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jbrooxd's review
4.0
4.5 stars. I am a huge fan of comic conventions and books about comic conventions. And this particular book is a lot of fun. There are three protagonists who tell the story - a pair of twins - Cat and Alex - and their older sister, Fi. Alex is on the autism spectrum which at times makes him hesitant to dive into something new or potentially uncomfortable. He's at the con to help Cat with the Quest and also to meet his animation/art hero. Because of Alex's hesitation, Cat often takes charge and steamrollers right over him, which creates conflict. She's also especially driven to complete the quest, forgetting at times that the whole con is supposed to be fun. Fi is responsible for the twins at the con in order to prove to their parents that she is old enough to go on a group camping trip with the popular kids from school. She thinks the whole con, and by default the rest of her family, is nerdy and beneath her. So there's tons of family dynamics and personal growth points for the three main characters.
At the con itself, all three kids deal with a volunteer/staff person who embodies all the worst stories of con-goers and fans who feel like they are the only "real fan" and these other "posers" are ruining the purity of "their" con. This was pretty realistic and I love how it was handled.
There's a romantic subplot for Fi that surprised me. I'm not used to standard middle grade stories (ages 8-12) having much romance in them. I expect that more in maybe an older middle grade (10-14). Some younger readers might be less interested in that subplot.
Con-goers will see a lot of familiar pieces in this, but nothing too "inside" that will leave kids out who have never been to a con. The author does a great job creatively referring to familiar fandoms without naming them. There's a TON of fun in this book and I think kids will enjoy it!
(LGBTQ+: F/F relationship, references to non-binary characters)
At the con itself, all three kids deal with a volunteer/staff person who embodies all the worst stories of con-goers and fans who feel like they are the only "real fan" and these other "posers" are ruining the purity of "their" con. This was pretty realistic and I love how it was handled.
There's a romantic subplot for Fi that surprised me. I'm not used to standard middle grade stories (ages 8-12) having much romance in them. I expect that more in maybe an older middle grade (10-14). Some younger readers might be less interested in that subplot.
Con-goers will see a lot of familiar pieces in this, but nothing too "inside" that will leave kids out who have never been to a con. The author does a great job creatively referring to familiar fandoms without naming them. There's a TON of fun in this book and I think kids will enjoy it!
(LGBTQ+: F/F relationship, references to non-binary characters)
rbexsareads's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a children’s bookseller, and Sam has long been one of my favorite Internet people, so when I found out she was releasing a middle grade novel, I was nothing short of ecstatic. And it was everything I could have asked for! She beautifully weaves topics like LGBTQIA+ and ASD into a hilarious romp through the fan convention of one’s dreams. I spent most of the book snorting in laughter over her hilarious ways of inserting real life fandoms into this fictional con. This is definitely a novel that I’m going to happily handsell to young readers over and over again. Congratulations, Sam!
rbritt515's review against another edition
4.0
An adorable geeky romp of a book! Between Sam Maggs being the author and the convention setting, I figured this book would have to be pretty great and it definitely was. A middle grade novel about three siblings racing around the worlds biggest con--GeekiCon--trying to win a massive unofficial scavenger hunt put on by one of their favorite TV stars. I loved all the sibling dynamics going on between the geeky twins and the older sister desperately trying to track them down who slowly learns that being true to yourself and the things you love is actually pretty cool. Pretty sure this is the kind of book I would've loved as a pre-teen myself--and definitely would've made me want to track down the nearest con!
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
Just because your parents are cult favorites, it doesn't automatically mean that their kids will be nerds as well. Fiona sure isn't. In fact, she's been invited to the popular kids camp trip. But she's only going to get to attend if she can keep her brother and sister in line while her parents attend their panel.
But Cat and Alex aren't interested. Instead, they want to compete in the unauthorized Quest that runs in the Con every year. But just because something is fun, it doesn't mean it won't be stressful. By the end of the day, all three of them will have some of their preconceived notions upended.
It took me awhile to get into this book but I did like the way the characters grew over the course of the book.
But Cat and Alex aren't interested. Instead, they want to compete in the unauthorized Quest that runs in the Con every year. But just because something is fun, it doesn't mean it won't be stressful. By the end of the day, all three of them will have some of their preconceived notions upended.
