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faeriekit's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe is a cute balance between two separate subcultures that I hold dear to my heart. Although I think it portrays both goth fashion and cosplay geek culture rather shallowly, and misses out on exploring the history of each niche, it is a younger book, and they're both treated with respect I don't often get to see. The characters deal with real conversations about mental illness and growing up in the way that I remember talking about it at the same age. A journey for reconciliation with blood family and self growth is embodied in Jessica, maligned ward of the state and instagram fashionista. Her reluctance to join a cosplay group is clear, but the bonds she makes with Oscar, Emily, and Gerrit ground her in a world she's often found so inconstant. This book moves a little fast, but the heart is there, and the ending is satisfactory.
In my nitpicky notes, the introduction to the book reads a little like Ebony Darkness Dementia Way's introduction, if the recognition is there. That may be related to the hope of representing Goth on the whole;s some pretension is natural. Some of the emotions throughout the book move a little quickly, but that may just be the genre. Some of the properties mentioned throughout are a little older than teens might know, but that may be a learning opportunity for them, or it may turn them off of the book. The concepts the book tackles and the story it tells is unique. I appreciate how the Spanish was included verbatim but still included quiet explanations within the text for non-speakers. It's simple Spanish that may help facilitate language lessons in the same age range.
In my nitpicky notes, the introduction to the book reads a little like Ebony Darkness Dementia Way's introduction, if the recognition is there. That may be related to the hope of representing Goth on the whole;s some pretension is natural. Some of the emotions throughout the book move a little quickly, but that may just be the genre. Some of the properties mentioned throughout are a little older than teens might know, but that may be a learning opportunity for them, or it may turn them off of the book. The concepts the book tackles and the story it tells is unique. I appreciate how the Spanish was included verbatim but still included quiet explanations within the text for non-speakers. It's simple Spanish that may help facilitate language lessons in the same age range.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness
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