Synopsis | Soon-to-be senior Cameron hopes to complete her costume portfolio away from the online abuse she has endured since winning a cosplay contest dressed as a character from a game she’s never played. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in her new town - her main destination for character reference - is staffed by a dudebro who challenges every girl who comes into the shop.
At her twin brother’s suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming expertise to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she’s shocked at how easily she’s accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Before she can say “Demogorgon,” Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the dudebro, a friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk, a handsome Dungeon Master, and her brother Cooper, dragged along for good measure.
But as her “secret identity” gets more and more entrenched, Cameron’s portfolio falls by the wayside - and her feelings for her DM threaten to make a complicated situation even more precarious.
Synopsis | Soon-to-be senior Cameron hopes to complete her costume portfolio away from the online abuse she has endured since winning a cosplay contest dressed as a character from a game she’s never played. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in her new town - her main destination for character reference - is staffed by a dudebro who challenges every girl who comes into the shop.
At her twin brother’s suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming expertise to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she’s shocked at how easily she’s accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Before she can say “Demogorgon,” Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the dudebro, a friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk, a handsome Dungeon Master, and her brother Cooper, dragged along for good measure.
But as her “secret identity” gets more and more entrenched, Cameron’s portfolio falls by the wayside - and her feelings for her DM threaten to make a complicated situation even more precarious.
REVIEW
My name is Cameron Birch. I’m a level 17 Chaotic Good human being. I’m not going to stop making cosplay or sewing and designing costumes no matter how loud you yell. No matter what you call me. My veins are red thread, my heart a bobbin. Every stitch sustains me, so bring it on.
I stumbled across this one on a bookstore run and it caught my attention from the beautiful paper doll inspired cover. After reading the jacket summary and the dedication, I knew I was in for a fun ride.
What I wasn’t completely prepared for, however, was how much of a focus was placed on the inner struggle and how much I identified with it. As a female, especially a Black female, there have been many times when my interests and hobbies have been questioned or seen as abnormal, so I definitely understood how Cameron felt when dealing with her online and real world bullies. I know what it’s like to feel as if you have to hide behind a certain persona for acceptance and also the weight that’s lifted off of your shoulders when you realize outside influences don’t really matter.
I wish people didn’t call them that. Trolls… They aren’t mythical creatures. You can’t look up how to defeat them in the Monster Manual. There are no critical hits, no saving rolls. They aren’t make-believe. They’re real. And they’re assholes.
Seriousness aside, this is a beautifully written love letter to nerd culture. I loved getting a look into Cameron’s thought process as she was brainstorming and creating her costumes - the detailing that went into the description of those moments made it feel like I was in the studio with her as she was putting together each piece. The inclusion of the comics for the D&D campaign sessions was also a nice touch.
I can curl my hair and paint my nails and wear my hand-sewn summer dresses. I can roll dice and design costumes for heroes and flip through comic books. All as myself.
This was another read that I completely devoured in one sitting and felt sad to see end. I could have easily sat in on many more game nights and continued to follow Cameron on her journey to her dream job making costumes for Hollywood.
