Matthew R. Bell's Blog
June 14, 2017
A Dark So Deadly by Stuart MacBride - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
Sometimes the worst thing you can imagine is just the beginning...
Welcome to the Misfit Mob.
As an avid lover of books from almost every genre, it can become a bit tedious when reading the same one so much. But, and heavy emphasis on that very shapely but, that tedium can highlight the light within the dark; it can separate the exceptional from the mediocre.
A Dark So Deadly is exceptional.
A tad long, but otherwise a Scottish crime novel that deserves your money and a place on your shelf. MacBride is in top form; an author with a distinct voice and style that completely captures the reader from page one. A Dark So Deadly seems ordinary on the surface, with a standard synopsis that intrigues but doesn't really strike deep. But inside... His dark comedy is genius and his storytelling abilities are impossible to deny.
Telling the tales of underdogs overcoming adversity, lies and corruption poisoning trust, and finding a home in darkness, A Dark So Deadly flicks and flips, doing a damn fine job of entertaining.
Synopsis
WELCOME TO THE MISFIT MOB...
It's where Police Scotland dumps the officers it can't get rid of, but wants to: the outcasts, the troublemakers, the compromised. Officers like DC Callum MacGregor, lumbered with all the boring go-nowhere cases. So when an ancient mummy turns up at the Oldcastle tip, it's his job to find out which museum it's been stolen from.
But then Callum uncovers links between his ancient corpse and three missing young men, and life starts to get a lot more interesting. O Division's Major Investigation Teams already have more cases than they can cope with, so, against everyone's better judgement, the Misfit Mob are just going to have to manage this one on their own.
No one expects them to succeed, but right now they're the only thing standing between the killer's victims and a slow, lingering death. The question is, can they prove everyone wrong before he strikes again?
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
A Dark So Deadly, like its synopsis, has a standard beginning: A sleek introduction that sets the immediate foundations. But a polish entices the reader onward, and that polish is the Misfit Mob, a name that's pretty self-explanatory. MacBride's ragamuffin crew dominate the world with their inextricable links to the plot in all its dank, descriptive glory.
It's not long before things ratchet up a notch, though, and when I say they ratchet, I mean blast off with the force of a hundred rockets. Subplots compliment the core storylines, and while there are plenty of threads wriggling about in frustration for their moment in the limelight, MacBride, like the pro he is, weaves them with a balance that's impossible to fault.
Intense developments blindside the reader, and while the author toes the line between just enough and too much, his steady hand builds a solid story that details realistic and riveting realities people face.
And it's all set in Oldcastle, Scotland, a fictional city that MacBride brings to life.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
At 600 pages, A Dark So Deadly is undoubtedly a beast, but the sheer talent at balancing plots and themes make it a novel that I guarantee is impossible to put down.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
The Misfit Mob, led by the enigmatic 'Mother', is a team of wildly entertaining characters. Their complexities and distinct personalities are to die for. There're even a couple cameos from MacBride's Ash Henderson series, which shares the same world, and it only serves to flesh an already meaty reality. A Dark So Deadly just reaffirms the fact that the author never fails to birth a cast of impeccable talent.
DC Callum MacGregor is our protagonist, and his viewpoint travels with a brash attitude that hides perceptive intelligence. His anger never alienates the reader, and his status as the underdog on a team of underdogs only goes to cement him as a worthy, complicated hero.
Surrounding him are characters like DS McAdams, a man dying of cancer with a predilection for poetry; Franklin, a no-nonsense black woman who fights tooth-and-nail for respect; Dot, a wheelchair-bound copper with a heart of gold; and Watt, the man nobody seems to like, but a man with many layers beneath the surface.
Superb development on individual fronts only makes the Misfit Mob's final cohesion all the more sweet. The twists and turns within the cast's personal lives land like steel punches, and a bond is forged that has you depressed over the standalone nature of the novel.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Give me MacBride's writing any day; heck, give me it every day and I'll thank you like you've given me a gift direct from the gods.
Smooth sentences create vivid imagery and emotions, both of which sync effortlessly with the rapid-fire comedy and gruesome gore that make up this smashing crime experience.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
A spectacular standalone that I hope receives enough praise to give MacBride a reason to write more.
A Dark So Deadly is addictive, and with the plot's promise wholly fulfilled by a cast with crackling chemistry, it'd be a shame if you missed the ride.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Sometimes the worst thing you can imagine is just the beginning...
Welcome to the Misfit Mob.
As an avid lover of books from almost every genre, it can become a bit tedious when reading the same one so much. But, and heavy emphasis on that very shapely but, that tedium can highlight the light within the dark; it can separate the exceptional from the mediocre.
A Dark So Deadly is exceptional.
A tad long, but otherwise a Scottish crime novel that deserves your money and a place on your shelf. MacBride is in top form; an author with a distinct voice and style that completely captures the reader from page one. A Dark So Deadly seems ordinary on the surface, with a standard synopsis that intrigues but doesn't really strike deep. But inside... His dark comedy is genius and his storytelling abilities are impossible to deny.
Telling the tales of underdogs overcoming adversity, lies and corruption poisoning trust, and finding a home in darkness, A Dark So Deadly flicks and flips, doing a damn fine job of entertaining.
Synopsis
WELCOME TO THE MISFIT MOB...
It's where Police Scotland dumps the officers it can't get rid of, but wants to: the outcasts, the troublemakers, the compromised. Officers like DC Callum MacGregor, lumbered with all the boring go-nowhere cases. So when an ancient mummy turns up at the Oldcastle tip, it's his job to find out which museum it's been stolen from.
But then Callum uncovers links between his ancient corpse and three missing young men, and life starts to get a lot more interesting. O Division's Major Investigation Teams already have more cases than they can cope with, so, against everyone's better judgement, the Misfit Mob are just going to have to manage this one on their own.
No one expects them to succeed, but right now they're the only thing standing between the killer's victims and a slow, lingering death. The question is, can they prove everyone wrong before he strikes again?
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
A Dark So Deadly, like its synopsis, has a standard beginning: A sleek introduction that sets the immediate foundations. But a polish entices the reader onward, and that polish is the Misfit Mob, a name that's pretty self-explanatory. MacBride's ragamuffin crew dominate the world with their inextricable links to the plot in all its dank, descriptive glory.
It's not long before things ratchet up a notch, though, and when I say they ratchet, I mean blast off with the force of a hundred rockets. Subplots compliment the core storylines, and while there are plenty of threads wriggling about in frustration for their moment in the limelight, MacBride, like the pro he is, weaves them with a balance that's impossible to fault.
Intense developments blindside the reader, and while the author toes the line between just enough and too much, his steady hand builds a solid story that details realistic and riveting realities people face.
And it's all set in Oldcastle, Scotland, a fictional city that MacBride brings to life.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
At 600 pages, A Dark So Deadly is undoubtedly a beast, but the sheer talent at balancing plots and themes make it a novel that I guarantee is impossible to put down.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
The Misfit Mob, led by the enigmatic 'Mother', is a team of wildly entertaining characters. Their complexities and distinct personalities are to die for. There're even a couple cameos from MacBride's Ash Henderson series, which shares the same world, and it only serves to flesh an already meaty reality. A Dark So Deadly just reaffirms the fact that the author never fails to birth a cast of impeccable talent.
DC Callum MacGregor is our protagonist, and his viewpoint travels with a brash attitude that hides perceptive intelligence. His anger never alienates the reader, and his status as the underdog on a team of underdogs only goes to cement him as a worthy, complicated hero.
Surrounding him are characters like DS McAdams, a man dying of cancer with a predilection for poetry; Franklin, a no-nonsense black woman who fights tooth-and-nail for respect; Dot, a wheelchair-bound copper with a heart of gold; and Watt, the man nobody seems to like, but a man with many layers beneath the surface.
Superb development on individual fronts only makes the Misfit Mob's final cohesion all the more sweet. The twists and turns within the cast's personal lives land like steel punches, and a bond is forged that has you depressed over the standalone nature of the novel.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Give me MacBride's writing any day; heck, give me it every day and I'll thank you like you've given me a gift direct from the gods.
Smooth sentences create vivid imagery and emotions, both of which sync effortlessly with the rapid-fire comedy and gruesome gore that make up this smashing crime experience.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
A spectacular standalone that I hope receives enough praise to give MacBride a reason to write more.
A Dark So Deadly is addictive, and with the plot's promise wholly fulfilled by a cast with crackling chemistry, it'd be a shame if you missed the ride.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
June 6, 2017
16th Seduction by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro (Women's Murder Club, #16) - Book Review
Fifteen months ago, Detective Lindsay Boxer's life was perfect...
Now, a deadly conspiracy is working against her,
and soon she could be on trial...
Anyone wanna take a guess as to what happens when you promise to set aside time for reading after a big lull?
In my case, it all went to crap.
So many weeks without a book under my belt...
Maybe that's why on my return to San Francisco in 16th Seduction, my eager brain raised my expectations too high. The novel's solid, with fast and ferocious fun that'll please Patterson fans with its comfortable formula, but, for me, something's missing. I remember being absolutely enamoured by the Women's Murder Club series, but chalk it up to such a long series being released over a long time and my rose-tinted glasses are slipping.
Readers are still in store for a crime-thriller novel that thinks big, with terrorism, secrets, and fear leading the charge in terms of themes, but part of me can't help but think there's far too much attempted style over meaningful substance (which pains me to say, so maybe I'm just crazy).
Synopsis
FIFTEEN MONTHS AGO, DETECTIVE LINDSAY BOXER'S LIFE WAS PERFECT...
With her beautiful baby daughter and doting husband, Joe, she felt nothing could go wrong.
But Joe isn't everything that Lindsay thought he was, and she's still reeling from his betrayal as a wave of mysterious heart attacks strikes seemingly unrelated victims across San Francisco.
And at the trial of a bomber Lindsay and Joe worked together to capture, the defence raises damning questions about Lindsay and Joe's investigation.
A deadly conspiracy is working against Lindsay, and soon she could be the one on trial.
Plot - 3/5 Stars
16th Seduction starts off with a bang and continues with several clever concussive blows. Aptly mirroring real-world events, namely terrorism, Patterson and Paetro do a solid job of portraying an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Sadly, that's as far as my emotional connection to the novel goes. Subplots, mostly romantic in nature, take up a huge amount of time and cast thoughts. Given the extraordinary circumstances I can understand the need to ponder your nearest and dearest, but I couldn't find the energy to care.
