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rellimreads's review against another edition
5.0
A Time to Die is the 6th Victor the Assassin book by Tom Wood. This is another one that stands on it’s own – though you’d probably want to read/listen in order.
This one is a little darker than previous books – beyond assassins and the mob, this plot also involves human trafficking including sexual slavery. While I didn’t consider it overly descriptive, folks sensitive to such themes should be aware. (If you need to skip this subject, as far as I can tell – you could skip this book and still be fine understanding the series.)
It’s all new action, suspense, and thriller elements yet being completely consistent with Victor’s established personality. Despite all his planning and propensity to anticipate all possible scenarios – Victor finds himself much closer to his target than he could have imagined. He’s also faced with threats from multiple angles.
I love that Wood pulls you in from the opening line…
"Killing was the easy part, getting away with it was the true skill."
… and then never lets go. Wonderful mix of mystery, suspense, thriller, and Victor’s trademark dry humor.
Narration:
Rob Shapiro continues to be a great match for Wood’s writing. One of the things that really struck me about this narration was the subtle shift in how Shapiro performed various POVs. Not only does this help keep each character’s perspective easy to distinguish – he does a really chilling voice for Krieger enhancing his menacing persona.
This one is a little darker than previous books – beyond assassins and the mob, this plot also involves human trafficking including sexual slavery. While I didn’t consider it overly descriptive, folks sensitive to such themes should be aware. (If you need to skip this subject, as far as I can tell – you could skip this book and still be fine understanding the series.)
It’s all new action, suspense, and thriller elements yet being completely consistent with Victor’s established personality. Despite all his planning and propensity to anticipate all possible scenarios – Victor finds himself much closer to his target than he could have imagined. He’s also faced with threats from multiple angles.
I love that Wood pulls you in from the opening line…
"Killing was the easy part, getting away with it was the true skill."
… and then never lets go. Wonderful mix of mystery, suspense, thriller, and Victor’s trademark dry humor.
Narration:
Rob Shapiro continues to be a great match for Wood’s writing. One of the things that really struck me about this narration was the subtle shift in how Shapiro performed various POVs. Not only does this help keep each character’s perspective easy to distinguish – he does a really chilling voice for Krieger enhancing his menacing persona.
jillyrabb101's review against another edition
5.0
Different
A different role for Victor. Seeing him not only doible-crossed and highly-valuable prey but a thug was refreshing and interesting. Also got to see him improvise so much more, thinking on his feet for more than just a fight.
A different role for Victor. Seeing him not only doible-crossed and highly-valuable prey but a thug was refreshing and interesting. Also got to see him improvise so much more, thinking on his feet for more than just a fight.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book I have read in this series. Just like the first one I instantly gobbled this one up. It is like crack. I can't get enough of Victor. He has this unapologetic aura about him with a touch of egomaniac. Yet, he can have a big attitude all he wants when he is the best. There is a trail of bodies (if you can find the bodies) to prove it.
Although, Victor is not the only best thing about this book or series. It is the storylines as well. Everything from the other characters, to the worldwide locations, the beginning, middle and end. A Time to Die is like experiencing an awesome movie. You better hurry and purchase your ticket as you won't want to miss this ride.
Although, Victor is not the only best thing about this book or series. It is the storylines as well. Everything from the other characters, to the worldwide locations, the beginning, middle and end. A Time to Die is like experiencing an awesome movie. You better hurry and purchase your ticket as you won't want to miss this ride.
chezorama's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mojoshivers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another good installment. This one had a few good twists that I haven’t seen too many times before. One, was Victor inadvertently going to work for his target. Usually that’s an intentional plan from the jump, but to see him luck into it was a refreshing change. Two, the showdown with Kreiser was a great going against trope; with the “good guy” breaking a gentleman’s agreement and the “bad guy” fully committing to honor it. And, last, the way the book ended was a nice study in how you employ a plot development off-screen (off-page?) to provide a good shocker of ending, that you later explain in a flashback. Kudos.
bean_there_done_that's review against another edition
4.0
4.3 stars rounded down.
This novel is possibly the bleakest one out of the series. I think this novel makes it really obvious as to where Victor's moral compass points (for those still hoping for some drastic change in his personality). Victor isn't a hero, and he'll never be one. I'm glad that the author keeps it this way, as it shows how different Victor is from other thriller novel protagonists.
