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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
At first I thought this might be one of those dime-a-dozen thrillers, but this was very entertaining! So she really had me when the story followed Beowulf and involved runes. I adore the Old English Beowulf and have always been fascinated by runes.
The story is told from two POVs - Addie and Evan - but Evan is the real star of the story. A semiotician (new word, new career option to me) who is also British, a falconer, and a person with dwarfism (as Addie is careful to point out). If the author is not angling for a book or, better, a series starring Peter Dinklage, then she is lying to herself. And folks, it would be an awesome series playing to Dinklage's many strengths.
Although I almost laugh at the number of serial killers in fiction like this (which does not mirror reality), I will definitely read the next in this series!!
The story is told from two POVs - Addie and Evan - but Evan is the real star of the story. A semiotician (new word, new career option to me) who is also British, a falconer, and a person with dwarfism (as Addie is careful to point out). If the author is not angling for a book or, better, a series starring Peter Dinklage, then she is lying to herself. And folks, it would be an awesome series playing to Dinklage's many strengths.
Although I almost laugh at the number of serial killers in fiction like this (which does not mirror reality), I will definitely read the next in this series!!
5 stars. This was one of the best mysteries I've read recently, partly because the subject matter was a specific area of interest to me. I like Evan's character and several of the supporting cast members. The mystery was laid out in a twisty puzzle format that suited me, as well.
What a great new series! I loved the two main characters and how they worked together. I liked how each perspective, giving us an inside track into the mystery and all the hidden steps and pieces to it. I liked learning about the lore and symbols. Midway, I ran out of time to read on my kindle and flipped to audio and it was really good too! I was drawn in to the mystery but stayed for the characters. I loved this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was a pretty good and interesting thriller with lots of information about runes and Vikings. Enjoyable! Will definitely check out the second installment.
No sex, very little language. Story kept me reading. I’d read the next one, but won’t go out of my way to find it.
4.5 stars
Nickless wrote the fantastic Sydney Parnell series and if you haven't checked that out, then do so immediately.
This is the start of a new series, following a female Chicago cop, and a semiotician who consults with the PD on weird cases.
This particular case is steeped in Viking lore and Norse mythology, and I had a great time reading it. The pacing was excellent and I loved all the historical bits.
I knock off half a star simply because in comparison to the character of Sydney Parnell, Addie isn't quite as well developed or interesting. The writing and plot though still carry the day.
Nickless wrote the fantastic Sydney Parnell series and if you haven't checked that out, then do so immediately.
This is the start of a new series, following a female Chicago cop, and a semiotician who consults with the PD on weird cases.
This particular case is steeped in Viking lore and Norse mythology, and I had a great time reading it. The pacing was excellent and I loved all the historical bits.
I knock off half a star simply because in comparison to the character of Sydney Parnell, Addie isn't quite as well developed or interesting. The writing and plot though still carry the day.
I should have loved this book. It had everything I love: a thriller with puzzles to solve! Great right? Well, this was only ok.
A murder victim was found posed with many Runic symbols around. Addie calls in her friend and all around expert, Dr. Evan Wilding, to help her solve the case. In the meantime another expert and podcaster is trying to snatch the case for himself. Soon, more bodies and runes are found. Can Even solve the puzzles before it's too late?
I like it when the puzzles have some sort of knowledge base that's at least a little accessible to the general public. Unless you're a viking scholar, you will have no hope of an "aha" moment. And though I understand the unbelievability of a serial killer leaving puzzles to solve as they go about their rituals (I mean, yes, it's happened, but it's not a common thing at all), the ending is a little too much "Adam West Batman villan". Someone who is at the point of getting caught is not going to continue on as "The Riddler".
I liked the characters. They were a bit one dimensional, but I'm guessing throughout the series they get a little more flushed out. I didn't enjoy this one enough to find out.
A murder victim was found posed with many Runic symbols around. Addie calls in her friend and all around expert, Dr. Evan Wilding, to help her solve the case. In the meantime another expert and podcaster is trying to snatch the case for himself. Soon, more bodies and runes are found. Can Even solve the puzzles before it's too late?
I like it when the puzzles have some sort of knowledge base that's at least a little accessible to the general public. Unless you're a viking scholar, you will have no hope of an "aha" moment. And though I understand the unbelievability of a serial killer leaving puzzles to solve as they go about their rituals (I mean, yes, it's happened, but it's not a common thing at all), the ending is a little too much "Adam West Batman villan". Someone who is at the point of getting caught is not going to continue on as "The Riddler".
I liked the characters. They were a bit one dimensional, but I'm guessing throughout the series they get a little more flushed out. I didn't enjoy this one enough to find out.
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway
I really liked the characters in this book - I liked how they related to each other.
The plot was interesting but so very convoluted- major parts of this book felt like a textbook or a college class on the topic of Vikings. I can appreciate learning a lot about a subject, but I think it slowed down the pace of the book. It took some of the enjoyment from the story for me … I think the author did the best they could but it was just too much info for a mystery …
I will read the next book because I liked Evan and Addie but I hope it will be a smoother story.
I really liked the characters in this book - I liked how they related to each other.
The plot was interesting but so very convoluted- major parts of this book felt like a textbook or a college class on the topic of Vikings. I can appreciate learning a lot about a subject, but I think it slowed down the pace of the book. It took some of the enjoyment from the story for me … I think the author did the best they could but it was just too much info for a mystery …
I will read the next book because I liked Evan and Addie but I hope it will be a smoother story.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Viking parts dragged, but was a good read. Will read book 2