Geekerella

The first book in Ashley Poston's Once Upon a Con trilogy, Geekerella is a Cinderella retelling set around a sci-fi TV show, Starfield, and its annual convention.
This story will resonate with teens who feel the angst and frustration that comes with being mature enough to determine their own futures, but trapped because their parents still make most of the big decisions in their lives. Darien and Elle are both in situations where the adults in their lives are excessively controlling, and they're both almost, but not yet, old enough to escape it. The characters feel authentic, and their friendship and budding romance is super cute. Honestly, all of the friendships in this book are wonderful!
"You don't have to always do everything alone, you know."
Geekerella is just geeky enough—perfect for readers who are major sci-fi fans (and cosplayers) without alienating readers who enjoy sci-fi more casually. I loved the book's themes on friendship, letting others into your heart, being brave enough to go for what you really want, and autonomy. Overall a very wholesome, happy, comfort read. 

Will Geekerella go to the ball? In this loose retelling of Cinderella, the ball is a convention and Prince Charming is the teen heart throb cast in the remake of Elle's favourite show. Not that Elle wants to meet him, but the con was started by her father. Now he is gone, her Starfield fandom is her last connection to him.

Retelling a fairy tale in a contemporary setting isn't easy and I think the wicked stepmother and stepsisters were a bit overdone. Chloe and Cal are huge fans of Darien Freeman, the star in their favourite teen soap, and would do anything to meet him. They don't care about Starfield but they will cosplay their hearts out to win the contest to meet him.

The dynamic of a stepmother and stepdaughter once the biological parents are no longer alive must be a complex one. Catherine makes Elle do most the chores and she's pretty much a servant for the rest of the family. Elle doesn't stand up to her at all and Catherine's meanness feels superficial. It wasn't very realistic but she fits the part dictated by the fairy tale.

The pumpkin is a vegan food truck and I guess Sage plays the part of fairy godmother. There's even a glass slipper. Overall it's a fun and easy to read romance. I get the feeling Ashley Poston is at home in the world of fandoms and it defends people's right to love and celebrate fictional creations. If people find comfort in fictional worlds, leave them to it. Catherine's abhorrence to Starfield is unjustified although there's a tiny crack at the end which suggests it reminds her too much of her late husband. Although as her character is a caricature, it's hard to find much empathy for her. Also, why would a massive geek marry someone who hates geekery so much?

Geekerella also suffers a bit from what I found in Fangirl. Creating a fake fandom means you have to spend time establishing it, but it was also fake in the way it was clearly trying to be something else. For some reason I kept imagining Galaxy Quest! Maybe because it felt a little false.

It was interesting to cast Elle as the kind of fan who can't accept change and goes on rants on the internet. I did feel sorry for Darien and it makes you think about all the rubbish actors go through. Give them a chance before you go on rants about their ability. I liked seeing both sides of the story although the bits about filming on set were a bit lack lustre.