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3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
Leider hatte das Buch insgesamt zu viele Längen, die ich jetzt nach Beenden des Buches doch recht unnötig fand. Das Spiel "Ripper" an sich kam zu kurz und die beschriebene Handlung des Klappentextes trat erst nach 3/4 des Buches ein. Sowas nervt, da man ja irgendwie darauf hin ließt. Das Ende fand ich leider auch sehr in die Länge gezogen, die Auflösung des Täters zu sehr gewollt und nicht gekonnt. Zu unrealistisch und nicht komplett nachvollziehbar. Und dann endete das Buch doch zu abrupt und nicht dem restlichen Teil des Buches entsprechend...ich merkte, dass Allende toll schreibt, es ist aber kein Krimi oder Thriller...gerne gebe ich ihr bei einem anderen Buch nochmal die Chance mich zu überzeugen!
Jumps from one thread to the next, from one character to the next, and although not everything about a book has to make sense, definitely not, there was a lot that felt like page filling to me. The story only starts going somewhere after more than 200 pages and the ending feels rushed, and contrasts strongly with the very very very long warming-up. Some characters are really believable and relatable (Miller), while others remained ideas more than people.
just overall didn't completely work. started too slow. got repetitive. I couldn't really believe all the characters. and I didn't love the ending.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Mystery novel that made me double check it was actually Isabel allende’s book. A high schooler and her online friends plus her grandpa work to stop a serial killer. The dog ends up ok.
Despite high recommendations from both my mom and my sister, I just could not finish this. So much thrown at me in the first 10% of the ebook; I was confused and questioning if I’d recall the details when it became important to the mystery.
In addition, the voice was reminding me of The Japanese Lover which I finished not long ago. I didn’t like that voice (very much like reading a newspaper report) and could not bring myself to go through that again.
Maybe I’ll attempt this again someday. But, as the saying goes, “so many books, so little time.”
In addition, the voice was reminding me of The Japanese Lover which I finished not long ago. I didn’t like that voice (very much like reading a newspaper report) and could not bring myself to go through that again.
Maybe I’ll attempt this again someday. But, as the saying goes, “so many books, so little time.”
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I heard Isabel Allende read from the first few chapters at an event in New York and I still heard the beginning in her voice. I love her work, but I don't think thrillers are her genre. The middle got caught up in unnecessary and repetitive character details. There were flashes of her usual brilliance, also chunks that barely held my interest. By the end, though, I was fully invested in the story, because fundamentally Allende is a magnificent storyteller.
This novel is way way too complex, with a multiplicity of characters and their stories, which detracted somewhat from the 'mystery'. There seemed to be an undue emphasis on physical attributes of Indiana, in particular, but also Ryan [the former Navy SEAL] and how men were attracted to Indiana. I started off enjoying the concept of Amanda and her on-line colleagues using the Ripper game to potentially solve crimes, with the inside knowledge provided by her father. But I quickly tired of this mechanism as crimes increased.
I did guess the ultimate culprit, though.
I did guess the ultimate culprit, though.
Okay. To be fair, this was my first book by Allende, and contrary to popular opinion (as seen in the top reviews at least), I enjoyed this novel. I didn’t read it as just a mystery move though, as it felt like it was a blend of literary fiction and mystery. So the plot wasn’t as tight as I’d look for in a “pure” mystery and the descriptions were a lot lengthier. The ending, too. Oof. Tbh I didn’t really like any of the MCs except Amanda (teenage daughter) and Blake (her maternal grandfather). I liked Ryan but the use of his character as a tragedy/plot point was… not my favorite thing, shall we say. And that ending???? Definitely not what I anticipated OR hoped for. The ending was a disappointment.
Also? This is NOT fast paced. If you want fast paced, pick up a book by Ruth Ware or Alafair Burke. This was SLOW for a mystery (another reason I view it as a combo of mystery and lit fic).
Also? This is NOT fast paced. If you want fast paced, pick up a book by Ruth Ware or Alafair Burke. This was SLOW for a mystery (another reason I view it as a combo of mystery and lit fic).
**Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.**
I have long wanted to read a novel by Isabel Allende but never got around to it until reading Ripper. Ripper was an interesting novel to start with because it is Mrs. Allende's first foray into crime fiction and appears to be a departure from her prior work. Ripper is a game played online by a group of teenagers led by Amanda with the assistance of her grandfather, Blake. After Amanda's godmother, a well-known astrologer, makes a prediction that there will be a bloodbath in the San Francisco area where Amanda and her family live, Amanda and the other Ripper players begin to investigate crimes in the Bay area, which ultimately affect those close to Amanda.
Not being a crime fiction fan I was somewhat skeptical about how I would like Ripper. I was very pleasantly surprised. The story Mrs. Allende tells in Ripper is engrossing and suspenseful to the point that I was unable to put it down once I was halfway through. She spends a significant amount of time describing even seemingly minor characters, which adds a richness to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about everyone involved in the story and cared about the characters.
The ending of Ripper was gripping and heart-wrenching, and Mrs. Allende did a wonderful job of humanizing the villain to such an extent that while what the person did was terrible, it is difficult not to sympathize with the person. She did a great job of drawing this reader in and toying with my emotions.
Overall, I thought this book was engaging, well-written, and populated by interesting, three-dimensional characters. I highly recommend this book.
I have long wanted to read a novel by Isabel Allende but never got around to it until reading Ripper. Ripper was an interesting novel to start with because it is Mrs. Allende's first foray into crime fiction and appears to be a departure from her prior work. Ripper is a game played online by a group of teenagers led by Amanda with the assistance of her grandfather, Blake. After Amanda's godmother, a well-known astrologer, makes a prediction that there will be a bloodbath in the San Francisco area where Amanda and her family live, Amanda and the other Ripper players begin to investigate crimes in the Bay area, which ultimately affect those close to Amanda.
Not being a crime fiction fan I was somewhat skeptical about how I would like Ripper. I was very pleasantly surprised. The story Mrs. Allende tells in Ripper is engrossing and suspenseful to the point that I was unable to put it down once I was halfway through. She spends a significant amount of time describing even seemingly minor characters, which adds a richness to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about everyone involved in the story and cared about the characters.
The ending of Ripper was gripping and heart-wrenching, and Mrs. Allende did a wonderful job of humanizing the villain to such an extent that while what the person did was terrible, it is difficult not to sympathize with the person. She did a great job of drawing this reader in and toying with my emotions.
Overall, I thought this book was engaging, well-written, and populated by interesting, three-dimensional characters. I highly recommend this book.