Rock Addiction
by Nalini Singh
Dear Ms. Singh -
You may have seen my graphical representation of the differences between "romance novels" and "pornography". The left side of the line denotes "plot and characterization", and the Y axis is for "sex scenes". The further to the right a novel falls on this scale, the more erotic the prose is. Unfortunately, the real estate used to describe private encounters cannot be used to advance the story, and vice verse. The extremes on the line represent "chaste romance" and "flat-out pornography", with "eroticism" being a gray area in the midpoint.
Your novel, Rock Addiction, manages to invalidate the main assumption of that chart that is, that sex scenes cannot advance the plot or characterization. In Rock Addiction, every intimate encounter between librarian Molly and rock god Fox also manages to give us glimpses into our protagonists. In Molly's case, we watch her evolve and in Fox's, we get peeks backwards to see what in his past contributed to make him the man he is in the novel.
The book itself reminds this former mathematician of a sine curve. A typical novel will progress on a bell curve, similar to that first hill on a roller-coaster. An introduction into the premise, followed by a build-up to a major finale, followed by a little opportunity to resolve remaining plot threads (and allow the author and reader to catch their collective breaths.) This book, however, alternates between plot / character advancement and bedroom (well, not always in that room) shenanigans. However, characterization fans should NOT skip over the sex scenes, as they advance the characters (and in at least a couple of instances, the plot). AND those who read the book for the physical interaction between the characters are encouraged NOT to skip past the non-physical scenes; they allude to what and when the protagonists may be attempting in the bedroom.
I was also amazed at how you were able to end this particular novel, Ms. Singh. As we went through the various incidents that described the joint lives of Fox and Molly, I was beginning to think I'd hit the literary equivalent of a movie directed by the late Paul Mazursky an excellent character study with the most awkward of (non)endings. You surprised me, by managing to wrap up the book in such a way as to make me feel that we HAD reached a real conclusion to the story you'd decided to tell.
I had the audio version, narrated by Justine O. Keef. Even though I listen to an average of one audiobook per week, I had never come across Ms. Keef before. Having listened intently to her for around 11 hours in approximately 35-40 minute increments, I can enthusiastically say that I hope it is not the last time I have the privilege of telling an author's story to the masses. (However, I can state first-hand that listening to an audio version of an erotic novel can make for some interesting commutes to/from work, as well as the feeling that I shouldn't attempt to get ahead on my listening while waiting in line at the McD's drive thru. Then again, some erotica writers use me as a gauge as to the effectiveness of their descriptions. The more embarrassed I get, the better they've done their job.)
Finally, let me applaud you on managing to get this reviewer, who is not an avid reader of either romance or erotica (although he tries NOT to fall into the rut of only reading his favorite genres and attempts to broaden his horizons into several other areas) into really caring about the characters you've developed. Not just the main protagonists Molly & Fox, BUT the friends and family that you also introduced us to throughout the pages of the book. I am happy to see that, like mystery author Tana French, you appreciate that ALL characters have a story to tell, AND that you've written sequels to the story featuring some of the other characters we've met during this initial novel. NOT that Molly & Fox aren't interesting, BUT the other musicians in Schoolboy Choir (Fox's band) ALSO seem interesting, as do the women they're interested in, and I'm looking forward to THEIR stories as well!
In conclusion, let me say that while I am NOT the biggest fan of erotica (you may have picked that out between the lines), I cannot hold that against someone who clearly states that is the genre of their work! If not, I shouldn't have bothered to review it! AND since your overall tale is SO effective yes, including the bawdy parts I have no choice but to give you my highest rating. It's early in the year, but you are currently at the top of my "best reads of the year" list, and it'll be up to subsequent authors to try to knock you off that perch.
Sincerely,
Andrew
RATING: 5 stars.
DISCLOSURE: This book was provided free of charge in a random draw. There was an implied request for an honest review, which you are reading now. There was also an implied request for promptness (as well as a follow-up email on those very topic) which I will leave to the individual to decide if "3 months" falls inside or outside of that concept.
by Nalini Singh
Dear Ms. Singh -
You may have seen my graphical representation of the differences between "romance novels" and "pornography". The left side of the line denotes "plot and characterization", and the Y axis is for "sex scenes". The further to the right a novel falls on this scale, the more erotic the prose is. Unfortunately, the real estate used to describe private encounters cannot be used to advance the story, and vice verse. The extremes on the line represent "chaste romance" and "flat-out pornography", with "eroticism" being a gray area in the midpoint.
Your novel, Rock Addiction, manages to invalidate the main assumption of that chart that is, that sex scenes cannot advance the plot or characterization. In Rock Addiction, every intimate encounter between librarian Molly and rock god Fox also manages to give us glimpses into our protagonists. In Molly's case, we watch her evolve and in Fox's, we get peeks backwards to see what in his past contributed to make him the man he is in the novel.
The book itself reminds this former mathematician of a sine curve. A typical novel will progress on a bell curve, similar to that first hill on a roller-coaster. An introduction into the premise, followed by a build-up to a major finale, followed by a little opportunity to resolve remaining plot threads (and allow the author and reader to catch their collective breaths.) This book, however, alternates between plot / character advancement and bedroom (well, not always in that room) shenanigans. However, characterization fans should NOT skip over the sex scenes, as they advance the characters (and in at least a couple of instances, the plot). AND those who read the book for the physical interaction between the characters are encouraged NOT to skip past the non-physical scenes; they allude to what and when the protagonists may be attempting in the bedroom.
I was also amazed at how you were able to end this particular novel, Ms. Singh. As we went through the various incidents that described the joint lives of Fox and Molly, I was beginning to think I'd hit the literary equivalent of a movie directed by the late Paul Mazursky an excellent character study with the most awkward of (non)endings. You surprised me, by managing to wrap up the book in such a way as to make me feel that we HAD reached a real conclusion to the story you'd decided to tell.
I had the audio version, narrated by Justine O. Keef. Even though I listen to an average of one audiobook per week, I had never come across Ms. Keef before. Having listened intently to her for around 11 hours in approximately 35-40 minute increments, I can enthusiastically say that I hope it is not the last time I have the privilege of telling an author's story to the masses. (However, I can state first-hand that listening to an audio version of an erotic novel can make for some interesting commutes to/from work, as well as the feeling that I shouldn't attempt to get ahead on my listening while waiting in line at the McD's drive thru. Then again, some erotica writers use me as a gauge as to the effectiveness of their descriptions. The more embarrassed I get, the better they've done their job.)
Finally, let me applaud you on managing to get this reviewer, who is not an avid reader of either romance or erotica (although he tries NOT to fall into the rut of only reading his favorite genres and attempts to broaden his horizons into several other areas) into really caring about the characters you've developed. Not just the main protagonists Molly & Fox, BUT the friends and family that you also introduced us to throughout the pages of the book. I am happy to see that, like mystery author Tana French, you appreciate that ALL characters have a story to tell, AND that you've written sequels to the story featuring some of the other characters we've met during this initial novel. NOT that Molly & Fox aren't interesting, BUT the other musicians in Schoolboy Choir (Fox's band) ALSO seem interesting, as do the women they're interested in, and I'm looking forward to THEIR stories as well!
In conclusion, let me say that while I am NOT the biggest fan of erotica (you may have picked that out between the lines), I cannot hold that against someone who clearly states that is the genre of their work! If not, I shouldn't have bothered to review it! AND since your overall tale is SO effective yes, including the bawdy parts I have no choice but to give you my highest rating. It's early in the year, but you are currently at the top of my "best reads of the year" list, and it'll be up to subsequent authors to try to knock you off that perch.
Sincerely,
Andrew
RATING: 5 stars.
DISCLOSURE: This book was provided free of charge in a random draw. There was an implied request for an honest review, which you are reading now. There was also an implied request for promptness (as well as a follow-up email on those very topic) which I will leave to the individual to decide if "3 months" falls inside or outside of that concept.
