Squirrel Girl: Universe

Tristan has done an incredible job here. Squirrel Girl's voice is so true to her comic appearances that have made her a fan favorite. I loved her supporting cast so very much too. Every character in this book is so well crafted and utilized. Tristan crafted an amazingly fun, funny, charming, and exciting tale for veteran Unbeatable Squirrel Girl fans and for readers who may even be new to Doreen and her friends.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Fans of Marvel, look out for Squirrel Girl. Her story is one of the lesser known but worth the read. Art and story is amazing, expect nothing less from these graphic artists and writers. Hopefully we'll see SG on Disney+ soon..

I am living for these Marvel YA books they’re so much fun I can’t wait to see which characters we get next.
Squirrel Girl is one of my favorite hero’s so getting an entire novel about her was everything.

(ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for a review)

A super cute book that absolutely nails the voice and tone of the Ryan North run on the Squirrel Girl comics, which is one of my favorite comic runs ever. This takes place after that, so there will be spoilers for that series if you haven't finished it. I'm also super glad that I listened to the recent Squirrel Girl podcast because it really helped me to internally narrate the characters, especially Brain Drain. Great book.

HOWEVER, one super nerdy nitpick that I have remark on, and one that I hope gets ironed out by publication. At one point in the book, the ancanti (space whales) are described as being the parasitized spaceships of the Brood, which lines up with how both aliens are in the comics. Later on in the book, the ancanti are described as being the living spaceships of the Skrulls, which is at odds with both the comics and the earlier mention in the book. Without the first mentioning of the Brood, it wouldn't have been worth remarking on (multiverse and everything), but with that listing, it just stuck in my throat like a rogue popcorn kernal.

Still really good, though!

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Aconyte Books for an advanced copy of this super heroine adventure novel.

"Squirrel Girl, Squirrel Girl does whatever a Squirrel Girl does. Inspires their friend of any size, catches thieves just like..nuts." The song needs work but, it does show my love and enjoyment of the continuing adventures of Doreen Green known to the world as Squirrel Girl. Being a comic reader of a certain age and gender I should not like Squirrel Girl as much as I do, but her adventures always remind me of what it was like reading comics that my grandmother brought me at the newstand (yes I was a fan before direct markets became a thing), full of adventure, fun and lessons on how to be a better person. And fun. Tristan Palmgren in Squirrel Girl: Universe, part of Aconyte Books Marvel Heroines line, captures this feeling of fun, footnotes, and feats of fortitude and fearlessness and College finals, in this adventure that spans that galaxy and fiction itself.

Doreen is with her roommate and Nancy and her squirrel companion Tippy Toe,when parts of New York seem to go ghostly and being to float away or so it appears, . Soon she is joined by her comrades and friends Chipmunk Hunk and his girlfriend, Koi Boi and the ex- supervillain Brain Drain. After a trip to the masters of the mustache Tony Stark and Doctor Strange proves of no use, Squirrel Girl vows to find and stop what is going on. The investigation leads to Empire State University Doreen's school where the master mind Mad Thinker has a plan to steal parts of New York take it across the galaxy and rule as King, or something. Stopping him is only the start of the adventure which finds all these characters trapped on the other side of the universe maybe, involved in an interstellar war, space whales, poetry currency smuggling, and the laws of fiction breaking around them.

Doreen Green is a great character, and the author has the voice of the characters down. Heck I have not thought of Mad Thinker in years, and found him a character I wouldn't mind seeing more of. The adventure is big and sciencey, maybe sometimes a little too big, but still moves forward well. The cast might be a tad big, but everyone is interesting and brings their own view and spin on situations, so that can be forgiven. There are footnotes, with helpful science and biographical facts, and asides from the Hulk, who freelances as an editor in this adventure. There is plenty of story left for a sequel which might involve a certain trickster god sometime in the future and there is still a question about returning in time for college finals. Overall a fun adventure.

The book that Aconyte are doing are some of the best representations of Marvel characters that I have read in a long time, and that includes the books and especially the movies which give the characters not time to breathe or even live before the next CGI thing appears. I have not read one that I thought was just ok, or didn't like in any series, and I really enjoyed this one. Squirrel Girl is a great character with everything a hero should be, inspirational and someone you want to emulate. From being a friend, being nice, and kicking butt, this was a very good. I've not read anything by Tristan Palmgren, but I can't wait to read more. Another reason why I like these books, I find authors I might never have read, and I love discovering great authors.

I have read a few graphic novels (comics in my younger days) that have either starred or featured Squirrel Girl in them but by no means would I consider myself an expert or even particularly knowledgeable about the charming character, what I can say is that in my mind I see Anna Kendrick as squirrel girl and this book only made that dream more real except I had not imagined her in space 😳 this is a fun, exciting book that takes the reader to places that marvel OGs (like me) would not necessarily choose to go and for that I thank the author

If you want to read a book that perfectly captures the energy of reading a comic (specifically the comics of the character you are reading) then look no further!
One of the things I loved reading was how it felt like reading an arc of comics. It also captured the genre awareness of squirrel girl perfectly. One thing I love about squirrel girl is how different her adventures are. It's right in her name she's unbeatable! So how do you as a writer add any suspense? In this case, you give her a conflict that is just as genre aware as her!
Another thing that his book captures perfectly is comic book science. While I'm a life science person and know nothing about physics, it all made enough sense to me. Palmgren never fell for the pitfall of over-explaining the science that doesn't make sense, and only explaining what she could. That's what comic book science is about, knowing the rules and then breaking them all! I love when you are not supposed to understand the science and just accept it. Hearing a character that understands the science and explains some science to you, just go and this will just break the rules of physics don't worry about it, is just fantastic!
Thank you to Aconyte Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Tired of the all "gloom n' doom" the News dishes up on a semi-consistent basis? Feel like you bingewatched every comedy series out there, twice over? Fret not, for there is a light at the end of that tunnel! Yes, brothers and sisters, I present to you SQUIRREL GIRL: UNIVERSE, the latest from Tristan Palmgren in Aconyte Book's "Marvel Heroines" line! Now, sit back, and I will lay it all on the table, spelling out why this is the one book you didn't know you needed!

{The following honest review (cross my heart and all that!) is based upon a advanced copy from Aconyte Books, through NetGalley}

******

I was familiar (and you should be, too!) with Palmgren's writing, from their other "Marvel Heroines" entry, DOMINO: STRAYS. And, as with that one, there was zero disappointment and a more than fair amount of fun, even more fun than in DOMINO: STRAYS. Would you expect anything less in a Squirrel Girl outing?? Am I right?? Haha..

From the very beginning of the book (or ebook, the format I went with) to the very last page, it was clear that either Tristan was a fan of the character, did their homework by reading as many SG comics as possible prior to writing it, or perhaps a bit of both, eh? Regardless, I felt secure in the knowledge that characters that *I* was a fan were in good hands!

The regulars from the comic series - Doreen Green/Squirrel Girl, her squirrel Tippy-Toe, Doreen's friend Nancy Whitehead, Koi Boi, Chipmunk Hunk, and Brain Drain - were all there, written perfectly to a tee. If I hadn't already checked Palmgren's webpage, I would have suspected it was just a fake handle and account for SG comic series writer/creator Ryan North! The characters were written *that* well!

The comic relations aside, there is a fun plot that has more than enough science-fiction-y goodness to satisfy that nerdy side unsatisfied with just the SG cast of characters! Mind you, not the mind-numbing kind of science-fiction that some adore, but the fun kind that you can bring home and feel good about it! Awwww..

Long story short, there is a great outing, a good way to spend an afternoon! And, spoiler (not really), I got the feeling that Palmgren has the intention of doing more adventures with Doreen!

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

Squirrel Girl has the powers of a squirrel AND a girl. She has the strength, speed, instincts, and hyperactivity of a squirrel. She also has the kindness, friendshipping, bravery, and knowledge of orbital mechanics of a girl. Squirrel Girl is a STEM student in New York, and this book isn't afraid to spend pages talking about New Yorkers or how interstellar travel works to prove it.

If you love the quirky, happy, dramatic Unbeatable Squirrel Girl comics, you'll probably like this book. It has the same chaotic and wholesome energy.

After short and inconsequential scenes with Iron Man and Doctor Strange, this novel kicks it into high gear by sending Squirrel Girl (and friends! And enemies (probably future friends)!) to space. In this adventure, they debate philosophy, encounter telepathic space whales, and meddle in galactic wars.

With Squirrel Girl's boisterous energy, this feels like a middle grade novel. However, with the main characters in college and the deep discussions of science and philosophy, it feels more like older YA. In the end, I think the audience isn't any particular age bracket. I think the people that will love this book are the type of people who love Squirrel Girl, and the unique vibe she brings to the Marvel universe.

A video review including this book will be on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, at https://www.youtube.com/chloefrizzle

Thanks to Aconyte Books and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this to review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is on a wild cosmic adventure to save the galaxy, in a Marvel Heroines action novel that is totally out of this world!

Squirrel Girl is in a pickle and a jam, a metaphor that mixes about as well as it tastes. She and her friends are lost in outer space, where there is a conspicuous absence of oxygen and, even more troubling, a shortage of squirrels. After hitching a ride on a passing space whale, Squirrel Girl and her trusty companions find themselves on a free-merchant space station and on the front line of a looming interstellar war. The stakes have never been so high, and trillions of lives are at risk! Luckily for the universe, Squirrel Girl is here to stand up against the odds and set things right across the galaxy.

Review

Where do I start? Well first and foremost I suppose with the usual disclaimer. Firstly, I was kindly given access to this ARC for review and as always my review is felt voluntarily and is completely honest. Secondly, beyond a few character names and vague outline I never like to spoil full plots in my reviews whether it is an arc or already published. I am happy to discuss more in depth via dms or email.

Now on to the actual review. Tristian Palmgren is becoming one of my favourite authors in the world of tie-in fiction. With several marvel titles under their belt including my personal favourite Outlaw: Relentless and Siege of X-41. Squirrel Girl: Universe is no different. A Perfect rip-roaring space adventure with equally funny and serious moments and a host of memorable characters this is sure to become a firm favourite of Doreen’s fans!

