I came across this book quite by accident. I was drafting a post on How to Get Started with Audiobooks, and I wanted to be thorough and include a lot of examples and recommendations, so that it’s not just an info dumpy post, but something that people who want to get started with audio-books can actually use.
So for ‘research’ I was looking up new-to-me fiction books (reason will be much clearer in the aforementioned audiobook post), and I landed on this book, so I thought let’s give it a whirl, and it turned out to be quite an unexpected delight.
Geekerella – What’s it about?
Geekerella in a nutshell is a love letter to fans, fandoms and nerd culture all over the world.
Think about it this way.. if Fandoms & Fairytales got married and had a baby, that adorable child would be Geekerella.
Elle
The book revolves around Elle, our modern day Cinderella, who lives with her evil stepmother, and 2 evil step sisters, while she is still grieving the loss of her father, whom she was really close to. She feels unwanted, unloved, isolated, and wants to escape her stifling environment.
But before she can figure out a more permanent escape route, she finds her escape in the fandom of her and her parent’s favorite tv-show – Starfield (which sounds like a cross between Star Wars & Star Trek, but I am not sure).
The story begins with the announcement of a Starfield movie, and the casting details for the big screen version of the much loved TV show.
However, Elle is heartbroken over the choice of casting for Starfield’s male lead – Federation Prince Carmindor, who will be played by Darien Freeman, a teen heartthrob, but someone whom she doesn’t consider a serious actor.
Darien Freeman, and his insured abs (yes, you read that right), might make for good magazine covers, but according to Elle, he is someone who lacks the depth to play her all-time favorite character.
Oh and did I mention that she also writes a blog called Rebel Gunner, where she talks Starfield all the time? No? Well she does, and for now uses it primarily to critique Darien Freeman’s every single breath.
Darien
Meanwhile, Darien Freeman couldn’t be more excited to be cast as Carmindor for the big screen. Because even though he might be every teen girl’s dream, what with his Hollywood good looks, and his larger than life persona, he is secretly a huge Starfield fanboy himself, and the chance to play Federation Prince Carmindor is his dream come true.
Which is why, it bothers him that the self proclaimed true fans of the show, with the Rebel Gunner blogger leading the charge, have written him off as just another pretty face, before he could even prove to them that he does care about doing the role justice as much as any of them, if not more.
Serendipity
Then due to a very convoluted set of events and circumstances, our two protagonists start texting one another, while being completely unaware of whom they are actually communicating with.
Add to this, an orange Magic Pumpkin vegan food truck, a cosplay competition and ball, amazing friendships, and endless geeky references, you have this book, which is a tribute to fans and fandoms all over the world.
The Things I Loved About This Book
- I have to admit that I loved the concept to begin with. I was extremely interested in finding out how the author had managed to mix fairy tales and fandoms, and I must say that she has done a pretty good job.In-fact this book is nerd heaven. If you have ever been a true fan of a book/show, and have been actively involved in a fandom, you will eat this up. It made me nostalgic about the days I used to geek out about Harry Potter with my real and virtual friends. Plus the narration ensured that I literally flew through this one.
- And though this book is trope heavy, it has some tropes that I quite enjoy. For instance, I am a sucker for the You’ve Got Mail kinda plots, where the protagonists aren’t aware of whom they are communicating with, though they are either aware of the existence of that person, or know that person in real life.
- There is also amazing lesbian representation in this book. It is treated, as it should be treated, like normal.
The Not-So-Great Things
- The writing is kinda juvenile. It did not bother me as much because I heard it on audio, but it might bother people who care about this, and read this in print.
- It stuck too close to the source material Cinderella, so much so that the step mum and sisters came across as caricatures rather than real people.
- The male lead, as adorable as he is, is not realistic. I don’t always fret over such things, but this guy, he had the looks of a Greek God and the money and fame to go with it, and yet I must have a bigger ego than him! Also, his abs were insured! Yes, you can read that line again. But I don’t know how that even works, so don’t ask me.
- There were some loose ends that needed to be tied up, which the author just ignored.
But…
But you know how some books make you want to turn a blind eye to all the negatives, and less-than-perfect things about them, and just bask in their amazingness (and create non-existent words like amazingness)? Geekerella was that book for me. And it might not be for you, but for me, it was.
However, I feel like if you have ever been a true fan of any book/series, and have been an active part of a fandom, you will love this book, just as much as I did.
You will overlook the tropes and the loose ends, and enjoy this tribute to fans, geeks, and nerds all over the world.
GET THIS BOOK HERE:
Amazon One Link: Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Amazon India: Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
That’s all from my end folks. I would love to hear from you. Have you guys read this book? What did you think of it? Also, have you ever been an active part of a fandom? I would love to hear your experiences. Let’s chat in the comments!
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Shailaja Vishwanath
What a fascinating book! I got the you’ve got mail feel even before you mentioned that in the post. That was a delightful movie.
Would I read it though? Hmm, hard to say. Maybe a one time read.
Also, did you mean tropes instead of troupes?
Shailaja Vishwanath recently posted…The Gratitude Habit: How it helps me
Shanaya Tales
Yes, I did mean tropes, instead of troupes. My bad, fixed it. Thank you so much!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Mithila Menezes @fabulus1710
Many geeky references in this book? You’ll like The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love by Sarvenaz Tash too then!
