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Luminous Beings: A Graphic Novel
A wholly original graphic novel from New York Times bestseller David Arnold and comic artist Jose Pimienta. When a group of teens decides to make a documentary about humanity’s recent brush with extinction (via undead squirrels), their quest for top-notch gear leads them on a 24-hour wild goose chase through rowdy nightclubs and once-familiar neighborhoods, perilous castles and off-grid RVs, and at every turn—people. Some more eccentric than others, all leading quiet lives of love and loss in a strange new world. With nothing but their phones, the Squad documents these encounters, along with a slew of hijinks and misadventures throughout the night. The resulting footage becomes (and is indeed filled with) Luminous Beings, an accidental documentary, not about the past, or how shit hit the fan, but how people came together to answer the ultimate where do we go from here?
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2024
15 people are currently reading
4827 people want to read
About the author
David Arnold
7 books1,685 followersDavid Arnold is the New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland, I Loved You in Another Life, The Electric Kingdom, Kids of Appetite, and The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik. He has won the Southern Book Prize and the Great Lakes Book Award, and was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start for his debut. His books have been translated into over a dozen languages. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife and son. Learn more at davidarnoldbooks.com and follow him on Instagram @iamdavidarnold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
May 12, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
Luminous Beings is a sort of screwball dystopian comedy, following a group of teens living in a future with zombie squirrels and looking for a missing person. The humor didn't always hit for me, but it's conceptually interesting and I like the casualness of how the teens just accept this is what the world is- squishing squirrels that try to attack you. No big deal. They're still going to be very normal teens, complete with love life drama, not so great jobs, and potential parties. It's something different and fairly entertaining. I received a copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Luminous Beings is a sort of screwball dystopian comedy, following a group of teens living in a future with zombie squirrels and looking for a missing person. The humor didn't always hit for me, but it's conceptually interesting and I like the casualness of how the teens just accept this is what the world is- squishing squirrels that try to attack you. No big deal. They're still going to be very normal teens, complete with love life drama, not so great jobs, and potential parties. It's something different and fairly entertaining. I received a copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
November 12, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. I went in thinking that with a premise this inane (four friends having an adventure spanning one night in the aftermath of a zombie squirrel apocalypse) that it must be personal, or at least David Arnold (the author) must really care about this stuff. But none of it means a damn thing, he's just throwing random crap together because he probably thinks that makes the book quirky and original. But that's not a book, that's just a pile of random crap. An interesting approach to writing, but that's not so much storytelling as it is hoarding behavior.
Two stars instead of one because a lot of people I respect appreciate this book so I'm hoping my dislike stems more from my mood than the book's merits. And this book reads like it was written during the pandemic, and that made us all a bit crazy and missing out on key bits of socializing made us all forget how human beings act, so a bit of leeway is deserved.
Two stars instead of one because a lot of people I respect appreciate this book so I'm hoping my dislike stems more from my mood than the book's merits. And this book reads like it was written during the pandemic, and that made us all a bit crazy and missing out on key bits of socializing made us all forget how human beings act, so a bit of leeway is deserved.
August 23, 2025
This is a wild ride of a graphic novel. Set in a mid-apocalyptic world, where the apocalypse was the arrival of "squizzys," zombified squirrels!! But everyone has pretty much adjusted to life with them; they wear "hazzys" (hazmat suits) whenever they go outside, so as not to be bitten by the radioactive squirrels or hit by falling radioactive meteors that maybe caused the thing to the squirrels (it's never fully explained, you just have to go with it). It's a very goofy yet serious situation. The story revolves around 4 friends, recent high school graduates, their various changing relationships as they figure out where they're going next, should they act on crushes, that sort of thing, while they search for a missing classmate who left to try to survive the apocalypse by himself. There are striking visuals and also very slapstick-y situations (raccoons shot out of a potato cannon, anyone??) and it's quite fun. It's very silly, yet very deep and oddly bittersweet. The color artwork is tinted in shades of pinks and purples, teal, pastels. High school-level language but otherwise good for upper middle school.
May 5, 2024
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss/Netgalley.)
Ty, Burger, Miles, and Fib are a group of teens trying to get on with their lives after the capital-a Apocalypse. The Zombie Squirrel Apocalypse, that is. This species-specific virus transforms ordinary squirrels into murderous, glowing-eyed demons. After the initial panic, chaos, and misinformation (eerily reminiscent of the early days of covid), humans have mostly adapted to living among pint-sized zombies. (The ever-present hazmat suits are reminiscent of the gear required to leave the house in BREATHERS.)
