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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This wasn't my favorite. The first 250 pages were pretty slow. It picks up, but there's a LOT going on and knowing the story doesn't conclude at the end of 800 pages adds to drudgery.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finished Natchez Burning with sense of excitement over what was to come. Iles ended that book on a high note, with the kind of climax that leaves you breathless. I couldn't wait to see what Penn would find himself involved in once I started The Bone Tree. I admit that I've found a bit of a soft spot in my heart for Penn Cage and his little family. They have so much passion for doing the right thing, even when it's dangerous, that it's intoxicating.
So, it was a little disappointing that I didn't love this book as much as the first. I didn't feel that same sense of urgency, where I had to read at a rapid pace to keep up with the action. Where I praised the first book for avoiding the dreaded info dump, The Bone Tree didn't seem to take that same road. While the premise here is fascinating, tying all the way back into the JFK assassination, the only way to keep that story line going is to throw down a ton of historical knowledge. There are dense portions of explanation into histories of past characters, and how they tie into the ones we are dealing with today. It does slow things down.
Now, on a happy note, there's definitely the same amount of attention to detail that there was in the first book. Newly introduced characters are rich, and have deep history surrounding them. Which comes in handy, especially the further that things delve into the past. Natchez, as well as its surrounding cities, gets the same kind of love that it did before. The setting here has its own kind of special magic, managing to set it apart from the rest of the world in a way. It's like a place set back in time, and it makes for an excellent jumping off point into Penn's newest adventure.
The action here is just as fast paced as before, putting Penn and his family in the face of danger at every turn. I swear, I've never simultaneously wanted to cheer on and punch a character as often as I have during these books. There are some decisions made that, had I been able to, I would have smacked some of these characters for. The only downside to this particular book is that some of the action feels forced. Like it was put there simply to pick up the pace after a long dialogue or back story portion. The Bone Tree flowed, but just not as beautifully as its predecessor.
So, it comes down to the fact that I think The Bone Tree suffers from "middle book syndrome". It's the mid point in this particular story arc, and there's a lot packed into it because of that. It just unfortunately doesn't read as smoothly as the first in the series. The good news is that there's enough here, and the ending is solid enough, that it doesn't keep me from wanting to move on with the series. I'm still really excited to see what happens next.
So, it was a little disappointing that I didn't love this book as much as the first. I didn't feel that same sense of urgency, where I had to read at a rapid pace to keep up with the action. Where I praised the first book for avoiding the dreaded info dump, The Bone Tree didn't seem to take that same road. While the premise here is fascinating, tying all the way back into the JFK assassination, the only way to keep that story line going is to throw down a ton of historical knowledge. There are dense portions of explanation into histories of past characters, and how they tie into the ones we are dealing with today. It does slow things down.
Now, on a happy note, there's definitely the same amount of attention to detail that there was in the first book. Newly introduced characters are rich, and have deep history surrounding them. Which comes in handy, especially the further that things delve into the past. Natchez, as well as its surrounding cities, gets the same kind of love that it did before. The setting here has its own kind of special magic, managing to set it apart from the rest of the world in a way. It's like a place set back in time, and it makes for an excellent jumping off point into Penn's newest adventure.
The action here is just as fast paced as before, putting Penn and his family in the face of danger at every turn. I swear, I've never simultaneously wanted to cheer on and punch a character as often as I have during these books. There are some decisions made that, had I been able to, I would have smacked some of these characters for. The only downside to this particular book is that some of the action feels forced. Like it was put there simply to pick up the pace after a long dialogue or back story portion. The Bone Tree flowed, but just not as beautifully as its predecessor.
So, it comes down to the fact that I think The Bone Tree suffers from "middle book syndrome". It's the mid point in this particular story arc, and there's a lot packed into it because of that. It just unfortunately doesn't read as smoothly as the first in the series. The good news is that there's enough here, and the ending is solid enough, that it doesn't keep me from wanting to move on with the series. I'm still really excited to see what happens next.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If it wasn't for the end, in which some things were wrapped up too quickly and characters acted non ethically or badly, it would have been a five star review. The book is really well written and the story is interesting. It's a book that is hard to put down.
