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mehsi's review
5.0
*flails around*My favourite girls are back, this time in novel/book form!
I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard about this project. Of course, I was also worried. Would the voices/characters still be the same (important to me), how about their friendship, or their college days, would this truly feel like a Giant Days graphic novel volume just without pictures?
I can answer all those questions now. Yes, and no.The characters were pretty much on point with the graphic novel (though Daisy was slightly more naive/dumb here than there), the way they interacted was at points the same (though at points also no), Susan and McGraw's relationship was just as it was in the graphic novel (but felt much deeper and better), the story was just as fun as the graphic novel stories.
We follow all three girls. We see how Daisy falls in the claws of a drugged cult full of yogi (as I would call it), we see Esther fall for Vectra's non-existent charm, we see Susan try to keep her friends together while also trying not to show that she is actually totally in love with McGraw. The POV switches from girl to girl, and at times I had a bit of a hard time with the POV switches. Maybe it works better in the paper-version of the book, but with my kindle copy quite often there was no room between the POV switches. One moment it was Susan, then Esther, and then Daisy. So I have had to do some re-reading.
My biggest frustration lay with Daisy. She is normally my top girl (followed closely by Esther and then Susan), but in this one I just wanted to shake her. How she didn't even notice anything was wrong. how she just didn't get that she was being drugged. I get that she is homeschooled, but I am sorry, I don't think that is an excuse. How she just gave stuff away because she needed a family, you already have one, your two friends and your granny. Sure, your two friends aren't always around, but hey, that is life. That is how it works. Your friends can't be there with you 24/7. I just got a bit pissed at her. Before and after the whole yogi debacle she was the Daisy I loved. The Daisy who indeed would just sign up for every club possible, no matter if it is impossible to do so many clubs. The Daisy who is there for her friends, the quiet girl who always has some wise advice, the girl who is raising a tiny little bird named Baby Gordon.
Esther's obsession with Vectra. Man, oh man. I was frustrated with her as well, that she was so blinded that she couldn't see what Vectra was. But for most I just adored Esther, how she tries to bullshit her way out of stuff (though it doesn't always work), the way she dresses herself and how she looks, the way she cares about her friends, the fact she always want people to be happy. Though I do hope that she will work harder on her school work. You can't just go to college without the whole learning thing. :P
Susan was so on point. It was like Susan just casually walked out of the graphic novel and settled down in this novel. We see her struggle with what to tell her friends, share the whole dirty past, or just bits and pieces. And I could relate to her so much in that way. I am also not the type of person who just spits out everything about my life in an instant. I first need trust. And it can take months before I will finally open up fully. Before I trust.
I loved her investigation stuff, and I was rooting for her to figure out what was going on with Daisy.
McGraw and her? I already knew quite a bit because of the graphic novels, but it was fun to read about it in the novel. How she always acts like he is the worst, makes mean jokes, but you can see that she deeply cares about him, she is just hurt and Susan + hurt means she may just spit fire.
Plus, I just adored that, while you could see it in the graphic novel as well, this one showed us much more on how Susan ticked. We see her actions, all her thoughts and more.
The girls' friendship was at times the same old happy and joy friendship that I saw in the graphic novels, but at times I just wanted to shout at these girls. If any of them had just dragged the other two with them, sat down, talked, I am sure there wouldn't have been any problems or doubts. But hey, I guess then the book would have been shorter. But then it could have been filled with more of this wonderful friendship. Thankfully, the ending definitely makes up for the unhappiness I at times felt. I loved how these three, very different girls, fitted together perfectly. Esther's always happy go lucky attitude, Susan's sarcasm and protectiveness, and Daisy's wisdom and quiet down to earthness.
I was definitely shocked to see what happened at that Halloween party, thank heavens that Esther has her friends. I don't even want to think about what would have happened hadn't they intervened. :|
I had quite a laugh at how Esther and Susan tried to eject Daisy from every club she had signed up to. Some of their ways were pretty dang hilarious. That poor Paper Clip Fanciers club.
