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connwin's review against another edition
5.0
It's not often that a book, even one of fiction, makes me laugh--hard and often--but this one did just that. And because I listened to the audio, I experienced the additional treat of hearing, in addition to Brent, Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Genie Frances, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Hallie Todd, and other narrators. The audio version also includes music and sound effects, and the sound design is fantastic: the music and effects never overpower the voice that's speaking at any given time but simply add color to the narrative.
I do have a few criticisms: the plot is a bit overly convoluted, and there even seems to be a pattern to many of the developments within it. As a result, the plot feels a bit bogged down at times. Also, while the prologue states that the story told in the book is fictional, the book also contains many scenes (not necessarily germane to the central story) that appear to be from Brent's life. So--it's basically impossible to know how much of that additional material is true and how much is not. I for one would rather know.
But I give this book 5 stars anyway because of how much I enjoyed it. The laughs definitely make this one worth it.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this audiobook.
I do have a few criticisms: the plot is a bit overly convoluted, and there even seems to be a pattern to many of the developments within it. As a result, the plot feels a bit bogged down at times. Also, while the prologue states that the story told in the book is fictional, the book also contains many scenes (not necessarily germane to the central story) that appear to be from Brent's life. So--it's basically impossible to know how much of that additional material is true and how much is not. I for one would rather know.
But I give this book 5 stars anyway because of how much I enjoyed it. The laughs definitely make this one worth it.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this audiobook.
read_with_jen's review
2.0
This is a generous two stars, owing mostly to the fact I loved Star Trek, and it was fun to hear the whole supporting cast chiming in. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the paper version, but honestly, although Spiner is a great actor, I think it did a huge disservice to my memory of Data to listen to him narrate this role. It was too real. He says it is a fiction written in fan fic style based on what it was really like - he came off as so supremely needy, schmarmy bordering on totally creepy. I found his character, and by extension, him, repulsive. I had to speed it way up to get through it. The story started as intriguing, then was just too much to be remotely believable. And OH MY GOD could you stop with the BS, that every female character will be obsessed with or interested in dating you?? Gross.
I am sad that this was a missed opportunity. Honestly had they cut hours of whining and self-obsession, he might have had a decent novelette. So, sorry fans, skip this and keep your own good memories.
I am sad that this was a missed opportunity. Honestly had they cut hours of whining and self-obsession, he might have had a decent novelette. So, sorry fans, skip this and keep your own good memories.
michaelann_d's review
5.0
This book was a delightful read. Hilarious & well worth reading. I highly recommend this book.
riroreads's review against another edition
1.25
I finished this.
I did not like it. I loved TNG. I think I like Brent Spiner a little less now...a lot less. And the "creative" and "comical" ways he invented a story where people fawn all over him were ill disguised as satire, self serving drivel.
I did not like it. I loved TNG. I think I like Brent Spiner a little less now...a lot less. And the "creative" and "comical" ways he invented a story where people fawn all over him were ill disguised as satire, self serving drivel.
ecolite99's review
3.0
The concept of this book is freaking hilarious: Brent Spiner writes an alternate universe fanfiction of his own life. That’s peak humor right there. And I was honestly surprised by how closely the book adhered to the tropes of author-insert fanfiction—every side character is a fan of his, SO MANY women want to sleep with him, every horrible thing imaginable is happening to him, etc. What a life. I give the credit to the co/ghostwriter for making the story so ridiculously fitting for the fanfiction medium.
The plot centers around mysterious and threatening letters Brent has been receiving from somebody claiming to be Lal—the daughter Data creates in the episode “The Offspring.” (Very good episode btw—that shit had me crying.) Lal is very unhappy about being (essentially) killed at the end of the episode, and wants to do the same to Brent now. Brent is haunted by these letters and becomes paranoid enough to hire a personal bodyguard. Who he starts a romantic relationship with. But wait, he also has feelings for the bodyguard’s identical twin sister, the FBI agent assigned to his case. Massive eyeroll.
The romance is not the only poorly-executed area of this book. The story hits a weird number of dead ends: Brent goes to see a police detective, but the detective is totally incompetent and uninterested in the case; there’s a random lady calling herself “Mrs. Spiner” who seems relevant but then isn’t; Brent gets a kidney stone, but it’s just a painful annoyance; a clearly confused and mentally ill woman named Lauretta thinks Brent has been talking dirty to her on the phone when he definitely hasn’t, but that’s never explained. And the ending was a total mess. Fan Fiction is just filled with a lot of moments that made me say wtf.
This review makes it seem like I hated this book, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. And that’s down to Brent Spiner’s humor and the audiobook production. All of the cast of Next Gen voice themselves, and it brought me joy to hear their voices. There are also fun sound effects! Overall, a solid three star experience.
The plot centers around mysterious and threatening letters Brent has been receiving from somebody claiming to be Lal—the daughter Data creates in the episode “The Offspring.” (Very good episode btw—that shit had me crying.) Lal is very unhappy about being (essentially) killed at the end of the episode, and wants to do the same to Brent now. Brent is haunted by these letters and becomes paranoid enough to hire a personal bodyguard. Who he starts a romantic relationship with. But wait, he also has feelings for the bodyguard’s identical twin sister, the FBI agent assigned to his case. Massive eyeroll.
The romance is not the only poorly-executed area of this book. The story hits a weird number of dead ends: Brent goes to see a police detective, but the detective is totally incompetent and uninterested in the case; there’s a random lady calling herself “Mrs. Spiner” who seems relevant but then isn’t; Brent gets a kidney stone, but it’s just a painful annoyance; a clearly confused and mentally ill woman named Lauretta thinks Brent has been talking dirty to her on the phone when he definitely hasn’t, but that’s never explained. And the ending was a total mess. Fan Fiction is just filled with a lot of moments that made me say wtf.
This review makes it seem like I hated this book, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. And that’s down to Brent Spiner’s humor and the audiobook production. All of the cast of Next Gen voice themselves, and it brought me joy to hear their voices. There are also fun sound effects! Overall, a solid three star experience.
xfildchild's review against another edition
4.0
This was hilarious and wacky, but also surprisingly moving. Very enjoyable, quick read.
ilkjen's review
2.0
Started out so great! And all the Star Trek cast cameos made it a delightful mystery. But then… the twin fantasies started?? And it plummeted into gross territory. If I had been reading a physical copy instead of listening to the audio I absolutely would’ve DNF’d this. The mystery stopped being a priority and met an illogical conclusion.