Publishers Weekly
02/05/2018
Day’s debut novel blends the joy of falling in love and the stark terror of actually becoming part of a fictional world, with no idea how to return home. Seventeen-year-old Violet doesn’t simply love the Hunger Games–esque world of The Gallows Dance: she all but lives and breathes both the book and its film adaptation. After an accident at Comic-Con somehow transports Violet, her younger brother Nate, and two friends into the future dystopian London setting of The Gallows Dance, the story and characters diverge sharply from the canon she knows so well. As they attempt to find a way to return home with their innocence and imaginations intact, the lines of friendship, family, and love are pushed to their limits. Day hits the novel’s themes rather hard, particularly the idea of people not being who they appear on the surface, and the grim dystopian world of The Gallows Dance comes across as overfamiliar to the point of derivative. But readers will come away thinking about how realities (fictional and otherwise) can and cannot be changed, and the not-entirely-happy ending leaves the door open for future storytelling. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Praise for The Fandom:
"The Fandom is an absolute thrill to read. Turning so many conventions on their head, Day gives us a story that can make you rethink the world, make you laugh, and make you bite your fingernails off, all while falling in love with her characters. Highly recommended!" — James Dashner, Author OfThe Maze Runner"Pacy writing and a really compelling, twisty plot ... One to watch out for." —The Bookseller"Day has a knack for descriptive writing ... [an] engaging storyline and well-written narrative" —The Bookbag(UK)"With a startling believable plot, an exciting narrative, and a link to already beloved contemporary fandoms, I found little to fault" —United By Pop(UK)"I'm so pleased it went beyond the boundaries of YA fiction ... De nitely pick this book up if you are a fan of dystopian novels" —Sparkle Reads(UK)"This plot was intricate, intruding and complex, with twists and turns the whole way through. I couldn't put this down and that isn't a regular occurrence at the moment." —Books Nest(UK)"[The Fandom] does a fantastic job of subverting a lot of classic dystopian tropes and fandom culture ... it's just so FUN." —Bitchin Fiction (UK)
School Library Journal
03/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—Violet and her friends are headed to Comic Con decked out in full cosplay. As they are about to take a photo with the gorgeous lead actor in the movie adaptation of their favorite book, a freak accident sends them suddenly into the story itself. Unfortunately for Violet and her friends, their fandom of choice is The Gallows Dance, a depressing and bleak universe with a tragic love story. Violet and her friends must act out the story's canon in order to find their way back to the real world. Day's novel is a fun mash-up of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, and the entire YA dystopian fiction genre. While the premise is sure to appeal to many fangeeks, the world of The Gallows Dance itself is underdeveloped and somewhat bland. Violet and her friends' motivations are not always believable, and their relationships with one another border on cliché. However, despite the novel's shortcomings, the fast-moving plot will keep invested readers engaged. This book contains light romance, some profanity, and several jarring scenes involving sexual assault and violence. VERDICT A charming yet serious story that will appeal to avid fandom members; recommended for purchase for large library collections.—Ariel Birdoff, New York Public Library
JULY 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Fiona Hardingham expertly crafts the voice of young Violet, who falls into her favorite book, THE GALLOWS DANCE, at a Comic-Con event, along with some close friends. As the story unfolds, Violet must become the protagonist and follow the plot of the story in order to return to reality. The only problem for Violet is that the story concludes with her hanging at the Gallows Dance. Hardingham frequently reminds listeners of Violet’s impending doom with an ominous tone that adds drama to the story. General listeners and fantasy fans alike will cheer Violet on as she struggles to save her friends and escape from the dystopian story. M.D. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2018-02-05
Cosplay turns all too real for four English teens.Violet, her besties Alice and Katie, and her younger brother, Nate, attended London's Comic-Con as rabid fans of The Gallows Dance, the hit YA franchise. But after a freak event transports them into its fictional world, they realize that futuristic dystopias aren't as much fun as you'd think. To return home, Violet must become the story's heroine: She has one week to ensnare the dreamy hero, spark a revolution…and die tragically. The hackneyed premise offers plentiful satiric possibilities, notably in frequent jabs at genre tropes and constant allusions to pop culture. Unfortunately, this title tries to have it both ways; The Gallows Dance—endlessly quoted and recapped—appears mawkish and trite yet is presented as genuinely thrilling and oh-so-romantic. Pathologically insecure Violet seems a caricature of both the stereotypical fangirl and the Mary Sue heroine. Her relationships with skeptical Katie and nerdy Nate are charmingly authentic, unlike her toxic "friendship" with shallow Alice. While these main characters are all white, the alternate world's impossibly dishy love interests and ludicrously evil villains do hint at London's ethnic diversity. Alas, even Violet's repetitive countdown to her own death provides little suspense, as the predictable plot twists to an epilogue brim full of blatant sequel bait.Genre fans and haters alike will be irritated and bored. (Fantasy. 12-18)