While the story builds its wobbly foundations, with plot threads appearing only to vanish within a chapter until 200 pages later, the mixing of police procedural and criminal court proceedings that is a Women's Murder Club standard really brings the novel up a notch. The balance is iffy, but there are some shining moments of suspense that scintillate the senses.
Events become more psychological as the plot progresses, and despite my Debbie-Downer attitude (seriously, I don't know what's up with my increasingly cynical brain; where did my fun go?), 16th Seduction is an enjoyable thriller that'll only take a few hours of your day.
Pace - 3/5 Stars
With the standard short chapters in tow, Patterson and Paetro race forwards with the flow. It's a pro and con, ensuring that the reader never stalls in their experience only to fall victim to a broken balance between plots.
Too much go go go, and not enough contemplation.
Characters - 3/5 Stars
I know I've said this before but: Isn't this series about a club of wise women who solve crimes?
Where the hell is this Women's Murder Club!?
For almost three quarters of the book the 'club' is barely a focus, and it frustrates me to no end. Are the members used? Yes. Are their inclusions all significant? Nowhere near it.
Individual personalities are concrete, led by good-hearted cop Lindsay Boxer, but, I asked myself whether or not, aside from their personal lives, has anything really changed over the course of sixteen books? Development's always been nonexistent, and as the series ages, it gets more frustrating.
The authors nail their respective roles, though, and I still enjoy my time with them.
Writing - 3/5 Stars
Events are clear and grave, bolstered by their stone-cold realism.
Overall - 3/5 Stars
16th Seduction isn't a hit or a miss for me, just an average entry to a series I'm fast becoming far too comfortable with. There aren't enough surprises or shocks to really shake the story's world, and that's quite a frustrating realisation considering the scale of the criminal plots that take place.
But, I digress, there are decent sparks of suspense throughout that make 16th Seduction a fun foray if you have the time for it.
Now, I need to go and try to find where my lackadaisical fun went and why I'm suddenly so dismal.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Now, a deadly conspiracy is working against her,
and soon she could be on trial...
Anyone wanna take a guess as to what happens when you promise to set aside time for reading after a big lull?
In my case, it all went to crap.
So many weeks without a book under my belt...
Maybe that's why on my return to San Francisco in 16th Seduction, my eager brain raised my expectations too high. The novel's solid, with fast and ferocious fun that'll please Patterson fans with its comfortable formula, but, for me, something's missing. I remember being absolutely enamoured by the Women's Murder Club series, but chalk it up to such a long series being released over a long time and my rose-tinted glasses are slipping.
Readers are still in store for a crime-thriller novel that thinks big, with terrorism, secrets, and fear leading the charge in terms of themes, but part of me can't help but think there's far too much attempted style over meaningful substance (which pains me to say, so maybe I'm just crazy).
Synopsis
FIFTEEN MONTHS AGO, DETECTIVE LINDSAY BOXER'S LIFE WAS PERFECT...
With her beautiful baby daughter and doting husband, Joe, she felt nothing could go wrong.
But Joe isn't everything that Lindsay thought he was, and she's still reeling from his betrayal as a wave of mysterious heart attacks strikes seemingly unrelated victims across San Francisco.
And at the trial of a bomber Lindsay and Joe worked together to capture, the defence raises damning questions about Lindsay and Joe's investigation.
A deadly conspiracy is working against Lindsay, and soon she could be the one on trial.
Plot - 3/5 Stars
16th Seduction starts off with a bang and continues with several clever concussive blows. Aptly mirroring real-world events, namely terrorism, Patterson and Paetro do a solid job of portraying an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Sadly, that's as far as my emotional connection to the novel goes. Subplots, mostly romantic in nature, take up a huge amount of time and cast thoughts. Given the extraordinary circumstances I can understand the need to ponder your nearest and dearest, but I couldn't find the energy to care.
While the story builds its wobbly foundations, with plot threads appearing only to vanish within a chapter until 200 pages later, the mixing of police procedural and criminal court proceedings that is a Women's Murder Club standard really brings the novel up a notch. The balance is iffy, but there are some shining moments of suspense that scintillate the senses.
Events become more psychological as the plot progresses, and despite my Debbie-Downer attitude (seriously, I don't know what's up with my increasingly cynical brain; where did my fun go?), 16th Seduction is an enjoyable thriller that'll only take a few hours of your day.
Pace - 3/5 Stars
With the standard short chapters in tow, Patterson and Paetro race forwards with the flow. It's a pro and con, ensuring that the reader never stalls in their experience only to fall victim to a broken balance between plots.
Too much go go go, and not enough contemplation.
Characters - 3/5 Stars
I know I've said this before but: Isn't this series about a club of wise women who solve crimes?
Where the hell is this Women's Murder Club!?
For almost three quarters of the book the 'club' is barely a focus, and it frustrates me to no end. Are the members used? Yes. Are their inclusions all significant? Nowhere near it.
Individual personalities are concrete, led by good-hearted cop Lindsay Boxer, but, I asked myself whether or not, aside from their personal lives, has anything really changed over the course of sixteen books? Development's always been nonexistent, and as the series ages, it gets more frustrating.
The authors nail their respective roles, though, and I still enjoy my time with them.
Writing - 3/5 Stars
Events are clear and grave, bolstered by their stone-cold realism.
Overall - 3/5 Stars
16th Seduction isn't a hit or a miss for me, just an average entry to a series I'm fast becoming far too comfortable with. There aren't enough surprises or shocks to really shake the story's world, and that's quite a frustrating realisation considering the scale of the criminal plots that take place.
But, I digress, there are decent sparks of suspense throughout that make 16th Seduction a fun foray if you have the time for it.
Now, I need to go and try to find where my lackadaisical fun went and why I'm suddenly so dismal.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
April 10, 2017
Running Blind by M.J. Arlidge (DI Helen Grace, #0.6) - Book Review
4/5 Stars
There's a dark secret lurking amid the quiet fields of Hampshire,
one that Helen is determined to uncover...
Love a complex heroine that lives in the dark, depressing dwellings of evil? I do, and Helen Grace is one of the brightest. Running Blind, a solid short story that expands the series' protagonist's origins, is extremely enjoyable. Filled to the brim with morality, self-discovery, and, of course, the prerequisite doses of adrenaline-infused action, it's a novella with bite.
So I invite you to take a trip to England's Southampton during the early 90s, and witness rookie officer Helen Grace as she dodges her past and problematic persons in her present to fulfil her passion for justice.
It's a juicy tidbit that'll have you salivating for the new core instalment, Love Me Not, which releases next month.
Synopsis
New to the police force, WPC Helen Grace is assigned to her first clear-cut case. Sure there's something sinister beneath the surface, Helen has a bad feeling...but who's going to take the word of a rookie?
Fresh out of Police College, 18-year-old WPC Helen Grace is the first to arrive on the scene of a fatal collision. Her colleagues see nothing amiss, convinced that the young man's death was a tragic accident. But Helen is not so sure.
Who is their mystery victim? Why would he risk life and limb running across a busy highway? And what might he have been running from?
There's a dark secret lurking amid the quiet fields of Hampshire, one that Helen is determined to uncover.
Plot - 4/5 Stars
Running Blind is a simple, yet frighteningly realistic case that bares the brutality that human beings are capable of inflicting. It's shocking and true. But Arlidge doesn't leave the reader floundering in the murky emotions alone. Enter newbie Helen Grace, a fresh recruit with a troubled past. She is the bold antithesis to the darkness; a light that stoically fights for justice.
The novella balances itself extremely well, building its procedural case with sturdy foundations while showcasing the talents of the series' main character.
Short and bittersweet are the ingredients for the day, and they go down smoothly.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
Simply put: A fast, fun, ferociously delightful short e-book.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Its relatively short length doesn't allow Running Blind much room in the way of cast progression, but the author does a stellar job with his main gal, and some side characters often surprise the reader with shining moments of palpable personality.
The e-book's undoubted focus centres on Grace's journey of self-discovery. Older than her eighteen years, she absorbs skills and information like a sponge, ready to apply her piercing perception to the hardest of puzzles. Running Blind finds her mostly enjoying her rotations through various police departments, but, alas, her tenacity, curiosity, and compassion place her on a very distinctive path that comes as no surprise to the reader or Helen.
Criminal investigations are where her destiny awaits, and they're a place that our complex heroine clicks in with determined ease.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Arlidge creates vivid and emotional scenes that linger in the reader's eye; an especially admirable feat considering the novella's fast, action-packed flow.
Overall - 4/5 Stars
All in all, Running Blind is a handy little treat that'll satisfy fans of the series in the run-up to the next core instalment, Love Me Not.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
There's a dark secret lurking amid the quiet fields of Hampshire,
one that Helen is determined to uncover...
Love a complex heroine that lives in the dark, depressing dwellings of evil? I do, and Helen Grace is one of the brightest. Running Blind, a solid short story that expands the series' protagonist's origins, is extremely enjoyable. Filled to the brim with morality, self-discovery, and, of course, the prerequisite doses of adrenaline-infused action, it's a novella with bite.
So I invite you to take a trip to England's Southampton during the early 90s, and witness rookie officer Helen Grace as she dodges her past and problematic persons in her present to fulfil her passion for justice.
It's a juicy tidbit that'll have you salivating for the new core instalment, Love Me Not, which releases next month.
Synopsis
New to the police force, WPC Helen Grace is assigned to her first clear-cut case. Sure there's something sinister beneath the surface, Helen has a bad feeling...but who's going to take the word of a rookie?
Fresh out of Police College, 18-year-old WPC Helen Grace is the first to arrive on the scene of a fatal collision. Her colleagues see nothing amiss, convinced that the young man's death was a tragic accident. But Helen is not so sure.
Who is their mystery victim? Why would he risk life and limb running across a busy highway? And what might he have been running from?
There's a dark secret lurking amid the quiet fields of Hampshire, one that Helen is determined to uncover.
