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jeti33's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hockeypeach's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
lauren_emily_mayne's review against another edition
5.0
Chelsea Cain has taken something so wrong and so dark and made a wonderful novel out of it. Kick is the perfect kind of heroine, strong and intelligent, as well as not pining over a man the whole book (like so many others do), she is amazing and kick-ass, whilst still fighting with her inner-demons. I could not put this book down and eagerly await a sequel!
trinad's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
readingjag's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite Cain book. I found the main character's (a victim of horrific child sexual abuse) behavior unrealistic. However, the writing is great as always and the villains are really, really horrible. The fact that this is sort of 'ripped from the headlines' made me sick to my stomach.
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I have read by Chelsea, so I began reading One Kick with no expectations of what was coming. When I began reading I was intrigued about what was going on, we are introduced to Kick in her younger years. It's not until Kit is older that the real action begins, and we are pulled into her past and her present, with no holds barred.
Kick is a survivor, and her past has made her more aware of her surrounding and her safety, therefore her knowledge of multiple self defence techniques, and her over abundance of weapons upon her person. What Kick has gone through is a traumatic ordeal, and to come out of it alive is remarkable, however the lasting memories make it tough for Kick to really relax, and also contribute to her obsession with missing children, and is what brings her into Bishops investigations.
Bishop is an enigma in himself, and it took me a while to actually warm up to him, and even after I have finished reading there is still a small part of me that thinks there is more to him that needs to be discovered.
One Kick is a compelling, thought provoking read, and what was meant to be a 'see what it's like' read, ended up being a 'finish this book at 1.30am' read. One Kick is full of action, mystery, adventure, and the occasional smidgeon of romance. I thoroughly enjoyed taking this adventure with Kick, through the good, the bad, and the damn right dangerous. there were times that I was so nervous about what was going to happen it felt like my heart was in my throat, other times I cried over what had happened, or smiled with how something had gone right.
One Kick is the first in a series, and I can't wait to get hold of the next instalment as soon as it's ready.
Kick is a survivor, and her past has made her more aware of her surrounding and her safety, therefore her knowledge of multiple self defence techniques, and her over abundance of weapons upon her person. What Kick has gone through is a traumatic ordeal, and to come out of it alive is remarkable, however the lasting memories make it tough for Kick to really relax, and also contribute to her obsession with missing children, and is what brings her into Bishops investigations.
Bishop is an enigma in himself, and it took me a while to actually warm up to him, and even after I have finished reading there is still a small part of me that thinks there is more to him that needs to be discovered.
One Kick is a compelling, thought provoking read, and what was meant to be a 'see what it's like' read, ended up being a 'finish this book at 1.30am' read. One Kick is full of action, mystery, adventure, and the occasional smidgeon of romance. I thoroughly enjoyed taking this adventure with Kick, through the good, the bad, and the damn right dangerous. there were times that I was so nervous about what was going to happen it felt like my heart was in my throat, other times I cried over what had happened, or smiled with how something had gone right.
One Kick is the first in a series, and I can't wait to get hold of the next instalment as soon as it's ready.
elettra_passerini's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a fan of Chelsea Cain since her first book, Heartsick. So when I saw she had a new series coming out I was really excited. I had some reservations when I read the brief comment from the publisher that this book was classified as Pg-13. This is because the whole reason I love Gretchen and Archie’s relationship is because it is intense and gruesome. So I was not sure what to expect from this book. After finishing this book I was worrying for nothing. I can’t wait for the next book and hope it is another Kick book.
I loved Kick and Bishop. They are the new Gretchen and Archie. Only they are not trying to kill each other but they have a good work relationship. I pictured Kick being played by Jennifer Lawrence and Bishop being played as Jason Statham. I liked that Kick was tough. I mean how many people pick the lock of handcuffs to ease their stress levels. Oh and the handcuffs are handcuffed to your own wrists. I want more. One Kick is a kick-ass good time!
I loved Kick and Bishop. They are the new Gretchen and Archie. Only they are not trying to kill each other but they have a good work relationship. I pictured Kick being played by Jennifer Lawrence and Bishop being played as Jason Statham. I liked that Kick was tough. I mean how many people pick the lock of handcuffs to ease their stress levels. Oh and the handcuffs are handcuffed to your own wrists. I want more. One Kick is a kick-ass good time!
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
ONE KICK (Kick Lannigan #1) by Chelsea Cain brings a compelling new heroine, Kit “Kick” Lannigan, the first in this new exciting and compelling thriller series.
Kit was kidnapped at age six, by a child pornography ring when she was six, and held captive for five years until the FBI rescued her. Being held in captivity, has taken its emotional toll, on damaged, twenty-one year old Kick; however, she has turned into a fighting machine.
Still struggling with psychological baggage, she's dedicated herself to martial arts and marksmanship. Before she was thirteen, Kick learned marksmanship, martial arts, boxing, archery, and knife throwing. She excelled at every one, vowing she would never be victimized again.
Living in Portland, OR, and quite obsessed with child abductions and now the disappearance of Adam and Mia, triggering the guilt in the role she once played, ensuring the anonymity of a vast ring of child pornographers.
When a wealthy former gun dealer, working with the FBI, drops into Kick's life and demands that she go with him to the site of the latest abduction, she fiercely resists. She knows she has to help with all her skills and insight, to help find the two children; yet, little does Kick know this case will lead her back to her terrifying past.
