by Sheryl and Laurie (link)
Genre drama, angst
Pairings Taylor/OFC
Length 10 chapters
Status Completed (with sequel)
My initial impression of this story was colored by two things. First, I had heard that both it and its sequel Walls were quite dark and angsty. I didn’t know everything that entailed, but I tried to steel myself for it; I might say I like the angsty stuff, but more often than not it leaves me a sobbing mess. Second, I had read Sheryl’s other story, A Change of Grace and while my impression of it was positive, I did feel her writing could have used a bit more polishing.
Still, I tried to go into Walls with an open mind. Like I expected, the writing needed a bit of editing to really be all that it could be. I liked how the parts from Taylor’s point of view seemed a little raw, a little stream of consciousness. It suited his mental state.
The chapters skip around quickly from present to past, with the past sections slowly catching up to the present. It almost feels like you’re racing the story, trying to stay just one step ahead — or one step behind, dreading the inevitable, even though only bits and pieces of what really happened are being revealed at a time. Eventually, it catches up and the opening of the story is repeated again, with the reader now understanding what brought Taylor to that point.
It’s a unique way of telling a story, and I think it’s very effective. Normally, breakneck changes in point of view would really bother me, but they’re done for a purpose here. The unpolished writing does make it a little difficult to feel the full impact of the story at times, but the drama all feels quite real. Sometimes, these drug storylines just feel over the top, but Walls, to me, is a pretty accurate picture of the (sometimes) price of fame at a young age.
Review by Bethany (website)