Sometimes Even A "Bad Idea" Can Lead To Something Good

If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it. ~ Albert Einstein

First off, let me just say that it’s taken me a long time to review this book. Trying to come up with words that truly reflect how I feel has been really hard with this one.

To me this book read like a sitcom. There is a whole lot of dialogue which I really enjoyed. It took me into the conversation like I was right there with them. I enjoyed the banter between the friends of the two main characters, Trip and Silas. Their conversations were real life. I believe the way they were written were meant to be in the moment for whatever was happening at the time. I could have easily put my two cents into their discussions because it felt as though it could have been my group of friends talking. It also bounced around from scene to scene, which at first was a little confusing until you get into the flow of the words, then you don’t even notice.

Trip and Silas are simply adorable. Trip is a comic book artist, and Silas is a special effects artist. Both are quite the nerdy type and have so many things in common. Neither one of them had been in a relationship before so it was pretty interesting to watch them both fumble around trying to get it right. Trip, who feels stunted at work doing the same old thing, decides to expand on his artistic talent and create his own comic. This is where Silas comes into play. Trip lacks self confidence and has some anxiety issues, but Silas is the complete opposite. He’s and open book, he’s outgoing and loves the crowds. I really liked how he encouraged and supported Trip in his comic book venture.

From their first unconventional meeting at a zombie run in the park, to the HEA at the end, these two were very frustrating. At times I wanted to pick them both up and bash their heads together. Non communication seemed to be their main problem. Silas ignoring Trip’s phone calls at one point all because he’s afraid to tell him he didn’t read Trip’s first draft of the comic book. Why not just tell him you didn’t read it Silas? The surprise at the con and the over the top reactions from them, again total miscommunication. On the flip side of this, we got to see them work through it, and come out stronger. We all have conflict in our lives at one time or another, and even though I wouldn’t have reacted the way the characters did, I liked the level of depth and care that detailed their struggles. Trip and Silas went through some relationship growing pains and the end result is what counts.

I really loved the secondary characters in this book. They all played a great supporting cast to Trip and Silas’s story. They were witty, sassy, loyal friends, and told the truth no matter what, they seemed like people I would be friends with, they were real. Two of the characters really stood out for me, Kurt and Cliff. They are the ones you love to hate, the ones you just want to, at time, punch in the head. I have a feeling they both have their own story to tell.

I have to admit, when I first started reading this book I was a little lost. I didn’t know where this story was taking me. I didn’t understand the whole comic book lingo. The more I read the more I got invested in the main characters lives and what was happening to them. I was fascinated buy the whole creative process and the behind the scenes look at what it takes to put it all together. I have a new appreciation for comic books, and the creative art process in general, now.

Overall, once I got past the little confusion at the beginning, I really enjoyed this story. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s okay. For the rest of us, it was a fun ride while it lasted.

You can buy Bad Idea here: