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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This book was a pleasure to read! The writing was easy to understand and follow along to as it was written in first person from the perspectives of the main characters. None of said characters have very complex or philosophical thoughts, which made it easy to read this book rather quickly. It also felt as if one were listening to the story being told by a friend, which is something I felt likely due to how close to my age the narrators are. The dialogue between characters, and even some of the narrators’ thoughts, felt very natural, and were even funny to read at times!
I’ve never read a book set at a convention before (and yet will have read 2 within the span of a month by mid-April), nor have I ever been to a convention, so this was all very new for me in a number of ways. Wilde’s writing made it easy to image what conventions are likely like, without providing too much detail. Maybe I would have preferred more detail because I have never been to a con, and because I am a fan of detail in general, but this did not affect my experience with this book in a negative manner.
The characters were distinguishable from one another, each with their own way of speaking and acting, unique ways of being. And I also liked that there was some diversity in race and sexuality in this book. I did not feel particularly close to any of the narrators, though, even though this book was written in the first person. I did kind of root for them, but not with as much emotion as I know I am capable of. The characters and story were fun to read about, though, and I found myself understanding social anxiety a little better.
I became very frustrated with Taylor at times due to how she let her anxiety get in her own way. But I am not sure whether my frustration was due to seeing a younger version of myself in her, and all of the regrets I have regarding social anxiety and what I have missed out on because of it, or because I did not understand her. Throughout the course of the book I found some matters regarding intense social anxiety have been cleared up for me, (and I will not say any more, since I might accidentally spoil some things that way).
Overall this book was fun, and would almost be considered fluffy if it did not address some more serious issues. I would recommend this book to those looking for a fun and quick read, those who like geeky references (I was quite proud with my geekiness when I got most of the references!), and who like diversity in characters and their romances.
I’ve never read a book set at a convention before (and yet will have read 2 within the span of a month by mid-April), nor have I ever been to a convention, so this was all very new for me in a number of ways. Wilde’s writing made it easy to image what conventions are likely like, without providing too much detail. Maybe I would have preferred more detail because I have never been to a con, and because I am a fan of detail in general, but this did not affect my experience with this book in a negative manner.
The characters were distinguishable from one another, each with their own way of speaking and acting, unique ways of being. And I also liked that there was some diversity in race and sexuality in this book. I did not feel particularly close to any of the narrators, though, even though this book was written in the first person. I did kind of root for them, but not with as much emotion as I know I am capable of. The characters and story were fun to read about, though, and I found myself understanding social anxiety a little better.
I became very frustrated with Taylor at times due to how she let her anxiety get in her own way. But I am not sure whether my frustration was due to seeing a younger version of myself in her, and all of the regrets I have regarding social anxiety and what I have missed out on because of it, or because I did not understand her. Throughout the course of the book I found some matters regarding intense social anxiety have been cleared up for me, (and I will not say any more, since I might accidentally spoil some things that way).
Overall this book was fun, and would almost be considered fluffy if it did not address some more serious issues. I would recommend this book to those looking for a fun and quick read, those who like geeky references (I was quite proud with my geekiness when I got most of the references!), and who like diversity in characters and their romances.
Dudo entre tres o cuatro estrellas. Le daría tres porque al principio el exceso de referencias me dio ganas de darle una patada a alguien. Cuatro porque al final lloré varias veces de bonito. Una vez te metes en la historia es muy cuqui y feel good. Eso sí, la traducción... Es poco natural. Traduce lenguaje internetero de manera literal y queda forzado y poco fluido. Supongo que es muy difícil de traducir, pero sobre todo al final se notaba muchísimo.
Pues eso. Un poco cheesy, hay que estar de humor, también os lo digo.
Pues eso. Un poco cheesy, hay que estar de humor, también os lo digo.
For a pink book, this one was pretty great!!
2.5/5
Cute story, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters—surprising, given how similar Taylor and I are—and found the large amount of topics/ideas covered distracting.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Cute story, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters—surprising, given how similar Taylor and I are—and found the large amount of topics/ideas covered distracting.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
I really enjoyed this book :) I've only read The Brightsiders by Wilde before (one of my all-time favourites) and so I feel that reading more of her was a long time coming. I think it's awesome how all of her covers have someone's brightly coloured feature on it haha!
I flew through this, the writing was super easy to flow through and I thought it was extremely cute. I loved the representation, it felt amazing to see myself reflected through a bi main character. Taylor's anxiety was also super relieving to read. There are some things that are hard to articulate, but here it is, on the page.
I thought the convention setting was super cool, although I did feel like maybe the convention wasn't as...vivid as it could have been? I feel like they are a lot more crowded/loud/full of randomness/rude people and why the heck is there a bouncy castle in there? I had a lot of trouble picturing the Rising maze scene. What even was that? A set?! Because it seemed like they went down multiple streets/buildings-what kind of a budget does this indie movie have to recreate all of that with zombie actors in LA just for two people to run through??
I really liked Jamie's character, I think it's super refreshing when the love interest is already really invested in the MC. It was clear from the start they liked each other but they just have to freaking say it! Ahhh so frustrating in the most adorable way!
