Cover Image: Fangirl, Vol. 2

Fangirl, Vol. 2

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Member Reviews

4.5 stars

I'm really enjoying these "manga" versions of Fangirl. It's also reminding me how much I love the original book and how much I love the Carry On books. I haven't yet reread those yet this year, it may be time...

I do have to say, though, that as a reader of manga, it is quite annoying that these aren't true manga, in that they aren't read from back to front.

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I understand why people like this story; I’ve been a part of fandom, too, so it generally makes sense to me how people can connect to this. There are aspects that are a bit too introvert wishful, which is funny coming from someone who is very much that introvert wishful type. But, ultimately, I think the biggest gripe I have with Fangirl as a story, and therefore Fangirl as a graphic novel, is how very generic and simultaneously realistic and unrealistic it is. Of course, I get that all of this is kind of weird to say, but it ultimately comes down to the fact that there are experiences you hear about that feel so far fetched partially because you, yourself, do not experience them.

Fangirl just feels like the sort of thing that is an amalgamation of all of that, culminating ultimately in something that is both boring and real at the same time it’s also being interesting and unrealistic.

It’s an odd feeling to have, but kind of just results in me feeling rather meh at the forgettable story.

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This is sure to please those who are fans of the author Rainbow Rowell and the medium of graphic novels.

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Fangirl Volume 2 picks up where volume 1 left off, and while I enjoyed both volumes enough, I think the series just isn't for me.

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Fangirl 2 continues Cath's college journey and develops the drama from the first book. This is a great adaptation of the novel and would be great for High School collections to show how novels can be visually adapted.

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Fangirl is one of my all-time favorite reads. To have it in graphic novel format is amazing. Volume 2 does not disappoint. I would recommend this to fans of the novel but also to readers who aren't familiar with the story. A great adaptation that should find a lot of readership.

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Cath continues her manga adapted adventures in vol 2. She has to deal with the fact that she and her twin, Wren, are growing apart, She's still reeling from the very first "F" she has ever received on an assignment, And her roommate's cute boyfriend, Levi, is still always around and distracting her from her writing - both for school and her Simon Snow fanfics.

This volume's focus on the pains of growing up and being frightened of change gives it a deep impact on the reader. Cath wants everything to stay as it was when she and her twin were a package deal, when her fanfiction wasn't something to be hidden, and she knew where she fit in her world. Who wouldn't want things to stay happy and comfortable? But no matter how hard one tries, life doesn' t work like that. When Cath attempts to hold tighter to Wren, her twin pulls further away.

I like how that within the short bits of Cath's Simon Snow stories that are interspersed through the volume you get to see into Cath's state of mind. Simon begins to reach out to the once off limits Baz instead of his tried and true friend Penelope Bunce for help - just as Cath spends more time with not-single Levi rather than her sister. This shift leaves her in a position of vulnerability that helps her understand other's shortcomings. But sadly, it also leaves her even more open for hurt.

The art beautifully conveys the plot and each character's mannerisms. I am greatly looking forward to the next installment of this manga adaptation of Rainbow Rowell's wonderful story.

Recommended for fans of Rainbow Rowell's Simon Snow trilogy, books by Cynthia Hand, and the manga series A Silent Voice.

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I’m enjoying reading the novel in graphic form - I wasn’t a fan of Fangirl when I tried to read it initially and it remains a DNF on my shelf. Reading it in graphic form however seems to be engaging me more and I’m really enjoying the series so far.

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I'm really loving the graphic novel adaptation of Fangirl. Everytime I read a new volume, I feel the urge to go back and read the novel. Art here is fantastic as always. I've already put the next one on my tbr pile.

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I love Rainbow Rowell books so much! This fangirl adaptation is no exception. This will definitely be purchased for my middle school students. Thank you so much Netgalley for this advanced copy for me to enjoy before publication.

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Just as wonderful as Volume 1! The adaptation into a visual medium is working so well with this series, using the visual clues of fan culture to adapt it into something of its own, as well as being a very good adaptation of the original novel.

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This manga series continues to delight. The art really lends itself to getting into the heads of the characters This volume upped the drama a little bit, and there was a fair amount of angst, but in a good way. Even having read the novel, I find myself excited to see what will happen in the next volume. This is an excellent manga, and the way adaptations should be done.

