Scan barcode
fantasynovel's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
Ugh, this book was SO CLOSE to being good. If everything at just been a little bit more on point! But the texts between Darien and Elle were just a little too boring, the stepmother and stepsister just a little too ridiculously evil to be believable at all, the main characters just a little too whiny, the Cinderella story just a little too pedantic. And it was just so overboard the way Chloe was humiliated! Just, like, over and over and over again, in the worst way. We get it, Chloe's evil. But, seriously, having everyone applaud when she runs out of the ballroom? It's not realistic, and it reads like a daydream that would never happen.
I think it might have helped if Elle had more going for her than Starfield. She mentioned that she wanted to write TV shows, so maybe the book could have shown her working on some of her ideas. Sharing them with Carmindor, maybe. And don't get me started on Carmindor. I've never heard a celebrity complain more about being a celebrity! But, as it stands, Elle's and Darien's personalities are entirely Starfield with maaaaybe a sprinkling of original content.
Look, I love fandom! I just watched Capaldi regenerate and burst into tears and thought about getting into the Doctor Who fanfic business. But not every single thing I do hinges on Doctor Who. I don't like when a character's entire life hinges on a single thing. I like to see variety. And those texts could have been so much more interesting!
Ugh, this book was SO CLOSE to being good. If everything at just been a little bit more on point! But the texts between Darien and Elle were just a little too boring, the stepmother and stepsister just a little too ridiculously evil to be believable at all, the main characters just a little too whiny, the Cinderella story just a little too pedantic. And it was just so overboard the way Chloe was humiliated! Just, like, over and over and over again, in the worst way. We get it, Chloe's evil. But, seriously, having everyone applaud when she runs out of the ballroom? It's not realistic, and it reads like a daydream that would never happen.
I think it might have helped if Elle had more going for her than Starfield. She mentioned that she wanted to write TV shows, so maybe the book could have shown her working on some of her ideas. Sharing them with Carmindor, maybe. And don't get me started on Carmindor. I've never heard a celebrity complain more about being a celebrity! But, as it stands, Elle's and Darien's personalities are entirely Starfield with maaaaybe a sprinkling of original content.
Look, I love fandom! I just watched Capaldi regenerate and burst into tears and thought about getting into the Doctor Who fanfic business. But not every single thing I do hinges on Doctor Who. I don't like when a character's entire life hinges on a single thing. I like to see variety. And those texts could have been so much more interesting!
yeppenny's review against another edition
3.0
Another cute Cinderella story but with a twist: contemporary and geared towards “geek culture.” The book jumps between the POVs of Elle and Darien. For the love of niche interests and a good underdog story, I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. The writing doesn’t do the best job of convincing the reader why they should root for Elle beyond the fact that the stepmother and stepsister are mean to her. The juxtaposition of her immature outbursts and sudden meekness feels like she is reacting according to whatever best serves the plot. In comparison, there is surprisingly more insight into the depths of Darien’s characterization, and it's refreshing to get the prince's POV in a Cinderella story.
withlovenour's review against another edition
5.0
This story was incredibly cute. It was a teen rom com and a fairytale retelling in the form of a book. What more could u want?🤩
cutenanya's review against another edition
3.0
Got this book with my Audible Escape plan.
I'm rather disappointed with this book because a fairy tale retelling with a geeky flavor should be a winning formula for me but it turned out the book's plot is thin, the characters rather annoying and the notion of "insured abs" really offending. The only redemption is that it reminds me of the pre-pandemic days when I could still go to a con! Summer should be con going time for me but I'm instead stuck at home and work (as probably 90% of the rest of world's population). D*mn Covid19. When are you f**king going to end!?
This book is practically a romance between two geeks with unhappy lives but sending a message to a wrong number bonded two people from different ends of the world together. The romance is sweet but highly unrealistic for me, so is the rest of the plot. Sorry if I don't buy geek turned briliant actor because while there are shy male actors turn leading man (reminds me of Henry Cavill aka Superman), I just don't think reality works like this (heck but this is a teen novel and fairytale retelling so reality shouldn't be a priority, but still, it bothers me a lot).