Some parts felt a bit hard to believe, like Reese not getting reprimanded/arrested at all for literally assaulting Jamie, Mandy accidentally uploading her famous client's unedited video and I get that Taylor met Skyler at the party at the end and it was a super happy moment but what is the likelihood of it being anything more than "I really liked your books" "oh thank you so much!" and then her going off into the party where I assume she has other people to meet/friends/colleagues. But no she decided to just randomly dance with a bunch of teenagers she doesn't know AND GO INTO THE PHOTOBOOTH WITH THEM? I just couldn't suspend my disbelief on this one.
I think Alyssa seemed cool but more like Charlie was telling us how cool she was, rather than us seeing it necessarily?
I really liked the fandom references but I do feel like most fans (even hard-core ones) don't insert so many references casually into everyday speech. Sometimes is fine but there were points where it just felt gratuitous.
Also, I'm not 100% sure how Tumblr works but do you just post paragraphs about how you feel on your fandom page? Not too sure.
I liked how social issues were addressed in this book-ableism, sexism, toxic masculinity, mental illness and fat-shaming. Ugh I hated when Reese said Charlie's success was down to him and they all wouldn't get anywhere. Bleh! Jamie stepped in to help though which was really nice.
I really liked how Taylor supported Brianna when she was having a meltdown and when Josie was uplifting in representing them in her art.
I really appreciated the overall message of taking risks for something great. Jamie and Taylor took the risk of their friendship in order to be together, they're moving away to LA together, Charlie has to risk public uproar in being with Alyssa and her career by telling Reese he's a D-bag.
I love that this book is about being open with love, with who you are and trying new things.
"I hope you find happiness within yourself. You deserve that. We all do. And if you do find that happiness, I hope that no one ever tries to take it away from you. No one deserves that." I had to stop and think after that part damn.
When Jamie introduced himself as her boyfriend!!!! When Charlie and Alyssa woke up together and were super obsessed with each other!!! "You know...I live in LA.'' HA!
"And everyone knows that no matter what darkness they face heroes are destined to win." <3
I loved the QandA section with Wilde at the back, I'm not the only one who's favourite book tends to be what they are reading! It's cool how she started off on Wattpad and did heaps of diversity research for this book. I liked her advice of be excited with what you're writing about and torture your characters haha.
Overall this was a cute, fast read full of inclusivity, life lessons and meaningful love in different forms. I need more Wilde and I need it NOW!
I flew through this, the writing was super easy to flow through and I thought it was extremely cute. I loved the representation, it felt amazing to see myself reflected through a bi main character. Taylor's anxiety was also super relieving to read. There are some things that are hard to articulate, but here it is, on the page.
I thought the convention setting was super cool, although I did feel like maybe the convention wasn't as...vivid as it could have been? I feel like they are a lot more crowded/loud/full of randomness/rude people and why the heck is there a bouncy castle in there? I had a lot of trouble picturing the Rising maze scene. What even was that? A set?! Because it seemed like they went down multiple streets/buildings-what kind of a budget does this indie movie have to recreate all of that with zombie actors in LA just for two people to run through??
I really liked Jamie's character, I think it's super refreshing when the love interest is already really invested in the MC. It was clear from the start they liked each other but they just have to freaking say it! Ahhh so frustrating in the most adorable way!
Some parts felt a bit hard to believe, like Reese not getting reprimanded/arrested at all for literally assaulting Jamie, Mandy accidentally uploading her famous client's unedited video and I get that Taylor met Skyler at the party at the end and it was a super happy moment but what is the likelihood of it being anything more than "I really liked your books" "oh thank you so much!" and then her going off into the party where I assume she has other people to meet/friends/colleagues. But no she decided to just randomly dance with a bunch of teenagers she doesn't know AND GO INTO THE PHOTOBOOTH WITH THEM? I just couldn't suspend my disbelief on this one.
I think Alyssa seemed cool but more like Charlie was telling us how cool she was, rather than us seeing it necessarily?
I really liked the fandom references but I do feel like most fans (even hard-core ones) don't insert so many references casually into everyday speech. Sometimes is fine but there were points where it just felt gratuitous.
Also, I'm not 100% sure how Tumblr works but do you just post paragraphs about how you feel on your fandom page? Not too sure.
I liked how social issues were addressed in this book-ableism, sexism, toxic masculinity, mental illness and fat-shaming. Ugh I hated when Reese said Charlie's success was down to him and they all wouldn't get anywhere. Bleh! Jamie stepped in to help though which was really nice.
I really liked how Taylor supported Brianna when she was having a meltdown and when Josie was uplifting in representing them in her art.
I really appreciated the overall message of taking risks for something great. Jamie and Taylor took the risk of their friendship in order to be together, they're moving away to LA together, Charlie has to risk public uproar in being with Alyssa and her career by telling Reese he's a D-bag.
I love that this book is about being open with love, with who you are and trying new things.
"I hope you find happiness within yourself. You deserve that. We all do. And if you do find that happiness, I hope that no one ever tries to take it away from you. No one deserves that." I had to stop and think after that part damn.
When Jamie introduced himself as her boyfriend!!!! When Charlie and Alyssa woke up together and were super obsessed with each other!!! "You know...I live in LA.'' HA!
"And everyone knows that no matter what darkness they face heroes are destined to win." <3
I loved the QandA section with Wilde at the back, I'm not the only one who's favourite book tends to be what they are reading! It's cool how she started off on Wattpad and did heaps of diversity research for this book. I liked her advice of be excited with what you're writing about and torture your characters haha.
Overall this was a cute, fast read full of inclusivity, life lessons and meaningful love in different forms. I need more Wilde and I need it NOW!
hey, question: why can't almost-good things just be good already?????
this book is sooooooo almost good. it's a great concept! no, ok, it isn't. it's a fine concept with so much amazing diversity and representation (bi rep! autism rep! anxiety rep! people of color!) that you wish you could like it more than ANYTHING but you just can't. for reasons i shall enumerate Right Now, under one extremely catchy and all-encompassing subheading.
This Is Fanfiction For Fictional Characters
- takes place at a convention, following, like, YouTubers and sh*t (blech)
- repetitive kind of amateurish writing
- a lot of interpersonal drama (A LOT of interpersonal drama)
- problems that are solved faster than they can be introduced
- characters that are either perfect, unrealistic, flat, or all of the above
- and, of course, instalove and insta-friendship baby!!!!
- just felt all around p insubstantial. like fluff, but not in the fun way i want contemporaries to be
bottom line: wow i wish i liked this!!! it's so diverse it boggles the mind!!! but it's like reading fanfiction for a fandom i'm not part of. which, as it turns out: a full-on hellscape.
this book is sooooooo almost good. it's a great concept! no, ok, it isn't. it's a fine concept with so much amazing diversity and representation (bi rep! autism rep! anxiety rep! people of color!) that you wish you could like it more than ANYTHING but you just can't. for reasons i shall enumerate Right Now, under one extremely catchy and all-encompassing subheading.
This Is Fanfiction For Fictional Characters
- takes place at a convention, following, like, YouTubers and sh*t (blech)
- repetitive kind of amateurish writing
- a lot of interpersonal drama (A LOT of interpersonal drama)
- problems that are solved faster than they can be introduced
- characters that are either perfect, unrealistic, flat, or all of the above
- and, of course, instalove and insta-friendship baby!!!!
- just felt all around p insubstantial. like fluff, but not in the fun way i want contemporaries to be
bottom line: wow i wish i liked this!!! it's so diverse it boggles the mind!!! but it's like reading fanfiction for a fandom i'm not part of. which, as it turns out: a full-on hellscape.
Queens of Geek follows three best friends stumbling into the cutest love stories ever, set in a clear ComicCon dupe. The romance is predictable, but, hey, so are most beloved romantic comedies. As mentioned by other reviewers, the representation is this book is tremendous: three of the five main characters are people of color, anxiety and panic attacks are described in detail, a sense of community is forged through a shared ASD diagnosis, characters range in body type and sexual orientation.
Unfortunately, much of the book has an after school special vibe, with action pausing for the characters to explain an issue. It was informative, sure, but often had the preachy feel of a Cory Doctorow book. I actually found the moments when characters were interacting––like Jamie being careful to respect Taylor's need for privacy or quiet even when her needs shift quickly, or Charlie yelling at Reese for not "believing" in bisexuals––more compelling than the monologues.
There was also a healthy dose of schmaltz, with some of the cheesiest scenes at the end. (I could almost hear the Disney Channel Original Movie underscoring the party, with one of the young Disney ingenues crooning the straight-to-Radio-Disney single.)
I imagine teenagers will like this book more than I did, and teenagers who identify with these characters may truly need this book. I'm glad it exists.
Unfortunately, much of the book has an after school special vibe, with action pausing for the characters to explain an issue. It was informative, sure, but often had the preachy feel of a Cory Doctorow book. I actually found the moments when characters were interacting––like Jamie being careful to respect Taylor's need for privacy or quiet even when her needs shift quickly, or Charlie yelling at Reese for not "believing" in bisexuals––more compelling than the monologues.
There was also a healthy dose of schmaltz, with some of the cheesiest scenes at the end. (I could almost hear the Disney Channel Original Movie underscoring the party, with one of the young Disney ingenues crooning the straight-to-Radio-Disney single.)
I imagine teenagers will like this book more than I did, and teenagers who identify with these characters may truly need this book. I'm glad it exists.
I really liked a lot in this one. I gave it three stars because while so much of it was awesome, so much of it felt like a "message" book. Yes, I agree with everything the author said - female positivity in nerd culture, lgbtq empowerment, spectrum awareness, etc - but the fact that I felt like the author was saying it all instead of it coming naturally through the characters was a bit off-putting.
I loved this more than words can say. More thought-processed and less squeal-y review to come!!
beautiful! I mean I cried, I laughed and I felt unbelivably understood. Its full of women supporting women and awesome nerdy guys and just beautiful characters all around... Yes i‘ll probably read it again soon 🤷🏻♀️