The Lucius Flux: 2014-07-06

Heralded Signings: Alex London Book Signing

7:54 am

Flux Reviews: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

5:46 am

Title: Fangirl

Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: ₱425 (Philippines) - $5.86 (Amazon)

Plot Synopsis:

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...
But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

The Review

This is a wonderfully, nerdy and cute story of a fantastical fangirl named Cath Avery who's totally bonkers about Simon Snow (An homage to Harry Potter. With "Watford's School of Magicks" being "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry") and Baz (Can be somewhat compared to Draco Malfoy) and her fanfics about them as the 'Fanfixx.net' author "Magicath" alongside her twin sister Wren Avery as "Wrenegade".

Cath's character strikes me as somewhat socially awkward and very dedicated to her less-than-heterosexual Simon Snow/Baz fanfic "Carry on, Simon." which she must finish before the 8th and final book in the series, Simon Snow and the Eight Dance, is released. Her fanfics are legendary among the Internet fans of the said fantasy series, their expectations of how she'll wrap things up and how she'll finally make a legit romance scene is daunting as she also has to deal with her time-consuming Creative Writing course in college and her mixed feelings for her best friend
Levi.

I like Cath's character because I can relate and it's what most people think of when they hear the word "Fangirl" but in a good way. She usually just stays at home writing her fanfics or reading a book.
She's sometimes a bit reluctant to meet other people but she's a great friend to have. She sometimes a bit eccentric which to me is awesome!

Now let's talk about Cath's twin sister, Wren. Wren is more outgoing than her sister, she's the Screw-it-let's-party kind of girl who usually comes home from a party smelling of booze. She's also usually referred to as "The hotter one" by jerks and pervs on the street but to me, they're both cute and beautiful. Wren used to have the same haircut as Wren but now she has a shorter, kinda like a pixie-cut haircut and she doesn't wear glasses which might be why she's considered more attractive. But to me I like Cath more.

Levi --who always goes to their room and hangs out with them-- Is a very fun, charming and social guy, which might be why they clicked when they first met. He's always nice to practically everyone, “You give away nice like it doesn't cost you anything.”. He's also quite smart and loyal as shown in several parts in the book and he is definitely intrigued by Cath's fanfics and her fandom. He often asks (More like goads) her to read the latest chapter of her fanfic, although whether he does this out of pure interest or for just listening to her as she reads out loud her passion in front him. Why is her always there, either inside or waiting outside they're door? You'll find out when you read the book.

I really thought Cath and Nick (A classmate of hers from Creative Writing, they're paired up for projects.) would hit it off during the early parts and they'd start dating. What with their casual flirtations and what-not. Turns out I was wrong in thinking that Levi was just another distraction or a mere background character. Sorry Levi!! XD

Her romantic scenes are somewhat subtle but it is still enough to send you chills and a craving for more! This novel ~~accurately~~ perfectly portrays the fan culture and college life."Carry on, Simon." Three words that sends me to a realm of nostalgia after I finished reading this book last summer, it still reverberates in me like a tuning fork.

“Happily ever after, or even just together ever after, is not cheesy,” Wren said.

“It's the noblest, like, the most courageous thing two people can shoot for.”

My Rating: