Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl

Rainbow Rowell

Warning: Might contain spoilers.

Honestly, this review was supposed to be posted on goodreads but I decided against myself. I chose to post reviews here on my blog rather than goodreads cause- yeah, I don't really know. I just have this awkward feel everytime I start a review there, I just feel like I'm not good enough or what. Lol I know that's silly but I really can't help it. So I'll stick to giving ratings there and posting reviews here.

Remember, don't you dare click the Read More button down there if you abhor spoilers, I'm not at fault for that. 

I seldom give five star ratings for books of this genre (since I'm fond of those fantasy dystopian shizzles that mostly put my mind in a critical blizzard) and I don't regret giving those shimmering beauties for this book. 

Okay this is my first review and I don't even know where to start. I better divide this thing into parts so it would come out better than mixed up shenanigans that might confuse you (and even myself). First part is my own synopsis/my short understanding of this book. Then followed by the characters. Things that I liked, things I disliked, my favorite parts, an overall review and lastly, my rating. I gave off the rating already but nah, I'd still breathe that out.

Synopsis

Cath was a fangirl of the Simon Snow series (which is kind of the Harry Potter in her world). You probably know what a fangirl does, right? She goes to midnight book releases, watches the films as soon as they premiere, meets up with co-fans and of course, writes fanfiction. She writes fanfictions about Simon and Baz being in love, together with her twin sister, Wren. Those fanfictions she (or sometimes, she and her sister) made were awfully famous inside their fandom. Writing was her solace, she grasps freedom everytime she manipulates the World of Mages. And now, they're off to the real world, aka, college. Her twin sister seems to be moving on from their childhood platter but Cather? Nope, definitely not. Entering college was a big mumbo jumbo for Cath, she has tons of things to worry about. First off, her sister didn't want her as a roommate and she consequently turned into an uncontrollable lil brat, a professor who has this issue with fanfictions, her new roommate who seems a little bit off, Carry On, Simon, Nick and his skinny girl protagonists, her father who isn't in a very good conditon, her mother who keeps on trying to tie the knots between them, and Mr. Goody two shoes / Mr. Starbucks / Mr. Smiles for everyone it's free guy, Levi. Well, there was a boy in her room. This novel basically tackles about the roundabouts in Cather's life. A pretty much interesting life I might say.

Characters

So here are some of the characters in the novel. 

• Cather - Of all the characters in this novel, my heart found its home in Cath's shoes. We share the same feelings on some situations. We share the same emotions and we kinda do the same things for our fandom. Yes, I write fanfiction, I'm addicted to them, I don't want it to end. We have different fandoms but we're both fangirls so I just can't find any reason not be different with Cather, I just relate myself to her too much. And, me and Cath both have this thing for the word 'just'. I probably overuse it. 
• Wren - Someone who is pretty much intimidating. I'd love to have her as a sister or a twin but I'd probably be intimidated by her sometimes. She has the looks, the style, the words to use, the habits, the everything. She is a walking confidence stick. A happy go lucky gal who wants to experience life as early as freshman year. She's quite a brat at first and I liked how her character develops as the story progresses. 
• Levi - Levi! How can I not talk about this very amazing guy. Everything that I actually look for a man, Levi had a bucket full of them, no, not just a bucket but a gigantic bucket. He blew me away the very first appearance he made. I adored the way he talks, his habits, the things he is willing to do for Cather, the way he makes Cath read him fan fictions, all those sweetie patootie words, those 'Read to me, sweetheart.' moments, I just love every single one of them. It's very difficult to dislike Levi. He had me because of his very pleasing-guy-next-door smiles and personality. I just love his pleasantness. 
• Reagan - Who would forget this first-meeting-i-really-hate-you-back-off kind of girl? Well, that was my first impression of her. I thought she was one of those bitchy upperclass gals. But little did I know, that was her way of being caring and sweet. She helped Cath survive her freshman year, she never forgets to invite Cath in all those parties. I just love her personality. She might not be the cheesy one but at least, she tries to get her hands on to help Cath. Though isn't it a bit awkward to see your ex-boyfriend date your roommate? I like how she sets aside all the dramas. Finally! A drama free character from a YA novel.

Things I liked

• I love how Rainbow Rowell writes. It was a smooth smooth read, I never had trouble understanding a single phrase. Very clear, no bidding around the bush (I kinda hate those types of writing). 
• The reality attached. Very very realistic plot. 
• The involvement of fanfictions and fandoms.
• Character developments
• The book cover! I like the cute drawings.
• Levi. (lmao)
• Cath and Wren's dad. I love his character to be honest. 
• Levi's room at the top of the house. I wish I had a room like that.
• Everytime Cath reads Levi one of her fanfictions, and they would just cuddle. So cute.
• Those writer quotes. I mean, it did a really great help to my inner writer side. This novel became much of an inspiration to me. I've been lacking words to write, I've been envious of other people's writings but Fangirl helped me realize that I have something in me that others don't really have, I just need to find it. I must find it. 
• Mostly, everything.

Things I disliked

• The twins' mom. I'm sorry but I grew a dislike for her.
• Gravioli, I think, that's kind of disgusting.
• How Nick used their collaboration story for their final project. I mean, how could you call it YOURS if you had someone write some witty lines for you. Don't just claim something that isn't FULLY yours, that's irritating and annoying. Yep, infuriating. That's plagiarism. 
• Courtney. I hate Courtney, period.
• I know that the story focuses more on Cath and her roundabouts but I want to hear Wren and Jandro's love story. Please. And I'd like to read the whole Carry On, Simon fic jibuzz. Everything seems to be in a bliss I want more. MORE.

Favorite Parts

I have tons of favorite parts and lines from this book but I tend to forget most of them since I didn't wrap them up in a list. Sighs. 

• The very first line. There was a boy in her room. I ADORE THAT PART. When Levi was inside her room with all those boxes, beaming at Cather. Ugh. Cutie.
• Everytime Cath reads fanfiction to Levi.
• Oh! When Cath read a book to Levi for a certain class which I can't remember. And all that happened after, the kiss. THAT KISS.
• When Cath met a fan of her fanfiction and they talked about Carry On, Simon. 
• When Cath and her father joked around inside their car (or was it their house?).
• That scene when Professor Piper talked to Cath after gaining an F for writing a Simon and Baz fanfiction for class. I can really feel Cath there.
• Oh, when Levi was carrying Cath's laundry and they were arguing if Cath should carry it but Levi opposes, one of the cutest scenes I've ever read.
• Those excerpts from the Simon Snow books or Cath's fanfictions.
• The ending, when they waited for the Midnight book release, that was perfect.
• When Levi asked for Cath's forgiveness after saying some things to her. He's like, he can't even bear not seeing Cath for 9 hours, what more for 9 days something like that. 
• And pretty much everything is my favorite.

Overall Review

All I can say is, Fangirl is the parallel of reality for us fangirls. I loved how Rainbow Rowell thought of this whole Simon Snow fandom, fanfiction concept. I loved how she made her characters real. I mean, we can see a Cath somewhere near us or maybe, we can even talk to a Levi. Generally, I loved the book which leads us to the last part of this review...

Rating

5/5 stars. 

Sorry for any errors. I didn't reread nor proof read this thing so forgive me. Thanks for reading (if someone even has the time to read this. Haha)