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anaaneis's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
No plot at all. Mostly boring in some chapters for me
saraa_t's review against another edition
3.0
Hilton's first novel in the series (the second due to be released March 2017) is interesting in a first-crack-at-a-novel kind of way, with several different ideas connected in ways that often don't make total sense.
Judith is captivating as a character, but difficult to place. By the end of the novel she's committing heinous crimes for no reason at all, but we're given no explanation or progression to her serial-killer-like tendencies.
An interesting read if you're not bothered by confusing transitions or perplexing characters.
Judith is captivating as a character, but difficult to place. By the end of the novel she's committing heinous crimes for no reason at all, but we're given no explanation or progression to her serial-killer-like tendencies.
An interesting read if you're not bothered by confusing transitions or perplexing characters.
natjab28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ciekawa propozycja, nie jest to rodzaj książki i historii których wcześniej nie czytaliśmy lecz zapada w pamięć, dobrze się ja czyta i z częścią sięgnę po kolejne części.
bboduffy's review against another edition
3.0
Skimm Reads described this book as "The Talented Mr. Ripley meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." As I enjoy a good antihero thriller, I was intrigued.
Save for the raunchy bits (there are some v. graphic and awful sex scenes), I appreciated the twists and turns in the plot. The novel shined when it came to descriptions of artwork and recurring symbol of the Lost Caravaggio piece where Judith beheads the general Holofernes.
Save for the raunchy bits (there are some v. graphic and awful sex scenes), I appreciated the twists and turns in the plot. The novel shined when it came to descriptions of artwork and recurring symbol of the Lost Caravaggio piece where Judith beheads the general Holofernes.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
2.0
A special thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
L. S. Hilton's MAESTRA --What is not to love about art theft, a female fatale, a psychological mystery crime thriller? Right? Unfortunately, not what I received. Had higher expectations.
Many of you may not agree with my review. To each their own opinion; however, rather than glossing over, my honest thoughts.
The set up was great. The first part of the book, was entertaining and grabbed my attention. You see Judith as a young woman, trying hard to excel and make her way in the art world. She wants to do the right thing. A lowly receptionist at a well-known art house. She wants respect, has debt, lacks money, poor, and vulnerable. She desires to gain entry into the upper echelon of the art world and society.
Through an old acquaintance, Judith is persuaded to take on a second job, working as a hostess at a champagne bar (not a high class establishment). Here she learns how to manipulate. No salary, only tips. So the goal is to get the guys to buy expensive champagne. However, James, old pasty, overweight gross man does not drink, but buys the champagne and has money. She collects money and builds her savings account. No sex at first. All is good. She is able to buy some nice clothes. (give me hot, good looks, not pasty, and fat)
In the meantime, at the art house, things go south. She stumbles upon a conspiracy-- art fraud with misdeeds of her boss, Rupert – she is fired along with her accomplice.
OK, now at this point, you can see the need for female vigilante – Justice. Was really excited to see how this would unfold. However, not in the way I had envisioned. A let down. No real plotting to seek revenge. Just a lot of brutal killing and sex.
When she goes on the trip with her friend and James, an accident-- not really her fault. She runs to escape. Even the next guy Steve .. I am still hooked. However, thereafter when getting to the next guy, and brutal murders – it is downhill from here until the end.
Judith does a complete 180. Out of nowhere. She is now a cold-blooded killer. If you are going to create a sociopath, lead up to it. Create flash backs of her abusive childhood, what made her turn into a killer. Thoughts, processes. Nothing here. It is supposed to be the journey which carries the reader.
Also what makes a good thriller, is the chase. No real investigation. No forensics. No imagination. No one really much on her trail. Just a girl who has crazy sex, gets high, and goes on to kill more people for no real reason. Where is the hook? You keep reading hoping you will get to the good part, which never comes.
A femme fatale, a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art.
Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her victim with a spell was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural; hence, the femme fatale today is still often described as having a power akin to an enchantress, seductress, vampire, witch, or demon, having power over men. A woman with both intelligence, glamour, sophistication, and sex appeal that uses these skills to manipulate poor helpless men into doing what she wants. May cause death.
When I think of the Greatest Femme Fatales in Classic Film Noir, women were either of two types (or archetypes) - dutiful, reliable, trustworthy and loving women; or femme fatales - mysterious, duplicitous, subversive, double-crossing, gorgeous, unloving, predatory, tough-sweet, unreliable, irresponsible, manipulative and desperate women. Usually, the male protagonist in film noir wished to elude his mysterious past, and had to choose what path to take (or have the fateful choice made for him).
