theespressoedition's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Honestly, I thought this would be my favorite book of the series and it comes in last place. Oof.
I was expecting nods to Beauty and the Beast, but there really wasn't anything like that aside from the giant library (which, let's be real, was the best part).
The characters weren't particularly likable. It all felt extremely cheesy (conversations that include serious uses of the not-word "yeet" don't make me want to commit to the story) and yes, yes, I know it's YA, but even still, there were moments that made me cringe.
There were so many JKR/HP references, so if that makes you uncomfortable, I'd avoid this one. It was published at the beginning of 2020, prior to the majority of the scandals with this particular author, but it still made me feel weird as I was reading it.
I don't know. I wasn't really impressed with it at all. I wasn't expecting to adore it or anything, but I hoped I'd at least enjoy it. I'm just glad it wasn't long.
I was expecting nods to Beauty and the Beast, but there really wasn't anything like that aside from the giant library (which, let's be real, was the best part).
The characters weren't particularly likable. It all felt extremely cheesy (conversations that include serious uses of the not-word "yeet" don't make me want to commit to the story) and yes, yes, I know it's YA, but even still, there were moments that made me cringe.
There were so many JKR/HP references, so if that makes you uncomfortable, I'd avoid this one. It was published at the beginning of 2020, prior to the majority of the scandals with this particular author, but it still made me feel weird as I was reading it.
I don't know. I wasn't really impressed with it at all. I wasn't expecting to adore it or anything, but I hoped I'd at least enjoy it. I'm just glad it wasn't long.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
ree_the_owlgirl's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
alisonreadsitall's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
litokeland's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
val_books_of_leisure's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Grief
fiekesfiction's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
This story is super cute. Once again. It is a really cool twist on Beauty and the beast in a way that makes you recognize a lot of elements but it's still original.
I loved the romance. It was great to see Rosie and Vance pining for each other and the whole cute ways they connected and the stupid insecurities and feelings and I loved seeing both perspectives. The audiobook is also really nice!
I also loved the friendships, the main character has a non-binary friend who's trying to win prom and the whole group of friends was cute and super supportive.
The fandom parts are obviously great (apart from at least two unfortunate Harry Potter references) and relatable and I mean it's beauty and the beast so of course there's the amazing AMAZING LIBRARY that I just wanted to be in. I loved how much the main character loved it and the way she talked about it and the way it connected her to other people.
I also loved her dad. He was super nice and happy and a goofy idiot in a relatable way.
I did think the story was very predictable and also some things the main character did were a bit stupid. I didn't really love some things about the ending. BUT still think this whole series is super cute and nice and has very awesome ships and thats cool.
I loved the romance. It was great to see Rosie and Vance pining for each other and the whole cute ways they connected and the stupid insecurities and feelings and I loved seeing both perspectives. The audiobook is also really nice!
I also loved the friendships, the main character has a non-binary friend who's trying to win prom and the whole group of friends was cute and super supportive.
The fandom parts are obviously great (apart from at least two unfortunate Harry Potter references) and relatable and I mean it's beauty and the beast so of course there's the amazing AMAZING LIBRARY that I just wanted to be in. I loved how much the main character loved it and the way she talked about it and the way it connected her to other people.
I also loved her dad. He was super nice and happy and a goofy idiot in a relatable way.
I did think the story was very predictable and also some things the main character did were a bit stupid. I didn't really love some things about the ending. BUT still think this whole series is super cute and nice and has very awesome ships and thats cool.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
Contains multiple references to Harry Potterbookwyrmknits's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoy the Once Upon a Con series, and this installment was no exception. I love the nods to all things geeky, I love the quotes from movies, I love the fairy tale retellings. This one, though, was even better than I had expected.
I guess I just really appreciate a good redemption story. I love the stories where a character can find internal strength she didn't know she had. I love stories with a really good doggo. But more than that, these characters felt more real to me than the previous two books in the series. Those were enjoyable and I liked the characters well enough. But these characters—not just Rosie and Vance, but also Quinn and Annie and Space Dad and Elias—it seems like I know them.
I guess I just really appreciate a good redemption story. I love the stories where a character can find internal strength she didn't know she had. I love stories with a really good doggo. But more than that, these characters felt more real to me than the previous two books in the series. Those were enjoyable and I liked the characters well enough. But these characters—not just Rosie and Vance, but also Quinn and Annie and Space Dad and Elias—it seems like I know them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
pucksandpaperbacks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The main character is bisexual and Rosie's father is also bisexual. Elias is also implied to be queer. There's a non-binary side character, Rosie's best friend, Quinn.
I've read all of Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con series and this is by far my favorite. I loved the elements of grief - personally my favorite trope in books. I loved how meticulously she got every beat from Beauty and the Beast and put a Starfield twist on it. This was such a clever book and I loooved the characters especially Rosie's friend group! I really love this series and this book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Highly recommend
I've read all of Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con series and this is by far my favorite. I loved the elements of grief - personally my favorite trope in books. I loved how meticulously she got every beat from Beauty and the Beast and put a Starfield twist on it. This was such a clever book and I loooved the characters especially Rosie's friend group! I really love this series and this book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Highly recommend
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
mentions of Harry Potter and Hogwarts Houses, death of a parent, grief and loss, small kitchen firesarahandmatilda's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun, quick read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
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