Take a photo of a barcode or cover
mrswinchester's review
dark
tense
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty
abbie_ennis's review
5.0
Mr. Becker has brought Christmas early! This book is so far his best and has left me wanting more. The incorperation of vampires and crime in this novel can satisfy all.
Bronson and Lewis are unable to have a quiet holiday and end up racing through Venice chasing men who after the gift of immortality.
A truly gripping read!
Bronson and Lewis are unable to have a quiet holiday and end up racing through Venice chasing men who after the gift of immortality.
A truly gripping read!
queennerd17's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
fionab_16's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gordosaurusrex's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
A "fine" thriller. Author does a little too much telling rather than showing, especially at the beginning and the dialogue doesn't make the characters feel real. As the book goes on this gets better as the action starts. The horrors the antagonists are committing are explained in gruesome detail, and sexual assault is mentioned a lot, but not always in a considerate way I felt. Supernatural elements in the second half are intriguing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
minieggs's review against another edition
2.0
Ladies and gents, if you’re looking for a vampire book, this is not it. Prior to reading this I didn’t know anything about James Becker and his preferred genre of novel to write. I had read the title of the book and the synopsis on the book and figured I’d give it a go: I do love a jaunt into the macabre.
I repeat, this was not it. This was a lazy, condescending “thriller” novel full of tiring clichés. The synopsis really should have cottoned me on to this since it tells you the female character gets kidnapped, but hey, one can hope.
The one thing I’ll give this book credit for is it’s a quick and easy read. So if you’re looking for something you don’t need to think too hard about, this is it. If you’re looking for “macho” men (see Bronson: martial arts specialist, holidaying police officer, headstrong and interfering) who strive to save the regularly-screaming damsel in distress, this is it. If you’re looking to be patronised to with every description in the story, this is it. If you’re looking for regular descriptions of the “Stygian” darkness, this is it (at least 3 distinct uses). If you’re looking for an ambiguous, dissatisfying ending, this is it.
I doubt I’ll read anything else by the author as his flavour of book is not it for me.
I repeat, this was not it. This was a lazy, condescending “thriller” novel full of tiring clichés. The synopsis really should have cottoned me on to this since it tells you the female character gets kidnapped, but hey, one can hope.
The one thing I’ll give this book credit for is it’s a quick and easy read. So if you’re looking for something you don’t need to think too hard about, this is it. If you’re looking for “macho” men (see Bronson: martial arts specialist, holidaying police officer, headstrong and interfering) who strive to save the regularly-screaming damsel in distress, this is it. If you’re looking to be patronised to with every description in the story, this is it. If you’re looking for regular descriptions of the “Stygian” darkness, this is it (at least 3 distinct uses). If you’re looking for an ambiguous, dissatisfying ending, this is it.
I doubt I’ll read anything else by the author as his flavour of book is not it for me.
antithesis90's review against another edition
3.0
I debated between two and three stars because, although I finished it only two days ago, I am struggling to remember anything about the book other than I felt it had a very abrupt ending! "Threats to life and limb, terrifying possible vampire ...aaaaand it is all fine and we're going home!"
Although there is room for a sequel specific to this topic.
The topic was interesting, the setting fun to read about (Venice), and I'll read another Becker before passing final judgment on this series. I find his character, Angela, interesting (possibly because I would love to work at the British Museum!) but find Bronson less roguish and intelligent than I think Becker would like me to.
Although there is room for a sequel specific to this topic.
The topic was interesting, the setting fun to read about (Venice), and I'll read another Becker before passing final judgment on this series. I find his character, Angela, interesting (possibly because I would love to work at the British Museum!) but find Bronson less roguish and intelligent than I think Becker would like me to.
tintendrache's review against another edition
3.0
Mind you: I only read the fourth book, because my parents bought it for me in England and thought I might like it.
Which I did. To my own surprise, I must add, so: Sorry, Mr. Becker, I underestimated you and judged your book before I started reading it.
Here is what I expected: The book was written at the end of the 20th century. And it has a male, police-man protagonist.
I thought that I would get a looot of: All the women are sexy but stupid, and the protagonist is a broken, pseudo-nice hero-type guy. The story would be okayish but probably boring.
