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renaeann 's review for:
Fan Service
by Rosie Danan
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I cannot be even slightly objective about this, because I was once deep in a fandom based on a popular series, like the heroine in this book is, and I’m wildly impressed AND excited that someone who gets all the quirks, passions and unexpected joys and sorrows of fandom a) is this good of a romance writer, b) got a traditional publishing deal, and c) took all the risks in this very ambitious book to expose those same quirks and passions. Because this felt like the author exposing part of her heart. For me, reading it was like therapy, because I have just as many strong yet mixed feelings about my time in fandom as Alex does.
Sure, this book takes some wild leaps. Doesn’t try to explain all of it, which is probably the smartest tack to take. This is simply a love letter to fandom that shockingly, also happens to be a good book. I kept waiting for the author to screw up or for the quality to go down, but I feel like everything landed, and I even teared up at one point toward the end. I didn’t want to finish this too fast because I was enjoying it that much.
Don’t be fooled - the silliness of this on the surface is masking some deep character work and hefty symbolic meaning. I’m not kidding - a big thing in our fandom was discussion of “integrating the shadow” - I believe it’s a Freudian concept about self-actualization. Won’t spoil the specifics. But it showed up here in a pivotal moment and my eyes almost bugged out of my head. And if you love Beauty and the Beast, this book will feed you there too.
I’m wildly curious what fandom Danan was in. She seems like a private person so we’ll never know, probably. But I guess the specifics matter less when a book can make you feel THIS seen about something that, outside of nerd-world, can be embarrassing to fess up to.
I’m afraid to read other reviews and see if this landed for, well, “normies” as I believe the book calls it. But if you’ve ever joined a message board to find other fans of your favorite piece of media, or raced to read an exciting new piece of journalism about your favorite movie or TV show or whatever, this book will feel like home for you. Easiest 5 star rating ever.
Sure, this book takes some wild leaps. Doesn’t try to explain all of it, which is probably the smartest tack to take. This is simply a love letter to fandom that shockingly, also happens to be a good book. I kept waiting for the author to screw up or for the quality to go down, but I feel like everything landed, and I even teared up at one point toward the end. I didn’t want to finish this too fast because I was enjoying it that much.
Don’t be fooled - the silliness of this on the surface is masking some deep character work and hefty symbolic meaning. I’m not kidding - a big thing in our fandom was discussion of “integrating the shadow” - I believe it’s a Freudian concept about self-actualization. Won’t spoil the specifics. But it showed up here in a pivotal moment and my eyes almost bugged out of my head. And if you love Beauty and the Beast, this book will feed you there too.
I’m wildly curious what fandom Danan was in. She seems like a private person so we’ll never know, probably. But I guess the specifics matter less when a book can make you feel THIS seen about something that, outside of nerd-world, can be embarrassing to fess up to.
I’m afraid to read other reviews and see if this landed for, well, “normies” as I believe the book calls it. But if you’ve ever joined a message board to find other fans of your favorite piece of media, or raced to read an exciting new piece of journalism about your favorite movie or TV show or whatever, this book will feel like home for you. Easiest 5 star rating ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Explanation of above: The heroine is cornered by several men who act like they’re about to assault her. She scares them off. Also, the ugliness, fear and cruel power structures in bullying come through in one powerful scene, but it has a good outcome.