I love the Giant Days comic, but I was a little apprehensive about reading this novelization. However, Non Pratt does an amazing job of capturing the tone and characterization of the three friends. This book is delightful!

This was a bit of a departure to Non Pratt's usual style but I really enjoyed it. The scrapes that Esther, Daisy and Susan got into reminded me of my university days, and I loved their relationship and their banter. I've not read the graphic novels, so I can't compare them, but this book was a highly entertaining romp through the first year of uni, with an added bit of mystery and mayhem. What a hoot.

I had never read any of the Giant Days graphic novels, so I was worried I would be lost when I read the novel. Not so at all! The only thing that happened is now I KNOW I need to read the graphic novels because I loved this book. The three main characters were clearly developed and I felt like I knew them. I enjoyed their more mundane college life issues, fire alarms and cafe food, as much as the bigger things, maybe drug deals and no contact contracts! I would love for their to be more books in this series because I think these three girls and their friends are destined for many more adventures. I recommend this book to pretty much everyone. It was a great way to think back on college life for this thirty-something, but would be relatable for those currently in college or thinking about heading there soon. Overall the perfect book to read when you want something that feels like old friends and is just a really good time!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this was just so good. As someone who has the Giant Days graphic novels and seriously enjoys them so much, I was excited and worried about a chapter book being released. Excited because they're making a chapter book about a great series, and worried would the author be able to authentically capture each characters uniqueness to the characters we already know and love. There was nothing to feel worried about. The book takes place before the first issue of Giant Days was ever released so it was really nice to kind of see how the girls were still stepping on ice and figuring out each others idiosyncrasies. This book just solidified that all three girls compliment each other so well and that Susan is still my favourite. I am glad the author made Daisy the one go through the trouble, Since she was homeschooled it made perfect sense for her to get easily sucked into peoples nefarious plans and that because of this Esther starts to lose her selfishness and Susan comes out of her shell tp rescue her.
I do believe that those who read the graphic novels will enjoy this new take on their beloved characters and those who haven't won't feel overwhelmed because the book introduces the characters and gives us a good plot to follow that not only separates itself from its predecessor but can still be included as part of the original series.

Overall this is a great addition to a beloved Graphic novel series that holds its own against its behemoth success.

What a fantastic yarn about transitioning into college life, finding yourself, and finding your people during one of the most turbulent times in a young person's life. While Susan, Daisy, and Esther may be a bit over the top, that's what makes them all the more compelling and interesting. They are the right balance of hilariously fictitious and real, that teens will easily be able to see themselves in one of them, or even a combination of the three. Much like the characters themselves, Non Pratt also does an exceptional job of intertwining the silly with the serious creating moments that make readers laugh, think, and maybe even shed an ironic tear. Although I haven't yet read the comic books, Pratt's novel has inspired me to just that and I'm looking forward to more adventures with this fantastic trio.

All-in-all: this was so much fun and teens who appreciate a dry, darker sense of humor will have a field day with this and those who don't, well, they'll still enjoy it too! An absolute must have for YA and personal collections.

"Based on the hit graphic-novel series from BOOM! Studios, the publisher behind Lumberjanes, Giant Days follows the hilarious and heartfelt misadventures of three university first-years: Daisy, the innocent home-schooled girl; Susan, the sardonic wit; and Esther, the vivacious drama queen. While the girls seem very different, they become fast friends during their first week of university. And it’s a good thing they do, because in the giant adventure that is college, a friend who has your back is key—something Daisy discovers when she gets a little too involved in her extracurricular club, the Yogic Brethren of Zoise. When she starts acting strange and life around campus gets even stranger (missing students, secret handshakes, monogrammed robes everywhere . . .), Esther and Susan decide it’s up to them to investigate the weirdness and save their friend."

It took me awhile to warm up to the graphic novel series, but now I'm a huge Giant Days fan, so I'm very curious for it's transition away from the medium... but mainly the cover just freaks me out because Susan looks like a deformed Gru from Despicable Me...

these characters and wold are much more dynamic and punchy in comic form; i highly recommend sticking to that in the future

A wonderful story of friendship and that weird, wonderful time of life that is the first year of college. A great adaptation of the comic that deepens each character.

