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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
See more of my reviews on my blog the Book Deviant
Accurate in the ways of the fandom
In other novels that I've read of "fandom-culture", they always make it out to be something it's not. They always forget about those horrible people who think they're better than everyone else because of something, and those people who always complain about how little skill they have when actuality they're amazing. There's always those small quirks that people never see unless you're there, but are always there no matter the fandom. Books that go into "fandom-culture" never get it.
Gena/Finn got it. Moskowitz and Helgeson managed to nail most things on the head. Not only did they get all the small quirks, but they also managed to spin in a multitude of different ideas and plots skillfully so that I was rarely confused. In all honesty, the only points where I was confused was the very beginning, when I was still getting used to the way the story was formatted and told. You got to know the fandom the author's created for this book, without being completely submersed in the information. You got enough to understand what they were speaking of, but weren't forced to enter the fandom to enjoy the book.
Surprise diversity!!
As I said before, I started this book mainly because I had heard it was about fandom culture. Getting further into it, however, I slowly realized that this book was more than just that. Bisexual girls. Polyamorous relationships. A Jewish main character (Gena). And mental health. All of this, all of it, is #OwnVoices to some degree, confirmed after a conversation I had with Moskowitz. I had no idea that this book would include these details, so I was gleefully surprised upon realizing that this book included such inclusion.
The plot was such a trip, too. There were so many twists and additions that made this book not only relatable but an amazing book in general. I loved the characters, because they're written so well that you feel like you know them.
While the ending was very unexpected, it was also intense. I wasn't expecting the level of intensity that came with the last 50-ish pages, and that should be warned about. I know a lot of people weren't expecting this change of pace, and docked stars because of this, but I thought it added a whole new meaning to the novel, making it more than just about fandom.
five stars - Overall?
This book was a complete surprise to me, considering I just picked it up on a glance. Literally, I wasn't planning on getting anything while at the library, but I decided: Why not? Gena/Finn was an intense book written in a unique and enhancing way, beautifully improved with a spread of diversity.
Would I Recommend?
I would fully recommend this book to anyone. Especially if you have ties to "fandom", it's extremely relatable and hilarious just for the fact of how accurate it is.
Accurate in the ways of the fandom
In other novels that I've read of "fandom-culture", they always make it out to be something it's not. They always forget about those horrible people who think they're better than everyone else because of something, and those people who always complain about how little skill they have when actuality they're amazing. There's always those small quirks that people never see unless you're there, but are always there no matter the fandom. Books that go into "fandom-culture" never get it.
Gena/Finn got it. Moskowitz and Helgeson managed to nail most things on the head. Not only did they get all the small quirks, but they also managed to spin in a multitude of different ideas and plots skillfully so that I was rarely confused. In all honesty, the only points where I was confused was the very beginning, when I was still getting used to the way the story was formatted and told. You got to know the fandom the author's created for this book, without being completely submersed in the information. You got enough to understand what they were speaking of, but weren't forced to enter the fandom to enjoy the book.
Surprise diversity!!
As I said before, I started this book mainly because I had heard it was about fandom culture. Getting further into it, however, I slowly realized that this book was more than just that. Bisexual girls. Polyamorous relationships. A Jewish main character (Gena). And mental health. All of this, all of it, is #OwnVoices to some degree, confirmed after a conversation I had with Moskowitz. I had no idea that this book would include these details, so I was gleefully surprised upon realizing that this book included such inclusion.
The plot was such a trip, too. There were so many twists and additions that made this book not only relatable but an amazing book in general. I loved the characters, because they're written so well that you feel like you know them.
While the ending was very unexpected, it was also intense. I wasn't expecting the level of intensity that came with the last 50-ish pages, and that should be warned about. I know a lot of people weren't expecting this change of pace, and docked stars because of this, but I thought it added a whole new meaning to the novel, making it more than just about fandom.
five stars - Overall?
This book was a complete surprise to me, considering I just picked it up on a glance. Literally, I wasn't planning on getting anything while at the library, but I decided: Why not? Gena/Finn was an intense book written in a unique and enhancing way, beautifully improved with a spread of diversity.
Would I Recommend?
I would fully recommend this book to anyone. Especially if you have ties to "fandom", it's extremely relatable and hilarious just for the fact of how accurate it is.
I really like this format and the realistically flawed characters and THAT THIRD PART BROKE ME
The first half of the book was fun to read and is very relatable for anyone that's part of a fandom but then the thing happens and it becomes very dramatic and a lot heavier to read, and it didn't bring anything to the book or the plot. On the contrary, I felt like it confused the message... Because in the end I'm wondering what this book was really about?? It deals with a lot of different subjects but just brushes over them.
