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A review by nicolemhewitt
Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe by Lindsay S. Zrull
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
A book that deftly blends the fun of cosplay and conventions with the more serious topics of mental health and foster care. Jessica has learned the "rules" of foster care--don't get too close to people and try not to cause too many problems. But when she gets a mysterious message from someone claiming to be her birth mother and the possible opportunity to visit her, Jessica breaks every rule on her list. She ends up teaming up with a group of cosplaying kids, hoping to win a spot at a big-time convention in NYC, which just happens to be where her mom is at. Jessica has to navigate her complicated feelings for her mom, who has schizophrenia, her new foster mom, who actually seems like a really nice person if only Jessica didn't have to lie to her all the time, and the very geeky but also sort of sweet Oscar. Since the author is a former foster teen herself, she captures Jessica's feelings perfectly. It's hard not to both root for the MC and want to shake some sense into her as she navigates a world of hurt alone when there are so many people around her who would want to help. The book definitely pulls at your heartstrings--it had me in tears by the end. So much to love about this story!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
A book that deftly blends the fun of cosplay and conventions with the more serious topics of mental health and foster care. Jessica has learned the "rules" of foster care--don't get too close to people and try not to cause too many problems. But when she gets a mysterious message from someone claiming to be her birth mother and the possible opportunity to visit her, Jessica breaks every rule on her list. She ends up teaming up with a group of cosplaying kids, hoping to win a spot at a big-time convention in NYC, which just happens to be where her mom is at. Jessica has to navigate her complicated feelings for her mom, who has schizophrenia, her new foster mom, who actually seems like a really nice person if only Jessica didn't have to lie to her all the time, and the very geeky but also sort of sweet Oscar. Since the author is a former foster teen herself, she captures Jessica's feelings perfectly. It's hard not to both root for the MC and want to shake some sense into her as she navigates a world of hurt alone when there are so many people around her who would want to help. The book definitely pulls at your heartstrings--it had me in tears by the end. So much to love about this story!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***