Anything can happen at a convention – review of the book “The Princess and the Fangirl” by Ashley Poston

Fantasy festivals, Comic Cony, conventions – these are events that are close to the hearts of fans. American writer Ashley Poston decided to create one for her series of books Once Upon a Con and show that it is not only an amazing place, full of various characters and passionate people, but also the perfect scenery for a non-obvious romance.

After Cinderella , the time has come for the Prince and the Beggar . What are we talking about? Another retelling of classic history. So meet Jessica Stone, a young and ambitious actress who came to play the role of Princess Amara (one of the main characters in the new version of Starfield ) and Imogen Lovelace – a teenager who believes that she has achieved nothing in life and stands in the shadow of her life all the time. outstanding brother. These completely unrelated girls connect two things. The first is the blockbuster Starfield productionin which Jess doesn’t want to play anymore, and Imogen, in turn, wants her best to keep Amara from disappearing from the screen. The second, however, is the amazing mutual similarity of girls. As you might suspect, the story unfolds in such a way that the two characters swap with each other for a few days; girls adopt a temporary lifestyle with all the benefits of inventory, i.e. duties, wardrobe or even relationships with people around them. To make it more interesting, it happens during the ExcelsiCon, which is a huge convention full of participants and movie stars. None of the teenagers even expect what the effects of their swap will be.

Don’t believe the twins

I must admit that I do not remember the Prince and the beggar , so it is hard for me to say how many – apart from the main theme – the author has transferred and modernized in her novel. What I can honestly say, however, is that this time the main character duo failed the writer as it did in volumes one and three.

The plot, presented from Jess’ perspective, revolves primarily around her career, lies and restrictions, as well as insults and pressure from fans who did not like the new version of Amara. While Jess herself is quite chaotic and pompous in my opinion, I enjoyed the presentation of the dark side of the fandom. I believe that describing how unpleasant and insistent people fixed around their favorite series can be, non-invasively forces the reader to rethink their behavior as well.

As for Imogen, I just don’t understand this character. Her motivation seems too twisted to me. On the one hand, she loves her brother, tells how good relations they have always had, supports him in his actions, and on the other hand, he cannot talk to him honestly about the fact that he is overwhelmed and feels worthless. Also the idea for the action of saving Amara and all the explanations that she provides when asked or explaining to herself why she is doing it (and it happens to her several times, probably so that the reader does not forget) are simply confusing and unconvincing. In fact, of the characters in this book, I liked the old Starfield staff (even in the short scenes they received, it was going to feel that they were level-headed and strong characters) and assistant Jess with a slight obsessive-compulsive disorder (a very nice and articulate boy).

Fall in love with the convention

Once again, we get a romantic plot from Poston, and actually two, because both Jess and Imogen receive their happy endings. I was a bit surprised, however, what the scene of professing feelings in Jess was like, because with all the building of her image and talking about the limitations imposed on her by working as an actress, she behaved quite ostentatiously and too spontaneously (I don’t want to spoil, but the game even came into play megaphone!). Both love stories did not arouse so many positive emotions in me as in the case of Geekerella and Zaczytana and the Beast , but, I suspect, the matter of individual reception.

ExcelsiCon is a fun convention!

Poston has created in her book series not only an interesting and extensive fandom for the Starfield title, but also an interesting event for fans. ExcelsiCon in her novels looks a bit like a combination of CCSD with Pyrkon, and we feel its atmosphere especially in The Princess and Fangirl . On the one hand, screen and cinema stars appear, on the other, mini-parties are held in the rooms in the participants’ rooms, on the lawns there are sessions of spontaneously gathered cosplayers, and the participants know the organizers and appear on the spot for many years. It is family and everyone feels at home, and additionally receives an exhibitors’ room or a program stuffed with lectures and meetings. Reading about ExcelsiCon made me want to visit it!

I like being a Geek reading about Geeks

Although in my opinion the second volume of the adventures of characters orbiting Starfield was the weakest of the three published so far, I do not regret the time spent on it. The story was read quickly, provided light entertainment and reminded of the pleasant atmosphere at the conventions.