I've heard a lot of people raving over Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, so when I saw the graphic novel version a couple months ago I thought I'd give it a try. I do have a copy of the novel somewhere at home, but haven't read it yet, so I went into this manga adaptation without any knowledge of the story.

It follows a freshman college student, Cath, who writes a super popular fan-fiction series, but has a hard time making friends in real life. She is struggling her way through college, and finds comfort by revisiting her favourite fictional characters and calling her dad. There were many aspects of her character that I related with, but at the same time I wanted to yell at her to jump out of her comfort zone more. I had a really hard time during my first year of university, and wouldn't have made it through if it weren't for my new friends who constantly pestered me to go out. I think the only reason I'd continue reading this series, or pick up the original novel, is to see how Cath and Levi pan out.

Overall, this manga was fine. The story didn't seem very original, and I was quite bored at times, but I respected Cath's character and did like the art style. If you're a fan of the original novel, you'd probably love this adaptation. I think fans of Eliza And Her Monsters would like this story, too.

Thank you to the publisher, VIZ Media, for a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

As a big fan of the Fangirl novel I am somewhat biased in my review of this title, although I'd like to think my love of the source material actually makes me a harsher critic. Fangirl follows Cath as she moves to university and grapples with all it brings: an alien social setting, growing emotional distance from her twin sister and a new barrier to the completion of her popular and long running fanfic based on the Simon Snow novels (a Harry Potter-esque parallel rife with ship potential). I've been looking forward to this adaptation since it was announced and wasn't disappointed, as the art is beautiful, the depictions of the characters feel faithful and the translation to a new structure actually compliments the story well. Combine a coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water story with romance, fandom and heart and you have a winning combination. I can't wait for the next volume!

A wonderful reimagining of a book already very dear to my heart. The art was stunning and perfectly capture these beloved characters. Very much looking forward to the rest of the manga series.

The manga adaptation of one of Rainbow Rowell's most beloved novels is here, and written by a force in fandom, no less. Sam Maggs has written comic book storylines for Star Wars, Star Trek, Captain Marvel, and more; she's written Geek Girls Guides to the Galaxy and the Universe; she's even written an original middle grade novel, Con Quest, which takes place at a thinly veiled facsimile of San Diego Comic Con. So of course she'd be the person to adapt a love letter to fan fic, fandom, and finding your own way. Cath and Wren are twin sisters heading to college. Wren is ready to make changes and become her own person, but Cath is more of an introvert, holding onto her fanfiction and her fandom for Simon Snow, a Harry Potter-esque type of story about magic and vampires. As Wren branches out and gains new (and sometimes dubious) experiences, Cath finds herself inching out of her own comfort zone thanks to her roommate and her boyfriendish friend and a classmate who's a little too stuck on himself but so good-looking. At the same time, Cath worries about their dad, who's alone for the first time in years, and frustrated with her professor, who doesn't see fanfiction as a legitmate form of writing. This is only Volume 1, but its so well-adapted that the Rowell fans are going to be howling for more. The subtle shifts from "real" life to Cath's magnum Simon Snow opus, Carry On, are wonderfully placed throughout the book, and seriously - were two characters ever better suited for a manga interpretation than Simon and Baz? A manga interpretation of Fangirl is going to bring new fans to Rainbow Rowell's fanbase as the manga readers discover this series - I hope there are plans for a Carry On manga next.

Oh my goodness. This was SUCH a fun version of Fangirl. It's been a while since I have read the original novel, but this feels like such a perfect way to retell it. This was very fun and game me a ton of feels.

If you are a fan of Rainbow Rowell you will love this Fangirl graphic novel adaptation. Volume 1 follows the novel very closely. Can't wait for volume 2!

1 star - couldn't even read the graphics or the words due to SAMPLE PDF VIZ MEIDA written across every page. EVERY PAGE. How do you expect reviewers to read it with that across every page. Super disappointed since I was looking forward to reading this so much!

I usually have a rule to read the book before I read an graphic novel adaption or see the movie, but I loved Carry On and Wayward Son so much I skipped right to Fangirl Vol 1 in graphic novel format.
As someone who's been reading fanfiction since I was 11 years old, I completely understand Cath's world being wrapped up in what she loves and the meaning it has for her. Fangirl Vol 1 highlights the disparity of "growing up" vs "growing out" of things you love and how you can feel left behind when others find new interests. Cath's struggles with relationships - familial, friendships, and romantic - all highlight the struggle of working to expand your world outside your comfort zone.
The art is great, the story is genuine, and I cannot wait to read the novel!

Fangirl is one of my favorite books of all time, so I had no doubt in my mind I would love this manga adaptation! It was so cool seeing this story I know and love in a new format-- it was interesting to see how the visual media changed the story and how it felt. I loved the Simon and Baz parts, and it ended on such a cliffhanger!! I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

The art is lovely. The only weakness is that the artist is not good at showing age and action and movement looks stilted, so there are a lot of static frames. The story sticks close to the book and abruptly stops. It hints at bigger issues with the absent mother, but it really feels like the book was chopped to end here.

