Book Review – The Fandom by Anna Day

Cosplay ready, Violet and her friends are at Comic-Con.

They can’t wait to meet the fandom of mega movie, The Gallows Dance. What they’re not expecting is to be catapulted by freak accident into their favourite world – for real. Fuelled by love, guilt and fear, can the friends put the plot back on track and get out? The fate of the story is in their hands …

A fast-paced, genre-flipping YA fantasy adventure from a brand new author, writing in homage to the best YA fiction.

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4.5/5 Stars

I really enjoyed this! Such a unique concept. I was lucky enough to pick up an ARC of this at YALC, so this is the version I am reviewing, though I have sinced got a published copy in the January Book Box Club <3.

I also think it shows the highs and the difficulties of teenaged female friendships. The relationships between Katie and Violet and Alice and Violet are different but with their own ups and downs. I especially enjoyed highlighting the dynamic difference between a friendship you’ve had since you were young versus the newer friend that you maybe click with a little more and the awkwardness that can bring.

I also enjoyed the shared love of the book between Nate and Violet, and his relationship with both Violet and Alice. He was an excellent little brother – shared understandings, knows how to annoy, but also cares for his sister. I’d love to know more about how him and Violet have this shared love for the book, as I’d say it would be relatively unusual especially with a slightly older book.

It took me a little while to get into the flow of the Gallows Dance, once we moved universe, but it was so richly coloured, and well handled as a “separate canon”. I didn’t see the ending working out like it did in any of the twists either. Because I don’t want to spoil let me just say that I do quite like how it ended, except for the heartbreaking part!! Sob!