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lisagray68's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I rarely give thriller/spy novels 5 stars. 5 stars are for books that are literary, classic and will stand the test of time. But Jason Matthews knows how to write a SUPER spy novel. You will NOT be disappointed, even if this genre isn't your usual go-to. Start with "Red Sparrow", because "Palace of Treason" is the 2nd in the series (and please, please, please let there be more!). This is no beachy read -- if you don't pay attention, you'll have no idea what's going on. Probably because of Matthews' history working for the CIA, it all rings true, too. Plus, there's a recipe at the end of every chapter, just like in "Red Sparrow!". I wish I hadn't read this book so I could start it again for the very first time.
b00kl0v3r123's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ohmidmid's review against another edition
4.0
Would have been 5 if not for the romance stuff. Don't get me wrong, love is great and romance is awesome and all, but ... come on now.
vtlism's review against another edition
This kind of book was useful for a while (total escape from my own reality) but now that I'm feeling better, I want to move on to more fulfilling worlds. I might return to this later if needed
vanceter's review against another edition
2.0
Couldn’t finish. Had a hard time getting into it and staying focused.
half2happy's review against another edition
2.0
Writing a review a year later. Felt like more of the same from the first book, a little more intrigue and drama but nothing earthshattering. With the first book I might reread it if left no other options but definitely would not grant this book that luxury. Filler without feeling too much like filler for what that's worth.
krissysreading's review
5.0
I stayed up until 5am finishing this beauty. Honestly this book was such a thrill to experience. There was never a dull moment and I was so sad to have it end. I devoured about 70% of this book in a day and I regret nothing. I will be picking up the 3rd book immediately.
maurareads13's review against another edition
4.0
Book 2 of the Sparrow trilogy. Really liked it, but not quite as good as the first. We are still following Dominica & Nate in their CIA spy world as she works with CIA to try to bring down the corrupt government of Russia.
I love how the author uses his own CIA past to be able to write (what I’m assuming) is accurate information for ops, espionage, spying techniques, etc. It definitely made for a great read that kept me on toes the entire time! Highly recommend!
I love how the author uses his own CIA past to be able to write (what I’m assuming) is accurate information for ops, espionage, spying techniques, etc. It definitely made for a great read that kept me on toes the entire time! Highly recommend!
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
The Good Stuff
Author obviously knows his stuff, you can really tell he lived some of this life. Very authentic
Dominka is a hugely intriguing and likeable character - quite the feisty little thing (she kinda overshadows Nate)
One of my favorite thing about this series is the secondary characters
Edge of your seat action throughout most of the story
Enjoy the recipes, but kinda wish they were written out in full, I NEED to make them
My love for Marty Gable has no ends, he is utterly delightful and gets some of the best lines
Does a fabulous job of setting the mood of a scene
Interesting historical information about Russia and the United States and their various intelligence offices
I eagerly await the next installment of this smart and sexy spy saga - and now off to the store to find some ingredients
Did I mention how much I love Gable
Great realistic relationships between many of the characters
Excels at dialogue between major characters
Villains are so despicable, you are on the edge of your seat waiting for them to get their just desserts
I would love to sit down with Mr. Matthews to listen to him tell tales of some of the real life stories that inspired his fiction
The Not So Good Stuff
Ummm when did I miss that Dominika's mother died. Could be me, I was moving while I was reading this, so it could have been something I missed.
A wee bit repetitive at times and tad sexist at times (which doesn't fit with the main female character)
I feel very hungry after each and every chapter
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Gable put the photo down "Handsome looking bunch. You're adopted then, or what, forceps delivery?"
"And after five meetings, despite the grandmotherly exterior the imaginative Angevine saw the ancient Soviet venom or show trial and gulag, of politburo and mass graves in birch forests."
"..and his Athens DCOS Marty Gable has asked him to reserve some time for a protracted counseling session when Nate returned to Station to discuss his lack of professionalism, his disregarding instructions, and, in Gable's words, his being 'a dumbassador from the Republic of stupid."
4 Dewey's
I received this from Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review
Author obviously knows his stuff, you can really tell he lived some of this life. Very authentic
Dominka is a hugely intriguing and likeable character - quite the feisty little thing (she kinda overshadows Nate)
One of my favorite thing about this series is the secondary characters
Edge of your seat action throughout most of the story
Enjoy the recipes, but kinda wish they were written out in full, I NEED to make them
My love for Marty Gable has no ends, he is utterly delightful and gets some of the best lines
Does a fabulous job of setting the mood of a scene
Interesting historical information about Russia and the United States and their various intelligence offices
I eagerly await the next installment of this smart and sexy spy saga - and now off to the store to find some ingredients
Did I mention how much I love Gable
Great realistic relationships between many of the characters
Excels at dialogue between major characters
Villains are so despicable, you are on the edge of your seat waiting for them to get their just desserts
I would love to sit down with Mr. Matthews to listen to him tell tales of some of the real life stories that inspired his fiction
The Not So Good Stuff
Ummm when did I miss that Dominika's mother died. Could be me, I was moving while I was reading this, so it could have been something I missed.
A wee bit repetitive at times and tad sexist at times (which doesn't fit with the main female character)
I feel very hungry after each and every chapter
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Gable put the photo down "Handsome looking bunch. You're adopted then, or what, forceps delivery?"
"And after five meetings, despite the grandmotherly exterior the imaginative Angevine saw the ancient Soviet venom or show trial and gulag, of politburo and mass graves in birch forests."
"..and his Athens DCOS Marty Gable has asked him to reserve some time for a protracted counseling session when Nate returned to Station to discuss his lack of professionalism, his disregarding instructions, and, in Gable's words, his being 'a dumbassador from the Republic of stupid."
4 Dewey's
I received this from Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review