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applegnreads's review
4.0
Ok, we should define geek so that you'll know if you are one or not. My sister discovered she wasn't and so didn't like this. I did. Although I may not be a true geek, I know some and they've educated me so I thought this book was funny. So, geek=someone who knows Star Trek, Star Wars, Firefly, Battlestar also theater geek, science/quiz bowl geek, anime geek, if you've ever run around with a sword, this is also you. Others, well, you probably shouldn't bother. So, if you are one of those or know and love one of those, give it a shot. After all, they're short stories.
Oh, this may take it down a star for you... it's mostly about the triumph of geekdom, often in love, so it's kinda corny/cheesy. Like I said though, they're short stories.
Oh, this may take it down a star for you... it's mostly about the triumph of geekdom, often in love, so it's kinda corny/cheesy. Like I said though, they're short stories.
brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
Normally I don't read short stories. They just don't do anything for me, because I feel like there's not enough time for world building, character development, plot development, basically anything. It's also hard to review short story collections, because most of the time there are some good ones (at least hopefully) and some real stinkers.
In this collection I really enjoyed most of the stories. This topic (geeky YA stories) was great for short stories. I enjoyed what I was reading, but I realize most of these stories in novel form would bore and possibly annoy me. I think there was just one story, Secret Identity, that I really did not like at all. For one thing, it was way too long, and I also just didn't get it. It did get slightly better by the end of the story, but not enough to redeem it.
In this collection I really enjoyed most of the stories. This topic (geeky YA stories) was great for short stories. I enjoyed what I was reading, but I realize most of these stories in novel form would bore and possibly annoy me. I think there was just one story, Secret Identity, that I really did not like at all. For one thing, it was way too long, and I also just didn't get it. It did get slightly better by the end of the story, but not enough to redeem it.
abaugher's review
4.0
I liked this collection as well as i would like any collection. I don't do too well jumping so quickly from one story to the next, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. But the subject was great.
iceangel32's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. Being a science geek and not a role playing or trekie geek some of the stories were a little much for me but I enjoyed them none the less. I loved the comics in between every story. Some of them I loved. I will not be reviewing the comics but I will review the stories. ***WARNING: THERE MAY BE SOME SPOLERS***
“Once You’re a Jedi, You’re a Jedi All the Way” by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: ****
A cute little story of what might happen if a Jedi met a Klingon. Having a Star Wars fanatic in my house growing up I liked this story, even though I felt there could have been a little more to it.
“One of Us” by Tracy Lynn: ****
A great short story of a cheerleader who wants to impress her quarterback, closet geek boyfriend….but in the process gains friends, loses said boyfriend and learns geek 101.
“Definitional Chaos” by Scott Westerfield: ****
I liked this story about an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend with different personalities teamed together to bring money to a hotel owner. I liked how Lexia seemed to have accomplished her goal in the end without T Moon knowing she did. Although sometimes in the stories I was not sure if things they were discussing happened in the real world or not.
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare: *****
I really liked this story. The idea of creating a world with any character from literature or TV was a really cool one. There is also a story of let downs and realizations that people are not who they seem to be.
“The King of Plinesse” by M.T. Anderson: I ***
A cute story of a boy who had a favorite author that happen to go to school with his mother. He goes to meet him after a fight he has with his mother thinking that she had an affair with him. During his trip he learns a little more than he bargained for and learns that the author is probably the geek everyone fears to become.
“The Wrath of Dawn” by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith:***
I liked this story about two step-sisters, a geeky one and a popular one. The two girls finally connect at a Buffy sing along where Dawn sands up for not only herself but her namesake.
“Quiz Bowl Antichrist” by David Levithan:*****
One of my favorites from the moment I read the title. Not only did Alec find his place on the team quiz bowl team, he learned more about himself. I like the way sexuality was address in this story. After reading this story Will Grayson, Will Grayson has definitely move significantly up my to-read list.
“The Quiet Knight” by Garth Nix:***
Nice little story. Nothing special, however enjoyable. Good ending.
“Everyone but You” by Lisa Yee:***
A baton twirling peppy girl goes to a new school and becomes not popular. Then finds her place in her new environment. Not a bad story but where is the geekiness?
