Blog Tour: Queens Of Geek

Queens Of Geek
Written by Jen Wilde
Contemporary, LGBT, Diverse, Romance
Published April 24th 2017
288 Pages
Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia
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★★★★☆
Charlie likes to stand out. She's a vlogger and actress promoting her first movie at SupaCon, and this is her chance to show fans she's over her public breakup with costar Reese Ryan. When internet famous cool girl actress Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie's long time crush on her isn't as one sided as she thought.

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 her best guy friend Jamie, no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about a fan contest for her favourite fandom, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.
Eighteen year old Charlie is an internet sensation and has been invited to attend the premier fan based pop culture convention to promote her debut independent film. Escorted by best friends Taylor and Jamie, the convention is an opportunity for Charlie to establish her career after her relationship dissolved with actor Ryan, who is also in attendance.

Taylor stands in line at her first convention, sharing her experience on her Tumblr page, a inspiration for societal anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder. While Chalie attends promotional panels to promote her independent film, Taylor and best friend Jamie are left to immerse themselves, the pinnacle is fictional Queen Fireheart, a heroine that fought alongside Taylor during her moments of need.

My Thoughts

Two vibrant, realistic and remarkable young women.

Positive friendships are quintessential in young adult literature and should be celebrated and encouraged. Charlie and Taylor are contrasting characters, both determined young women who share a quiet resilience to our ever changing societies. Jamie and Taylor have a wonderfully gentle friendship, encouraging, supportive and quite flirtatious. Jamie was tremendous support for Taylor and although has never experienced anxiety, is compassionate and considerate of Taylor's needs.

The relationships were beautifully portrayed. Taylor's narrative explored her relationship with Jamie, the anxiety and hesitation. Charlie's relationship with her fellow actor Ryan has dissolved, celebrating the emergence of her independence. At the tender age of fourteen Charlie identified as bisexual, a positive and affirming realisation that she has embraced despite Ryan's biphobia. Internet sensation Alyssa Huntington is a wonderful character, tenacious and comfortable within her sexuality. A passionate intersectional feminist, the attraction between Alyssa and Charlie was captivating. I appreciate a relationship in which characters communicate and although Charlie is hesitant to embark on another public relationship, Alyssa is a wonderful support for Charlie.

It also addresses sexism, especially within the entertainment industry. Male actors are revered for their capability to perform whilst their female counterparts are distinguished by their appearance.

Queens Of Geek is magnificent and an own voices narrative. Author Jen Wilde also identifies as Autistic, Bisexual, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety. A resounding applause from readers for affirming and positive portrayals. Charlie, Taylor and Jamie are Australian and although the convention transpires in San Diego, the narrative is universal. Friendship, relationships and a sense of belonging.
For the first time in my life, I don't feel like I have to try to fit in, because I'm surrounded by people who are as passionate and excited about the same things I am. For the first time, I'm not totally alone in my weirdness. My weird is normal here. My weird is embraced, accepted, and expected. You guys, I'm starting to love my weird.
Bisexuality, Chinese Australian protagonist, sex positive, same sex female relationships, positive friendships, support networks. Queens Of Geek breaks down the barriers of body shaming, toxic relationships, slut shaming, Austism, mental illness, societal illnesses and the reality of expectations young adults place upon themselves.

22 comments

  1. I adore this book so much the positive friendships and relationships just made me want to hug it forever, Also Taylors struggles and her feelings about meeting another aspie girl I adored there meeting and Jamie for buying a comic ahh they're all just amazing. Charlie dealing with a biohobic relationship and learning how to be out in public not with her sexuality but with the media YouTube gives was so well done. I always think how hard it would be to be a YouTube couple and have millions of people being angry and upset over a breakup.
    Awesome review Kelly 💕

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    1. It was incredible wasn't it. There were so many messages of positivity throughout the storyline. The representation, challenging prejudice, I loved them all so fiercely!

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  2. I'll have to try this! It sounds very interesting. Great review!!

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    1. Thanks Lenna, it's truly wonderful. Such a joyful and positive read.

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  3. AHA SO GOOD TO HEAR YOU ENJOYED THIS AS MUCH AS ME! I loved loved loved this book especially for how relatable it was and that it's #loveozya! ALSO THAT COVER *insert heart eyes* Fantastic review as per usual Kelly!

    xx Anisha @ Sprinkled Pages

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    1. Thanks Anisha. It was beautiful wasn't it. Such a wonderfully heartwarming read.

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  4. I'm glad that you liked this one, Kelly! I adored the book too and totally loved how open the characters were with each other and that there was no stupid drama or misunderstanding between the couples. This book was a shipper's dream come true! :)

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    1. It really was wasn't it. It's such a common theme within Aussie young adult, there's no drama and characters communicate. For me it feels more genuine too. I'm thrilled you loved this one so much too Nick.

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  5. This gem! Is getting such rave reviews for its goodness! I love how wonderfully diverse and well-rounded these characters are. And at a convention! I love it when fandom gets such wonderful representation in books and/or TV/movies. Nerds baby, gonna rule the world ;)

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    1. No truer words have been spoken Verushka. I don't consider myself a fully fledged nerd but I'm certainly married to one. Although I think at his age they prefer enthusiasts rather than fandom. I've yet to see a review that hasn't loved or related to this group of friends, it's pretty much universally loved within the community.

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    2. Please tell your wonderful nerdy husband to embrace his nerdiness! ;)

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    3. Embrace it? He lives and breathes it.

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  6. I think you liked this book a bit more than me but I really enjoyed it. Vibrant is a great way to describe the book and both girls.

    For What It's Worth

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    1. I think I may have enjoyed Taylor's character slightly more so, at times it felt as though Charlie neglected her friendship with Taylor and Jamie in favour of Melissa. Both were incredible and I can't wait to read more from Jen Wilde!

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  7. I need to read this book asap! Everyone I know seems to love it. It sounds wonderful, and I'd love to read a Chinese descendant character since I am one myself. Great review <3

    Tiffany @ The Bookish Thought

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    1. It's wonderful when you can see yourself within characters isn't it. Not only cultural representation but also the immersive convention, social media, anxiety, the autism spectrum. There is such wonderful diverse representation in Queens of Geek that the wider book community have loved and celebrated. I would love to see what you think of it Tiffany!

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  8. I finished this book recently and absolutely adored it! It was so nice to see the author include an Asian-Australian main character, and not fall back onto the cliches of our culture. Charlie was a shining star for me in this book, because of how relatable she was. And Taylor as well — while I don't fully understand anxiety, similar to Jamie, I can appreciate how hard it is on those that go through it. Taylor and Jamie's relationship was beautiful, and I'm glad they have each other.

    And a huge shout out to the wonderful friendship between Charlie and Taylor. Two very different girls who've found each other <3 This is definitely a book worth pushing to everyone. Beautiful. xx

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    1. It's magnificent. Fun, positive and the representation given an ovation by readers. I loved Charlie and I loved Charlie and Taylor together. I would love to see these characters followed as they return home and prepare for college too. Charlie's new relationship and how Taylor navigates the new parameters of her relationship with Jamie too. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

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  9. Ah, this book sounds like such a triumph! <3

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    1. It is! It's such a wonderfully delightful read, filled with lots of pop culture references and celebrates fandom, embracing your nerd and surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people.

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  10. I am 100% convinced that this book is for me, just by reading that quote about weirdness. I can relate to it so much. I mean, this whole book feels so relatable. I have it on my wishlist, and soon it will be in my cart.

    Awesome review Kelly! <3 I'm really glad that you loved this.

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    1. It's truly one of those books that almost every reader can relate to. Characters, situations. It's so gloriously positive and utterly charming.

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