Scan barcode
nat_alley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Lesbophobia
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The only positive I can point to is the love shown to fandom. It’s the only good thing in Elle’s life and was a way she connected to her dad and explored the world socially. If you ever had a tumblr phase, this aspect will resonate with you.
Unfortunately, everything else is jam packed with all the emotional abuse Elle endures, seriously oversimplified aspects of the entertainment industry (Darien’s big budget sci-fi action movie is filmed in 23 days and is completely edited and premiered within the year… there’s no universe where this could happen), and some minor drama about gatekeepy geek boys and bad dad manager behavior.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, and Car accident
rafacolog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse and Toxic friendship
cait's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Bullying, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Animal cruelty, Blood, Alcohol, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Vomit
bookishwithsarah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Emotional abuse and Grief
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Author: Ashley Poston
Series: Once Upon a Con, #1
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 3.0
Pub Date: April 4, 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Simple • Familiar • Modern
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Elle grew up watching Starfield with her late father, it's still the connection she shares with him. When she comes across a contest for the new Starfield movie, she knows she has to enter and win, unless her step-sisters get in the way. Darien, who plays the new Carmindor (something he has always wanted), has been written off as just another heart throb. An anonymous set of texts will change things for both main characters. Geekerella is a modern day retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The whole reason I picked up this book was to fit the "fairytale retelling" prompt for a TBR challenge I was participating. Fairytales are not typically my cup of tea, so I chose this one since it seemed like a quick, easy read - and it was. Told in alternating perspectives, there isn't a whole lot of surprise, in fact, the plot is quite predictable (especially if you know the story of Cinderella), with typical YA romance vibes. Of course, I wasn't a fan of the insta-love aspect, but there were other things I really liked. Firstly, the fangirl, sci-fi and cos-play additions were a lot of fun, and the showcase of female friendship was well drawn out. Overall, the plot is quite obvious and a little cheesy; it is still a light and fun read.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• die hard Cinderella fans
• self-proclaimed geeks
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Maybe everything does die, but maybe, somehow everything that dies someday comes back"
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Bullying, and Homophobia
Minor: Grief
fatima_ff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Secondly the actual plot and the fairy tale connections. Naturally we need the step family but I hate every retelling making them seem like they’re just cardboard cut out evil creatures. Give them motive. This one did have somewhat a reasoning. Sometimes the reasoning was simply that they’re bullies. And bullies are bullies. Some people are born entitled and cruel and it’s true.
The way the plot and modern day life was cleverly twined together with the original Cinderella story was well done. I mean the little animals, fairy godmother, the pumpkin, the ball, the dress, the slippers, and the happily ever after resolution was very well crafted. And I’m glad the prince had a personality it’s VERY annoying to read these retellings when the male love interests exist to just be love interests. I’m also glad no love at first sight nonsense happened.
I’m pretty satisfied with the resolution as well. Sometimes you need more than just the ‘and the guy took her away’. Pls it’s the 21st century do more.
There were issues with this book like the writing really did just fall off in some places but the plot and pacing more than made up for it. If the writing was better it would’ve just been that extra oomph to the novel.
I’m so excited about the rest of the books!
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, and Stalking
Minor: Lesbophobia and Grief
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
- GEEKERELLA is just about one of the cutest and sweetest books I've ever read. Not only is it a clever CInderella retelling, but also a love letter to fandom and feeling seen by the stories you love. This is definitely a book to read when you want a cozy hug.
- Occasionally the villians were, well, over the top villain-y, but would it even be a fairytale retelling without that?
- I'm very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series, especially since book two is sapphic!
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Emotional abuse