Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book read to me like a undercover crime tv show about the life of an assassin. The book is from South Korea, and it reminded me a bit of squid game in certain ways with all the secrets between the assassins and accomplices and the setting, of course. I would say it was a little violent in certain parts, but it had an interesting storyline still. Definitely a book out of my comfort zone. I felt bad for Reseng most of the book, and wonder how his life would have been drastically different if he had grown up in a regular household. The final scene in the mall was heartbreaking, and I honestly just felt terrible for Reseng, so few people in his life, no one really to look up too. It's so sad that death was a relief for him...
Overall, I would recommend for anyone who enjoys quirky books or action/crime movies or books.
Overall, I would recommend for anyone who enjoys quirky books or action/crime movies or books.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review was originally posted on StrupagI received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Plotters is my first foray into what has been dubbed by many as 'Korean Noir'. With a synopsis that immediately piqued my interest, this novel is unlike any thriller I've ever read.
Following the end of military rule in South Korea, there's been an emergence of an industry for hitmen. The Doghouse Library is home to a guild of such assassins-for-hire, headed by the seasoned and cantankerous Old Raccoon.
Our protagonist, Reseng, is one such assassin. Having been raised in 'The Library' by Old Raccoon, Reseng is one of the best assassins in Seoul.
Throughout the country there are people known as Plotters holed up, contracted by the powerful to devise and plan assassinations.
It's Reseng's job to unquestioningly complete assassinations as planned by an anonymous Plotter, down to the last detail. Reseng doesn't know for whom he wields his knife, but he follows orders in return for payment.
When Renseng finds himself veering from the stringent plans of the Plotter, he finds his every move is being watched. Is he now the focus of a Plotter? Could his life be at risk? After all, to eliminate an assassin you need to set another hitman on his tail.
It took me a wee while to get into this book. While I was intrigued from the opening page, it took me some time to piece things together and feel involved.
Reseng is a character that, despite his occupation, I quickly came to like - I'm sure his love of book, reading and cats helped to accelerate the process!
He's the kind of flawed but likeable character that I enjoy in a thriller. I appreciated the humour that this character brings at times, which is needed to balance the dark, occasionally graphic, nature of this tale.
When it comes to translated fiction, the translator is so important to its success. I was really pleased to find that I found Sora Kim-Russell's translation flowing, often lyrical, and easy to read. Kim-Russell has managed to weave in the Korean language which helps to root this novel in its Korean setting.
I found the whole concept of the novel fascinating and, for the most part, I enjoyed this novel. It's a bit quirky and different from other novels I've read. The writing and translation played out like a film in my mind.
As I've said, it's dark - well, it's about assassins and plotters so what would you expect? It's also humorous in places though, so it made me chuckle at times. I wasn't 100% sold on the pacing of the novel, but it's full of action, and. as the story progressed, I found myself unable to put the book down.
This is my first 'Korean Noir' novel, but it won't be my last.
A Wee Summary
The Plotters is my first foray into what has been dubbed by many as 'Korean Noir'. With a synopsis that immediately piqued my interest, this novel is unlike any thriller I've ever read.
Following the end of military rule in South Korea, there's been an emergence of an industry for hitmen. The Doghouse Library is home to a guild of such assassins-for-hire, headed by the seasoned and cantankerous Old Raccoon.
Our protagonist, Reseng, is one such assassin. Having been raised in 'The Library' by Old Raccoon, Reseng is one of the best assassins in Seoul.
Throughout the country there are people known as Plotters holed up, contracted by the powerful to devise and plan assassinations.
It's Reseng's job to unquestioningly complete assassinations as planned by an anonymous Plotter, down to the last detail. Reseng doesn't know for whom he wields his knife, but he follows orders in return for payment.
When Renseng finds himself veering from the stringent plans of the Plotter, he finds his every move is being watched. Is he now the focus of a Plotter? Could his life be at risk? After all, to eliminate an assassin you need to set another hitman on his tail.
My Thoughts
It took me a wee while to get into this book. While I was intrigued from the opening page, it took me some time to piece things together and feel involved.
Reseng is a character that, despite his occupation, I quickly came to like - I'm sure his love of book, reading and cats helped to accelerate the process!
He's the kind of flawed but likeable character that I enjoy in a thriller. I appreciated the humour that this character brings at times, which is needed to balance the dark, occasionally graphic, nature of this tale.
When it comes to translated fiction, the translator is so important to its success. I was really pleased to find that I found Sora Kim-Russell's translation flowing, often lyrical, and easy to read. Kim-Russell has managed to weave in the Korean language which helps to root this novel in its Korean setting.
I found the whole concept of the novel fascinating and, for the most part, I enjoyed this novel. It's a bit quirky and different from other novels I've read. The writing and translation played out like a film in my mind.
As I've said, it's dark - well, it's about assassins and plotters so what would you expect? It's also humorous in places though, so it made me chuckle at times. I wasn't 100% sold on the pacing of the novel, but it's full of action, and. as the story progressed, I found myself unable to put the book down.
This is my first 'Korean Noir' novel, but it won't be my last.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
None of the summaries for this book were accurate in any sense. I mean, theoretically, the back of the book outlined a general order of events that came to fruition, but they were misleading. But the book itself, summaries aside, was enjoyable.