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Con Quest!
Cat and Alex are excited to be at the world’s most popular comics convention―and they’re even more excited to compete in the Quest, a huge scavenger hunt run by their favorite nerdy celebrity. The big prize: a chance to meet him!
The twins ditch their older sister Fi and set off to find geeky clues, tackle nerdy challenges, and cross as many items as possible off their Quest list, which includes volunteering at an Artist Alley booth, gathering cosplayers in enough colors to make a double rainbow, and actually finding something healthy to eat in the convention center!
Can the twins work together even when they disagree on how to compete? Will Fi find Cat and Alex before their parents realize they’re missing? Most importantly, can these ultimate fans complete the ultimate Quest?
The twins ditch their older sister Fi and set off to find geeky clues, tackle nerdy challenges, and cross as many items as possible off their Quest list, which includes volunteering at an Artist Alley booth, gathering cosplayers in enough colors to make a double rainbow, and actually finding something healthy to eat in the convention center!
Can the twins work together even when they disagree on how to compete? Will Fi find Cat and Alex before their parents realize they’re missing? Most importantly, can these ultimate fans complete the ultimate Quest?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2020
9 people are currently reading
1465 people want to read
About the author
Sam Maggs
117 books990 followersSAM MAGGS is a bestselling writer of books, comics, and video games, including Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope, Tell No Tales, Con Quest!, and Marvel's Spider-Man PS4. A Canadian in Los Angeles, she misses Coffee Crisp and bagged milk. Visit her online at sammaggs.com or @SamMaggs!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 10, 2020
This book was a fun and adventurous read! I like Cat and how good she was with her twin brother. The part where they run together to get away, worming around other people – I like how she sent a video of similar action to her brother to give him an idea, because he’s an autistic and need a little nudge. Reading this book makes me want to attend a comic con one day, not so much for the crowd but seeing all of the costumes would be so cool. I also like Alex’s view. He’s not as confident or a natural leader as his sister Cat. But he tried to overcome his fears.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Cat, 12, as she and her family navigate through the crowd at the comic book convention to attend the Geekicon. Her parents wrote one of the successful comics of all time. Her twin brother Alex, 12, and older sister Fi, 14, are with her. The second view was Alex, an autistic who doesn’t like touching. He and Cat wanted to win the Quest, a scavenger hunt, this year. The third view was Fi who wasn’t a big fan and couldn’t believe her eyes that there could be so many people who would come to a comic con. The twins raced against time to complete their quest while eluded capture by more than one person.
Con Quest! was a great read. I’m not familiar with cosplay and it’s interesting getting to know something new. I like the advice about being in charge. There’s that little bit of girl on girl crush that I was not expecting in this middle grade book. The twist with one of the winner at the end was awesome. I enjoyed the siblings relationships. This book had actions and adventures that made the read fun. I recommend everyone to read this story!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Fierce Reads for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Cat, 12, as she and her family navigate through the crowd at the comic book convention to attend the Geekicon. Her parents wrote one of the successful comics of all time. Her twin brother Alex, 12, and older sister Fi, 14, are with her. The second view was Alex, an autistic who doesn’t like touching. He and Cat wanted to win the Quest, a scavenger hunt, this year. The third view was Fi who wasn’t a big fan and couldn’t believe her eyes that there could be so many people who would come to a comic con. The twins raced against time to complete their quest while eluded capture by more than one person.
Con Quest! was a great read. I’m not familiar with cosplay and it’s interesting getting to know something new. I like the advice about being in charge. There’s that little bit of girl on girl crush that I was not expecting in this middle grade book. The twist with one of the winner at the end was awesome. I enjoyed the siblings relationships. This book had actions and adventures that made the read fun. I recommend everyone to read this story!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Fierce Reads for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
December 18, 2022
This book totally jumps right in, but if you’ve ever been to a con that totally fits the atmosphere. I thought it was a cute story taking place at a fictional convention that was comparable to large comic conventions. The main characters are siblings twins Cat and Alex who are determined to win the secret non-official scavenger hunt Quest and their older sister Fi who just wants to finish her baby sitting duties and go on a camping trip with the cool kids at school. I really liked that Alex had some social anxiety and the way his sister helped him was great. Really cute representation. Sweet story and perfect for geeks of all ages.
June 15, 2020
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
A fun middle grade romp for anyone familiar with geek/fandom culture, Con Quest! also has great family dynamics, lots of inside jokes, and a sweet side romance between two girls that ends with holding hands and a kiss on the cheek.
Cat and Alex are twins who can't wait to participate in a quest taking place at Geekicon, with the prize of meeting one of their favorite celebrities, but to complete all the challenges they have to escape from their older sister who's supposed to be watching them.
I think the twins are around 12 and their older sister Fiona (Fi) is 14. The story is told from each of their perspectives and all of them have solid arcs of character growth through the story. Alex is autistic, with sketching being one way he copes with the overstimulation of large crowds as the convention. He learns to advocate for himself and what he wants, even with his sister. Cat is an organizer who tends to run the show, but sometimes needs to listen and think before she acts. Fi wants nothing more than to be cool and popular and hates all the geeky stuff her parents and younger siblings are into, but she just might learn that fandom can create space for acceptance and being yourself. (partly through getting to know a quirky girl from her school along the way...)
