Review of Big Name Fan by Ruthie Knox and Elise Braden
When I first stumbled upon Big Name Fan, I was practically buzzing with excitement. The promise of celebrity gossip, a fiction-heavy narrative, and amateur sleuthing—combined with the talents of Ruthie Knox and Elise Braden—speared right into my literary wheelhouse. I mean, who could resist a world that blends the fandoms we love with the thrill of a mystery? Unfortunately, the experience turned out to be more disheartening than delightful, leaving me both puzzled and disappointed.
At the heart of Big Name Fan are two protagonists, Bex and Sam, who mirror the tension and chemistry often found in fanfiction. However, I found their characterizations lacking depth. Bex, the ostensibly spirited theater kid, felt flat and uninspired. It’s hard to believe she embodies the vibrance that comes with being a theater performer. With emotional registers more akin to paint drying than stage lights shining, she struggled to engage me. Then there’s Sam, who seemed more like a collection of traits than a fully realized character. Where’s the spark, the connection that’s supposed to ignite the pages? It left me yearning for more, prompting me to raid my own memories of fanfic that effortlessly breathe life into otherwise staid characters.
The dual worlds of fiction and reality promised a complex narrative but came at a cost. A bulk of the first 20% felt like an immersive information dump, leaving me wading through backstories without any emotional anchors. It’s clear that the authors aimed to craft a multilayered tapestry, but somewhere along the way, the execution faltered. Instead of drawing me in, the exposition strained my patience, making it difficult to connect with the unraveling mystery.
While I appreciate the ambition behind this book—the blending of so many components is commendable—it felt like standing in a room full of mirrors: all reflection, no meaning. The relationship between Bex and Sam, intended to resonate with the fervor of fan-created narratives, lacked any of the heat or tension that makes those alternate realities so engaging. In fanfiction, we can easily find camaraderie and chemistry that propels the narratives, but here it just evaporated in the air.
I wish I could say the prose or pacing elevated my experience, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case either. The pacing at times dragged, and the writing style felt more like a checklist of traits rather than the spirited engagement I expected. For example, the vivid imagery of clothing didn’t translate into emotional intimacy; clothes can’t substitute for genuine connection!
Despite the pervasive sense of disappointment, I do recognize that this book might resonate differently for those who aren’t as immersed in the world of fanfiction. Perhaps those readers will find Bex and Sam compelling in their own right. However, for fans craving the electric tension and layered storytelling present in the best community-created tales, Big Name Fan may feel more like a missed opportunity than the vibrant adventure it promises.
I ultimately walked away from this one feeling a mix of frustration and sadness, knowing it could have been a delightful romp through the worlds we adore. For those who thrive on love stories with palpable chemistry and are eager for relatable characters, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you’re looking for a lighthearted read that plays with the notion of fandom in a different light, perhaps there’s some joy to be found within these pages.