That's not true! I honestly have no idea how the women looked because they didn't have much description (which is good!). And they were far from stupid. Angela, the female half-protagonist, was surprisingly intelligent and strongwilled. After she was kidnapped, she first of all tried to gain as much information as possible, asked questions and was clever enough not to provoke her kidnappers which is such. An. Annoying. Trope.
Bronson was actually REALLY nice and definitly not the perfect with everything guy. He admitted that he was only an average shooter (and that was actually shown in the novel) and relied more on brains than on muscles. He wasn't the one and only hero of the day but I won't spoil anything.
The story itself had some interesting, inspiring details which I enjoyed. The beginning was extremly catching but got a bit boring around the mid. Which is the biggest reason for the 3-star-rating.
The writing style was okay and good enough to read.
Overall a nice read. Not something for fans of great action or a VERY surprising story, but I still enjoyed reading it and might take a look into the first books of the series!
Which I did. To my own surprise, I must add, so: Sorry, Mr. Becker, I underestimated you and judged your book before I started reading it.
Here is what I expected: The book was written at the end of the 20th century. And it has a male, police-man protagonist.
I thought that I would get a looot of: All the women are sexy but stupid, and the protagonist is a broken, pseudo-nice hero-type guy. The story would be okayish but probably boring.
That's not true! I honestly have no idea how the women looked because they didn't have much description (which is good!). And they were far from stupid. Angela, the female half-protagonist, was surprisingly intelligent and strongwilled. After she was kidnapped, she first of all tried to gain as much information as possible, asked questions and was clever enough not to provoke her kidnappers which is such. An. Annoying. Trope.
Bronson was actually REALLY nice and definitly not the perfect with everything guy. He admitted that he was only an average shooter (and that was actually shown in the novel) and relied more on brains than on muscles. He wasn't the one and only hero of the day but I won't spoil anything.
The story itself had some interesting, inspiring details which I enjoyed. The beginning was extremly catching but got a bit boring around the mid. Which is the biggest reason for the 3-star-rating.
The writing style was okay and good enough to read.
Overall a nice read. Not something for fans of great action or a VERY surprising story, but I still enjoyed reading it and might take a look into the first books of the series!
missgravesy's review against another edition
2.0
Just finished this one. Probably the worst book I've read this year.
He spent far too much time describing every single minor detail. And I felt like his knowledge of Venice just seemed rather like he just wanted to show off to me.
A whole two paragraphs describing how he loaded a gun was ridiculous. And the story had no proper ending.
The only redeeming factor was that I love the vampire myth, but even then it was quite meh. Wouldnt reccomend.
He spent far too much time describing every single minor detail. And I felt like his knowledge of Venice just seemed rather like he just wanted to show off to me.
A whole two paragraphs describing how he loaded a gun was ridiculous. And the story had no proper ending.
The only redeeming factor was that I love the vampire myth, but even then it was quite meh. Wouldnt reccomend.
canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
Becker continues to create great summer reading novels and this one is, by my account, one of the most interesting pieces he's published. Moving away from the religious relic domain, Becker takes a look at the underground world of the paranormal and vampires. He does so in a classy way, still filling the book with historical fact and keeping the cheesy organ music at bay. Moving the book to Italy this time, Becker brings the story to life with a great deal of action, a little romance, and a continued fast-paced thriller genre that kept me reading late into the night.
I am not sure what brought about his change of topic, but Becker slide smoothly into this area and keeps a little religious connection in his story (found mainly in the author's note). I cannot say this bothered me, though sometimes when authors try something new it falls flat, even though they sell a great deal (the James Patterson Effect). Becker is fully ensconced in great writing and has a thorough handler on both his storyline and his characters.
Well done and many kudos!
I am not sure what brought about his change of topic, but Becker slide smoothly into this area and keeps a little religious connection in his story (found mainly in the author's note). I cannot say this bothered me, though sometimes when authors try something new it falls flat, even though they sell a great deal (the James Patterson Effect). Becker is fully ensconced in great writing and has a thorough handler on both his storyline and his characters.
Well done and many kudos!