Jealous Haters Book Club: Modelland

Bookish social media people may have noticed an uptick in conversation about Modelland, the YA Fantasy masterpiece by Tyra Banks. For years, the Haters and Patrons persisted in trying to get me to recap the book. In 2023, they were successful, and Modelland was crowned the official Jealous Patrons Book Club selection. I gritted my teeth and buckled up for what I was certain would be the the worst book I ever recapped, including Apolonia. Dearest, Gentle Hater: I was so wrong. Modelland encapsulates everything good about the 2010s YA Fantasy boom. Sure, the tropes are very much a product of their time, and the names are pretty ridiculous (Tookie De La Crème is the name of the FMC), but it has one of the most unique fantasy worlds I’ve ever read, a focus on female friendship over heterosexual romance (in fact, the heterosexual romance aspect feels almost begrudgingly added), all without ever taking itself so seriously that you can’t have fun. Recently, bookish social media has been…