In a semi-post-apocalyptic world where squirrels have zombie rabies and the only way to get rid of them is to smash their tales, four friends plan on an adventure, not knowing it would be their last. Burger and Ty are creating a movie about the squizzies to share with people who weren't part of the Lost Month. Little is actually shared about what the Lost Month, or the zombie-rabies plague actually are, but they have some great one-liners and awesome movie titles throughout the book. They decide they're going to go with their two friends Fib and Miles and their going to find their missing manager, who disappeared before the Lost Month happened. This really felt like one of those last great teenage hurrah books, they all just want one adventure before adulthood comes their way. It is silly and over the top sometimes, but seeing as this was meant to be a screenplay I can see why. (Would honestly watch it if it was.) This was just a fun story with great art about chasing dreams and making friends. Very much enjoyed it.

Overall this story was one that I really enjoyed following along yet I found that the squirrels were a bit much. I really enjoyed tha tit was set in a post apocalyptic time but I didn't really care for the fact that this virus only was affecting squirrels and it didn't really have a back story for that. I appreciated that this story was centered around the story of these 4 friends trying to figure out what is next for them.

3.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Books for Young Readers, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy. You can pick up Luminous Beings on September 3, 2024.

This was a cute and insightful look at a post-apocalyptic world through a teenage lens! I loved our four main characters and how they balanced each other out, though at times it was a bit difficult to follow their back and forth banter. The story itself was interesting, but I didn't feel particularly drawn into the mystery surrounding "The Fink." I was more intrigued by the dynamics of Ty, Burg, Fib, and Miles. The art was beautiful, too, and I enjoyed the story's ending!

This one is for my dystopian/post-apocalypse sci-fi fans looking for a graphic novel with a slightly campy twist!

This was definitely an interesting concept for a graphic novel. The world is ending (but not anymore) with basically evil rabid squirrels, and four friends go on an adventure while making a film. Unsurprisingly, a very weird book, and one that in some ways didn’t make a lot of sense to me. It’s very readable but was kind of hard for me to get into and really understand who all the characters were and tell what they were doing. In some ways I think I might be too old to appreciate this (or that it’s too outside of what I normally read), but if you like weird graphic novels about a squirrel-apocalypse, this might be for you! The art and the story work well, and whether I was fully understanding what I was reading, it was paced very quickly which fit well. Despite the level of ridiculousness, I think there’s also a good element of friendship and characters developing with one another in the context of one night that was a good addition. All in all, not exactly my cup of tea, but I don’t regret reading it.

In David Arnold’s graphic novel, Luminous Beings, a group of teens decide to make a documentary about humanity’s recent brush with extinction—due to zombie squirrels. The problem? They don’t have the money they need to fund it. So when they find a flyer for a $20,000 reward for a missing person, they set out to find him. On their quest, the group has a run in with the cops at a nightclub, gets into trouble at a castle, and makes discoveries about each other and the people in their lives.

Luminous Beings is a quick, easy read with fun art and moody colors. I love that it takes place over a single night, making their (mis)adventure fast-paced and even more intriguing. I also love a story that has a main character with a secret they’re too scared to share, and this book hits that note perfectly. The characters had me rooting for them the whole time. I only wish the undead squirrels were a bigger obstacle because what a fun idea! If you’re looking for a whacky read, check this one out.

This one was a bit on the strange side for me. I will usually finish a graphic novel in one sitting, but it took me a few attempts to make it through.

Set in a "post zombie apocalypse" world where the apocalypse only really effects squirrels - yes squirrels - a group of 4 friends is on a journey of self-discovery as they try to solve the mystery of their missing manager "The Fink." Dressed in their hazzies - hazard suits that are now the norm to wear to protect your from getting bit by the zombie squirrels - the crew drives all over town questioning "The Fink's" friends and getting into all sorts of crazy situations. In the end, the outcome may not be exactly what they were looking for, but they each wind up with a revelation by the end.

♡ Apocalyptic
♡ Lots of Adventure
♡ Wholesome Friendships

I loved the art and colors of this book so much. The spooky vibes and adventure really brought the plot together well. The character dynamics worked great together and the friendship between them was really nice to read. Having said that I found the plot difficult to follow and as if something was missing at several points. It was a bit random to the point it made no sense at all but just went with it anyway.

