Scan barcode
beanie_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Short review: Four stars. Loved this book way more than I expected to. Couldn’t stop listening. It is an adorable, geektastic retelling.
Okay, now for the longer review where I ramble more about what I just said! To show how much I enjoyed this, I mostly only listen to audiobooks while driving, and I would legit find reasons to be in the car longer, such as offering to help get things and taking longer routes, just to listen to this book more.
I have always loved plain character x famous character stories, and I think that’s part of why I’ve always adored Cinderella retellings. Especially modern ones where the famous person is a celebrity rather than a prince. On top of this, I’m a nerd, and I’m proud of it. So seeing Cinderella meets nerd culture... Yeah, I think you understand why I picked up this book.
It says in its blurb that it is a love letter to nerd culture, and I entirely agree. Whereas other books claim to be, they only have nerdy characters, but this book without a doubt is a true love letter to fandom culture.
The made-up fandom of Starfield interlaces every aspect of this story, showing the power of a fandom on not only an individual, but as a moving community force. There was this cheesy moment that kinda had me rolling my eyes, but it also gave me chills at how it showed the unity created by fandoms.
Elle and Darien did great in their parts of Cinderella and Prince Charming, while still being well rounded characters. Their interactions with each other were adorable, hilarious, and sometimes awkward do to some dramatic irony over their situations. I was also very glad to see some depth and issues given to our Prince Charming.
The characters really were great, but it’s just so hard to talk about them without wanting to gush about the nerdiness that just drove this tale, because these characters were extreme nerds, and I just want to gush about that. It was so nice. They were dorks. Very nerdy dorks. And so was so much of their lives. Elle’s mom and dad met at a con where they were cosplaying. Darien thrived upon seeing himself in the main character of Starfield and desiring to be that character one day himself, and so much of his growth centered around getting to play that character.
The side characters were also great and helped our characters along the way. Sage, our Fairy Godmother, was a perfect breath of fresh, sassy air for Elle. Darien’s assistant was adorakable and his body guard hilarious in such a dry way, and somehow these two very different characters made the perfect sort of parental backdrop for Darien.
Honestly, my main complaint is the one main complaint I have with all Cinderella retellings: the step-family. I understand that a core part of the retelling is having a horrid step-family, but it hits the point of annoying for me when they’re so over the top and so irredeemably that it makes zero sense why the oh-so-wonderful father ever would have married the woman. I’m not asking you to make her amazing, but at least don’t make her so 2D evil that her marriage to the father makes no sense.
The other complaint is more minor, and that is that the voices of the two characters could be a bit too similar. Like I’m 90% sure they both said “holy “crazy thing” Batman!” which became really noticeable. Sure, a nerdy thing, but both of them using it so often just felt more like the author’s voice than the characters.
Overall, if you like dorky romances and are a nerdy, fandom loving person, I highly recommend this book. Go read it. Read it right now! It's definitely worth it :D
Okay, now for the longer review where I ramble more about what I just said! To show how much I enjoyed this, I mostly only listen to audiobooks while driving, and I would legit find reasons to be in the car longer, such as offering to help get things and taking longer routes, just to listen to this book more.
I have always loved plain character x famous character stories, and I think that’s part of why I’ve always adored Cinderella retellings. Especially modern ones where the famous person is a celebrity rather than a prince. On top of this, I’m a nerd, and I’m proud of it. So seeing Cinderella meets nerd culture... Yeah, I think you understand why I picked up this book.
It says in its blurb that it is a love letter to nerd culture, and I entirely agree. Whereas other books claim to be, they only have nerdy characters, but this book without a doubt is a true love letter to fandom culture.
The made-up fandom of Starfield interlaces every aspect of this story, showing the power of a fandom on not only an individual, but as a moving community force. There was this cheesy moment that kinda had me rolling my eyes, but it also gave me chills at how it showed the unity created by fandoms.
Elle and Darien did great in their parts of Cinderella and Prince Charming, while still being well rounded characters. Their interactions with each other were adorable, hilarious, and sometimes awkward do to some dramatic irony over their situations. I was also very glad to see some depth and issues given to our Prince Charming.
The characters really were great, but it’s just so hard to talk about them without wanting to gush about the nerdiness that just drove this tale, because these characters were extreme nerds, and I just want to gush about that. It was so nice. They were dorks. Very nerdy dorks. And so was so much of their lives. Elle’s mom and dad met at a con where they were cosplaying. Darien thrived upon seeing himself in the main character of Starfield and desiring to be that character one day himself, and so much of his growth centered around getting to play that character.
The side characters were also great and helped our characters along the way. Sage, our Fairy Godmother, was a perfect breath of fresh, sassy air for Elle. Darien’s assistant was adorakable and his body guard hilarious in such a dry way, and somehow these two very different characters made the perfect sort of parental backdrop for Darien.