Wow this book was slow. I can't leave a series unfinished so I will read the last book. How much internal monologue is needed about the same stuff. I'm not liking most of the main characters so we will see how the last book goes.
In the second installment to the Penn Cage trilogy, Greg Iles again weaves an intricate and detailed story for all of his compelling characters. As a huge Greg Iles fan, I loved this book, however there were some moments where it dragged and I found myself struggling with the intense volley of dialogue between the characters over a decades old conspiracy theory. It's possible that this book could have survived without that detail, however, I want to reserve too much judgement until I see what the third installment has in store. With the kind of stories Iles tells, I imagine that his next book will resolve a few more loose ends and blow the various plots wide open in his trademark style of writing. I feel that the way you start to feel about Penn Cage is done purposely. He turns into a tired and disillusioned man who sounds like a whiney and petulant child, but how could he not given his circumstances? Some folks complained because they felt 'manipulated' by Iles or that in some of his more extreme scenes, he was unbelievable. To that I say, this is fiction after all. A little far fetched? Perhaps. Completely enthralling? Most definitely.
I give this four stars because the rehashed dialogue was at times hard to get through and took up a large chunk of the book. Overall, I love these books so far and I am looking forward to the next.
I give this four stars because the rehashed dialogue was at times hard to get through and took up a large chunk of the book. Overall, I love these books so far and I am looking forward to the next.
Good. I enjoyed it. Iles can write himself out of a paper bag with style.
Long. Many characters to follow, but not George R.R. Martin number of characters. All of the characters were entwined with the plot well and at no point was I left wondering why so-and-so had a chapter and then was never seen again. This did not happen.
It started with a main character on the lamb from the law, it ended with the character in protective custody. In the middle, a lot of time was spent on the JFK assassination and I did wonder just what the hell that had to do with the murder the character was accused of, but Iles tightened that thread to my satisfaction. I would even venture to say that, contrary to some criticism of this part of the story, the JFK thread is integral to solving the murder mystery and therefore was indeed necessary.
I'm happy one of the villains was killed off, and I was happy the villain was killed the way he was killed. The dude was a stone cold sick fuck and he deserved to die a horrible death. I'm not one of those people who believe it turning the other cheek, taking the high road, what have you. If you are a rapid dog, and this guy certainly was, then you need to be taken down permanently.
Not happy the other sick fuck of a villain was not killed off, but then if he was, how could there be more story. So, I'll accept that the newly promoted villain will be around for the next book where he'll get his just deserts. There will be collateral damage, pain and suffering, but I know Iles will give that sick fuck an appropriately gruesome and painful comeuppance.
Looking forward to the next book.
Long. Many characters to follow, but not George R.R. Martin number of characters. All of the characters were entwined with the plot well and at no point was I left wondering why so-and-so had a chapter and then was never seen again. This did not happen.
It started with a main character on the lamb from the law, it ended with the character in protective custody. In the middle, a lot of time was spent on the JFK assassination and I did wonder just what the hell that had to do with the murder the character was accused of, but Iles tightened that thread to my satisfaction. I would even venture to say that, contrary to some criticism of this part of the story, the JFK thread is integral to solving the murder mystery and therefore was indeed necessary.
I'm happy one of the villains was killed off, and I was happy the villain was killed the way he was killed. The dude was a stone cold sick fuck and he deserved to die a horrible death. I'm not one of those people who believe it turning the other cheek, taking the high road, what have you. If you are a rapid dog, and this guy certainly was, then you need to be taken down permanently.
Not happy the other sick fuck of a villain was not killed off, but then if he was, how could there be more story. So, I'll accept that the newly promoted villain will be around for the next book where he'll get his just deserts. There will be collateral damage, pain and suffering, but I know Iles will give that sick fuck an appropriately gruesome and painful comeuppance.
Looking forward to the next book.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes