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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Love the details of spycraft that you never get from James Bond or Jack Ryan.
man
this book is DENSE
do not read this book while distracted/multi-tasking/listening to music/before bed/in the morning - anytime where you do not have full concentration as you will miss out on so much. It will probably take me a few reluctant re-reads before I can piece together everything that actually happened.
Things i liked
- the main character has synesthesia (where you can see colours based on different things)
- dominika is a badass woman and i love it
thats about it because this book gave me a headache tbh
TOO MUCH
i don't think i care enough about the characters continue with the series but maybe one day?
this book is DENSE
do not read this book while distracted/multi-tasking/listening to music/before bed/in the morning - anytime where you do not have full concentration as you will miss out on so much. It will probably take me a few reluctant re-reads before I can piece together everything that actually happened.
Things i liked
- the main character has synesthesia (where you can see colours based on different things)
- dominika is a badass woman and i love it
thats about it because this book gave me a headache tbh
TOO MUCH
i don't think i care enough about the characters continue with the series but maybe one day?
I had a hard time with this review. Pros: twisted fun plot, dynamic female character, sexy spy intrigue. It reads like a fast-paced page turner, but with more character background. Cons: I absolutely LOATHED the way the writer described the main female character. It was the typical sort of flashy, overly sexual writing only ever done by men--focused on boob movement and slender necks and firm backsides. Ugh. And I was really annoyed by the excessive attempts to provide grand imagery during sex or other intense moments. Overall, I'd give it a 4 for plot, interesting characters, and a fun read, but a 2 for writing style, so I settled on a 3.
Over 17 hours of an audiobook later, I am finally done.
This was not good.
The romance was weird, Dominika's described sexuality was weird, and the book itself got very boring very quickly. I will not be continuing this series.
This was not good.
The romance was weird, Dominika's described sexuality was weird, and the book itself got very boring very quickly. I will not be continuing this series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Red Sparrow leaves a lot to be desired, but the most glaring flaw I found was the way that women are portrayed. In classic "Men Writing Women" style, the women Matthews creates are described using sexist language, the sex is male-centered and focuses on male pleasure while using the women as props, and of the five notable women in the story, one is unceremoniously murdered less than 10 pages after her introduction, two commit suicide, and one is brutally murdered by the protagonist after he breaks into her home.
The only reason why I didn't give this book a 1-star review was that I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about espionage and "tradecraft." The believable details that ex-CIA agent Jason Matthews weaves into the narrative were certainly fascinating. But all in all, this is an abysmal novel and I certainly won't be tempted to continue the series. Really, take my word for it - just watch the movie.
The only reason why I didn't give this book a 1-star review was that I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about espionage and "tradecraft." The believable details that ex-CIA agent Jason Matthews weaves into the narrative were certainly fascinating. But all in all, this is an abysmal novel and I certainly won't be tempted to continue the series. Really, take my word for it - just watch the movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Murder
The espionage is five star worthy but everything else is not worth the read, especially the main female protagonist.
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really liked the storyline and it was very interesting for me to learn so much about the constant tension between Russia and the USA. I would continue with the series.