Honestly, my main complaint is the one main complaint I have with all Cinderella retellings: the step-family. I understand that a core part of the retelling is having a horrid step-family, but it hits the point of annoying for me when they’re so over the top and so irredeemably that it makes zero sense why the oh-so-wonderful father ever would have married the woman. I’m not asking you to make her amazing, but at least don’t make her so 2D evil that her marriage to the father makes no sense.
The other complaint is more minor, and that is that the voices of the two characters could be a bit too similar. Like I’m 90% sure they both said “holy “crazy thing” Batman!” which became really noticeable. Sure, a nerdy thing, but both of them using it so often just felt more like the author’s voice than the characters.
Overall, if you like dorky romances and are a nerdy, fandom loving person, I highly recommend this book. Go read it. Read it right now! It's definitely worth it :D
delanyama's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
tatertot_reader's review against another edition
3.0
note: I’m not gonna lie, elle and darien’s characters felt very… incomplete to me? just the way elle was always crying and complaining at some points, and then was super defensive?? idk, it just felt a bit odd.
fairynanook's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Super cute YA Cinderella retelling. I enjoyed the geeky elements of this tale. Talk of cosplay, cons, etc. Has lots of the best elements of other Cinderella retellings and I thought it was really cute.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment
nnaaras's review against another edition
3.0
A cute, quick re-telling of the classic Cinderella story, with a fan fiction twist. While there wasn't a lot of depth to the characters and I never really felt invested in the story, I enjoyed how different elements of the original story were re-purposed for the present day. While I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a fangirl and I've never attended a single con, I loved all of the geek references (Browncoats unite!). An entertaining enough read for a long travel day.
nightowl24's review against another edition
5.0
This was amazing, in my humble opinion. The nerd and the Disney princess in my heart are swooning together. I typically do not enjoy YA but this was so so so good. If you want the emotional rollercoaster of wanting to hug some of the characters and then slap some of the others, this is the book! The characters felt real and there is a character for everyone.
civilgurl83's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars
This was a really cute young adult romance. I really enjoyed following both characters and picking up on the Cinderella references. Ashley Poston did a great job subtlety and then not so subtlety sneaking this in. I am not sure if I will continue on with the series, but this one would be great if you are looking for something that is a fast pace read.
This was a really cute young adult romance. I really enjoyed following both characters and picking up on the Cinderella references. Ashley Poston did a great job subtlety and then not so subtlety sneaking this in. I am not sure if I will continue on with the series, but this one would be great if you are looking for something that is a fast pace read.
niya_saliha's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This was well developed - how Darien ended up texting Elle because it was the ExcelsiCon's founder aka Elle's father and the the part about who actually leaked Darien's photos - was really good. Also, the author does a good job of not making Darien's former friend who sold him out or Elle's stepmother as one dimensional. They are not just bad people, just not right people for the MCs.
But, I hate characters who don't stand up to bullies. If I were Ella, I would be putting dish-soap in her stepmom's coffee, hair removal cream in her stepsister's shampoo, itch powder in their bedsheets and underwear and putting sugar in the gas tank. Seriously, Ella was the only one who did anything around the house, she could done so much of fucking with her stepsisters and stepmom. Also, why was she so dumb leaving behind her mom's dress and ExcelsiCon tickets in a place where her step-bitch-sister can get her hands on them? Even that final "taking down" of Chloe the mega-bitch was abysmal. I have had sneezes that did more damage. A totally unsatisfying ending.
But, I hate characters who don't stand up to bullies. If I were Ella, I would be putting dish-soap in her stepmom's coffee, hair removal cream in her stepsister's shampoo, itch powder in their bedsheets and underwear and putting sugar in the gas tank. Seriously, Ella was the only one who did anything around the house, she could done so much of fucking with her stepsisters and stepmom. Also, why was she so dumb leaving behind her mom's dress and ExcelsiCon tickets in a place where her step-bitch-sister can get her hands on them? Even that final "taking down" of Chloe the mega-bitch was abysmal. I have had sneezes that did more damage. A totally unsatisfying ending.
amanda_lee's review against another edition
4.0
4-4.5 stars. This was such a fun quirky read. It's a modern day Cinderella with fandom, and I am all in for that. This is one of my favourite Cinderella retellings.
I absolutely loved the portrayal of the fandom, it felt real and was probably my favourite aspect. I must say, the show in the book sounds really good. I enjoyed all of the characters, they were cute and diverse.
I absolutely loved the portrayal of the fandom, it felt real and was probably my favourite aspect. I must say, the show in the book sounds really good. I enjoyed all of the characters, they were cute and diverse.