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agruenbaum's review against another edition
3.0
Still a good book, but Silva does follow a similar formula.
marlo_c's review against another edition
4.0
While I've not read all of the Gabriel Allon series, I've read several. They are consistently intriguing and entertaining. This was no exception; I'll read more.
nathaniel_1206's review against another edition
4.0
First Silva, picked this up on a whim at a local grocery store. Silva is a talented, smart, gifted writer. It's not a rip-roaring action packed thriller, rather it's a very patient, exuding intelligence, spy novel.
There is an impressive amount of detail this novel, which probably added a star, maybe a star and a half. Silva doesn't just have a plot, and characters, he's got the backstory down. He has the details, and there are details in this novel. Color me impressed.
There's a weird forty page lull as the third act begins, which I can't find a good reason for. Silva doesn't seem to impart any information that is crucial, or takes forty pages to tell.
Anyway, unlike other best-selling authors of other thrillers (Joseph Finder, Lee Child, the writers carrying on the Tom Clancy characters, John Grisham) I will not hesitate to pick up a Silva.
(I have lied about how long this took me to read. I mostly don't keep track of when I start books. If I was guessing this took three, four weeks.)
There is an impressive amount of detail this novel, which probably added a star, maybe a star and a half. Silva doesn't just have a plot, and characters, he's got the backstory down. He has the details, and there are details in this novel. Color me impressed.
There's a weird forty page lull as the third act begins, which I can't find a good reason for. Silva doesn't seem to impart any information that is crucial, or takes forty pages to tell.
Anyway, unlike other best-selling authors of other thrillers (Joseph Finder, Lee Child, the writers carrying on the Tom Clancy characters, John Grisham) I will not hesitate to pick up a Silva.
(I have lied about how long this took me to read. I mostly don't keep track of when I start books. If I was guessing this took three, four weeks.)
jormas's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jecamp86's review against another edition
4.0
Solid but long
I did enjoy this book but it felt a little long with an ending that was rushed. The pacing felt off but it did complete an interesting storyline
I did enjoy this book but it felt a little long with an ending that was rushed. The pacing felt off but it did complete an interesting storyline
inkstained's review against another edition
5.0
I tried very hard to make this book last forever but unfortunately it couldn't, and I had to finish it.
It was an incredible book, and I think I spent every page filled with terror that every character I loved was going to die. I was intrigued throughout and hooked in, gripped by the climax and relieved when everything ended as it should have. I love reading Gabriel Allon, and I can't wait til the next one.
It was an incredible book, and I think I spent every page filled with terror that every character I loved was going to die. I was intrigued throughout and hooked in, gripped by the climax and relieved when everything ended as it should have. I love reading Gabriel Allon, and I can't wait til the next one.
creeker868's review against another edition
3.0
Not one of my favourites. I enjoyed the story but found it more of the same. Perhaps because Gabriel Allon is no longer an operative but actually the Chief. I wasn't as involved in the story as I have been in previous books. Usually I can't put these books down, however I found that this one I would read a little put it aside and look at something else.
elisabethei85's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sbnich's review against another edition
4.0
A slew of library holds and another more academic reading got in the way of indulging in a favorite author and the masterful creation of Gabriel Allon. I read the last 150 pages in one sitting.
After The Black Widow, I worried my nearly 2-decade love of Allon's exploits would come to an untimely end, but House of Spies was nearly vintage Silva, bringing back both art and deeply complex characters, without the thinly veiled politicalization of the prior novel.
Missing the best of Allon, as the restorer of paintings, it nevertheless featured Allon as the restorer of people. House of Spies tempered his callous ability to eliminate enemies with his ability to appreciate and reward the goodness in peoole.
After The Black Widow, I worried my nearly 2-decade love of Allon's exploits would come to an untimely end, but House of Spies was nearly vintage Silva, bringing back both art and deeply complex characters, without the thinly veiled politicalization of the prior novel.
Missing the best of Allon, as the restorer of paintings, it nevertheless featured Allon as the restorer of people. House of Spies tempered his callous ability to eliminate enemies with his ability to appreciate and reward the goodness in peoole.