BOOK REVIEW | Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Title: Geekarella
Author: Ashley Poston
Series? No
Pages: 320
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Publisher: Quirk Books
Source: I checked out a library copy of the hardcover edition from my local library!

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.

Goodreads 

For a long while, I have been wanting to read Geekerella, and eventually got my hands on it during my spring break. I've always been drawn to the synopsis of the book: a geek take on the classic Cinderella tale. It's the fantasy that I've imagined at times as well: somehow meeting and falling in love with a celebrity that was a fan of the same things I was. Of course, I don't actually think this will happen, but it was fun to read the book and immerse myself in the story! 

Since Geekerella is a Cinderella retelling, there is a pretty big focus on Elle's stepsisters and stepmother. It was interesting to see this play out, and I'm glad that at least one of them had a bit of a redemptive arc. What I liked most about Elle's family, however, was her connection to her father. Both Elle and her father love Starfield, which reminded me much of Star Trek. They watched the show together, and her father even founded a convention. It was really touching to see Elle carry on her father's memory through her love of Starfield, and I think their relationship was done very well!

I also liked the friendships in Geekerella. Elle doesn't have many friends, but she does end up striking a friendship with her co-worker, Sage. Sage and her mother were so supportive, and it was great to see Elle get a support system. I would like to see some more fleshing out of Elle's character though, as we don't learn much about her besides her sexual orientation, her job, and her eventual love of Starfield.

Geekerella is told in two POVs, a technique I love when it is done right, and it was in this book. Darien and Elle are two distinct characters, and I was easily able to differentiate between the two.  I've had times when I'm reading a dual POV book, and can't immediately pinpoint who's POV we are in, or that there point of view tends to blend with another characters. This did not happen at all with Darien and Elle. Despite them both being Starfield mega-fans, their experiences are vastly different and so are their voices. The one concession to this though, is when they are texting back and forth. There was one instance when I wasn't sure who was who, but it wasn't detriment to the plot. 

In general, I love the plot of the book, as I mentioned. The plot allows for some of my favorite things: appreciation of nerd culture, text conversations in books, and angst. There was so much angst, and I was HERE for it! There's just something miscommunication and missed opportunities that gets me so invested in the story! Also, there's no bashing of nerd culture that isn't from an antagonist; instead, nerd culture is celebrated and appreciated. I think it's really important to tell readers that they should not feel silly, juvenile, or ashamed for what they like, and I think Poston delivered.


Despite everything I like about Geekerella, there was just something missing. The book didn't linger with me. Unlike some of my favorites, I wasn't left thinking about the characters or the world that Poston built. Instead, I just went about my day after finishing the book, which is why I ended up with my rating. After reading Geekerella, I am excited to read her newest release, Heart of Iron! 

With that, I give this book 
4 out of 5 Stars!

Have you read Geekerella? What did you think of it?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!