“Secret Identity” by Kelly Link:**
I was not a huge fan of this story. The sotoy was about a 15 year old who runs to NY to meet a 30 year old she met online (oh did I mention he thought she was 30 too). Things are bad at home so she explains that no one will miss her for a few days. She ultimately does not know if they met or not. This is an email to him about what did happen that weekend and how she still wants to meet him.
“Freak the Geek” by John Green:***
Not a bad short story about friendship.
“The Truth About Dino Girl” by Barry Lyga:**
I wanted to like this story. I like the idea of the dinogeek. I started to like the character and the idea of knowing everything about dinosaurs and how she could relate everything to dinosaurs. I however thing the ending was awful. To write it in a story a good way for a geek to get revenge was awful. There was so many different directions that this story could have gone in. I do not she how something like that could have got published as a positive thing.
“This is My Audition Monologue” by Sara Zarr:****
I liked this story of a girls monologue to be in the school play. She lets go of all that she has kept inside and tries to become memorable in a world she feels that she is forgettable.
“The Stars at the Finish Line” by Wendy Mass: *****
A great story of a competition, first love and a few fibs. Oh and how can I forget the stars.
“It’s Just a Jump to the Left” by Libba Bray: *****
This was a great story combining two girls growing up and finding themselves and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It also had a great theme of friendship in it even as the girls were growing up and that lead to being in slightly different worlds.
“Once You’re a Jedi, You’re a Jedi All the Way” by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci: ****
A cute little story of what might happen if a Jedi met a Klingon. Having a Star Wars fanatic in my house growing up I liked this story, even though I felt there could have been a little more to it.
“One of Us” by Tracy Lynn: ****
A great short story of a cheerleader who wants to impress her quarterback, closet geek boyfriend….but in the process gains friends, loses said boyfriend and learns geek 101.
“Definitional Chaos” by Scott Westerfield: ****
I liked this story about an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend with different personalities teamed together to bring money to a hotel owner. I liked how Lexia seemed to have accomplished her goal in the end without T Moon knowing she did. Although sometimes in the stories I was not sure if things they were discussing happened in the real world or not.
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare: *****
I really liked this story. The idea of creating a world with any character from literature or TV was a really cool one. There is also a story of let downs and realizations that people are not who they seem to be.
“The King of Plinesse” by M.T. Anderson: I ***
A cute story of a boy who had a favorite author that happen to go to school with his mother. He goes to meet him after a fight he has with his mother thinking that she had an affair with him. During his trip he learns a little more than he bargained for and learns that the author is probably the geek everyone fears to become.
“The Wrath of Dawn” by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith:***
I liked this story about two step-sisters, a geeky one and a popular one. The two girls finally connect at a Buffy sing along where Dawn sands up for not only herself but her namesake.
“Quiz Bowl Antichrist” by David Levithan:*****
One of my favorites from the moment I read the title. Not only did Alec find his place on the team quiz bowl team, he learned more about himself. I like the way sexuality was address in this story. After reading this story Will Grayson, Will Grayson has definitely move significantly up my to-read list.
“The Quiet Knight” by Garth Nix:***
Nice little story. Nothing special, however enjoyable. Good ending.
“Everyone but You” by Lisa Yee:***
A baton twirling peppy girl goes to a new school and becomes not popular. Then finds her place in her new environment. Not a bad story but where is the geekiness?
“Secret Identity” by Kelly Link:**
I was not a huge fan of this story. The sotoy was about a 15 year old who runs to NY to meet a 30 year old she met online (oh did I mention he thought she was 30 too). Things are bad at home so she explains that no one will miss her for a few days. She ultimately does not know if they met or not. This is an email to him about what did happen that weekend and how she still wants to meet him.
“Freak the Geek” by John Green:***
Not a bad short story about friendship.
“The Truth About Dino Girl” by Barry Lyga:**
I wanted to like this story. I like the idea of the dinogeek. I started to like the character and the idea of knowing everything about dinosaurs and how she could relate everything to dinosaurs. I however thing the ending was awful. To write it in a story a good way for a geek to get revenge was awful. There was so many different directions that this story could have gone in. I do not she how something like that could have got published as a positive thing.
“This is My Audition Monologue” by Sara Zarr:****
I liked this story of a girls monologue to be in the school play. She lets go of all that she has kept inside and tries to become memorable in a world she feels that she is forgettable.
“The Stars at the Finish Line” by Wendy Mass: *****
A great story of a competition, first love and a few fibs. Oh and how can I forget the stars.
“It’s Just a Jump to the Left” by Libba Bray: *****
This was a great story combining two girls growing up and finding themselves and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It also had a great theme of friendship in it even as the girls were growing up and that lead to being in slightly different worlds.
labunnywtf's review
5.0
So, I did another mass recommendation with this one. If I didn't send you a recommendation, it means I'm not sure how comfortable you are with your geek cred. If you have even one ounce of geek cred in you, be it Drama Geek, Band Geek, Sci Fi Geek, Reading Geek (and aren't we all?), you **must read this book!**
I'm a Buffy geek. I'm slowly becoming a BSG geek, and obviously I'm a reading geek. A lot of this book involved things I have no clue about. Star Wars, Star Trek, WoW-type games, RPGs. But it doesn't actually matter, because I understand it. And that's all that matters in the long run.
Each story has something in it that will make you smile. If you don't smile, or laugh, or tear up a little, you have no geek cred. And I worry about you.
And my favorite story was the Buffy Sing-A-Long story. It made me cry, and I had to laugh hysterically because I was sitting outside at work, and didn't want to explain what happened in the book to make me cry.
Just lovely.
I'm a Buffy geek. I'm slowly becoming a BSG geek, and obviously I'm a reading geek. A lot of this book involved things I have no clue about. Star Wars, Star Trek, WoW-type games, RPGs. But it doesn't actually matter, because I understand it. And that's all that matters in the long run.
Each story has something in it that will make you smile. If you don't smile, or laugh, or tear up a little, you have no geek cred. And I worry about you.
And my favorite story was the Buffy Sing-A-Long story. It made me cry, and I had to laugh hysterically because I was sitting outside at work, and didn't want to explain what happened in the book to make me cry.
Just lovely.
afreckledbookwrym's review
4.0
A solid 4 star. With collections of stories like this, it hard to 100% like every story, BUT there are some realllly good one. I got this book because Holly Black is one of my favorite authors! There were only about 2 stories I was not crazy about but the rest were great and real page turners!
callmecat's review
2.0
I really liked the first chapter of this book and I bought it. I didn't realize how different all the stories would be. Some are good, some are very, very bad.
werms's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
missbookiverse's review against another edition
3.0
Kurz und knapp
Eine Kurzgeschichtensammlung, die für jede Art von Geek/Nerd/Fanatiker/Streber etwas zu bieten hat. Wer sich mit der Materie (unbeliebt sein, Star Wars, Buffy, Orks, RPGs) überhaupt nicht auskennt, könnte durch mangelndes Verständnis schnell das Interesse verlieren. Für die, die es trotzdem probieren wollen, gibt es am Ende ein Glossar mit einigen Erklärungen.
Lang und breit
Geektastic bietet eine ganze Bandbreite an Kurzgeschichten. Jede von ihnen definiert das Geeksein anders, da gibt es ein Mädchen, das auf Dinosaurier spezialisiert ist, einen Jungen, der als Ritter verkleidet an Live Action Rollenspielen teilnimmt und sogar einen Cheerleader, der alles über Star Wars, Buffy und co. lernen will. Die Geschichten befassen sich alle mit verschiedenen Gebieten und ich will sie nicht alle über einen Kamm scheren. Es ist auf jeden Fall für jeden etwas dabei. Es gibt etwas für Rollenspielfans, Möchtegernjedis, zukünftige Astronauten und auch für die, die einfach wissen wie es ist von Mitschülern ausgeschlossen zu werden.
Aufgelockert werden die Geschichten mit einseitigen Comics. Die Idee fand ich gut, leider hapert es an der Umsetzung. Gezeichnet sind die Comics super, aber inhaltlich konnte ich sie nicht immer nachvollziehen und fand sie des Öfteren auch einfach nicht lustig.
Vor Lesen des Buches hätte ich mich noch gut und gern als Geek bezeichnet. Inzwischen bin ich mir da nicht mehr sicher, da ich bei einem Großteil der Geschichten wirklich keinen Durchblick hatte und nicht wusste, worum es geht und wovon diese „Freaks“ da eigentlich reden (ins Besondere bei den Sci Fi und Comicgesprächen).
Wem die Anthologie gefällt, für den ist Geektastic eine tolle Möglichkeit neue Autoren kennen zu lernen. Allerdings sollte man nie von Kurzgeschichten auf Romane schließen, da Cassandra Clare und John Green sich beispielsweise weit entfernt von ihrem üblichen Potenzial präsentieren.
Die besten Geschichten
One Of Us von Tracy Lynn – ein Cheerleader versucht von der Nerd-Clique „Geekisch“ zu lernen – unbezahlbar.
Quiz Bowl Antichris von David Levithan – wie zu erwarten von meinem Lieblingsautor: sarkastisch und originell.
The Truth About Dino Girl von Barry Lyga – ein Mädchen, das sich für Dinosaurier interessiert, die gleichzeitig als wunderbare Metapher dienen. Außerdem ein amüsanter Schreibstil und ein kontroverses Ende, das mich in eine interessante E-Maildiskussion mit dem Autor verwickelt hat.
Die schlechteste Geschichte
Definitional Chaos von Scott Westerfeld – absolut verwirrend und so langweilig, dass ich sie abgebrochen habe.
Die größte Enttäuschung
Freak The Geek von John Green – nett, aber viel zu kurz und repräsentiert nicht mal annährend das eigentliche Können des Autors.
Autoren, auf die ich neugierig geworden bin
Tracy Lynn, Lisa Yee, Barry Lyga, Sara Zarr, Wendy Mass
Die Kameraden
Holly Black hat 2010 zusammen mit Justine Labarlestier eine weitere Anthologie namens Zombies v.s Unicorns veröffentlicht. Neben vielen neuen Autoren haben auch Scott Westerfeld, Garth Nix, Libba Bray und Cassandra Clare wieder Geschichten beigesteuert. Ich hab Lust drauf.
Die Unbeantworteten
Was hatte es bloß mit Scott Westerfelds Geschichte auf sich?
Die Optik
Anscheinend gibt es ein paar verschiedene Cover Versionen. Auf allen findet man zwar gepixelte Figuren auf weißem Hintergrund, aber es sind nicht immer die selben Figuren und nicht immer in der gleichen Reihenfolge. Die generelle Idee der Pixelcharaktere finde ich super. Die Idee ist originell (na ja, gut, eigentlich erinnert mich das alles an das deutsche Naomi & Ely Cover), ein Blickfänger und passt zum Inhalt. Jede Figur gehört nämlich zu einer der Geschichten im Buch.
Was ich aus diesem Buch gelernt hab
Klingonen und Jedis können sich nicht besonders gut leiden.
Der Doppelgänger
Ich hab es zwar selbst noch nicht gelesen, aber wem die Autoren aus Geektastic gefallen, dem würde ich das bereits erwähnte Zombies vs. Unicorns empfehlen. Mit einem Blick auf die Autoren würde ich es definitiv als ähnlich einstufen. Vielleicht ist es sogar etwas zugänglicher für alle, denen der Unterschied zwischen Star Wars und Star Trek genauso unbekannt ist wie mir.
Eine Kurzgeschichtensammlung, die für jede Art von Geek/Nerd/Fanatiker/Streber etwas zu bieten hat. Wer sich mit der Materie (unbeliebt sein, Star Wars, Buffy, Orks, RPGs) überhaupt nicht auskennt, könnte durch mangelndes Verständnis schnell das Interesse verlieren. Für die, die es trotzdem probieren wollen, gibt es am Ende ein Glossar mit einigen Erklärungen.
