Book Review: Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Title: Geekerella (2017)
Author: Ashley Poston
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance and Retellings
Publisher: Quirk Books
Release Date: 4th April 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Reviewed by: Lois

Synopsis:

Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic science-fiction 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 has 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 follows Danielle Wittimer, also known as Elle, the geek girl who adores the TV show Starfield, a sci-fi series she watched with her late father. Her father was the creator of ExcelisCon, a Starfield convention that Elle attended every year. This is the first year that Ella plans on going to the convention since her father died. Her plan is to enter the cosplay contest and win.

We also follow Darien Freeman, the teen actor who used to love attending ExcelisCon, before he became famous. Darien always dreamed of playing Prince Carmindor in Starfield, but he has been written off by the Starfield fandom. Darien feels like he is a fake as his meet and greet at ExcelisCon draws nearer. This is until he meets a girl who changes his mind.

This books pulled my heart out, stomped on it and put it right back. I loved this book a lot! I had avoided picking up this book for a long time as I do not like fairy-tale retellings. What a huge mistake I was making to not have read this book sooner. The Cinderella retelling is so subtle that I completely forgot that this was a retelling. It could easily have been classified as a noel with some references to Cinderella. I think this helped me to enjoy the books even more as the retelling aspects didn’t take me away from the story.

I loved how Darien and Elle’s stories intertwined. I got lost in their storylines. Elle was an excellent representation of geek girls; she was a huge part of the Starfield fandom and has her own blog dedicated to Starfield. Elle is also having to deal with her horrible stepmom and bratty stepsisters. I loved how hardworking and determined Elle was to win the cosplay contest and get herself a new life away from her stepmom. Darien stole my heart! He has been given the opportunity of a lifetime but doesn’t quite know who he is just yet. I loved how Darien spent the length of the story figuring out who he is and what he wants to do with his life.

Ashley Poston has done an excellent job of writing the fandom aspect of Geekerella. Ashley manages to sprinkle a lot of pop culture and fandom references throughout the story that I loved and I feel added to the story. The Starfield fandom that Ashley created has me hooked, I wanted to watch the show so badly. Starfield was special to both Elle and Darien and it helped to bond Elle’s parents, Elle and her father as well as Elle and Darien. I would love a Geekerella movie as well as a Starfield TV show. Ashley’s writing is so powerful I was convinced Starfield was real.

This book instantly landed a place on my top ten favourite books of all time. It is such an adorable book, with an added f/f romance which I loved. Geekerella is a love letter to fandoms and is a book I never knew I needed. Geekerella honours fandoms.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. I couldn’t put it down. If you are looking for a book on fandoms with added Cinderella aspects, this is the books for you.

Thank you to, Quirk Books, Ashley Poston and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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Until next time,