Queens of Geek

Hmm. I have a lot of mixed feelings towards this book.

First the good - or, maybe that's the ‘super' - : Taylor. I love her. She doesn't change a whole lot - it is, after all, only three days that this book covers (it is three days, right?) so I don't expect her to. But she's settled into herself a little more. She has a great support system, a great Jamie and is an amazing character. I love her character arc.

Now for the not so great: Charlie. I like Charlie as a character, but am, very simply, not happy with her character arc. I had too many problems with the relationship between her and Alyssa. First of all, it moved way too fast. It's only three days. They literally do not know each other before that. (It would have worked better for me if either they had talked online before the con or the romance had slowed the hell down.) Also, Charlie's still all twisted up over Reese. Yes, Alyssa is a much better choice - but, really, Charlie would have been better served to not get into another relationship when she was still so obviously not ready. Then there's the fact that, in the nicest way possible, Alyssa pushes for something Charlie isn't ready for. Basically, it's an ultimatum. A very sweet one, but it's basically: if you can't give me this, we can't be together. I don't mind this - and don't think it's something bad, because it's not: it's something Alyssa needs to take care of herself. That's fine, her asking for that - but basically Charlie's whole character arc is wrapped up around the girl. Charlie changes for Alyssa. Is she in a better place? Yeah, sure seems that way, but the whole reason she changed is Alyssa. This did not work for me.

Now, other subjects.

There is not plot. Character arcs cannot carry a story for me. Romance can, but it has to be the focus. It's not here. (At least, I don't think it's supposed to be, regardless of Charlie's preoccupation with it.) This is a slice of life at a convention. Meh.

I like the girls relationship. I like that girls build each other up in this book. I like the message being sent with it. I just would have liked this book to be more than the message.