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fatima_ff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
Okay color me impressed. I don’t like Cinderella or any fairy tale retellings but this one was great. I’ve so much to say. Firstly this book did a great job at characters. No one felt cartoonish or unrealistic. We got a Prince Charming perspective and his own unique story. There were decent supporting characters as well. And everyone was handled well.
Secondly the actual plot and the fairy tale connections. Naturally we need the step family but I hate every retelling making them seem like they’re just cardboard cut out evil creatures. Give them motive. This one did have somewhat a reasoning. Sometimes the reasoning was simply that they’re bullies. And bullies are bullies. Some people are born entitled and cruel and it’s true.
The way the plot and modern day life was cleverly twined together with the original Cinderella story was well done. I mean the little animals, fairy godmother, the pumpkin, the ball, the dress, the slippers, and the happily ever after resolution was very well crafted. And I’m glad the prince had a personality it’s VERY annoying to read these retellings when the male love interests exist to just be love interests. I’m also glad no love at first sight nonsense happened.
I’m pretty satisfied with the resolution as well. Sometimes you need more than just the ‘and the guy took her away’. Pls it’s the 21st century do more.
There were issues with this book like the writing really did just fall off in some places but the plot and pacing more than made up for it. If the writing was better it would’ve just been that extra oomph to the novel.
I’m so excited about the rest of the books!
Secondly the actual plot and the fairy tale connections. Naturally we need the step family but I hate every retelling making them seem like they’re just cardboard cut out evil creatures. Give them motive. This one did have somewhat a reasoning. Sometimes the reasoning was simply that they’re bullies. And bullies are bullies. Some people are born entitled and cruel and it’s true.
The way the plot and modern day life was cleverly twined together with the original Cinderella story was well done. I mean the little animals, fairy godmother, the pumpkin, the ball, the dress, the slippers, and the happily ever after resolution was very well crafted. And I’m glad the prince had a personality it’s VERY annoying to read these retellings when the male love interests exist to just be love interests. I’m also glad no love at first sight nonsense happened.
I’m pretty satisfied with the resolution as well. Sometimes you need more than just the ‘and the guy took her away’. Pls it’s the 21st century do more.
There were issues with this book like the writing really did just fall off in some places but the plot and pacing more than made up for it. If the writing was better it would’ve just been that extra oomph to the novel.
I’m so excited about the rest of the books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Grief and Lesbophobia
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
Thanks to Quirk Books for the free copy of this book.
- GEEKERELLA is just about one of the cutest and sweetest books I've ever read. Not only is it a clever CInderella retelling, but also a love letter to fandom and feeling seen by the stories you love. This is definitely a book to read when you want a cozy hug.
- Occasionally the villians were, well, over the top villain-y, but would it even be a fairytale retelling without that?
- I'm very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series, especially since book two is sapphic!
- GEEKERELLA is just about one of the cutest and sweetest books I've ever read. Not only is it a clever CInderella retelling, but also a love letter to fandom and feeling seen by the stories you love. This is definitely a book to read when you want a cozy hug.
- Occasionally the villians were, well, over the top villain-y, but would it even be a fairytale retelling without that?
- I'm very much looking forward to reading the other books in this series, especially since book two is sapphic!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
nanniclover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Grief
theespressoedition's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'll always be a fan of a good retelling - and of course, Cinderella is a classic. The way the nerdy/geeky theme was woven into this modern version of a tried-and-true fairytale was really cute and clever.
I think what made this particular book stand out was the way it gave us both perspectives - one from the "prince" and one from "Cinderella," which obviously isn't something we see most of the time (and certainly not something we got from the Disney animated film). It helped me appreciate the character growth way more and it grabbed my attention better this way as well.
There was great diversity, which was a huge plus! I think that made me want to read the rest of the series more than anything else about this particular book.
Now that I'm looking back, really the only aspects that lowered my rating were how drawn out certain things were and how I didn't relate to the age group - but of course, that's not the book's fault, I'm just an adult reading YA ;-) It made it all more cute than fantastic if that makes sense?
Overall, I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it - I'm just not totally head over heels obsessed.
I think what made this particular book stand out was the way it gave us both perspectives - one from the "prince" and one from "Cinderella," which obviously isn't something we see most of the time (and certainly not something we got from the Disney animated film). It helped me appreciate the character growth way more and it grabbed my attention better this way as well.
