I put in a disclaimer that this review does not reflect the opinions of all Lostpedians, since it is not written in an NPOV format; it's very much editorialized.

On the canonical nature of these novels, can someone please add some references to this from TPTB, that they are supporting these? Obviously, Bad Twin was at first endorsed by the show, by it being shown on the show itself, and used for clues in TLE, but later the producers did make statements which distanced themselves somewhat from Shames' writing. I am wondering how much official endorsement spinoffs such as Secret Identity have really gotten. --PandoraX 22:45, 7 November 2006 (PST)

I would rather have a snyopsys than a touchy feely review like this.--ASEO 07:24, 8 November 2006 (PST)

• I agree with you, ASEO. The problem becomes that I haven't read it (and it appears you haven't either), so if we remove it, there won't be much content to this page. Also, the problem is, where do we put the review, which I think isn't bad info to have... theories? Discussion? If someone would please write a *factual* synopsis of the storyline (leaving personal opinion out), it would be greatly appreciated. We could then move the review to the discussion page or similar. --PandoraX 09:41, 22 January 2007 (PST)

Disclaimer: The following review is from the editorial perspective of one editor, MRNasher. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Lostpedia community as a whole.

Secret Identity ReviewEdit

Secret Identity is "an original novelization based on the hit TV series" or so says the cover blurb of this 168 page paperback.

It's a light superficial read, 4 page chapters with a very simple plot line and numerous references to the happenings of the first handful of days on the island after the crash. It does satisfy some of what a reader may want from the story though.

The book depicts lots of interaction with the main characters and fleeting ones with the less prominent souls but it fails to further the story or clarify the situation on the island.

The central character has a very simplistic and run-of-the-mill post traumatic storyline, complete with flashbacks to fill in 2 missing facts from his mind since the crash. The style, pace and format does suit the feel of the television episodes but it's hard to care about the central character while he stumbles around in his daze, avoiding doing things he knows might help him fill in his missing memories.

The main delight from this light romp is in identifying the characters from their mannerisms before they are formally introduced to the main character but even that loses its fun and it becomes a tedious name-checking slog. There is much coverage on Hurley and Arzt but the limitation that anything he does makes no difference to the Lost storyline really limits the effectiveness of the plot. Even the ABC site's handwritten diary pages give more dynamic stories and new information.

There is one nice scene with Kate that almost verges on being daring enough to give you a fuller feel for a moving scene in the show, but then backs away.

The book does add a minor new situation on the island and does involve the main characters but always at unspecified times and locations that do not make any difference to what we saw in the shows.

It also lacks the element of adding and on-going mystery that the shows possess. Of course it would be totally unsatisfying to introduce some element of wonder to the story line if it couldn't be successfully resolved within the same book, but it's noticeably missing all the same.

One can't help but feel that the mandate for the book was: Write about an unseen character who sees the first few days from their own perspective but at no time does anything to directly influence any event/character seen in the show.

Pros: easy read, references all the main characters and situations.

Cons: does nothing to further the plot or give you any deeper understanding of any character or the situation.

Recommendation

Despite its shortcomings this book will suit the avid Lost viewer and give them some pleasure. A typical novel reader might well be underwhelmed by the simplicity of the narrative and find it over too quickly and without a rewarding conclusion.

If it wasn't for the price (UK market) the recommendation would be stronger.