This was probably a "me" problem, more than an issue with the actual book. I liked Fangirl well enough, and thought that this manga version would be fun, but it turns out I really don't like manga. Woops!

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars

Big Rainbow Rowell fan and did adaptation did not disappoint. And did not feel like just a retread of the novel, but brought some colour and perspective to the events of the books.

Will definitely purchase for the Library and order the next. Insta-buy.

OMG cliffhanger alert!

It was such a joy to see Fangirl come to life on this graphic novel! Wow!

It wasn't how I imagined it but it was better! I think the manga did a good job at staying true to the novel but if you want to get inside of Cath's brain more and know her thoughts in more depth, I'd recommend the book first!

It was really cool to see Fangirl remade in another medium! I loved how it was interspersed with Simon and Baz, and how well the reactions of the characters were conveyed visually. I thought it translated really well to this format, and can't wait for volume 2!

A great graphic novel adaptation of Rainbow Rowell's titular tern title. With comic author Sam Maggs at the helm, it's no wonder why this was a successful adaptation. Debut comic artist Gabi Nam is amazing and it's astounding that we haven't seen their work before. Only bummer is that this is just part 1 of 4, leaving fans of Fangirl wanting more.

The art style didn't seem to fit the story however this adaption did give a bit more that I feel the novel was lacking.

I really enjoyed reading fangirl when it came out and the manga version didn’t disappoint. I won’t say it made me love or dislike the story itself any more but it was nice seeing it visually. I especially loved all of Levi’s expressions! A really nice read and as it’s been so long, I’ve forgotten the overall plot and now I need the next volume to find out what happens next!

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have not read the original book and was not totally sucked into this graphic novel. Wondering if I should read the book and see if I get more in touch with the characters. I love the cover! I know fans at the library will love this and it will be checked out often.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review!
Fangirl, Vol. 1 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs. #FangirlVol1 #NetGalley

A brief tease of family drama and self-discovery to come!

Fangirl volume 1 did a great job introducing Cath and Wren to readers through selective dialogue and expressive illustrations. The drama is palpable between the sisters through the text and emotions captured in the illustrations. Cath is standoff-ish but trying while Wren is distant and struggling. The illustrations capture the nonverbal cues that readers would not initially get in reading the book. Levi and Reagan give the plot some depth and make Cath more appealing to readers. The story ends on a cliffhanger (for those who have not read the book) that is sure to leave readers wanting the next volume!

A good read that invites readers to reflect on their own challenges a bit.

I already loved the book Fangirl, so I was super excited about the graphic novel adaptation. I thought the story worked very well in this media, but I have to admit it didn’t add much. I liked seeing the snippets of fanfic in story as scenes, but I just didn’t think it was elevated anyway by being adapted like this.

I love Rainbow Rowell, and Fangirl is my favorite book by her, so you know I already like the plot. The illustrations are a fun way to get back into the series. I have no complaints :)

I have a confession: I’ve never read a Rainbow Rowell book. This is my first. I did buy Carry On based off of several friends’ recommendations, but I haven’t read it yet. So when I saw a graphic novel version of Fangirl, which I never intended to read anyway, I figured I’d give it a shot, since I heard the book sort of introduced the series.

Fangirl Vol. 1 is almost a love letter to geeky fangirls/fanboys as Cath navigates her love for Baz and Simon with college, growing up, and overcoming her anxiety.

While I did enjoy this, I’m not sure the graphic novel chunking up stories works as well in this instance. By the time the book ended, it felt like something was just starting to happen, which was super frustrating. It’s definitely a cliffhanger, but when that’s basically the only thing that feels like it’s happened in the book so far, it becomes a bit annoying.

My Thoughts:

- Cath is a super relatable protagonist for anyone who grew up super sheltered and introverted. I could recognize myself in her (though, I like to think I was never that sad and pathetic … hopefully). Cath is a little too much of a fan if you ask some people. If you ask others, she’s maybe just enough of a fan, because she’s writing one of the biggest fanfictions of the fandom! Fanfiction writers will find something relatable here, between the pressure to deliver to your fans, wanting to be seen and recognized as a real writer, and striving to find your place in the writing scene. In other instances, though, Cath really comes off as a bit … annoying? She’s super clingy to her twin sister and doesn’t know how to exist without her, while her sister’s really seeking some freedom and individuality. Cath literally just lives off protein bars because she’s afraid to go to the cafeteria herself, and she makes her first friend just because the other girl feels bad for how pathetic she is.

While I definitely see how there will be people who relate to Cath, and though I related to parts of her character, I was overall a bit frustrated with her. I’m not sure if this is just because it’s been adapted for a graphic novel or if this was a problem with the original novel, but it feels like nothing actually happens until the very end of this book, because Cath just doesn’t do … anything, really. I imagine there will be character development at some point, but in something so serial like a graphic novel, I’m not sure there was enough in this volume to make me want to read the others (though, I think I might check out the actual novel just to compare the two).

- The secondary characters in this are absolutely fabulous, and I quickly fell in love with them. There’s Levi, who is so stinking honest and earnest and adorable that it’s hard not to fall for him. I’m not quite sure what his relationship with Reagan is yet, but I suspect it’s not what Cath thinks. He’s so outgoing that it’s almost a contradiction with Cath’s character, yet he can also be quiet and thoughtful. Overall, he provided a lot of humor and tension breaker that the story needed. Then there’s Reagan herself, who was just an absolute pleasure. She’s all sarcastic and tough and mouthy and self-assured, and I just loved every single scene she’s in.

- There seems to be a bit of a love triangle in this … I think? I’m sort of unclear on where Cath stands with each guy, which is probably why I’m not a huge fan of this. I actually don’t love the love triangle trope in and of itself, but if it’s done well, I can get behind it. Here, though, there appears to be two men vying for Cath’s attention, and she’s noticed she enjoys spending time with the one, but hasn’t realized the other. I’m not even sure where she could stand with the other. Ultimately, I felt like this was just kind of … pointless? This may not be an issue in the novel, where you can delve into feelings and thoughts a bit more, but in the graphic novel version, Cath basically has no romantic thoughts about either of these guys, even though they both seem to be vying for her attention (honestly, I’m not even sure why at this point). She seems rather oblivious, even though it’s painfully obvious with at least one of them.

I didn't love this adaption into a graphic novel. I had read Fangirl and enjoyed it, but the manga adaptation seems unnecesary. I didn't love the art style because it didn't seem to go with the story. I'm sure other people would enjoy this version, especially those who haven't already read the original book.

I really enjoyed this Fangirl graphic novel/manga. I think the illustrations were really beautiful and captured the characters well. I'm a big fan of Rainbow Rowell's original novel so I was excited to read this. It really stayed true to the original book and I'm looking forward to reading the next one. I think people of all ages would enjoy this book!
Thank you Net Galley!

It's been a while since I read Fangirl, but from what I can remember this is an extremely faithful adaptation, and the art is charming. I feel a little weird about an English-original graphic novel being labeled as a manga, though. Just as a heads-up, this volume ends on a pretty severe cliffhanger.

As someone who loved the novel this is based on, and really anything Rainbow Rowell writes, I was so looking forward to this manga adaptation. It did not disappoint! I read it in one sitting and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the series.

This was a really fun way to revisit a book I enjoyed. I'm really looking forward to seeing the remainder of the book adapted in this style. Rainbow Rowell is always a fun time, and I thought that the illustrations were spot-on in this adaptation. A quick and enjoyable read. It will definitely be a highly-recommended read at my library for both teens and adults!

Cath is a Simon Snow mega fan and now is going go college the first time without being with her twin sister this time. While she hides even deeper behind her fandom she's trying to avoid the college experience, meeting new people and just avoiding everything all together. But the longer she's there the more she's pushed out of her comfort zone.

I've read this book before and wasn't sure how I'd feel about this book being turned into a manga. After reading this book it was like reading it for the first time, sorta. I loved this fresh new look for the book and the characters getting to see their faces and seeing Cath experience her new college life was even better this time around for me. I really enjoyed it and although I know what's in store for the next book I can't wait to see it in manga for and check it out that way.

While I haven’t read the novel Fangirl, I really enjoyed the graphic novel edition. I was really invested in the characters snd being able to see their drawn reactions really made me appreciate the story much more. I relate to cath on so many levels, I’m a major introvert and would much rather be lost in a book rather than the real world some days!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell was an amazing graphic interpretation of her novel! I loved seeing the artist's interpretation of the characters, and I felt the graphic novel definitely did the original justice.

I also loved how much representation this provided to usually forgotten groups! If you like coming of age stories, are obsessed with your own fandom, or enjoy a good romance, this book is for you!