It was entertaining though, not a dull moment in sight.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧 (1/5)
POV: Graphic Novel
Release Date: 03, September 2024
Rep: BIPOC (Main and Side Characters)

⚠️ Content Warnings:
Graphic: Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Animal death

Overall this is a decent friends adventure in an apocalyptic dystopian setting that had absolutely nothing to do with the overall plot of the story. I felt it was a real missed opportunity with zombie squirrels and everyone having to wear hazmat suits outside, I was thinking more Paper Girls but instead it was more That 70s Show. Ty and Burger are best friends right out of high school and aspiring documentary film makers. But Ty has been accepted at Brooklyn College and hasn't told Burger about the opportunity. Along with friends, Fib and Milo, they go on a grand adventure looking for their former manager, "The Fink," whose parents are offering a $20,000 award for finding him. As they spend the night investigating the disappearance they discover a bit about their town and themselves. I would recommend for anyone who likes coming of age stories with a strong friendship group, but not for the science fiction aspect - as it was merely a background and not important to furthering the plot.

This was a beautifully illustrated story, and I loved how it was over the span of a day. I loved watching them figure out their friendship and what they wanted to do with their lives.

3.5 stars rounded up

Luminous Beings is a sort of screwball dystopian comedy, following a group of teens living in a future with zombie squirrels and looking for a missing person. The humor didn't always hit for me, but it's conceptually interesting and I like the casualness of how the teens just accept this is what the world is- squishing squirrels that try to attack you. No big deal. They're still going to be very normal teens, complete with love life drama, not so great jobs, and potential parties. It's something different and fairly entertaining. I received a copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

the art style of this book is what drew me in and the interesting plot is what kept me hooked, i enjoyed following Ty, Burger, Miles and Fib as they go on an adventure through the night amidst a zombie squirrel apocalypse (that’s right…zombie…squirrel) it was a fun, quick and interesting read. i really wanted to love it but some bits felt a little forced with the made up slang. but overall an enjoyable read

thank you penguin teen for the e-arc all opinions are my own

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss/Netgalley.)

Ty, Burger, Miles, and Fib are a group of teens trying to get on with their lives after the capital-a Apocalypse. The Zombie Squirrel Apocalypse, that is. This species-specific virus transforms ordinary squirrels into murderous, glowing-eyed demons. After the initial panic, chaos, and misinformation (eerily reminiscent of the early days of covid), humans have mostly adapted to living among pint-sized zombies. (The ever-present hazmat suits are reminiscent of the gear required to leave the house in BREATHERS.)

For Ty, this means applying to art school in Brooklyn - even if it means leaving her best friend and collaborator Burger behind, gap year be damned. Now that she's finally got her acceptance letter, she can't get the words out. Instead, she's trying her best to finish their documentary about the origins of the apocalypse. When their funding source doesn't come through, they decide to hunt down their missing former manager, Fink, whose parents are offering a $20,000 reward. Miles and Fib are along for the best - and zaniest - night of their lives.

I really wanted to love LUMINOUS BEINGS (zombie squirrels? sign me tf up!), but it just missed the mark for me. Between the made up slang and copious '90s references, it felt a little overdone, like the author was playing too hard at being cool and edgy. The plot was a little underwhelming, with some of the more interesting avenues left unexplored (Van der Poel's crazy zombie experiments, hello!). The relationships between Ty and Burger and Miles and Fib are promising, but I never felt like we got to know the characters well enough to become fully invested in the outcomes. That said, the plot line with Ty and her stepdad was unexpectedly heartfelt and touching.

The first time I saw this cover I thought to myself, “okay, that’s stunning… I need to get my hands on this.” Now that I’ve read the arc, I can definitively say that the cover is gorgeous but the book just fell flat for me. Like so flat that I couldn’t for the life of me tell you anything that happened.

The beginning was really confusing, it just kinda started with no context then jumped around a lot which did nothing to help the level of confusion I had. The characters were okay but I honestly don’t even think I could tell you their names let alone anything about them other than one of them is getting ready to audition (is that how that works?) for film school.

The artwork was great though and I feel like if there was a little more description and just clarity on what’s actually happening this would have been a home run for me.

Thank you to the author and my friends over at Penguin Teen for the advanced copy of this book.

"It's never too late to become what you might have been."

This book was okay. The illustrations were very nice as well. What I didn't like about this book was the way the plot jumped around. The beginning of the book felt like it started without any context at all and left me pretty confused. A lot of topics and people are mentioned, but not elaborated on. I think had the main idea of the story been described more, I would have enjoyed it more.

The book was still somewhat enjoyable despite these things.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own!

Attack of the killer squirrels!!! What a fun graphic teen novel! I loved their adventure and all of their individual personalities! It kept me wondering through the entire read what was going to happen. So good!