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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Not something I would usually read, but I was commissioned to read a proof for work, and I was blown away about how this book made me feel. I really enjoyed it; for fans of gangland rivalry, the fact that there is honour among thieves, and those who question whether blood is truly thicker than water.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape
Eminently entertaining. I cannot wait to see where this series goes. Didn’t read this one, I devoured it. **chef’s kiss** excellente!
The way I came across my copy of this book was nothing short of a miracle. I've been a massive fan of Don Winslow for over 10 years now and am always keeping an eye out for his next release, and when I heard this one was coming out I actually signed up for an advanced reader copy for my first time ever, but didn't end up getting it. Fast forward a few months, after counting down the days to release I find out the soon approaching September release date has been pushed to April 2022 and am completely bummed to have to wait even longer. A few weeks later, I pass by one of those little free library boxes on my street, open it up and what do i find? An advance readers copy of this book. Courtesy of the universe itself.
Anyways, moving away from the miraculous circumstances that landed this book in my hands and on to the book itself. I do wish I liked this one just a little bit more to go along with that crazy story surrounding it, but unfortunately this was probably one of my least favourite Winslow books so far. With that said, he's an author who sets an incredibly high bar for himself and this was still a largely enjoyable read. The pacing was pure Winslow, moving at a breakneck pace with very little room to breathe once things really started moving. The action, betrayal, large scale gang warfare, and violence that Winslow is so good at writing about was on full display here, putting all the pieces in place so methodically to set the climaxes up for maximum chaos.
What this book lacked for me however was likeable, or even very credible characters. The protagonist, Danny Ryan, never really feels like a real person so much as a vehicle to carry a plot forward. Very much a blank slate type with very few defining characteristics who it felt very difficult to really give a shit about. He also seemed to lack much agency in his decision making, kind of just bouncing off of the repercussions or decisions of other characters, which made it even more difficult to really invest myself in the things that happen to him. The same could be said about a number of the smaller characters, many of which felt very stereotypical mob types who at times felt a bit cartoony. The way the narration often incorporated the Rhode Island slang definitely bugged me as well, though I understand that was a stylistic choice. But reading that it was "wicked cold" outside or that
Danny Ryan "don't know how to respond" kind of pulls me out of the story. Anyways, that one's just a pet peeve of mine, maybe it won't bug others as much.
With all that said, Winslow really stuck the landing on this one with at least one big "oh fuck" moment, and enough loose ends and a good handful of fun, if not the most believable characters to latch on to, I'm definitely gonna read the next one. I still can't say I really care what happens to Danny Ryan, arguably the least interesting Winslow protagonist ever, but I'm definitely looking forward to more of the same chaos and insanity that followed him in this book and have more than enough faith in the authors ability to make it worth it.
Anyways, moving away from the miraculous circumstances that landed this book in my hands and on to the book itself. I do wish I liked this one just a little bit more to go along with that crazy story surrounding it, but unfortunately this was probably one of my least favourite Winslow books so far. With that said, he's an author who sets an incredibly high bar for himself and this was still a largely enjoyable read. The pacing was pure Winslow, moving at a breakneck pace with very little room to breathe once things really started moving. The action, betrayal, large scale gang warfare, and violence that Winslow is so good at writing about was on full display here, putting all the pieces in place so methodically to set the climaxes up for maximum chaos.
What this book lacked for me however was likeable, or even very credible characters. The protagonist, Danny Ryan, never really feels like a real person so much as a vehicle to carry a plot forward. Very much a blank slate type with very few defining characteristics who it felt very difficult to really give a shit about. He also seemed to lack much agency in his decision making, kind of just bouncing off of the repercussions or decisions of other characters, which made it even more difficult to really invest myself in the things that happen to him. The same could be said about a number of the smaller characters, many of which felt very stereotypical mob types who at times felt a bit cartoony. The way the narration often incorporated the Rhode Island slang definitely bugged me as well, though I understand that was a stylistic choice. But reading that it was "wicked cold" outside or that
Danny Ryan "don't know how to respond" kind of pulls me out of the story. Anyways, that one's just a pet peeve of mine, maybe it won't bug others as much.