This is a whole lot of fun, fast-paced, with a lot of heart. It also addresses the more toxic sides of fandom through the sort of villain character in the book- a member of the show staff who gatekeeps what "real" fans or geeks should look like or do. Stand-ins for real fandoms (i.e. Star World instead of Star Wars) are kind of silly and cheesy, but it's also funny sometimes if you are able to figure out the references. I think this is a solid middle grade story addressing fandom culture, which you don't always see. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A fun middle grade romp for anyone familiar with geek/fandom culture, Con Quest! also has great family dynamics, lots of inside jokes, and a sweet side romance between two girls that ends with holding hands and a kiss on the cheek.
Cat and Alex are twins who can't wait to participate in a quest taking place at Geekicon, with the prize of meeting one of their favorite celebrities, but to complete all the challenges they have to escape from their older sister who's supposed to be watching them.
I think the twins are around 12 and their older sister Fiona (Fi) is 14. The story is told from each of their perspectives and all of them have solid arcs of character growth through the story. Alex is autistic, with sketching being one way he copes with the overstimulation of large crowds as the convention. He learns to advocate for himself and what he wants, even with his sister. Cat is an organizer who tends to run the show, but sometimes needs to listen and think before she acts. Fi wants nothing more than to be cool and popular and hates all the geeky stuff her parents and younger siblings are into, but she just might learn that fandom can create space for acceptance and being yourself. (partly through getting to know a quirky girl from her school along the way...)
This is a whole lot of fun, fast-paced, with a lot of heart. It also addresses the more toxic sides of fandom through the sort of villain character in the book- a member of the show staff who gatekeeps what "real" fans or geeks should look like or do. Stand-ins for real fandoms (i.e. Star World instead of Star Wars) are kind of silly and cheesy, but it's also funny sometimes if you are able to figure out the references. I think this is a solid middle grade story addressing fandom culture, which you don't always see. I received an advance copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 3, 2020
I got an early ARC of this and it was WONDERFUL. Clever, cute, well-written, incredibly nerdy - everything I wish had been written for tinier me!
June 21, 2020
Con Quest by Sam Maggs, 256 pages. Imprint (Macmillan), JUNE 2020. $17
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Twins Cat and Alex, 12yo, and their older sister Fiona, 14yo, are at the monumental Geekicon with their geek-famous parents. But Cat and Alex are most consumed with their quest to win The Quest – a secret, non-con-approved scavenger hunt with a geek-tastic reward. But first they have to escape their parents’ panel and ditch Fiona. Even then, there will be challenges to surmount, a con-employee with a huge chip on their shoulder, and self-created messes to overcome.
Sam Maggs has lots of experience in the sci-fi fantasy realm, including conventions, I’m sure, because it really shows in her story. The fast-paced action kept me reading til the end in one sitting. I’ve been to several large cons, so it was fun to see the twins navigating the huge, jam-packed spaces. Kids who have attended a con will definitely enjoy this. I want to reread it to enjoy the rush again.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Twins Cat and Alex, 12yo, and their older sister Fiona, 14yo, are at the monumental Geekicon with their geek-famous parents. But Cat and Alex are most consumed with their quest to win The Quest – a secret, non-con-approved scavenger hunt with a geek-tastic reward. But first they have to escape their parents’ panel and ditch Fiona. Even then, there will be challenges to surmount, a con-employee with a huge chip on their shoulder, and self-created messes to overcome.
Sam Maggs has lots of experience in the sci-fi fantasy realm, including conventions, I’m sure, because it really shows in her story. The fast-paced action kept me reading til the end in one sitting. I’ve been to several large cons, so it was fun to see the twins navigating the huge, jam-packed spaces. Kids who have attended a con will definitely enjoy this. I want to reread it to enjoy the rush again.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
August 20, 2022
I loved this book! It was very cleverly written and I loved all the little references. My favorites were "Voltage: Defenders of Legend" and "Igor!!! on skates" which both made me laugh out loud.
February 13, 2021
I loved playing the PS4 Spider-Man game and that's when I first discovered Sam Maggs. Besides Spider-Man, Sam had released this middle-grade novel about attending a comic book convention. I purchased it as soon as I was able to and made it a priority to read it this year. After the lack of conventions in 2020 (which I agree, it wasn't safe to hold them), I felt this novel filled a void for me of reminiscing my own convention experiences.
Con Quest! tells the story of three siblings. Twins Cat and Alex Gallo are geeks. They love comics, TV, pop-culture and are thrilled to be attending Geekicon, the largest comic book convention in the world. Fi, Cat and Alex's older sister, is annoyed. Fi is forced to attend the convention even though she wants to go on a camping trip with some of her popular friends. Cat and Alex are trying to complete the Quest which is a scavenger hunt hosted by Geekicon. The winners of the Quest get to participate in a charity event hosted by the cast of a popular TV show. Cat and Alex ditch Fi as they race around the convention to check off items on the Quest.