The ending, and how they all went to extract Daisy from that drugs/yogi/cult was hilarious and fun to read.
All in all, I could go on and on and on and on for more time about this book, there is just so much I could still talk about, but I don't want my book to become too long. All I want to say is that I do hope that there is going to be another Giant Days novel in the future, maybe even a whole series. Non Pratt did a pretty dang good job on writing! I would also recommend this one. I had tons of fun reading this, even with the frustration I also felt at times. I just couldn't stop reading.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard about this project. Of course, I was also worried. Would the voices/characters still be the same (important to me), how about their friendship, or their college days, would this truly feel like a Giant Days graphic novel volume just without pictures?
I can answer all those questions now. Yes, and no.The characters were pretty much on point with the graphic novel (though Daisy was slightly more naive/dumb here than there), the way they interacted was at points the same (though at points also no), Susan and McGraw's relationship was just as it was in the graphic novel (but felt much deeper and better), the story was just as fun as the graphic novel stories.
We follow all three girls. We see how Daisy falls in the claws of a drugged cult full of yogi (as I would call it), we see Esther fall for Vectra's non-existent charm, we see Susan try to keep her friends together while also trying not to show that she is actually totally in love with McGraw. The POV switches from girl to girl, and at times I had a bit of a hard time with the POV switches. Maybe it works better in the paper-version of the book, but with my kindle copy quite often there was no room between the POV switches. One moment it was Susan, then Esther, and then Daisy. So I have had to do some re-reading.
My biggest frustration lay with Daisy. She is normally my top girl (followed closely by Esther and then Susan), but in this one I just wanted to shake her. How she didn't even notice anything was wrong. how she just didn't get that she was being drugged. I get that she is homeschooled, but I am sorry, I don't think that is an excuse. How she just gave stuff away because she needed a family, you already have one, your two friends and your granny. Sure, your two friends aren't always around, but hey, that is life. That is how it works. Your friends can't be there with you 24/7. I just got a bit pissed at her. Before and after the whole yogi debacle she was the Daisy I loved. The Daisy who indeed would just sign up for every club possible, no matter if it is impossible to do so many clubs. The Daisy who is there for her friends, the quiet girl who always has some wise advice, the girl who is raising a tiny little bird named Baby Gordon.
Esther's obsession with Vectra. Man, oh man. I was frustrated with her as well, that she was so blinded that she couldn't see what Vectra was. But for most I just adored Esther, how she tries to bullshit her way out of stuff (though it doesn't always work), the way she dresses herself and how she looks, the way she cares about her friends, the fact she always want people to be happy. Though I do hope that she will work harder on her school work. You can't just go to college without the whole learning thing. :P
Susan was so on point. It was like Susan just casually walked out of the graphic novel and settled down in this novel. We see her struggle with what to tell her friends, share the whole dirty past, or just bits and pieces. And I could relate to her so much in that way. I am also not the type of person who just spits out everything about my life in an instant. I first need trust. And it can take months before I will finally open up fully. Before I trust.
I loved her investigation stuff, and I was rooting for her to figure out what was going on with Daisy.
McGraw and her? I already knew quite a bit because of the graphic novels, but it was fun to read about it in the novel. How she always acts like he is the worst, makes mean jokes, but you can see that she deeply cares about him, she is just hurt and Susan + hurt means she may just spit fire.
Plus, I just adored that, while you could see it in the graphic novel as well, this one showed us much more on how Susan ticked. We see her actions, all her thoughts and more.
The girls' friendship was at times the same old happy and joy friendship that I saw in the graphic novels, but at times I just wanted to shout at these girls. If any of them had just dragged the other two with them, sat down, talked, I am sure there wouldn't have been any problems or doubts. But hey, I guess then the book would have been shorter. But then it could have been filled with more of this wonderful friendship. Thankfully, the ending definitely makes up for the unhappiness I at times felt. I loved how these three, very different girls, fitted together perfectly. Esther's always happy go lucky attitude, Susan's sarcasm and protectiveness, and Daisy's wisdom and quiet down to earthness.
I was definitely shocked to see what happened at that Halloween party, thank heavens that Esther has her friends. I don't even want to think about what would have happened hadn't they intervened. :|
I had quite a laugh at how Esther and Susan tried to eject Daisy from every club she had signed up to. Some of their ways were pretty dang hilarious. That poor Paper Clip Fanciers club.
The ending, and how they all went to extract Daisy from that drugs/yogi/cult was hilarious and fun to read.
All in all, I could go on and on and on and on for more time about this book, there is just so much I could still talk about, but I don't want my book to become too long. All I want to say is that I do hope that there is going to be another Giant Days novel in the future, maybe even a whole series. Non Pratt did a pretty dang good job on writing! I would also recommend this one. I had tons of fun reading this, even with the frustration I also felt at times. I just couldn't stop reading.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
powisamy's review
5.0
Book Review:
Having enjoyed the Giant Days graphic novel series which I read last year I was super excited about the novel based on the series. I was especially excited as it was being written by Non Pratt who is one of my favourite YA authors right now. Giant Days, therefore, did not disappoint me being a greatly entertaining read from start to finish. I devoured this book.
One of the best things about the Giant Days series, in general, is the university setting. I feel like Non captures this so well and as someone who has recently graduated from university, it gives a sense of what it is really like to be there. Although neither Non or I had been Sheffield, the research that she did into the University was so good that it felt like I was there experiencing university with the Giant Days girls.
I think that the other draw to the book that I loved is the friendship element and the whole chaos that is Freshers Fair. As someone who was actively part of societies during their time at university, I loved the concept of the Zoise as it was completely crazy and I do feel like something like this could happen on a university campus. Seeing Daisy slowly go deeper into the society was crazy but I loved reading about her experiences.
The characters themselves are also just really great as well. The lengths that they go to protecting each other especially Susan and Esther protecting Daisy who is completely naive about university life was just a great friendship dynamic. I also loved how they each had their own lives at university and we got to see how their different friends and situations which I loved and felt invested in. In the beginning, I was a little confused about what was happening but I felt this got better as the book progressed. I did love this book and would highly recommend it!
The Verdict:
Giant Days is a sweet and endearing read that wonderfully captures the trials and tribulations of university life, perfect for fans of the Giant Days series or those who want to give the series a go.
Having enjoyed the Giant Days graphic novel series which I read last year I was super excited about the novel based on the series. I was especially excited as it was being written by Non Pratt who is one of my favourite YA authors right now. Giant Days, therefore, did not disappoint me being a greatly entertaining read from start to finish. I devoured this book.
One of the best things about the Giant Days series, in general, is the university setting. I feel like Non captures this so well and as someone who has recently graduated from university, it gives a sense of what it is really like to be there. Although neither Non or I had been Sheffield, the research that she did into the University was so good that it felt like I was there experiencing university with the Giant Days girls.
I think that the other draw to the book that I loved is the friendship element and the whole chaos that is Freshers Fair. As someone who was actively part of societies during their time at university, I loved the concept of the Zoise as it was completely crazy and I do feel like something like this could happen on a university campus. Seeing Daisy slowly go deeper into the society was crazy but I loved reading about her experiences.
The characters themselves are also just really great as well. The lengths that they go to protecting each other especially Susan and Esther protecting Daisy who is completely naive about university life was just a great friendship dynamic. I also loved how they each had their own lives at university and we got to see how their different friends and situations which I loved and felt invested in. In the beginning, I was a little confused about what was happening but I felt this got better as the book progressed. I did love this book and would highly recommend it!
The Verdict:
Giant Days is a sweet and endearing read that wonderfully captures the trials and tribulations of university life, perfect for fans of the Giant Days series or those who want to give the series a go.
jadeyrae's review
2.0
Unfortunately, this didn't hit the mark for me, and I feel like it took away a lot of what I love about the Giant Days Comics. The plot felt a little weak and I feel like we didn't get much insight to the characters real personalities (which we get a lot more of in the comics).
For me, the Giant Days comics are a lot of fun, bright and fluffy, and this took that away. I still love the characters, but I think that might be because I'm already so attached to them from the Comics.
I didn't get anything out of this unfortunaly, other than the desire to read more of the comics!
For me, the Giant Days comics are a lot of fun, bright and fluffy, and this took that away. I still love the characters, but I think that might be because I'm already so attached to them from the Comics.
I didn't get anything out of this unfortunaly, other than the desire to read more of the comics!
sorrickl's review
3.0
If youve read the graphic novel series and are still jonesing for more, this is a good substitute. It's got the charm of the characters and it's not like one of the graphic novel to book adaptations that are just word for word storyline already exists.
saeverra's review
3.0
Just finished this book based on "Giant Days" the graphic novel series by John Allison. I much preferred the graphic novels, though appreciated how Non Pratt tried to stay true to the characters and their respective personalities.
jagussow's review
5.0
Like the comic it is based on, this was a fun, silly and sweet book about those giant days that make up time spent at university. This is set during their first years, so fans of the comic may have to adjust to the newness of some of the relationships; for those who haven't read the comic, I hope this acts as a jump on point
ecote525's review
3.0
2.5ish stars...it's always nice to visit the world of Susie, Esther, and Daisy...I was especially intrigued to figure out how it would translate to a full-length prose novel. Although the author captured the main characters' personalities pretty well, well-loved secondary characters were pretty much cast aside (McGraw, Ed, etc). In the author's defense though, this does take place in the first semester of the Giant Days timeline. It was a pleasant enough read, but I just felt that the plot was too thin and better suited to the graphic novel format; also, the main characters' "quirks" which are amusing in the graphic novels can tend to feel repetitive and annoying in prose.
eclecticbookreviewer's review against another edition
3.0
Good story. Very funny dialogue. A good look at some of the dynamics of college life.
bigdamntvgeek's review
4.0
This book does a terrific job of capturing the charm of Daisy, Esther, and Susan that shines through in the comics!
kellylynnthomas's review
4.0
This YA novel by Non Pratt is a part of the fantastic comic series GIANT DAYS and takes place within the events of volumes 1-3 of the comic. However, you do NOT need to have read the comic to enjoy this book. I would recommend reading the comic, because it's amazing, but the novel is a great place to start as well!
Like the comics, the novel follows Susan, Esther and Daisy, along with their friend Ed and Susan's frenemy McGraw during their first semester of university. Their friendships are tested by a number of factors--the past, forces of evil, and a yogic cult? Yes, that's right--Daisy gets sucked into a yogic cult, and it's up to Susan and Esther to save her!
The plot sounds a little ridiculous, but like the comics, the book is a fun romp filled with heart and emotion. And really, college is pretty crazy and is the most dramatic thing ever while you're in the thick of it, so I'd say this is pretty accurate to how college feels. Even if you've never been to college, though, the universal themes of friendship and finding your place in the world will resonate with you.
Like the comics, the novel follows Susan, Esther and Daisy, along with their friend Ed and Susan's frenemy McGraw during their first semester of university. Their friendships are tested by a number of factors--the past, forces of evil, and a yogic cult? Yes, that's right--Daisy gets sucked into a yogic cult, and it's up to Susan and Esther to save her!
The plot sounds a little ridiculous, but like the comics, the book is a fun romp filled with heart and emotion. And really, college is pretty crazy and is the most dramatic thing ever while you're in the thick of it, so I'd say this is pretty accurate to how college feels. Even if you've never been to college, though, the universal themes of friendship and finding your place in the world will resonate with you.