For Ty, this means applying to art school in Brooklyn - even if it means leaving her best friend and collaborator Burger behind, gap year be damned. Now that she's finally got her acceptance letter, she can't get the words out. Instead, she's trying her best to finish their documentary about the origins of the apocalypse. When their funding source doesn't come through, they decide to hunt down their missing former manager, Fink, whose parents are offering a $20,000 reward. Miles and Fib are along for the best - and zaniest - night of their lives.
I really wanted to love LUMINOUS BEINGS (zombie squirrels? sign me tf up!), but it just missed the mark for me. Between the made up slang and copious '90s references, it felt a little overdone, like the author was playing too hard at being cool and edgy. The plot was a little underwhelming, with some of the more interesting avenues left unexplored (Van der Poel's crazy zombie experiments, hello!). The relationships between Ty and Burger and Miles and Fib are promising, but I never felt like we got to know the characters well enough to become fully invested in the outcomes. That said, the plot line with Ty and her stepdad was unexpectedly heartfelt and touching.
Ty, Burger, Miles, and Fib are a group of teens trying to get on with their lives after the capital-a Apocalypse. The Zombie Squirrel Apocalypse, that is. This species-specific virus transforms ordinary squirrels into murderous, glowing-eyed demons. After the initial panic, chaos, and misinformation (eerily reminiscent of the early days of covid), humans have mostly adapted to living among pint-sized zombies. (The ever-present hazmat suits are reminiscent of the gear required to leave the house in BREATHERS.)
For Ty, this means applying to art school in Brooklyn - even if it means leaving her best friend and collaborator Burger behind, gap year be damned. Now that she's finally got her acceptance letter, she can't get the words out. Instead, she's trying her best to finish their documentary about the origins of the apocalypse. When their funding source doesn't come through, they decide to hunt down their missing former manager, Fink, whose parents are offering a $20,000 reward. Miles and Fib are along for the best - and zaniest - night of their lives.
I really wanted to love LUMINOUS BEINGS (zombie squirrels? sign me tf up!), but it just missed the mark for me. Between the made up slang and copious '90s references, it felt a little overdone, like the author was playing too hard at being cool and edgy. The plot was a little underwhelming, with some of the more interesting avenues left unexplored (Van der Poel's crazy zombie experiments, hello!). The relationships between Ty and Burger and Miles and Fib are promising, but I never felt like we got to know the characters well enough to become fully invested in the outcomes. That said, the plot line with Ty and her stepdad was unexpectedly heartfelt and touching.
November 3, 2024
It’s been a really long time since I’ve given a book 1 star but like what was even the point of this? I felt every page was a completely different chapter? Or maybe my copy was missing pages because there were so many times nothing made sense?
Also what’s the plot? What’s the direction? Who is in love with who? None of this makes any sense. And the big “reveal” was also a huge waste of time.
This had potential to be cool but it was a major flop. Bad characters. Bad storyline. Bad writing. Waste of time.
Illustrations were good though!! This is not your fault Jose!!
Do not recommend obviously
Also what’s the plot? What’s the direction? Who is in love with who? None of this makes any sense. And the big “reveal” was also a huge waste of time.
This had potential to be cool but it was a major flop. Bad characters. Bad storyline. Bad writing. Waste of time.
Illustrations were good though!! This is not your fault Jose!!
Do not recommend obviously
August 28, 2024
Thank you to PenguinTeen for the gifted copy of Luminous Beings!
Luminous Beings had me grinning like a fool, while at times, making me entirely too emotional. It was so silly — the references & jokes are top-notch. I loved the characters & ended up feeling for them way more than I originally thought I would.
& oh my gosh, the art! ✨✨✨✨ This color scheme is flawless, unmatched, perfect — a 10 out of 10. Luminous Beings felt so cozy, even when there were undead squirrels on the page 😅
Luminous Beings had me grinning like a fool, while at times, making me entirely too emotional. It was so silly — the references & jokes are top-notch. I loved the characters & ended up feeling for them way more than I originally thought I would.