This is Part 1 of 4, and it very much feels like a WIP (which actually fits pretty well with the subject matter).

It's been two years since I first read the book -- and then immediately re-read it. Back to back. Like a proper fangirl :) -- so I didn't think I was going to have trouble avoiding comparisons, but everything came flooding back as soon as I started reading this.

I tried my best to experience it as its own thing, but I know I wasn't completely successful. Obviously it's hard to convey the same depth of character in a 200-page graphic novel that you can in a 400+ page book, but I could feel the gaps and then feel myself filling those gaps with all the emotions the book gave me. So I'm finding it really hard to rate on its own!

I'm going to guess that the finished product will ultimately be a 4-star experience and the current 3-star rating is more a product of the WIP than the change in mediums.

Cath's personality still came through wonderfully, with the Cath/Reagan and Reagan/Levi dynamics a close second, but I think some of the nuance was lost with her sister and their dad. The weak spot was definitely Simon and Baz, which really surprised me since I expected that storyline to thrive in the new format, but maybe that's also a product of the WIP?

I look forward to finding out, but if you struggle with WIPs as much as I do, I would recommend holding off until the next release at least.

And now please excuse me, as I must re-read the book RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND!!!

This book will be a definite purchase for our high school library! Thank you so much for allowing me to have access to the digital arc!

Really loved Fangirl and was super excited to see the graphic novel version. It was beautifully done and the images are amazing. I'm excited for Volume 2 to come out.

Cath is headed to college where she will be apart from her twin, Wren, for the first time. With a roommate she can't seem to get to know, missing her sister, worrying about her dad, and trying to keep up on her fanfiction writing, Cath isn't sure how she will make it through!

This graphic novel adaptation of Fangirl is lovely. The illustrations were beautifully done and the story felt just as fluid as the original text.

I was disappointed with where it left off, but that is the nature of serial publications!

This is a very well-done manga-style adaptation of a book I couldn't get into. It really hits it out of the park with Cath's body language, which has her perpetually curled around herself in a manner that speaks of both anxiety and a desire to hide in the shadows so that no one will notice her and everyone will stop trying to get her to be someone she's not or do things she's not comfortable with. She doesn't <i>really</i> want to be alone, but since her twin sister basically dumped her (although Wren [whom I hate] doesn't see it that way) she doesn't entirely trust anyone, even those who are constantly proving themselves.

This book just made me anxious and reminded me of times I'd rather forget. On the one hand, that's pretty high praise for how well it captures being anxious and uncomfortable. On the other hand? I've lived it, thanks. I'd rather not do that again.

I loved Fangirl when I first read it years ago. I am a new fan of graphic novels after taking a course this summer, and I think this is a perfect title to be made into a graphic! Loved it!

This was a neat intro into the novel Fangirl. My wife read the book so it was fun to give the novel a shot in a different way than normal. I appreciated the art and the story progression. I am now interested in reading the novel as well!

I have to first admit that I haven’t read the original Fangirl, but still I enjoyed this graphic novel and I think it will be well liked by fans of the original (but really, what do I know?)

It’s so hard to review a graphic novel before colour has been added, and I think it impacts the quality of the read. I’ll give this a 3.5/5.

I’ve read the original book and listened to the audiobook so many times I had the voices in my head as I flipped through this graphic novel. I felt like all the important pieces were covered and love-hated how it ended. It was perfect start to finish. Fans will appreciate it and hopefully new readers will find it’s epicness.

Fangirl has been one of my all time favorite books for years! I own two different copies of the original book and I also have the two books associated with it "Carry On" and "Wayward Son". So of course I was ecstatic to hear that they were adapting one f my favorite books into a manga. I mean come on, it is two of my favorite things all rolled up into one beautiful package. The artwork is beautifully done. Maggs has worked to bring our favorite characters even more to life. That and her word choice for dialogue keeps the original story line going while adding a freshness to the story. That coupled with the wonderfully drawn backgrounds makes the story feel new again. I can't wait to see the next three volumes. My only disappointment was that we didn't get a little more of the story in this one.

Now that I have raved...the story.

Cath is used to being part of a pair. Her twin sister Wren has been more than enough to keep her going over the years. But now everything is changing. They are going to college and Wren wants to begin doing things on her own. While Wren parties, changes her style, and meets new people, Cath clings to her advanced English writing course, her 35k word fanfic Carry On Simon Snow, and her energy bars (she doesn't want to face the cafeteria). As things change beyond the control of the two, their relationship becomes strained. Add in boy trouble and an absent mother who wants to be a part of their lives again and you get one Freshman year that is hard to forget. Do Wren and Cath make up? Does Cath finally find the courage to go to the dining hall? And what drama unfurls with their mother?

Guess you will just have to pick up a copy and find out!