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3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
marred by major transphobia and homophobia in the latter half of the book
I enjoyed the mystery but it's got too much weird transphobia, abusive men as the good guys, and celebration of the army for my tastes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence
Not as amazing as I expected...
REVIEW:
For years I heard of Allende's writing, how amazing and unique it was. While I was never drawn to read her books, I always thought I'd give her a chance one day, when I was in the mood for her work.
Eventually the chance presented itself in the form of Ripper.
Ripper had an interesting premise and it did grab my attention from the beginning, however, what I expected to be a book that would keep me on my toes, became a hiccuped book. Amidst the interesting developments of the story, Allende would throw in rather long background stories on the characters that were relevant to the story. Don't get me wrong, I like good world building and good background stories on the characters we're reading about, it's what makes us cheer for or hate them. But these descriptions became so long and so recurrent that they broke the rhythm of the book.
Some characters were interesting, others felt a bit cardboard-ish. The villain reveal was interesting and it did come as a surprise.
In short: Allende's writing is great, but this book in particular isnt. I still intend on reading her historical fiction, I heard it's better.
REVIEW:
For years I heard of Allende's writing, how amazing and unique it was. While I was never drawn to read her books, I always thought I'd give her a chance one day, when I was in the mood for her work.
Eventually the chance presented itself in the form of Ripper.
Ripper had an interesting premise and it did grab my attention from the beginning, however, what I expected to be a book that would keep me on my toes, became a hiccuped book. Amidst the interesting developments of the story, Allende would throw in rather long background stories on the characters that were relevant to the story. Don't get me wrong, I like good world building and good background stories on the characters we're reading about, it's what makes us cheer for or hate them. But these descriptions became so long and so recurrent that they broke the rhythm of the book.
Some characters were interesting, others felt a bit cardboard-ish. The villain reveal was interesting and it did come as a surprise.
In short: Allende's writing is great, but this book in particular isnt. I still intend on reading her historical fiction, I heard it's better.
Did I hate this book? Did I love this book? I am so conflicted!
I will start by saying that Isabel Allende is hit or miss for me. She's written some of my favorite books, and she's written a couple of books I disliked so much that I could not even finish. After DNFing Island Beneath the Sea a few years back, I decided to avoid her altogether until a recent conversation with some friends where they encouraged me to give her another try. So I picked up a couple of her books that have intrigued over the years.
That's the background on me and Isabel Allende; now on to this book.
I should not like this book. It has too many characters, it has too much going on, it has too many weird and unnecessary romantic relationships - all things I tend to dislike in books. I also didn't really like any character, not in a "these characters are unlikable" way, but more in a "these characters are thin representations of humans" way.
But I could not put this down??? How did that happen???
Inexplicably, this book was well on its way to at least 4 stars, if not 5. But then that plot twist/reveal... I was not a fan. For one, it meant that the killer was the first person I suspected, which isn't always fun in a mystery/thriller. But it also relied on a reveal that I absolutely do not like.
So I guess this is 3 stars? I may at some point bump it further down, but we'll see what happens if/as I continue to think about this book.
I will start by saying that Isabel Allende is hit or miss for me. She's written some of my favorite books, and she's written a couple of books I disliked so much that I could not even finish. After DNFing Island Beneath the Sea a few years back, I decided to avoid her altogether until a recent conversation with some friends where they encouraged me to give her another try. So I picked up a couple of her books that have intrigued over the years.
That's the background on me and Isabel Allende; now on to this book.
I should not like this book. It has too many characters, it has too much going on, it has too many weird and unnecessary romantic relationships - all things I tend to dislike in books. I also didn't really like any character, not in a "these characters are unlikable" way, but more in a "these characters are thin representations of humans" way.
But I could not put this down??? How did that happen???
Inexplicably, this book was well on its way to at least 4 stars, if not 5. But then that plot twist/reveal... I was not a fan. For one, it meant that the killer was the first person I suspected, which isn't always fun in a mystery/thriller. But it also relied on a reveal that I absolutely do not like.
So I guess this is 3 stars? I may at some point bump it further down, but we'll see what happens if/as I continue to think about this book.
Isabel Allende clearly knows nothing about mysteries, including how to write one. Not surprising, since she "isn't a fan" of them. This book is an awful mess.
Em português em baixo
Ripper is the first thriller of Isabel Allende and is also the first book I read of her. Although there are some adversity, I liked it and I wanna read more books by the author.
Inicially, Isabel Allende presents the main characters who will be important to story. Some of them are more developed than others, but that's not a problem. The problem is the moment it happens, usually in something important or exciting which cuts off the reading rhythm.
This happens in the first half of the book.
Ryan Miller was, for me, the most well designed character. He's a former navy seal and is, somehow, traumatized by war; the author explores well what provoked that trauma and the reasons of Miller's attitudes. During all the book we will know him better and it becomes more interesting.
Indiana and Amanda are mother and daughter with lots of differences, but they're also the center of the plot (I'll explain later).
During all the book there are two action plans: the crimes and the Ripper game, and Indiana's love life. Although it doesn't look like, these plans are connected of a subtil way, but we only see that later.
Different murderings are happening in San Francisco and Amanda with her Ripper mates want to unravel them, inicially as fun, but when Idiana is kidnaped it becomes a race against time. Well, this happens suddenly and ingeniously, which I admire. Then, we came across with a shock of surprising and captivating events which grab completely and makes reading addicting. This is the heartwood of the book and it's really good.
