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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
medium-paced
This book was well-written and fast-paced but I've decided I don't particularly enjoy the spy story genre in any form. You never know for sure who is lying or what the endgame is. Some people (like my husband) find that exciting and interesting. It just makes me feel nervous.
But the author also touched on themes of being a woman in a man's world, particularly as woman of color and later a mother which I found to be very interesting. The whole book is a journal written to her sons. At the end she has to leave them to pursue some unfinished business in order to ensure their safety. She expresses her reluctance to do so with what I think are the most beautiful words in the book. She fears her actions "might take me away from the most revolutionary work I could do. Raising you to be better than me, in hope that you will make the world better... my commitment to you is where real change begins." I've felt strongly that this is also my purpose as a mother but she made it sound so noble and empowering. Beautiful.
But the author also touched on themes of being a woman in a man's world, particularly as woman of color and later a mother which I found to be very interesting. The whole book is a journal written to her sons. At the end she has to leave them to pursue some unfinished business in order to ensure their safety. She expresses her reluctance to do so with what I think are the most beautiful words in the book. She fears her actions "might take me away from the most revolutionary work I could do. Raising you to be better than me, in hope that you will make the world better... my commitment to you is where real change begins." I've felt strongly that this is also my purpose as a mother but she made it sound so noble and empowering. Beautiful.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A good story but poorly written. I really did not connect with the characters and barely cared what happened to them. It's the story of a black woman in the 80s who works for the FBI. She is an agent undercover in an African country. She is an asset to a man who reveals he was married to her sister. Marie is meant to seduce and then kill the leader but falls in love and after his death finds herself pregnant. Before her lover is killed she kills her agent and flees. She has twins and much later an assassin tries to kill her. She runs away to her mother in Martinique. The ending isn't clear as she goes off to kill the man who sent the assassin. There is also suspicion that her sister was killed not had an accident.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
*****3.5 Stars****
The story was riveting enough. The mixture of historical fact, with a bit of familial fiction, kept me engrossed.
However, the ending put me off and I felt cheated by the vague nature of what happened in the aftermath of Marie’s
decision to take action.
Sure, the result of Marie’s decisions is implied but, with all the specificity given to other situations, the ending felt rushed.
In any event, the book was good overall and I look forward to reading more from Wilkinson in the future.
The story was riveting enough. The mixture of historical fact, with a bit of familial fiction, kept me engrossed.
However, the ending put me off and I felt cheated by the vague nature of what happened in the aftermath of Marie’s
decision to take action.
Sure, the result of Marie’s decisions is implied but, with all the specificity given to other situations, the ending felt rushed.
In any event, the book was good overall and I look forward to reading more from Wilkinson in the future.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes