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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I don't know if the Chee stories will ever be as enjoyable as the Leaphorn ones--Tony H did such a wonderful job of integating native Amerian culture with the story and the character interactions, and maybe Leaphorn was just a more interesting character. Anne H has come a long way, though, as I did not really like her earlier books. It is still the setting and the main characters that hold these stories together though, because the other characters seem shallow/poorly developed and the motives behind their actions are rather far-fetched. A pleasant, if not outstanding, read.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoy the discussion of indigenous people's rituals and customs.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Set in Utah, Cheese and Manuelito on vacation, but still get involved in an investigation of archeology and palentology.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Anne Hillerman loves to explain Navajo culture. That way the book is very informative, but her father was better at letting the reader decipher Navajo culture through the characters and plot. The plot here seems contrived but the descriptions of scenery are lovely.
Manuelito and Chee are visiting Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Chee is doing some shaman learning and Manuelito is assessing her life and career after being passed over for a detective job. Naturally trouble finds them but I found their acquiescence to an attempt on Bernie’s life rather unrealistic. Remoteness and weather seem to be an excuse for doing nothing when an officer is attacked. As the story progresses I can see why Bernie didn’t get promoted as she misses obvious clues and focuses on irrelevant issues. Body count rises. And it’s all over dinosaur fossils.
The Way of the Bear is the eighth novel in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series. Even though it’s the eighth novel, it is possible to read it as a standalone.
I didn’t particularly care for the author’s style of writing. It seemed somewhat detached. Perhaps her journalistic background had something to do with the aloof vibe that I got from reading the book.
The plot lines were a mixed bag and got confusing at times, which necessitated me to backtrack several times to determine its relevance in the scheme of things.
There were a number of new characters. And all of them were pretty generic. Even the established characters didn’t have much to go on. But it maybe due to the longstanding existence that they had. Even so, things and times change so it’s probably time for a character makeover.
Overall, the narrative was somewhat boring throughout. I kept hoping for more excitement. But perhaps my sentiment was due in part to the plot centering around fossils. Too bad the ending didn’t come close to redeeming the lackluster flavor of the novel. Two stars as I somehow managed to finish the novel by a thread.
I received a finished copy of the novel from Harper through the Goodreads giveaway. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thought and opinions.
I didn’t particularly care for the author’s style of writing. It seemed somewhat detached. Perhaps her journalistic background had something to do with the aloof vibe that I got from reading the book.
The plot lines were a mixed bag and got confusing at times, which necessitated me to backtrack several times to determine its relevance in the scheme of things.
There were a number of new characters. And all of them were pretty generic. Even the established characters didn’t have much to go on. But it maybe due to the longstanding existence that they had. Even so, things and times change so it’s probably time for a character makeover.
Overall, the narrative was somewhat boring throughout. I kept hoping for more excitement. But perhaps my sentiment was due in part to the plot centering around fossils. Too bad the ending didn’t come close to redeeming the lackluster flavor of the novel. Two stars as I somehow managed to finish the novel by a thread.
I received a finished copy of the novel from Harper through the Goodreads giveaway. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thought and opinions.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Every Hillerman novel is an exciting adventure! Can’t wait for her next release!