Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Geekerella (Once Upon a Con, #1)

by Ashley Poston

An enchanting YA romance from the New York Times best-selling author of The Dead Romantics.

Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale romance.

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. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi 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’s ever wanted, but the 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.

Reviewed by Kelly on

5 of 5 stars

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Be still my beating, swooning heart. Absolutely loved it.

Danielle is a spirited character and only restricted by her circumstances, the mean spirited woman her father married preceding the passing of her mother and her daughters, equally as malevolent. Her only solace is Starfield, a science fiction series shared with her father and allowing her to honour his memory. Danielle is denied compassion and appreciation, forced into a life of servitude after her father passed. Danielle is gentle, demure, with a kindness neither her new mother or siblings deserve. Catherine, Chloe and Calliope are villainous and authentic to the original fairytale. Thankfully part associate part accomplice Sage is a wonderful support for Danielle. Elle finds comfort in Starfield until vapid actor Darien Freeman is assigned the heroic portrayal of Prince Carmindor and Elle writes a scathing article scrutinising Darien and becomes an internet sensation.

Although Darien is a lonely young man, gentle and in need of positive guidance, his circumstances were extensively due to his aggressive and opportunistic father. In the original television series, Prince Carmindor is a character of colour and a significant inspiration to Darien. The loneliness and betrayal Darien carries is palpable and I was appreciative of the quiet intensity of both Elle and Darien's narratives.

The romance was magnificent. I'm delighted by narratives that reinvigorate conventional romantic tropes, using media such as text messaging as a form of communication. Adolescents and adults spend their lives online and it was captivating experiencing Elle and Darien falling in love. The tentative friendship and intellectual attraction was delicious. I loved being introduced to the Fandom world through both Danielle's and Darien's narration. The passion and enthusiasm was infectious and vividly portrayed.
Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite.
Geekerella is a diverse and modernistic fairytail, charming, delightful and unequivocally captivating.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 7 April, 2017: Finished reading
  • 7 April, 2017: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 7 April, 2017: Reviewed