Review: Geekerella by Ashley Poston

 

Geekerella

by Ashley Poston

April 4, 2017
320 pages

Goodreads  Indigo
 

Goodreads Summary:

Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. But when she disappears at midnight, will he ever be able to find her again?

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom.

Review

Geekerella is a refreshing modern take on Cinderella~ It's fun and full of cute surprises. There are struggles and hardships but as with any fairy tale, there is a Happily Ever After. Would anyone think otherwise??

Although fairy tales don't exactly happen in real life, Geekerella was so relatable and down-to-earth. It's a sweet story with some difficult moments but nothing too tough. To be honest I was not expecting to find such excellent representation in Geekerella. The fandom love and the clear diversity excited me. So much love for it!

I loved the alternating chapters between Elle and Darien. They really painted a clear picture of the conflict and battles they wage in themselves and with others. It sucked having to see them suppress their own wishes to submit to their "parent's" orders. I was all too happy and eager to see them step out of their comfort zone and grow. "...my dad said that the impossible is only impossible if you don't even try." (ARC, p. 127). I was a little surprised at how easily Elle and Darien accepted the truth about their mystery text pal given they kind of hate each other in real life? Though I think it's really a silly hate-love thing ;) The two of them made for an awkward (at first) but sweet couple.

What I love the most about Geekerella is how Ms. Poston is able to take the classic Cinderella elements and depict them in a modern style. From the pumpkin carriage to the Fairy Godmother to the Ball, every important detail were all still very present in the story. It's different in a creative and original way but still wholly the fairy tale Cinderella.

I didn't completely fall in love with Geekerella but I can't really put my finger on why. Maybe it was because I didn't see the mean guys suffer any consequences? At least nothing to my liking but that's definitely a personal issue. It really didn't detract from my enjoyment of the overall storyline.

Ms. Poston transforms a timeless fairy tale into a novel that will make readers smile, sulk, glare, swoon and laugh in equal measures. I'm positive there will be even more gushing over Geekerella in the days to come~

 

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the Advance Review Copy I received.