FIREBIRD

A Korean American teen’s stifled life changes when she makes an unexpected friend.

When sophomore Caroline Kim agrees to peer tutor another student, she doesn’t expect it to be the outgoing, charismatic, and beautiful Korean and Filipina American senior Kimberly Park-Ocampo. The friendship that grows between them mirrors their slow-burn attraction, depicted through teasing dialogue, blushes, and emotive moments. As Caroline and Kim grow closer, the depictions of Caroline’s ongoing struggles with low self-esteem, anxiety, and self-consciousness about her body are masterfully woven into their romance. Similarly, Caroline’s complicated family dynamics with her mother, overseas father, and older sister are realistically shown, particularly her mother’s controlling and emotionally distant parenting style. By contrast, Kim works as a team with her mother to run the household, watch her younger siblings, and work side jobs while still being available for her friends. The stark contrast between the two teens, their families, goals, and experiences as Asian Americans creates intriguing thematic parallels. As Caroline discovers positive aspects of herself through her relationship with Kim, the firebird as a symbol of transformation is somewhat successfully depicted through red feather motifs that stand out from the largely black-and-white art. However, the story’s impact is diluted by haphazard flashback scenes. Despite an otherwise engrossing emotional journey, the finale peters out.

Gripping and thoughtful, but the clunky ending disappoints.