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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A con, a quest, and tons of fun!
I just cannot resist books about conventions! I have been to a couple of anime conventions and while I did enjoy myself a lot during those times, it was also a bit too much at times. But reading about it, I don’t have the feel of hundreds of people and way too crowded. XD
This was a delightful and fun read from the POV of three kids (well, one teen I believe, not sure what 9th grade equates to). Cat and Alex, twins and their older sister Fi who is going to experience that con can be very fun. I really enjoyed reading the story and while I was a bit hesitant about Fi’s POV at first (given how she acted in the beginning), I really warmed up to her as the story continued and she became my favourite POV. Followed by Cat who despite some dumb things was still a great character and I loved her drive and how she kept going. Alex was my least favourite, though he also had some points that I liked and I definitely warmed up to him as the story went on.
I loved the friendship (or should I call it more) between Rowan and Fi. I was very much looking forward to those parts and see that grow and see them have fun together.
It was so much fun to follow these characters around the con, see them meet people, befriend people, meet celebs, see tons of fun things, and that Quest thing was just a delight and such a fun initiative and I just wanted to participate in it.
The only thing that kind of ruined it for me was that guy at the convention, I forget his name already because I don’t want to think of him, but he just was the worst. How he treated the kids is not how any volunteer at a con should act. His high/mighty attitude and his gatekeeping was just disgusting and I really hope the con (and any cons for that matter) reconsider hiring him ever again. Because LORD, this is bad.
Though haha, thanks to tags on Goodreads and other places I thought this would be a graphic novel.. it is totally not one. I would have loved some illustrations though.
All in all, a very fun story about a conventions, fandoms, being yourself and finding yourself, doing quests, and having tons of fun. Recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just cannot resist books about conventions! I have been to a couple of anime conventions and while I did enjoy myself a lot during those times, it was also a bit too much at times. But reading about it, I don’t have the feel of hundreds of people and way too crowded. XD
This was a delightful and fun read from the POV of three kids (well, one teen I believe, not sure what 9th grade equates to). Cat and Alex, twins and their older sister Fi who is going to experience that con can be very fun. I really enjoyed reading the story and while I was a bit hesitant about Fi’s POV at first (given how she acted in the beginning), I really warmed up to her as the story continued and she became my favourite POV. Followed by Cat who despite some dumb things was still a great character and I loved her drive and how she kept going. Alex was my least favourite, though he also had some points that I liked and I definitely warmed up to him as the story went on.
I loved the friendship (or should I call it more) between Rowan and Fi. I was very much looking forward to those parts and see that grow and see them have fun together.
It was so much fun to follow these characters around the con, see them meet people, befriend people, meet celebs, see tons of fun things, and that Quest thing was just a delight and such a fun initiative and I just wanted to participate in it.
Spoiler
It was just a shame that a team can win for so many years. Would be fun if there was a rule implemented for that.The only thing that kind of ruined it for me was that guy at the convention, I forget his name already because I don’t want to think of him, but he just was the worst. How he treated the kids is not how any volunteer at a con should act. His high/mighty attitude and his gatekeeping was just disgusting and I really hope the con (and any cons for that matter) reconsider hiring him ever again. Because LORD, this is bad.
Though haha, thanks to tags on Goodreads and other places I thought this would be a graphic novel.. it is totally not one. I would have loved some illustrations though.
All in all, a very fun story about a conventions, fandoms, being yourself and finding yourself, doing quests, and having tons of fun. Recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
rgag86's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this SO MUCH. It was so cute, and funny, and sweet, and smart. And I LOVED all the nods to real fandoms and creators.
mimiisbooks's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
This books plot makes no sense. I know the books plot the same amount as before I read it. Despite being a children's book, it was more difficult to read than adult novels.
adrzeck's review against another edition
4.0
In a fictional world...where you can kinda see parallels you know, we encounter twins Alex and Cat are legacy geeks, and their "responsible" sportish older sister Fi. Fi's quest to attend an unchaperoned camping trip with the cool kids of the school is of course going to be thwarted by her siblings, who have their own quest. While we follow along with Alex and Cat, many will probably identify with Fi and the growth that she goes through during the course of this magical day at the con. A great villain in the story, truly 1337 level of evil.
The author ends with notes and tips if you're interested in attending a con. Highlights include comfy shoes, snacks, and something to do while you wait in line.
The author ends with notes and tips if you're interested in attending a con. Highlights include comfy shoes, snacks, and something to do while you wait in line.
allibooyay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
rkiladitis's review against another edition
4.0
The first book is Sam Maggs's middle grade novel, Con Quest. If you already know Sam Maggs, I welcome you, my geek friend. If you don't, this is a great place to start. She's a geek girl who's written comics, nonfiction about fandom, and awesome women in history, but this is her first middle grade novel. And what a novel it is. It's a love letter to fandom and con life; to Supernatural fans and quests for charity; to friendship, family, and that first blush of a new crush. If you dig fandom, are in fandom, or are fandom-adjacent, you'll recognize the players here. At a con that's remarkably similar to San Diego Comic Con, twin siblings Cat and Alex are competing in an intense quest, run by one of their fave celebs, to benefit a charity. The big prize is getting to meet the celeb, but first, they have a gauntlet of geeky challenges to complete, all while dodging their older sister, who is SUCH a drag. There are great, realistic characters here - con life is truly stranger than fiction, friends - and moments you'll recognize and love. The characters are fun and diverse, with a diversity in gender identity and culture; one of the main characters, Alex, is autistic and Sam does a good job at describing how he experiences things, as opposed to his slightly intense (and sometimes frustrating) sister, Cat.
Introduce Cat and Alex to your readers, then get a (virtual) library con up and running to introduce them to the joy that is fandom. Hey, Free Comic Book Day is running for most of the summer!
Introduce Cat and Alex to your readers, then get a (virtual) library con up and running to introduce them to the joy that is fandom. Hey, Free Comic Book Day is running for most of the summer!
storylinesandstars's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun little read! Really enjoyed this one.
jordb1213's review against another edition
4.0
Con Quest! was a super cute and quick read that highlighted the important things in life: fandom, bisexuality, and family. I loved the setting and scavenger hunt plotline. The 3 POVs worked really well, despite me usually not liking them in contemporaries. Maggs also gives a great sense of the feeling of conventions and her love for fandom really comes though. The writing could feel a little young in terms of the slang/structures used, but I don't think that would bother a middle grade reader. I also loved the f/f romance subplot; it was well executed and thought out without overpowering the point of the book. As an #OwnVoices reviewer, the bi and autistic/anxiety rep is really well done- none of these things are major plot points, but Maggs executes the specific experiences within each perfectly, I'd highly recommend this to most middle grade readers, but especially those interested in fandom.
AO3 tags: fandom, cons, comic con, scavenger hunts, fake fans, people who hate fake fans getting their butts handed to them, autistic rep, siblings, family, bisexual panic
AO3 tags: fandom, cons, comic con, scavenger hunts, fake fans, people who hate fake fans getting their butts handed to them, autistic rep, siblings, family, bisexual panic
audreyreadz's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
4.0
I simply loved this book. I did not just love this book because it reminded me of my con life that i missed so much. But i also loved that this book had both twins and also scanvange like experience in this book. You can tell Sam Maggs knows this world super well and def reminded me of a weekend at con. I also really loved the diversity featured in this read. It was such a fun fast pace read and one that put a smile on my face. I also really liked how it did talk about the darker sides of con life and fandom life. If you like books like geekerella, you should pick up this one for sure!