Plot - 4/5 Stars
Running Blind is a simple, yet frighteningly realistic case that bares the brutality that human beings are capable of inflicting. It's shocking and true. But Arlidge doesn't leave the reader floundering in the murky emotions alone. Enter newbie Helen Grace, a fresh recruit with a troubled past. She is the bold antithesis to the darkness; a light that stoically fights for justice.
The novella balances itself extremely well, building its procedural case with sturdy foundations while showcasing the talents of the series' main character.
Short and bittersweet are the ingredients for the day, and they go down smoothly.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
Simply put: A fast, fun, ferociously delightful short e-book.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Its relatively short length doesn't allow Running Blind much room in the way of cast progression, but the author does a stellar job with his main gal, and some side characters often surprise the reader with shining moments of palpable personality.
The e-book's undoubted focus centres on Grace's journey of self-discovery. Older than her eighteen years, she absorbs skills and information like a sponge, ready to apply her piercing perception to the hardest of puzzles. Running Blind finds her mostly enjoying her rotations through various police departments, but, alas, her tenacity, curiosity, and compassion place her on a very distinctive path that comes as no surprise to the reader or Helen.
Criminal investigations are where her destiny awaits, and they're a place that our complex heroine clicks in with determined ease.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Arlidge creates vivid and emotional scenes that linger in the reader's eye; an especially admirable feat considering the novella's fast, action-packed flow.
Overall - 4/5 Stars
All in all, Running Blind is a handy little treat that'll satisfy fans of the series in the run-up to the next core instalment, Love Me Not.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
April 2, 2017
The Caller by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter, #8) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
Your life is on the line...
So, I've been MIA for a couple months, thanks to a combination of busyness and laziness and falling out with reading. But I'm back (for how long, who knows, I'm a flighty buggar), and while I might not have been the most voracious reader in recent weeks, I did keep up with some of the series I'm in the middle of.
Enter The Caller, entry number eight to Carter's Robert Hunter series.
Released in February, I knew that when I jumped back on the reading and blogging bandwagons, a sadistic, clever, and terrifying thriller definitely had to be what I went for.
And went for I did.
Why I derive such enjoyment from this type of fiction while being an overly emotional coward I'll never know, but easing myself back in with The Caller has worked wonders. Carter never fails to create unique plots with psychological insanity and mind-bending detective work. Brutal and unforgiving, this instalment to the series further cements the author's sheer talent for criminal fiction.
Synopsis
After a tough week, Tanya Kaitlin is looking forward to a relaxing night in, but as she steps out of her shower, she hears her phone ring. The video call request comes from her best friend, Karen Ward. Tanya takes the call and the nightmare begins.
Karen is gagged and bound to a chair in her own living room. If Tanya disconnects from the call, if she looks away from the camera, he will come for her next, the deep, raspy, demonic voice at the other end of the line promises her.
As Hunter and Garcia investigate the threats, they are thrown into a rollercoaster of evil, chasing a predator who scouts the streets and social media networks for victims, taunting them with secret messages and feeding on their fear.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Vicious; bloodthirsty; distinctive.
Three traits any good crime novel should have, and The Caller has them in spades. From the first cutting chapter, Chris Carter utilises his experience in psychology to create a chillingly real vision of depravity that entices with sickening seduction. Helpless against the pull to understand and dissect, the reader will face phenomenal plotting, mesmerising mystery, and the darkest of delights.
What keeps The Caller moving is its unflinching detective work and intricate situations. There are no dull moments. Each scene and sentence has a gravity that sucks you in.
From the killer's origins and reasoning to the clues the reader desperately tries to connect, Carter is adept at prodding your curiosity.
But just when you think this great crime novel is, well, great, a jaw-dropping, absolutely tremendous conclusion blindsides you. The author is a genius, no doubt about it, and the resolving revelations showcase undeniable intelligence.
I couldn't breathe for the last few chapters.
Woven throughout all this, and especially apparent at the end, are some themes that, while we see them all the time, for some reason an awful lot of people ignore them. Social media, like gravity, has its own ferocious pull, and advancements in technology have changed the way people communicate. Life is easier, but also more dangerous.
Be wary about where and when you use your wonderful technology; be mindful of not only your own privacy and safety, but other people's too.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The Caller is an incredibly smooth experience, thanks in large part to the plot. We start big and move forward fairly quickly.
Throughout, for me, there are no lulls.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Robert Hunter is a phenomenal protagonist. It's really that simple. A unique detective with a genius intellect and a passion for justice. But, wait, what's that I hear you say? Isn't that all crime protagonists? There sure are a lot of them, but not a lot reach the badassery that Hunter does. He can handle himself, but his talents lie in his mind, where he processes evidence and connects dots like no one ever. He can dissect you psychologically in no time at all and leave your secrets lying on the floor as you gape in awe.
Am I getting my love across, or what?
A consequence of this is that he outshines every other cast member pretty severely. Aside from a character introduced later in the novel, and the killer, everyone else is drowned by Robert's shadow (not that I minded much, but some might).
But, like I said, as the plot threads start to converge and The Caller's world broadens, a couple characters quickly climb the interesting ladder with some riveting psychological and emotional complexities.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Overall, The Caller is simple, visually vivid, and smartly told.
Dialogue can sometimes feel a little too scripted, and if I have to read a character say 'As I said' one more time...
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
The Caller is a psychological thriller that builds like a speeding bullet, and just as you prepare yourself for the impact, it explodes with nuclear proportions.
I'm really glad I started back with this book.
Hope you guys enjoy it too if you pick it up.
Hope this review doesn't suck because I'm rusty...
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Your life is on the line...
So, I've been MIA for a couple months, thanks to a combination of busyness and laziness and falling out with reading. But I'm back (for how long, who knows, I'm a flighty buggar), and while I might not have been the most voracious reader in recent weeks, I did keep up with some of the series I'm in the middle of.
Enter The Caller, entry number eight to Carter's Robert Hunter series.
Released in February, I knew that when I jumped back on the reading and blogging bandwagons, a sadistic, clever, and terrifying thriller definitely had to be what I went for.
And went for I did.
Why I derive such enjoyment from this type of fiction while being an overly emotional coward I'll never know, but easing myself back in with The Caller has worked wonders. Carter never fails to create unique plots with psychological insanity and mind-bending detective work. Brutal and unforgiving, this instalment to the series further cements the author's sheer talent for criminal fiction.
Synopsis
After a tough week, Tanya Kaitlin is looking forward to a relaxing night in, but as she steps out of her shower, she hears her phone ring. The video call request comes from her best friend, Karen Ward. Tanya takes the call and the nightmare begins.
Karen is gagged and bound to a chair in her own living room. If Tanya disconnects from the call, if she looks away from the camera, he will come for her next, the deep, raspy, demonic voice at the other end of the line promises her.
As Hunter and Garcia investigate the threats, they are thrown into a rollercoaster of evil, chasing a predator who scouts the streets and social media networks for victims, taunting them with secret messages and feeding on their fear.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Vicious; bloodthirsty; distinctive.
Three traits any good crime novel should have, and The Caller has them in spades. From the first cutting chapter, Chris Carter utilises his experience in psychology to create a chillingly real vision of depravity that entices with sickening seduction. Helpless against the pull to understand and dissect, the reader will face phenomenal plotting, mesmerising mystery, and the darkest of delights.
What keeps The Caller moving is its unflinching detective work and intricate situations. There are no dull moments. Each scene and sentence has a gravity that sucks you in.
From the killer's origins and reasoning to the clues the reader desperately tries to connect, Carter is adept at prodding your curiosity.
But just when you think this great crime novel is, well, great, a jaw-dropping, absolutely tremendous conclusion blindsides you. The author is a genius, no doubt about it, and the resolving revelations showcase undeniable intelligence.
I couldn't breathe for the last few chapters.
Woven throughout all this, and especially apparent at the end, are some themes that, while we see them all the time, for some reason an awful lot of people ignore them. Social media, like gravity, has its own ferocious pull, and advancements in technology have changed the way people communicate. Life is easier, but also more dangerous.
Be wary about where and when you use your wonderful technology; be mindful of not only your own privacy and safety, but other people's too.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The Caller is an incredibly smooth experience, thanks in large part to the plot. We start big and move forward fairly quickly.
Throughout, for me, there are no lulls.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Robert Hunter is a phenomenal protagonist. It's really that simple. A unique detective with a genius intellect and a passion for justice. But, wait, what's that I hear you say? Isn't that all crime protagonists? There sure are a lot of them, but not a lot reach the badassery that Hunter does. He can handle himself, but his talents lie in his mind, where he processes evidence and connects dots like no one ever. He can dissect you psychologically in no time at all and leave your secrets lying on the floor as you gape in awe.
Am I getting my love across, or what?
A consequence of this is that he outshines every other cast member pretty severely. Aside from a character introduced later in the novel, and the killer, everyone else is drowned by Robert's shadow (not that I minded much, but some might).
But, like I said, as the plot threads start to converge and The Caller's world broadens, a couple characters quickly climb the interesting ladder with some riveting psychological and emotional complexities.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Overall, The Caller is simple, visually vivid, and smartly told.
Dialogue can sometimes feel a little too scripted, and if I have to read a character say 'As I said' one more time...
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
The Caller is a psychological thriller that builds like a speeding bullet, and just as you prepare yourself for the impact, it explodes with nuclear proportions.
I'm really glad I started back with this book.
Hope you guys enjoy it too if you pick it up.
Hope this review doesn't suck because I'm rusty...
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
January 21, 2017
Devil's Due by Rachel Caine (Red Letter Days, #2) - Book Review
4/5 Stars
The psychic world will never be the same again...
But what are the consequences of defying destiny...?
Destiny + Supernatural + Action + Romance + Choice + Consequences = Devil's Due.
And if you're not sold yet, let me continue: Devil's Due is a fast, fiery paranormal thriller with a vibrant cast and streamlined writing. It's rife with thought-provoking themes, but never lets them overtake the overall fun and flirty nature that the novel embodies.
It doesn't top its predecessor, Devil's Bargain, but it does close the duology with vigour.
You'd be remiss if you let this little series pass you by, and by remiss, I mean you'd miss out on laughs, adrenaline-fuelled fights, and earth-shattering conspiracies for world domination.
Synopsis
The psychic world will never be the same again...
