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v99venneman's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
theduchess93's review against another edition
4.0
A good, fast-paced read. The big reveal was kind of dampened by the fact that basically, everyone suspicious was in fact in on it.
veecaswell's review against another edition
4.0
A mystery thriller set around San Diego Comic Con, The Con Artist is an intriguing and unique book that grabs you as soon as you begin.
A book written from one perspective and this perspective makes this book such a captivating read as it feels like you’re in the mind of Mike as the book unfolds and the plot get started - you can almost feel like you know someone like him so he makes for an interesting and human perspective throughout this book.
I also love how honestly nerdy this book is. Full of geeky moments that a fan of Comic Con would love, The Con Artist immerses itself in the convention and it feels like a very plausible plot due to how well you can see the scene Van Lente creates. The scene is also helped by the illustrations that interspersed throughout the book that add to the story.
A really enjoyable thriller that a nerd like me would love, The Con Artist arrives with perfect timing just before Comic Con.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
A book written from one perspective and this perspective makes this book such a captivating read as it feels like you’re in the mind of Mike as the book unfolds and the plot get started - you can almost feel like you know someone like him so he makes for an interesting and human perspective throughout this book.
I also love how honestly nerdy this book is. Full of geeky moments that a fan of Comic Con would love, The Con Artist immerses itself in the convention and it feels like a very plausible plot due to how well you can see the scene Van Lente creates. The scene is also helped by the illustrations that interspersed throughout the book that add to the story.
A really enjoyable thriller that a nerd like me would love, The Con Artist arrives with perfect timing just before Comic Con.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
puzzled_pagan's review
4.0
This book is a whole lot of fun. It mixes an experts insight into Comic Con with my favorite of narrative genres, the accidental detective, and manages to make some really insightful comments about the act of creating for a living.
tonyzale's review against another edition
2.0
This quick-reading mystery follows Mike Mason, a comic book artist down on his luck, coasting on past successes. He lives on the comic book convention circuit in comped hotel rooms, travelling between cities on free flights, with no homelife to speak of. The monstrous San Diego Comic-Con attracts much of the industry and puts Mason in contact with some old friends... but mostly rival artists, malicious editors, shady dealers, and his ex-wife (also in the business). When one of these belligerents ends up dead, Mason becomes a prime suspect.
For reasons that don’t entirely make sense, Mason decides that the only hope for exoneration is doing his own sleuthing. His investigations criss-cross the convention and provide ample opportunities for digressions describing the comic scene. Superfans get classified into groups like “Narrators” (running a continuous monologue about the attractions, regardless of who’s listening) or “Fetishists” (patrons of artists willing to draw them risque versions of popular characters for big money). He shares thoughts on cosplayers and movie adaptations of books. He delivers a convention speech rallying attendees to demand better pay and benefits from publishing houses for creators. Author Van Lente is a creator himself and while these passages don’t deliver unexpected insights, they do feel authentic and give the book its personality. Further adding to the theme, a handful of significant scenes receive full page pencil sketches; I would have been happy to see a few more of these.
Mason has high stakes encounters with a publishing magnate and a thuggish security agency staffed by Neo Nazis, and the end of the story contains a few twists. That said, the content is not so compelling that I could recommend The Con Artist to those without an interest in comics and comic book culture.
For reasons that don’t entirely make sense, Mason decides that the only hope for exoneration is doing his own sleuthing. His investigations criss-cross the convention and provide ample opportunities for digressions describing the comic scene. Superfans get classified into groups like “Narrators” (running a continuous monologue about the attractions, regardless of who’s listening) or “Fetishists” (patrons of artists willing to draw them risque versions of popular characters for big money). He shares thoughts on cosplayers and movie adaptations of books. He delivers a convention speech rallying attendees to demand better pay and benefits from publishing houses for creators. Author Van Lente is a creator himself and while these passages don’t deliver unexpected insights, they do feel authentic and give the book its personality. Further adding to the theme, a handful of significant scenes receive full page pencil sketches; I would have been happy to see a few more of these.
Mason has high stakes encounters with a publishing magnate and a thuggish security agency staffed by Neo Nazis, and the end of the story contains a few twists. That said, the content is not so compelling that I could recommend The Con Artist to those without an interest in comics and comic book culture.
ceredonia's review against another edition
4.0
*received an ARC for review*
4.5 stars*
This book is written for fans. Fans of TV, comics, movies, all fans of all kinds. I LOVED all the references, the shout outs to all kinds of fandoms, the loving detail that went into coming up with future ideas that are completely plausible for the entertainment industry. I loved all of it.
It's too bad the story wasn't as good. It's a typical 'who dunnit' murder mystery, and it got kind of convoluted near the last third, but it was still enjoyable.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's a major fan of the entertainment industry in general. I loved all the artwork throughout the book as well.
On a side note, I could totally see this being turned into an amazing one shot TV show or movie. It was so fun to recognize all the references thrown in (I'm a huge purveyor of all mediums of entertainment so this was completely up my alley). It would probably star Nathan Fillion.
4.5 stars*
This book is written for fans. Fans of TV, comics, movies, all fans of all kinds. I LOVED all the references, the shout outs to all kinds of fandoms, the loving detail that went into coming up with future ideas that are completely plausible for the entertainment industry. I loved all of it.
It's too bad the story wasn't as good. It's a typical 'who dunnit' murder mystery, and it got kind of convoluted near the last third, but it was still enjoyable.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's a major fan of the entertainment industry in general. I loved all the artwork throughout the book as well.
On a side note, I could totally see this being turned into an amazing one shot TV show or movie. It was so fun to recognize all the references thrown in (I'm a huge purveyor of all mediums of entertainment so this was completely up my alley). It would probably star Nathan Fillion.
zombiecats's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mirrormemory's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sonaderon's review against another edition
5.0
Should you read this book?
Have you ever been to SDCC? ECCC? Your local con?
Are you not confused by those questions?
Are you stareing at the book cover trying to identify all the characters?
Then yes. You should read this book.
Have you ever been to SDCC? ECCC? Your local con?
Are you not confused by those questions?
Are you stareing at the book cover trying to identify all the characters?
Then yes. You should read this book.
thegreatstateofmoregon's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0