevant for U.S. readers because of recent book bans here (and ironically another book by these authors was banned in parts of the U.S.) The authors also include a positive note at the end about changes in South Korea between the time period in the book and today. Recommended for young adults and adults as well, especially those dealing with issues of book banning. Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the eARC.
May 29, 2024
From the creators of Banned Book Club comes another YA graphic novel about life in South Korea.
🇰🇷
Hyun Sook is headed to the annual winter camp at Anjeon University where she gets an entire weekend over Christmas with no parental supervision. She’s feeling very confined in her city of constant police patrolling, curfews and banned books. However, when she gets to the retreat, she has to hide her books from a boy she suspects is a spy.
❄️
The artwork by @ryanestradadotcom is gorgeous and will definitely reach its target audience while Kim Hyun Sook delivers a funny, yet poignant tale based on her own experiences. Like Banned Book Club we get a small peek into life in South Korea during the 1980s. This one will circulate well when it releases October 1. Thanks @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC.
CW: ableism, violence, war, sexism, death, injury, hate crime, gaslighting, censorship, homophobia, misogyny
🇰🇷
Hyun Sook is headed to the annual winter camp at Anjeon University where she gets an entire weekend over Christmas with no parental supervision. She’s feeling very confined in her city of constant police patrolling, curfews and banned books. However, when she gets to the retreat, she has to hide her books from a boy she suspects is a spy.
❄️
The artwork by @ryanestradadotcom is gorgeous and will definitely reach its target audience while Kim Hyun Sook delivers a funny, yet poignant tale based on her own experiences. Like Banned Book Club we get a small peek into life in South Korea during the 1980s. This one will circulate well when it releases October 1. Thanks @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC.
CW: ableism, violence, war, sexism, death, injury, hate crime, gaslighting, censorship, homophobia, misogyny
November 16, 2024
So much love to Penguin Teen for this wonderful graphic novel!
Wow! Amazing! This book is a YA graphic novel memoir about growing up under dictatorial rule in 1980's South Korea. I was only 10 in 1984 and was all comfy in my US bedroom surrounded by my collection of Duran Duran posters. Meanwhile, this stuff was going on in South Korea?! The book tells the story of what it was like to be a young adult dealing with curfews, banned books, spies in community groups, and mandatory military service. There is also stories about friendship, love, and finding oneself. It's got some great characters (quirky and serious) and even some comedy relief. The art work is wonderful and so detailed. The cultural drawings of the theatre masks were so cool! With it being a graphic novel, I hope kids embrace this and it piques their interest in learning about this time in history. It's important to learn from the past to better the future.
Wow! Amazing! This book is a YA graphic novel memoir about growing up under dictatorial rule in 1980's South Korea. I was only 10 in 1984 and was all comfy in my US bedroom surrounded by my collection of Duran Duran posters. Meanwhile, this stuff was going on in South Korea?! The book tells the story of what it was like to be a young adult dealing with curfews, banned books, spies in community groups, and mandatory military service. There is also stories about friendship, love, and finding oneself. It's got some great characters (quirky and serious) and even some comedy relief. The art work is wonderful and so detailed. The cultural drawings of the theatre masks were so cool! With it being a graphic novel, I hope kids embrace this and it piques their interest in learning about this time in history. It's important to learn from the past to better the future.
August 24, 2024
At Anjeon University's annual winter camp, set against the backdrop of 1980s South Korea’s oppressive regime, students seize their rare Christmas Eve freedom to pursue personal goals and forbidden dreams. Amid the snow-capped mountains, Hyun Sook hides from a suspected spy while trying to relaunch her book club, Taehee and Kiwoo struggle with their feelings for each other, and Suji faces the risk of revealing a long-held secret.
I really loved this one! It’s packed full of heart, humor, love, but also shows oppression, sadness, and fear really well. I absolutely adored this group of kids. How they thought about their world around them was so insightful and I loved their attempts to stand up against oppression. The art in my opinion was beautiful and I adored the story. Very well done!
*I was provided a digital copy of the book for review, all thoughts are my own.*
I really loved this one! It’s packed full of heart, humor, love, but also shows oppression, sadness, and fear really well. I absolutely adored this group of kids. How they thought about their world around them was so insightful and I loved their attempts to stand up against oppression. The art in my opinion was beautiful and I adored the story. Very well done!
*I was provided a digital copy of the book for review, all thoughts are my own.*
August 31, 2024
4.5 stars
CAWPILE: 8 (Characters), 9 (Art Style), 7 (Writing), 8 (Plot), 9 (Intrigue), 8 (Logic), 9 (Enjoyment)
No Rules Tonight is a memoir-style graphic novel that takes us on a journey with a group of teens during their Christmas trip to the mountains in 1980s South Korea. Banned books play a significant role in Kim Hyun Sook's life, and through this story, we witness how they shape her interactions with friends and her community. This was a quick yet impactful read, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the complexity of each character. One of my favorite aspects of young adult novels is the character growth, and this book beautifully highlights that across a diverse range of individuals and lifestyles. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC.