Lucia Garza is trapped in a supernatural power struggle. To save a friend she agreed to work for sinister psychic organisation The Cross Society. But after the death threat that almost succeeds, she's starting to think they want her out of the way. Forever.
Worse, as Lucia uncovers the society's most dangerous secrets, she discovers that she's being used as a pawn between two warring paranormal factions. Caught in a battle no one can win, Lucia's only choice could be to go against long-told prophecy to destroy both The Cross Society and its sworn enemies.
BUT WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DEFYING DESTINY?
Plot - 4/5 Stars
Devil's Due takes us back to Kansas City, Missouri, and right on the heels of the previous book. With Devil's Bargain's cliffhanger leaving the mystery and stakes high, Devil's Due does its best to deliver. And, overall, it kinda does. Caine, quickly and efficiently, eases the reader back into the world, spreading little paragraphs that recap book one throughout the first hundred pages while still moving the second novel's story forward. The feel of chess is prevalent and welcome, shaping the thrilling tone into one of conspiracy and manipulation.
Emphasising this is the severe scenes where the author lays landmines for both the reader and the book's cast. Threads are artfully all over the place, and while, at times, it's frustratingly convoluted, the author does manage to semi-successfully pull them together. You'll just have to accept the mishmash as is.
I am a little annoyed that, as we reach that long-awaited finale, not all questions are answered. They aren't forgotten; the author just chooses to leave them to the reader's imagination (I know, the horror; how dare the reader be expected to imagine).
But what keeps the novel with a rating of 4/5 Stars, for me, is the subplot that provides likely the best twist the novel offers. And it comes after an intense, action-packed race against life and the future. It closes the novel firmly, with a reader near tears (I won't tell you if they're tears of joy or sadness).
Pace - 4/5 Stars
Red Letter Days is an action-packed duology, let there be no doubt. Devil's Due balances action and exposition in a way I adore, despite some of the exposition's misses. It creates a flow that doesn't relinquish control of the reader's attention, lest they miss some vital investigative clue.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
Characters and their relationships begin and progress with sharp clarity. The author does a phenomenal job of making individuals with personality, quirks, and intricate ideals. In the previous instalment, we predominantly follow Jazz Callender, but with Devil's Due, the viewpoint switches to her equally capable partner Lucia Garza. Both are definitive in their portrayals, and both continue to compliment one another with their opposing natures. Jazz, our lovable wrecking ball, meshes fantastically with Lucia's calm and affable appearance.
The two of them are deadly.
One kills with a bang, the other with a whisper.
Aside from Jazz and Lucia's tight and tantalising friendship, both face romantic subplots that are full of fire and passion. Caine can write a sexy scene, and with characters as undeniably saucy as this, love is a pungent aroma that is most definitely in the air.
Plus, the confusion and paranoia that cling to our protagonists offer some interesting roadblocks in their personal lives. Namely: Who the hell can they trust?
Writing - 3.5/5 Stars
Simple, clean, and clear. Caine doesn't waste time in Devil's Due. She can sometimes get lost, but for the most part things are set and executed exceptionally. The author says what she wants to say, paints what she wants to paint, and leaves the reader thoughtful as they ponder life's bigger picture and their choices within it.
It can often favour telling over showing, though, so an open mind won't go amiss.
Overall - 4/5 Stars
A conspiracy thriller with a touch of the paranormal.
How can you go wrong?
If you're looking for sleek writing, lightning-quick progression, and inspirational character developments that burn with romantic passion and fiery adrenaline, then the Red Letter Days duology is pretty much the perfect pill.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
The psychic world will never be the same again...
But what are the consequences of defying destiny...?
Destiny + Supernatural + Action + Romance + Choice + Consequences = Devil's Due.
And if you're not sold yet, let me continue: Devil's Due is a fast, fiery paranormal thriller with a vibrant cast and streamlined writing. It's rife with thought-provoking themes, but never lets them overtake the overall fun and flirty nature that the novel embodies.
It doesn't top its predecessor, Devil's Bargain, but it does close the duology with vigour.
You'd be remiss if you let this little series pass you by, and by remiss, I mean you'd miss out on laughs, adrenaline-fuelled fights, and earth-shattering conspiracies for world domination.
Synopsis
The psychic world will never be the same again...
Lucia Garza is trapped in a supernatural power struggle. To save a friend she agreed to work for sinister psychic organisation The Cross Society. But after the death threat that almost succeeds, she's starting to think they want her out of the way. Forever.
Worse, as Lucia uncovers the society's most dangerous secrets, she discovers that she's being used as a pawn between two warring paranormal factions. Caught in a battle no one can win, Lucia's only choice could be to go against long-told prophecy to destroy both The Cross Society and its sworn enemies.
BUT WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DEFYING DESTINY?
Plot - 4/5 Stars
Devil's Due takes us back to Kansas City, Missouri, and right on the heels of the previous book. With Devil's Bargain's cliffhanger leaving the mystery and stakes high, Devil's Due does its best to deliver. And, overall, it kinda does. Caine, quickly and efficiently, eases the reader back into the world, spreading little paragraphs that recap book one throughout the first hundred pages while still moving the second novel's story forward. The feel of chess is prevalent and welcome, shaping the thrilling tone into one of conspiracy and manipulation.
Emphasising this is the severe scenes where the author lays landmines for both the reader and the book's cast. Threads are artfully all over the place, and while, at times, it's frustratingly convoluted, the author does manage to semi-successfully pull them together. You'll just have to accept the mishmash as is.
I am a little annoyed that, as we reach that long-awaited finale, not all questions are answered. They aren't forgotten; the author just chooses to leave them to the reader's imagination (I know, the horror; how dare the reader be expected to imagine).
But what keeps the novel with a rating of 4/5 Stars, for me, is the subplot that provides likely the best twist the novel offers. And it comes after an intense, action-packed race against life and the future. It closes the novel firmly, with a reader near tears (I won't tell you if they're tears of joy or sadness).
Pace - 4/5 Stars
Red Letter Days is an action-packed duology, let there be no doubt. Devil's Due balances action and exposition in a way I adore, despite some of the exposition's misses. It creates a flow that doesn't relinquish control of the reader's attention, lest they miss some vital investigative clue.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
Characters and their relationships begin and progress with sharp clarity. The author does a phenomenal job of making individuals with personality, quirks, and intricate ideals. In the previous instalment, we predominantly follow Jazz Callender, but with Devil's Due, the viewpoint switches to her equally capable partner Lucia Garza. Both are definitive in their portrayals, and both continue to compliment one another with their opposing natures. Jazz, our lovable wrecking ball, meshes fantastically with Lucia's calm and affable appearance.
The two of them are deadly.
One kills with a bang, the other with a whisper.
Aside from Jazz and Lucia's tight and tantalising friendship, both face romantic subplots that are full of fire and passion. Caine can write a sexy scene, and with characters as undeniably saucy as this, love is a pungent aroma that is most definitely in the air.
Plus, the confusion and paranoia that cling to our protagonists offer some interesting roadblocks in their personal lives. Namely: Who the hell can they trust?
Writing - 3.5/5 Stars
Simple, clean, and clear. Caine doesn't waste time in Devil's Due. She can sometimes get lost, but for the most part things are set and executed exceptionally. The author says what she wants to say, paints what she wants to paint, and leaves the reader thoughtful as they ponder life's bigger picture and their choices within it.
It can often favour telling over showing, though, so an open mind won't go amiss.
Overall - 4/5 Stars
A conspiracy thriller with a touch of the paranormal.
How can you go wrong?
If you're looking for sleek writing, lightning-quick progression, and inspirational character developments that burn with romantic passion and fiery adrenaline, then the Red Letter Days duology is pretty much the perfect pill.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
January 15, 2017
Private Delhi by James Patterson (Private, #13) - Book Review
3.5/5 Stars
Plastic barrels containing dissolved human remains have been found in the basement of a house.
But this isn't just any house, this property belongs to the state government.
With information suppressed by the authorities, delving too deep could make Santosh a target to be eliminated...
I've been anticipating another collaboration between James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi since reading their earlier team effort Private India. My wishes, as is obvious, have been answered in the form of entry number thirteen to Patterson's Private series: Private Delhi.
Equally obvious is the fact I might have over-anticipated the novel. It doesn't quite live up to my experience with Private India, but it is by no means a slouch. Private Delhi is a clever political thriller that displays cutting conspiracies and rich gluttony.
It does stumble in its first half as it falls victim to a lot of telling over showing. Characters are a mixed bag, and the pace and writing don't solidify until the latter half of the book.
Synopsis
A murderer is on the streets.
All of India is watching.
Santosh Wagh quit his job as head of Private India after harrowing events in Mumbai almost got him killed. But Jack Morgan, global head of the world's finest investigation agency, needs him back. Jack is setting up a new office in Delhi, and Santosh is the only person he can trust.
Still battling his demons, Santosh accepts, and it's not long before the agency takes on a case that could make or break them. Plastic barrels containing dissolved human remains have been found in the basement of a house in an upmarket area of South Delhi. But this isn't just any house, this property belongs to the state government.
With the crime scene in lockdown and information suppressed by the authorities, delving too deep could make Santosh a target to be eliminated.
Plot - 3.5/5 Stars
Private Delhi continues Patterson's trend of, well, Patterson. Some people might say formulaic, but I prefer to describe it as a normally winning, thrilling structure. And, for the most part, in that area it does well, with the exception of the first half. An intriguing, gruesome case opens with political conspiracies that are riveting, but from there the authors try to move too fast. Great leaps in logic are made, or, better yet, there are moments where characters reach conclusions on very little empirical evidence and just go with it.
Investigation be damned.
Things do come together, but there's a slight lag between the cast's eureka moments and the reader's a-ha ones. The plot is trying to be intense far too early in the game when the story it tells needs a softer touch.
The second half, though, does some mighty fine work at fine-tuning threads. Action, severity, and psychotic politics merge to form some hooking events. As the tapestry of terrifying operations unfolds, Patterson and Sanghi cultivate some of the intensity the book's beginning misses.
When the finale swings round, events coalesce to offer some insightful food for thought centred on the novel's themes of political corruption, selfishness, and the helplessness of those burdened with poverty.
