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bookph1le's review against another edition
1.0
This book was 100% not for me. I read it because I was intrigued by the concept of the artist in residence, but Nola's position was irrelevant to the story. Instead, what I found was the sort of thriller novel I generally try to avoid, complete with one of those cocky and supposedly awesome male characters. Nola wasn't much better, in that for someone who's supposedly so clever and such a force of nature, she sure ends up needing to be rescued by Zig a lot. Throw in a preposterous plot, and this was just a big ol' no thanks for me.
caycee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
rnshack's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
I remember reading The Zero Game a few years ago and loving it. Being blown away by Brad Meltzer and his writing. So when I came across this book I was instantly intrigued and downloaded ASAP to read. It was good but not what I was expecting and not near a good as I remember The Zero Game being.
For starters it was way too long. It felt like nothing happened for over 200 pages. Next, I got super annoyed every time Meltzer inserted himself, as the author, into the book…6 mins from now Zig will blah blah blah. It was weird and took me out of the story instantly, every time. Please stop doing that sir.
And lastly there were SO.MANY.PEOPLE. Lots of bad guys, lots of good guys, just so many characters it was a bit hard to keep straight. Especially for such a mild, not much happening mystery. There were like 6 bad guys and more than one of their names started with H. There was also so much telling. Like here is bad guy #1 and here’s why he is bad and his small role. Oh, wait here is bad guy #2. Here’s why he is bad and how he fits into the story. Oh, here is a good guy, not doing really anything but don’t get too familiar cause we won’t hear from him again for another 100 pages. I want to be in the story. Not told it from the 1000 foot view.
So all in all not bad, didn’t offend me in any real way but it definitely sits squarely at a solid, middle of the row 3 star. But I’m not sure I’ll read book 2, it wasn’t that good.
I remember reading The Zero Game a few years ago and loving it. Being blown away by Brad Meltzer and his writing. So when I came across this book I was instantly intrigued and downloaded ASAP to read. It was good but not what I was expecting and not near a good as I remember The Zero Game being.
For starters it was way too long. It felt like nothing happened for over 200 pages. Next, I got super annoyed every time Meltzer inserted himself, as the author, into the book…6 mins from now Zig will blah blah blah. It was weird and took me out of the story instantly, every time. Please stop doing that sir.
And lastly there were SO.MANY.PEOPLE. Lots of bad guys, lots of good guys, just so many characters it was a bit hard to keep straight. Especially for such a mild, not much happening mystery. There were like 6 bad guys and more than one of their names started with H. There was also so much telling. Like here is bad guy #1 and here’s why he is bad and his small role. Oh, wait here is bad guy #2. Here’s why he is bad and how he fits into the story. Oh, here is a good guy, not doing really anything but don’t get too familiar cause we won’t hear from him again for another 100 pages. I want to be in the story. Not told it from the 1000 foot view.
So all in all not bad, didn’t offend me in any real way but it definitely sits squarely at a solid, middle of the row 3 star. But I’m not sure I’ll read book 2, it wasn’t that good.
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am always a little apprehensive going into a new thriller/mystery by a male author as historically male authors of the genre haven't always had the most well developed depictions of roles for women. I don't mind the reduction to victim or love interest from time to time, but I have to be in a particular mood and have to go in prepared that I might be encountering that when it comes to this genre. Imagine my relief when I'm given an absolutely dynamic and engaging set of character that completely defies this assumption.
More than being a decent thriller, "The Escape Artist" takes a really deep and absolutely difficult at times look at abuse, trauma, coping mechanisms, grief, of how pain can take a person to the path of anger or resignation, and yearning for connection not only with others but with your own self. It's also a story of relating to others along and across professional, casual, and generational lines. Leaning a few interesting facts about bees was just a nice little cherry on top. An engaging and emotional read that was a ride from beginning to end.
More than being a decent thriller, "The Escape Artist" takes a really deep and absolutely difficult at times look at abuse, trauma, coping mechanisms, grief, of how pain can take a person to the path of anger or resignation, and yearning for connection not only with others but with your own self. It's also a story of relating to others along and across professional, casual, and generational lines. Leaning a few interesting facts about bees was just a nice little cherry on top. An engaging and emotional read that was a ride from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Abandonment and Medical content
barmatron's review against another edition
Great start, but it got too gung-ho American. #notforme
jlblumenfeld's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
serendipityinthestacks's review against another edition
3.0
Not really my preferred genre, but it was okay.