It took me awhile to get into this book but I did like the way the characters grew over the course of the book.
labraden's review against another edition
4.0
Twins Alex and Cat are on a scavenger hunt called "The Quest" at a San Diego Comicon style convention called "Geekicon." The long list of items must be accomplished during the convention and involves Alex and Cat in many close calls as they try to avoid their sister, Fi, and an overzealous security guard named James M., who believes the con belongs to him and people like him who are "true comic fans." The possible reward for winning is spending a week with the sponsor Corwin Blake, an actor in the series, Paranormal, and the rest of the cast doing charity work as well as a comic art mentorship.
Con Quest! is a fun ride through a comic convention where different fandoms are represented using unique names like Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who and Star Worlds instead of Star Wars. Alex, Cat, and Fi learn lots of lessons about the importance of family and being who you really are. Also, the story includes autistic and same sex relationship representation. Overall, Con Quest! is an exciting adventure that could be enjoyed by con fans at any level.
Con Quest! is a fun ride through a comic convention where different fandoms are represented using unique names like Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who and Star Worlds instead of Star Wars. Alex, Cat, and Fi learn lots of lessons about the importance of family and being who you really are. Also, the story includes autistic and same sex relationship representation. Overall, Con Quest! is an exciting adventure that could be enjoyed by con fans at any level.
moss5's review against another edition
4.0
Although it is aimed at a younger audience I really did enjoy it, as it included some of my interests and hobbies. It was good as a light read.
shelfrighteous_lex's review against another edition
5.0
Ever been to a comics conference?! They are chaotic and wonderful. Con Quest follows the adventures of Cat and Alex as they attend GeekiCon, the most popular comics conference in the world!
Their one goal while at GeekiCon is to compete in and win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks while at GeekiCon. If they win Cat and Alex, or Team DoubleTrouble, get to meet one of their favorite celebrities!
All the characters in this story experience so much growth in such a quick story. The author, Sam Maggs, does a wonderful job as providing an educational experience with spelling lessons, positivity and representation. Maggs does all of this without it feeling forced, and uses each teaching moment to help move the story along.
This is a fun, fast moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms!
My favorite part?! Trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book, and chuckling at the cleverness
5/5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for this Advanced eGalley!
Their one goal while at GeekiCon is to compete in and win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks while at GeekiCon. If they win Cat and Alex, or Team DoubleTrouble, get to meet one of their favorite celebrities!
All the characters in this story experience so much growth in such a quick story. The author, Sam Maggs, does a wonderful job as providing an educational experience with spelling lessons, positivity and representation. Maggs does all of this without it feeling forced, and uses each teaching moment to help move the story along.
This is a fun, fast moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms!
My favorite part?! Trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book, and chuckling at the cleverness
5/5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for this Advanced eGalley!
sashe0163's review against another edition
3.0
This book was an interesting read. Twins Cat & Alex are middle school geeks that have set their sights on winning the quest at GeekiCon. Cat is determine to win no matter the cost. However, her twin Alex plays by the rules. The author’s takes the reader on a ride of a fan obsessed with winning and you enjoy the ride until things and events start to get out of control. The books is fasted paced and fun. If the reader has ever been to a Comicon or Star Trek convention they can relate to the main and fringe characters in this book. However, Alex has social anxiety issues due to his autism. It's a little unrealistic the way his character reacts to different stressful situations that he experiences on a number of occasions. It made me question if the author tagged the character with this disability because she could. With the exception of Alex asking his sister about passes to convention Hall M continuously, which any sibling could ask, I'm not sure why the author added this component to the character.
beautifullybookishbethany's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
A fun middle grade romp for anyone familiar with geek/fandom culture, Con Quest! also has great family dynamics, lots of inside jokes, and a sweet side romance between two girls that ends with holding hands and a kiss on the cheek.
Cat and Alex are twins who can't wait to participate in a quest taking place at Geekicon, with the prize of meeting one of their favorite celebrities, but to complete all the challenges they have to escape from their older sister who's supposed to be watching them.
I think the twins are around 12 and their older sister Fiona (Fi) is 14. The story is told from each of their perspectives and all of them have solid arcs of character growth through the story. Alex is autistic, with sketching being one way he copes with the overstimulation of large crowds as the convention. He learns to advocate for himself and what he wants, even with his sister. Cat is an organizer who tends to run the show, but sometimes needs to listen and think before she acts. Fi wants nothing more than to be cool and popular and hates all the geeky stuff her parents and younger siblings are into, but she just might learn that fandom can create space for acceptance and being yourself. (partly through getting to know a quirky girl from her school along the way...)