& oh my gosh, the art! ✨✨✨✨ This color scheme is flawless, unmatched, perfect — a 10 out of 10. Luminous Beings felt so cozy, even when there were undead squirrels on the page 😅
January 17, 2025
This was a wild, sci fi, find yourself at the end of the world, ride. It was absurdly hilarious with great banter. I really rooted for these characters. Great pop culture references. Crazy fun.
December 25, 2025
Four teenagers on the cusp of adulthood spend a memorable night searching for a missing coworker who may not want to be found...in a world overrun by bioluminescent zombie squirrels.
Amazingly, the squirrels are incidental. Just background. Like, it takes place in upstate New York, and there are zombie squirrels, and they work in a coffeeshop. I dig it.
I also dig Arnold's banter; the friendship between the four mains feels genuine. It breathes.
And their workshopping of possible titles for their zombie squirrel documentary ("Children of the Acorn," "The Sound and the Furry"...)
The illustration is remarkably expressive given its simplicity. Reminds me of Molly Ostertag's work (that's a compliment). Terrific use of color in the nightclub scene.
Luminous Beings falls short on the resolution of the big Where's Fink?? mystery but otherwise this is a really solid read.
Amazingly, the squirrels are incidental. Just background. Like, it takes place in upstate New York, and there are zombie squirrels, and they work in a coffeeshop. I dig it.
I also dig Arnold's banter; the friendship between the four mains feels genuine. It breathes.
Ty: 'Are you Xander Van der Poel?'
Xander, high as balls: 'I'm...drugs.'
Ty: 'What did he say?'
Fib: 'What part of he's drugs do you not understand?'
Xander, still high as balls: 'What time is it?'
Miles: '2:07am.'
Xander, forever high as balls: 'I missed lunch.'
Fib: 'Guys, Drugs missed lunch.'
And their workshopping of possible titles for their zombie squirrel documentary ("Children of the Acorn," "The Sound and the Furry"...)
The illustration is remarkably expressive given its simplicity. Reminds me of Molly Ostertag's work (that's a compliment). Terrific use of color in the nightclub scene.
Luminous Beings falls short on the resolution of the big Where's Fink?? mystery but otherwise this is a really solid read.
August 24, 2024
After avoiding it for four years, I caught covid. It took me out for a solid week, but finally I feel up to reading. So how could I not pick the graphic novel Luminous beings - a story about a post apocalyptic world, staring teenagers trying to find their way.
Art? Amazing. I loved the character designs and the way that the hazmat suits reflect each person. I liked the little additions to show the characters were teens - the music scenes, using an inhaler, tripping, etc. It really made it feel like I was just following along a real group of friends who were on an adventure.
I liked the way the squeezies were drawn and included everywhere. It was so normalized to the characters too, and they didn't even think twice about taking them out. They weren't having like, fight scenes. They were just existing in a world where it was normal.
The story was great too. A mix of post apocalyptic world, and coming of age/growth. I really liked how it all intertwined
I really liked this book, and can't recommend it enough
Art? Amazing. I loved the character designs and the way that the hazmat suits reflect each person. I liked the little additions to show the characters were teens - the music scenes, using an inhaler, tripping, etc. It really made it feel like I was just following along a real group of friends who were on an adventure.
I liked the way the squeezies were drawn and included everywhere. It was so normalized to the characters too, and they didn't even think twice about taking them out. They weren't having like, fight scenes. They were just existing in a world where it was normal.
The story was great too. A mix of post apocalyptic world, and coming of age/growth. I really liked how it all intertwined
I really liked this book, and can't recommend it enough
October 1, 2024
I confess I wanted to read this book mainly because the world was ending via zombie squirrels. They turn out to not be that central to the plot, which made me a bit sad, but the plot you get is still good. It is very much a coming of age/going our separate ways/growing up and possibly apart kind of story with the zombie squirrels more of a backdrop/added detail than anything. The ending was pretty predictable but the journey to it is enjoyable and I didn't feel hit really hard with cliches at any point.
March 16, 2025
(3.0) Provides surface level fun with quirky undertones in a post apocalyptic setting. Mutant zombies squirrels have become the norm as a group of friends search for their former boss with cult-like fervor. The artwork was really cool and keeps you engaged but the dialogue is regressive (not as immature) but written with the intent to ostracize the reader.
December 3, 2024
Was not a big fan, I thought this was a bit boring and I think that this didn't really make me feel anything (other than vague annoyance). Buttt the squirrels were cool.
