3 Sept 2018

We Can(ada) Read: #Review of CHAOTIC GOOD by Whitney Gardner + #Giveaway

We Can(ada) Read is by Canadians for EVERYONE to learn more about some amazing Canadian authors! It is a highlight of Canadian Literature and those of us who promote it as much as possible.

For a full schedule of events, please check out the Kick-Off post!



Thank you to Moonbeam Books for sponsoring the amazing giveaway! Scroll to the bottom!
Jamie is a Canadian book blogger who owns more books than she can fit in her room. She mostly reads YA but has a soft spot for all types Science Fiction and Fantasy, so she carries those around with her as well. Jamie typically reads while drinking tea, curled up in a little ball for maximum warmth. 

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CHAOTIC GOOD

Author: Whitney Gardner
Series: N/A
Source: Part of my Indigo Teen Box
Publisher: Knopf
Publication Date: March 13, 2018
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary:
Cameron's cosplay--dressing like a fictional character--is finally starting to earn her attention--attention she hopes to use to get into the CalTech costume department for college. But when she wins a major competition, she inadvertently sets off a firestorm of angry comments from male fans.

When Cameron's family moves the summer before her senior year, she hopes to complete her costume portfolio in peace and quiet away from the abuse. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in town--her main destination for character reference--is staffed by a dudebro owner who challenges every woman who comes into the shop. 

At her twin brother's suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming expertise to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she's shocked at how easily she's accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Soon, Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the jerky shop-owner Brody, friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk Wyatt, handsome Lincoln, and her bro Cooper, dragged along for good measure. 

But as her "secret identity" gets more and more entrenched, Cameron's portfolio falls by the wayside--and her feelings for Lincoln threaten to make a complicated situation even more precarious.
Purchase:
This was absolutely marvellous. A mix of all things geeky, fun, and feminine. The opening pages are things that have actually stopped me from participating in certain geek things. It was so nice to have my story told and Whitney Gardner does an amazing job. The adding in of the "comic like" panels for the DnD game was an added bonus. I thought the ending was a little too easy but I loved every second of this entire book. This is definitely a must read if you are sick of being called a fake geek girl.

I think what was best about this book is that it subverts the trope of "fake geek girl" in a different way than I have ever seen before. Rather than the fake geek girl actually knowing everything about the media, she doesn't - she is interested in learning about new things, trying new things, and finding her way past the gatekeeping in her own way. I think it was really interesting that Cam was so honest about not knowing things, wanting to learn things, and then taking her time to learn things.

Cam was an amazing character and I loved reading her story. She was so talented, driven, and worthwhile. I thought she was a great character to read about and I am glad this was told from her perspective. I liked how spunky she was, how resilient, and how eager to be allowed to learn about new things. 

This is a great story about gatekeeping, Dungeons & Dragons, and being true to yourself. If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly suggest you do! Indigo has a signed copy available as part of their ONCE UPON A SUMMER BOX!

Whitney Gardner is an author, illustrator, and coffee addict. Originally from New York, she studied design and worked as an art teacher and school librarian before moving to Victoria, BC, where she lives by the Salish Sea with her husband and two pugs. In the rare moment Whitney isn’t writing or drawing, she’s likely to be reading comics, knitting, or roasting her own coffee beans.

Connect with the Author:
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Whitney's latest release...

FAKE BLOOD

Author: Whitney Gardner
Series: N/A
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication Date: September 4, 2018

Summary:
It’s the beginning of the new school year and AJ feels like everyone is changing but him. He hasn’t grown or had any exciting summer adventures like his best friends have. He even has the same crush he’s harbored for years. So AJ decides to take matters into his own hands. But how could a girl like Nia Winters ever like plain vanilla AJ when she only has eyes for vampires?

When AJ and Nia are paired up for a group project on Transylvania, it may be AJ’s chance to win over Nia’s affection by dressing up like the vamp of her dreams. And soon enough he’s got more of Nia’s attention than he bargained for when he learns she’s a slayer.

Now AJ has to worry about self-preservation while also trying to save everyone he cares about from a real-life threat lurking in the shadows of Spoons Middle School.
Purchase:

This giveaway is sponsored by Moonbeam Books, an independent bookstore in Toronto, Ontario! 



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