Fanfic Review - Tropic of Virgo

I will admit I was leery to start this story because of the whole "rock star & his groupie" connotation it stirred from other people's tweets about it, but I am happy to report, it was NOTHING like that.  The story is about 323 pages and it was well paced and engrossing from start to finish. 

Edward is the musician craving more out of his dole drum life that has become predictable; from either his music that has become stale through circumstance or through the groupie girls throwing themselves at him.  Bella is a young girl with passion brimming from every pore, but no way to fulfill the cravings; either carnal or poetically connecting with someone. Both are creative and have the minds of artists. They breathe music and poetry, but may also be afraid to let anyone see who they really are. 

So, what did I love...

• I really did love the whole "You've Got Mail" scenario of two souls randomly finding each other online, striking a connection and friendship, only to find out the one you love is the very person you confided in most.  Tropic of Virgo has that same sweetness of support found from a stranger, with whom you may share your soul, but no actual details identifying you in real life.  However, the best part about for me was they only spoke in poetry and lyrics online.  Every exchange had a beautiful rhythm and cadence.  I couldn't wait to read each others' poems secretly spilling their souls in iambic pentameter. 
  

• Along with my love of the poetry and online exchanges, I was equally in love with all the musical references.  The author is obviously a music aficionado who's musical range is far greater than most.  It is this knowledge that makes the story believable.  I am not a musician, but I do love music.  I probably only knew 60-70% of the artists mentioned in the story.  I think I want to go back through and collect all the songs and references to educate myself more.  My only regret regarding the music in the story is that I could not hear it for myself.  I wish I sitting in Aro's backroom watching and listening to Edward and Bella singing The Cure's Lovesong wrapped together on a piano bench holding onto a moment and feeling they felt was lost to them. 
  

•  I really liked how the story followed Twilight in similar events and patterns, but was unpredictable enough that as a reader I felt comfortable with how the similarities were laid out, but didn't feel like the story was a ploy to parody or cheapen the original story.  I think it's difficult to make a new story paying homage to the old, but not copying exactly.  In.a.blue.bathrobe did an excellent job balancing old with new. This relates not only to plot, but character pairings and enemies. 

• I absolutely loved the moment of realization when Bella and Edward finally figured out their online connection.  I kept waiting for it to happen and when it did, I was so happy for them.  It was a beautiful moment of acknowledgment and also fear.  They had laid their hearts out to each other about each other not knowing they were actually baring their truths out to one another.  Such perfect romantic comedy material. When each realized the other loved them based on words to each other, I literally melted.  Then when uncertainty took over and nerves racked their young teenage minds, Edward leaned over to Bella and said, "Hello, Spark."  I just got chills thinking about that single moment.
  

And, what I didn't love so much...

• Nothing
  

There's not much I didn't love in this story.  Honestly, it's a wonderful story and yet I question why I didn't "Love" it.  I think for me there was a rhythm to the author's writing that, while easy to read, wasn't as engaging as the stories in my Love rating. I think I fell more in love with the music and poetry over actual Edward and Bella (or rest of the cast).  In the end, I want to go see Breaking Dawn perform.  I'm happy to know the back-story for how the group was formed and what their lyrics mean, but I don't want to know what Edward and Bella are doing in their spare time with one another. I fell in love with the music they could create together.  I guess in the end, I've become the "groupie."