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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
I read this book as Leigh Sales recommended it as a good spy adventure, I enjoy those occasionally. Whilst this book was enjoyable I found it too long and I almost didn't finish it. I reckon a 1/4 of it could be removed.
This book is Matthews' vision of the best Russian ever: Beautiful, great personality, accomplished dancer, superficially flawed (poor leg), super spy, MAGIC POWERS, and totally down to bone americans and betray her country. Yay!
Really only looked into this novel due to it becoming a movie...and so glad I waited to read the book...Won't be tuning in for the movie either...soooo slow...literally NOTHING seemed to be happening, just a tediously long back story...
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There were a lot of things I liked in this book.
For starters, I loved that at the end of each chapter there was a little explanation on how to make a particular dish that is talked about in that chapter. That was definitely different.
Secondly, I liked the characters and specially the development that Domi has from start to finish. The growth she has made sense and it made me connect more with her.
Then there were that crazy amount of information that sets the story. I haven't read that many books that are thrillers involving spies/agents so I didn't know what to expect. It was fascinating that's for sure.
I loved the beginning and reading all of Domi's experiences because it made me understand her.
And then the rest of the book, right until the end, was a deep dive into the world of spies and opposite agencies and countries try to uncover the secrets of one another. And although at some points I was tired, I enjoyed that aspect of the book. The chapters that didn't follow Domi or Nate, because it establish the world, the problems and the game that others are playing.
The story didn't focus only on the main characters (Dominika and Nate) but in the entire "spy game". Which was real and made me understand more the setting and why certain things happened.
Overall, it was a good book, with an open ending and the realization that there is a sequel. Now I desperately need to get the second book so I can learn what happens next.
Do I recommend it? Honestly, I know it may not be the cup of tea for some people, but if spy books is something that you are curious about, I would say that you may want to check it out.
For starters, I loved that at the end of each chapter there was a little explanation on how to make a particular dish that is talked about in that chapter. That was definitely different.
Secondly, I liked the characters and specially the development that Domi has from start to finish. The growth she has made sense and it made me connect more with her.
Then there were that crazy amount of information that sets the story. I haven't read that many books that are thrillers involving spies/agents so I didn't know what to expect. It was fascinating that's for sure.
I loved the beginning and reading all of Domi's experiences because it made me understand her.
And then the rest of the book, right until the end, was a deep dive into the world of spies and opposite agencies and countries try to uncover the secrets of one another. And although at some points I was tired, I enjoyed that aspect of the book. The chapters that didn't follow Domi or Nate, because it establish the world, the problems and the game that others are playing.
The story didn't focus only on the main characters (Dominika and Nate) but in the entire "spy game". Which was real and made me understand more the setting and why certain things happened.
Overall, it was a good book, with an open ending and the realization that there is a sequel. Now I desperately need to get the second book so I can learn what happens next.
Do I recommend it? Honestly, I know it may not be the cup of tea for some people, but if spy books is something that you are curious about, I would say that you may want to check it out.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FINAL GRADE: A-
A terrific and thrilling novel.
A terrific and thrilling novel.
I’m going to start off by saying that I really wanted to like this book. I was excited to have a strong female lead and looking forward to reading a thriller...... unfortunately I got very little thrill and a female lead that just really didn’t appeal to me very often. I honestly gave this 3 stars mostly because I feel like “Everybody else liked it, so clearly you missed something” . As always, I listened to the audio book.
There may be super mild spoilers:
So here’s what worked for me: I’m never going complain about an underlying romance, the story had an interesting premise, I’m willing to entertain that the story would have moved faster and been more thrilling had I read the book instead of listening to it, I enjoyed some of the plot twists that I really hadn’t seen coming , particularly toward the end.
There was a lot that didn’t work. I really felt like many of the author’s similes either didn’t work or just felt out of place at times. Like he was trying to hard. The novel moved kind of slow for a “spy thriller” it wasnt poorly paced but I didn’t feel a particular sense of urgency while reading either. I like underlying romance but it was just.... for me poorly done. There were times that the men and particularly her love interest seemed confounded by Dominika, and I honestly felt the the author that wrote her was confounded by her and women in general. The sex scenes were pretty bad. They definitely weren’t realistic, which doesn’t have to be bad thing, except that I really feel like who dreams of sex this way. No woman that I could think of. I’ve ready some pretty steamy intimate encounters and this just..... felt uncomfortable most of the time. Lastly... Dominika, the main protagonist. Here was an opportunity to make a kick a**, Feminine, seductive, intelligent, spy “Shero” and instead he wrote an pouty, impulsive, mal tempered, and at often time annoying woman. Don’t get me wrong, she had some shining moments but .... too often I found myself agitated and chafed by her actions/ reasoning.
Overall I made it to the end because he kept things just interesting enough that I really wanted to know how it all ended and because I’m a sucker for a love story... even a poorly written one. Without that aspect, I might have given up.
There may be super mild spoilers:
So here’s what worked for me: I’m never going complain about an underlying romance, the story had an interesting premise, I’m willing to entertain that the story would have moved faster and been more thrilling had I read the book instead of listening to it, I enjoyed some of the plot twists that I really hadn’t seen coming , particularly toward the end.