Pace - 3/5 Stars
As is standard for the series, Private Delhi moves forward at a brisk pace, which works for and against it. It moves from exposition to exposition so quickly that it's hard to keep all those ducks in a line. Scenes can be cut short in such an abrupt way that quite a few times I thought parts of the novel were missing.
The second half does redeem itself with a smoother progression, so if you can push past a jumbled first stage, you will be rewarded.
Characters - 3/5 Stars
Santosh Wagh provides the typical problematic protagonist. Well, not problematic, but haunted by inner demons (although we never really see these affect his character in a significant way). He's described as a phenomenal detective with keen observational skills (many, many times I might add), but the story sadly doesn't show that. Sure, he reaches conclusions before anyone else based on very little evidence, but it feels more like he's guessing rather than using superior logic and intellect. His family dynamics provide a decent backstory, but Wagh barely leaves a mark.
The book also misses out on an opportunity. Neel, a computer whizz and fellow detective at Private in Delhi, is a homosexual in a country where it's illegal. I thought that, once this was revealed, the authors were going to add it to the commentary surrounding India's culture, but it's glossed right over without a second thought.
Nisha and her daughter Maya provide some emotionally intense developments, but they're like a stone drop in an ocean.
I do love Jack Morgan's cameo role: A wise-cracking American with bundles of charm and intelligence. I look forward to getting back to him and his LA shenanigans.
Writing - 3/5 Stars
Like the pace, the writing begins disjointed and rushed. Private Delhi is prone to rapid shifts in viewpoints, rapid shifts in location and events, and rapid shifts in the cases that don't feel solid enough. It's one of those times, at least for the first 150 or so pages, that Patterson's trademark short chapters works against him.
But like everything else, and infuriatingly, once the plot races for its finale the structure evens and gives a better balance.
Overall - 3.5/5 Stars
Private Delhi feels uneven to begin with, unsure of itself, but once it settles it treats you to a thriller focused on political corruption and medical conspiracies. Its characters remain a mixed bunch, but some surprise with startlingly significant progressions.
And like the plot and cast, the pace and writing sharpen later in the novel, becoming a lot more immersive and tightly intricate.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Plastic barrels containing dissolved human remains have been found in the basement of a house.
But this isn't just any house, this property belongs to the state government.
With information suppressed by the authorities, delving too deep could make Santosh a target to be eliminated...
I've been anticipating another collaboration between James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi since reading their earlier team effort Private India. My wishes, as is obvious, have been answered in the form of entry number thirteen to Patterson's Private series: Private Delhi.
Equally obvious is the fact I might have over-anticipated the novel. It doesn't quite live up to my experience with Private India, but it is by no means a slouch. Private Delhi is a clever political thriller that displays cutting conspiracies and rich gluttony.
It does stumble in its first half as it falls victim to a lot of telling over showing. Characters are a mixed bag, and the pace and writing don't solidify until the latter half of the book.
Synopsis
A murderer is on the streets.
All of India is watching.
Santosh Wagh quit his job as head of Private India after harrowing events in Mumbai almost got him killed. But Jack Morgan, global head of the world's finest investigation agency, needs him back. Jack is setting up a new office in Delhi, and Santosh is the only person he can trust.
Still battling his demons, Santosh accepts, and it's not long before the agency takes on a case that could make or break them. Plastic barrels containing dissolved human remains have been found in the basement of a house in an upmarket area of South Delhi. But this isn't just any house, this property belongs to the state government.
With the crime scene in lockdown and information suppressed by the authorities, delving too deep could make Santosh a target to be eliminated.
Plot - 3.5/5 Stars
Private Delhi continues Patterson's trend of, well, Patterson. Some people might say formulaic, but I prefer to describe it as a normally winning, thrilling structure. And, for the most part, in that area it does well, with the exception of the first half. An intriguing, gruesome case opens with political conspiracies that are riveting, but from there the authors try to move too fast. Great leaps in logic are made, or, better yet, there are moments where characters reach conclusions on very little empirical evidence and just go with it.
Investigation be damned.
Things do come together, but there's a slight lag between the cast's eureka moments and the reader's a-ha ones. The plot is trying to be intense far too early in the game when the story it tells needs a softer touch.
The second half, though, does some mighty fine work at fine-tuning threads. Action, severity, and psychotic politics merge to form some hooking events. As the tapestry of terrifying operations unfolds, Patterson and Sanghi cultivate some of the intensity the book's beginning misses.
When the finale swings round, events coalesce to offer some insightful food for thought centred on the novel's themes of political corruption, selfishness, and the helplessness of those burdened with poverty.
Pace - 3/5 Stars
As is standard for the series, Private Delhi moves forward at a brisk pace, which works for and against it. It moves from exposition to exposition so quickly that it's hard to keep all those ducks in a line. Scenes can be cut short in such an abrupt way that quite a few times I thought parts of the novel were missing.
The second half does redeem itself with a smoother progression, so if you can push past a jumbled first stage, you will be rewarded.
Characters - 3/5 Stars
Santosh Wagh provides the typical problematic protagonist. Well, not problematic, but haunted by inner demons (although we never really see these affect his character in a significant way). He's described as a phenomenal detective with keen observational skills (many, many times I might add), but the story sadly doesn't show that. Sure, he reaches conclusions before anyone else based on very little evidence, but it feels more like he's guessing rather than using superior logic and intellect. His family dynamics provide a decent backstory, but Wagh barely leaves a mark.
The book also misses out on an opportunity. Neel, a computer whizz and fellow detective at Private in Delhi, is a homosexual in a country where it's illegal. I thought that, once this was revealed, the authors were going to add it to the commentary surrounding India's culture, but it's glossed right over without a second thought.
Nisha and her daughter Maya provide some emotionally intense developments, but they're like a stone drop in an ocean.
I do love Jack Morgan's cameo role: A wise-cracking American with bundles of charm and intelligence. I look forward to getting back to him and his LA shenanigans.
Writing - 3/5 Stars
Like the pace, the writing begins disjointed and rushed. Private Delhi is prone to rapid shifts in viewpoints, rapid shifts in location and events, and rapid shifts in the cases that don't feel solid enough. It's one of those times, at least for the first 150 or so pages, that Patterson's trademark short chapters works against him.
But like everything else, and infuriatingly, once the plot races for its finale the structure evens and gives a better balance.
Overall - 3.5/5 Stars
Private Delhi feels uneven to begin with, unsure of itself, but once it settles it treats you to a thriller focused on political corruption and medical conspiracies. Its characters remain a mixed bunch, but some surprise with startlingly significant progressions.
And like the plot and cast, the pace and writing sharpen later in the novel, becoming a lot more immersive and tightly intricate.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
January 14, 2017
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials, #2) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
In the mysterious Torre degli Angeli lurks Cittagazze's most important secret
- an object which people from many worlds would kill to possess...
SPOILER WARNING
Normally I try to avoid any spoilers and keep my opinion specific but general, if that makes the least bit of sense. But sometimes there comes a story that just cannot be contained or condensed; a story that has your synapses firing and blood pumping.
The Subtle Knife is one such story.
Pullman's children's/young adult/adult tale continues in the second instalment to His Dark Materials trilogy, and yes, I listed all age ranges because the story pretty much caters to all. It's a coming-of-age bonanza set in fantasy worlds with an epic plot that doesn't fail to consume. It has some serious themes and recurring messages that unflinchingly wage war on religious doctrine and fanatical theology.
In short, The Subtle Knife betters what starts in Northern Lights and provides a thought-provoking experience that's not easily shaken.
Synopsis
Will is twelve years old and he's just killed a man.
Now he's on his own, on the run, determined to discover the truth about his father's disappearance.
Then Will steps through a window in the air into another world, and finds himself with a companion - a strange, savage little girl called Lyra. Like Will, she has a mission which she intends to carry out at all costs.
But the world of Cittagazze is a strange and unsettling pace. Deadly, soul-eating Spectres stalk its streets, while high above, the wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. And in the mysterious Torre degli Angeli lurks Cittagazze's most important secret - an object which people from many worlds would kill to possess...
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
Oh, God, where to start...
The Subtle Knife thrusts the reader into a fantastical story that begins with murder and travels to parallel universes. Set in similar yet supernaturally different environments, there's no denying the book captures the mind of any adventurous soul no matter their age. Mysteries and their progressions are solid, enticing us forward as we perform mental acrobatics in search of answers.
To describe the novel as a thought-provoking one doesn't quite do it justice. Northern Lights gives a distinct anti-religious feel, preferring to highlight the individual, their inner-self, and their experiences over mystical obligations and passivity to an all-seeing deity. But, many reviewers I've read have noted the opposite: That the themes within the series can be interpreted as pro-religion, in a sense.
I disagree, of course. Pullman's intent, while dense in places, is quite clear. 'Dust', the series' metaphor for knowledge and experience, is the very thing the Church wishes to destroy, while Lyra, our protagonist, fights to protect it. It doesn't waver in its scathing opinion of religious doctrine, specifically its inability to progress or adapt past its own theories.
The Subtle Knife goes even further, though. We finally learn that a cosmic battle is about to be waged between two great forces that, for the purposes of the story, have been inverted. God, the bad guy, on one side, while renegade angels are on the other. The former wishes to restrict and control; the latter to free and teach.
It's not something I feel I can fully explain, because as an experience it has to be, well, experienced.
On a much simpler side, The Subtle Knife is an action-packed, adventure-heavy story that flirts with the fantastic and thrills with its twists.
Plus, that ending eclipses the anticlimax given in Northern Lights.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
A good, strong flow works the story's mysteries with very little useless information. Pullman definitely likes to tease the reader, and it succeeds in making them ravenous for more.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Lyra returns and is joined by Will, a twelve-year-old boy who originates in a world almost identical to ours and is stuck in the middle of a conspiracy involving his father. If you can get past the fact that Lyra has to share the stage (we love Lyra), the two make a tantalising team. Lyra's personality lingers between world-weary seriousness and childish abandon, while Will's leans heavily on the former. He tempers Lyra's more impulsive attitude with wisdom and experience, and their chemistry, the platonic kind, is wonderful to watch.
To be honest, The Subtle Knife doesn't disappoint with its cast of misfits that delight the imagination.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
While suitable for all age ranges, readers should be warned that the writing does gear itself just that little bit more toward children.
