Squirrel Girl: Universe, the latest in the Marvel Heroines novel series by Aconyte Books, is written by Tristan Palmgren. In advance of the August 2, 2022, release date, the publisher provided me an early galley for an honest review.

I admit that while I know of the character I have never read any comics featuring Squirrel Girl. So, with this book jumping right into action with her and her partners in crime-fighting, I found myself a little caught up in chaos. Of course, they're caught up in chaos too with New York City landmarks being abducted. By the time we get a few chapters in the narrative slows down a bit so I was able to get to know the cast - while they contemplated their predicament with the irritated Mad Thinker.

The combination of space travel and humor gave the book a bit of a Douglas Adams vibe ala The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. If that was Palmgren's intent, that is a high bar to strive for; I am not sure that the efforts managed to hit that mark for me. I found myself losing interest a number of times throughout the story - mostly because I did not have vested interest in most of the cast or the situation they found themselves in.

I suspect folks who are already Squirrel Girl fans will love this one. For the rest of us, reading a few of the character's comics first might be beneficial before picking this book up.



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

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.