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I always forget how much I love this book! It's been forever since I read fangirl so reading this is a great reminder without having to pick up the book again. My only complaint is that I thought it would only be a 2 part series so now I am sad I have to wait to remember how it ends. I tried to get the ebook from my library and theyre all checked out :(

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I could never get into this book as a novel, but I find myself thoroughly enjoying it as a graphic novel. It’s been over a year since the first one came out, I had a few pages of what the heck is going on but once the story got rolling and everything became familiar again I still find this book really fun. I don’t like where it ended since I know that’ll be another year before we get book 3, but in general, I found it quite fun. You still have the nerdy, cute girl that writes fanfiction and the pretty hot guy who think she’s cute. I mean it’s a typical love story, but it all works, and it comes out quite nicely in graphic novel format.

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My Thoughts:

This is supposedly a novel that was adapted from the novel by Rainbow Rowell (Pumpkinheads), and according to the other reviewers, this is accurate to the book, so if you have already read Fangirl, in this manga volume 2, just forget that you know what is going to happen.

I, on the other hand, have not read the novel and instead picked it up because 1) manga and 2) Rainbow Rowell. Like Pumpkinheads, the relationships between people, for example Cath and her twin sister Wren. are complicated and parts of it must inevitably come to an end. Wren has moved on and recreated herself separate from high school and family relationships.

It seems like Cath cannot grow up or grow away from her fan fiction writing persona, even in college.Despite getting harsh feedback from her writing professor that fan fiction is not real writing, with Nick and Levi, perhaps she can grow out of her shell.

I purposely put manga on the title because the art is spectacular and uses the manga genre to support the story. I appreciate such a beautiful adaptation. Even if I did not read the original, with the story and the art, I donʻt feel like I'm missing anything.

From the Publisher:
Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, everybody is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life. Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath just can’t let go…

Cath just wants to hang out with her twin sister and write fanfiction. But now that they’re in college, her sister doesn’t have time for her. And life keeps pulling Cath further and further out of her shell. For the first time ever, Cath has her own social circle. There’s Nick, her handsome classmate who wants her to write short stories with him… And then Levi, who keeps showing up when she isn’t looking for him…

Actually…maybe Cath’s circle is more of a triangle?

Title: Fangirl, Vol. 2 Manga
Author: Rainbow Rowell (original author); Sam Maggs (adapter); Gabi Nam (illustrator)
Publisher: Viz Media
Publication date: June 14, 2022

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The Fangirl Vol.2 really brought to life one of my favorite YA novels. I loved the art and the way it makes parts of the Carry On story more vibrant. The back and forth between the characters felt all the more natural and fast-paced with the manga style, and it really might be the new go-to cozy read for Fall. I hope there is a Baz and Snow manga coming soon as those were some of my favorite parts in the manga.

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A fun way to reread a great YA book. Thank you for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Fangirl, Volume 2.

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I really enjoyed the art style for this manga - it is BEAUTIFUL! Even though I have read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, this format still has me wanting to know what happens next! This is a great addition to this manga series. I enjoyed the original novel and am enjoying getting to re-read it in this style and fall in love with these characters all over again! Impatiently waiting for the next release!

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I absolutely adore this novel and was ecstatic to find out it had been made into a manga - I happily preordered the first when I found out and was OBSESSED & of course I purchased the 2nd novel as well but thank you NetGalley for letting me look at the ARC before it came out!
Just like the first, the artists have brought to life some of my favorite characters ever. I cried so many times in this volume out of sheer happiness. The most romantic scene in any novel for me has been the scene where Cath reads The Outsiders to Levi all night and they fall asleep in each other’s arms. These two fell in love before they even knew it was happening. I cried and screamed and showed the entire scene to my partner as it just made my soul soar seeing it illustrated so beautifully. I love this story, I love these characters, once again Sam Maggs & Gabi Nam have made this manga one of my most treasured possessions. I cannot wait for the rest of the series (and maybe one day get a Carry On manga as well)

110% will be buying for our library!

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Fantastic second addition to the Fangirl manga series. I love how closely this is following the original book and the drawings/illustrations are perfect. Highly recommend.

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