A review by imaginationindex
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

First and foremost, let’s acknowledge this author is problematic. I really appreciate the feedback some book friends were able to give me as I hadn’t done my own research before diving in and thought this author was not included on those lists. But here we are 😞 Thankfully I had thrifted this book and plan to do so after. 

I did not consider the above factor in my rating, though if you plan to read, please borrow from your local library. 

The story is somewhat relatable, for all us fans who want to take the characters we love so much and keep them safe and sound in our own worlds. I am surprised there wasn’t more interaction with the fan community, like even some chats for editing her fic or meet ups with other fans, but I guess not every fangirl is like the others. Cath as a character was more accurate to how my first year of uni went, why would I need friends when I have all my fictional ones? 😅 But she’s anxious, she’s young.

Speaking of age, who is this book targeted to? It was almost innocent and then a few f-bombs were thrown in? It’s not exactly a criticism, more so asking for a friend 🤷🏻‍♀️

Getting into it, this story focuses on Cath and her obsession with the Simon Snow series, especially as a popular fan fiction writer (with thousands of hits only I could only dream of) and a cute satire of Harry Potter (which came to fruition in Carry On a few years later). A coming of age story where she navigates college, a touch and go roommate as well as life without her twin (Wren is still alive, she’s just not her built-in roommate). Levi enters the fray, a very cute, older college boy and Cath might have more to focus on than Simon/Baz slash, rather her own romantic plot line.

Things you should stay for:
  • Creative twin naming conventions 
  • Roommate Reagan: yeah she does call Cath pathetic, but at the end of the day this girl is ride or die. At the expense of a few taunts, I would room with her too! 
  • Sister sister: As someone who knows two sets of twins, the writing was accurate. Trying to be your own person while there is a copy and paste of you walking around (and let’s be honest everyone has a favourite twin)
  • Harry Potter satire (especially fans of the 4th movie know what I’m talking about)
  • Fun author professors who are role models and mother figures
  • The user wannabe author getting what’s coming to them 

Things you might not want to stay for:
  • Unrealistic boyfriends in Contemporary fiction
  • Outdated 2012 cringe references (TW: K*yne)
  • Cath is starting her young adult life out, but the mistakes she makes are dumbfounding. P.S. If you are given a second chance at uni, you take it!! 
  • Reading fan fiction aloud. WHO. DOES. THAT.
  • An assignment done the night before receiving top marks. That is a bunch of BS, professors can tell. 
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