Lang und breit
Geektastic bietet eine ganze Bandbreite an Kurzgeschichten. Jede von ihnen definiert das Geeksein anders, da gibt es ein Mädchen, das auf Dinosaurier spezialisiert ist, einen Jungen, der als Ritter verkleidet an Live Action Rollenspielen teilnimmt und sogar einen Cheerleader, der alles über Star Wars, Buffy und co. lernen will. Die Geschichten befassen sich alle mit verschiedenen Gebieten und ich will sie nicht alle über einen Kamm scheren. Es ist auf jeden Fall für jeden etwas dabei. Es gibt etwas für Rollenspielfans, Möchtegernjedis, zukünftige Astronauten und auch für die, die einfach wissen wie es ist von Mitschülern ausgeschlossen zu werden.
Aufgelockert werden die Geschichten mit einseitigen Comics. Die Idee fand ich gut, leider hapert es an der Umsetzung. Gezeichnet sind die Comics super, aber inhaltlich konnte ich sie nicht immer nachvollziehen und fand sie des Öfteren auch einfach nicht lustig.
Vor Lesen des Buches hätte ich mich noch gut und gern als Geek bezeichnet. Inzwischen bin ich mir da nicht mehr sicher, da ich bei einem Großteil der Geschichten wirklich keinen Durchblick hatte und nicht wusste, worum es geht und wovon diese „Freaks“ da eigentlich reden (ins Besondere bei den Sci Fi und Comicgesprächen).
Wem die Anthologie gefällt, für den ist Geektastic eine tolle Möglichkeit neue Autoren kennen zu lernen. Allerdings sollte man nie von Kurzgeschichten auf Romane schließen, da Cassandra Clare und John Green sich beispielsweise weit entfernt von ihrem üblichen Potenzial präsentieren.
Die besten Geschichten
One Of Us von Tracy Lynn – ein Cheerleader versucht von der Nerd-Clique „Geekisch“ zu lernen – unbezahlbar.
Quiz Bowl Antichris von David Levithan – wie zu erwarten von meinem Lieblingsautor: sarkastisch und originell.
The Truth About Dino Girl von Barry Lyga – ein Mädchen, das sich für Dinosaurier interessiert, die gleichzeitig als wunderbare Metapher dienen. Außerdem ein amüsanter Schreibstil und ein kontroverses Ende, das mich in eine interessante E-Maildiskussion mit dem Autor verwickelt hat.
Die schlechteste Geschichte
Definitional Chaos von Scott Westerfeld – absolut verwirrend und so langweilig, dass ich sie abgebrochen habe.
Die größte Enttäuschung
Freak The Geek von John Green – nett, aber viel zu kurz und repräsentiert nicht mal annährend das eigentliche Können des Autors.
Autoren, auf die ich neugierig geworden bin
Tracy Lynn, Lisa Yee, Barry Lyga, Sara Zarr, Wendy Mass
Die Kameraden
Holly Black hat 2010 zusammen mit Justine Labarlestier eine weitere Anthologie namens Zombies v.s Unicorns veröffentlicht. Neben vielen neuen Autoren haben auch Scott Westerfeld, Garth Nix, Libba Bray und Cassandra Clare wieder Geschichten beigesteuert. Ich hab Lust drauf.
Die Unbeantworteten
Was hatte es bloß mit Scott Westerfelds Geschichte auf sich?
Die Optik
Anscheinend gibt es ein paar verschiedene Cover Versionen. Auf allen findet man zwar gepixelte Figuren auf weißem Hintergrund, aber es sind nicht immer die selben Figuren und nicht immer in der gleichen Reihenfolge. Die generelle Idee der Pixelcharaktere finde ich super. Die Idee ist originell (na ja, gut, eigentlich erinnert mich das alles an das deutsche Naomi & Ely Cover), ein Blickfänger und passt zum Inhalt. Jede Figur gehört nämlich zu einer der Geschichten im Buch.
Was ich aus diesem Buch gelernt hab
Klingonen und Jedis können sich nicht besonders gut leiden.
Der Doppelgänger
Ich hab es zwar selbst noch nicht gelesen, aber wem die Autoren aus Geektastic gefallen, dem würde ich das bereits erwähnte Zombies vs. Unicorns empfehlen. Mit einem Blick auf die Autoren würde ich es definitiv als ähnlich einstufen. Vielleicht ist es sogar etwas zugänglicher für alle, denen der Unterschied zwischen Star Wars und Star Trek genauso unbekannt ist wie mir.