With all that said, Winslow really stuck the landing on this one with at least one big "oh fuck" moment, and enough loose ends and a good handful of fun, if not the most believable characters to latch on to, I'm definitely gonna read the next one. I still can't say I really care what happens to Danny Ryan, arguably the least interesting Winslow protagonist ever, but I'm definitely looking forward to more of the same chaos and insanity that followed him in this book and have more than enough faith in the authors ability to make it worth it.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Wow!!! City on Fire is sublime!!!
Folks, Don Winslow has done it again! Die-hard Winslow fans you’re in for a real treat, and for the newcomers, there’s no turning back.
City on Fire is masterful crime fiction of epic proportions with heart-palpitating and page-turning suspense. Winslow returns with his characteristic fearless, unapologetic, gritty, bold, full-of-heart, holds-nothing-back, and authentic writing style. To call it simply atmospheric and cinematic would be robbing it of its glory, so buckle up, you’re about to get thrown into the midst of an all-out gang war between the Irish and Italian mob factions in Providence, Rhode Island, circa the 1980s. And the good news is, this series is about to be shopped for the big screen.
In brief, City on Fire is the start of a three-book saga, of ‘The Godfather’ caliber, that will span generations. At the center is Danny Ryan, whose father used to control the Irish syndicate in the upper southside, known as Dogtown, and chronicles his harrowing journey through the anger, pain, grief, fear, and chaos that ensues when his brother in-law inadvertently triggers an all-out war after fondling a made guy’s woman (a big no no). This simple sign of disrespect is enough to irrevocably transform the balance of power and disrupt the harmony that has existed between the Irish and Italian criminal empires for decades. There’s nothing like a drop-dead gorgeous bombshell to get in the way of business and relationships, right? Right.
Winslow weaves together richly layered characters, personal struggles, blunders, vendettas, and individual ambition to make this story relatable to the non-criminally inclined reader. The story is seamlessly told from multiple perspectives, the dialogue is gritty and authentic, the story is jam-packed with gut-wrenching tension and twists, and Winslow’s pacing is, as always, exquisitely timed. For fans of
Folks, Don Winslow has done it again! Die-hard Winslow fans you’re in for a real treat, and for the newcomers, there’s no turning back.
City on Fire is masterful crime fiction of epic proportions with heart-palpitating and page-turning suspense. Winslow returns with his characteristic fearless, unapologetic, gritty, bold, full-of-heart, holds-nothing-back, and authentic writing style. To call it simply atmospheric and cinematic would be robbing it of its glory, so buckle up, you’re about to get thrown into the midst of an all-out gang war between the Irish and Italian mob factions in Providence, Rhode Island, circa the 1980s. And the good news is, this series is about to be shopped for the big screen.
In brief, City on Fire is the start of a three-book saga, of ‘The Godfather’ caliber, that will span generations. At the center is Danny Ryan, whose father used to control the Irish syndicate in the upper southside, known as Dogtown, and chronicles his harrowing journey through the anger, pain, grief, fear, and chaos that ensues when his brother in-law inadvertently triggers an all-out war after fondling a made guy’s woman (a big no no). This simple sign of disrespect is enough to irrevocably transform the balance of power and disrupt the harmony that has existed between the Irish and Italian criminal empires for decades. There’s nothing like a drop-dead gorgeous bombshell to get in the way of business and relationships, right? Right.
Winslow weaves together richly layered characters, personal struggles, blunders, vendettas, and individual ambition to make this story relatable to the non-criminally inclined reader. The story is seamlessly told from multiple perspectives, the dialogue is gritty and authentic, the story is jam-packed with gut-wrenching tension and twists, and Winslow’s pacing is, as always, exquisitely timed. For fans of
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Holy hell is this novel well-written. Don is a genius with the pen. Everything is sublime. The setup, transitions, details, dialogue, action, character development, and pacing are all exquisite.
Make sure to check out the full review
Holy hell is this novel well-written. Don is a genius with the pen. Everything is sublime. The setup, transitions, details, dialogue, action, character development, and pacing are all exquisite.
Make sure to check out the full review