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tregina's review against another edition
4.0
Damn, I just love the way this guy writes. Everything and everyone just leaps out and takes you by the throat. In a figurative way, that is, which I only specify because...well, you should probably just read the book.
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
Older is an amazing writer. He doesn't drown you in detail; he knows just *the right* details to set a scene - or establish a character - vividly and efficiently. You are quickly THERE, and if you've been there before you recognize it, and if you haven't you will now if you ever go there. Chapters I read as short stories months ago are still riveting, and/or creepy AF, the 2nd or 3rd time through.
His dialog is just... the most enjoyable thing ever. Especially whenever Kia's on the scene. I love Kia and Reza, and I think I now have the same weary affection for Carlos that some of his fellow characters do. I won't say I want to hang out with these characters, because I'm pretty sure none of them would have patience for me.
This does have the noir thing where the plot is kind of just an excuse to showcase these awesome badasses and their crazy ass universe, but if that bothers you you're probably not reading a lot of urban fantasy mysteries anyway.
[b:Battle Hill Bolero|30008825|Battle Hill Bolero (Bone Street Rumba, #3)|Daniel José Older|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|50417278], BSR #3, is now officially the book I am most eagerly anticipating.
His dialog is just... the most enjoyable thing ever. Especially whenever Kia's on the scene. I love Kia and Reza, and I think I now have the same weary affection for Carlos that some of his fellow characters do. I won't say I want to hang out with these characters, because I'm pretty sure none of them would have patience for me.
This does have the noir thing where the plot is kind of just an excuse to showcase these awesome badasses and their crazy ass universe, but if that bothers you you're probably not reading a lot of urban fantasy mysteries anyway.
[b:Battle Hill Bolero|30008825|Battle Hill Bolero (Bone Street Rumba, #3)|Daniel José Older|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|50417278], BSR #3, is now officially the book I am most eagerly anticipating.
songwind's review
5.0
Older continues to hit on all cylinders for me.
MTT hits hard on all three legs of my Holy Book Trinity. Engaging plot, beautiful language, and thought provoking themes.
Like Older's other work, this one features the people of New York as a living, breathing background and character. The different neighborhoods, social- and ethnic-groups, etc all feel very authentic and lived-in. (I'm not a New Yorker, so he could be getting it all wrong for all I know, but if he is, he does so in a deeply believable way.)
MTT features 3 narrators, each with their own identifiable voice. They are very different (half-dead, amnesiac Carlos, 50-ish lesbian enforcer Reza, and teen brainiac and economic wunderkind Kia) but their stories blend together very well. Older even managed to make each of the characters subtly different from the other narrators' perspectives - something I don't notice happening that often. I think the decision to go with 3 narrators instead of HRB's one was a great choice.
The story itself is very tight, too. It continues on from Half-Resurrection Blues in part, but also introduces new characters, dangers and obstacles. The over-arching themes of the series are advanced nicely, and we're left with a pretty good idea of where those threads are going next.
In addition to Carlos and Kia, other familiar characters from HRB make an appearance. Riley, Sasha, Baba Eddie, the Council and others are there to help, hinder or just observe.
MTT hits hard on all three legs of my Holy Book Trinity. Engaging plot, beautiful language, and thought provoking themes.
Like Older's other work, this one features the people of New York as a living, breathing background and character. The different neighborhoods, social- and ethnic-groups, etc all feel very authentic and lived-in. (I'm not a New Yorker, so he could be getting it all wrong for all I know, but if he is, he does so in a deeply believable way.)
MTT features 3 narrators, each with their own identifiable voice. They are very different (half-dead, amnesiac Carlos, 50-ish lesbian enforcer Reza, and teen brainiac and economic wunderkind Kia) but their stories blend together very well. Older even managed to make each of the characters subtly different from the other narrators' perspectives - something I don't notice happening that often. I think the decision to go with 3 narrators instead of HRB's one was a great choice.
The story itself is very tight, too. It continues on from Half-Resurrection Blues in part, but also introduces new characters, dangers and obstacles. The over-arching themes of the series are advanced nicely, and we're left with a pretty good idea of where those threads are going next.
In addition to Carlos and Kia, other familiar characters from HRB make an appearance. Riley, Sasha, Baba Eddie, the Council and others are there to help, hinder or just observe.
pages_n_puzzles's review
3.0
I still really enjoyed this world and the characters, but I was so squicked out by the villain that I had a really hard time finishing the book. I kept abandoning it for long periods of time. Note: spoiler:
Spoiler
do not read more books featuring men made of bugs.katreniah's review against another edition
4.0
At first, I was a little put off that the book takes on three different view points (as opposed to the first book, which was completely from Carlos' POV), but I quickly became just as fascinated with Kia (who we'd met in the first book and who seemed interesting - I had NO IDEA how interesting she was) and Reza (who I met here). Plus, it was really interesting to see Carlos as Kia, who already knew him, and Reza, who meets him here, see him.
The bad guys are a little squicky, which is the only reason I rated this a 4 instead of a 5, because otherwise, I absolutely adored this book. The supporting characters - Reza's 'people', Dr. Tennessee, Riley, Bell and Squad 9, Karina (who SLAYED me every time she showed up), Mama Esther, and a few others I don't want to add because of spoilers - are so vivid and amazing that they could star in their own books. I'd totally read them all.
And yeah, Carlos really does need his own cell, but the some of the story's funniest parts wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
Just like in movie and television shows (when they're done right), New York is a featured character, and once again, we're treated to a Brooklyn that is rarely represented and characters who are everywhere in real life but who never seem to show up in so many people's representations of New York. This reminds me of the New York I lived in, with diversity and character, and this was the New York I fell in love with. Read the book and then tell me you don't want to check out Brooklyn. I dare you.
The bad guys are a little squicky, which is the only reason I rated this a 4 instead of a 5, because otherwise, I absolutely adored this book. The supporting characters - Reza's 'people', Dr. Tennessee, Riley, Bell and Squad 9, Karina (who SLAYED me every time she showed up), Mama Esther, and a few others I don't want to add because of spoilers - are so vivid and amazing that they could star in their own books. I'd totally read them all.
And yeah, Carlos really does need his own cell, but the some of the story's funniest parts wouldn't have been possible otherwise.
Just like in movie and television shows (when they're done right), New York is a featured character, and once again, we're treated to a Brooklyn that is rarely represented and characters who are everywhere in real life but who never seem to show up in so many people's representations of New York. This reminds me of the New York I lived in, with diversity and character, and this was the New York I fell in love with. Read the book and then tell me you don't want to check out Brooklyn. I dare you.
serinde4books's review against another edition
4.0
This picks up a few months after Half-Resurrection Blues, and Carlos is still a bit of an emotional mess. There is some strange deaths in the park that he is investigating, and this takes him down a very complicated and twisty path of conspiracy and devious actions. Older is including the points of view this time. Kia’s and Reza’s viewpoints. I like Kia’s character I’m glad she is getting an expanded role. We also get to meet Reza, who is my favorite character I think. She has this bad ass attitude, that is absolutely not fake. She just oozes coolness and is scary too. It amazes me how well Older is able to switch between point of views for a seamless storytelling. This could have been very jolted, but his skills as a writer really shine. This story line goes off into a far more sinister and overreaching plot than the first book. It was not as lighthearted, but really well done. It has a lot of twits and turns but wraps up nicely, with room fo rate next one to fill in some blanks.
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
robynryle's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than the first book. Love the characters, old and new. Love the writing. Perfect.
lilygellman's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed the whole thing, but a special shoutout of awesomeness to Reza and Dr. Tennessee — and to Kia just in general.