Aside from that, Pullman creates some vivid visuals, and the worlds, despite their many similarities, come across as tangible and distinct.
Plus, the themes expertly woven throughout make for a compelling read.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
Bigger and better than its predecessor, The Subtle Knife continues Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy with aplomb as it refuses to fall victim to the nasty disappointment a lot of sequels die of.
There, that's not too spoilery, is it?
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
In the mysterious Torre degli Angeli lurks Cittagazze's most important secret
- an object which people from many worlds would kill to possess...
SPOILER WARNING
Normally I try to avoid any spoilers and keep my opinion specific but general, if that makes the least bit of sense. But sometimes there comes a story that just cannot be contained or condensed; a story that has your synapses firing and blood pumping.
The Subtle Knife is one such story.
Pullman's children's/young adult/adult tale continues in the second instalment to His Dark Materials trilogy, and yes, I listed all age ranges because the story pretty much caters to all. It's a coming-of-age bonanza set in fantasy worlds with an epic plot that doesn't fail to consume. It has some serious themes and recurring messages that unflinchingly wage war on religious doctrine and fanatical theology.
In short, The Subtle Knife betters what starts in Northern Lights and provides a thought-provoking experience that's not easily shaken.
Synopsis
Will is twelve years old and he's just killed a man.
Now he's on his own, on the run, determined to discover the truth about his father's disappearance.
Then Will steps through a window in the air into another world, and finds himself with a companion - a strange, savage little girl called Lyra. Like Will, she has a mission which she intends to carry out at all costs.
But the world of Cittagazze is a strange and unsettling pace. Deadly, soul-eating Spectres stalk its streets, while high above, the wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. And in the mysterious Torre degli Angeli lurks Cittagazze's most important secret - an object which people from many worlds would kill to possess...
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
Oh, God, where to start...
The Subtle Knife thrusts the reader into a fantastical story that begins with murder and travels to parallel universes. Set in similar yet supernaturally different environments, there's no denying the book captures the mind of any adventurous soul no matter their age. Mysteries and their progressions are solid, enticing us forward as we perform mental acrobatics in search of answers.
To describe the novel as a thought-provoking one doesn't quite do it justice. Northern Lights gives a distinct anti-religious feel, preferring to highlight the individual, their inner-self, and their experiences over mystical obligations and passivity to an all-seeing deity. But, many reviewers I've read have noted the opposite: That the themes within the series can be interpreted as pro-religion, in a sense.
I disagree, of course. Pullman's intent, while dense in places, is quite clear. 'Dust', the series' metaphor for knowledge and experience, is the very thing the Church wishes to destroy, while Lyra, our protagonist, fights to protect it. It doesn't waver in its scathing opinion of religious doctrine, specifically its inability to progress or adapt past its own theories.
The Subtle Knife goes even further, though. We finally learn that a cosmic battle is about to be waged between two great forces that, for the purposes of the story, have been inverted. God, the bad guy, on one side, while renegade angels are on the other. The former wishes to restrict and control; the latter to free and teach.
It's not something I feel I can fully explain, because as an experience it has to be, well, experienced.
On a much simpler side, The Subtle Knife is an action-packed, adventure-heavy story that flirts with the fantastic and thrills with its twists.
Plus, that ending eclipses the anticlimax given in Northern Lights.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
A good, strong flow works the story's mysteries with very little useless information. Pullman definitely likes to tease the reader, and it succeeds in making them ravenous for more.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Lyra returns and is joined by Will, a twelve-year-old boy who originates in a world almost identical to ours and is stuck in the middle of a conspiracy involving his father. If you can get past the fact that Lyra has to share the stage (we love Lyra), the two make a tantalising team. Lyra's personality lingers between world-weary seriousness and childish abandon, while Will's leans heavily on the former. He tempers Lyra's more impulsive attitude with wisdom and experience, and their chemistry, the platonic kind, is wonderful to watch.
To be honest, The Subtle Knife doesn't disappoint with its cast of misfits that delight the imagination.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
While suitable for all age ranges, readers should be warned that the writing does gear itself just that little bit more toward children.
Aside from that, Pullman creates some vivid visuals, and the worlds, despite their many similarities, come across as tangible and distinct.
Plus, the themes expertly woven throughout make for a compelling read.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
Bigger and better than its predecessor, The Subtle Knife continues Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy with aplomb as it refuses to fall victim to the nasty disappointment a lot of sequels die of.
There, that's not too spoilery, is it?
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
January 8, 2017
The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen (Rizzoli & Isles, #2) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
A KILLER WHO KNOWS HIS TRADE.
HE'S LEARNED FROM THE BEST...
Where does evil come from? Why does its stain never vanish?
What happens when one serial killer joins another?
The Apprentice doesn't exactly answer these questions with definitive answers, but it sure as hell plagues the reader's mind with dark guesses. Following on from The Surgeon, Tess further stabilises her unforgiving world and solidifies the personalities that populate it. Everything is sharper.
With cutting continuity and changes to the intricacies of the story, Gerritsen sets a horrific foundation that shapes up to be a smashing suspense thriller. The nature of evil and its effect on the good dives deep into the reader's brain, forcing uncomfortable questions to the surface, all the while these themes clash with passion vs clinical examination.
If you're looking for a thought-provoking thriller that explores the darkest parts of a human's psyche then The Apprentice (plus The Surgeon, this novel's predecessor) is a book you shouldn't pass up.
But be ready for graphic depravities that will chill you to your core...
Synopsis
HE'S LEARNED FROM THE BEST.
A series of horrific murders seem disturbingly familiar to Detective Jane Rizzoli. They remind her and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles of those committed by a killer known as the Surgeon, who they recently put behind bars.
While they're still trying to track down the new killer, the unthinkable happens: the Surgeon escapes. Suddenly, Jane is chasing not one but two brilliant and twisted minds, united by one goal...
To perfect their skills on the woman who's hunting them.
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
South Boston and Detective Jane Rizzoli have both faced an impenetrable darkness and lived to tell the tale. But evil never truly dies, and even alive and behind bars, it's a ghost that haunts the memories of those it has touched. Right from the get-go, The Apprentice is a bleak bonanza of brutality. A bloody start sets a gruesome tone, and drags Rizzoli into the path of a deranged killer who's inspiration is the man she put in jail.
The sharp descriptions, as I've said, shock and awe with their ferocity, and the novel benefits from the author's unwavering honesty about the realities of a world most are lucky to avoid. The mysteries intrigue, with detective work and forensic science working in tandem to create an exhilarating experience.
I am a little annoyed at just how much the blurb at the back of the book gives away. It's hooking, without a doubt, but it contains 'surprises' that the story painstakingly tries to build up. But it's hard to make a shock truly shocking when you know from the start it's coming.
That doesn't stop the author, though, and the Surgeon's escape from prison still invigorates the reader with its potential progressions. From there we're battered with morbid discoveries that do not fail to horrify you, especially when Tess terrifies with astute dissections of the killers' minds.
I half expected someone to say: What's worse than one bloodthirsty serial killer?
How about two working together?
Oh, and Jane, they're after you...
It's seriously chilling stuff, with every shadow becoming an omen of death.
It's in this area that The Apprentice excels; the way it burrows beneath the dirt deeper that its predecessor. Are killers born killers? Or raised that way? A combination? Or is it possible to be born 'normal', and thanks to a knock on the head, lose morality and the ability to control our darker impulses? It's a fascinating discussion that sinks its dirty claws into your reasoning. We're forced into an uncomfortable corner with a simple question: Does everyone always have a choice?
The conclusion is satisfying as hell, and it cements The Apprentice as a phenomenal psychological thriller.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
The Apprentice, thanks in large part to Tess's wonderful writing and structure, sails ahead at sensational speeds. I honestly couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It doesn't matter how info-heavy a scene is, it's seared into your brain.
I will admit there were times I felt the novel could've been shortened a little, but it's not a massive concern.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
The return of Detective Jane Rizzoli is a welcome one that unnerves me; a contradictory statement that's apt for the character. In The Surgeon, Jane teams up with Thomas Moore, who, sadly, makes brief cameo calls in this entry (damn, I liked him). Instead we see the smooth introduction of the darkly alluring Maura Isles, whose calm, affable nature around the dead demands respect and fear. She's prominent, but the series still doesn't feel like it deserves its name of Rizzoli & Isles, with Maura meandering quite a few steps behind Jane.
Jane Rizzoli herself is an exceptional character, and one that, after her experiences in the first novel, is a little tamer. The Surgeon does great work with her, but The Apprentice does better, as if the author has synchronised fully with her character and both have found their feet. Jane is still tenacious and temperamental, prone to harsh judgements and isolating behaviour, but she exudes a fire that consumes. She stoic and intelligent, but like any fantastic protagonist, she shows cracks of vulnerability.
The author does deliver some feminist-feeling themes, much like in the previous book, but she never goes overboard. She portrays honest discrimination, and balances it with hints of paranoia. Yes, there are sexists within the force that salivate for the moment Jane, a woman, crumbles, but, mostly, Jane's team are in awe of her abilities.
With Thomas Moore absent, Jane finds a new partner in Vince Korsak, a Newton Police Detective that's brash, unapologetic, and not incomparable to a wrecking ball. Technically, Barry Frost is Rizzoli's partner, but they never really seem to be together. Vince, on the other hand, is the perfect counterpart to our main character. He can take her abrasive attitude, even offering a sarcastic retort in response to her fiery anger.
I will note that fans of the show should suspend what they're used to in the series' characters, because, so far, they're all radically different.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
Simply superb. Structure, scenes, and character dissections are the highlights of the novel. Probably the most important aspects of the story, Gerritsen nails them with an intense edge. I suggest you skip whatever meal you were planning to have before picking The Apprentice up; oh, and you'd probably be better reading it during the day.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
The Apprentice is a black thriller that eagerly immerses the reader in a psychological swamp of blood. We see hunters being hunted and the reconciliation of fear and hope. I've yet to mention the inspirational aspects of this novel, but they're there and wholly satisfying. Jane embodies a complex character that refuses to do anything but survive, and slowly, she comes to realise that not everyone she thinks is out to get her really is.
Let's hope the series keeps climbing.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
A KILLER WHO KNOWS HIS TRADE.
