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eherold's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
frankchester's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
daisystitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
theangrystackrat's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lauramusich's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
judelon's review against another edition
4.0
Absolute poetry and deeply disturbing. I haven't encountered an anti-hero like Vic Fowler since Patricia Highsmith's heyday.
Most disturbing of all was seeing the author's picture for the first time (?) at the end of my Kindle edition. Exactly the androgynous face and haircut I was picturing for slippery, young Vic Fowler. I like Chanel #5. Call me stodgy.
Most disturbing of all was seeing the author's picture for the first time (?) at the end of my Kindle edition. Exactly the androgynous face and haircut I was picturing for slippery, young Vic Fowler. I like Chanel #5. Call me stodgy.
clareolivia's review
5.0
Is anyone entirely good or entirely evil? Lara Elena Donnelly makes us question this with their new book, Base Notes. The cost of rent is soaring across the country and is becoming a crushing burden to many, especially in New York City. A perfumer, Vic Fowler, has no choice but to rely on new steams of income to make ends meet. After receiving an offer they couldn’t refuse, Vic must convince (threaten) a few friends to assist in a bloody errand. Willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to further their business, no one is safe from Vic’s dangerous ambitions.
I found the character of Vic to be very enthralling. For years I have wanted a story from the perspective of the villain and I may have found that in base notes. At the start, Vic is a very enjoyable and sympathetic character but as the story progresses we see Vic making more questionable choices until everyone they know and love pay the price. Apart from Vic, all characters are extremely rich and dynamic. As a reader, you wont find a single character in Base Notes, that is entirely good or evil. Even the most likable of characters have their dark sides.
Even with the most obvious antagonists in the story, its hard to pin down the real villain and it’s even more difficult to find the hero of the story. That may be why I found Base Notes to be such a great read. The biggest threats in story aren’t assassins in the middle of the night but crushing medical debt, student loans, and the rising cost of rent.
I found the character of Vic to be very enthralling. For years I have wanted a story from the perspective of the villain and I may have found that in base notes. At the start, Vic is a very enjoyable and sympathetic character but as the story progresses we see Vic making more questionable choices until everyone they know and love pay the price. Apart from Vic, all characters are extremely rich and dynamic. As a reader, you wont find a single character in Base Notes, that is entirely good or evil. Even the most likable of characters have their dark sides.
Even with the most obvious antagonists in the story, its hard to pin down the real villain and it’s even more difficult to find the hero of the story. That may be why I found Base Notes to be such a great read. The biggest threats in story aren’t assassins in the middle of the night but crushing medical debt, student loans, and the rising cost of rent.
nushhetti's review against another edition
4.0
It is difficult to talk about this book and not draw parallels with Perfume - the subject matter is too similar. However it has been a while since I last read Perfume so some of it may be a faulty memory.
The modern setting of Base Notes made if far more real than Perfume was for me. Difficult to read in parts, gruesome and gritty. There are a lot of unusual descriptions of mundane events - which forced me go back to check I had really read that correctly.
It was only once I had finished the book that I realised that I had assumed that Vic was male - I don't think their gender is ever revealed (I could be wrong).
The modern setting of Base Notes made if far more real than Perfume was for me. Difficult to read in parts, gruesome and gritty. There are a lot of unusual descriptions of mundane events - which forced me go back to check I had really read that correctly.
It was only once I had finished the book that I realised that I had assumed that Vic was male - I don't think their gender is ever revealed (I could be wrong).
corritos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0