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sibbostar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beytwice's review
4.0
As a constant fan of the Axeman’s Jazz series, this was no different! I just find the setting so rich and full of soul every time and really enjoy following the journey of Michael, Ida, and everyone they encounter in the process. The writing as usual is well-crafted and the story wrapped up nicely (if not a bit long). I enjoyed the introduction of Gabriel and found that the two separate narratives intertwined pretty seamlessly which is always a feat. My two main critiques are the length as aforementioned and a higher use of slurs in this book than the previous instalments, or so it seemed. I can’t in good faith agree with their necessity (often used for historical detail) when the plot and time period speak for themselves. Just muddied what was already a good story with racial commentary for me a bit.
skattkatten_'s review against another edition
4.0
En maffig och väldigt spännande historia med en trovärdig blandning av fiction och fakta.
richard_morrow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Set 20 years after the Dead Man’s Blues Ida and Michael are now trying to save the latter’s son from his fate on Death Row. The narrative jumps back and forth between Ida and Michael and a New York mobster called Gabriel; I found myself constantly waiting for their narratives to overlap. The great number of characters can make it a little hard to follow initially but the story keeps pulling you in to find out what happens next. I love how Celestin develops a sympathy for the mobsters and their struggles within this novel and Gabriel, in particular is revealed to be such a complex character. What is done so well in this is the tenderness and depth of characters as well as the heart-racing action which jumps from the page in a balanced and powerful prose.
jdunne3's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
votresourire_m's review against another edition
5.0
It’s an old song by now, but god I love these books.
batforanna's review against another edition
4.0
A great book but at over 550 pages long, it was just a tad too long!
graziapatrizia's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Every time I finish one of Celestin's books I need to let everything I read sink in for a while because boy he knows how to set a scene. His talent of creating the atmosphere in a way that literally makes you feel like you're right there with the characters is unmatched. I love crime stories but they always leave my brain blank after I finish reading because there's so much information to process but once again, I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was very positively surprised by how GOOD this book got the second half as I found some passages in the beginning to be a bit lengthy and not that gripping (100% excused though, I pretty much finished the last 300 pages in one sitting). Part of this was also because I didn't fully like Gabriel at first or at least I didn't develop a certain attachment to his character while reading, he was simply just there for me. But that quickly changed in the second half of the book. I love how his characters develop over time.
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(Spoiler alert)
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Let me tell you, I almost cried my eyes out and was ready to write an upset review when I thought he and Sarah died. I was never happier about a good ending. Same thing with Michael and Tom. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (not exaggerating).
Every time I finish one of Celestin's books I need to let everything I read sink in for a while because boy he knows how to set a scene. His talent of creating the atmosphere in a way that literally makes you feel like you're right there with the characters is unmatched. I love crime stories but they always leave my brain blank after I finish reading because there's so much information to process but once again, I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was very positively surprised by how GOOD this book got the second half as I found some passages in the beginning to be a bit lengthy and not that gripping (100% excused though, I pretty much finished the last 300 pages in one sitting). Part of this was also because I didn't fully like Gabriel at first or at least I didn't develop a certain attachment to his character while reading, he was simply just there for me. But that quickly changed in the second half of the book. I love how his characters develop over time.
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(Spoiler alert)
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Let me tell you, I almost cried my eyes out and was ready to write an upset review when I thought he and Sarah died. I was never happier about a good ending. Same thing with Michael and Tom. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (not exaggerating).
lewiscain's review against another edition
5.0
Another great addition to this series. The history and scene setting is brilliant and the stories always keep me intrigued and gripped through out. I love these books and reading about the links between the mafia and different parts of America. Sad that the next book will be the last!
veealiceh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
I will definitely read the fourth one as it is a style I like and there is an ease to reading this book even if it is on the longer side but there were elements I just didn’t get with it and why they were in the story as they did not add to it e.g. congressman and movie stuff