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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2/5
I was excited for this book thinking it would be like Geekerella but it was just a girl going to a con and trying to speak about her favorite show that doesn’t have a lot of attention. It was alright but I felt like the romance that was said to be in it wasn’t there.
I was excited for this book thinking it would be like Geekerella but it was just a girl going to a con and trying to speak about her favorite show that doesn’t have a lot of attention. It was alright but I felt like the romance that was said to be in it wasn’t there.
mssarahmorgan's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
hayleybeale's review
4.0
Who is the real Zoe Rosenthal? Is she the dedicated cosplaying, con-attending Bleeders TV show fan? Or is it the serious student and girlfriend of straight arrow Simon? Well, the reader only gets to see the first Zoe as she attends her first con to see the Season 2 premiere of Bleeders and then goes to several other cons over the next year with her new friends as they dedicate themselves to securing a season 3 for their beloved show. Of course, we see hints of the second Zoe, and as she avoids telling Simon where she is and what she’s doing, we begin to see the chasm between the two Zoes. What will happen when her two worlds meet at Bean Con?
Identity is a popular theme for YA novels as it speaks to a time in a teen’s life where who they are is still plastic and they’re trying on new identities and deciding who they’re going to be. Ms Werlin takes this further by looping gender and sexual identity into the story. One of Zoe’s new friends identifies as nonbinary (or enby) and asexual, and the others are all very strict about giving their pronouns when they’re introduced.
Bleeders is a nonconforming scifi show as it is is run by a woman of color and the cast is almost all women of color playing scientists and doctors too. Is that why Zoe loves it? At least partially, but also because it’s a gripping story about a fast-killing and fast-spreading virus that’s taking over the universe (if there’s a metaphor in there, I missed it haha).
This is all presented in a light-hearted and funny novel. Zoe is extremely precise - she has a bullet-list journal which is a good device for keeping the reader up to date with where she is as she goes to each con - but she recognizes this in herself and understands its limitations. The rest of her Bloodygits, as Bleeders fans refer to themselves, are all well-developed and charmingly quirky characters, adding layers to the identity theme.
It’s not hard for the reader to see where the novel is headed - how will Zoe emerge when her two identities meet? But it’s a pleasure to go with her on her journey of self-learning and self-recognition.
Identity is a popular theme for YA novels as it speaks to a time in a teen’s life where who they are is still plastic and they’re trying on new identities and deciding who they’re going to be. Ms Werlin takes this further by looping gender and sexual identity into the story. One of Zoe’s new friends identifies as nonbinary (or enby) and asexual, and the others are all very strict about giving their pronouns when they’re introduced.
Bleeders is a nonconforming scifi show as it is is run by a woman of color and the cast is almost all women of color playing scientists and doctors too. Is that why Zoe loves it? At least partially, but also because it’s a gripping story about a fast-killing and fast-spreading virus that’s taking over the universe (if there’s a metaphor in there, I missed it haha).
This is all presented in a light-hearted and funny novel. Zoe is extremely precise - she has a bullet-list journal which is a good device for keeping the reader up to date with where she is as she goes to each con - but she recognizes this in herself and understands its limitations. The rest of her Bloodygits, as Bleeders fans refer to themselves, are all well-developed and charmingly quirky characters, adding layers to the identity theme.
It’s not hard for the reader to see where the novel is headed - how will Zoe emerge when her two identities meet? But it’s a pleasure to go with her on her journey of self-learning and self-recognition.
alexjeanne's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
readerjenn's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
jessiehulk98's review
5.0
Love, love, LOVE this book. Perfect little romance book for those who are obsessed with either one TV show or a million. Also a good book to realise that if you have to keep something that you love from your partner, is it even a good relationship??
adrzeck's review
2.0
It's fine. Zoe isn't lawful good and don't expect her to be "nice". We all need slytherins. Lots of explanation and could use more character development outside of bloodygits.
alongreader's review
4.0
I look longingly at cons. They're a very rare thing in Ireland anyway, and with things the way they are I don't think I'll want to be in a room with hundreds of other people for a while. So it's a good thing there are books like this one to fill the gap.
Zoe is a recently converted fan of the streaming show Bleeders, a mostly female run and acted show. She's decided to indulge herself, for just one night, at a con, her first ever. One night will definitely be enough to get it out of her system - even if the people she meets are so friendly and welcoming, and the costumes so amazing, and there's another con a few months later. This is the one and only time she's going to lie to her boyfriend like this. Definitely...
This novel is a love story to cons and to the fans who attend. I had as much fun as Zoe identifying the different fandoms and groups, and learning about the differences between different cons and different groups. Zoe's friends are a great group; I want one just like them, please.
Because we only ever saw Simon in Zoe's description - the guy wasn't even in the novel until the very end - it's hard to know if he would have understood if she'd told him, or not. It's hard to get a grip on a character you don't actually meet, but I do think Zoe made the right decision at the end.
I loved this. It's just a lovely, light hearted, enjoyable read. Fantastic.
Zoe is a recently converted fan of the streaming show Bleeders, a mostly female run and acted show. She's decided to indulge herself, for just one night, at a con, her first ever. One night will definitely be enough to get it out of her system - even if the people she meets are so friendly and welcoming, and the costumes so amazing, and there's another con a few months later. This is the one and only time she's going to lie to her boyfriend like this. Definitely...
This novel is a love story to cons and to the fans who attend. I had as much fun as Zoe identifying the different fandoms and groups, and learning about the differences between different cons and different groups. Zoe's friends are a great group; I want one just like them, please.
Because we only ever saw Simon in Zoe's description - the guy wasn't even in the novel until the very end - it's hard to know if he would have understood if she'd told him, or not. It's hard to get a grip on a character you don't actually meet, but I do think Zoe made the right decision at the end.
I loved this. It's just a lovely, light hearted, enjoyable read. Fantastic.
blairconrad's review
3.0
I thought it quite slow at the beginning, and then maybe a little fast at the very end. Otherwise, enjoyable. Ms. Werlin seems to respect the con lifestyle, which I appreciated. I often winced at Zoe's choices, but found her at least somewhat relatable. I felt a little bad for Maggie: she got so little camera time.
neglet's review
Such a fun book, set in the world of fandom and cons. I loved seeing the MC struggle between what she thinks she wants and what she really needs—aided by a lovely cast of secondary characters. If you’re a nerd, you’ll enjoy this one.