booksandpops4000's review against another edition
4.0
I simply loved this book. I did not just love this book because it reminded me of my con life that i missed so much. But i also loved that this book had both twins and also scanvange like experience in this book. You can tell Sam Maggs knows this world super well and def reminded me of a weekend at con. I also really loved the diversity featured in this read. It was such a fun fast pace read and one that put a smile on my face. I also really liked how it did talk about the darker sides of con life and fandom life. If you like books like geekerella, you should pick up this one for sure!
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A con, a quest, and tons of fun!
I just cannot resist books about conventions! I have been to a couple of anime conventions and while I did enjoy myself a lot during those times, it was also a bit too much at times. But reading about it, I don’t have the feel of hundreds of people and way too crowded. XD
This was a delightful and fun read from the POV of three kids (well, one teen I believe, not sure what 9th grade equates to). Cat and Alex, twins and their older sister Fi who is going to experience that con can be very fun. I really enjoyed reading the story and while I was a bit hesitant about Fi’s POV at first (given how she acted in the beginning), I really warmed up to her as the story continued and she became my favourite POV. Followed by Cat who despite some dumb things was still a great character and I loved her drive and how she kept going. Alex was my least favourite, though he also had some points that I liked and I definitely warmed up to him as the story went on.
I loved the friendship (or should I call it more) between Rowan and Fi. I was very much looking forward to those parts and see that grow and see them have fun together.
It was so much fun to follow these characters around the con, see them meet people, befriend people, meet celebs, see tons of fun things, and that Quest thing was just a delight and such a fun initiative and I just wanted to participate in it.
The only thing that kind of ruined it for me was that guy at the convention, I forget his name already because I don’t want to think of him, but he just was the worst. How he treated the kids is not how any volunteer at a con should act. His high/mighty attitude and his gatekeeping was just disgusting and I really hope the con (and any cons for that matter) reconsider hiring him ever again. Because LORD, this is bad.
Though haha, thanks to tags on Goodreads and other places I thought this would be a graphic novel.. it is totally not one. I would have loved some illustrations though.
All in all, a very fun story about a conventions, fandoms, being yourself and finding yourself, doing quests, and having tons of fun. Recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just cannot resist books about conventions! I have been to a couple of anime conventions and while I did enjoy myself a lot during those times, it was also a bit too much at times. But reading about it, I don’t have the feel of hundreds of people and way too crowded. XD
This was a delightful and fun read from the POV of three kids (well, one teen I believe, not sure what 9th grade equates to). Cat and Alex, twins and their older sister Fi who is going to experience that con can be very fun. I really enjoyed reading the story and while I was a bit hesitant about Fi’s POV at first (given how she acted in the beginning), I really warmed up to her as the story continued and she became my favourite POV. Followed by Cat who despite some dumb things was still a great character and I loved her drive and how she kept going. Alex was my least favourite, though he also had some points that I liked and I definitely warmed up to him as the story went on.
I loved the friendship (or should I call it more) between Rowan and Fi. I was very much looking forward to those parts and see that grow and see them have fun together.
It was so much fun to follow these characters around the con, see them meet people, befriend people, meet celebs, see tons of fun things, and that Quest thing was just a delight and such a fun initiative and I just wanted to participate in it.
Spoiler
It was just a shame that a team can win for so many years. Would be fun if there was a rule implemented for that.The only thing that kind of ruined it for me was that guy at the convention, I forget his name already because I don’t want to think of him, but he just was the worst. How he treated the kids is not how any volunteer at a con should act. His high/mighty attitude and his gatekeeping was just disgusting and I really hope the con (and any cons for that matter) reconsider hiring him ever again. Because LORD, this is bad.
Though haha, thanks to tags on Goodreads and other places I thought this would be a graphic novel.. it is totally not one. I would have loved some illustrations though.
All in all, a very fun story about a conventions, fandoms, being yourself and finding yourself, doing quests, and having tons of fun. Recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
jbrooxd's review
4.0
4.5 stars. I am a huge fan of comic conventions and books about comic conventions. And this particular book is a lot of fun. There are three protagonists who tell the story - a pair of twins - Cat and Alex - and their older sister, Fi. Alex is on the autism spectrum which at times makes him hesitant to dive into something new or potentially uncomfortable. He's at the con to help Cat with the Quest and also to meet his animation/art hero. Because of Alex's hesitation, Cat often takes charge and steamrollers right over him, which creates conflict. She's also especially driven to complete the quest, forgetting at times that the whole con is supposed to be fun. Fi is responsible for the twins at the con in order to prove to their parents that she is old enough to go on a group camping trip with the popular kids from school. She thinks the whole con, and by default the rest of her family, is nerdy and beneath her. So there's tons of family dynamics and personal growth points for the three main characters.
At the con itself, all three kids deal with a volunteer/staff person who embodies all the worst stories of con-goers and fans who feel like they are the only "real fan" and these other "posers" are ruining the purity of "their" con. This was pretty realistic and I love how it was handled.
There's a romantic subplot for Fi that surprised me. I'm not used to standard middle grade stories (ages 8-12) having much romance in them. I expect that more in maybe an older middle grade (10-14). Some younger readers might be less interested in that subplot.
Con-goers will see a lot of familiar pieces in this, but nothing too "inside" that will leave kids out who have never been to a con. The author does a great job creatively referring to familiar fandoms without naming them. There's a TON of fun in this book and I think kids will enjoy it!
