Book Blurb:
The Prince and the Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling author Ashley Poston.
Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year's ExcelsiCon isn't her last, she'll consider her career derailed.
When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That's easier said than done when the girls step into each other's shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these "princesses" race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.
Find out more about the book on Goodreads
My Review:
5 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Heart, Mystery, Retelling, Romance, Teen--
I picked up Geekerella last year on a whim to read because I thought the cover looked cute, but I basically knew nothing about the book. Once I started reading (aka listening to the audiobook) I knew it was love and I ended up grabing a physical copy that same day so I could just finish reading the book that night. Who needs sleep when we can escape into the most fantastic of Fan-worlds? I enjoyed everything about the story, be it the cute Cinderella retelling spin Ashley used, the friendship and banter, but mostly because these are my people. After discovering Firefly (still need more please!), Doctor Who, Harry Potter and Supernatural, why wouldn't you want to have a giant gathering with people who understand? Cons and fandoms speak to me, the new realities and the ability to speak for hours about a completely made up world and speculate fictional character's choices as if you know them personally. Yep, these are my people and Ashley made this into such a realistic experience for me- and it didn't hurt that the romance was adorable. When I leaned fairly recently that there was going to be a second book set in the same world but with a Prince and Pauper retelling twist, I was ecstatic- another chance to geek out? Yes please.
"A stream of people follows Jess from one side of the convention to the other, trickling down into the street like the parade we saw earlier, and I can’t help but smile like mad— because although it isn’t a marching band, this is totally my new favorite trope. A bunch of nerds following a princess in a dress made of galaxies , like a freakin’ Mickey Mouse parade, singing the Starfield theme at the top of their lungs."
I will say though, I struggled with Jess for at least a chunk of the book. I saw her struggle to want to be seen as more, but her hating on fandoms and people who get excited about this world made me want to smack her. But the transition her character took was hands down the best I have experienced in a YA contemporary- maybe ever! She grew and evolved as a character and I loved her, she gave quirky Imogen a run for the money when it came to my love. I think also watching Imogen start to understand what made Jess act certain ways helped me to understand her as well.
There were a lot of things going on in this story, be it a career ending mystery, dealing with a Parent Trap level of switch, self doubt and haters, the intensity of everything happening over a 72 hour time line, the madness of the con- and romances. Both characters had love interests which did not come as too much of a surprise (since the plot easily set it up) but I loved watching them interact and finally admit feelings. I equally cheered on both couples and the HEA (for now) that the story ended with made my heart swell to three times it's normal size with love. Yep, I am a sap and refuse to be sorry about it. It was also nice to Darien and Elle pop up and still be so in love.
As a fangirl who loves her cons and fictional stories and adventures, Ashley did a great job of creating an immersive experience full of quotes and characters from other fandoms. I never thought anything could beat my love of Geekerella, but in complete honesty, The Princess and the Fan Girl was wonderful, just the same amount of perfect as Geekerella but in an entirely different way. The ending was just what I hoped for and I can't wait for my physical copy to show up in the mail so I can hug it close and reread my favorite scenes- repeatedly. I really need there to be a third One Upon a Con series and I will patient wait for that (potentially fictional) day- but a fangirl can hope.
"Look to the Stars!
Aim!
Ignite!"
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