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willbefunorelse's review against another edition
3.0
For the full review (and for a side-review of Castle, the TV show), click the link to That's What She Read.
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
Three and a half. It was fun to read this and picture Castle. I just like Beckett--she's just that much gentler/ladylike than Heat is in the book--but I still like her too. (PS She treats the bedroom action too casually--definitely created in the mind of a guy!)
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fun book that reads much like an episode of the TV show. Unfortunately, I felt that the characters were more one-dimensional in the book than they are on the show, especially Nikki/Becket. It was particularly noticeable since we followed Nikki's thoughts most of the book. Still worthwhile for those who enjoy murder mysteries and/or the show Castle!
razethebar's review against another edition
4.0
Liked it even if some editing related errors were still there... It took me out of the story while I figured out the strangeness. Lauren is not spelled L-A-U-R-A. Very fun read and I can see why the characters on Castle were reacting the way they did to the "love scene"
readybakerone's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Really liked this book, even more than I thought. It really feels like Castle wrote this book based on hiis thoughts on Beckett. Really liked it.
stephxsu's review against another edition
2.0
HEAT WAVE suffers from spinoff-itis. It assumes that its readers know the TV show Castle and the story behind its books, and thus assumes that it doesn’t have to bother with the usual writing techniques such as character development. Because Nikki Heat is (a much sexier) Kate Beckett; Jameson Rook is (a much more boring) Richard Castle (I mean, really, just look at the last names); Roach is Eposito and Ryan; and so on down the line.
The upside of this is that it does read like an extra episode of Castle, and the mystery is plenty good, with a nice amount of twists, red herrings, and unexpected revelations. The downside is that this book cannot and should not stand on its own. If it were a novel written by a real person, instead of by the fictional character Castle, it would probably be reamed by an editor for its lack of character development and the lack of developing chemistry between Heat and Rook.
For that was what disappointed me most of all: if HEAT WAVE were the manifestation of Castle’s imagination of a relationship between himself and Beckett (which, uh, in a sense, it is), then it was really poorly done, because the spark that Castle and Beckett have on the show is not apparent between Rook and Heat. On the show, sexual tension crackles between Castle and Beckett, a tension that is enhanced by their banter. In HEAT WAVE, Rook and Heat have just about zero banter. Any banter that they might have falls flat in about two lines, which is not really banter at all, but just the clumsy insertion of one-line quips. Rook comes across as an incompetent and bumbling reporter with not even a quarter of the appeal that Castle has, making the romance between him and Heat very unconvincing. If this were really the book that Richard Castle wrote on the TV show, then I struggle to understand how he ever made it as a bestselling mystery writer.
Still, I understand that this book was penned and published because it wanted to draw on the popularity of the TV show. I gave in and bought a copy, after all. For Castle fans, it’s a great indulgence. However, for more discerning readers, particularly discerning readers of mysteries and thrillers, HEAT WAVE will most likely disappoint. Don’t open this book expecting great—or, admittedly, even decent—writing.
The upside of this is that it does read like an extra episode of Castle, and the mystery is plenty good, with a nice amount of twists, red herrings, and unexpected revelations. The downside is that this book cannot and should not stand on its own. If it were a novel written by a real person, instead of by the fictional character Castle, it would probably be reamed by an editor for its lack of character development and the lack of developing chemistry between Heat and Rook.
For that was what disappointed me most of all: if HEAT WAVE were the manifestation of Castle’s imagination of a relationship between himself and Beckett (which, uh, in a sense, it is), then it was really poorly done, because the spark that Castle and Beckett have on the show is not apparent between Rook and Heat. On the show, sexual tension crackles between Castle and Beckett, a tension that is enhanced by their banter. In HEAT WAVE, Rook and Heat have just about zero banter. Any banter that they might have falls flat in about two lines, which is not really banter at all, but just the clumsy insertion of one-line quips. Rook comes across as an incompetent and bumbling reporter with not even a quarter of the appeal that Castle has, making the romance between him and Heat very unconvincing. If this were really the book that Richard Castle wrote on the TV show, then I struggle to understand how he ever made it as a bestselling mystery writer.
Still, I understand that this book was penned and published because it wanted to draw on the popularity of the TV show. I gave in and bought a copy, after all. For Castle fans, it’s a great indulgence. However, for more discerning readers, particularly discerning readers of mysteries and thrillers, HEAT WAVE will most likely disappoint. Don’t open this book expecting great—or, admittedly, even decent—writing.
kangokaren's review against another edition
3.0
I LOVE CASTLE!!!! This book just dampens the pain of waiting for Season 4 to come out. Did I mention I love Castle?
agillingham's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
I had much higher hopes for this because I really enjoy the show. But this was kind of a drag.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
2.0
Wow, this is SO bad! I expected it to be less than stellar, but the level of bad is absolutely breath taking!
I don't just mean the plot. Check this out:
"'I see,' he said. And then he took the plunge. 'Matthew Starr indulged in some personal habits that compromised his personal fortune. He did damage." Noah paused then took the plunge."
This guy is so hardcore, he took the plunge TWICE in the same paragraph.
Come on! Fanfiction has Beta Readers! You're telling me Hyperion editors couldn't have spared two minutes to read this before printing it?
Richard Castle would never have written this. In fact, I'm 90% confident no Castle writer laid hands on this. The cleverness of the show is completely missing from this book.
And seriously? If this was how Castle saw Beckett? I wouldn't be watching the show. Ye gods.
I'm giving it two stars only because of the acknowledgements.
I don't just mean the plot. Check this out:
"'I see,' he said. And then he took the plunge. 'Matthew Starr indulged in some personal habits that compromised his personal fortune. He did damage." Noah paused then took the plunge."
This guy is so hardcore, he took the plunge TWICE in the same paragraph.
Come on! Fanfiction has Beta Readers! You're telling me Hyperion editors couldn't have spared two minutes to read this before printing it?
Richard Castle would never have written this. In fact, I'm 90% confident no Castle writer laid hands on this. The cleverness of the show is completely missing from this book.
And seriously? If this was how Castle saw Beckett? I wouldn't be watching the show. Ye gods.
I'm giving it two stars only because of the acknowledgements.
holly_keimig's review against another edition
5.0
So glad this one was good. :) I love the TV show. Read it! :)