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cmcrockford's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars. (Why the hell isn't there a half star option here?) A solid pulp novel written with heart and steely confidence. Angel Dare is a solid crime heroine too, guilt ridden and world weary.
mayarelmahdy's review against another edition
3.0
I feel a little sad after this book.
The sequel is totally pointless, but it's not really bad.
It's like shit happens, people die, and life goes on. In a noir way.
The sequel is totally pointless, but it's not really bad.
It's like shit happens, people die, and life goes on. In a noir way.
philfromocs's review against another edition
3.0
Is it a spoiler to say there was a sad ending? Maybe not for a Hard Case Crime book?
nghia's review against another edition
3.0
While reading this book, I kept asking myself why I was holding this book to a higher standard than a movie. If this were made into a movie, we'd gladly look over the minor plot holes and inconsistencies and it could make tens of millions of dollars and get 80% on RottenTomatoes. If you view this as popcorn entertainment -- especially in this house-bound Corona-times -- it works perfectly fine.
I read the first Angel Dare book, [b:Money Shot|1923896|Money Shot (Angel Dare #1)|Christa Faust|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579833585l/1923896._SY75_.jpg|1926082], a while back and remember it being a competent left-for-dead-must-get-revenge pulp book with the singular twist that the protagonist, Angel Dare, works in the world of porn. A former top porn actress and current porn talent agent, she got embroiled in...something somehow. I had forgotten all the details. (Apparently she somehow got involved in a ring of Croatian mafia engaged in human trafficking.)
Books (and movies) like Money Shot struggle with one key area: how do you gracefully transition from a one-off that has a fairly definitive ending to an on-going series? Angel Dare is, in the first book, just a normal person who gets temporarily trapped in a violet mafia plot. That doesn't naturally lend itself to a series of on-going adventures. The first John Wick movie had a similar problem.
Choke Hold begins with Angel Dare having entered the FBI's Witness Protection, the Croatian mob (somehow) finding her in Witness Protection, and then her going on the run. She's working in a random diner in the middle of nowhere when, not only does an old boyfriend walk in (!) but he's there to meet the 20-year old son he's never met before (!!) and then on top of all that, a group of three people walk in and start shooting up the place (!!!) killing the old boyfriend and (kinda sorta) making Angel Dare the godmother/protector for the son.
Yeah...you just kind of have to accept all that ridiculousness in the first 10-15 pages. If you can't, this book just isn't for you.
From there it embarks on essentially non-stop sex & action eventually ending up in Las Vegas at the annual world's largest porn convention with a three (or four?) way showdown between all the various parties who want to murder Angel Dare and her friends.
Just like the first book, while this is competent, the only thing that really elevates is about the crowd is Angel Dare as ex-porn star and the book leans heavily into that. It is somewhat refreshing in a genre where, traditionally the man/woman relationship is essentially white knights saving helpless damsels in distress. The highlight of the book is when Angel develops a crush on a man with erectile dysfunction and they have to cuddle (the horrors!)
The ending is a bit of a letdown. Instead of any kind of resolution or progress, it seems that Christa Faust is setting up the Angel Dare series as "Angel is constantly on the run from the Croatian mob forever". Which provides a convenient reason for her to dodge the law and never settle down. But feels a bit....repetitive?
I read the first Angel Dare book, [b:Money Shot|1923896|Money Shot (Angel Dare #1)|Christa Faust|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579833585l/1923896._SY75_.jpg|1926082], a while back and remember it being a competent left-for-dead-must-get-revenge pulp book with the singular twist that the protagonist, Angel Dare, works in the world of porn. A former top porn actress and current porn talent agent, she got embroiled in...something somehow. I had forgotten all the details. (Apparently she somehow got involved in a ring of Croatian mafia engaged in human trafficking.)
Books (and movies) like Money Shot struggle with one key area: how do you gracefully transition from a one-off that has a fairly definitive ending to an on-going series? Angel Dare is, in the first book, just a normal person who gets temporarily trapped in a violet mafia plot. That doesn't naturally lend itself to a series of on-going adventures. The first John Wick movie had a similar problem.
Choke Hold begins with Angel Dare having entered the FBI's Witness Protection, the Croatian mob (somehow) finding her in Witness Protection, and then her going on the run. She's working in a random diner in the middle of nowhere when, not only does an old boyfriend walk in (!) but he's there to meet the 20-year old son he's never met before (!!) and then on top of all that, a group of three people walk in and start shooting up the place (!!!) killing the old boyfriend and (kinda sorta) making Angel Dare the godmother/protector for the son.
Yeah...you just kind of have to accept all that ridiculousness in the first 10-15 pages. If you can't, this book just isn't for you.