The villain this time is Milan Rados, a man who is feared by many and whose cunning matches Victor's. The wordplay and dialogue between Victor and Rados was interesting, as both characters seemed similar in certain ways. Victor is quite manipulative, as he says what Rados wants to hear without angering Rados. However, despite how vicious and dangerous Rados was, I was disappointed by how he was handled by Victor. The entire time, I kept waiting for the ball to drop. And it didn't. I thought Rados was going to be the strongest opponent that Victor ever faced, but that wasn't the case here.
I was surprised by the cool ending, but I'd have to say that this novel ended on a weaker note than the others.
I have to say though, in this novel, certain things happen to Victor, and I wonder how it will affect him in future novels (or if it will even affect him at all).
I'm ashamed to say that I actually forgot about Kreiger. (I was more concerned with the whole Rados affair.) He had little screen time, and the fight between him and Victor was slightly predictable. I did find his character interesting, as his mindset (he cares about honor and fate) contrasts with Victor's sly and adaptable nature.
Not as good as the previous novels, but still a really good read.
This novel is possibly the bleakest one out of the series. I think this novel makes it really obvious as to where Victor's moral compass points (for those still hoping for some drastic change in his personality). Victor isn't a hero, and he'll never be one. I'm glad that the author keeps it this way, as it shows how different Victor is from other thriller novel protagonists.
The villain this time is Milan Rados, a man who is feared by many and whose cunning matches Victor's. The wordplay and dialogue between Victor and Rados was interesting, as both characters seemed similar in certain ways. Victor is quite manipulative, as he says what Rados wants to hear without angering Rados. However, despite how vicious and dangerous Rados was, I was disappointed by how he was handled by Victor. The entire time, I kept waiting for the ball to drop. And it didn't.
Spoiler
Rados claims to trust no one, but ends up trusting Victor because he "saved" his life. I thought it was kind of strange he accepted Victor that easily without a second thought.I was surprised by the cool ending, but I'd have to say that this novel ended on a weaker note than the others.
I have to say though, in this novel, certain things happen to Victor, and I wonder how it will affect him in future novels (or if it will even affect him at all).
I'm ashamed to say that I actually forgot about Kreiger. (I was more concerned with the whole Rados affair.) He had little screen time, and the fight between him and Victor was slightly predictable. I did find his character interesting, as his mindset (he cares about honor and fate) contrasts with Victor's sly and adaptable nature.
Not as good as the previous novels, but still a really good read.
jogden1908's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jfranco77's review against another edition
3.0
Jason Bourne was the ultimate killing machine, but it turned out he had a little bit of a heart, and it made him less than perfect. What if you could solve that problem? Well, you'd have Victor.
Victor is a ruthless assassin. He cares only about doing the job with precision and perfection, keeping himself alive, and moving on to the next one.
Still, something went wrong on his last job, and now he works for the British government. He takes a job hunting down a former war criminal and current bad guy in Serbia, who nobody has been able to find. Victor's mission is to find him and end him. Things get complicated, in a very clinical way, and Victor deals with them, in a very clinical way.
These books are fine, but feel like they're missing a little bit of soul.
Victor is a ruthless assassin. He cares only about doing the job with precision and perfection, keeping himself alive, and moving on to the next one.
Still, something went wrong on his last job, and now he works for the British government. He takes a job hunting down a former war criminal and current bad guy in Serbia, who nobody has been able to find. Victor's mission is to find him and end him. Things get complicated, in a very clinical way, and Victor deals with them, in a very clinical way.
These books are fine, but feel like they're missing a little bit of soul.
snowcrash's review
4.0
Victor is back and focused on what he does best: Survive.
The previous book went down a wrong path for Victor. This book is much better, on par with the rest of the series. He is back working for the Brits, ending up in Belgrade. This time around we see more hints as to what is under the surface of Victor's emotional armor. There are dark paths to reach his, if not his heart, but at a semblance of his feelings.
An excellent episode in the escapades of Victor. I had a lot of late night fun reading it.
The previous book went down a wrong path for Victor. This book is much better, on par with the rest of the series. He is back working for the Brits, ending up in Belgrade. This time around we see more hints as to what is under the surface of Victor's emotional armor. There are dark paths to reach his, if not his heart, but at a semblance of his feelings.
An excellent episode in the escapades of Victor. I had a lot of late night fun reading it.
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