September 28, 2024
*I received a free copy of Luminous Beings from Penguin Teen. This has in no way affected my review.*
Luminous Beings follows 2 young-adults, Tianna (Ty) and Burger, as they make a documentary about the world's current state of chaos, and the near state of extinction humans have found themselves in as a result. They adventure with their other two buddies, interviewing people and eventually uncovering answers to a local mystery.
Overall, I loved this graphic novel. First and foremost, the art is absolutely incredible. Who knew an image of a possessed/zombie squirrel could be, dare I say, beautiful??? I love graphic novels that have several frames that add to the story without having dialogue and the author here did a great job with this. Even non-verbal communication between characters comes off well.
I also enjoyed the little songs throughout. The second time I read through Luminous Beings, I made sure to listen to the songs as they popped up throughout the book and it really elevated the story.
I found myself laughing out loud several times, and even crying once at the end. I'm an emotional reader, but usually graphic novels don't illicit the same emotional response in me that I find in novels...yet, this one was down to earth and featured surprisingly relatable themes to the "real world" despite the characters going through an apocalypse of sorts.
The one thing that could have been better is that at times there was an overuse of slang which made the dialogue feel a bit awkward and forced. Overall though, I felt that most of the dialogue was actually very natural, so I only took off one star for it.
Read 2X through, and plan to read again, I really enjoyed this one.
Luminous Beings follows 2 young-adults, Tianna (Ty) and Burger, as they make a documentary about the world's current state of chaos, and the near state of extinction humans have found themselves in as a result. They adventure with their other two buddies, interviewing people and eventually uncovering answers to a local mystery.
Overall, I loved this graphic novel. First and foremost, the art is absolutely incredible. Who knew an image of a possessed/zombie squirrel could be, dare I say, beautiful??? I love graphic novels that have several frames that add to the story without having dialogue and the author here did a great job with this. Even non-verbal communication between characters comes off well.
I also enjoyed the little songs throughout. The second time I read through Luminous Beings, I made sure to listen to the songs as they popped up throughout the book and it really elevated the story.
I found myself laughing out loud several times, and even crying once at the end. I'm an emotional reader, but usually graphic novels don't illicit the same emotional response in me that I find in novels...yet, this one was down to earth and featured surprisingly relatable themes to the "real world" despite the characters going through an apocalypse of sorts.
The one thing that could have been better is that at times there was an overuse of slang which made the dialogue feel a bit awkward and forced. Overall though, I felt that most of the dialogue was actually very natural, so I only took off one star for it.
Read 2X through, and plan to read again, I really enjoyed this one.
April 21, 2024
"It's never too late to become what you might have been."
This book was okay. The illustrations were very nice as well. What I didn't like about this book was the way the plot jumped around. The beginning of the book felt like it started without any context at all and left me pretty confused. A lot of topics and people are mentioned, but not elaborated on. I think had the main idea of the story been described more, I would have enjoyed it more.
The book was still somewhat enjoyable despite these things.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own!
This book was okay. The illustrations were very nice as well. What I didn't like about this book was the way the plot jumped around. The beginning of the book felt like it started without any context at all and left me pretty confused. A lot of topics and people are mentioned, but not elaborated on. I think had the main idea of the story been described more, I would have enjoyed it more.
The book was still somewhat enjoyable despite these things.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own!
June 13, 2025
Well… huh. I don’t really know how to describe what in the hell this graphic novel is about. Friendship, leaving for college, finding their lost ex boss for a $20k reward, yadda yadda yadda and… zombie squirrels. My favorite quote: “Did we or did we not just abscond from a castle wherein a squizzy-obsessed cokehead in a suit of armor launched zombie squirrels from a potato canon while a crow cawed luminescent goo like a miniature dragon as an army of neon raccoons attacked a mountain of a man called the Moose?” Yeah. And all that happened in like 10 pages. I thought the plot was okay, I didn’t really vibe with the millennial humor of everything being called “shizz”, BUT, I appreciate the diversity of the characters and the COLOR PALETTE!!! I would recommend this book for the use of color alone because it was incredible all the way through.
April 18, 2025
I read this book as assigned reading for my Materials and Services YA class.
It’s not often where I finish a book and my first thought is “what the fuck did I just read”, and this one did that. It wasn’t bad by any means— the art was cool, the story line was an interesting concept, the overall message was nice, but it was just an odd graphic novel over all.
