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greybeard49's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good example of quality crime fiction. The key to Windlow's success, I believe, is his searing dialogue. Witty, innovative and very very funny. His characterisation supports this superbly. Little disappointed by the conclusion but book was a real treat.
mcf's review against another edition
5.0
Savages isn't a flawless book, but it's a hell of a ride with three relentlessly modern characters, written by an author who seems to hurtle forward as furiously as his characters. Winslow isn't subtle, but he's good, and he trusts himself, so we what could be cliche (knowing, sarcastic narration, unconventional punctuation, etc) done right and used to fantastic effect, and a thrilling story that is absolutely, perfectly NOW.
tobinlopes's review against another edition
4.0
Good, fast, boiled down stuff. A tale with good bad guys and bad good guys. It moves fast and doesn't waste any words. Not really noir but close. I gave it a 8/10 on my scale.
-tpl
-tpl
webjoram's review against another edition
2.0
Típica novela de suspense que tiene como elemento más original el estilo de narración del autor donde predominan los diálogos utilizando un vocabulario directo y conciso y sin grandes alardes descriptivos de la trama. Con este estilo el autor consigue que la lectura sea muy rápida y prácticamente consigue que devoremos la novela en poco tiempo.
En cuanto a la trama en si he de decir que me ha defraudado ya que no consigue hilar una historia que sea interesante más allá de la premisa con la que parte la novela. Creo que los personajes están bastante desaprovechados, sobretodo, el de Chon que con su pasado militar podría haber dado mucho más juego en la historia.
En definitiva una novela para pasar el rato pero nada más.
En cuanto a la trama en si he de decir que me ha defraudado ya que no consigue hilar una historia que sea interesante más allá de la premisa con la que parte la novela. Creo que los personajes están bastante desaprovechados, sobretodo, el de Chon que con su pasado militar podría haber dado mucho más juego en la historia.
En definitiva una novela para pasar el rato pero nada más.
bethtmorris's review against another edition
3.0
Great plane read! It was mix between the OC and Breaking Bad. Rough subject matter but overall entertaining
emckeon1002's review against another edition
3.0
Hard to pull your eyes away from this one, but one wonders how, with forty or fifty words on a page, Winslow could consider this something other than a film outline. Considering his other estimable novels on the Mexican drug cartel, this is a trifle.
kinx128's review against another edition
4.0
Savages is a fast-paced, sexy thrill-ride through the drug wars of southern California. It is violent and bloody, and a fantastic read. The story revolves around a trio of friends who care about nothing, except getting high and each other. It is amazing the lengths they will go to save another. They will literally sacrifice everything for each other.
The entire story revolves around Ben and Chon trying to save Ophelia from the Baja Cartel. Ben, Chon and O have great chemistry. I found it to be a unique love story based on action and not sentiment. These characters are very flawed but have complete trust and loyalty to one another. Even though Ben, Chon and O have serious faults, you still like them and want them to win in the end.
Winslow succeeded in creating very unique and tough characters. O could have been a character that grated on your nerves that nails on a chalk board. However, her resilience and trust in “her boys” is admirable. Chon never knew he had any feelings for anyone until Ben and O are threatened. Ben’s transformation is the most disturbing of the three. He starts as pacifist, philanthropist and ends as a killer. I felt he paid the ultimate price for his lifestyle and his friends.
The dialogue was written incredibly well. Winslow didn’t bog down the story with a lot of description. It is mostly dialogue between the characters. He is able to maintain the story’s fast pace this way. You are not slowed down by any unnecessary details. I did enjoy Winslow’s little political diatribes throughout the book. He used Chon as his venting tool.
In no way, shape or form does Winslow romanticize the drug cartels. They are a nasty bunch of people. Lado is a soulless greedy bastard. No redeeming qualities at all. The bloodshed caused by the cartels is unfathomable. Winslow captured the incredible violence caused by the drug wars. It is sad and devastating.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a really fast read and I highly recommend it!
The entire story revolves around Ben and Chon trying to save Ophelia from the Baja Cartel. Ben, Chon and O have great chemistry. I found it to be a unique love story based on action and not sentiment. These characters are very flawed but have complete trust and loyalty to one another. Even though Ben, Chon and O have serious faults, you still like them and want them to win in the end.
Winslow succeeded in creating very unique and tough characters. O could have been a character that grated on your nerves that nails on a chalk board. However, her resilience and trust in “her boys” is admirable. Chon never knew he had any feelings for anyone until Ben and O are threatened. Ben’s transformation is the most disturbing of the three. He starts as pacifist, philanthropist and ends as a killer. I felt he paid the ultimate price for his lifestyle and his friends.
The dialogue was written incredibly well. Winslow didn’t bog down the story with a lot of description. It is mostly dialogue between the characters. He is able to maintain the story’s fast pace this way. You are not slowed down by any unnecessary details. I did enjoy Winslow’s little political diatribes throughout the book. He used Chon as his venting tool.
In no way, shape or form does Winslow romanticize the drug cartels. They are a nasty bunch of people. Lado is a soulless greedy bastard. No redeeming qualities at all. The bloodshed caused by the cartels is unfathomable. Winslow captured the incredible violence caused by the drug wars. It is sad and devastating.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a really fast read and I highly recommend it!
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Highly entertaining thriller set in Southern California with an interesting plot about the drug trade that combined graphic violence, sex, and humor. The author is one of my favorites and I loved the writing style he used for this book. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Michael Kramer who did an excellent job.