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Paradise Lost's Reviews > The X Ingredient
The X Ingredient
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Firstly, I just want to say that I am a fan of Sinclair's fanfics. I've loved each and every one of them, and so I was super excited to read her published works. And I really want her to do well, I think she could be amongst my top favourites in lesfic in the coming years. So, this is more of a constructive criticism than anything else.
My issue with this story... so, like I've said, I love her fanfics. The thing is though, that reading fanfic - you go into the story with a very clear idea of what the characters are about. You already know them quite well, and because of that, you're already invested in the story. Not only are you invested, but the author doesnt have to work so hard to show you what the characters are about, you already know.
And that's actually one of the reasons I enjoy fanfic so much - it's like I'm getting a look into my favourite characters and their lives again and again and again. You can change the plotlines, the premise, the relationships, etc. But at the core of it, it's like coming back to old friends over and over again.
That very same positive, though, I feel, is what serves as a deterrent in this book. Sinclair's fanfic work is amazing. But here, I feel she falters and misses intrinsically the building blocks that turn characters into their own person. And that, in my opinion, is the main failing of The X Ingredient.
The writing, otherwise, is smooth. The sex scenes, steamy. The chemistry, decent. All in all, a fun read. But Sinclair can do way better than a "fun read." And I'm waiting for her to come into her own in the published world, so we can all experience the romance and magic I know she has the potential to create.
My issue with this story... so, like I've said, I love her fanfics. The thing is though, that reading fanfic - you go into the story with a very clear idea of what the characters are about. You already know them quite well, and because of that, you're already invested in the story. Not only are you invested, but the author doesnt have to work so hard to show you what the characters are about, you already know.
And that's actually one of the reasons I enjoy fanfic so much - it's like I'm getting a look into my favourite characters and their lives again and again and again. You can change the plotlines, the premise, the relationships, etc. But at the core of it, it's like coming back to old friends over and over again.
That very same positive, though, I feel, is what serves as a deterrent in this book. Sinclair's fanfic work is amazing. But here, I feel she falters and misses intrinsically the building blocks that turn characters into their own person. And that, in my opinion, is the main failing of The X Ingredient.
The writing, otherwise, is smooth. The sex scenes, steamy. The chemistry, decent. All in all, a fun read. But Sinclair can do way better than a "fun read." And I'm waiting for her to come into her own in the published world, so we can all experience the romance and magic I know she has the potential to create.
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Farah
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Sep 23, 2019 11:39PM
Great review, bud. Working under pressure might have caused more misses than hits? Can't resist her work though after sampling/salivating most of her work.
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Very insightful review, PL. Very interesting points about fanfic character development vs a published book.
Good review. I think you are probably right. But I felt like this was supposed to be more of a lighthearted erotic thing and not heavy in character building so it was OK for me.
Excellent review! I think your incites were right on.
Jules and lex - thank you so much. It's pretty tricky, isn't it? I hadn't realised how influenced we are already going into fanfic as opposed to published works. But with Sinclair, I'm honestly not worried - I think these are teething problems and will self correct as she switches over into the foray of published work.
It did make appreciate authors a great deal more though- a whole new level of respect... to be able to create characters and people so completely from nothing but words on paper, I never really thought about how successfully some authors do it, and how hard that must be...
Carrie - I think you're right in that it was a light erotica, and the character development in those is generally light. But, I'd read the short fanfic bit from which this was inspired, and because I went into that picturing miranda and andy, the whole feel was different, and it didnt feel lacking. The thing I love about sinclair/telanu is how she can really pack emotion and heart and feeling into what otherwise would just be erotica. That was what I felt was missing. Her works usual feel was a bit... not there...
Farah - from blood and gore straight to hot steamy sex, huh?! ;)