Having said that though, I like the sweet Darien who is humble, hardworking, courageous, and a loyal friend though his first pal was an ahole. I also love the relationship between Sage & Elle, it's so sweet. Wonderful friendship between girls is hard to come by and how Sage helped Elle's really awesome. HOWEVER, I don't buy
Overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations but it's still a fun read, hence 3 stars.
I'm rather disappointed with this book because a fairy tale retelling with a geeky flavor should be a winning formula for me but it turned out the book's plot is thin, the characters rather annoying and the notion of "insured abs" really offending. The only redemption is that it reminds me of the pre-pandemic days when I could still go to a con! Summer should be con going time for me but I'm instead stuck at home and work (as probably 90% of the rest of world's population). D*mn Covid19. When are you f**king going to end!?
This book is practically a romance between two geeks with unhappy lives but sending a message to a wrong number bonded two people from different ends of the world together. The romance is sweet but highly unrealistic for me, so is the rest of the plot. Sorry if I don't buy geek turned briliant actor because while there are shy male actors turn leading man (reminds me of Henry Cavill aka Superman), I just don't think reality works like this (heck but this is a teen novel and fairytale retelling so reality shouldn't be a priority, but still, it bothers me a lot).
Having said that though, I like the sweet Darien who is humble, hardworking, courageous, and a loyal friend though his first pal was an ahole. I also love the relationship between Sage & Elle, it's so sweet. Wonderful friendship between girls is hard to come by and how Sage helped Elle's really awesome. HOWEVER, I don't buy
Spoiler
the instant falling in love thing, especially between Elle and Cal and how Cal's character underwent massive change in the latter half of the book pissed me off a bit. I think Cal isn't evil like her sister Chloe but her change is too sudden. Instead of listening to Elle and Darien's grumblings, I'd rather Miss Poston spend more time developing Cal, especially if she's going to be Sage's love interest.Overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations but it's still a fun read, hence 3 stars.
sophster_2000's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and easy read but of course very cheesy. Loved that it was just a pure and sweet romance though, no spice or anything crazy
snipinfool's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Elle loved the classic sci-fi TV show, Starfield. She grew up watching it with her dad, who was also a huge fan. Her father had also started ExcelsiCon, where other Starfield fans could meet their favorite characters and meet others who loved the show as well. When Elle’s father died, Elle was expected to be the cook and maid for her stepmother and two step sisters whenever she was home. Elle’s life was miserable, but ExcelsiCon gave her something to look forward to. Elle was not thrilled with the actor chosen to play her favorite character, Carmindor, in the new reboot of the show. She didn’t think he had the depth needed and planned to tell him so if she was able to meet him at the con.
Darien was a teen actor who recently won the role of Carmindor for the upcoming Starfield reboot. It was a character he was not sure if he was ready for since Carmindor was very different from his past roles. Fans would want him to live up to their expectations. Darien was a huge fan Starfield, but that wouldn’t matter to the fans if they were unhappy with his acting skills. He planned to give the role his all and show the fans he was the right choice.
This was a cute Cinderella retelling. The characters were well written and filled their roles perfectly. I loved Elle’s friend, Sage, was fantastic. Anyone who has been part of a fandom would enjoy this story. It reads a bit YA, but I really enjoyed it.
Darien was a teen actor who recently won the role of Carmindor for the upcoming Starfield reboot. It was a character he was not sure if he was ready for since Carmindor was very different from his past roles. Fans would want him to live up to their expectations. Darien was a huge fan Starfield, but that wouldn’t matter to the fans if they were unhappy with his acting skills. He planned to give the role his all and show the fans he was the right choice.
This was a cute Cinderella retelling. The characters were well written and filled their roles perfectly. I loved Elle’s friend, Sage, was fantastic. Anyone who has been part of a fandom would enjoy this story. It reads a bit YA, but I really enjoyed it.
indigoblue777's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best Cinderella retelling I have ever read.