HE'S LEARNED FROM THE BEST...
Where does evil come from? Why does its stain never vanish?
What happens when one serial killer joins another?
The Apprentice doesn't exactly answer these questions with definitive answers, but it sure as hell plagues the reader's mind with dark guesses. Following on from The Surgeon, Tess further stabilises her unforgiving world and solidifies the personalities that populate it. Everything is sharper.
With cutting continuity and changes to the intricacies of the story, Gerritsen sets a horrific foundation that shapes up to be a smashing suspense thriller. The nature of evil and its effect on the good dives deep into the reader's brain, forcing uncomfortable questions to the surface, all the while these themes clash with passion vs clinical examination.
If you're looking for a thought-provoking thriller that explores the darkest parts of a human's psyche then The Apprentice (plus The Surgeon, this novel's predecessor) is a book you shouldn't pass up.
But be ready for graphic depravities that will chill you to your core...
Synopsis
HE'S LEARNED FROM THE BEST.
A series of horrific murders seem disturbingly familiar to Detective Jane Rizzoli. They remind her and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles of those committed by a killer known as the Surgeon, who they recently put behind bars.
While they're still trying to track down the new killer, the unthinkable happens: the Surgeon escapes. Suddenly, Jane is chasing not one but two brilliant and twisted minds, united by one goal...
To perfect their skills on the woman who's hunting them.
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
South Boston and Detective Jane Rizzoli have both faced an impenetrable darkness and lived to tell the tale. But evil never truly dies, and even alive and behind bars, it's a ghost that haunts the memories of those it has touched. Right from the get-go, The Apprentice is a bleak bonanza of brutality. A bloody start sets a gruesome tone, and drags Rizzoli into the path of a deranged killer who's inspiration is the man she put in jail.
The sharp descriptions, as I've said, shock and awe with their ferocity, and the novel benefits from the author's unwavering honesty about the realities of a world most are lucky to avoid. The mysteries intrigue, with detective work and forensic science working in tandem to create an exhilarating experience.
I am a little annoyed at just how much the blurb at the back of the book gives away. It's hooking, without a doubt, but it contains 'surprises' that the story painstakingly tries to build up. But it's hard to make a shock truly shocking when you know from the start it's coming.
That doesn't stop the author, though, and the Surgeon's escape from prison still invigorates the reader with its potential progressions. From there we're battered with morbid discoveries that do not fail to horrify you, especially when Tess terrifies with astute dissections of the killers' minds.
I half expected someone to say: What's worse than one bloodthirsty serial killer?
How about two working together?
Oh, and Jane, they're after you...
It's seriously chilling stuff, with every shadow becoming an omen of death.
It's in this area that The Apprentice excels; the way it burrows beneath the dirt deeper that its predecessor. Are killers born killers? Or raised that way? A combination? Or is it possible to be born 'normal', and thanks to a knock on the head, lose morality and the ability to control our darker impulses? It's a fascinating discussion that sinks its dirty claws into your reasoning. We're forced into an uncomfortable corner with a simple question: Does everyone always have a choice?
The conclusion is satisfying as hell, and it cements The Apprentice as a phenomenal psychological thriller.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
The Apprentice, thanks in large part to Tess's wonderful writing and structure, sails ahead at sensational speeds. I honestly couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It doesn't matter how info-heavy a scene is, it's seared into your brain.
I will admit there were times I felt the novel could've been shortened a little, but it's not a massive concern.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
The return of Detective Jane Rizzoli is a welcome one that unnerves me; a contradictory statement that's apt for the character. In The Surgeon, Jane teams up with Thomas Moore, who, sadly, makes brief cameo calls in this entry (damn, I liked him). Instead we see the smooth introduction of the darkly alluring Maura Isles, whose calm, affable nature around the dead demands respect and fear. She's prominent, but the series still doesn't feel like it deserves its name of Rizzoli & Isles, with Maura meandering quite a few steps behind Jane.
Jane Rizzoli herself is an exceptional character, and one that, after her experiences in the first novel, is a little tamer. The Surgeon does great work with her, but The Apprentice does better, as if the author has synchronised fully with her character and both have found their feet. Jane is still tenacious and temperamental, prone to harsh judgements and isolating behaviour, but she exudes a fire that consumes. She stoic and intelligent, but like any fantastic protagonist, she shows cracks of vulnerability.
The author does deliver some feminist-feeling themes, much like in the previous book, but she never goes overboard. She portrays honest discrimination, and balances it with hints of paranoia. Yes, there are sexists within the force that salivate for the moment Jane, a woman, crumbles, but, mostly, Jane's team are in awe of her abilities.
With Thomas Moore absent, Jane finds a new partner in Vince Korsak, a Newton Police Detective that's brash, unapologetic, and not incomparable to a wrecking ball. Technically, Barry Frost is Rizzoli's partner, but they never really seem to be together. Vince, on the other hand, is the perfect counterpart to our main character. He can take her abrasive attitude, even offering a sarcastic retort in response to her fiery anger.
I will note that fans of the show should suspend what they're used to in the series' characters, because, so far, they're all radically different.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
Simply superb. Structure, scenes, and character dissections are the highlights of the novel. Probably the most important aspects of the story, Gerritsen nails them with an intense edge. I suggest you skip whatever meal you were planning to have before picking The Apprentice up; oh, and you'd probably be better reading it during the day.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
The Apprentice is a black thriller that eagerly immerses the reader in a psychological swamp of blood. We see hunters being hunted and the reconciliation of fear and hope. I've yet to mention the inspirational aspects of this novel, but they're there and wholly satisfying. Jane embodies a complex character that refuses to do anything but survive, and slowly, she comes to realise that not everyone she thinks is out to get her really is.
Let's hope the series keeps climbing.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
January 6, 2017
Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine (Red Letter Days, #1) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has a cost...
How high a price is she willing to pay...?
I underestimated Devil's Bargain... I admit that freely (although, I'm fairly positive I promised myself that I'd stop premature judgements of a book).
I expected a solid, young-adult novel with supernatural stories and teenage angst.
Oh, how I was wrong...
Devil's Bargain, the first entry to Caine's Red Letter Days series (I think it's a duology, but don't quote me), is an astounding adult thriller with a sharp supernatural edge. Its plot, characters, and writing are on-point. Caine creates a dark and untrustworthy world that effortlessly tests themes like friendship, loyalty, and choice.
And if you're a fan of conspiracies, the author bolsters them here with sassy sarcasm and red-hot romance.
Synopsis
Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has a cost.
Jazz Callender's whole life just got turned upside down. Her friend Ben's been convicted of a crime he didn't commit and Jazz is determined to clear his name, even if it means enlisting the help of dark forces.
Enter James, a stranger with a mysterious offer. If Jazz pledges to work for The Cross Society, a shadowy secret organisation, he'll help her save Ben.
But as she's thrust into a world of psychic powers and dangerous magic, Jazz isn't just bargaining for her friend's freedom. She's bargaining for her soul too.
AND HOW HIGH A PRICE IS SHE WILLING TO PAY?
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
Devil's Bargain blasts off with a bar fight and heaps of mystery, introducing distinct characters and excellently scripted scenes. The blurb undoubtedly piqued my interest, but those first few pages, and of course the novel as a whole, renders the back of the book a sad, weak description. The supernatural is obvious from the start, but Caine doesn't bash the reader over the head with it, preferring instead to allude with eerie and exciting omens.
Along with the ominous, psychic tone, the author introduces some thrilling mysteries. Each helps break up the plot into captivating nuggets that form a golden story with adrenaline-dripping action to push the reader's heart just that little bit faster.
When answers begin to meander in, the world blooms into a thought-provoking flower. Devil's Bargain places heavy emphasis on loyalty and the consequences of our choices. The way it walks so many possible paths and tickles at the reader's detective side at the same time is superb.
With that pleasurable weight added, Caine delights with a fiery, heart-pounding end that leaves on a surprisingly effective cliffhanger. I will admit the finale is a little anticlimactic in some ways, but there's a second book to devour, so I'm nowhere near disappointed.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
Psychic predictions, mystery, and action awesomeness delivers you from chapter to chapter with unexpected ferocity.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
One of the things that instantly elevates this book once it appears is the relationship between Jazz and Lucia (a platonic relationship). While Jazz is, more or less, the main character and viewpoint, Devil's Bargain has a brilliant buddy-cop feel to it, with Jazz and Lucia equal partners that compliment one another like two long-lost jigsaw pieces. The way they're manipulated together, an ex-cop and current spy respectively, adds intrigue, but their personalities bounce well off each other. Jazz, hard and forceful, compliments Lucia's more contemplative nature. Both are ready for all types of action, but they have their differing specialities that promise a phenomenal partnership.
On a less platonic side, Jazz's chemistry with James Borden sizzles. Caine uses their diverse character profiles to great effect, and the result is a slow, passionate game full of mistrust and romance.
In all, the relationships in Devil's Bargain are seamless.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
I love Caine's writing. It's undeniably addictive and smooth to read. Devil's Bargain is simple, clear, and does a great job of setting up mystical mystery. Events build with a solid structure and character relationships provide the author with many an opportunity to showcase her hilarious comedy.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
A stellar supernatural story that thrills and tantalises with undeniable fire - that's Devil's Bargain in a nutshell. It's a surprising novel.
With strong themes of friendship and choice, Caine delivers a captivating thriller that will force the reader to question the consequences of their actions once the last page is done.
Why are there only two books in the series?
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has a cost...
How high a price is she willing to pay...?
I underestimated Devil's Bargain... I admit that freely (although, I'm fairly positive I promised myself that I'd stop premature judgements of a book).
I expected a solid, young-adult novel with supernatural stories and teenage angst.
Oh, how I was wrong...
Devil's Bargain, the first entry to Caine's Red Letter Days series (I think it's a duology, but don't quote me), is an astounding adult thriller with a sharp supernatural edge. Its plot, characters, and writing are on-point. Caine creates a dark and untrustworthy world that effortlessly tests themes like friendship, loyalty, and choice.
And if you're a fan of conspiracies, the author bolsters them here with sassy sarcasm and red-hot romance.
Synopsis
Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has a cost.
Jazz Callender's whole life just got turned upside down. Her friend Ben's been convicted of a crime he didn't commit and Jazz is determined to clear his name, even if it means enlisting the help of dark forces.
