"12 Rites of Passage" is a very well written
story. The author knows how to capture her audience's attention and how to
build a desire to read on. Yet, the story seems too long in one or the other
part. Even though the reader realizes some of the rather long episodes are
required for the altogether understanding, it is at those times you wish
there was another way to describe things. Additionally to that the most
important storyline, finding Samantha Mulder, is the part which is most
predictable and it is not before long that the reader knows where to find
her. Only to realize that he is now in another chase and run episode.
Unfortunately, these episodes end as expected, yet are not long enough to
steer up emotions of fear or agony. Neither in the reader nor in the
characters themselves.
Maybe I am just well too aware of the
typical storylines itself that I am capable of realizing rather fast as to
what is going on, yet even I was not able to see the real outcome of it.
Always a good sign as I see it. However, it would be adviceable to
reconsider if all the scenes have to be as long as they are and if there is
no other possibility as to how to describe the feelings of the charactes
and their development. Is the growing relationship between the two major
characters really the focus of the story or is it something else? I for one
rule for the something else part and have the relationship between Mulder
and Scully grow, deteriorate or stay as it is, only as a byproduct of the
things happening around them.
The supporting characters which did
not appear "on screen" actually were the best ones. The second meaning in
their names and their description are wonderful and brought forward one or
the other laugh. Unfortunately, supporting characters are not the ones who
carry the whole story, but are only a part of it.
Even though this story is not the
best I have ever read, I would still recomend it to the dedicated, since it
is certainly in the top ranks of the stories I have read. And read I have
many.