Her mother, who wrote a best-seller about her daughter's abduction, is still milking the story as an expert on TV. Kick returns to places she was held as "Beth," and her confrontation with her abductor exposes a horribly complicated relationship.
Her strange relationship with John Bishop adds intrigue, and dynamic together as well as the other secondary characters. Fast–paced, painful, emotional, challenging, full of tension, twists and turns, and a kick ass main protagonist, taking readers to dark places of child porn rings, for a suspenseful quest of justice and redemption— to the compelling conclusion.
This was my first book by Cain and looking forward to the next in the series! I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Heather Lind, for a nice overall performance.
Kit was kidnapped at age six, by a child pornography ring when she was six, and held captive for five years until the FBI rescued her. Being held in captivity, has taken its emotional toll, on damaged, twenty-one year old Kick; however, she has turned into a fighting machine.
Still struggling with psychological baggage, she's dedicated herself to martial arts and marksmanship. Before she was thirteen, Kick learned marksmanship, martial arts, boxing, archery, and knife throwing. She excelled at every one, vowing she would never be victimized again.
Living in Portland, OR, and quite obsessed with child abductions and now the disappearance of Adam and Mia, triggering the guilt in the role she once played, ensuring the anonymity of a vast ring of child pornographers.
When a wealthy former gun dealer, working with the FBI, drops into Kick's life and demands that she go with him to the site of the latest abduction, she fiercely resists. She knows she has to help with all her skills and insight, to help find the two children; yet, little does Kick know this case will lead her back to her terrifying past.
Her mother, who wrote a best-seller about her daughter's abduction, is still milking the story as an expert on TV. Kick returns to places she was held as "Beth," and her confrontation with her abductor exposes a horribly complicated relationship.
Her strange relationship with John Bishop adds intrigue, and dynamic together as well as the other secondary characters. Fast–paced, painful, emotional, challenging, full of tension, twists and turns, and a kick ass main protagonist, taking readers to dark places of child porn rings, for a suspenseful quest of justice and redemption— to the compelling conclusion.
This was my first book by Cain and looking forward to the next in the series! I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Heather Lind, for a nice overall performance.
cbaker8887's review against another edition
3.0
Having enjoyed Chelsea Cain's Archie Sheridan/Grethcen Powell series I looked forward to reading her new novel One Kick. And while I wasn't disappointed, it didn't have quite the same impact or strong character building has her previous novels.
The story centers around Kick Lannigan who was kidnapped at the age of six and held in captivity for five years before being freed. Unfortunately her abductors were part of a child pornography ring and she was not only abused but films were made of her proliferated across the Internet.
We find Kick, now a 21 year old woman, both a very strong character but at the same time very vulnerable. She has developed herself into a serious martial artist, an expert in guns and other deadly weapons, as well as breaking and entering and getting out of handcuffs and other restraints. She vows to never let herself be hurt again. But of course there are still emotional scars that run deep, making her a powerful and sympathetic character.
As we learn about Kick's past and present another child goes missing with similar trademarks of her abduction, suggesting it may be part of the same ring. She is offered a chance to help find the missing child that she ultimately just can't turn down.
The rest of the novel is a harrowing chase to find the missing child that finds Kick teamed up with a mysterious stranger named Bishop who works for an arms dealer. She has to relive her past to help find the missing child.
She even goes to the state infirmary where her abductor is dying of kidney failure trying to get information that might help locate the missing child and hopefully bust up the ring. Here we see an odd scene that shows she has a twisted emotional connection with the man who abused her for so many years.
Kick Lannigan is a very well-drawn and compelling character but the others, with the possible exception of Frank the FBI agent who saved her, were borderline cliché. And while I mostly enjoyed One Kick, the plot and the Bishop character really stretched credibility and my willingness to suspend disbelief. Nevertheless, I will definitely be looking forward to the next novel in the series.
The story centers around Kick Lannigan who was kidnapped at the age of six and held in captivity for five years before being freed. Unfortunately her abductors were part of a child pornography ring and she was not only abused but films were made of her proliferated across the Internet.
We find Kick, now a 21 year old woman, both a very strong character but at the same time very vulnerable. She has developed herself into a serious martial artist, an expert in guns and other deadly weapons, as well as breaking and entering and getting out of handcuffs and other restraints. She vows to never let herself be hurt again. But of course there are still emotional scars that run deep, making her a powerful and sympathetic character.
As we learn about Kick's past and present another child goes missing with similar trademarks of her abduction, suggesting it may be part of the same ring. She is offered a chance to help find the missing child that she ultimately just can't turn down.
The rest of the novel is a harrowing chase to find the missing child that finds Kick teamed up with a mysterious stranger named Bishop who works for an arms dealer. She has to relive her past to help find the missing child.
She even goes to the state infirmary where her abductor is dying of kidney failure trying to get information that might help locate the missing child and hopefully bust up the ring. Here we see an odd scene that shows she has a twisted emotional connection with the man who abused her for so many years.
Kick Lannigan is a very well-drawn and compelling character but the others, with the possible exception of Frank the FBI agent who saved her, were borderline cliché. And while I mostly enjoyed One Kick, the plot and the Bishop character really stretched credibility and my willingness to suspend disbelief. Nevertheless, I will definitely be looking forward to the next novel in the series.