One of the things I loved about this book was the characters. Cat is an eccentric, highly energized youth who is super passionate about the convention environment. Alex is on the spectrum and finds the convention to be too much at times. Sam while writing the book actually did consult an ASD editor to review the book and how Alex was portrayed. I loved how respectful Sam was about portraying someone who has ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). While I loved Cat as a character, I found her character to be flawed at times. It was clear she would boss Alex around even though he wasn't comfortable with it. It made for a dynamic sibling relationship and there was a scene where they were forced to confront each other about how the way the interact with each other. The scene itself was well written and intriguing to read as Cat had to come to terms with her actions and their consequences.
Fi as their older sister develops into a more mature adult. I do think the way Fi was written played on the stereotypes of teens. Fi was written as the "wannabe popular" type. However, I like how Sam wrote Fi as being more open to geek culture, without getting rid of Fi's personality. Fi is still an athletic soccer player. I also love the potential LGBTQIA+ relationship with Rowan, a girl in her class who Fi never thought twice about.
It's clear that Sam changed certain fandoms around, but made it pretty obvious what the reference was. Star Wars was Star Worlds. Doctor Who was Whom M.D. I personally didn't find this to be annoying as I felt a young, middle grader reader would understand what fandoms were being referenced.
I do think that some of Cat and Alex's behavior is questionable. There are certain scenes where Cat and Alex are in areas without the appropriate badge. There's a con volunteer that is trying to find them for breaking the rules. While this con volunteer does some questionable things Cat and Alex are still breaking convention rules. In a lot of ways, both Cat and Alex don't face consequences for their actions. However, I did like the final outcome of the quest because it wasn't predictable
Overall, I thought this was a well-written convention style book. I love how there is a beginner list of what to bring to a con and how to behave a con. It also helped me feel a little bit more positive about the current environment we are in since conventions aren't actively running. This was a fun read.
Con Quest! tells the story of three siblings. Twins Cat and Alex Gallo are geeks. They love comics, TV, pop-culture and are thrilled to be attending Geekicon, the largest comic book convention in the world. Fi, Cat and Alex's older sister, is annoyed. Fi is forced to attend the convention even though she wants to go on a camping trip with some of her popular friends. Cat and Alex are trying to complete the Quest which is a scavenger hunt hosted by Geekicon. The winners of the Quest get to participate in a charity event hosted by the cast of a popular TV show. Cat and Alex ditch Fi as they race around the convention to check off items on the Quest.
One of the things I loved about this book was the characters. Cat is an eccentric, highly energized youth who is super passionate about the convention environment. Alex is on the spectrum and finds the convention to be too much at times. Sam while writing the book actually did consult an ASD editor to review the book and how Alex was portrayed. I loved how respectful Sam was about portraying someone who has ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). While I loved Cat as a character, I found her character to be flawed at times. It was clear she would boss Alex around even though he wasn't comfortable with it. It made for a dynamic sibling relationship and there was a scene where they were forced to confront each other about how the way the interact with each other. The scene itself was well written and intriguing to read as Cat had to come to terms with her actions and their consequences.
Fi as their older sister develops into a more mature adult. I do think the way Fi was written played on the stereotypes of teens. Fi was written as the "wannabe popular" type. However, I like how Sam wrote Fi as being more open to geek culture, without getting rid of Fi's personality. Fi is still an athletic soccer player. I also love the potential LGBTQIA+ relationship with Rowan, a girl in her class who Fi never thought twice about.
It's clear that Sam changed certain fandoms around, but made it pretty obvious what the reference was. Star Wars was Star Worlds. Doctor Who was Whom M.D. I personally didn't find this to be annoying as I felt a young, middle grader reader would understand what fandoms were being referenced.
I do think that some of Cat and Alex's behavior is questionable. There are certain scenes where Cat and Alex are in areas without the appropriate badge. There's a con volunteer that is trying to find them for breaking the rules. While this con volunteer does some questionable things Cat and Alex are still breaking convention rules. In a lot of ways, both Cat and Alex don't face consequences for their actions. However, I did like the final outcome of the quest because it wasn't predictable
Overall, I thought this was a well-written convention style book. I love how there is a beginner list of what to bring to a con and how to behave a con. It also helped me feel a little bit more positive about the current environment we are in since conventions aren't actively running. This was a fun read.
May 24, 2020
I won an ARC of Con Quest! by Sam Maggs in a GoodReads giveaway after being intrigued by its setting at a comic convention. As someone who loves cons but unable to attend one in awhile I was excited to live vicariously through the characters.
The book itself was a pretty fun read and I highly recommend it to ANYONE (kid, teen, adult) who loves going to cons. Sam Maggs was amazing with her references to real fandoms. When you read this book, I challenge you to keep a list like I did. She references fandoms in anime, comics, tv series, movies. Thinks kids will know & those only adults will. My list counted THIRTY-ONE different references and I KNOW I missed some. The number of references alone is a good reason to pick up this book.
