Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale romance—now with a special Starfield bonus scene! 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 … 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.
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This is a Cinderella story for anyone who has ever been a geeky superfan of something.
* There’s your classic evil stepmother and the poor stepdaughter forced to clean up the house — but who longs to escape. In GEEKERELLA, our heroine Elle is also obsessed with Starfield, a scifi cult classic show.
* The prince is Darien, a young Hollywood star who has been cast in the new movie reboot of Starfield.
* The ball takes place at a nerdy ComicCon–type convention.
* And the pumpkin that transports Elle is actually a vegan food truck!
This was such an adorable, entertaining read that I would recommend to fans of contemporary fairy tale retellings.
If you love Fairytale re-tellings, especially Cinderella ones, just as much as I do then you’ll probably really enjoy this! Also, if you’re into Geek Culture such as Cosplay then there will probably be elements in this book that you can relate to. This also deals with the loss of parents, so it is a little sad, but if you’ve lost both parents already or just one (My dad passed away a few years ago, so this story really struck a chord with me) then this book made it all the more relatable (for me at least) and actually kind of helped with my grieving for a bit, especially if you were both very close to each other and had something to bond over, in this case over a SciFi TV show (reminscent of Star Trek or even Doctor Who) and then creating their costumes of their favorite characters and cosplaying as them (for me and my dad we bonded over the Harry Potter books and movies) at a convention.
Like I said this was a little sad in some parts but it was also really cutesy, fun, and humorous as well! It was an easy read and read pretty fast too, definitely reads like a Rainbow Rowell book, for sure!
Elle and her father used to fan over the show Starfield. Her father even helped create ExcelsiCon, a convention for Starfield fans. After his death, the show helped Elle feel connected to her father. It was also an escape from her stepmother and stepsisters’ spiteful behaviors. When she finds out Starfield is being rebooted, things couldn’t be better. Until she finds out Darien Freeman is going to play Prince Carmindor. But despite her doubts, Elle is determined to go to ExcelsiCon this year and enter the Starfield Cosplay contest.
Darien might be famous, but deep down he is a geek at heart. But the life of a celebrity doesn’t allow him to go to cons without paparazzi and fangirls tailing him. When he has the chance to play Prince Carmindor in the Starfield reboot, he couldn’t be happier. But the fandom doesn’t think he is fit for the role. As rumors and gossip surround him, he begins to doubt himself and who he has become. But then he is roped into going to ExcelsiCon by his manager. And while he doesn’t want to face the mass of teenage fans, he’s going to find something else worthwhile at the con.
I felt for Elle. Every time she tried to get ahead, or choose her own path, her stepmother or stepsisters were in her way. Of course, this goes hand in hand with being a retelling of Cinderella. But it also showed how having a fandom to fall back on can keep a person motivated despite life’s hiccups. The Starfield fandom allowed Elle to share something with hundreds of others who understood her love for the show and helped her feel less alone.
Darien’s story showed a different side to fandom that I never considered. And while the celebrity angle wasn’t as interesting for me, I still appreciated seeing the struggle someone who is a geek may have living in the spotlight. Similar to Elle, the Starfield fandom helped Darien overcome life’s barriers.
Looking for a quick feel-good read that is filled with geekiness? Then Geekerella is the book for you! In this wonderful retelling of Cinderella, the princess is from the show Starfield, the magic pumpkin is a vegan food truck and the ball is the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball. This book spoke to my inner geek! I loved every cheesy line the characters dropped and relived the excitement of conventions through Elle’s eyes. I look forward to more geeky retellings from Ashley Poston.
Geeks unite in this modern retelling of Cinderella! I’ve had this sitting on my TBR list for some time now. I’m glad I finally bumped it up. I really enjoyed it. It was a nice break from my usual reads. I’ve had this sitting on my TBR list for some time now. I’m glad I finally bumped it up. I really enjoyed it. It was a nice break from my usual reads.
