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.
Elle has inherited her love of cult classic TV show Starfield from her dad - her parents met at a con, they cosplayed the main couple from the show, and then Elle used to watch it with her dad after her mum died. But when her dad then died, her step-mother bans it from the house, makes all of their memorabilia disappear and insults Elle and her dad for enjoying that stupid show.
I thought with a nerdy Cinderella re-telling, the fairy tale elements would be stretched or unlikely. But right from the off, you could see the recognisable traits in a modern and believable setting. Elle just wants to enjoy her favourite show and hope that the reboot movie doesn't crush her soul, or that Darien would ruin her beloved Starfield. Darien, meanwhile, desperately wants to do Carmindor justice, having been a huge fan all his life too.
I could tell this was going to be good because there were references to Doctor Who, Star Trek and Firefly in first few pages! It really was a love letter to nerd life - there was no fan-bashing (although some great comments about excessive fans, ambushing or stalking their - for want of a better word - prize), it was all about the community of cons and how you meet and recognise familiar faces and make a family in those who love something you do.
I adored this whole story, from Elle and her desperate need to escape but also do her dad proud, to Darien and his catapult to fame and fortune. It was funny and quirky and so damn sweet, especially seeing not just Elle but one of her step-sisters stand up to the "evil step-mother". It really was a story about being true to you and not letting fear or someone else's expectations get in your way.
Published 4th April 2017 by Quirk Books.
How far is too far when it comes to the people you love? Claire Casey hates being the centre of attention. But if it means getting Sef Malik to notice her, it’s a risk she’s happy to take. Sef is prepared to do anything to help his recently disabled brother. But this means putting Claire’s love – and life – on the line. Because when you're willing to risk everything, what is there left to lose?
Told in two halves, between Claire and Sef, and sort of before and after, we see how both of them grow closer together but also grow as an internet sensation.
Claire has just started volunteering at the local hospital, reading to patients. Her first and main one is Kam, who had a terrible accident that left him in a coma for days. When she bumps into Sef, Kam's younger brother, they are both desperate to do something to help. Only problem is that he needs thousands of pounds to continue with his care and they only have 6 months to raise it.
Both clever and sad, Sef and Claire use the power of social media to raise awareness of their cause but get increasing drastic and dangerous as their deadline looms. I loved the use of YouTube and the under belly of the internet, as they encounter trolls, bullying and dangerous suggestions for dares. It was also lovely and diverse, as Claire's best friend is asexual and Sef's family is... argh, I can't remember but basically non-white (there was a great line about where he's from: "Britain, duh") which also opens them up to nasty comments, both in person and online.
Even though they are trying desperately to raise money for Kam's care, lots of other little issues crop up without feeling overbearing. Things like family, love and sexuality, but also racism, body confidence and disability, both Claire and Sef had to deal with as they get more out of control and reckless in their attempts to raise money.
All in all, this was a fantastic book, an amazing story about love and sacrifice that had my heart in my throat and/or tears in my eyes. Non has once again proven she can write realistic but brilliant teenagers from all walks of life.
Published 1st June 2017 by Walker. Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's theme is something we all have in common: a list of series that we said we were going to read but somehow haven't yet. For whatever reason, the intention is there but the physical books haven't reached our hands yet. I did this list a few years back and a few of them are still on today's list. Whoops!
1 - Across the Universe by Beth Revis
This is one from the previous list and I really have no idea why I haven't picked this up, I mean it's set in space!
2 - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Another one from the previous list and again, I have no good reason for not reading it yet. Shame on me.
3 - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Argh, why have I not read this yet? Honestly, I think this might have passed me by and now my tastes are different, I won't like it.
4 - Blue by Lisa Glass
Heard great things about this series but I cannot find it anyway physically, and honestly, as a non-sporty person, will a book about surfing put me off? Still want to read it though, especially in this heat!
5 - Giant Days by John Allison
Whoo, a graphic novel made the list! This is one book that I am desperate to get my hands on, it's a graphic novel set in university, and the only reason I haven't read it yet is because my comic book shop don't have it in stock!
6 - The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Just a duology but another that I haven't been able to spy in bookshelves so never remember to buy it. Want to though, it's assassins and pirates, I'm happy!
7 - Wool by Hugh Howey
This is one that is supposed to be for fans of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, but it's such a big series! I mean, it's only 3 books but all are over 500 pages!
8 - Defiance by CJ Redwine
We have a copy of this in the library where I work and every time I tidy that area, I eye it up but haven't picked it up yet. I don't know why, maybe I'm just not really feeling dystopians at the moment, but some day!
9 - Rivers of London by Ben Aaronvitch
A friend of mine hails these books and they sounds incredible but once again, I fail at picking up books! Even though they sound right up my alley, I mean it's magic in London, come on!
10 - Soulless by Gail Carriger
This is definitely more my speed with magic in regency times but it's not something I come across on bookshelves very often so I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet.
Rita and Lo, sisters and best friends, have spent their lives on the wing – flying through the air in their trapeze act, never staying in one place for long. Behind the greasepaint and the glitter, they know that the true magic is the family they travel with.
Until Lo meets a boy. Suddenly, she wants nothing more than to stay still. And as secrets start to tear apart the close-knit circus community, how far will Lo go to keep her feet on the ground?
Heathfield's third novel tells of two sisters who are used to sharing everything - until Lo falls for a flattie. Living in a travelling circus, the girls can't get attached or do more than flirt with the locals. But in one little town, a local lad has caught Lo's eye and makes her realise that there is more to life than the circus.