Enter James, a stranger with a mysterious offer. If Jazz pledges to work for The Cross Society, a shadowy secret organisation, he'll help her save Ben.
But as she's thrust into a world of psychic powers and dangerous magic, Jazz isn't just bargaining for her friend's freedom. She's bargaining for her soul too.
AND HOW HIGH A PRICE IS SHE WILLING TO PAY?
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
Devil's Bargain blasts off with a bar fight and heaps of mystery, introducing distinct characters and excellently scripted scenes. The blurb undoubtedly piqued my interest, but those first few pages, and of course the novel as a whole, renders the back of the book a sad, weak description. The supernatural is obvious from the start, but Caine doesn't bash the reader over the head with it, preferring instead to allude with eerie and exciting omens.
Along with the ominous, psychic tone, the author introduces some thrilling mysteries. Each helps break up the plot into captivating nuggets that form a golden story with adrenaline-dripping action to push the reader's heart just that little bit faster.
When answers begin to meander in, the world blooms into a thought-provoking flower. Devil's Bargain places heavy emphasis on loyalty and the consequences of our choices. The way it walks so many possible paths and tickles at the reader's detective side at the same time is superb.
With that pleasurable weight added, Caine delights with a fiery, heart-pounding end that leaves on a surprisingly effective cliffhanger. I will admit the finale is a little anticlimactic in some ways, but there's a second book to devour, so I'm nowhere near disappointed.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
Psychic predictions, mystery, and action awesomeness delivers you from chapter to chapter with unexpected ferocity.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
One of the things that instantly elevates this book once it appears is the relationship between Jazz and Lucia (a platonic relationship). While Jazz is, more or less, the main character and viewpoint, Devil's Bargain has a brilliant buddy-cop feel to it, with Jazz and Lucia equal partners that compliment one another like two long-lost jigsaw pieces. The way they're manipulated together, an ex-cop and current spy respectively, adds intrigue, but their personalities bounce well off each other. Jazz, hard and forceful, compliments Lucia's more contemplative nature. Both are ready for all types of action, but they have their differing specialities that promise a phenomenal partnership.
On a less platonic side, Jazz's chemistry with James Borden sizzles. Caine uses their diverse character profiles to great effect, and the result is a slow, passionate game full of mistrust and romance.
In all, the relationships in Devil's Bargain are seamless.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
I love Caine's writing. It's undeniably addictive and smooth to read. Devil's Bargain is simple, clear, and does a great job of setting up mystical mystery. Events build with a solid structure and character relationships provide the author with many an opportunity to showcase her hilarious comedy.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
A stellar supernatural story that thrills and tantalises with undeniable fire - that's Devil's Bargain in a nutshell. It's a surprising novel.
With strong themes of friendship and choice, Caine delivers a captivating thriller that will force the reader to question the consequences of their actions once the last page is done.
Why are there only two books in the series?
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
January 2, 2017
Hide & Seek by Ian Rankin (John Rebus, #2) - Book Review
3.5/5 Stars
Only Rebus seems to care about a death which looks more like murder every day,
about a seductive danger he can almost taste,
appealing to the darkest corners of his mind...
We join Detective Inspector John Rebus in his second novel, Hide & Seek, and Rankin doesn't disappoint. A solid, stable suspense story inhabits this entry. It doesn't quite, for me, live up to its predecessor, Knots & Crosses, but it doesn't fail to take the reader on a dark adventure that's littered with black comedy and salacious secrets.
The themes outweigh the story, both in quality and quantity, but the two merge exceptionally well with Rankin's desultory tone. Rebus is in the midst of yet another mystery that has numerous threads that don't seem to interconnect, but are nonetheless part of a whole. I can't fault the intrigue, and protagonist John Rebus, while a little transparent as the author tries to cement what he wants in Rebus, is a fascinating character study.
The pace, writing, and length also all go a long way to streamlining Hide & Seek's experience with a smooth and succinct style.
Synopsis
A junkie lies dead in an Edinburgh squat - spreadeagled, cross-like on the floor between two burned-down candles, a five-pointed start daubed on the wall above. Just another dead addict, until John Rebus begins to chip away at the indifference, treachery, deceit and sleaze that lurk behind the facade of the Edinburgh familiar to the tourists. Only Rebus seems to care about a death which looks more like murder every day, about a seductive danger he can almost taste, appealing to the darkest corners of his mind.
Plot - 3.5/5 Stars
A promising premise drags us into the dark underbelly of a late 1980s Edinburgh. With a junkie dead and occult markings haunting the body's resting place, the police are caught between awe and ambivalence. Only John Rebus seems interested in the truth. From there we stumble with him as he tries to connect the dots that keep multiplying, and it's fun. Rankin definitely inspires the detective within you. Once the picture focuses, however, things seem unnervingly simple compared to the journey there. It's satisfying, and a reminder that simple answers are often the best, but there's a little twinge of disappointment.
Knots & Crosses, Hide & Seek's predecessor, has a few gasp-worthy moments that are missing here.
My favourite aspect of the novel is its themes. While the plot, apart from its clues, is fairly simple, Rankin conveys a myriad of impressive messages and food for thought. My edition's introduction lets the reader know that Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde plays a huge inspiration on Hide & Seek, and it's apparent. Rankin excels at showing us the duality of his characters and the Edinburgh they stay in. He rips away the beauty - the sights the tourists see - and shows the reader a world full of death and seduction.
But that's not all, of course. Class divides and social and political hierarchies highlight poverty in a stark setting. With events that eerily echo reality, the author digs a pit in our stomachs with a shovel made of corruption and tainted innocence.
The novel isn't even particularly graphic, but what it doesn't say goes a long, long way.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
Hide & Seek travels at a steady pace, and thanks to the novel's relatively short length, expect to fly through those pages. It can stall in places, but Rebus's voice and character ensure an interesting experience.
Characters - 3.5/5 Stars
There's really only one character that I want to talk about. The rest of the cast fills out quite nicely, but they can't quite escape Rebus's prominent shadow.
The man himself is still a little shaky, like the author doesn't quite have a completely solid image of Rebus yet, but what is created is compelling. John Rebus is a flawed but compassionate character that can be tough and demanding. Like the novel's inspiration, he dallies between two sides of himself: The one that wants to connect and the one that refuses to. Brutal sarcasm is often his most effective weapon, and there are moments of hilarity that are just fantastic.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Events build solidly, with an abundant, yet satisfying, amount of theories and clues to get the readers in detective mode.
Overall - 3.5/5 Stars
Hide & Seek doesn't best its predecessor, but it's still one fascinating journey through flights of fancy filth.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Only Rebus seems to care about a death which looks more like murder every day,
about a seductive danger he can almost taste,
appealing to the darkest corners of his mind...
We join Detective Inspector John Rebus in his second novel, Hide & Seek, and Rankin doesn't disappoint. A solid, stable suspense story inhabits this entry. It doesn't quite, for me, live up to its predecessor, Knots & Crosses, but it doesn't fail to take the reader on a dark adventure that's littered with black comedy and salacious secrets.
The themes outweigh the story, both in quality and quantity, but the two merge exceptionally well with Rankin's desultory tone. Rebus is in the midst of yet another mystery that has numerous threads that don't seem to interconnect, but are nonetheless part of a whole. I can't fault the intrigue, and protagonist John Rebus, while a little transparent as the author tries to cement what he wants in Rebus, is a fascinating character study.
The pace, writing, and length also all go a long way to streamlining Hide & Seek's experience with a smooth and succinct style.
Synopsis
A junkie lies dead in an Edinburgh squat - spreadeagled, cross-like on the floor between two burned-down candles, a five-pointed start daubed on the wall above. Just another dead addict, until John Rebus begins to chip away at the indifference, treachery, deceit and sleaze that lurk behind the facade of the Edinburgh familiar to the tourists. Only Rebus seems to care about a death which looks more like murder every day, about a seductive danger he can almost taste, appealing to the darkest corners of his mind.
Plot - 3.5/5 Stars
A promising premise drags us into the dark underbelly of a late 1980s Edinburgh. With a junkie dead and occult markings haunting the body's resting place, the police are caught between awe and ambivalence. Only John Rebus seems interested in the truth. From there we stumble with him as he tries to connect the dots that keep multiplying, and it's fun. Rankin definitely inspires the detective within you. Once the picture focuses, however, things seem unnervingly simple compared to the journey there. It's satisfying, and a reminder that simple answers are often the best, but there's a little twinge of disappointment.
Knots & Crosses, Hide & Seek's predecessor, has a few gasp-worthy moments that are missing here.
My favourite aspect of the novel is its themes. While the plot, apart from its clues, is fairly simple, Rankin conveys a myriad of impressive messages and food for thought. My edition's introduction lets the reader know that Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde plays a huge inspiration on Hide & Seek, and it's apparent. Rankin excels at showing us the duality of his characters and the Edinburgh they stay in. He rips away the beauty - the sights the tourists see - and shows the reader a world full of death and seduction.
But that's not all, of course. Class divides and social and political hierarchies highlight poverty in a stark setting. With events that eerily echo reality, the author digs a pit in our stomachs with a shovel made of corruption and tainted innocence.
The novel isn't even particularly graphic, but what it doesn't say goes a long, long way.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
Hide & Seek travels at a steady pace, and thanks to the novel's relatively short length, expect to fly through those pages. It can stall in places, but Rebus's voice and character ensure an interesting experience.
Characters - 3.5/5 Stars
There's really only one character that I want to talk about. The rest of the cast fills out quite nicely, but they can't quite escape Rebus's prominent shadow.
The man himself is still a little shaky, like the author doesn't quite have a completely solid image of Rebus yet, but what is created is compelling. John Rebus is a flawed but compassionate character that can be tough and demanding. Like the novel's inspiration, he dallies between two sides of himself: The one that wants to connect and the one that refuses to. Brutal sarcasm is often his most effective weapon, and there are moments of hilarity that are just fantastic.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Events build solidly, with an abundant, yet satisfying, amount of theories and clues to get the readers in detective mode.
Overall - 3.5/5 Stars
Hide & Seek doesn't best its predecessor, but it's still one fascinating journey through flights of fancy filth.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
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