Two Fangirls Review The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston

The Princess and the Fangirl released last week and if you missed my social media (aka mostly instagram) you know that I loved this book and have been sharing it as much as I can! So today Christy and I will be co-reviewing together! Geekerella was the first time Christy and I joined together to co-blog, even though at that time we weren’t co-bloggers together. That book brought our cooperative minds together and you know what, I am so happy we got to the place we are now. So we just knew we had to co-review Princess! 

(note from Christy: ngl, it’s at that point I KNEW I wanted to be part of BookCrushin)

The Princess and the Fangirl (Once Upon a Con, #2)

by Ashley Poston
Published by: Quirk Books
on April 2, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary
Bookshop
Goodreads

The Prince and the Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling author Ashley Poston.

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year's ExcelsiCon isn't her last, she'll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That's easier said than done when the girls step into each other's shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these "princesses" race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.

Co-Review

What can fans of Geekerella and new fans to the series expect?

Kelly: Another romp in the Geekerella world, at ExcelsiCon, this time focusing on Jessica Stone, the actress who played Princess Amara, and the fangirl, Imogen who has started a campaign to #SaveAmara. These two have such a cute journey when they end up getting mistaken for each other, and then end up experiencing the Con unlike ever before. Also, you get plenty of references to all things nerdy & geeky, plus your favorites from Geekerella.

Christy: The stories are companions but set around the same fandom and con. For fans, you’ll see familiar characters and for new fans, you can pick up the story here or go back and read Geekerella (HIGHLY RECOMMEND). You’ll fall in love with the characters and damn if you won’t wish the fandom and con were real?

Jessica is slightly prickly and a tough character to get on board with. What was it for you that shifted as the story went on?

K: I really sympathized with Jess, I can’t imagine being a young star during this internet age. I mean I get sad when my bookstagram pics don’t get likes, could you imagine if people blamed you for role in a movie?! Whilst posting mean and negative things all day, every day. But yes, once she was at the party with Harper…I just knew Jess was holding back and needed to experience some normality for once.

C:When Jessica said they were too old for silly sci-fi shows, I was ready to escort her out. But Ashley is masterful at slowly peeling back the layers of Jessica so they you eventually understand her motives 

What was your favorite reference or quote in the book?

K: Well I of course love all the references, and the ones I didn’t know I googled. I loved this insult that Imogene threw out “you two-faced nerfherding hobgoblin!” Also, “burnt Hufflepuff” is such a mood, for sure. HA! Seriously, all the fandom commentary makes me smile. I need to wear a t-shirt that says “FANGIRL TRASH UNITE.”

C:I loved the commentary on toxic fanboys and their gross actions in the Star Wars fandom. I cheered all the way through.

What’s a fandom you wish had a con? What would you want to see?

K: Oh wow, I don’t know! I think there is a con for everything these days, just like people were dressed up in Star Wars cosplay at ExcelsiCon, I feel like I could cosplay all my loves at any major con.

C:Besides this one? I wish we had a My Hero Academia con. We have Fanime and I can’t wait for that but there are three series now, an anime, and a movie. Would be awesome! 

Imogen switches places with Jessica in order to save her fandom. What celebrity would you want to switch places with? 

K: I would love to be an actress for a few days, I mean I loved theater when I was young, and that would be kick ass…but just for a few days, I would drown under the social pressures for sure.

C:A punk rock musician. I wish I could sing!

If Ashley writes more in this world, what would you hope to see? 

K: I was saying how cool it would be to have a Starfield graphic novel! We know all the fun bits included in the book, but make that fictional movie into real fiction would be so rad. I sincerely hope there is another companion book though! This time I would have all of the main characters from the two books together at the next con! 4 POVs isn’t too much right? Just as long as everyone is themselves…lol!

C:I want to see the two worlds collide a bit more and the next con with the next movie! Also, WHERE IS FRANK? Need more. And Harper! I wish we saw more of her and Imogen in the book.

What would you recommend reading when you finish The Princess and the Fangirl?

K: Well clearly if you didn’t read Geekerella first, go do that. Then read Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde and Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner.

C: Cathy Yardley writes an adult romance series in the same vein called the Fandom Hearts series. It’s one of my fav adult romance series for all the same reasons I love Geekerella. They’re on audio!

We clearly both loved Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl, and no matter what level of fangirl you are or consider yourself to be, you are sure to enjoy these books!