The final was stunning and truly unexpected.
Although is not the best thriller I've read, I liked it and I wanna read more Allende's books.
PORTUGUÊS
O Jogo de Ripper é o primeiro thriller de Isabel Allende, e é também o primeiro livro que leio dela. Embora tenha algumas adversidades, eu gostei dele e deu-me a vontade de ler mais livros da autora.
Comecemos pelas personagens. Inicialmente, Isabel Allende apresenta as principais personagens que serão importante para a história. Algumas são mais aprofundadas do que outras, mas esse não é um problema. O problema é o momento em que são aprofundadas, o que corta o ritmo da leitura. Isto acontece durante metade do livro.
Ryan Miller foi para mim a personagem mais bem concebida. Ele é um ex-navy seal e está, de certa forma, traumatizado com a guerra; a autora explora bem o que provocou esse trauma e as razões de algumas atitudes de Miller. Ao longo de todo o livro, vamos conhecê-lo melhor e vai-se tornando mais interessante.
Indiana e Amanda são mãe e filha com muitas diferenças, e são também o centro da trama (explicarei mais à frente).
Ao logo do livro temos dois planos de ação: os crimes e o jogo de Ripper e a vida amorosa (principalmente) de Indiana. Embora não pareça, estes planos estão interligados de uma maneira tão subtil, que só nos apercebemos disso mais tarde.
Diversos assassinatos estão a acontecer em São Francisco e Amanda, juntamente com os seus companheiros do jogo de Ripper querem deslindá-los, inicialmente como diversão, mas quando Indiana é sequestrada, torna-se numa corrida contra o tempo. Ora, isto aconteceu súbita e engenhosamente, o que eu admirei. Deparamo-nos então choque de acontecimentos surpreendentes e cativantes, que agarram completamente e viciam a leitura. Este é o cerne do livro e está muito bem concebido.
Há surpresa atrás de surpresa; choque; incredulidade e um final verdadeiramente surpreendente e muito inesperado.
Embora não seja o melhor policial que li, gostei dele e quero ler mais livros desta autora.
Ripper is the first thriller of Isabel Allende and is also the first book I read of her. Although there are some adversity, I liked it and I wanna read more books by the author.
Inicially, Isabel Allende presents the main characters who will be important to story. Some of them are more developed than others, but that's not a problem. The problem is the moment it happens, usually in something important or exciting which cuts off the reading rhythm.
This happens in the first half of the book.
Ryan Miller was, for me, the most well designed character. He's a former navy seal and is, somehow, traumatized by war; the author explores well what provoked that trauma and the reasons of Miller's attitudes. During all the book we will know him better and it becomes more interesting.
Indiana and Amanda are mother and daughter with lots of differences, but they're also the center of the plot (I'll explain later).
During all the book there are two action plans: the crimes and the Ripper game, and Indiana's love life. Although it doesn't look like, these plans are connected of a subtil way, but we only see that later.
Different murderings are happening in San Francisco and Amanda with her Ripper mates want to unravel them, inicially as fun, but when Idiana is kidnaped it becomes a race against time. Well, this happens suddenly and ingeniously, which I admire. Then, we came across with a shock of surprising and captivating events which grab completely and makes reading addicting. This is the heartwood of the book and it's really good.
The final was stunning and truly unexpected.
Although is not the best thriller I've read, I liked it and I wanna read more Allende's books.
PORTUGUÊS
O Jogo de Ripper é o primeiro thriller de Isabel Allende, e é também o primeiro livro que leio dela. Embora tenha algumas adversidades, eu gostei dele e deu-me a vontade de ler mais livros da autora.
Comecemos pelas personagens. Inicialmente, Isabel Allende apresenta as principais personagens que serão importante para a história. Algumas são mais aprofundadas do que outras, mas esse não é um problema. O problema é o momento em que são aprofundadas, o que corta o ritmo da leitura. Isto acontece durante metade do livro.
Ryan Miller foi para mim a personagem mais bem concebida. Ele é um ex-navy seal e está, de certa forma, traumatizado com a guerra; a autora explora bem o que provocou esse trauma e as razões de algumas atitudes de Miller. Ao longo de todo o livro, vamos conhecê-lo melhor e vai-se tornando mais interessante.
Indiana e Amanda são mãe e filha com muitas diferenças, e são também o centro da trama (explicarei mais à frente).
Ao logo do livro temos dois planos de ação: os crimes e o jogo de Ripper e a vida amorosa (principalmente) de Indiana. Embora não pareça, estes planos estão interligados de uma maneira tão subtil, que só nos apercebemos disso mais tarde.
Diversos assassinatos estão a acontecer em São Francisco e Amanda, juntamente com os seus companheiros do jogo de Ripper querem deslindá-los, inicialmente como diversão, mas quando Indiana é sequestrada, torna-se numa corrida contra o tempo. Ora, isto aconteceu súbita e engenhosamente, o que eu admirei. Deparamo-nos então choque de acontecimentos surpreendentes e cativantes, que agarram completamente e viciam a leitura. Este é o cerne do livro e está muito bem concebido.
Há surpresa atrás de surpresa; choque; incredulidade e um final verdadeiramente surpreendente e muito inesperado.
Embora não seja o melhor policial que li, gostei dele e quero ler mais livros desta autora.