The story focuses on three siblings, Cat, her twin brother Alex and their older sister Fi. Con Quest! Is told by alternating between their point of views as they experience GeekiCon and participate in the legendary Quest scavenger hunt. The POVs offer different outlooks on conventions and the people who attend. Cat loves Geekicon and the Quest. She cosplays, loves to people watch, is determined to win the Quest no matter what. She's a girl of action and usually quick with a plan on how to make things happen. However, she's also impatient and overly assertive to the point of being rude to the other characters. She took me a few chapters to warm up to but eventually I liked her. My personal favorite perspective was Alex's. Alex also loves attending the convention but has trouble with the crowds because of his autism. He is also a pretty awesome artist, and his chapters tended to notice more of the surroundings and details of the con. He its assertive like his sister so his chapters didn't have the constant feeling of being rushed but is just as clever with plans as Cat. Finally, there's Fi, Fi is an outsiders point of view. She's a jock and is more concerned about seeming cool to the "popular kids". She hates conventions and views this as a chance to show her parents that she's responsible. Her chapters were actually pretty funny. She says and thinks a lot of details that both people in and out of fandoms notice and watching her scramble around was pretty entertaining. All three siblings have character development arcs and discover new things about themselves that are immensely satisfying at the end.
My last thought, and if you've made it this far on my review I thank you, was the portrayal of the con itself was pretty dead on. The mentions of the "con funk" triggered long buried memories of body odor and grease. The amazing artists in Artist Alley and how you easily can start massive events like group singings was true too. I've seen an impromptu line dance go down an entire hall before you'd be surprise how open con goers are. But Sam Maggs also protrayed the dark side of fandoms too: trolls, "real fan" gatekeepers, sexists, etc. But it was done in a way to where you feel like they can be overcome and defeated. As they should be nerdom is for all.
The book itself was a pretty fun read and I highly recommend it to ANYONE (kid, teen, adult) who loves going to cons. Sam Maggs was amazing with her references to real fandoms. When you read this book, I challenge you to keep a list like I did. She references fandoms in anime, comics, tv series, movies. Thinks kids will know & those only adults will. My list counted THIRTY-ONE different references and I KNOW I missed some. The number of references alone is a good reason to pick up this book.
The story focuses on three siblings, Cat, her twin brother Alex and their older sister Fi. Con Quest! Is told by alternating between their point of views as they experience GeekiCon and participate in the legendary Quest scavenger hunt. The POVs offer different outlooks on conventions and the people who attend. Cat loves Geekicon and the Quest. She cosplays, loves to people watch, is determined to win the Quest no matter what. She's a girl of action and usually quick with a plan on how to make things happen. However, she's also impatient and overly assertive to the point of being rude to the other characters. She took me a few chapters to warm up to but eventually I liked her. My personal favorite perspective was Alex's. Alex also loves attending the convention but has trouble with the crowds because of his autism. He is also a pretty awesome artist, and his chapters tended to notice more of the surroundings and details of the con. He its assertive like his sister so his chapters didn't have the constant feeling of being rushed but is just as clever with plans as Cat. Finally, there's Fi, Fi is an outsiders point of view. She's a jock and is more concerned about seeming cool to the "popular kids". She hates conventions and views this as a chance to show her parents that she's responsible. Her chapters were actually pretty funny. She says and thinks a lot of details that both people in and out of fandoms notice and watching her scramble around was pretty entertaining. All three siblings have character development arcs and discover new things about themselves that are immensely satisfying at the end.
My last thought, and if you've made it this far on my review I thank you, was the portrayal of the con itself was pretty dead on. The mentions of the "con funk" triggered long buried memories of body odor and grease. The amazing artists in Artist Alley and how you easily can start massive events like group singings was true too. I've seen an impromptu line dance go down an entire hall before you'd be surprise how open con goers are. But Sam Maggs also protrayed the dark side of fandoms too: trolls, "real fan" gatekeepers, sexists, etc. But it was done in a way to where you feel like they can be overcome and defeated. As they should be nerdom is for all.
July 2, 2020
Con Quest is just super duper cute. It's a must-read for any young nerds in your life.
This book took me about an hour to read. It's pretty short, and it's also just generally fast-paced. Nerdy reluctant readers (and, yes, they can exist) could really take to this one. The plot's constant fun, as siblings Cat, Alex, and Fi work to complete an over the top scavenger hunt at a comic convention. I'm a sucker for a great tropey plot set up, and this totally delivers. For older readers, there's a cute f/f ship for the older sister (14), and for younger readers the twins are focused on the hunt.
Normally I don't like when authors swap the names of obvious franchises, but it worked well for me. Maggs put the work in and swapped so much stuff with such similar but hilarious names that it actually added to the experience.
A great read for younger readers but fun for nerdy adults like me too.
This book took me about an hour to read. It's pretty short, and it's also just generally fast-paced. Nerdy reluctant readers (and, yes, they can exist) could really take to this one. The plot's constant fun, as siblings Cat, Alex, and Fi work to complete an over the top scavenger hunt at a comic convention. I'm a sucker for a great tropey plot set up, and this totally delivers. For older readers, there's a cute f/f ship for the older sister (14), and for younger readers the twins are focused on the hunt.
Normally I don't like when authors swap the names of obvious franchises, but it worked well for me. Maggs put the work in and swapped so much stuff with such similar but hilarious names that it actually added to the experience.
A great read for younger readers but fun for nerdy adults like me too.