CAWPILE: 8 (Characters), 9 (Art Style), 7 (Writing), 8 (Plot), 9 (Intrigue), 8 (Logic), 9 (Enjoyment)
No Rules Tonight is a memoir-style graphic novel that takes us on a journey with a group of teens during their Christmas trip to the mountains in 1980s South Korea. Banned books play a significant role in Kim Hyun Sook's life, and through this story, we witness how they shape her interactions with friends and her community. This was a quick yet impactful read, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the complexity of each character. One of my favorite aspects of young adult novels is the character growth, and this book beautifully highlights that across a diverse range of individuals and lifestyles. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the ARC.
July 2, 2024
Thank you Penguin Teen for the eARC of this graphic novel.
This is a historical fiction graphic novel that is based in South Korea during the 1980's. I had actually no idea what this book was about- the cover was super cute so I signed up for it- it was a heavy read.
Hyun Sook and her theater troupe are getting ready for their yearly camping trip that is at a mountain in South Korea. When the leader of the group is arrested for listening to banned music the troupe must band together to make sure the trip continues. This story is set after the curfew has ended but there are still rules in place in regard to banned books, music, proxies that are spies, and automatic enlistment in the military.
This story follows the theater troupe and their night of freedom as they camp in the mountains. It is heart warming, sad, a story of self exploration and discovery, and a story of the kids coming to terms with what the future has in store for them.
The illustrations were beautiful and I would highly recommend this book.
This is a historical fiction graphic novel that is based in South Korea during the 1980's. I had actually no idea what this book was about- the cover was super cute so I signed up for it- it was a heavy read.
Hyun Sook and her theater troupe are getting ready for their yearly camping trip that is at a mountain in South Korea. When the leader of the group is arrested for listening to banned music the troupe must band together to make sure the trip continues. This story is set after the curfew has ended but there are still rules in place in regard to banned books, music, proxies that are spies, and automatic enlistment in the military.
This story follows the theater troupe and their night of freedom as they camp in the mountains. It is heart warming, sad, a story of self exploration and discovery, and a story of the kids coming to terms with what the future has in store for them.
The illustrations were beautiful and I would highly recommend this book.
November 20, 2024
A lovely and fun auto-biographical story. Hyun Sook is a college student in early 1980's South Korea. The nation is going through a transition from being truly authoritarian to the democratic one that exists today. And Hyun Sook is learning how to be a leader... and how to spend her one night with no consequences.
This graphic novel features many memorable characters, lots of fun, but also a look at a moment in history that most of us in America have never even thought of or heard about. (I know I hadn't.) The story is well told AND I learned things. What more could you want. Highly recommend.
This graphic novel features many memorable characters, lots of fun, but also a look at a moment in history that most of us in America have never even thought of or heard about. (I know I hadn't.) The story is well told AND I learned things. What more could you want. Highly recommend.
June 10, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Workshop, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up No Rules tonight on October 1, 2024.
What a fascinating look into South Korean life in the 1980s. I had no idea people endured these rules and regulations, and I love how the author painted this reality through a lens that many teens and adults can relate to and understand. I appreciated the several interconnected storylines, and enjoyed the art style! This was a really well-done story that balances teen relationship drama and the importance of political action and activism.
What a fascinating look into South Korean life in the 1980s. I had no idea people endured these rules and regulations, and I love how the author painted this reality through a lens that many teens and adults can relate to and understand. I appreciated the several interconnected storylines, and enjoyed the art style! This was a really well-done story that balances teen relationship drama and the importance of political action and activism.
June 28, 2024
No Rules Tonight is a young adult graphic novel set during the 1980s in South Korea. This was not a time period that I am very familiar with in South Korea's history, but the book did such a great job explaining what it was like to grow up under that much censorship! I ended up reading much more about the time period & history.
I loved how many different characters were in this book. Somehow they all still had great voice & motivation. It was beautifully queer & a great read about censorship.
Thanks to NetGalley, Kim Hyun Sook, and Penguin Group for the chance to read and review!
I loved how many different characters were in this book. Somehow they all still had great voice & motivation. It was beautifully queer & a great read about censorship.
Thanks to NetGalley, Kim Hyun Sook, and Penguin Group for the chance to read and review!
July 4, 2024
This was so cute ♥️ our main character is going on a trip but soon she finds herself in possession of some interesting contraband. I wish I would have walked into this story with more knowledge of South Korean history. I wanted more about the contraband itself but it held themes of freedom and self expression. This graphic novel has plenty of dialogue, and the illustrations are great. I loved how the author ends this with an encouribg message; “Never Stop learning. Never stop fighting. Never stop being free”
July 29, 2024
thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an eARC!
