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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Author Jason Matthews is a retired CIA agent. His experience thus adds a lot of authenticity to the espionage theme of this novel. Set in contemporary Russia, this is the story of two young spies who just might fall in love if they weren't so busy outwitting one another.
This is a story filled with violence. The sparrow school is a training institute for prostitution where the female spies learn to use sex to seduce targets and extract information. Dominika has connections within the KGB and excels at regular spy training, but then is cruelly sent to sparrow school. This part of the book is filled with voyeurism, and generally sadistic practices and thus is not for the faint of heart. There is also a strong element of murder and torture throughout.
Regarding the story line, it would have been more romantic if there was more seduction and less blatant sex. The traitor within the USA was portrayed as an almost ridiculous sociopath; would have been more convincing perhaps to feature someone disenchanted with our country. There were also lots of waiting periods, so the suspense was spotty. This has been compared to John Le Carre's style, but I cannot support that even though it is quite detailed. Not a bad story. Just not quite my cup of tea.
This is a story filled with violence. The sparrow school is a training institute for prostitution where the female spies learn to use sex to seduce targets and extract information. Dominika has connections within the KGB and excels at regular spy training, but then is cruelly sent to sparrow school. This part of the book is filled with voyeurism, and generally sadistic practices and thus is not for the faint of heart. There is also a strong element of murder and torture throughout.
Regarding the story line, it would have been more romantic if there was more seduction and less blatant sex. The traitor within the USA was portrayed as an almost ridiculous sociopath; would have been more convincing perhaps to feature someone disenchanted with our country. There were also lots of waiting periods, so the suspense was spotty. This has been compared to John Le Carre's style, but I cannot support that even though it is quite detailed. Not a bad story. Just not quite my cup of tea.
The spycraft seems a little dated. And John LeCarre does it better.
I enjoyed this book right up until the end. But after some thought, I wasn't even that mad at the ending. It also felt a bit drawn-out in the middle, particularly with the introduction of a new mole over halfway through. But in the end, still a pretty good read. I'm definitely going to read the next book.
I have mixed emotions about this book. I really like Dominika, but she didn't have a big role once her back story was told. It was a good read, though. I also liked the recipes at the end of each chapter. I'm going to try some of them. 😉
engaging enough of a spy novel, but the plots seemed to start and stop without much rhyme or reason and the food/recipes felt intrusive and distracting.
So much better than the other spy books out there, especially given that it is much more realistic compared to the extremely handsome, extremely smart, extremely tough, extremely proficient in hand to hand combat and martial arts etc like we see from Brad Thor etc. The fantastical rubbish that pervades this genre just seems to be phallic stimulants via literary means for bored sad old white fat men that hang their rifles on walls (rather than in safes) and it seems most of this genre is targeted at that single minded audience. There are a sizeable and growing audience of readers that like thrillers but aren't raging Reaganites fantasising -from behind their oversized gas guzzlers or curtain in their gated retirement village- about performing 'civil arrests' on black joggers whilst dressed up as Butter Bean playing Rambo/COPS/Steven Seagal/Chuck Norris. So it's refreshing to not eyeroll and sigh every page on this book.
Great first effort, look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Oh, not 5 stars, loseone half a star for the slightly annoying but clever (although wouldn't be surprised if it has been used in spy fiction or even fiction before, a bit sci-fi or fantasy-ish) use of seeing auras as a shortcut to explaining emotions and how clever Agent 'Diva' was able to survive undercover. It took a few dozen pages for the author to finally own up and admit the term 'aura' (instead he used 'purple haze' or mist etc lol). Just say that at the start and don't try to be too clever, you're not fooling most readers. It would just be confusing to most.
Good first effort, 4.5 stars.
Yes this is not really a review of the book, but a rant about the spy thriller genre. Don't @ me. Seriously if you don't read the Clancy and Thor crap because of the weird macho fantasies in them, then give this one a go!
Great first effort, look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Oh, not 5 stars, lose
Good first effort, 4.5 stars.
Yes this is not really a review of the book, but a rant about the spy thriller genre. Don't @ me. Seriously if you don't read the Clancy and Thor crap because of the weird macho fantasies in them, then give this one a go!
Will probably win the Edgar for best new novel this year. 4.5 Stars
If you like slow-burn spy novels, written both extremely well and with real knowledge of tradecraft, that as the novel draws to a close you find yourself lamenting the end of your private world and a sad farewell to friends who've entertained your soul over the course of the journey, then this is for you. The characters were so alive, a part of me...and now they've gone. I'm sad to have to wave them goodbye.
Hopefully there will be a sequel...I will enter this world again in a heartbeat.
If you like slow-burn spy novels, written both extremely well and with real knowledge of tradecraft, that as the novel draws to a close you find yourself lamenting the end of your private world and a sad farewell to friends who've entertained your soul over the course of the journey, then this is for you. The characters were so alive, a part of me...and now they've gone. I'm sad to have to wave them goodbye.
Hopefully there will be a sequel...I will enter this world again in a heartbeat.
I enjoyed this book. As with other books, I am guilty of hurrying and reading so I can watch the movie. Nevertheless, it was a good book and I plan to read continue the series.
It was easier to connect with the male character than the female character at times, but I think that was because of her upbringing, she was somewhat cold and she was supposed to be. At some point, there is a disconnect in their relationship that kind of confused me.
The suspense is good and I liked the ending a lot.
It was easier to connect with the male character than the female character at times, but I think that was because of her upbringing, she was somewhat cold and she was supposed to be. At some point, there is a disconnect in their relationship that kind of confused me.
The suspense is good and I liked the ending a lot.