It wasn't a bad read but I'm frustrated.
It wasn't a bad read but I'm frustrated.
Oh man. I desperately wanted to love this book. I’m a fangirl for several franchises, I’ve written fanfics (hey it’s good writing practice!), and I lovelovelove non-traditional story formats like this one. Gena/Finn is told in emails, texts, IMs, and similar formats. It sounds like it would be right up my alley.
So, so wrong.
Where to begin? Well, I always like to start with something nice, so I can say the title is a cute nod to fanfiction. When writers are posting their stories, they use a / to designate particular pairings. Subtle and sweet and an excellent choice.
Now for the not-so-good. First off, the characters were confusing. It makes sense why they might be—each main character had a real life name and online pseudonym or three.
Full review at A Writer Reads.
So, so wrong.
Where to begin? Well, I always like to start with something nice, so I can say the title is a cute nod to fanfiction. When writers are posting their stories, they use a / to designate particular pairings. Subtle and sweet and an excellent choice.
Now for the not-so-good. First off, the characters were confusing. It makes sense why they might be—each main character had a real life name and online pseudonym or three.
Full review at A Writer Reads.
WTF was that?
I am honestly confused.
Okay, I usually wait a little bit and maybe write up a review for my blog first, but I am about to get so spoiler-y, so this will just have to do, okay?
For starters, I had heard of this book in passing but was never exactly interested in reading it until I saw it land on the list of Best Books of 2016 (so far) on Book Riot. When I learned that the story was told completely through emails and blog posts and texts, I was ready for a quick read about a fast fangirl friendship that just might be turning into something more. And I was really enjoying it until...
It was interesting that Gena was a "child star" who left the scene for very serious reasons (like, paranoid schizophrenia, which doesn't get touched on nearly as much as it possibly should, because hi that's SERIOUS) and just so happened to know one of the main actors (Zack/Jake) of her favorite show because they had worked together in the past. They get back in touch and jokingly call each other big bro and lil sis, but I will admit I was getting weird vibes there. It was cool that she was going to be on the show...but still...
And then they had to throw THE FUCKING FIRE IN? They had to injure cast members and KILL a few of them, including her former co-star/friend of the show. This character DIED. It just HAPPENED. And it was like, woah, why did this shit get so serious? After that happens, Gena understandably is shaken up. She hasn't been taking her meds (which we know from documents and emails and stuff, but why actually talk about that DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE WAS TERRIFIED OF GOING OFF OF THEM????). She was in a fire-related accident (scary because she used to SEE FIRES THAT WEREN'T REALLY THERE). An important figure in both her real life and fan life has died. DIED. It's all a bunch of crazy crap. And then she starts writing this poetry that genuinely had me confused about the state of her relationship with Zack (was there some sort of inappropriate behavior going on in the past? she was only nine? I'm so confused?) and interchanging his name with his character name (which kind of makes sense because two versions of him died in her eyes) and mixed it in with one of her best friends who she might have had a sexual relationship with and occasionally toss in the name of her ex who really didn't need to be in it at all? I read a review on here where the woman said she didn't even try to read into the poetry, and that was smart because I was reading it too hard and getting way too confused.
The main thing is, this was supposed to be a book about Gena, Finn, and their relationship and what it would mean. It seems that Gena would consider herself bisexual and she knows how she feels about Finn. Finn is confused: she has a boyfriend who just might become her future husband, she is older and is figuring out what adulthood just might mean. We could've explored that. We could've looked into their relationship, whether it became romantic or just stayed intense (friendships, especially new ones, often do remind me of bright, burning romances and take on many different forms) or they maybe moved on eventually. I think that's what all of us readers wanted. Instead, Finn and her boyfriend Charlie became parent-like figures for Gena. I mean...WTF? I get that you care about each other, that you spent time together, that you do love each other and that it happened way too freakin' fast but I MEAN. That's where you went? You went to this route where Finn is almost motherly? I don't know, guys. They could've done more. A great opportunity to explore the complexities of love and friendship and falling for someone you didn't expect to fall for, and it just went off the rails.
I know that's all rambly, but whatever, I am just so frustrated.
I am keeping it at 2 stars because I did enjoy this book in the beginning. I liked the language and the humor. It just went somewhere it never really needed to go and I really didn't see the point of it all. I'm just confused instead. What a bummer.
I am honestly confused.