Palmgren manages once again to merge the world of comics and prose fiction perfectly in that their story reads like a comic in terms of action and adventure but has the wonderful add on of wider character development (we get to see what characters are thinking and feeling more clearly than in the comic verse) and the superb and frankly hilarious footnotes by our heroine, Squirrel Girl and her wonderful editor, whom I won’t name but lets just say don’t make them too angry! I can’t remember laughing so much (unless I was reading a Deadpool comic or playing You Are (Not) Deadpool). That isn’t to say there is no seriousness to this novel because there is.

I also want to say a massive thank you to Palmgren for including Koi Boi, honestly one of my favourite superheroes who doesn’t get as much love as he should. But enough of that what about the story? Well it almost flawless. That isn’t to say it’s an easy journey for our heroes but it keeps you engaged, thinking and laughing as you follow the group through the universe to try and find a way home, all thanks to the Mad Tinker (another thank you for Palmgren for giving this villain a wonderful arc in the story!). Never one to be beaten even when seeming to be stranded in the midst of space Squirrel Girl and her group of trusty friends manage to hitch a ride of a space whale (who may have become my favourite character at TippyToe) and then end up in the middle of a potential interstellar war. All right before their finals!

But heroes aren’t easily beaten, with a host of wonderful characters including the smart but sometimes pessimistic Brain Drain, laid back Koi Boi, practical Chipmunk Hunk, Weapon crazed Mary, somewhat sensible fangirl Nancy, the cynical and rather unhelpful Mad Tinkerer and of course the amazing TippyToe Squirrel Girl and her friends are sure to find a way out of this mess while stopping the looming war along the way.

The way Tristan Palmgren manages to capture each characters personality so perfectly is a real testament to their skills but more so their understanding of their characters. Even the new ones we meet along the way like the space whale and the mysterious alien whom the gang meet along the way (sorry but I told you, no spoilers!). It is nearly impossible to not become invested in not only the characters but the growing issues around them. The links to both Squirrel Girls comics, helpfully explained by the editor or Doreen herself, along with events that may have happened only in passing. It is a refreshing to see a pseudo aware heroine who is not as full on as Deadpool but still self aware to some extent and I think it’s clear Palmgren had a lot of fun with this which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Needless to say this is a must read for a Squirrel Girl fan but also marvel fan in general or just enjoying the Marvel Heroines series. I would also recommend to fans of fun, rip-roaring space escapades, you don’t need to be a die hard fan to enjoy this and I honestly adore that about it as well.

The book will be out in August in ebook and I will definitely be getting a hard copy.

About the Author
Please note Tristan Palmgren uses They/Them pronouns

Tristan Palmgren is the author of the critically acclaimed genre-wrapping blend of historical fiction and space-opera novel Quietus, and its sequal Terminus. They live with their partner in Columbia, Missouri.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL
#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review

Wicked fun and filled with references to both literature theory and science fiction classics, Squirrel Girl: Universe is well worth reading for comics fans and first timers alike. When Squirrel Girl and her onomatopoeia-lly named friends (Chipmunk Hunk, Koi Boy, Brain Drain, etc) find themselves millions of lightyears away from home, their struggle for survival becomes a hilarious adventure filled with space whales, poet-nappers, and reality warping beings. Asides from editor Hulk and random moments of Squirrel Girl classic zanyness many cause bursts of laughter, but the novel also has a lot of heart and depth.

Squirrel Girl has always been a favourite and fans won't be disappointed! Get it as soon as you can!

3.5 stars rounded up- Squirrel Girl: Universe stays true to innate goodness that comes alive in comic books. When super villain Brain Drain sends himself, Squirrel Girl, and her friends accidentally into deep space, Squirrel Girl starts on a Douglas Adams-sequel jaunt through space filled with new alien friends and a few enemies while trying to bring peace to the galaxies and swelling of the brain with the amount of science facts your smacked upside the head with. This story is a wild ride through space with an air of randomness and intelligent fun with the best hearted superhero in the Marvel Universe. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Squirrel Girl: Universe is as delightfully crazy and charming as the leading lady herself. Thanks to the Mad Thinker something very odd is happening and the city of New York is in peril, and it’s up to Squirrel Girl and her allies (Tippy-Toe, Chipmunk Hunk, Koi Boi and others) to stop him. Unfortunately in the course of thwarting his dastardly plan they end up finding themselves transported across the universe and must find a way home. Step one to getting home? Hitch a ride on space whale…and from there things just get even more crazy. Tristan Palmgren does an absolutely fantastic job of capturing the heart and humor of Marvel’s most unique and upbeat superhero. I absolutely love the story and the irreverent way Tristan tells it, with an epic story and frequent humorous ‘footnotes’. I only hope that when Disney/Marvel eventually bring Squirrel Girl into the MCU they do half as good a job. Thanks so much to Aconyte Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Squirrel Girl: Universe.