Invariably, the choice would be an overly ambitious one, to follow the dangerous but desirable wishes of these dames. The goadings of the traitorous, self-destructive femme fatale would lead the struggling, disillusioned, and doomed hero into committing murder or some other crime of passion coupled with twisted love.
Instead of: Sexy, seductive, glamorous, provocative, erotic, passion, alluring, tasteful, enticing . .
You get: x-rated porn, gross, disgusting, revolting, distasteful, obnoxious, poor taste
With this being said, when I think of art, culture, wealth, European travel—I think “Class”. With the heavy usage in the book, of designer fashion names, ritzy hotels, yachts, and name dropping---it wipes out all the glamour and class---when replaced with bad trashy porn sex scenes.
Does not add up. Falls apart midway. Even though I am not an erotica fan, I do enjoy good psychological thrillers and have no issues with graphic sex scenes if done in taste. (otherwise, why bother). For example: A. R. Torre (Deanna Madden Series). She can get down and dirty with her sex scenes, but they are tastefully done, and her protagonist is someone you sympathize with, due to her horrific abusive past. So when she is evil, you still root for her.
By 50% into the book, I wanted Judith to be caught--put me out of my misery. I was not even rooting for her. Disliked her, in fact. As far as the next two installments – no desire to read further. However, maybe I should skip to the final installment to see if we learn of Judith’s past, and she gets away with her murders. By the end at 3 am, was glad it was over. Unrealistic. To be continued. Don't think so.
I had pre-ordered the audiobook; however, cancelled. Not up for a repeat performance. In my opinion, does not compare to The Talented Mr. Ripley, nor Gone Girl, nor contains ingredients I look for in a a good psychological crime thriller.
L. S. Hilton's MAESTRA --What is not to love about art theft, a female fatale, a psychological mystery crime thriller? Right? Unfortunately, not what I received. Had higher expectations.
Many of you may not agree with my review. To each their own opinion; however, rather than glossing over, my honest thoughts.
The set up was great. The first part of the book, was entertaining and grabbed my attention. You see Judith as a young woman, trying hard to excel and make her way in the art world. She wants to do the right thing. A lowly receptionist at a well-known art house. She wants respect, has debt, lacks money, poor, and vulnerable. She desires to gain entry into the upper echelon of the art world and society.
Through an old acquaintance, Judith is persuaded to take on a second job, working as a hostess at a champagne bar (not a high class establishment). Here she learns how to manipulate. No salary, only tips. So the goal is to get the guys to buy expensive champagne. However, James, old pasty, overweight gross man does not drink, but buys the champagne and has money. She collects money and builds her savings account. No sex at first. All is good. She is able to buy some nice clothes. (give me hot, good looks, not pasty, and fat)
In the meantime, at the art house, things go south. She stumbles upon a conspiracy-- art fraud with misdeeds of her boss, Rupert – she is fired along with her accomplice.
OK, now at this point, you can see the need for female vigilante – Justice. Was really excited to see how this would unfold. However, not in the way I had envisioned. A let down. No real plotting to seek revenge. Just a lot of brutal killing and sex.
When she goes on the trip with her friend and James, an accident-- not really her fault. She runs to escape. Even the next guy Steve .. I am still hooked. However, thereafter when getting to the next guy, and brutal murders – it is downhill from here until the end.
Judith does a complete 180. Out of nowhere. She is now a cold-blooded killer. If you are going to create a sociopath, lead up to it. Create flash backs of her abusive childhood, what made her turn into a killer. Thoughts, processes. Nothing here. It is supposed to be the journey which carries the reader.
Also what makes a good thriller, is the chase. No real investigation. No forensics. No imagination. No one really much on her trail. Just a girl who has crazy sex, gets high, and goes on to kill more people for no real reason. Where is the hook? You keep reading hoping you will get to the good part, which never comes.
A femme fatale, a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art.
Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her victim with a spell was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural; hence, the femme fatale today is still often described as having a power akin to an enchantress, seductress, vampire, witch, or demon, having power over men. A woman with both intelligence, glamour, sophistication, and sex appeal that uses these skills to manipulate poor helpless men into doing what she wants. May cause death.
