Book Review: Author Anonymous by E.K. Blair

29613610

Since there was a lot of buzz about this book leading up to its release, I added it to my to-read shelf. After all, I’m drawn to stories that involve scandal, betrayal, and morally bankrupt characters. I had no plans to read it right away, but then it was released, and there was even more buzz about it. So I made a mental note to read it sooner than later. THEN the standard buzz (which typically surrounds new releases by best-selling authors) became infused with drama and gossip, catapulting Author Anonymous to the top of my to-read list.

For the first 21% of the book (up to chapter seven), I started to wonder what all the negative hype was about. I found Tori to be relatable and couldn’t imagine her doing anything to make so many readers so angry. I began to wonder if maybe I just have a higher tolerance for seriously flawed individuals who make bad decisions. But then, Tori crosses a line with one particular character, and that’s when the story really sucked me in. I felt a combination of shocked, irritated, sad, and nervous for the rest of the story.

The roller coaster of emotions I experienced was not solely because of Anonymous’ story either. It was also due to E.K.’s amazing ability to elicit those emotions. Instead of despising Tori for her betrayals and selfish, illogical excuses, E.K. somehow made me sympathize with her at times. That’s not to say I agree with the things she did, but I was made to understand her thought process. As for the other key players in this story? Oh my God, I felt so terrible for both of them! The displays of honesty in certain scenes just broke my heart.

Author Anonymous contains so much depth and emotion, and it’s one of those books that makes you wonder how well you really know those closest to you. It might also make you wonder how far you’d be willing to go if you abandoned loyalty and obligation to follow your heart. I couldn’t care less if this book is based on a true story or not. What matters is that it’s one hell of a read!