There was great diversity, which was a huge plus! I think that made me want to read the rest of the series more than anything else about this particular book.
Now that I'm looking back, really the only aspects that lowered my rating were how drawn out certain things were and how I didn't relate to the age group - but of course, that's not the book's fault, I'm just an adult reading YA ;-) It made it all more cute than fantastic if that makes sense?
Overall, I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it - I'm just not totally head over heels obsessed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Racism and Grief
lovelybookshelf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
The first book in Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con trilogy, Geekerella is a Cinderella retelling set around a sci-fi TV show, Starfield, and its annual convention.
This story will resonate with teens who feel the angst and frustration that comes with being mature enough to determine their own futures, but trapped because their parents still make most of the big decisions in their lives. Darien and Elle are both in situations where the adults in their lives are excessively controlling, and they're both almost, but not yet, old enough to escape it.
The characters feel authentic, and their friendship and budding romance is super cute. Honestly, all of the friendships in this book are wonderful!
"You don't have to always do everything alone, you know."
Geekerella is just geeky enough—perfect for readers who are major sci-fi fans (and cosplayers) without alienating readers who enjoy sci-fi more casually. I loved the book's themes on friendship, letting others into your heart, being brave enough to go for what you really want, and autonomy. Overall a very wholesome, happy, comfort read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
stormywolf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I came across this one while scanning the Quirk back-catalog, and then saw that it's the first in a series with a 3rd book recently released. Pop culture, con culture, romance, and a fairytale retelling? Yes, please!
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, there's not much more I can say about how I loved this book. Despite knowing the original story inside and out, Poston wove just enough unique elements in and around and through it to craft a newly enjoyable experience. Whether you enjoy romance, YA, pop culture, Hollywood, fairytales, or just geeking out about things you like, there's no doubt you'll find something to love about this story. And I hear the next books do more with Starfield and, so I don't doubt I'll be running with Stargunners again in the near future. Until then, look to the stars. Aim. Ignite. ...And read.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, there's not much more I can say about how I loved this book. Despite knowing the original story inside and out, Poston wove just enough unique elements in and around and through it to craft a newly enjoyable experience. Whether you enjoy romance, YA, pop culture, Hollywood, fairytales, or just geeking out about things you like, there's no doubt you'll find something to love about this story. And I hear the next books do more with Starfield and, so I don't doubt I'll be running with Stargunners again in the near future. Until then, look to the stars. Aim. Ignite. ...And read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Violence, and Car accident
heytherekaity's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse
booksandcat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
noreadingdegree's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
if you love the early 2000s movie a cinderella story starring hilary duff then this is the book for you! it took awhile for me to get into this, but by the end i really enjoyed it.
first and foremost, i adored the fandom/cosplay aspects of this novel. the author's modern interpretations of cinderella were fun and quirky which made for a fun and enjoyable read. this book also hit me in the feels a few times. i also wanted to throw some punches at the stepmom/sisters a few times.
i had a good time reading this book, but there were a few things that kept it from being a favorite. towards the end, the "conflict" was incredibly juvenile and cringeworthy. look, i get that these characters are teenagers, but the cinderella "reveal' is literally her stepsister telling everyone that she was a "geeky loser"....at a fandom convention...during a cosplay ball...seriously? i am getting secondhand embarrassment just thinking about it right now. i also never felt 100% behind elle and darien. i didn't get enough of their interaction on page for me to completely root for them.
first and foremost, i adored the fandom/cosplay aspects of this novel. the author's modern interpretations of cinderella were fun and quirky which made for a fun and enjoyable read. this book also hit me in the feels a few times. i also wanted to throw some punches at the stepmom/sisters a few times.
i had a good time reading this book, but there were a few things that kept it from being a favorite. towards the end, the "conflict" was incredibly juvenile and cringeworthy. look, i get that these characters are teenagers, but the cinderella "reveal' is literally her stepsister telling everyone that she was a "geeky loser"....at a fandom convention...during a cosplay ball...seriously? i am getting secondhand embarrassment just thinking about it right now. i also never felt 100% behind elle and darien. i didn't get enough of their interaction on page for me to completely root for them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia and Grief
Minor: Car accident
main character's parents died and it is often discussed/shown how that has affected her and how she continues to deal with the grief.