October 12, 2020
Sam Magg's debut middle grade novel is a tribute to all things geeky. No real franchises and fandoms are actually named, but fans in the know will recognize their favorites from the clues and wordplay show titles. This book is fun but exhausting. I needed a nap almost as much as the characters after all the running around. Cat and Alex have a sweet and realistic relationship that develops over the course of the story. I'm not so sure about Rowan and Fi, though. I think most people would have given up on Fi's negative attitude long before she has time to have a change of heart. Recommended for geeks everywhere.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
July 27, 2020
4.5 -- A fantastic and fun middle grade debut about life at cons, and the craziness that can happen. There is so many silly and crazy moments in this story, and some things which made me relate to my own con experiences and others I wish I had (like the Con Quest! itself). Cat and Alex are just such a delight and Fi's exhaustion is one I know many non-con geeks can totally relate to!
August 12, 2022
good vibes
September 24, 2020
So fun! Cat and Alex were a blast to hang out with.
June 1, 2020
If you have ever been to a comics convention you will love this book as much as I did! Every page will remind you of the sights and sounds and smells that are all part and parcel of the convention experience. Panels, celebrity signings, artists alley! It's all here. I can't wait for the day when conventions will be back on my schedule! And if you've never been to a comics convention before - what have you been waiting for? You will have the best time and if I can't convince you, this wonderful read will!
September 21, 2020
"The thing about that kind of friendship, fandom friendship,” Rowan continued, “is that it’s just completely genuine. Everybody knows exactly who you are and what you’re into. You can just be yourself. No games. No garbage. It’s huge. Fandom connects people all over the world. And then once a year, if we’re lucky, we get to meet up IRL here. At GeekiCon. And it’s … kind of magic.”
This book is seriously so fun. The basics: Twins Cat & Alex are major nerds who are at GeekiCon, surrounded by fans and fandom, and who are competing in a massive unofficial scavenger hunt-type thing called the Quest, which asks teams to do all kinds of fun things at the con. (Think a mashup of San Diego Comic Con and GISH.) In order to check off as many items as they can, they evade their older teenage sister, Fi, who is very much dragged to the con by her family and wants to prove she's responsible enough to go camping unchaperoned. Fi enlists the help of a mysterious person named Rowan and fun crushes and character development ensue!
Things I adored about this book:
- If you are part of various kinds of fandom or the types of things that get represented at cons, you'll have so much fun at how Sam Maggs references different comics, TV shows, movies, and so on. Just as an aperitif, there's things like Lunar Soldier, Star Worlds, My Academic Heroine, and (my favorite) Igor!!! On Skates.
- This is a middle-grade novel with great diverse representation, especially with gender and ability. For example, there are a few asides that explain nonbinary people or say something along the lines of "They could have been a boy or a girl. Or both. Or neither!" That is such a cool way to introduce / reinforce gender diversity to young people in an approachable and casual way. Additionally, one of the twins, Alex, has ASD. And thank god, there are no ~mystical autism powers~ or exaggerated savant qualities. Alex is portrayed with real heart and sensitivity, and it's great to see how the ones who love him work with his needs rather than treating him as some great mystery or a tragic figure.
- Interpersonal conflicts feel grounded in a real place, characters grow realistically, and communication is healthy. So wholesome <3
- The "villain" (if there really is one in this book) is the type of man that every nerd knows: a purist who thinks cons should just be "about the comics," who gatekeeps who belongs in the nerd community, and who wants to kick out the people who "force diversity" (aka ask for representation) in the fandoms they love. It was a nice nod to the type of everyday tensions in the nerd community.
If you're a nerd and have been to a con, or even are aware of cons, this book is for you. It's a fantastic middle-grade novel, but I (very much an adult) found the book so fun and celebratory of the joy of being part of the nerd community as well. Buy it for yourself or for a younger fandom-obsessed person in your life!
July 13, 2020
4.5 stars. I am a huge fan of comic conventions and books about comic conventions. And this particular book is a lot of fun. There are three protagonists who tell the story - a pair of twins - Cat and Alex - and their older sister, Fi. Alex is on the autism spectrum which at times makes him hesitant to dive into something new or potentially uncomfortable. He's at the con to help Cat with the Quest and also to meet his animation/art hero. Because of Alex's hesitation, Cat often takes charge and steamrollers right over him, which creates conflict. She's also especially driven to complete the quest, forgetting at times that the whole con is supposed to be fun. Fi is responsible for the twins at the con in order to prove to their parents that she is old enough to go on a group camping trip with the popular kids from school. She thinks the whole con, and by default the rest of her family, is nerdy and beneath her. So there's tons of family dynamics and personal growth points for the three main characters.
At the con itself, all three kids deal with a volunteer/staff person who embodies all the worst stories of con-goers and fans who feel like they are the only "real fan" and these other "posers" are ruining the purity of "their" con. This was pretty realistic and I love how it was handled.
There's a romantic subplot for Fi that surprised me. I'm not used to standard middle grade stories (ages 8-12) having much romance in them. I expect that more in maybe an older middle grade (10-14). Some younger readers might be less interested in that subplot.
Con-goers will see a lot of familiar pieces in this, but nothing too "inside" that will leave kids out who have never been to a con. The author does a great job creatively referring to familiar fandoms without naming them. There's a TON of fun in this book and I think kids will enjoy it!
(LGBTQ+: F/F relationship, references to non-binary characters)
At the con itself, all three kids deal with a volunteer/staff person who embodies all the worst stories of con-goers and fans who feel like they are the only "real fan" and these other "posers" are ruining the purity of "their" con. This was pretty realistic and I love how it was handled.
There's a romantic subplot for Fi that surprised me. I'm not used to standard middle grade stories (ages 8-12) having much romance in them. I expect that more in maybe an older middle grade (10-14). Some younger readers might be less interested in that subplot.
Con-goers will see a lot of familiar pieces in this, but nothing too "inside" that will leave kids out who have never been to a con. The author does a great job creatively referring to familiar fandoms without naming them. There's a TON of fun in this book and I think kids will enjoy it!
(LGBTQ+: F/F relationship, references to non-binary characters)
August 26, 2020
The story: Alex and Cat are on their way to Geekicon, determined to win the Quest: an unofficial scavenger hunt with the awesome prize of meeting the star of Cat's favorite show. But older sister Fi--who is NOT a geek, thank you--has been put on babysitting duty while their parents run a panel, and Fi's determined to keep her younger sibs in line so she can get permission to attend the camping trip of her dreams. But the Quest is super hard, and with Fi on their trail (not to mention the evil conference employee James M., who's determined to stamp out the Quest and anyone who isn't a "true" geek) it's only when purple-haired Rowan steps in that the twins have a chance to make their ultimate Con-Quest. At least...until next year.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes G; overall rating G.
Liz's comments: Kids grades 4-7 might never have heard of a ComicCon, but they'll still enjoy the manic action in this story. Plus, it has all the required diversity buzz-words of the moment: non-binary people! A budding girl/girl romance! A kid on the spectrum! An immigrant mother! Something for everyone. Although...for older kids, I liked Brian Katcher's "The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak" (which takes place in the same kind of crazy Con setting) a lot better.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content PG; adult themes G; overall rating G.
Liz's comments: Kids grades 4-7 might never have heard of a ComicCon, but they'll still enjoy the manic action in this story. Plus, it has all the required diversity buzz-words of the moment: non-binary people! A budding girl/girl romance! A kid on the spectrum! An immigrant mother! Something for everyone. Although...for older kids, I liked Brian Katcher's "The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak" (which takes place in the same kind of crazy Con setting) a lot better.
November 25, 2020
Con Quest! was a super cute and quick read that highlighted the important things in life: fandom, bisexuality, and family. I loved the setting and scavenger hunt plotline. The 3 POVs worked really well, despite me usually not liking them in contemporaries. Maggs also gives a great sense of the feeling of conventions and her love for fandom really comes though. The writing could feel a little young in terms of the slang/structures used, but I don't think that would bother a middle grade reader. I also loved the f/f romance subplot; it was well executed and thought out without overpowering the point of the book. As an #OwnVoices reviewer, the bi and autistic/anxiety rep is really well done- none of these things are major plot points, but Maggs executes the specific experiences within each perfectly, I'd highly recommend this to most middle grade readers, but especially those interested in fandom.
AO3 tags: fandom, cons, comic con, scavenger hunts, fake fans, people who hate fake fans getting their butts handed to them, autistic rep, siblings, family, bisexual panic
AO3 tags: fandom, cons, comic con, scavenger hunts, fake fans, people who hate fake fans getting their butts handed to them, autistic rep, siblings, family, bisexual panic
January 29, 2021
This book was an interesting read. Twins Cat & Alex are middle school geeks that have set their sights on winning the quest at GeekiCon. Cat is determine to win no matter the cost. However, her twin Alex plays by the rules. The author’s takes the reader on a ride of a fan obsessed with winning and you enjoy the ride until things and events start to get out of control. The books is fasted paced and fun. If the reader has ever been to a Comicon or Star Trek convention they can relate to the main and fringe characters in this book. However, Alex has social anxiety issues due to his autism. It's a little unrealistic the way his character reacts to different stressful situations that he experiences on a number of occasions. It made me question if the author tagged the character with this disability because she could. With the exception of Alex asking his sister about passes to convention Hall M continuously, which any sibling could ask, I'm not sure why the author added this component to the character.
August 27, 2021
Twins Alex and Cat are on a scavenger hunt called "The Quest" at a San Diego Comicon style convention called "Geekicon." The long list of items must be accomplished during the convention and involves Alex and Cat in many close calls as they try to avoid their sister, Fi, and an overzealous security guard named James M., who believes the con belongs to him and people like him who are "true comic fans." The possible reward for winning is spending a week with the sponsor Corwin Blake, an actor in the series, Paranormal, and the rest of the cast doing charity work as well as a comic art mentorship.
Con Quest! is a fun ride through a comic convention where different fandoms are represented using unique names like Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who and Star Worlds instead of Star Wars. Alex, Cat, and Fi learn lots of lessons about the importance of family and being who you really are. Also, the story includes autistic and same sex relationship representation. Overall, Con Quest! is an exciting adventure that could be enjoyed by con fans at any level.
Con Quest! is a fun ride through a comic convention where different fandoms are represented using unique names like Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who and Star Worlds instead of Star Wars. Alex, Cat, and Fi learn lots of lessons about the importance of family and being who you really are. Also, the story includes autistic and same sex relationship representation. Overall, Con Quest! is an exciting adventure that could be enjoyed by con fans at any level.
April 27, 2020
Ever been to a comics conference?! They are chaotic and wonderful. Con Quest follows the adventures of Cat and Alex as they attend GeekiCon, the most popular comics conference in the world!
Their one goal while at GeekiCon is to compete in and win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks while at GeekiCon. If they win Cat and Alex, or Team DoubleTrouble, get to meet one of their favorite celebrities!
All the characters in this story experience so much growth in such a quick story. The author, Sam Maggs, does a wonderful job as providing an educational experience with spelling lessons, positivity and representation. Maggs does all of this without it feeling forced, and uses each teaching moment to help move the story along.
This is a fun, fast moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms!
My favorite part?! Trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book, and chuckling at the cleverness
5/5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for this Advanced eGalley!
Their one goal while at GeekiCon is to compete in and win The Quest, a giant scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt requires participants to complete odd and bizarre tasks while at GeekiCon. If they win Cat and Alex, or Team DoubleTrouble, get to meet one of their favorite celebrities!
All the characters in this story experience so much growth in such a quick story. The author, Sam Maggs, does a wonderful job as providing an educational experience with spelling lessons, positivity and representation. Maggs does all of this without it feeling forced, and uses each teaching moment to help move the story along.
This is a fun, fast moving story that makes you really want to dive into the world of fandoms!
My favorite part?! Trying to identify all the fandoms represented throughout this book, and chuckling at the cleverness
5/5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and Imprint for this Advanced eGalley!
June 24, 2020
I'm a geek. A major geek. I've been to cons since I was fifteen years old.
This book managed to capture every aspect of the convention experience, from the con-spanning quest (EXP Con in 2009/10) to overbearing security members wanting things to go back to the days of old. I felt like I was back on the convention floor, getting ready to see my favorite voice actors and spend my allowance at that one particular stall that's there every year (even if you could buy everything online for a much cheaper price). You know the one. It's at every convention. Not the same one, but there's always one. [/rant]
Anyway! Every character leapt off the page in a believable fashion. I felt that both Cat and Alex had very strong voices, and Fi's was just as powerful. I blasted through this book today, and I am now in love. This is definitely going on my top books of 2020 list this year, without fail!
This book managed to capture every aspect of the convention experience, from the con-spanning quest (EXP Con in 2009/10) to overbearing security members wanting things to go back to the days of old. I felt like I was back on the convention floor, getting ready to see my favorite voice actors and spend my allowance at that one particular stall that's there every year (even if you could buy everything online for a much cheaper price). You know the one. It's at every convention. Not the same one, but there's always one. [/rant]
Anyway! Every character leapt off the page in a believable fashion. I felt that both Cat and Alex had very strong voices, and Fi's was just as powerful. I blasted through this book today, and I am now in love. This is definitely going on my top books of 2020 list this year, without fail!
August 10, 2021
I was eagerly anticipating reading Con Quest!--a MG story about nerdy siblings at a fandom convention, filled with thinly-disguised geeky pop culture references, sounded like lots of fun. It's a great concept, and I was pleasantly surprised to get into the book and find that one of the characters, Alex, is autistic. The autism rep is pretty solid, even though the problematic term "high-functioning" is used once. (There's also another humorous anti-theft notice on the copyright page--I've been seeing more of these lately, and this one even rhymes!)
Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't the best, which detracted from my enjoyment of the book. There was a lot of telling-not-showing, and recapping of events that would have been more interesting to see in real time, as well as some inconsistencies. And the phrase "more than likely", which as you may know is a pet peeve of mine, shows up.
Three stars for Con Quest!: good concept, but could have been better-executed.
Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't the best, which detracted from my enjoyment of the book. There was a lot of telling-not-showing, and recapping of events that would have been more interesting to see in real time, as well as some inconsistencies. And the phrase "more than likely", which as you may know is a pet peeve of mine, shows up.
Three stars for Con Quest!: good concept, but could have been better-executed.
January 30, 2021
Twins Cat and Alex live for the Comic Convention each year. They plan ways to win "the quest" by earning points completing different scavenger hunt like items throughout the day. Added twists include the villainous security guard James M., who tries to chase and kick them out of the convention and their older sister Fi who is searching for them. Their parents are the creator of Ducky McFowl and are panelist, which puts Fi in charge of watching the escapist twins.
Setting is creative and very vivid.
Topics: twins, siblings, autistic behavior- we hear the inner voice of Alex trying to maneuver crowds and speak up for himself, being yourself- finding you identity, teen romance between Fi and Rowan, determination
Recommended: comic con quests, friendship and finding your identity. Grades 6+
Setting is creative and very vivid.
Topics: twins, siblings, autistic behavior- we hear the inner voice of Alex trying to maneuver crowds and speak up for himself, being yourself- finding you identity, teen romance between Fi and Rowan, determination
Recommended: comic con quests, friendship and finding your identity. Grades 6+
February 19, 2020
This is a great book, not only for kids, but anyone who is a fan of Star Wars, Supernatural, Cons and comic books in general!
The main characters are a set of twins competing in the QUEST, an unsanctioned scavenger hunt put together by an actor of "Paranormal" who is described suspiciously like a character from Supernatural who ALSO runs a scavenger hunt at San Diego's ComiCon. ;)
I enjoyed the story of what defines a "real nerd" and the joy of being yourself. There are also TONS of mentions of real shows with a twist on their names that were fun for adults who may read like, Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who, and MewBlue instead of MewToo from Pokemon.