When I think of the Greatest Femme Fatales in Classic Film Noir, women were either of two types (or archetypes) - dutiful, reliable, trustworthy and loving women; or femme fatales - mysterious, duplicitous, subversive, double-crossing, gorgeous, unloving, predatory, tough-sweet, unreliable, irresponsible, manipulative and desperate women. Usually, the male protagonist in film noir wished to elude his mysterious past, and had to choose what path to take (or have the fateful choice made for him).
Invariably, the choice would be an overly ambitious one, to follow the dangerous but desirable wishes of these dames. The goadings of the traitorous, self-destructive femme fatale would lead the struggling, disillusioned, and doomed hero into committing murder or some other crime of passion coupled with twisted love.
Instead of: Sexy, seductive, glamorous, provocative, erotic, passion, alluring, tasteful, enticing . .
You get: x-rated porn, gross, disgusting, revolting, distasteful, obnoxious, poor taste
With this being said, when I think of art, culture, wealth, European travel—I think “Class”. With the heavy usage in the book, of designer fashion names, ritzy hotels, yachts, and name dropping---it wipes out all the glamour and class---when replaced with bad trashy porn sex scenes.
Does not add up. Falls apart midway. Even though I am not an erotica fan, I do enjoy good psychological thrillers and have no issues with graphic sex scenes if done in taste. (otherwise, why bother). For example: A. R. Torre (Deanna Madden Series). She can get down and dirty with her sex scenes, but they are tastefully done, and her protagonist is someone you sympathize with, due to her horrific abusive past. So when she is evil, you still root for her.
By 50% into the book, I wanted Judith to be caught--put me out of my misery. I was not even rooting for her. Disliked her, in fact. As far as the next two installments – no desire to read further. However, maybe I should skip to the final installment to see if we learn of Judith’s past, and she gets away with her murders. By the end at 3 am, was glad it was over. Unrealistic. To be continued. Don't think so.
I had pre-ordered the audiobook; however, cancelled. Not up for a repeat performance. In my opinion, does not compare to The Talented Mr. Ripley, nor Gone Girl, nor contains ingredients I look for in a a good psychological crime thriller.
bmpicc's review against another edition
1.0
I could not finish this book. It wasn't what I was expecting and I did not enjoy it at all. I gave up about 1/3 of the way in.
arazxobama5's review against another edition
2.0
Ummm lost braincells reading this. FMC was insane. Genuinely. I dunno what even to say except wtf.
Only reason I finished it is cus I am stupid as frick but I now even regret doing so as I can never get the hours back I spent reading this book.
So we go from a modest art historian working at a art dealership house to a frickjng sex crazed serial killer who has this voice of “Rage” whispering in her ear.
Character development for this babe was legit non existent cus how she just starts killing peoples left right and centre actually makes no sense. Wtf was this book.
Only reason I finished it is cus I am stupid as frick but I now even regret doing so as I can never get the hours back I spent reading this book.
So we go from a modest art historian working at a art dealership house to a frickjng sex crazed serial killer who has this voice of “Rage” whispering in her ear.
Character development for this babe was legit non existent cus how she just starts killing peoples left right and centre actually makes no sense. Wtf was this book.
dynila's review against another edition
4.0
Judith is a delightful anti-hero and I read the whole thing straight through in one long sleepless night. Not as sympathetic as Lizbeth Salander, but far more engaging than Amy Dunne, and, initially, far more naive than either of them.
It took too long for the Stubbs to payoff -- I spotted it right away and spent chapters waiting for Judith to catch on to what I already knew. Vexing, but not a deal breaker. I will definitely be reading the next in this trilogy.
The sex was more frequent and particularly graphic than I enjoy, but that seems to be the way things are going these days. I could have done without the epilogue, too. I think that content would be better in the next book - prior to reading the epilogue I thought it ended on just the right breathless note of desperation and hope.
*Disclaimer - I did receive a complimentary ARC of this from Penguin's First to Read program.
It took too long for the Stubbs to payoff -- I spotted it right away and spent chapters waiting for Judith to catch on to what I already knew. Vexing, but not a deal breaker. I will definitely be reading the next in this trilogy.
The sex was more frequent and particularly graphic than I enjoy, but that seems to be the way things are going these days. I could have done without the epilogue, too. I think that content would be better in the next book - prior to reading the epilogue I thought it ended on just the right breathless note of desperation and hope.
*Disclaimer - I did receive a complimentary ARC of this from Penguin's First to Read program.
carlaribeiro's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5