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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have really enjoyed the Gabriel Allon series. They are well written and I learn some Middle East history at the same time.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This is where it all began: the first instalment in the Gabriel Allon series which is up to 15 books now and still going strong. When we meet Gabriel Allon he is in his late 40s and living a solitary life in Cornwall. Allon works as a freelance and very successful art restorer and is trying to forget his previous life as an Israeli operative who helped to track down the Black September assassins - and the family he lost when his wife and child were targeted in retaliation.
Allon is approached by his former boss, asking him to come out of retirement to help track down a Palestinian terrorist named Tariq. Reluctantly, he agrees, and it is the ensuing game of cat and mouse between Allon and Tariq that forms the storyline for this book.
This is a very accomplished thriller that develops at a steady pace, incorporating some real life events and individuals to give it a sense of realism. The characters are interesting and rounded (included our flawed hero), although there are occasional clunky moments where the author clearly struggled with how to integrate their background stories into the narrative. It's a tense read which is reminiscent of Frederick Forsyth's early books.
If this whets your appetite to read on in the series, the next book is The English Assassin.
Allon is approached by his former boss, asking him to come out of retirement to help track down a Palestinian terrorist named Tariq. Reluctantly, he agrees, and it is the ensuing game of cat and mouse between Allon and Tariq that forms the storyline for this book.
This is a very accomplished thriller that develops at a steady pace, incorporating some real life events and individuals to give it a sense of realism. The characters are interesting and rounded (included our flawed hero), although there are occasional clunky moments where the author clearly struggled with how to integrate their background stories into the narrative. It's a tense read which is reminiscent of Frederick Forsyth's early books.
If this whets your appetite to read on in the series, the next book is The English Assassin.
Exceptionally readable and full of unexpected twists, especially at the end. Just what you'd expect from a spy thriller! 3.5 stars
Yay, art mysteries!! Allon is such a cool character, he restores art, boats, cars, and that patience and attention to detail makes him an excellent spy and an interesting main character. So far, the women stand up to the test as well. No shrinking violets here. Can’t wait to dive into #2.
While I certainly did enjoy this novel, it was not exactly what I expected, as Gabriel Allon is somewhat of an unwilling hero. The pacing is generally good, but there were some slow spots, and the action is more limited than what I prefer.
I am proceeding on to the next novel in the series and should have a better handle on my opinion of Mr. Silva and this series.
I am proceeding on to the next novel in the series and should have a better handle on my opinion of Mr. Silva and this series.