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Rating: 5/5 galactic stars!
Elle is a senior high school student who works part-time at a vegan food truck and hopes to be a screenwriter one day. She blogs all about Starfield and is the daughter of ExcelsiCon’s founders – Robin Wittimer. The ExcelsiCon is the biggest Starfield convention in Los Angeles. Taking back her life from her “Cinderella-esque” life, Elle is taking back her life and reclaiming her position as the heir of the convention by winning a costume contest!
Darien Freeman is an 18-year-old actor who is moving up from a teen heartthrob/television soap series actor to a major movie franchise lead character where legends are born. He recently got the role of a lifetime – the lead role in the cult movie, Starfield! Part of his job is to sell his role to the world – that he is the “right fit.” One of the “stunts” to convince the viewers is to be part of the ExcelsiCon.
What happens, in the end, all boils down to the reveal at the convention. Expect a lot of building up before wherein preparing for the convention seems like training for the Olympics – a lot of cosplay research and creation are what die-hard conventionist would do. Full-on costumes, fan fanatics, and a whopper ending!
Note: Before anything – coming into Geekerella, I had my hesitations about diving into everything, and anything “geek” that I might either get (1) lost, (2) hate it, or not appreciate it. I am sure some readers who read the synopsis may feel the same way. I am here to clarify now – Yes, there will be a lot of geek slang, lingo, comments, assumptions, etc. but they are not far-fetched for a con-novice. The author made sure of this in references and hints.
So what am I saying? Without a doubt, GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY!
It is a unique take on the Cinderella story – Grimm’s Aschenputtel version. The jargon has a mix of current and 80s/90s themes going. I love it, and it was not too much, which I appreciate.
The story is told from both Elle and Darien’s POV and gives a well-rounded approach. The writing is catchy and easy to relate to all the characters – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It feels like a romantic comedy with a dab of suspense and drama that will put readers on a roller coaster of emotions.
The plot reminds me so much like Sliding Doors, You’ve Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle in the mix. If you can merge those and throw in young love and innocence, you’ve got Geekerella. I LOVE IT!
Elle and Darien’s chemistry sizzles in a cute, YA way that will have you all believe in penpals, blind dates, and finding connections in the unknown. Darien and Elle’s stories move in parallel – Darien in his Hollywood world while Elle in Charleston, both worlds will converge at ExcelisCon.
Elle, the female protagonist, does many things of her own free will versus climbing higher in society, unlike her stepmother and stepsisters. Ella is smart, emphatic, and sentimental to a fault. But, she is also strong and formidable even when “push comes to shove.” She stood up for her friends and brought them all into a “family” that she thought she lost. They might not be related by blood, but they have each other’s backs.
Darien had to learn to stand up for himself at some point. The wake-up call came at a devastating time for him, but it did “snap” him out of the rut. He did well in defending Elle in so many scenes that even if things didn’t immediately dawn on him that they have “a connection.” His outward persona is NOT what Elle and the rest of the world know him to be.
There are your expected wicked stepmother, stepsisters, and some unexpected villains in the end. The book has a great cast and made it all the worthy-read.
Sage, Elle’s sidekick, was precious! She’s the Clide to Elle’s Bonnie and the way she handles the Magic Pumpkin truck, especially at the end.
The story is so gut-wrenching versus Disney or any other film story since each piece of Elle’s father’s things brought her into an emotional state – a state of loss that anyone could relate. All of the revelations come with the reality that Elle goes to ExcelisCon and does meet Darien.
There is a lot of drama and gut-wrenching moments even before the convention. I love how the author unknowing draws readers into the world of Starfield, which made me take my time with this book. This book took me longer to read because I tried to savor as much. After all, it all put me “on edge” for the conflict. I also cried ugly/buckets that were no joke. The ending is HEA, but I appreciate how the author had it all done – complex, gritty, honest, and real.
In summary, I highly recommend Geekerella (and series)! Pop culture of the 80s, 90s, and today readers will surely gobble this book up in an instant! Its ode to the classic tale will be a welcome addition to the book community wherein the author grabs new insight and shares this with the world.
The book teaches us all about hope, dreams, and to be true to ourselves. Material things are nice to have, but they do not define us. We all need to find our “Princess Amara” and “Prince Carmindor” and shine as bright as the stars!
I cried buckets, and I am sure that I will keep remembering this book for years to come!
I am cheering for this series and congratulates the author on a beautiful and memorable start!
For any lover of geek/nerd culture, you will not want to miss this book. Ashley Poston put in so many fun references and this book had me laughing out loud from start to finish. Elle and Darien’s love story is super sweet and satisfying, the friendships are wonderful and there are some great “life lessons” tucked in underneath all the laugh out loud humor. While I enjoyed the whole Once Upon A Con series, Geekerella was my favorite. A perfect nod to geek culture & a super satisfying, sweet romance!
A Cinderella retelling with a fandom backdrop. Loved it!
Initial Review:
So, this is not the cleanest edit and it’s not Literature, but I grinned from ear-to-ear the entire time I was reading. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended but at the same time, I didn’t want it to end. It’s an adorable retelling of Cinderella set in the geeky fandom world, and I loved every minute of it.
Current Review:
I read this while I was on my ridiculously-extended blogging/reviewing break, and I loved it so much, I had to record something on GoodReads. It’s not much, but there’s a lot of love in those three sentences, I promise you.
Coincidentally, author Ashley Poston was scheduled to do a signing at Malaprop’s, my local bookstore, within weeks of when I finished the book. I had downloaded the e-book from my digital library, but I had to go to the signing and buy a copy for myself. I was old enough to be the average audience member’s mother, but I held my head high and geeked out with the rest of them. Ashley was just as fun and geektastic as I expected.
After buying my book and getting it signed, I promptly pressed it into the hands of everyone I know, telling them they would love it because it was so adorable. They all read it and professed to agree with me. Maybe they were just trying to make me happy, but I choose to believe they really meant it. This is a feel-good story that still makes me smile when I think about it two years later.
Cute and geeky kind of romance with just enough of a plot going on.
I liked this modernized version of Cinderella, and I liked the characters quite a lot- even as Darien was a bit of duchebag at some points.
I can definitely say that I liked the fact that in this case the “prince” had a backstory of his own, and that he showed enough of a human side when he struggled with his life choices and family.
It was quite the cliche story, but it was fun to read about.
Charming as all-get-out. Absolutely thrilled my little fangirl heart.
I struggled with the first half of this book. Lots of information and references to Starfield, the fictional TV show in the book. Plus LOTS of pop culture references. I liked them but it felt like a little too many.
But the second half really pulled me in as we got more from the main characters and the supporting cast.
Loooooved it! Totally understand now why it sells so well at the middle school’s Scholastic Book Fair (to the older grades). A perfect geekdom, Cinderella vibe, friendship, inclusive cast of characters, and romance. Yesssss….
Love this fairy tale retelling with a comic con twist.
Adorable fandom themed Cinderella retelling! All the fandom love is spot on!
We follow along with Elle who gets a mistaken text from a stranger that become a best friend and maybe even more. Who doesn’t relate to having close friendships with people you only know through text and social media?
This book gives me all the feels, from interacting with the vicious stepsister, the comfort of finding that true friend you can always geek out with, the triumphant confidence of accepting the geek within, and the absolute joy of getting the guy who loves you and all your geekiness.
If you love Retellings and are apart of any fandom anywhere I think you’ll enjoy this fun quick read!
Listened to the audio book
A great book for teens and young adults. Cute story, very Cinderella-ish. Nice ending, she does get her HEA.
This book is awesome! I totally got lost in it while I was reading! Just everything about the book was amazing! The wonderful characters, the fandom, the cosplay, and the evil sisters 😀