 dreamgazer220 2009-06-06 . chapter 34So... it's definitely been at least a year since I've read Seeing Double, and just stumbled upon Take Two now. I don't really remember much from the original, but this was really, really good. Every character was so well-developed, and though I can't tell you the differences I noticed, it was just... a really good story. I found myself really frustrated with Eden in a lot of chapters, and really confused, but you answered everything wonderfully, and not too predictable. You really are a great author. Great job!! |
 trappedolphin 2009-04-13 . chapter 33Hm... wow, this is really, really different from Seeing Double. In more ways than one.
First off, I want to applaud your efforts in TTFD. Every single character is so much more well-developed. I love Eric in both versions. I can't decide whether to marry him or kidnap him and frame him up. (Both, maybe? :D) Jenna and Eden actually have a decent story, which might not be the nicest but is still important (and what I feel is one of the things that SD lacked). There are a lot more chapters, and I suppose that's due to the extensive plot development- so much more seemed to occur in TTFD than in SD. And since that contributed to the plot and character development, I suppose that's a really good thing, too. :)
In my (worthless) opinion, though, I can't help but feel that SD has one valuable trait that TT doesn't, and that's simplicity. I believe that it is possible to have extensive character/plot development as well as lovely comfortable simplicity at the same time. One of the scenes in TT that almost made me stop reading (I continued for Eric's sake) was the sex scene. Partly 'cause I really, really wanted Devan to end with Eric full-stop, and Eden in TT seems like even more of a jerk than in SD. Mostly, however, because I feel that that scene added way too much drama and angst to a story that already had enough of that. I appreciate your efforts to prevent the story from becoming a total cliche, I really do. :) Still, too much drama tends to detract from the value and potential of a story, which I feel yours has a lot of (value and potential, I mean).
Also, Devan's character in TT is so... different. Not that different is bad, it's actually a good thing. And I'm glad you added more dimension to her character. But I think that halfway through it kind of got a little out-of-hand. Again, the sex part shocked me with regards to her character. I understand and appreciate that it was due to the impact of her father on her life, and perhaps it could be seen as important to the demonstration of that impact and influence. Still, that whole incident makes me feel like she's too naive, even unrealistically so. It makes her seem like a completely ignorant and helpless child, instead of a teenage girl trying to recover from the hurt of childhood abuse. When reading that part, honestly speaking, I hated her, because of how pitiful she had become. Yes, she isn't a Mary Sue (which is fantastic) as she makes mistakes, but that part just seemed a little outrageous to me.
Okay, enough criticism! Haha, honestly speaking, I did enjoy reading both SD and TT, and again, I truly admire how the character and plot development in TT is on a completely different level from that in SD. And I definitely prefer the way Eric and Devan finally reconciled and kissed (sigh i'm jealous) at the park, where so much had happened between them. The relationship between Eden and Eric also has a lot more development, which is wonderful and much better than in SD.
Okay, sorry if this review sounded overly critical, I just talk too much. Overall though, well done with both versions :) I think TT has provided sufficient and detailed closure for each character, so a sequel wouldn't really be necessary- though if you wrote one I'd definitely be one of the first to read it. :) |