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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
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
The Silkworm picks up shortly after the events of The Cuckoo's Calling, and uses that momentum to push itself right into the intrigue. The majority of this book addresses and improves upon the issues of the first, giving me the impression that this series has more legs than I gave it credit for.
My main critique of the original book was that the mystery itself was almost unbelievable in the fashion it was solved. The second outing of Strike is a much more complete detective experience. The crime evolves over the course of the book, and since the crime isn't so far removed from the timeline of the book, there is actual investigation that can be done. This isn't to say that the book isn't interview/interrogation filled, that remains a major narrative device, but the ability to actually discover things other than slip ups in speech patterns was very welcome. Some of the discovered leads seem tenuous at best, but I get the impression that this series is more of a Sherlock Holmes experience than a "by the book" type of mystery.
In the same vein of Holmes, the two investigative leads are again the strongest part of the book. Cormoran and Robin have good rapport, interesting personalities, and always seem to be developing under their new circumstances. Robin is a much needed presence in the story, and it's a pleasure to see her be given a more direct role in the series. She brings an air of genuine interest and excitement to the events of the story. She also happens to be the best source of secondary plot drama/development. Strike at times is almost too stoic, it's difficult to feel that he develops at times due to almost all of his issues being tied to events that occurred prior to to the scope of the novels. There is some remediation of this, but I'd really like to see Strike be more than the incredibly self aware pair of eyes that we see the story through. As a character he is strong, but I'd like to see more of the events of the book actually change him or the way that he thinks.
The writing is still very distinct, lots and lots of descriptions. This is exacerbated by the the story being centered around authors and their works. I understand that J.K. Rowling is an accomplished author, but having a large plot of the book revolve around really obscure (and imaginary) books seems a little too meta. Some of the fake works of literature are interesting, but I get the impression that Rowling was more interested in fitting the story around the fake stories, than the story she was actually writing.
Overall, I think this is a step above the last work. The story is tighter, the characters brighter, and the mystery is still a fun puzzle to have solved before your eyes.
My main critique of the original book was that the mystery itself was almost unbelievable in the fashion it was solved. The second outing of Strike is a much more complete detective experience. The crime evolves over the course of the book, and since the crime isn't so far removed from the timeline of the book, there is actual investigation that can be done. This isn't to say that the book isn't interview/interrogation filled, that remains a major narrative device, but the ability to actually discover things other than slip ups in speech patterns was very welcome. Some of the discovered leads seem tenuous at best, but I get the impression that this series is more of a Sherlock Holmes experience than a "by the book" type of mystery.
In the same vein of Holmes, the two investigative leads are again the strongest part of the book. Cormoran and Robin have good rapport, interesting personalities, and always seem to be developing under their new circumstances. Robin is a much needed presence in the story, and it's a pleasure to see her be given a more direct role in the series. She brings an air of genuine interest and excitement to the events of the story. She also happens to be the best source of secondary plot drama/development. Strike at times is almost too stoic, it's difficult to feel that he develops at times due to almost all of his issues being tied to events that occurred prior to to the scope of the novels. There is some remediation of this, but I'd really like to see Strike be more than the incredibly self aware pair of eyes that we see the story through. As a character he is strong, but I'd like to see more of the events of the book actually change him or the way that he thinks.
The writing is still very distinct, lots and lots of descriptions. This is exacerbated by the the story being centered around authors and their works. I understand that J.K. Rowling is an accomplished author, but having a large plot of the book revolve around really obscure (and imaginary) books seems a little too meta. Some of the fake works of literature are interesting, but I get the impression that Rowling was more interested in fitting the story around the fake stories, than the story she was actually writing.
Overall, I think this is a step above the last work. The story is tighter, the characters brighter, and the mystery is still a fun puzzle to have solved before your eyes.
I love the Strike detective stories for so many reasons... London, humor, reality, believable characters with depth and flaws, and a good surprise. I love that "Galbraith" writes a story so that you care about all the aspects of Strike's life- his past, his present, and his future. The story is layered so well that there are hints at other things that might be brought up in the next book, or in three books from now. Another fantastic example of Rowling's foresight and excellent storytelling.
Cormoran Strike's curmudgeonly-ness wears a bit, but the pace and plot is surprisingly satisfying, even if the subject matter (a missing author who's swan-song of a book is disgustingly grotesque) produces an overwhelming ick factor.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
Right, so the second in the Cormoran Strike series wasn't as enthralling as the first book. I still enjoyed the book and reading more about Strike's world but - I do have some feelings. I have some feelings and opinions that might be slightly controversial given the fact that J.K Rowling is such a beloved author due to her success with Harry Potter.
Characteristics I noticed in J.K.’s writing from the first book, but chose to ignore, was one of the main reasons this book grated on me. This may be a controversial statement given her extreme popularity with all the HP lovers, but I really found her writing quite pretentious. There were times I was scratching my head as to why she chose to use these long meandering words when one short one that would create the same effect would do. Is she trying to prove how smart she is?
I’m sorry, that may sound harsh but it really started to grate on my nerves. There was a sense of the story seeming over written, too formal and wordy and it really did my head in at times.
The story itself, being reunited with Cormoran Strike once again was obviously what kept me reading. The actual plot was okay, but not as interesting or investing as the first novel. The disappearance and then murder of little known author Owen Quine has Strike on the case and I enjoyed getting to see Cormoran back in action, but the actual mystery was kind of boring. None of the characters drew me in or were nearly as compelling as the characters in the Cuckoo’s Calling. They all fell flat and I didn’t really feel for anyone.
I’ll still read the next book and I did enjoy this one to a certain extent, but unlike the first in the series, the story wasn’t enough for me to ignore the finer points of irritation.
Read my full review on the blog: Truth About Fiction
Characteristics I noticed in J.K.’s writing from the first book, but chose to ignore, was one of the main reasons this book grated on me. This may be a controversial statement given her extreme popularity with all the HP lovers, but I really found her writing quite pretentious. There were times I was scratching my head as to why she chose to use these long meandering words when one short one that would create the same effect would do. Is she trying to prove how smart she is?
I’m sorry, that may sound harsh but it really started to grate on my nerves. There was a sense of the story seeming over written, too formal and wordy and it really did my head in at times.
The story itself, being reunited with Cormoran Strike once again was obviously what kept me reading. The actual plot was okay, but not as interesting or investing as the first novel. The disappearance and then murder of little known author Owen Quine has Strike on the case and I enjoyed getting to see Cormoran back in action, but the actual mystery was kind of boring. None of the characters drew me in or were nearly as compelling as the characters in the Cuckoo’s Calling. They all fell flat and I didn’t really feel for anyone.
I’ll still read the next book and I did enjoy this one to a certain extent, but unlike the first in the series, the story wasn’t enough for me to ignore the finer points of irritation.
Read my full review on the blog: Truth About Fiction
The characters in Cormoran Strike novels never disappoint in their originality or their believability. This second book in the series was just as captivating as Cuckoo's Calling and was impossible to put down during the final 150 pages.