review: queen of geeks by jen wilde

When BFFs Charlie, Taylor and Jamie go to SupaCon, they know it’s going to be a blast. What they don’t expect is for it to change their lives forever.

Charlie likes to stand out. SupaCon is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star, Reese Ryan. When Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought.

While Charlie dodges questions about her personal life, Taylor starts asking questions about her own.

Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with Jamie—no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about the Queen Firestone SupaFan Contest, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe. ~ Goodreads

Source: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review:

Queens of Geek is fun, geeky goodness.

The story follows best friends Charlie - a Chinese-Australian, bi-sexual vlogger, Taylor – a girl on the autism spectrum who suffers from panic attacks in new, overwhelming situations, and Jamie – an American boy who moved to Australia 4 years prior.

Charlie is invited to SupaCon, in San Diego, to promote her latest movie and brings her BFF’s along for one last epic adventure before they move on to college.

Charlie has to navigate SupaCon appearances with her douche bag ex, Reese, the studio and fans that want them back together and meeting her long time crush, fellow vlogger, Alyssa Huntington.

Meanwhile, Taylor is overwhelmed when things keep going off plan at the con while trying to push herself out of her comfort zone and dealing with her confusing feelings towards Jamie.

Queens of Geek takes place over one weekend at SupaCon while the friends deal with romance, sex/sexuality, anxiety, body shaming and adulthood. At times the messages get a little, not heavy handed at all – but plentiful?? like the author was trying to fit every positive message into one book. It slowed the flow of the story at a times but Queen of Geeks manages to stay light, positive, and filled with fun nerd/geek references.

One thing I’ve noticed about myself reading these YA geek/con type books – I just don’t understand YouTube culture and that relationship between the vloggers and viewers. Or I should say I get it but it seems scary to me.

They way viewers feel like they *know* you and that they have a say in your happiness and the way the vloggers have to stage their life to keep up viewership. I think that’s my old age talking though. But it does take some of the enjoyment out of it for me. I end up worried about everyone instead of the fun vibe I’m sure someone younger, who relates to this, feels. lol

Most of all though, I think Queens of Geek will feel empowering to a lot of readers who don’t get to see themselves on page very often.

Queens of Geek’s dedication page