Publishers Weekly
03/15/2021
Master planner Zoe Rosenthal, who is Jewish, has her future figured out: “Meet soulmate; Make commitment; Marriage: TO COME! (after college).” By senior year of high school, she’s already found the perfect boyfriend in serious-minded Simon Murawski, who works tirelessly to get his favorite Massachusetts senatorial candidate elected, usually with loyal Zoe beside him. Then Zoe is introduced to Bleeders, a TV show about women doctors combatting a fatal bloody virus in space. Down-to-earth Simon abhors the program, but Zoe is hooked. Now her days are spent scheming ways to escape the Boston area (and Simon) to attend sci-fi/fantasy conventions, where she can cosplay her favorite character with a newfound group of kindred spirits and enjoy more freedom. Zoe always returns to being her boyfriend-pleasing self, but soon she begins to wonder if it’s time to reconsider her plans. Werlin (Impossible) vividly paints fandom antics, tracing Zoe’s evolution during her thrilling, often hilarious trips to cons around the country. The scarcity of scenes showing Simon and Zoe together destabilizes the novel’s effectiveness, but messages of self-discovery will resonate. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Zoe’s journey of self-discovery is a nerdy trip through pop-culture easter eggs that will have like-minded readers smiling knowingly with each allusion...the fast-paced and enjoyable plot make this book a fun, quick read. Jewish Zoe is presumed White; secondary characters who are diverse across multiple dimensions make this book a great fit for today’s teen readers. A charming story of a closet nerd realizing her full potential and finding her fandom family.
—Kirkus Reviews
A fast-paced character-driven story full of geekiness. Werlin highlights the need for racial and gender inclusivity in geek culture, demonstrating how fandoms can allow people to truly express themselves... Teens will also relate to Zoe’s relationship and college search woes...a quick, fun read.
—School Library Journal
Readers in the know will delight in the abundance of pop culture name-drops and the author’s clear appreciation for fans and fandoms alike, while a broader audience will enjoy watching Zoe learn to let her fan flag fly, even in the face of others’ snobby derision. . . a feel-good read that will leave readers proud to be fans.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
The novel highlights the unique atmosphere of the con—a community in which “anybody belonged who wanted to be here”—and brings its attendees, in all their passionate, cosplaying glory, to life, including Zoe’s friends: Sebastian, who’s on the autism spectrum and who (hilariously for plot purposes) faints at the sight of blood; Cam and Liv, affable twins who are gay and nonbinary, respectively; and Meldel, an enthusiastic fanfic author and reformed bully. Their influence helps Zoe to discover her spontaneous side and imagine a different, less-scripted future for herself, in this joyful story of fandom, friendship, and finding common purpose.
—The Horn Book
Werlin (Impossible) vividly paints fandom antics, tracing Zoe’s evolution during her thrilling, often hilarious trips to cons around the country. . . messages of self-discovery will resonate
—Publishers Weekly
This was a fast read that taps into the binge-watching, fan culture with which many teens will identify. The message of being your own person, while not overt, will also resonate with readers. Well-written and fast paced.
—School Library Connection
School Library Journal
02/01/2021
Gr 7 Up—White, Jewish high school senior Zoe Rosenthal is a serious life planner in a serious relationship with serious plans to find the perfect college that she and her boyfriend, Simon, can attend together. She does not have time for nonsense. Which is why, when she becomes obsessed with the sci-fi/horror TV show Bleeders and runs off to Dragon Con to see the Season 2 premiere, she knows this is a one-off adventure that she can't tell anyone about, especially Simon. But as Zoe befriends fellow Bleeders fans Liv, Cam, Sebastian, Meldel, and Todd, she gets drawn into a plan to save the struggling show from cancellation. What started as a small lie spirals out of control as Zoe falls increasingly in love with Bleeders and the fandom world in general. This is a fast-paced character-driven story full of geekiness. Werlin highlights the need for racial and gender inclusivity in geek culture, demonstrating how fandoms can allow people to truly express themselves, though most characters' own ethnicities aren't clearly stated. Teens will also relate to Zoe's relationship and college search woes. Unfortunately, constant Bleeders details often disrupt the flow of the story. Likewise, Zoe's transition from Type A super-planner to self-absorbed drama queen is perplexing, adding to a lack of believability. VERDICT Though inconsistent, this novel may be a hit for geeky teens who want a quick, fun read. Recommended for middle school libraries.—Lara Goldstein, Forsyth County P.L., NC
Kirkus Reviews
2021-01-12
Zoe Rosenthal lives by her bullet journal and her clearly outlined plan for the future.
Just like her parents, Zoe found her soul mate in high school. She and Simon will attend college together, make a commitment, and get married after graduation. It’s the perfect plan. But first, she just needs to get the diverse, feminist, science fiction TV show Bleeders off her brain. Simon has no time for pop culture, and, therefore, neither does Zoe. According to Simon, her time is best spent working hard at serious things. Whether it’s college essays, voter registration, or volunteering with a political campaign, Zoe and Simon are saving the world together. Then why is she secretly on a plane to Dragon Con in Atlanta to get a midnight sneak preview of the Season 2 premiere of Bleeders? Zoe’s journey of self-discovery is a nerdy trip through pop-culture easter eggs that will have like-minded readers smiling knowingly with each allusion. Although occasionally confusing to follow, the story draws readers in right from the first page. Zoe and her friends aren’t always easy to sympathize with; however, the fast-paced and enjoyable plot make this book a fun, quick read. Jewish Zoe is presumed White; secondary characters who are diverse across multiple dimensions make this book a great fit for today’s teen readers.
A charming story of a closet nerd realizing her full potential and finding her fandom family. (Fiction. 14-18)
