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55 reviews for:

The Ultimatum

Karen Robards

3.76 AVERAGE

elinacre's review

4.0

action-packed, intense story with a badass protagonist! over the top? a little. did things get weird a time or two? sure. but what a thrilling ride!

laurashavers's review

4.0

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I have a box of books I've either won or accumulated so as hard as it is for me, I've been staying away from the library so I can get caught up with the books I have and then I can either donate them or give them away for others to read.
This book- others will definitely enjoy. 4 words describe this book for me: COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. I've been in a really bad reading slump lately where no books seem to grab my attention and this book may have finally brought me out of it.
I don't describe what books are about in my reviews because everyone is capable of reading the synopsis on Goodreads or the back of the book, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

This would be the second book by Karen Robards and I just can't do it. The writing makes me crazy. If you are running for your life, facing down death, do you say "this sucks".

This appears to be the beginning of a series. The main character is a young lady (Bianca) who is the scion of a criminal (high-end robbery) family. In the beginning of the book the father dies in a failed heist and Bianca starts her own criminal enterprise with a legitimate cover. The story proceeds where she is forced to perform a high tech heist... or else.

I liked the book because it was well written, easy to read and follow. The characters were pleasant and nice if a little cliched. In fact, everything is a little cliched and too pat. All the characters are extremes of their stereotypes: the hacker is a neck beard, the antagonist is good looking and kisses well, the side characters are all perfect or not perfect in their own ways. However, I still liked them despite them being predictable because the story was pleasant and didn't stray outside my comfort zone.

Overall, this is not a cerebral thriller, rather a light thriller with a bit of romance thrown in. I'd definitely be interested in seeing how the next book in the series continues.

I got this book free as an advanced review copy.

I won an advance copy of this book and was really excited because I enjoy the author. The book was enjoyable and I did get into it. I didn't realize it was a series until I finished the book which was disappointing because now I have to wait for the next book. Which brings me to my biggest problem with the book, I can buy into being a super agile, smart, tricky thief (it's a work of fiction) but then to find out Bianca was genetically engineered to be a "super" human, I am not quite sure why the plot had to go there. I will probably read the second book when it comes out just because I do like the author and have read the majority of her books.
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riverdogbookco's review

4.0

First in a series, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was funny and witty, which aren't always the same thing. It was badass while leaving room for emotions, was detailed without boring me, and Bianca St. Ives was fierce, sexy, smart, and alluring. It has the richest of backstories which is developed slowly over the course of this fast-paced thriller, including a shocking reveal at the end, of course, meaning I am counting down the days until book 2 (sometime in 2018). This is the first Karen Robards I've ever read and I am proud to admit I am a new KR/Bianca St. Ives convert.

stephs_bookshelf's review

4.0

I should have grabbed book two from the library at the same time.

I really enjoyed this story! It is gripping and pulled me in from beginning to end and I really need the next one! There are a ton of twists and turns and surprises as Bianca tries to figure out what is going on after a heist goes bad and her dad is killed. But it looks like other people don't believe he is dead and Bianca is stuck on the other end of that, trying to untangle all of the threads and keep herself safe and free. I really enjoyed this story and once I started it, I didn't want to stop. It was great and with a huge twists towards the end, I have to know what happens next.
The narrator did a great job reading the story and adding that extra dynamic that brought it to life.

It pains me rate this 2 stars because I really enjoy KR's books but this just didn't do it for me.
I liked the premise although I'd have preferred the heroine at least be in her 30's. That would've been more believable.
adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Holy moly! That was a ride! Non-stop action from beginning to end. I loved every minute of this book!