From there it embarks on essentially non-stop sex & action eventually ending up in Las Vegas at the annual world's largest porn convention with a three (or four?) way showdown between all the various parties who want to murder Angel Dare and her friends.
Just like the first book, while this is competent, the only thing that really elevates is about the crowd is Angel Dare as ex-porn star and the book leans heavily into that. It is somewhat refreshing in a genre where, traditionally the man/woman relationship is essentially white knights saving helpless damsels in distress. The highlight of the book is when Angel develops a crush on a man with erectile dysfunction and they have to cuddle (the horrors!)
Now I was the one who couldn’t make eye contact. I had no idea what I was supposed to say. Sex is my superpower, but when it comes to real intimacy, I’m like a clueless teenager. This had gone way too far, way too fast, and I was in way over my head. I was almost relieved when armed men kicked in the door.
The ending is a bit of a letdown. Instead of any kind of resolution or progress, it seems that Christa Faust is setting up the Angel Dare series as "Angel is constantly on the run from the Croatian mob forever". Which provides a convenient reason for her to dodge the law and never settle down. But feels a bit....repetitive?
boesgesicht's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mayar_reading_stuff's review against another edition
3.0
I feel a little sad after this book.
The sequel is totally pointless, but it's not really bad.
It's like shit happens, people die, and life goes on. In a noir way.
The sequel is totally pointless, but it's not really bad.
It's like shit happens, people die, and life goes on. In a noir way.
eleellis's review against another edition
4.0
In Choke Hold by Christa Faust, Angel Dare is back for another novel of hard-core noir and danger.
The book opens with Angel Dare working in an out of the way diner trying to save money to purchase high-quality identification, including a passport, so she can continue living under the radar, possibly in Mexico.
Don't worry, Ms. Faust fills in the story of how the first Angel Dare novel Money Shot ends and how this one continues.
While in the diner, a man from Dare's past appears to have randomly arrived and after a violent shootout-bloodbath, the man from her past gets Dare to promise to protect his estranged 18-year old son, which then leads to Dare becoming entwined in the world of mix-martial arts brawling, cocaine deals and run-ins with assorted violent thugs.
Choke Hold keeps moving and is highly recommended to those that enjoy rough and tumble noir and aren't bashful when it comes to reading about a former adult film actress/producer who is not afraid of who she is and what she has become.
Also, to add to the enjoyment of the writings of Christa Faust, it is recommended one read more about this amazing writer and noir professional.
The book opens with Angel Dare working in an out of the way diner trying to save money to purchase high-quality identification, including a passport, so she can continue living under the radar, possibly in Mexico.
Don't worry, Ms. Faust fills in the story of how the first Angel Dare novel Money Shot ends and how this one continues.
While in the diner, a man from Dare's past appears to have randomly arrived and after a violent shootout-bloodbath, the man from her past gets Dare to promise to protect his estranged 18-year old son, which then leads to Dare becoming entwined in the world of mix-martial arts brawling, cocaine deals and run-ins with assorted violent thugs.
Choke Hold keeps moving and is highly recommended to those that enjoy rough and tumble noir and aren't bashful when it comes to reading about a former adult film actress/producer who is not afraid of who she is and what she has become.
Also, to add to the enjoyment of the writings of Christa Faust, it is recommended one read more about this amazing writer and noir professional.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Christa Faust does not waste a single word in her books. Not one. Her stories are richly plotted and have great action with quality dialogue. Her second Angel Dare story is a great addition to the awesome Hard Case Crime series. Although there are some frustrating plot holes, it's still a great read and I look forward to future efforts from her.
judd's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed Money Shot (and every other Christa Faust book I have ever picked up), so I was surprised that the sequel with its splotlight on the world of MMA left me so lukewarm. The last fifty pages just felt like a grind and I found myself just wanting the book to be over so that the pain would end.
Its a fine line to walk with a noir/crime book. A happy ending would have seemed cheap but this ending seemed particularly merciless.
All in all, I was disappointed but wouldn't hesitate to pick up a book with Christa Faust's name on it.
Its a fine line to walk with a noir/crime book. A happy ending would have seemed cheap but this ending seemed particularly merciless.
All in all, I was disappointed but wouldn't hesitate to pick up a book with Christa Faust's name on it.
psteve's review against another edition
4.0
Follow up to Money Shot, this one is just as no-holds-barred, with a great narrative pull. The action picks up a couple years after the last book when our heroin, whose identity in witness protection was found by the bad guys, encounters an old pornstar lover in a restaurant in Nevada. The book starts off with a bang, and doesn't let up; there's no sentimentality in this one.