This is a whole lot of fun, fast-paced, with a lot of heart. It also addresses the more toxic sides of fandom through the sort of villain character in the book- a member of the show staff who gatekeeps what "real" fans or geeks should look like or do. Stand-ins for real fandoms (i.e. Star World instead of Star Wars) are kind of silly and cheesy, but it's also funny sometimes if you are able to figure out the references. I think this is a solid middle grade story addressing fandom culture, which you don't always see. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A fun middle grade romp for anyone familiar with geek/fandom culture, Con Quest! also has great family dynamics, lots of inside jokes, and a sweet side romance between two girls that ends with holding hands and a kiss on the cheek.
Cat and Alex are twins who can't wait to participate in a quest taking place at Geekicon, with the prize of meeting one of their favorite celebrities, but to complete all the challenges they have to escape from their older sister who's supposed to be watching them.
I think the twins are around 12 and their older sister Fiona (Fi) is 14. The story is told from each of their perspectives and all of them have solid arcs of character growth through the story. Alex is autistic, with sketching being one way he copes with the overstimulation of large crowds as the convention. He learns to advocate for himself and what he wants, even with his sister. Cat is an organizer who tends to run the show, but sometimes needs to listen and think before she acts. Fi wants nothing more than to be cool and popular and hates all the geeky stuff her parents and younger siblings are into, but she just might learn that fandom can create space for acceptance and being yourself. (partly through getting to know a quirky girl from her school along the way...)
This is a whole lot of fun, fast-paced, with a lot of heart. It also addresses the more toxic sides of fandom through the sort of villain character in the book- a member of the show staff who gatekeeps what "real" fans or geeks should look like or do. Stand-ins for real fandoms (i.e. Star World instead of Star Wars) are kind of silly and cheesy, but it's also funny sometimes if you are able to figure out the references. I think this is a solid middle grade story addressing fandom culture, which you don't always see. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
paisleygreen's review against another edition
5.0
"The thing about that kind of friendship, fandom friendship,” Rowan continued, “is that it’s just completely genuine. Everybody knows exactly who you are and what you’re into. You can just be yourself. No games. No garbage. It’s huge. Fandom connects people all over the world. And then once a year, if we’re lucky, we get to meet up IRL here. At GeekiCon. And it’s … kind of magic.”
This book is seriously so fun. The basics: Twins Cat & Alex are major nerds who are at GeekiCon, surrounded by fans and fandom, and who are competing in a massive unofficial scavenger hunt-type thing called the Quest, which asks teams to do all kinds of fun things at the con. (Think a mashup of San Diego Comic Con and GISH.) In order to check off as many items as they can, they evade their older teenage sister, Fi, who is very much dragged to the con by her family and wants to prove she's responsible enough to go camping unchaperoned. Fi enlists the help of a mysterious person named Rowan and fun crushes and character development ensue!
Things I adored about this book:
- If you are part of various kinds of fandom or the types of things that get represented at cons, you'll have so much fun at how Sam Maggs references different comics, TV shows, movies, and so on. Just as an aperitif, there's things like Lunar Soldier, Star Worlds, My Academic Heroine, and (my favorite) Igor!!! On Skates.
- This is a middle-grade novel with great diverse representation, especially with gender and ability. For example, there are a few asides that explain nonbinary people or say something along the lines of "They could have been a boy or a girl. Or both. Or neither!" That is such a cool way to introduce / reinforce gender diversity to young people in an approachable and casual way. Additionally, one of the twins, Alex, has ASD. And thank god, there are no ~mystical autism powers~ or exaggerated savant qualities. Alex is portrayed with real heart and sensitivity, and it's great to see how the ones who love him work with his needs rather than treating him as some great mystery or a tragic figure.
- Interpersonal conflicts feel grounded in a real place, characters grow realistically, and communication is healthy. So wholesome <3
- The "villain" (if there really is one in this book) is the type of man that every nerd knows: a purist who thinks cons should just be "about the comics," who gatekeeps who belongs in the nerd community, and who wants to kick out the people who "force diversity" (aka ask for representation) in the fandoms they love. It was a nice nod to the type of everyday tensions in the nerd community.
If you're a nerd and have been to a con, or even are aware of cons, this book is for you. It's a fantastic middle-grade novel, but I (very much an adult) found the book so fun and celebratory of the joy of being part of the nerd community as well. Buy it for yourself or for a younger fandom-obsessed person in your life!