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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Enjoyable read with distinctive prose and a unique concept. I found it fun and well-written, but overall it didn't leave a huge impact on me.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
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
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
WOW. One of the best books I've read in recent memory.
I first heard of Exploits when I attended a book club meeting for which this had been the pick of the month. So it was actually after I'd heard ten women discuss the book in detail (all spoilers given) that I decided to read it myself. And I honestly think that was the right order to do it in. Because even when the themes are obvious, they are so good.
(Apparently it took Lennon seven years to write-- well, I can't think of a better time than now for the world to read this book.)
Throughout the story, the reader can never be certain who deserves their sympathy: is it the Athenians who are othered and brutally exterminated? Or the Syracusans whose families were slaughtered by the Athenians hell-bent on conquering Sicily? You’re told conflicting things about who is the monster of the war, who deserves to be snuffed out.
Loved the love-interest subplot. Thought it was executed perfectly: it never made me think this book was leaning into romance, but it developed Lampo's character and the theme of whether or not his circumstantial favor for certain marginalized people was ever really about justice or goodness. At the same time, I do believe Lampo was genuinely in love with Lyra. Which brings up the question again of whether or not the gods truly exist in this universe. After all, Lyra was the sacrifice he was offering the gods for the success of his rescue mission. I could go on about how Tuireann ties into this as well but it's nothing that hasn't been said by other readers. But what a perfect amount of mystery I felt was left in this book.
If the synopsis (Greek story, Irish slang) makes no sense, it's because it's wildly creative, and you won't appreciate the choice of language Lennon chose to tell his story in until you're in the thick of it. This is the kind of book I reread bits of just to savor how a sentence was crafted.
And lastly. Like so many readers have already said. Do yourself a favor and listen to at least part of the book read by the author himself.
I first heard of Exploits when I attended a book club meeting for which this had been the pick of the month. So it was actually after I'd heard ten women discuss the book in detail (all spoilers given) that I decided to read it myself. And I honestly think that was the right order to do it in. Because even when the themes are obvious, they are so good.
(Apparently it took Lennon seven years to write-- well, I can't think of a better time than now for the world to read this book.)
Throughout the story, the reader can never be certain who deserves their sympathy: is it the Athenians who are othered and brutally exterminated? Or the Syracusans whose families were slaughtered by the Athenians hell-bent on conquering Sicily? You’re told conflicting things about who is the monster of the war, who deserves to be snuffed out.
Spoiler
And though our narrator chooses to cross the bridge of helping Athenians escape the quarry, you're never confused about his motives. He's selfish and small-minded, he sees his "friend" Paches as being the only good of the lot. Good despite his Athenian blood. There are several characters that do help the Athenians without ever explaining why. Tuireann, Alekto, Alcar, even the guard they meet on the road to Hyccara who turns a blind eye to the wagon full of Athenians. In doing so, they help Lampo do whatever he wants, even if Lampo’s motivation (to me, at least) reads to be different from theirs.Loved the love-interest subplot. Thought it was executed perfectly: it never made me think this book was leaning into romance, but it developed Lampo's character and the theme of whether or not his circumstantial favor for certain marginalized people was ever really about justice or goodness. At the same time, I do believe Lampo was genuinely in love with Lyra. Which brings up the question again of whether or not the gods truly exist in this universe. After all, Lyra was the sacrifice he was offering the gods for the success of his rescue mission. I could go on about how Tuireann ties into this as well but it's nothing that hasn't been said by other readers. But what a perfect amount of mystery I felt was left in this book.
If the synopsis (Greek story, Irish slang) makes no sense, it's because it's wildly creative, and you won't appreciate the choice of language Lennon chose to tell his story in until you're in the thick of it. This is the kind of book I reread bits of just to savor how a sentence was crafted.
And lastly. Like so many readers have already said. Do yourself a favor and listen to at least part of the book read by the author himself.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a great, surprising read - inventive but too sentimental. Kind of a buddy tale - easy, quick read.