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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Superlatively written for a crime thriller. Perhaps less gratuitous than the TV series; the characters are equally finely wrought and even more compelling.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Pretty much by the numbers chase-the-criminal thing. None of the character of the TV series seems present.
Villanelle is uniquely suited her job. She can change her identity easily, slip across borders and kill efficiently and without remorse. When she takes out a Russian political agitator on British soil, Villanelle suddenly becomes the sole focus of Eve Polastri. After failing to prevent the killing, Eve loses her job at MI5 but is secretly recruited to head up a team that is pursuing Villanelle. But when one of her team is brutally murdered in the streets of Shanghai by their target, Eve decides she will let nothing stop her hunting this assassin down, even if it means losing everything she loves or even her own life.
This is a joint review for Codename Villanelle and No Tomorrow, the basis for the TV show Killing Eve. Having watched the TV series, it's kind of weird to read these books because they contain a feel of the same characters but aside from that are almost entirely different. It's like reading a parallel universe version of the show: it starts off at a similar point but then goes off in a different direction. I really enjoyed reading these books though because I just loved spending time with these characters - and the tv show sadly does not have the amazing exploding butt plug scene. I think Luke Jennings has created some amazing characters here and Phoebe Waller-Bridge has done a masterful job developing their relationship for TV. I wonder what I would have thought of the books if I'd read them first? Either way, I think they are definitely worth a read.
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I really enjoyed this series so decided to read the book. I actually enjoyed several elements of Villanelle's background that wasn't apart of the show and will definitely keep reading. I left off a star because the password hack at the end as a way to bring in Niko (with no hacking experience) plus two other unrelated people was not a good plot point just to get her back into the relationship.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Codename Villanelle stars two women, a top-level assassin and the former MI6 operative whose job it is to find and eliminate her. Both women are strong and well-drawn. Villanelle is a psychopath, but one who knows she’s different and uses the knowledge as a strength. Eve is a tough, but has more connections. she has a husband and subordinates; her choices effect not only her life, but theirs too.
This is an action story, full of violence and sex, but happily it never quite tips over into graphic or gratuitous. It’s a quick read and I enjoyed it, right up until the end. I guess this a collection of 4 novellas. It felt seamless to me, but then it ended with more or less “to be continued,” which always just annoys me. If your series is good enough, I will continue to read it without a middle school book trick. Give me a semi-conclusion and leave it there. I’ll know the overarching plotline is still continuing, I don’t need it spelled out.
I do think I’m going to try watching Killing Eve this week. I think it’s one my husband might enjoy too.
This is an action story, full of violence and sex, but happily it never quite tips over into graphic or gratuitous. It’s a quick read and I enjoyed it, right up until the end. I guess this a collection of 4 novellas. It felt seamless to me, but then it ended with more or less “to be continued,” which always just annoys me. If your series is good enough, I will continue to read it without a middle school book trick. Give me a semi-conclusion and leave it there. I’ll know the overarching plotline is still continuing, I don’t need it spelled out.
I do think I’m going to try watching Killing Eve this week. I think it’s one my husband might enjoy too.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced