I will always be interested in reading a story about characters who discover the joys and love of fandom. Who see its need for inclusion, but also the possibilities in becoming something or someone else. And that’s just one of the ways Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe shines. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Bounced between foster homes since the age of seven, Jessica knows better than to set down roots. Most of the kids at her new Michigan high school think she’s a witch anyway (because, you know, goth). The only one who gives her the time of day is geeky Oscar, who wants to recruit her fashion skills for his amateur cosplay group. But Jess is fine showing off her looks to her Insta fans—until a woman claiming to be her biological mother barges into her DMs.
Jess was claimed by the state when her bio mom’s mental illness made her unstable. While their relationship is far from traditional, blood ties are hard to break. There’s only one problem: Jess can’t reunite with her mom in New York City without a bunch of paperwork and she worries her social worker will never approve the trip. That’s when she remembers Oscar’s cosplay group, which is aiming for that big convention in New York . . .
So, Jess joins Oscar’s team—with every intention of using them to get to her mom. But her plan gets complicated when she discovers that, actually, cosplay is pretty great, and so is having friends. And Oscar, who Jess thought was just a shy nerd, can be as gallant and charming as the heroes he pretends to be. As the big convention draws near, Jess will have to decide whether or not chasing a dream of “family” is worth risking the family she’s built for herself.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: anxiety, SC with schizophrenia
Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe is a charming debut about (found)family, friendship, and vulnerability. The family aspects – specifically Jess’s feelings about her biomom and adopted mother – are heart wrenching in every way. There’s very much Jess’s fears about opening up to someone, about investing in something that is only taken away. With also her desire to find stability from her biomom. We can’t make people ready for change, but we can alter our own feelings and reactions.
The latter half especially is where Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe shines. As the book continues, Jess has to figure out how to be vulnerable with people. How it’s a scary process, but also one that has the potential for meaningful connections and support. An element I ended up enjoying is how Jess becomes introduced to the cosplay and fandom community. How she truly finds a space within for herself and has to learn to see what it represents. Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe is character driven with conversations about inherited trauma and mental illness.
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All in all, Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe stresses the difficulties of being vulnerable, especially for Jess’s character. How we can feel like nothing is certain and that connecting with others leads to hurt. But also how with the right people, their relationships make the difference – they become found family. Find Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.