There was a lot that didn’t work. I really felt like many of the author’s similes either didn’t work or just felt out of place at times. Like he was trying to hard. The novel moved kind of slow for a “spy thriller” it wasnt poorly paced but I didn’t feel a particular sense of urgency while reading either. I like underlying romance but it was just.... for me poorly done. There were times that the men and particularly her love interest seemed confounded by Dominika, and I honestly felt the the author that wrote her was confounded by her and women in general. The sex scenes were pretty bad. They definitely weren’t realistic, which doesn’t have to be bad thing, except that I really feel like who dreams of sex this way. No woman that I could think of. I’ve ready some pretty steamy intimate encounters and this just..... felt uncomfortable most of the time. Lastly... Dominika, the main protagonist. Here was an opportunity to make a kick a**, Feminine, seductive, intelligent, spy “Shero” and instead he wrote an pouty, impulsive, mal tempered, and at often time annoying woman. Don’t get me wrong, she had some shining moments but .... too often I found myself agitated and chafed by her actions/ reasoning.
Overall I made it to the end because he kept things just interesting enough that I really wanted to know how it all ended and because I’m a sucker for a love story... even a poorly written one. Without that aspect, I might have given up.
I didn't know what exactly was I supposed to expect going into this as this is for me first time reading a purely spy novel.
So let's start with the positives:
1) I really loved how the chapters ended with a receipt. It seemed strangely hilarious to read a detailed description of a frog suicide and then how to make a shrimp dish (btw all the best chapters ended with shrimp).
2) Gable's character was just so amazing. He's the goofy sidekick every book needs. He's funny, sarcastic and the main couple isn't the only thing going on in his life so his essential existence isn't only being there to make funny comments in terrible situations. (I don't think he was in the movie, but if he were, I could totally imagine Woody Harrelson playing him)
3) I especially enjoyed the way it ended between Dominika and Nash, because that's the ending they both deserve. It also seemed fair and realistic. I won't say more ('cause spoilers), but that was an element that the story needed)
4) The drastic scenes were awfully detailed - I loved that. No shame, no hesitation, just straight into the mess.
Now on the more doubtful things…
1) It was kinda sad seeing how how greatly and smoothly the author managed to write Dominika's transfer from a obedient Russian patriot to a double spy and how poorly he wrote the romance. I get why that happened, but for a long time it looked like there were no feelings and suddenly they were in love. Also the only reasons she had to fall in love with him were that he didn't look like a pig and wasn't interested in her.
2) Furthermore on the romance there was this one moment when it looked like the cliché airport scene was gonna happen. I'm so glad I was wrong… (via. point 3 in the positives), but if I hadn't been, this book would have probably gone down to 3 stars.
3) The plot point between the pages 400 and 500 (out of 550) could have been resolved with a few conversations… come on, where's the fun when the main thing is that all the characters don't know how to communicate.
4) Also I didn't get why it took Dominika so long to decide - yeah, her hesitation was correct, but she didn't have to stretch it on for 50 pages
All in all, I enjoyed more that I though I would. Originally, I didn't know this was a series, because the book works as a standalone with a openish ending, but now I am considering continuing with this one day… (that might be in a few days or it a few decades, probably the latter)
So let's start with the positives:
1) I really loved how the chapters ended with a receipt. It seemed strangely hilarious to read a detailed description of a frog suicide and then how to make a shrimp dish (btw all the best chapters ended with shrimp).
2) Gable's character was just so amazing. He's the goofy sidekick every book needs. He's funny, sarcastic and the main couple isn't the only thing going on in his life so his essential existence isn't only being there to make funny comments in terrible situations. (I don't think he was in the movie, but if he were, I could totally imagine Woody Harrelson playing him)
3) I especially enjoyed the way it ended between Dominika and Nash, because that's the ending they both deserve. It also seemed fair and realistic. I won't say more ('cause spoilers), but that was an element that the story needed)
4) The drastic scenes were awfully detailed - I loved that. No shame, no hesitation, just straight into the mess.
Now on the more doubtful things…
1) It was kinda sad seeing how how greatly and smoothly the author managed to write Dominika's transfer from a obedient Russian patriot to a double spy and how poorly he wrote the romance. I get why that happened, but for a long time it looked like there were no feelings and suddenly they were in love. Also the only reasons she had to fall in love with him were that he didn't look like a pig and wasn't interested in her.
2) Furthermore on the romance there was this one moment when it looked like the cliché airport scene was gonna happen. I'm so glad I was wrong… (via. point 3 in the positives), but if I hadn't been, this book would have probably gone down to 3 stars.
3) The plot point between the pages 400 and 500 (out of 550) could have been resolved with a few conversations… come on, where's the fun when the main thing is that all the characters don't know how to communicate.
4) Also I didn't get why it took Dominika so long to decide - yeah, her hesitation was correct, but she didn't have to stretch it on for 50 pages
All in all, I enjoyed more that I though I would. Originally, I didn't know this was a series, because the book works as a standalone with a openish ending, but now I am considering continuing with this one day… (that might be in a few days or it a few decades, probably the latter)
This book had so much potential but I just couldn't handle it. It took me so long to read and felt almost draining at times. The jargon left me confused at times while the plot did nothing for me. The last 10 pages were probably my favourite.
I honestly don't think this book was bad as such, just not for me..
I honestly don't think this book was bad as such, just not for me..