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historybooksandtea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lmcneil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
jacki_f's review
3.0
I am slowly working my way through this series. Every year I read another few. They are best read with some time between them so you don't get irritated by the fact that you are essentially reading the same book over and over. The plots vary, but the formula never does. The same hackneyed adjectives get hauled out again and again: riotous hair, emerald eyes etc (although THANK YOU MR SILVA for finally retiring the nonsensical line about Allon's nose looking like it was carved from wood).
I remain unconvinced that Allon is halfway as good as we keep being told he is. Time and again he displays poor judgement, lets his emotions get in the way and ignores orders. Really? This is the best Mossad super-agent of all time?
I like the way Silva writes (repetitive adjectives aside) and the way his books feel grounded in current events. The first half of his books are terrific and this was no exception. But then, unfailingly, they descend into formula: Allon assembles his team and they go into action in unfamiliar territory. Things go pear-shaped and he is ordered to extract his team. He ignores the order because there is a woman to save. Allon gets beaten up but somehow survives and is lauded as a hero, again. Rinse and repeat. Which leads me to my argument that this series is best if you don't read the books too close together.
I remain unconvinced that Allon is halfway as good as we keep being told he is. Time and again he displays poor judgement, lets his emotions get in the way and ignores orders. Really? This is the best Mossad super-agent of all time?
I like the way Silva writes (repetitive adjectives aside) and the way his books feel grounded in current events. The first half of his books are terrific and this was no exception. But then, unfailingly, they descend into formula: Allon assembles his team and they go into action in unfamiliar territory. Things go pear-shaped and he is ordered to extract his team. He ignores the order because there is a woman to save. Allon gets beaten up but somehow survives and is lauded as a hero, again. Rinse and repeat. Which leads me to my argument that this series is best if you don't read the books too close together.
fotoshopguy52's review against another edition
5.0
Another excellent addition to the Gabriel Allon series.
emeryclarke's review against another edition
4.0
Another great installment from the mind of Daniel Silva. I am enjoying seeing Allon's story evolve, and the characters we have bonded with return. Extra points for more time in the art world. My one complaint is that this book really didn't allow us to explore the emotions that the characters are experiencing. Yes, we discuss how people are nervous, we discuss how they cry at death, but there really isn't time to grieve, or to feel the anxiety build in you. But all in all another great book.