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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I decided to read this before I watched the film as I'd picked up the three books in the series in an offer. The story has two main protagonists: Dominika Egorov, a young Russian SVR agent, and Nate Nash, likewise a young CIA operative. They are linked by hunts for moles in both Russia and the USA and their missions put them on a collision course. I nearly wrote 'on both sides of the Iron Curtain' there instead of 'in both Russia and the USA'. It may not be true anymore, but the feel is very much like a Cold War thriller. Tradecraft is reasonably believable and the plot gathers pace well. The protagonists find their faith in the systems they have been brought up in challenged and there is a sexual tension between the two agents aimed at each other. Very enjoyable; I will be reading the others this summer.
I finished this book a week ago and have been trying to get me brain wrapped around about how I would review it. It was a struggle at first. I hated all the sex and sexualization. I feel like I understand it may have been put in to show how underrated the men thought of Dominkia. I went in looking for a spy/espionage thriller with great twists and turns but I feel I didn’t get that. The focus was too much on her sexuality and I understand she is trained as a red sparrow but I think I just wanted her character to be more bad ass. It does get better towards the end but I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series. I haven’t seen the movie so I can’t compare them.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Red Sparrow: Or, The Color Whisperer + Some Food Recipes
Dominika Egorova. Woman. Dancer. Russian Spy. Color Seer. That's right, she sees "colors" in people and those tell her how a person is feeling. I didn't know that was a power, but apparently it is and it's great for someone who is, ya know, being a spy.
Nate Nash. Man. Basic. Baesic. American Spy. He's your typical, average dude spy in the CIA. No special skills really, except he is tasked with breaking Dominika aka Red Sparrow or DIVA (cause that's not sexist). Dominika is tasked with breaking Nate. What follows is a fun back-and-forth spy thriller where anything could happen as modern day spy shenanigans happen.
The beginning of the novel takes a while to get going, but by the second half, I was in for the ride. Things were twisty and emotional and full of action and character development. It was fun for what it was. The quick transitions between people's POVs/thoughts was confusing and problematic at times as author Jason Matthews spent no time between sentences switching from one person's thoughts to another.
I didn't understand why each chapter ended with a recipe for food, but it's fine with me. I'm hungry. Maybe I'll make some Pytt I Panna or Rogan Josh.
Dominika Egorova. Woman. Dancer. Russian Spy. Color Seer. That's right, she sees "colors" in people and those tell her how a person is feeling. I didn't know that was a power, but apparently it is and it's great for someone who is, ya know, being a spy.
Nate Nash. Man. Basic. Baesic. American Spy. He's your typical, average dude spy in the CIA. No special skills really, except he is tasked with breaking Dominika aka Red Sparrow or DIVA (cause that's not sexist). Dominika is tasked with breaking Nate. What follows is a fun back-and-forth spy thriller where anything could happen as modern day spy shenanigans happen.
The beginning of the novel takes a while to get going, but by the second half, I was in for the ride. Things were twisty and emotional and full of action and character development. It was fun for what it was. The quick transitions between people's POVs/thoughts was confusing and problematic at times as author Jason Matthews spent no time between sentences switching from one person's thoughts to another.
I didn't understand why each chapter ended with a recipe for food, but it's fine with me. I'm hungry. Maybe I'll make some Pytt I Panna or Rogan Josh.
Somewhat predictable, but a fun spy thriller nonetheless.
Interesting spy novel. It started a bit slow and was overly wordy at times. The last quarter of the book was action packed. And unlike most other reviewers, I thought the recipes at the end of each chapter were a nice touch.
4.5 if goodreads would let me - a great read in the spy genre. This guy obviously knows the inner workings of the CIA, having been an agent and handler for many years. I found this book fascinating -- a CIA spy trying to recruit a Russian spy to double, while the Russian spy is trying to do the same with the CIA guy! Current day stuff, not old Cold War spying. Another cool feature is that something in every chapter takes place over a meal or a snack and then the author gives you the RECIPE at the end of every chapter!!! Right up my alley, love it!! The sequel comes out in May 2015, and it's already on my list, can't wait.