I’ll be honest. I struggled to initially pick up this novel. Based on the title I was able to surmise that it was yet another Cinderella inspired piece. Not that there is anything wrong with the Cinderella storyline — it just seems to be over used. But this novel puts that storyline in a new light.
Geekerella was published by Quirk Books in April 2017. The story follows and is narrated by both Cinderella — Elle Wittimer, a rising senior who shares the same passion for fandom her late father was a part of but is reduced to “community weirdo” by her step-sisters and step-mother— and Prince Charming — Darien Freeman, an eighteen year old actor who is getting the opportunity to be one of his favorite characters in a reboot of his favorite show but isn’t allowed to show his excitement for it. Both of our main characters feel trapped in their own worlds, but long to have the opportunity to just be themselves. Their paths initially cross when a contest involving Elle’s father’s convention, ExcelsiCon, is announced and Darien has no desire to be a part of it for personal reasons. The team behind the con had not taken down Elle’s father’s contact information, which is how Darien tries to take care of his “con problem”. While Elle’s father is no longer around, the number that was his is now hers — thus the initial crossover.
The bulk of the novel is the build up to Elle and Darien meeting at ExcelsiCon. This allows the audience to get a decent grasp on where our two narrators’ headspaces are before the physical meeting. Because of this set up, it makes the “finding Cinderella” part of the story so easy and so quick that I couldn’t help but love it! It’s that aspect that I have always found cringe worthy. How can you not recognize something about the person you danced with?
The fandom culture aspect of the novel is absolutely beautiful! It really drives home the fact that at the heart of all fandoms is the sense of belonging. Not saying that you cannot find belonging outside of fandoms, but those who are typically labeled as “misfits” or “weirdos” find that belonging within the fandoms they are a part of.
The creation of Starfield is something that reminds me of Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl and how a Harry Potter-esque fandom was created for that novel and existed with Harry Potter. In this one, Starfield resembles Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, BUT it exists in harmony with these already established Sci-Fis. Getting glimpses of how the series went and how it connects with the story we are experiencing through Elle and Darien just adds to the fandom culture aspect.
One of the aspects that I found was different than any other Cinderella storyline user was how Elle’s interacted with her step-mother and step-sisters. I feel like it was more apparent that there was just one who was truly against Elle being herself. The other two had their own roadblocks to having a normal relationship with Elle. By the end of the novel it is very apparent why Elle’s step-mother struggles to connect and relate to Elle. It does not excuse how she treated Elle, but it creates an understanding which is something that does not exist in any other Cinderella story. Having one of the step-sisters not be completely against Elle is something that you can somewhat see in other versions of this storyline, but to have it be an actual “I’m going to be my own person” is different. And having this difference makes a difference in Elle’s world view. Because Poston did this, it created a sense of complexity for the otherwise portrayed flat characters, and I believe that it helps this version of the storyline stand above the rest.
I definitely recommend this novel. I experienced it through the audio format, and I think that enhanced my experience. Although I may read, not listen, the novel again and see if my experience changes. But having each narrator have a separate voice helped distinguish the differences of the characters. Initially I was not sure about the voice of Darien, but as it continued I was able to connect the voice to the character.
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