The Rebel Princess
Nothing captures the attention of a jaded book connoisseur better than a glitzy Hollywood novel. Exceptional characters jump off the page and grab the bored reader with all the excitement lacking in an ordinary person’s existence. Some believe it is human nature to crave the attention and acclaim associated with movie stars, yet the lives of the rich and famous are often fraught with pain and tragedy.
The Rebel Princess is a rough portrayal of film production laced with a bit of sensationalism. This is the story of what really happens behind the scenes, an exploration of the unique environment of a movie location in Mexico, and the people who participate in the prolonged, expensive process of filming. Strick’s protagonists are egocentric, stressed out, and involved with one another just as expected. These are fascinating people who live with fervor.
Davena De Havilland, the heroine known as the Rebel Princess, graces the book like a diva with a touch of down-to-earth common sense. Intelligent and talented De Havilland steals the show with her prominent sense of self and dangerous escapades. The supporting characters play integral roles in the development of this racy novel propelled by suspected murder, explosive passion, and heart-pounding romance.
Though Strick’s work deserves a high mark for realism, her story goes off in too many directions and fails to focus long enough on a specific situation to give the reader an accurate picture. She jumps from scene to scene quickly, and the result is a collage-like effect. A visual writer, Strick is articulate and action-oriented, immersed in screen images and techniques, which is part of her appeal and her strongest ability. In places the book needs tighter copyediting and meticulous proofreading. With better stylistic control, her prose would exhibit greater sophistication, yet at times her descriptions are immaculate.
A native of Philadelphia, Anne M. Strick is a published writer best known for Injustice for All, her critique of our legal system. She has thirteen-years experience in the movie business and lives in Los Angeles.
Trite scenarios mix with unanticipated encounters in this mainstream page-turner. The author does an excellent job of entertaining, while providing essential details that only someone with a background in the business would be able to illustrate with knowledge. Strick is a wealth of information with a potential output of countless books set in the film industry. Expect more from this intriguing novelist.
Reviewed by
Julia Ann Charpentier
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