Being a fan of Non Pratt's other books, I knew for sure I'd have to check Giant Days out despite not having read the graphic novels. The result? A fun, totally Non style, easy read! I loved reading about what the characters were getting up to, especially lovely, innocent Daisy! This book did feel a bit mish mash at times and I'm unsure whether that's down to having an advanced eCopy. I also couldn't read much of it in one go as I just couldn't get too into it. While Giant Days won't become my favourite of Nons books, it's definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Amulet Books (Abrams Kids) via NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I initially started this book with a lot of trepidation. I absolutely love the Giant Days graphic novel series, and was very worried that it wouldn't translate well into novel format. However, I am happy to say that I was wrong!
The story follows university freshmen and new friends Daisy, Esther and Susan. Each character has their own distinct storyline that ties well into the plot of the book: Esther is trying to show her fellow Goth classmate that they should become best friends, Susan grapples to open up about her past, and Daisy has combated her social anxiety by signing up for every club imaginable. What happens next is just as hilarious and heartwarming as the original series. Since I read the graphic novels before picking this up, I was able to picture the plot as a comic in my mind's eye. I would definitely recommend this book for any lovers of the comics or anyone interested in a quirky college story!

I love Giant Days. It's my favourite comic series, and, after seeing this on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it ASAP. I was fortunate enough to get access to this, and I'll definitely be buying a physical copy after how much I loved this book.

As far as I can tell, this takes place just after the events of the original minicomics but before the events of the second volume (my favourite, nudge nudge wink wink), although the timeline does feel very whack, honestly. Everyone goes through different problems: Esther is dying to make a good impression on a popular goth girl on her course (English with modules in Creative Writing, represeeeennnt); Daisy is feeling dejected and lonely and sets out to make friends by joining every single society she can, including a mysterious cult-like Yoga group; and Susan is dealing with course stuff and McGraw stuff, the latter being my favourite 'stuff' in this entire series.

I guess I'll review each character's story individually. I'm not able to post quotes because I received an early review copy, but lemme tell you, Esther? Absolutely hilarious. She has some great moments talking about her course and boys, and it was actually painful how much I saw myself in her character. Her just having no idea what people were going on about in seminars was hilarious, making things up as she goes along like I always seem to be doing. However, seeing her changing parts of herself to appeal to friends... also hit close to home, which was difficult to read. Out of all of them, I think what she went through was treated with the most care, which I will comment on in Daisy's part.

Oh, Daisy. She goes through all the classic first year woes that I also experienced last year. Homesickness? Check. Being scared you're the only person with no friends while the people you thought were friends never seem to have time for you? Check. Feeling like bursting into tears when you talk with family over the phone? CHECK. Joining a cult? Chhhhhhh........ not so much. I think the personal issues Daisy experience are handled perfectly, but I feel like the seriousness of what was happening at the yoga group were glossed over at the end, and made out to be... not as serious as they most definitely were. You could get arrested for all of those things, and even though it would stray from the general happiness of the series, it still has moments where things are taken seriously, and I feel like Daisy's story lacked that.

But anyway who cares about them two when I have Susan and McGraw to gush about? This book sees them go from enemies (mostly on Susan's part, but I feel like it's justified, even though I swoon constantly at McGraw) to reluctant (again, Susan) friends, and I loved it. Susan's deadpan humour and dry wit is perfectly captured, and McGraw being pretty much oblivious but very much the greatest man to ever live is evident constantly. I would re-read this just for them two. I'm tempted to re-read the series now, just for them two. They will always be my favourite part of Giant Days and I feel no regrets saying that.

As much as I love this, I've had to lower it a star for the whole Daisy thing, but also because this probably wouldn't have been as good if I didn't already love the comics. It throws you straight into things and is quite... info-dumpy at the start, unfortunately, but I am willing to overlook that because of the brilliant characterisation of the main girls and their friends (poor, poor Ed Gemmel). I also found that Susan was kind of pushed to the back and made to sort out all the drama without having much going on herself, other than little moments with McGraw.

I loved this book: it's very funny, relatable, and features lovable (though sometimes exasperating) characters. Each of the main three characters- Daisy, Susan, and Esther- are well drawn and engagingly different. I probably related most to Daisy out of the three protagonists, as she struggles to break out of her shell and find her place at university, and feel a sense of belonging.

This is a book about friendships, both old and new, and especially female friendships which don't revolve around boys. That being said, I might have a teensy crush on Susan's former friend/current enemy McGraw. I also appreciated the diversity of sexualities, such as Daisy being interested in girls.

One slight criticism I have is that the book takes place at a UK university, but sometimes the vibe seemed more fitting to an American college.

In the beginning I liked this book, it felt so good being back into this world, but the format really started to bother me. The way it would jump from each of the girls it was a little jarring. I don't know if it was because of it being an eArc or what but I hope it's not like that in the finish copy. I do think you would have to read the graphic novel to understand a few things that was going on in this book. Since I liked the graphic novels a lot I thought I was going to like this too, but just found it okay.

An interesting take on the graphic novel, it made me want to read the original but I also enjoyed this new version of the story.

I have fantastic news: the wonderful graphic novel series Giant Days now officially has its own novel! Yes, you read that right. The novel shares the same titles as the series itself, but I honestly hope they’ll come out with more than just the one.
Giant Days is perfect for both the fans of the series and people who would otherwise try the series if not for the fact that it was a graphic novel. There’s a lot of overlap between this and the series, but I considered that a fun refresher more than anything. Plus there are more details for the scenes that were repeated, so I’m not complaining. However I know that’s something that not everyone is into, so keep that in mind.

Spoiler Warning

When I first saw that Giant Days was being turned into a novel I knew I had to get my hands on it a.s.a.p. I only recently finished binge reading the series for the first time, so a lot of the events are still relatively fresh in my head. It made for a comfortable transition for me, and sort of helped with the withdrawal I was feeling from not having any new Giant Days (the graphic novels, that is) waiting for me.
This was a really fun and mostly light read. There were times, like in the graphic novels themselves where their adventures got too real and dark (like when Esther gets drugged at a party or that time Daisy got lonely and tricked into joining a cult), but it balances out really nicely with the quirky and lovable personalities of our leading cast. I honestly just can’t enough of these ladies, so I’m so happy that they’re transcending their original media.
If you’re looking at this and humming and hawing, let me assure you that Pratt perfectly translates all of our favorite characters into this new medium. Seriously, I could picture almost every scene as if I was looking at the graphic novel instead. Their tone of voices carried over perfectly from images to text and I couldn’t have been happier with the end results.
It was certainly fun to have some of their adventures fleshed out in more detail. While I adore the fast pace for the Giant Days series, sometimes it’s fun to slow down and get a few more details on the situation. I’ll be curious to see what happens in future novels (if they happen). Will they continue to go over all the plots in the graphic novel series, or will they branch off and start doing their own thing? I honestly think I’d be okay with either, though both would be ideal…
Pratt did a great job of balancing the time spent with all three main characters, just like the series it’s based off of. Never once did I feel like a character was getting neglected or overshadowed by the other two. I do feel like we saw less of McGraw and Ed, but then again we’re back to the earlier stuff where they weren’t quite their own characters yet, so that makes sense.
I’m still a bit surprised by how well Giant Days transitioned into novel form. I know I said this already, but I really do hope that they continue with this line of thinking. I also wouldn’t mind some novellas that are short stories not yet shown in the graphic novel series. That would be fun. In the meantime I’m just grateful that this helped me bide my time until the next issue drops.

I loved this, I loved the friendship between the girls and the fun portrayal of life at uni. I don't know much about the comic but I liked the novel.

This is a must read for fans of the graphic novels. It is fun and full of humour and angst just like the GNs.

I can’t say much, considering I be only read one volume of the graphic novel, but it had so much more charm than this. Possibly because of the emotive illustrations and the ease of the graphic novel, but it was much more endearing.
Sad to say.

'Giant Days' was a bunch of marvellous fun, about the three best-est friends you could possibly read about. Non Pratt manages to take the exact essence of each character from the graphic novels and perfectly translate them into pure prose form. Each girl is equally focused on, so regardless of whether Susan, Daisy or Esther is your favourite, you'll definitely enjoy this book!

This also perfectly balanced appealing to fans of the graphic novels, while also introducing the characters to new readers, who have so many more university adventures to discover after this toe-dip in the world of Giant Days. The setting and shenanigans are so hilarious and relatable, you'll want to read it cover to cover.

Non has done it again. She's created an identifiable set of characters inside a brilliant setting that many will be all to familiar with. I wasn't aware of the comic, and I'm not always in a rush to seek out stories in comic format so this was perfect for me.