Geekerella is on my TBR since some time, and I’m still undecided about whether I should read it or not. The geeky references is not the problem, but I feel I may focus too much on the negative aspects and ignore the nice ones.
Mithila Menezes @fabulus1710 recently posted…Position Vacant: Best Friend
Shanaya Tales
The Geekβs Guide to Unrequited Love? I am already in love with the title, so definitely going to check out the book. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Jenny @ Reading the End
Awww, this sounds so sweet and dear! I can’t wait to give it a try, and I’m glad to be forewarned that some of the characters are underdeveloped. Now I can go into it with that in mind and just enjoy its tropey fannish wonderfulness. π
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Shanaya Tales
Oh yes, as long as you keep your literary expectations low, and read this to indulge in the tropey/fannish awesomeness, you’ll be just fine.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Anni S
Sounds like a book I would like! Will definitely check it out! Thanks for sharing π
Have you heard of the “Country Club Murders” series? I love it: http://www.grapefruitprincess.com/2017/08/watching-detectives-book-review.html
Shanaya Tales
I am glad you found it interesting. And no, I haven’t heard of the Country Club Murder series, but I’ll look it up now. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Sid
The title sort of reminds me of ‘Bridezilla’ for some strange reason π
Not exactly my genre – but sometimes I don’t mind some light reading (or listening!)
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, it’s definitely a light-hearted, fun read, when you’re in the mood for one. π
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
Lata Sunil
It was fandom that got me into blogging and tweeting. My favourite actor shut down his FB page and was on Twitter only. So I followed him. It was fun fighting for him. No trolling, of course. So I know how the fandom behave. Where did you find this audio Book?
Shanaya Tales
In US it is available in the libraries via Overdrive or even through Audible. But some folks are telling me that it doesn’t work that way in India, so I’ll check on that get back as I find out more.
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Obsessivemom
PS: Just went through the comments and I had to come back and commend your review – it is so neutral and you’ve laid out the good and bad so clearly that readers can decide on their own whether they will like the book or not. That’s just how unbiased a review should be.
Obsessivemom recently posted…A Man Called Ove β A Review
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Tulika. Thanks for coming back on here to let me know. It means a lot. π
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Obsessivemom
Despite the list of ‘Not so great things’ I love the sound of this one. I haven’t outgrown fairytales. Maybe it’s because of the kids that I’ve learnt to enjoy them all over again. Anyway, this sounds good. I can well imagine Darien not having an ego, I’ve seen people like him. As for the abs being insured, it is not unheard of among celebs – J Lo has an insured ‘posterior’ for want of a better word :-), and another actress has insured her legs – I forget who that is. So there. I’ll like this one. The thing is where/how do I get the audio version? Not so keen on the book because I suspect the juvenile writing might be the single downside. for me.
Obsessivemom recently posted…A Man Called Ove β A Review
Shanaya Tales
Wow! I had no idea about JLo, or about that other person insuring her legs! Well then insuring the abs doesn’t seem that far-fetched. Truth is truly stranger than fiction at times!
Audiobooks via audible? Isn’t that available in India? If not, let me look this up, and I’ll get back to you.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – Book Review
lisa thomson
This: “…you know how some books make you want to turn a blind eye to all the negatives, and less-than-perfect things about them, and just bask in their amazingness…” Those are rare gems and yes, I kind of like that the plot or characters aren’t perfectly laid out but something about the book keeps you wanting more.
I haven’t heard of this book so thank you for introducing it. I was a Harry Potter fan but only b/c my kids both loved him…so I read all four. Did not get to the fifth. Sadly, I don’t think the kids kept the book collection. Also, love You’ve Got Mail and never tire of the movie LOL.
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, Harry Potter and You’ve Got Mail seem to have universal appeal. π
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Soumya
Everything that Rachna said above ^^.
You are definitely gonna be a queen of all genres soon π
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Shanaya Tales
Hehe..thank you, Soumya. π
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Shilpa Garg
It’s been a while since I read fairy-tales and haven’t been a part of any fandom. So seems like a book I wouldn’t mind exploring. Also that I have audio books as part of my reading challenge, I might pick this up. Thanks for sharing, Shantala.
Shanaya Tales
That’s great to know. I hope you like it, Shilpa. π
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Corinne Rodrigues
Such an interesting concept, but I’m not sure I would give this a listen. I am an auditory learner so audio books do have an appeal – but I’m partial to British accents! π
Shanaya Tales
Ah I see. Yeah, well I am not partial to one accent over the other. I enjoy them all, so long as I can understand them. But I get the fascination for the British accent. It has its special charm.
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Rajlakshmi
How do you manage to find such interesting books? I am really back at picking a good title. I am in love with the concept… It’s very unique and nothing like the storylines I have read till now. Your reviews is as always stellar π
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Raj. π
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Rachna
This is one genre that does not really appeal to me. And audiobooks have never worked for me. How do you keep your attention glued? My mind just wanders. π
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Shanaya Tales
Haha, I have some tips for focusing on audio-books. Need to actually publish the post, lying in my drafts for too long.
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Nabanita
Never been an active part of fandom. But growing up fairytales were something which fascinated me. This book sounds interesting. Will keep this in mind the next time I’m looking for books.
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Shanaya Tales
I am glad you liked it. It’s a fun read. π
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