(LGBTQ+: F/F relationship, references to non-binary characters)
At the con itself, all three kids deal with a volunteer/staff person who embodies all the worst stories of con-goers and fans who feel like they are the only "real fan" and these other "posers" are ruining the purity of "their" con. This was pretty realistic and I love how it was handled.
There's a romantic subplot for Fi that surprised me. I'm not used to standard middle grade stories (ages 8-12) having much romance in them. I expect that more in maybe an older middle grade (10-14). Some younger readers might be less interested in that subplot.
Con-goers will see a lot of familiar pieces in this, but nothing too "inside" that will leave kids out who have never been to a con. The author does a great job creatively referring to familiar fandoms without naming them. There's a TON of fun in this book and I think kids will enjoy it!
(LGBTQ+: F/F relationship, references to non-binary characters)
rbexsareads's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a children’s bookseller, and Sam has long been one of my favorite Internet people, so when I found out she was releasing a middle grade novel, I was nothing short of ecstatic. And it was everything I could have asked for! She beautifully weaves topics like LGBTQIA+ and ASD into a hilarious romp through the fan convention of one’s dreams. I spent most of the book snorting in laughter over her hilarious ways of inserting real life fandoms into this fictional con. This is definitely a novel that I’m going to happily handsell to young readers over and over again. Congratulations, Sam!
rbritt515's review against another edition
4.0
An adorable geeky romp of a book! Between Sam Maggs being the author and the convention setting, I figured this book would have to be pretty great and it definitely was. A middle grade novel about three siblings racing around the worlds biggest con--GeekiCon--trying to win a massive unofficial scavenger hunt put on by one of their favorite TV stars. I loved all the sibling dynamics going on between the geeky twins and the older sister desperately trying to track them down who slowly learns that being true to yourself and the things you love is actually pretty cool. Pretty sure this is the kind of book I would've loved as a pre-teen myself--and definitely would've made me want to track down the nearest con!
thriftylibrarian's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
Just because your parents are cult favorites, it doesn't automatically mean that their kids will be nerds as well. Fiona sure isn't. In fact, she's been invited to the popular kids camp trip. But she's only going to get to attend if she can keep her brother and sister in line while her parents attend their panel.
But Cat and Alex aren't interested. Instead, they want to compete in the unauthorized Quest that runs in the Con every year. But just because something is fun, it doesn't mean it won't be stressful. By the end of the day, all three of them will have some of their preconceived notions upended.
It took me awhile to get into this book but I did like the way the characters grew over the course of the book.
But Cat and Alex aren't interested. Instead, they want to compete in the unauthorized Quest that runs in the Con every year. But just because something is fun, it doesn't mean it won't be stressful. By the end of the day, all three of them will have some of their preconceived notions upended.
It took me awhile to get into this book but I did like the way the characters grew over the course of the book.
labraden's review against another edition
4.0
Twins Alex and Cat are on a scavenger hunt called "The Quest" at a San Diego Comicon style convention called "Geekicon." The long list of items must be accomplished during the convention and involves Alex and Cat in many close calls as they try to avoid their sister, Fi, and an overzealous security guard named James M., who believes the con belongs to him and people like him who are "true comic fans." The possible reward for winning is spending a week with the sponsor Corwin Blake, an actor in the series, Paranormal, and the rest of the cast doing charity work as well as a comic art mentorship.
Con Quest! is a fun ride through a comic convention where different fandoms are represented using unique names like Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who and Star Worlds instead of Star Wars. Alex, Cat, and Fi learn lots of lessons about the importance of family and being who you really are. Also, the story includes autistic and same sex relationship representation. Overall, Con Quest! is an exciting adventure that could be enjoyed by con fans at any level.
Con Quest! is a fun ride through a comic convention where different fandoms are represented using unique names like Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who and Star Worlds instead of Star Wars. Alex, Cat, and Fi learn lots of lessons about the importance of family and being who you really are. Also, the story includes autistic and same sex relationship representation. Overall, Con Quest! is an exciting adventure that could be enjoyed by con fans at any level.
moss5's review against another edition
4.0
Although it is aimed at a younger audience I really did enjoy it, as it included some of my interests and hobbies. It was good as a light read.
shelfrighteous_lex's review against another edition
5.0
Ever been to a comics conference?! They are chaotic and wonderful. Con Quest follows the adventures of Cat and Alex as they attend GeekiCon, the most popular comics conference in the world!
Their one goal while at GeekiCon is to compete in and win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks while at GeekiCon. If they win Cat and Alex, or Team DoubleTrouble, get to meet one of their favorite celebrities!
All the characters in this story experience so much growth in such a quick story. The author, Sam Maggs, does a wonderful job as providing an educational experience with spelling lessons, positivity and representation. Maggs does all of this without it feeling forced, and uses each teaching moment to help move the story along.
This is a fun, fast moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms!
My favorite part?! Trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book, and chuckling at the cleverness
5/5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for this Advanced eGalley!
Their one goal while at GeekiCon is to compete in and win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks while at GeekiCon. If they win Cat and Alex, or Team DoubleTrouble, get to meet one of their favorite celebrities!
All the characters in this story experience so much growth in such a quick story. The author, Sam Maggs, does a wonderful job as providing an educational experience with spelling lessons, positivity and representation. Maggs does all of this without it feeling forced, and uses each teaching moment to help move the story along.
This is a fun, fast moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms!
My favorite part?! Trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book, and chuckling at the cleverness
5/5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for this Advanced eGalley!