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katie_k1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
kelly_e's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Title: Geekerella
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"
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"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Bullying, and Homophobia
Minor: Grief
lovelybookshelf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
The first book in Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con trilogy, Geekerella is a Cinderella retelling set around a sci-fi TV show, Starfield, and its annual convention.
This story will resonate with teens who feel the angst and frustration that comes with being mature enough to determine their own futures, but trapped because their parents still make most of the big decisions in their lives. Darien and Elle are both in situations where the adults in their lives are excessively controlling, and they're both almost, but not yet, old enough to escape it.
The characters feel authentic, and their friendship and budding romance is super cute. Honestly, all of the friendships in this book are wonderful!
"You don't have to always do everything alone, you know."
Geekerella is just geeky enough—perfect for readers who are major sci-fi fans (and cosplayers) without alienating readers who enjoy sci-fi more casually. I loved the book's themes on friendship, letting others into your heart, being brave enough to go for what you really want, and autonomy. Overall a very wholesome, happy, comfort read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, and Homophobia
stormywolf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I came across this one while scanning the Quirk back-catalog, and then saw that it's the first in a series with a 3rd book recently released. Pop culture, con culture, romance, and a fairytale retelling? Yes, please!
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, there's not much more I can say about how I loved this book. Despite knowing the original story inside and out, Poston wove just enough unique elements in and around and through it to craft a newly enjoyable experience. Whether you enjoy romance, YA, pop culture, Hollywood, fairytales, or just geeking out about things you like, there's no doubt you'll find something to love about this story. And I hear the next books do more with Starfield and, so I don't doubt I'll be running with Stargunners again in the near future. Until then, look to the stars. Aim. Ignite. ...And read.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, there's not much more I can say about how I loved this book. Despite knowing the original story inside and out, Poston wove just enough unique elements in and around and through it to craft a newly enjoyable experience. Whether you enjoy romance, YA, pop culture, Hollywood, fairytales, or just geeking out about things you like, there's no doubt you'll find something to love about this story. And I hear the next books do more with Starfield and, so I don't doubt I'll be running with Stargunners again in the near future. Until then, look to the stars. Aim. Ignite. ...And read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident, Animal cruelty, and Violence
annalisaely's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Adorable and sweet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
noreadingdegree's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
if you love the early 2000s movie a cinderella story starring hilary duff then this is the book for you! it took awhile for me to get into this, but by the end i really enjoyed it.
first and foremost, i adored the fandom/cosplay aspects of this novel. the author's modern interpretations of cinderella were fun and quirky which made for a fun and enjoyable read. this book also hit me in the feels a few times. i also wanted to throw some punches at the stepmom/sisters a few times.
i had a good time reading this book, but there were a few things that kept it from being a favorite. towards the end, the "conflict" was incredibly juvenile and cringeworthy. look, i get that these characters are teenagers, but the cinderella "reveal' is literally her stepsister telling everyone that she was a "geeky loser"....at a fandom convention...during a cosplay ball...seriously? i am getting secondhand embarrassment just thinking about it right now. i also never felt 100% behind elle and darien. i didn't get enough of their interaction on page for me to completely root for them.
first and foremost, i adored the fandom/cosplay aspects of this novel. the author's modern interpretations of cinderella were fun and quirky which made for a fun and enjoyable read. this book also hit me in the feels a few times. i also wanted to throw some punches at the stepmom/sisters a few times.
i had a good time reading this book, but there were a few things that kept it from being a favorite. towards the end, the "conflict" was incredibly juvenile and cringeworthy. look, i get that these characters are teenagers, but the cinderella "reveal' is literally her stepsister telling everyone that she was a "geeky loser"....at a fandom convention...during a cosplay ball...seriously? i am getting secondhand embarrassment just thinking about it right now. i also never felt 100% behind elle and darien. i didn't get enough of their interaction on page for me to completely root for them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia and Grief
Minor: Car accident
main character's parents died and it is often discussed/shown how that has affected her and how she continues to deal with the grief.
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