I admittedly don’t have a lot of knowledge of South Korea’s sociopolitical history outside of some major events in the past few years, so this was such an interesting peek into the lives of a few teenagers in the 1980s, with recently lifted curfews and lots of government overview still in place. But, this isn’t just a history lesson of a graphic novel, although it provides one, it’s also a night of several teenagers figuring out what they want to do with one night of freedom. There’s self-reflection, romantic reflection, and looking toward their future, all in a troupe of a folk music/acting troupe. Even though there were a lot of different characters, it was fun to explore all their different storylines, and I felt like it all flowed pretty well in terms of interconnecting stories. I also really enjoyed the art for the book and I felt like it fit the story well! If you’re looking for a coming-of-age graphic novel, this is definitely one I recommend reading!
I admittedly don’t have a lot of knowledge of South Korea’s sociopolitical history outside of some major events in the past few years, so this was such an interesting peek into the lives of a few teenagers in the 1980s, with recently lifted curfews and lots of government overview still in place. But, this isn’t just a history lesson of a graphic novel, although it provides one, it’s also a night of several teenagers figuring out what they want to do with one night of freedom. There’s self-reflection, romantic reflection, and looking toward their future, all in a troupe of a folk music/acting troupe. Even though there were a lot of different characters, it was fun to explore all their different storylines, and I felt like it all flowed pretty well in terms of interconnecting stories. I also really enjoyed the art for the book and I felt like it fit the story well! If you’re looking for a coming-of-age graphic novel, this is definitely one I recommend reading!
October 5, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an advanced copy of No Rules Tonight by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada to review! I thoroughly enjoyed Banned Book Club when I read it a few years ago, so I was excited to read this follow up. This one expands on historical South Korea, while adding more characters and more layers to the story from the first book.
The art style really suits the story, especially in this wintery setting. Though this is set in the 1980s, the conversation about banned books is certainly timely. Especially with the censorship currently happening in the United States. This book can show how it is a slippery slope; book censorship can lead to other kinds of censorship as well. Definitely a good conversation starter.
The story itself is a blend of memoir and fiction, and I think teens will learn a lot by picking up this book and the previous one. A great all around read.
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Review to come!
The art style really suits the story, especially in this wintery setting. Though this is set in the 1980s, the conversation about banned books is certainly timely. Especially with the censorship currently happening in the United States. This book can show how it is a slippery slope; book censorship can lead to other kinds of censorship as well. Definitely a good conversation starter.
The story itself is a blend of memoir and fiction, and I think teens will learn a lot by picking up this book and the previous one. A great all around read.
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Review to come!
June 26, 2024
This is an interesting book to give you a site of how another county has changed over the years. We get to follow a group of kids who are going on a trip where they will get a day of freedom in a society with so many rules. The guy who planned the trip gets arrested for having banned music. As we get to see how each kid is struggling with their own issues and by the end of the book we get to see how they learned and grew into themselves. As well as how their society has changed.
October 2, 2024
This graphic novel was so great. I loved the banned book club! The fact that places all over the world have different set of rules and this book shows just the kind of world Hyun Sook has while living in South Korea. I love you see her struggling with trusting the group, but given the strict rules it would not make any sense if she was confident about her group because in reality people do cave when the price is right. Because reading this I would love to read more of her stories.
October 7, 2024
In 1980s South Korea, Christmas Eve is one of the few nights where curfew is lifted and students have the freedom to engage in a little self-expression. This year Hyun Sook and her friends from her theater club decide to spend it at a cabin in the snowy mountains, each one hoping to make the most of their brief freedom.
This graphic novel was an enlightening window into a time and place I don’t know well while also serving as a mirror to some of our current struggles with book banning.
This graphic novel was an enlightening window into a time and place I don’t know well while also serving as a mirror to some of our current struggles with book banning.
October 23, 2024
Kim Hyun Sook packs a TON into this graphic novel.
I hadn't read anything set in 1980s South Korea before, and I really appreciated such an accessible way to learn about what it was like to grow up during that time!
Read if you're interested in:
- YA Graphic Novel
- 1980s South Korea
- coming of age
- sweet and funny story with serious elements
- banned books
- LGTBQ+ rep
- a universal story on growing up
I hadn't read anything set in 1980s South Korea before, and I really appreciated such an accessible way to learn about what it was like to grow up during that time!
Read if you're interested in:
- YA Graphic Novel
- 1980s South Korea
- coming of age
- sweet and funny story with serious elements
- banned books
- LGTBQ+ rep
- a universal story on growing up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews