Non Pratt

I have read a number of graphic adaptations of novels, but this is the first novel adaptation of a graphic that I have read. Giant Days has been a fave for a while, so I decided to pick this up. I love the graphic, but this expands and explores the story of Susan, Esther, and Daisy so much more completely than a graphic really could. The three girls (for that is what they are—teenagers exploring adult life for the first time) contend with big stuff here: shaking the ghosts of the past, self-doubt, and the ins and outs of adult friendship. In doubting themselves and their friends, they plunge and are almost lost in anger, vengeance, worship, adoration, and cults. It is irresistibly readable and satisfying.… (meer)

I thought it was weird that the Fence comic book series from Boom! had a novel version this year, but it turns out Boom! had done the media-tie-in thing already with Giant Days in 2018. Non Pratt was hired to read the comic series and plop out a YA novel inspired by it.

Set in the early weeks of freshman year, we find that Esther, Susan and Daisy are already friends, but not best friends. They are still insecure in their friendship trio since it based mostly on sharing the same hallway of a dorm, and, in case it doesn't work out, they spend this novel individually pursuing better friends, lining up back-up friends, or debating whether friends are even necessary. Inevitably, the more they let themselves drift apart, the worse things get. One gets into quite a bit of trouble -- getting lured into a cult-- and that situation is frankly treated too lightly and resolved too easily.

The story is super-predictable and drawn out, but the characters voices sound right enough. With the comic series coming to an end, this will at least give you one more taste of the Giant Days when you find yourself jonesing hard.… (meer)

Jade breaks up with her boyfriend and he makes a comment to her afterwards that effects her deeply. he tells her that he only went out with her because her friend Becky wouldn't and that Becky is the "hot one". This little comment niggles away at Jade's confidence in herself and also changes her perception of her friend - she now believes that Becky is perfect, gets everything right and is somehow trying to undermine Jade's confidence deliberately by being good friends with Jade's family and also her other friends. When there is a mock election for school, Jade runs against Becky to be class president. When talking to Becky's twin sister, Jade discovers something about Becky that will destroy her chances of being elected. Will she use this and get elected at the cost of their friendship?
For mature readers due to the F word.… (meer)