Review: Fan the Fame

Title: Fan the Fame
Author: Anna Priemaza
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Indigo Fall Preview
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 20, 2019
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Equal parts Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl and Jennifer Mathieu’s Moxie, this fiercely crafted feminist YA novel takes on fandom, accountability, and doing the right thing. Even when it hurts.

Lainey wouldn’t mind lugging a camera around a video game convention for her brother, aka YouTube superstar Codemeister, except for one big problem. He’s funny and charming online, but behind closed doors, Cody is a sexist jerk.

SamTheBrave came to this year’s con with one mission: meeting Codemeister—because getting his idol’s attention could be the big break Sam needs.

ShadowWillow is already a successful streamer. But when her fans start shipping her with Code, Shadow concocts a plan to turn the rumors to her advantage.

The three teens’ paths collide when Lainey records one of Cody’s hateful rants on video. Because she’s determined to spill the truth to her brother’s fans—even if that means putting Sam and Shadow in the crosshairs.

Told through three relatable voices and arriving on the heels of the author’s widely praised debut novel, Kat and Meg Conquer the World, this sophomore novel is a nuanced and timely story about followers, fame, and fighting for what’s right.

Review:

This was a great story!

This story drew a lot of attention to problems in the online gaming community. Lainey wanted to take her brother down from his high position in the community by proving that he is a misogynist and a racist. At the same time, ShadowWillow has to fight for her position in the community even harder just because she is a woman. ShadowWillow even comments on how the panel of all girls at the convention was in the morning, at the least popular time slot.

The character SamTheBrave had a disorder that caused him to pick at his skin. He was bullied because people couldn’t understand his disorder. Even his family bullied him about it. Even if a disorder doesn’t have a “pretty” image, it is important for it to be present in fiction, because it is present in real life. I really liked that Sam had this uncommon disorder, to bring awareness to it.

One thing that would have made this story much more effective was if there were people of colour and LGBTQ characters represented in this story. People of colour in the gaming community were mentioned briefly and there were some very minor LGBTQ characters, but I think there should have been some more representation because they are also part of the community.

I really loved this story!

Thank you Chapters Indigo for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Have you read Fan the Fame? What did you think of it?