I adored this story, I thought it was beautifully simplistic in its passion for a normal life. I reminded me of Seed in the theme of exploring a different world, a different normal, but more subtle as of course the circus needs their audience. This need for a different normal was driven by Lo, the younger sister, as she starts to daydream about having a garden and a steady home, possibly with Dean. But her family means so much to her that she couldn't abandon them.
The narrative still had Heathfield's signature beautiful writing, especially as she describes the trapeze and that sense of freedom when they preform. In fact the descriptions of the magic of the circus were incredible. But it wouldn't be a Heathfield novel without a twist and this time it was a doozy! The ending really made me cry, not just because it was sad (it was) but because it was so powerful. The whole story was, and it was amazing.
Published 29th June 2017 by Electric Monkey. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish.
This was a surprisingly difficult topic; it turns out that there are even less good fathers than there is good mothers in the books I read! I did find a few great examples and this list will not be any particular order.
1 - Mr Farber and Dr Auburn-Stache in Because You'll Never Meet Me
My first choice is a twofer, as they are in the same book. First, Moritz's adopted father is incredible because he rescued a little boy with weird abilities and a broken heart from his awful mother. Second, the doctor acts not only as healer for Ollie but also friend and only link to the outside world. They are both men who did not father these boys but look after them as if they had.
2 - Dad in One Italian Summer
Even though he's recently died, the girls' father is still such a huge part of their family, especially on their first family holiday to Italy since he passed.
3 - Art in Fangirl
Single parenting twin girls through their mother leaving and then puberty can be no easy feat. But Art manages it. Although there are times when the girls seem to be doing most of the looking after, they are a tight knit family.
4 - Tom in The Last Beginning
I talked about Jen parenting Clove when Katherine and Matthew are off being stuck in time or prison or whatever, and the same stands for Tom, Matthew's brother. He really steps up for the family and Clove, and is a great dad full of good advice and programming skills.
5 - Mr Bennet in Pride and Prejudice
He might not say much but Mr Bennet is the strong structure at the heart of his family, staying calm in the face of his wife's hysterics and his daughters' drama.
6 - Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter
I can't not mention Mr Weasley! Not only is he a great dad to his huge family but also to Harry, and even Hermione and the rest of the Order. He does good work and is passionate about his job and about doing good with the Order.
7 - Hans Hubermann in The Book Thief
Herr Hubermann is kind and brave for taking in little Leisel but also protecting a friend's son, a Jew, from raids. He teaches Leisel how to read and write, he plays one wicked accordion and is willing to go against the Nazis, in small ways.
8 - Aaron in Trouble
This adorable lad is willing to say he is Hannah's baby daddy, to help her and save her face from admitting who the baby really belongs to.
All Susannah Simon wants is to make a good impression at her first job since graduating from college (and since becoming engaged to Dr. Jesse de Silva). But when she’s hired as a guidance counselor at her alma mater, she stumbles across a decade-old murder, and soon ancient history isn’t all that’s coming back to haunt her. Old ghosts as well as new ones are coming out of the woodwork, some to test her, some to vex her, and it isn’t only because she’s a mediator, gifted with second sight.
What happens when old ghosts come back to haunt you?
If you’re a mediator, you might have to kick a little ass.
From a sophomore haunted by the murderous specter of a child to ghosts of a very different kind—including Paul Slater, Suze’s ex, who shows up to make a bargain Suze is certain must have come from the Devil himself—Suze isn’t sure she’ll make it through the semester, let alone to her wedding night. Suze is used to striking first and asking questions later. But what happens when ghosts from her past—including one she found nearly impossible to resist—strike first?
I adored the Mediator series, it was so very funny and what originally drew me to paranormal books, so I was beyond excited to see how Suze had grown up. This time around, nearly ten years later, Suze has another ghost to wrangle, this time of a little girl clinging to her best friend, harming anyone who would hurt her, all the while trying to keep her job and plan her wedding to the gorgeous and very much alive Jesse de Silva.
Jesse was as cool and kind and handsome as I remember! Being bought back from the dead has clearly done wonders for him! Training to be a doctor, what he wanted to be if his father hadn't stopped him, Jesse had embraced modern life and his future with Suze. I mean, he still has old-fashioned values pertaining to certain intimacies that drives Suze bonkers, but apart from that, their life together is shaping up quite nicely. Until the devil returns.
Paul is back in Suze's life and she is not happy about it. I don't know how I feel about the fact that he hasn't changed much; when he was a teenager and all moody and self-obsessed, we could blame hormones, but as a mid-20 year old, he's just obnoxious and dangerously narcissistic. When he says that he'll help Suze with the so-called demon living inside Jesse but only if she sleeps with him, I practically shouted at the book. That's blackmail and not to mention a horrible thing to do! Paul really needs some help learning a little empathy.
I'm not going to talk about the plot too much, because in true Cabot fashion, the two sides of the story intertwine a bit. Plus I really wouldn't want to spoilt anything! I will say, however, that it definitely lives up to the rest of the series. I could tell how much time had passed, and although Suze still had her sarcastic voice and liked to punch first, talk later, she had definitely grown up. She was training to be a child psychologist, meaning she could help the living and the dead better, and for that I was beyond proud of her.
This was such a great read, both new and nostalgic, and full of Cabot's trademark wit and drama. A great ending to what will always be one of favourite series.
Published 2nd February 2016 by William Morrow Paperbacks.