Okay, I usually wait a little bit and maybe write up a review for my blog first, but I am about to get so spoiler-y, so this will just have to do, okay?
For starters, I had heard of this book in passing but was never exactly interested in reading it until I saw it land on the list of Best Books of 2016 (so far) on Book Riot. When I learned that the story was told completely through emails and blog posts and texts, I was ready for a quick read about a fast fangirl friendship that just might be turning into something more. And I was really enjoying it until...
Spoiler
It was interesting that Gena was a "child star" who left the scene for very serious reasons (like, paranoid schizophrenia, which doesn't get touched on nearly as much as it possibly should, because hi that's SERIOUS) and just so happened to know one of the main actors (Zack/Jake) of her favorite show because they had worked together in the past. They get back in touch and jokingly call each other big bro and lil sis, but I will admit I was getting weird vibes there. It was cool that she was going to be on the show...but still...
And then they had to throw THE FUCKING FIRE IN? They had to injure cast members and KILL a few of them, including her former co-star/friend of the show. This character DIED. It just HAPPENED. And it was like, woah, why did this shit get so serious? After that happens, Gena understandably is shaken up. She hasn't been taking her meds (which we know from documents and emails and stuff, but why actually talk about that DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE WAS TERRIFIED OF GOING OFF OF THEM????). She was in a fire-related accident (scary because she used to SEE FIRES THAT WEREN'T REALLY THERE). An important figure in both her real life and fan life has died. DIED. It's all a bunch of crazy crap. And then she starts writing this poetry that genuinely had me confused about the state of her relationship with Zack (was there some sort of inappropriate behavior going on in the past? she was only nine? I'm so confused?) and interchanging his name with his character name (which kind of makes sense because two versions of him died in her eyes) and mixed it in with one of her best friends who she might have had a sexual relationship with and occasionally toss in the name of her ex who really didn't need to be in it at all? I read a review on here where the woman said she didn't even try to read into the poetry, and that was smart because I was reading it too hard and getting way too confused.
The main thing is, this was supposed to be a book about Gena, Finn, and their relationship and what it would mean. It seems that Gena would consider herself bisexual and she knows how she feels about Finn. Finn is confused: she has a boyfriend who just might become her future husband, she is older and is figuring out what adulthood just might mean. We could've explored that. We could've looked into their relationship, whether it became romantic or just stayed intense (friendships, especially new ones, often do remind me of bright, burning romances and take on many different forms) or they maybe moved on eventually. I think that's what all of us readers wanted. Instead, Finn and her boyfriend Charlie became parent-like figures for Gena. I mean...WTF? I get that you care about each other, that you spent time together, that you do love each other and that it happened way too freakin' fast but I MEAN. That's where you went? You went to this route where Finn is almost motherly? I don't know, guys. They could've done more. A great opportunity to explore the complexities of love and friendship and falling for someone you didn't expect to fall for, and it just went off the rails.
I know that's all rambly, but whatever, I am just so frustrated.
I am keeping it at 2 stars because I did enjoy this book in the beginning. I liked the language and the humor. It just went somewhere it never really needed to go and I really didn't see the point of it all. I'm just confused instead. What a bummer.
The description of this is so different than the actual book, that it feels like I was hoodwinked. But nevertheless, I couldn't really get into it. The second half of the story was overly dramatic and I just couldn't believe/care about it.
4.5/5 - this was so much better than I expected! I picked this book up because I wanted something really quick to read and since this book is told in emails, texts, letters, etc., it seemed like the perfect book to read. I was expecting just a cute little story, nothing special. But this book completely surprised me. This book was sort of light and fun at the beginning and then about half way through, everything changed. It was sad and heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved the characters, even the one that I originally did not like but who really changed by the end. My only little tiny problem was the ending because it left me wanting to know more about what would happen with the characters now. Overall, that was such a great book and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read and an amazing story. :-)
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BOOK SURELY IS NOT FOR EVERYONE* I thought this was a pleasant surprise. I expected to hate the format and find the plot boring, but I didn't. The book takes a turn about halfway in that makes it impossible to put down. Another thing that makes this book enjoyable is the way that it's open to interpretation. Normally I'm not into that, but these authors did a good job with it. Upon reading, I noticed that the focus fandom was similar to Supernatural, which I'm not a fan of but my best friend is. I really loved this read, but it's possible she loved it even more than I did. I liked the way this book handled Gena's disorder, and how it made Gena and Finn highly relatable. This little book with its strange format sure packs a memorable punch.