It was a really fun read, I would absolutely recommend it to everyone I can!
The main characters are a set of twins competing in the QUEST, an unsanctioned scavenger hunt put together by an actor of "Paranormal" who is described suspiciously like a character from Supernatural who ALSO runs a scavenger hunt at San Diego's ComiCon. ;)
I enjoyed the story of what defines a "real nerd" and the joy of being yourself. There are also TONS of mentions of real shows with a twist on their names that were fun for adults who may read like, Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who, and MewBlue instead of MewToo from Pokemon.
It was a really fun read, I would absolutely recommend it to everyone I can!
February 19, 2020
This is a great book, not only for kids, but anyone who is a fan of Star Wars, Supernatural, Cons and comic books in general!
The main characters are a set of twins competing in the QUEST, an unsanctioned scavenger hunt put together by an actor of "Paranormal" who is described suspiciously like a character from Supernatural who ALSO runs a scavenger hunt at San Diego's ComiCon. ;)
I enjoyed the story of what defines a "real nerd" and the joy of being yourself. There are also TONS of mentions of real shows with a twist on their names that were fun for adults who may read like, Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who, and MewBlue instead of MewToo from Pokemon.
It was a really fun read, I would absolutely recommend it to everyone I can!
The main characters are a set of twins competing in the QUEST, an unsanctioned scavenger hunt put together by an actor of "Paranormal" who is described suspiciously like a character from Supernatural who ALSO runs a scavenger hunt at San Diego's ComiCon. ;)
I enjoyed the story of what defines a "real nerd" and the joy of being yourself. There are also TONS of mentions of real shows with a twist on their names that were fun for adults who may read like, Whom M.D. instead of Dr. Who, and MewBlue instead of MewToo from Pokemon.
It was a really fun read, I would absolutely recommend it to everyone I can!
May 11, 2020
Just because your parents are cult favorites, it doesn't automatically mean that their kids will be nerds as well. Fiona sure isn't. In fact, she's been invited to the popular kids camp trip. But she's only going to get to attend if she can keep her brother and sister in line while her parents attend their panel.
But Cat and Alex aren't interested. Instead, they want to compete in the unauthorized Quest that runs in the Con every year. But just because something is fun, it doesn't mean it won't be stressful. By the end of the day, all three of them will have some of their preconceived notions upended.
It took me awhile to get into this book but I did like the way the characters grew over the course of the book.
But Cat and Alex aren't interested. Instead, they want to compete in the unauthorized Quest that runs in the Con every year. But just because something is fun, it doesn't mean it won't be stressful. By the end of the day, all three of them will have some of their preconceived notions upended.
It took me awhile to get into this book but I did like the way the characters grew over the course of the book.
May 11, 2020
An adorable geeky romp of a book! Between Sam Maggs being the author and the convention setting, I figured this book would have to be pretty great and it definitely was. A middle grade novel about three siblings racing around the worlds biggest con--GeekiCon--trying to win a massive unofficial scavenger hunt put on by one of their favorite TV stars. I loved all the sibling dynamics going on between the geeky twins and the older sister desperately trying to track them down who slowly learns that being true to yourself and the things you love is actually pretty cool. Pretty sure this is the kind of book I would've loved as a pre-teen myself--and definitely would've made me want to track down the nearest con!
February 7, 2024
This book is more of a three-and-a-half-star book, but I am rounding this one up. Sam Maggs has created two heroes worth their muster in navigating a media convention (think ComicCon and DragonCon). She also captured the zeitgeist of the convention nicely. Granted, the IP had to be renamed for obvious reasons but it's easy to follow.
One of the antagonists, the hero's older sister, is nuanced and she grows. Another antagonist, a con volunteer who represents what doesn't work in fandom, becomes a whiny punching bag who only serves a basic purpose and, ultimately, a foil.
Still, this is a fun read for those who live and breathe media conventions and a springboard for those wanting to attend one.
One of the antagonists, the hero's older sister, is nuanced and she grows. Another antagonist, a con volunteer who represents what doesn't work in fandom, becomes a whiny punching bag who only serves a basic purpose and, ultimately, a foil.
Still, this is a fun read for those who live and breathe media conventions and a springboard for those wanting to attend one.
November 9, 2020
While I liked the book, I also got annoyed by it. It was obvious to me that the author took well known franchises and change the name of some characters and/or shows. Part of me thought this was clever, but the other part of me was like "Why did you do that?!" Dr. Who became Whom, M.D. My Hero Academia became My Academic Heroine, and Star Wars became Star Worlds. General Queen Lara is Princess Leia! Black Spider is Black Widow. Captain Patriot is Captain America. Adventure of Zenia is similar to the Legend of Zelda, due to the description of it and the name! USS Venture from Star Cross is USS Enterprise from Star Trek! Lunar Soldier: Pretty Navy Guardian Space! is similar to Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. Was this for copyright purposes? If it was I wished it was mentioned somewhere or at least an explanation on the name changes, because other times it annoyed me.
Verdict: I liked the foray into all things Con, but I did not understand the name changes.
Verdict: I liked the foray into all things Con, but I did not understand the name changes.
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