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mooonreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
onlyjessica's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly went back and forth so many times between 4 and 5 stars, not sure how to rate this book. It's probably closer to a 4.5 for me, but I absolutely loved it. At times it was almost too awkward to read, but that only made it easier to relate to. I also liked that fanfiction wasn't something Cath grew out of or was ashamed of; not only did her sister come around, she also got the boy she liked without compromising who she is as a person once.
kerameia's review against another edition
5.0
While I don't have the time that I'd need right now to post a full review of this book, I wanted to share some of my post-reading thoughts.
I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story--due largely, I think, to its characters. While the setting is average (freshman year of college in Nebraska) and the plot relatively relaxed, the very real, down-to-earth characters are what drives the story. Aside from that of the two main characters (Cather and Wren--by the way, say their names one after the other slowly. It took me a second to get it), there actually isn't much character development. However, that doesn't make the rest of the characters any less real. I empathized with Cather, my heart warms to Levi, I'm intrigued by and secretly want to be friends with Reagan, I roll my eyes and dismiss Courtenay...all in the context of dorm life. I felt/feel as though I got to know these characters throughout their experiences of getting to know each other, so that towards the end of the book I felt very reluctant to say goodbye.
One other thing: I read some opinions that this book would have been more successful had it developed the fandom aspect more deeply. Personally, I think that the book captures the spirit of fandom and its loyalty (with which I am partially familiar given my teeny-bopper days of writing boy band fanfiction. Cather's recollection of the different directions of "Simon Snow" fanfiction, her drive to finish her story before the last book is published, her and Wren's references to the online fandom, etc. are all details that painted a clear picture of what it means to belong to a hardcore, passion-driven, internet-based fangroup. There is one scene in particular, during which (DON'T WORRY, no spoilers!) Cather meets a fan of her (Cather) fanfiction and they gush together over the details of "Simon Snow etc," which felt so intimate and real.
I'd highly recommend this book. While it doesn't take itself too seriously, at the same time it does balance humour with some heavy concepts and a sprinkling of good ol' thematic substance (sister-sister relationships, family relationships, discovering/developing self-confidence, discovering/appreciating one's talents & abilities, etc.).
I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story--due largely, I think, to its characters. While the setting is average (freshman year of college in Nebraska) and the plot relatively relaxed, the very real, down-to-earth characters are what drives the story. Aside from that of the two main characters (Cather and Wren--by the way, say their names one after the other slowly. It took me a second to get it), there actually isn't much character development. However, that doesn't make the rest of the characters any less real. I empathized with Cather, my heart warms to Levi, I'm intrigued by and secretly want to be friends with Reagan, I roll my eyes and dismiss Courtenay...all in the context of dorm life. I felt/feel as though I got to know these characters throughout their experiences of getting to know each other, so that towards the end of the book I felt very reluctant to say goodbye.
One other thing: I read some opinions that this book would have been more successful had it developed the fandom aspect more deeply. Personally, I think that the book captures the spirit of fandom and its loyalty (with which I am partially familiar given my teeny-bopper days of writing boy band fanfiction. Cather's recollection of the different directions of "Simon Snow" fanfiction, her drive to finish her story before the last book is published, her and Wren's references to the online fandom, etc. are all details that painted a clear picture of what it means to belong to a hardcore, passion-driven, internet-based fangroup. There is one scene in particular, during which (DON'T WORRY, no spoilers!) Cather meets a fan of her (Cather) fanfiction and they gush together over the details of "Simon Snow etc," which felt so intimate and real.
I'd highly recommend this book. While it doesn't take itself too seriously, at the same time it does balance humour with some heavy concepts and a sprinkling of good ol' thematic substance (sister-sister relationships, family relationships, discovering/developing self-confidence, discovering/appreciating one's talents & abilities, etc.).
carlyjordyn's review against another edition
3.0
if i was reading this for the first time ever i might score it lower but this is so nostalgia tainted for me that I can’t. I thought I remembered a lot but I was mistaken there was actually the whole post nick stealing her story that just escaped my brain. anyways gtg finish my own creative writing story for class
mothyhound19's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book was pretty fun, but she keeps reading fanfiction in intimate moments, so do with that info what you will.
codexastoria's review against another edition
4.0
Fangirl est à classer dans ces livres nostalgiques qu'on déguste comme un petit bonbon.
Je suis de cette génération qui a grandi avec le plus célèbre héros magicien à lunettes de l'histoire. Comme beaucoup j'ai attendu en trépignant entre chaque tome et pour combler ma soif d'aventures, j'ai découvert le monde des fanfictions.
Vu comme ça, c'était évident que ce livre allait parler à mon petit coeur de fangirl. J'ai beaucoup aimé les thèmes abordés dont celui de l'écriture évidemment mais aussi autour de ces univers créés, ceux dans lesquels on aime se plonger pour oublier le monde, s'oublier soi-même et ceux qui nous marquent à jamais. J'aurais aimé que ces thématiques soient encore plus mises en avant car finalement je n'ai retrouvé ces réflexions que dans le 1er tiers du livre.
Je me suis aussi beaucoup retrouvée en Cath, notre héroïne principale. Anxieuse, fuyant les situations sociales, se sentant parfois en marge de la société et se retrouvant plus dans un univers virtuel. Les relations qu'elle entretient avec ses proches, son angoisse, son effacement, tout cela m'a beaucoup parlé.
La romance était très mignonne mais aurait très bien pu ne pas exister pour moi tant Cath est un personnage important, central et marquant.
En bref une petite lecture doudou, qui apporte beaucoup de réflexions intéressantes qu'on aurait aimé voir encore plus qui se relira sûrement avec beaucoup de plaisir et de nostalgie.
Je suis de cette génération qui a grandi avec le plus célèbre héros magicien à lunettes de l'histoire. Comme beaucoup j'ai attendu en trépignant entre chaque tome et pour combler ma soif d'aventures, j'ai découvert le monde des fanfictions.
Vu comme ça, c'était évident que ce livre allait parler à mon petit coeur de fangirl. J'ai beaucoup aimé les thèmes abordés dont celui de l'écriture évidemment mais aussi autour de ces univers créés, ceux dans lesquels on aime se plonger pour oublier le monde, s'oublier soi-même et ceux qui nous marquent à jamais. J'aurais aimé que ces thématiques soient encore plus mises en avant car finalement je n'ai retrouvé ces réflexions que dans le 1er tiers du livre.
Je me suis aussi beaucoup retrouvée en Cath, notre héroïne principale. Anxieuse, fuyant les situations sociales, se sentant parfois en marge de la société et se retrouvant plus dans un univers virtuel. Les relations qu'elle entretient avec ses proches, son angoisse, son effacement, tout cela m'a beaucoup parlé.
La romance était très mignonne mais aurait très bien pu ne pas exister pour moi tant Cath est un personnage important, central et marquant.
En bref une petite lecture doudou, qui apporte beaucoup de réflexions intéressantes qu'on aurait aimé voir encore plus qui se relira sûrement avec beaucoup de plaisir et de nostalgie.
sunpuddles's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
anita04's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
happylilkt's review against another edition
3.0
This college romance has LOTS of language (typical for Rowell) and deals with some real issues: a parent with mental illness, parent abandonment and subsequent trauma, smoking, underage drinking, binge drinking, teenage sex...
Oh, and gay fan fiction!
Fan fiction is not really my thing, but I have some family and friends who participate in fandom, so that was an interesting insight. I think the book was pretty realistic about college attitudes about smoking, drinking, and sex. I liked that the main character, in spite of a generally permissive attitude about sex, is more careful when it comes to all of those things. Not all college kids go wild! I especially liked the novel's smart attitude about alcohol (just wish it had been the same for smoking and sex, but I get it.)
Anyway, it was an enjoyable read, in spite of not being my schtick.
Oh, and gay fan fiction!
Fan fiction is not really my thing, but I have some family and friends who participate in fandom, so that was an interesting insight. I think the book was pretty realistic about college attitudes about smoking, drinking, and sex. I liked that the main character, in spite of a generally permissive attitude about sex, is more careful when it comes to all of those things. Not all college kids go wild! I especially liked the novel's smart attitude about alcohol (just wish it had been the same for smoking and sex, but I get it.)
Anyway, it was an enjoyable read, in spite of not being my schtick.