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jennifer_in_atl's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this; when life pulled me away from reading, I looked forward to getting back to it.
The story jumped around in time, and it would have been confusing if the chapters and pages hadn't been clearly labeled with the month and year so you always knew where you were in time.
The main character was interesting and likeable. There was a bit of mystery about his past that the story slowly uncovered. But he wasn't quite compelling enough to make me want to read another book with him as the main character (not that there are any, as far as I know).
The story jumped around in time, and it would have been confusing if the chapters and pages hadn't been clearly labeled with the month and year so you always knew where you were in time.
The main character was interesting and likeable. There was a bit of mystery about his past that the story slowly uncovered. But he wasn't quite compelling enough to make me want to read another book with him as the main character (not that there are any, as far as I know).
reindeerbandit's review against another edition
4.0
not quite as thrilling as one would hope from a thriller, but a decent enough story line and an interesting timeline of telling.
thisotherbookaccount's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sorry, but did Steve Hamilton forget to write a third act? Or a climax? The Lock Artist is a countdown clock at New Year's Eve that gets stuck at 3 and never goes to 0. Also, is Hamilton 12 years old? Because the love story is straight out of a child's fantasy. It's 2017. Manic pixie dream girls are so 2001.
rmichno's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling story and good writing. Main character was like ago but sometimes frustrating in his decisions. Ending was a bit forced, though.
sde's review against another edition
4.0
Very fast-paced, engrossing book. It is filed in the mystery section of my library, but it is more of a crime novel than a mystery. The 17 year old narrator is captivating. He cannot speak due to a childhood trauma which slowly unveils itself as the book moves on. He is a somewhat unwitting victim who gets caught up in organized crime, but he also accepts his own culpability and knows he could have turned away at several points.
The story goes back forth between two time periods about a year apart. I usually find skipping around in time distracting or confusing, but in this case it worked - and each chapter is clearly labelled as to where and when it takes place.
Although there is a fair bit of violence in this story, it is not dwelt upon. The author puts in the violence that is needed to tell his tale, but he does not put in a lot of gory detail. I really appreciated that, and it shows that he is a talented author that can really tell a story without relying on sensationalism.
The story points out how every seemingly minor decision a person makes can have an effect on his or her entire life, so be mindful every day of what you do.
The story goes back forth between two time periods about a year apart. I usually find skipping around in time distracting or confusing, but in this case it worked - and each chapter is clearly labelled as to where and when it takes place.
Although there is a fair bit of violence in this story, it is not dwelt upon. The author puts in the violence that is needed to tell his tale, but he does not put in a lot of gory detail. I really appreciated that, and it shows that he is a talented author that can really tell a story without relying on sensationalism.
The story points out how every seemingly minor decision a person makes can have an effect on his or her entire life, so be mindful every day of what you do.
mickeykay200's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
broski needs to google an ASL dictionary and amelia is a solid 3/10 but on the overall i really liked it and heists and stuff are very fun
lewiscain's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was brilliant. Such a clever idea with some great characters, found it hard to put it down! I felt that when I was reading this I was fully absorbed in the story and I felt part of it too. A different take on this genre that really pays off!
strangecandy's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book. I'm not normally a mystery/thriller reader but this one was recommended by author Maggie Stiefvater. It's about a young boy who through a traumatic experience early on in life has lost the ability to speak. He finds he is talented at opening locks which inadvertently leads him unwillingly into a life of crime.