Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
I am a fan of the show and wanted to read the books on which it was based. I enjoyed the book, but if you read the book hoping to read about the events in the show, you will be disappointed. The only similarities are that there are characters named Eve, Villanelle, and Konstantin. If you read the book and have no expectations, you will enjoy a good read.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Initially I began reading this book because I heard others mention it when discussing the "Killing Eve" series. Of which I loved seasons 1 & 2 but hated the final season - specifically what happened in the final scenes. I heard that it was a different ending for the book series so I said let's try it because typically books are better than movies. This book was not as good as the first two seasons of the show BUT I did enjoy it and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
I'd seen the TV series and thought, particularly after series 1, I had to read this book.
I'm afraid the TV version is better. Without spoilering anything, by the end of the second chapter of the book you know Villanelle's background (it takes until the end of the first series on TV before you have any idea) and the humour - where's the dark humour of the TV version?
Bit of a comedown I'm afraid - it just reinforced my belief that Phoebe Waller-Bridge is some sort of genius.
I'm afraid the TV version is better. Without spoilering anything, by the end of the second chapter of the book you know Villanelle's background (it takes until the end of the first series on TV before you have any idea) and the humour - where's the dark humour of the TV version?
Bit of a comedown I'm afraid - it just reinforced my belief that Phoebe Waller-Bridge is some sort of genius.
This was exactly what I expected: fast-paced airport fiction. If you want complex female relationships a la Killing Eve, look elsewhere. If you want a quick thriller, this is for you. Too many plotholes for me and the writing just didn't grab me.
Luke Jennings can’t write women and Villanelle was a horrible attempt at making a femme fatale
This lacks the sheer excellence of the KILLING EVE television series (sorely missed if you saw the show first are Carolyn Martens and Bill Pargrave), but it's still a fun, zippy, addictive read. A palate cleanser, in a way.
I don't know if I'd think this if I hadn't heard it, but you can sort of tell it's written by a man. I also agree with what someone posted under CODENAME VILLANELLE: SHANGHAI that there's a disappointing bout of transphobia (that starts out promisingly).
I don't know if I'd think this if I hadn't heard it, but you can sort of tell it's written by a man. I also agree with what someone posted under CODENAME VILLANELLE: SHANGHAI that there's a disappointing bout of transphobia (that starts out promisingly).
I enjoyed the TV series so much, and the book was not as good. I do not plan to read anymore of the series (part of this is my library doesn’t have the rest of the series).
The show, at least the first season, is pretty great.
The book… is not. There's nothing really wrong with the book but there's nothing really special about it. It's a pretty predictable set of stuff. That said, it's fast enough and short enough that it's hard to really ding it too much.
The book… is not. There's nothing really wrong with the book but there's nothing really special about it. It's a pretty predictable set of stuff. That said, it's fast enough and short enough that it's hard to really ding it too much.