It’s not often where I finish a book and my first thought is “what the fuck did I just read”, and this one did that. It wasn’t bad by any means— the art was cool, the story line was an interesting concept, the overall message was nice, but it was just an odd graphic novel over all.
December 1, 2024
I picked this book up without knowing what it was about. If I knew what it was about, I'd probably still get it. I feel like this book would be better as a show. Each chapter gave of episode vibes, if you know what I mean. Overall 3 stars. And I love Fib so much, they carried the story.
November 21, 2024
Coming of age / life after high school.
Fun with a bit of action-adventure.
Great friendships.
I loved the illustrations and coloring.
Oh yeah, and zombie squirrels.
Fun with a bit of action-adventure.
Great friendships.
I loved the illustrations and coloring.
Oh yeah, and zombie squirrels.
May 11, 2025
In a future with zombie squirrels 4 friends work to solve a mystery and figure out their futures.
dnf
June 24, 2025DNF at 16% Too much unnecessary swearing, and talk about puking and other gross things.
October 7, 2024
Like, a final hurrah road trip after high school! At no point, was this book not weird, but it kept my attention.
I love how the post-apocalyptic world that’s recovering is just in the background. Mutant zombie squirrels roam, and it’s a thing but not the main thing. Young adults woes like applying to college and leaving your hometown and best friend behind take the center stage instead. Some things never change no matter how destroyed planet Earth becomes.
The dialogue is really quirky in a way I don’t like. Very frat boy meets iCarly with a sprinkle of ‘how do you do fellow, kids?’ But it added a unique personality to the story though I couldn’t get into any of the character’s speech.
But at the heart, the story shows human’s preservation for survival. Also, I loved the coloring in this book. It made things feel atmospheric, and I felt like I was listening to music with them every time they turned on a song.
3.5
I love how the post-apocalyptic world that’s recovering is just in the background. Mutant zombie squirrels roam, and it’s a thing but not the main thing. Young adults woes like applying to college and leaving your hometown and best friend behind take the center stage instead. Some things never change no matter how destroyed planet Earth becomes.
The dialogue is really quirky in a way I don’t like. Very frat boy meets iCarly with a sprinkle of ‘how do you do fellow, kids?’ But it added a unique personality to the story though I couldn’t get into any of the character’s speech.
But at the heart, the story shows human’s preservation for survival. Also, I loved the coloring in this book. It made things feel atmospheric, and I felt like I was listening to music with them every time they turned on a song.
3.5
October 7, 2024
The concept of the squirrel pandemic/apocalypse that now simply has the entire population wearing hazmat suits and stomping on irritating flying zombie squirrels was so odd and intriguing that it felt a shame that it wasn't actually the main focus of this GN. I suppose the parallels between fashion hazzies and decorative facemasks, as well as the COVID pandemic and the squirrel zombies were...interesting but, again, seemed to lose impact given it just was happening as background.
Typically I enjoy random bizarre hijink plots but for some reason this didn't catch me at all. Maybe how haphazardly they went about it? Or the characters themselves, who seemingly had these great bonds with inside jokes and slang, but I just never really felt it...and I wanted to!
Typically I enjoy random bizarre hijink plots but for some reason this didn't catch me at all. Maybe how haphazardly they went about it? Or the characters themselves, who seemingly had these great bonds with inside jokes and slang, but I just never really felt it...and I wanted to!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
How can a graphic novel with zombies (albeit of the squirrel variety) be so dull?
This book definitely doesn't live up its eye-catching cover or pretty art and colours, with the story and characters both falling flat for me. Neither does it really address any themes or important issues, so I wasn't invested at all.
Although set in a dystopian world, the focus is not on the zombie outbreak itself. Instead, it's centered on a group of juveniles going through everyday problems such as deciding where to go for college while trying to act smart and solve a mystery that isn't such a mystery after all.
The art and colours are so amazing though. I also really liked the acknowledgements; it takes creative flair to come up with such a book during the pandemic.
This book definitely doesn't live up its eye-catching cover or pretty art and colours, with the story and characters both falling flat for me. Neither does it really address any themes or important issues, so I wasn't invested at all.
Although set in a dystopian world, the focus is not on the zombie outbreak itself. Instead, it's centered on a group of juveniles going through everyday problems such as deciding where to go for college while trying to act smart and solve a mystery that isn't such a mystery after all.
The art and colours are so amazing though. I also really liked the acknowledgements; it takes creative flair to come up with such a book during the pandemic.
October 4, 2024
This graphic novel has an interesting premise, but it fell short when it came to actually develop the squirrel apocalypse into something more that just a background element; and so it was fun, but in the end, and for my personal taste, just another teenage story about growing up and, sometimes, growing apart.
The plot sounded a bit old and tired, as I feel I've encountered it time and over again lately in teen graphic novels: the two friends with a common plan for the future than, suddenly, falls apart when one of them changes their mind, or searches for new horizons. The execution was ok, but nothing that will stay with me for a long time.
3.25
The plot sounded a bit old and tired, as I feel I've encountered it time and over again lately in teen graphic novels: the two friends with a common plan for the future than, suddenly, falls apart when one of them changes their mind, or searches for new horizons. The execution was ok, but nothing that will stay with me for a long time.
3.25
August 31, 2024
This is a fast-paced quirky graphic novel about zombie squirrels and friendship. One of my favorite things about this novel is the art.. the art style in this is BEAUTIFUL. I also enjoyed the bond of friendship everyone had with each other. The one thing i didn't like, however, is that there were some parts i was confused about.. i felt like some things weren't explained all the way and just left never to be spoken about again. I enjoyed it.
I won this book through a giveaway! Thank you penguin random house for sending me an early release copy
I won this book through a giveaway! Thank you penguin random house for sending me an early release copy
2024-ya
July 6, 2022Ooh a YA graphic novel from one of my fave YA authors!
"It's a YA graphic novel about a group of teens who decide to film a documentary about humanity's recent brush with extinction (via undead squirrels), which leads them on a series of misadventures throughout the night. Publication is planned for Fall 2024.
"It's a YA graphic novel about a group of teens who decide to film a documentary about humanity's recent brush with extinction (via undead squirrels), which leads them on a series of misadventures throughout the night. Publication is planned for Fall 2024.
September 25, 2024
A creatively boring dystopia, overlaid on a teen comedy. Mostly fun, but a little too random, and some of the coolest stuff flies by too fast. I also felt like the bespoke slang and 90s references were a little overdone. But I liked the characters, and the relationships felt real and heartfelt.
May 17, 2025
What did I just read? This is not like Mark Lawrence's Library Trilogy, where there is time travel, layers, and just bunch of details. This was more like being dumped in a wacky scene that you are just kind of piecing together as you go through the plot. The basic premise is a group friends are putting together a film depicting how humans got over this almost extinction event by squirrels that are possessed by something they call bioluminescence. As the story progresses, they are trying to find their old boss The Fink, who people say died in the initial squirrel attack. As this is going on you have the characters trying to decide their futures and relationships. There is also debates on what to call their movie. There was not enough world-building to explain certain questions.
1. What are "hazzies"?: Based on visual/context clues, they are helmets attached to your clothing that help prevent squirrels from attacking you? Yet, a head covering seems to work in a pinch?
2. What happens if the squirrels get you?: Nobody explains exactly how the squirrels kill you. There is talk of virus, but not where it comes from and if there is a cure for the virus. It seems mostly they play a combination of defense and direct attacks. Attacking is where you step on the squirrels, but it doesn't explain how you can't do that in regular clothing.
3. What is bioluminescence?: No clue, except it makes their eyes glow and what to take over the world?
4. Powers?: Yeah, there is 1-2 characters that seem to have a power, but it's not explained.
5. Why are they falling from sky?: Your guess is as good as mine.
Verdict: This was a trip. It was engaging and I was invested, but it is like the animated Beatles movie. You have no idea what is happening with all of these details, but for some reason you keep watching. There was a line/speech from a character that I liked. There is a character that goes by they and is relationship with a male character. Personally, I would like more world-building, but I think that may have messed up the flow and that is why it was not done. Lastly, this is more of a high school book, but I would say more of the upper grades. Personally, it maybe more for high school seniors and up, due to overall feel of the book and language.
1. What are "hazzies"?: Based on visual/context clues, they are helmets attached to your clothing that help prevent squirrels from attacking you? Yet, a head covering seems to work in a pinch?
2. What happens if the squirrels get you?: Nobody explains exactly how the squirrels kill you. There is talk of virus, but not where it comes from and if there is a cure for the virus. It seems mostly they play a combination of defense and direct attacks. Attacking is where you step on the squirrels, but it doesn't explain how you can't do that in regular clothing.
3. What is bioluminescence?: No clue, except it makes their eyes glow and what to take over the world?
4. Powers?: Yeah, there is 1-2 characters that seem to have a power, but it's not explained.
5. Why are they falling from sky?: Your guess is as good as mine.
Verdict: This was a trip. It was engaging and I was invested, but it is like the animated Beatles movie. You have no idea what is happening with all of these details, but for some reason you keep watching. There was a line/speech from a character that I liked. There is a character that goes by they and is relationship with a male character. Personally, I would like more world-building, but I think that may have messed up the flow and that is why it was not done. Lastly, this is more of a high school book, but I would say more of the upper grades. Personally, it maybe more for high school seniors and up, due to overall feel of the book and language.
September 9, 2024
Thank you to Penguin Teen and David Arnold for an advance NetGalley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The world has ended-well, almost, thanks to some super strange zombie squirrels, but things are healing. Sorta. A group of chaotic teenagers known as The Squad decides to make a documentary about their near brush with extinction-but they need the right gear to pull this off. This adventure leads them down a rabbit hole (squirrel hole?) that they never saw coming.
The answer in all of this goes from a chaotic mismatched documentary made by wild teenagers to a mosaic of where the world goes from here and how to rebuild, heal, and survive as Luminous Beings.
This book was absolutely beautiful-the art was one of my favorite styles and the colors were so perfect to blend with the new world and the layout. The muted tones paired against the sharpness of the undead aspect really worked beautifully and I was so impressed by this. The story was fun, if not a little chaotic and slightly hard to follow. Each character was unique with a lot of modern references and jokes-a few less of those might have been the ticket to being able to follow the conversations a bit easier.
Graphic novels can be hit or miss for me, and while I didn't love every single aspect of this, this was a refreshing take on an overdone apocalyptic trope while still being pretty fun and enjoyable. All in all, this was a new look at an old idea with beautifully done art as a companion.
The world has ended-well, almost, thanks to some super strange zombie squirrels, but things are healing. Sorta. A group of chaotic teenagers known as The Squad decides to make a documentary about their near brush with extinction-but they need the right gear to pull this off. This adventure leads them down a rabbit hole (squirrel hole?) that they never saw coming.
The answer in all of this goes from a chaotic mismatched documentary made by wild teenagers to a mosaic of where the world goes from here and how to rebuild, heal, and survive as Luminous Beings.
This book was absolutely beautiful-the art was one of my favorite styles and the colors were so perfect to blend with the new world and the layout. The muted tones paired against the sharpness of the undead aspect really worked beautifully and I was so impressed by this. The story was fun, if not a little chaotic and slightly hard to follow. Each character was unique with a lot of modern references and jokes-a few less of those might have been the ticket to being able to follow the conversations a bit easier.
Graphic novels can be hit or miss for me, and while I didn't love every single aspect of this, this was a refreshing take on an overdone apocalyptic trope while still being pretty fun and enjoyable. All in all, this was a new look at an old idea with beautifully done art as a companion.
September 8, 2024
Thank you to PenguinTeen for the gifted copy of Luminous Beings!
This book was genuinely so much fun! The humor, the friendship, the quirky characters, the contemporary post-apocalyptic world - if there's one thing David Arnold knows how to do it's write a world that's ending or has ended in some capacity and then ground that story in real relationships and emotions that keep your heart warmed and your smile wide! Adored the representations, the age group of the leads - mine!
The only place I feel unsatisfied in is how the main conflict was handled.
Overall though, I had great time and this is also the first book I've finished since January, so CONGRATS and thank yous to this book for reminding me of my love for graphic novels + that they count as reading too!
This book was genuinely so much fun! The humor, the friendship, the quirky characters, the contemporary post-apocalyptic world - if there's one thing David Arnold knows how to do it's write a world that's ending or has ended in some capacity and then ground that story in real relationships and emotions that keep your heart warmed and your smile wide! Adored the representations, the age group of the leads - mine!
The only place I feel unsatisfied in is how the main conflict was handled.
Overall though, I had great time and this is also the first book I've finished since January, so CONGRATS and thank yous to this book for reminding me of my love for graphic novels + that they count as reading too!
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