Reviews

Duplicate Effort: A Retrieval Artist Novel by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

ryanwriter's review against another edition

5.0

Another fun novel in my ongoing binge of the Retrieval Artist series. This one has close ties to the previous book, The Recovery Man, and is less focused on problems caused by alien laws except as a consequence of things that happened in previous books.

majkia's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoying a series that deals with the social implications of humans living with aliens.

dancarey_404's review against another edition

3.0

This book serves as a great example of why I usually don't like reading books that comprise a long series, particularly when I'm coming to it in the middle. There were a boatload of characters, most of whom had appeared in previous books, each of whom had an extensive backstory there. The plot here revolved around incidents that had occurred in other books. There are some details that might have been covered previously, but don't get mentioned here. (This story takes place on the Moon. But no mention is made about the rate at which things fall or how people walk. Do they have artificial gravity? She never says.)

All that said, this is still an enjoyable book. Rusch is a good writer. I just need to catch her in a non-serial mode.

lilybellreader's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

marhill31's review against another edition

4.0

There is always consequences when you try to take down the Moon’s most powerful law firm.

This is the dilemma that Retrieval Artist Miles Flint faces in Duplicate Effort: Book 7 of the Retrieval Artist Series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Being a retrieval artist means you are suppose to work alone and keep those who love and care about at arms-length. Well at this point in the series, Flint has broken the code he learned from his mentor, Paloma. He has created an inner circle that includes his cloned daughter, Talia, his lawyer, Maxine Van Alen, his former partner as a detective, Noelle DeRicci, and investigative reporter, Ki Bowles.

Flint loses one member of his newfound inner circle and his investigation leads him to the most powerful law firm on the Moon: Wagner, Stuart, and Xendor. What he uncovers will effect everyone around him and causes Flint reexamine his life and career.

Rusch tells a skillful story in Duplicate Effort just like the prior books in the series. The plot is full of twists and turns as it reaches a satisfying conclusion. I would rate Duplicate Effort a notch below the prior two books of the series: Paloma and Recovery Man. However, it is a solid, highly readable novel that will get another highly recommended status from this reviewer.

vailynst's review against another edition

3.0

Notes:

3.5 Stars, Leaving at 3
- Good overall plot developments but chunky & obvious in placement of details or flow of events.

kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition

4.0

After reading Rusch’s last Retrieval Artist novel, I was a little worried that the tone of the series would shift. I shouldn’t have been worried. Duplicate Effect ties closely in with the previous two books in the series and offers answers to questions about the clones of Flint’s daughter. The plot moves briskly, and there is not a word wasted. Rusch has a talent for making even the minor characters have a life of their own. It is unclear if this is the last book in the series. The book feels either like an ending or the beginning of a new stage as Flint moves into a warmer direction than previously all the while acting like Flint. The question of whether or not he will become Paloma is answered here. If the book is the last book, it is a good ending. If it is not, it also functions as a good transition by fleshing out characters, such as Romey and Nyquist as well as Talia. My one complaint is that I wanted more DeRicci than I got, though it was nice to see her more comfortable in her role (and to be honest, I don’t know how more DeRicci would’ve fit in). Talia also didn’t quite feel like a 13 year old, but considering what has happened to her, Rusch should get a pass on that. The moral questions raised in the other books continue here, and the reader is even treated to Flint’s view on his ex-wife actions. I look forward to reading Rusch’s next novel.

vailynst's review against another edition

3.0

Notes:

3.5 Stars, Leaving at 3
- Good overall plot developments but chunky & obvious in placement of details or flow of events.