Review by Ian Keogh

After collaborating with former sole scripter Sam Maggs on Fangirl 2, author Rainbow Rowell dispenses with her services for Fangirl 3.

Opening on a brief interlude of the fan fiction Cath writes, the shock awaiting her at a party she attended at the end of Fangirl 2 is immediately addressed. Realising what people are is part of life’s rich tapestry, yet knowing that doesn’t make the experience any easier.

So far Gabi Nam has used two styles of art. Most of Fangirl is told via appealingly delicate shaded and expressive figures placed in plenty of white space. When the narrative switches to fan fiction Cath writes the darkness and shadows are emphasised with the panels printed on black pages. Here, a third variation is introduced, figures in silhouette picked out by blocks of white around them, gradually shredded by broken dark grey lines. It’s an impressive switch of gears from an already accomplished artist.

It’s not long before an event that’s been foreshadowed for some while actually happens, causing Cath to have even more doubts about herself on an existential scale. She’s long been prone to panic attacks, and could this lead to more troublesome mental problems? It’s a sensitive topic needing some nuance, and it leads to an incredibly powerful scene where Rowell ensures there’s a full understanding of how Cath’s difficulties originated. Her isolation stems from her mother leaving, and it’s led to her avoiding becoming close to people. In that context the ending to Fangirl 2 becomes even more devastating.

This is a book of two halves, the first half being darkest Fangirl to date, and also the best, really getting to grips with Cath’s personality and how it’s reflected in the fiction she writes. However, when the mood lightens it’s still very good, and heated conversations between Cath and her room mate Reagan are a continual delight. This volume also features the longest Simon Snow excerpt so far, more obviously reflecting Cath’s life

As Fangirl 3 winds towards the end it seems most problems have either been fixed or at least shelved, so readers may be wondering what’s left for Fangirl 4. That’s when Rowell blows everything apart.