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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun spy novel that served it’s purpose of providing an escape into a harrowing adventure.
adventurous
Mini-Review:
4 Stars for Narration by George Guidall
2.5 Stars for 2D Characters
3 Stars for Plot
There were parts of the story that felt very atmospheric and like I should be diving into a deep story full of conflicting emotions and suspense. I never quite got to that point. The point of views changed frequently enough to keep me from ever getting into any of the characters. I thought I would end up liking Gabriel as a tragic figure but the deadly allure never made itself apparent or lure me into fangirl mode.
Guidall is a great narrator. I love him as Longmire. For this? If the story had been told more from Gabriel's POV, there would be more elements to connect with in the story via setting, actions, etc. The story came across as a wannabe epic and ended up being a shallow dip into the darker side of human drive.
4 Stars for Narration by George Guidall
2.5 Stars for 2D Characters
3 Stars for Plot
There were parts of the story that felt very atmospheric and like I should be diving into a deep story full of conflicting emotions and suspense. I never quite got to that point. The point of views changed frequently enough to keep me from ever getting into any of the characters. I thought I would end up liking Gabriel as a tragic figure but the deadly allure never made itself apparent or lure me into fangirl mode.
Guidall is a great narrator. I love him as Longmire. For this? If the story had been told more from Gabriel's POV, there would be more elements to connect with in the story via setting, actions, etc. The story came across as a wannabe epic and ended up being a shallow dip into the darker side of human drive.
Now I see why my library's patrons are Silva addicts. Whether it's because he's a more experienced writer, or had better editing, or is just more comfortable with the issues at play in the Middle East, I found this to be a much better book than An Unlikely Spy. Tighter in plot, with more nuanced characterizations, and perhaps not coincidentally, about 200 pages shorter.
The Kill Artist is an enjoyable book that uses an interesting premise to set up the rest of the series.
I was fascinated by the main character and that is one of the reasons I picked this book up. Gabriel Allon is somehow both an Israeli assassin as well as a world renowned art restorer and the book deftly manages to combine his two talents at the same time. The book has good tradecraft and I really liked the ending.
I was fascinated by the main character and that is one of the reasons I picked this book up. Gabriel Allon is somehow both an Israeli assassin as well as a world renowned art restorer and the book deftly manages to combine his two talents at the same time. The book has good tradecraft and I really liked the ending.
This book employed every possible cliche of the international espionage genre. As this is the first book in the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva, I was hoping I had stumbled upon a new series to enjoy. Perhaps the series gets better and less predictable as it progresses so I may read #2 (The English Assassin) and then decide from there if I want to continue. We shall see!
Definitely much better than Michael Osbourne. Gabriel Aron is a more rounded character.
James Ellroy was talking about the Gabriel Allon books and I’m a sucker for mass market paperbacks going cheap in second-hand stores. It’s an odd start to the series. Functional and efficient, but it’s hard to see how an entire series has been built around Allon given that he gets almost every single thing wrong here, he’s outwitted by the terrorist (who just decides NOT to go ahead with his plan in the end) and he’s totally and unwittingly manipulated by his own boss. Also he gets shot, he loses track of the one woman he’s supposed to protect and she ends up shooting the bad guy after Allon barges right into a bullet. He’s just not terribly good.
I have to imagine he gets better later on.
I have to imagine he gets better later on.
Nothing ground-breaking, but a solid spy novel with an interesting context. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
.....it’s got...potential.... I didn’t really like the way relationships between people felt flat, shallow. Definitely old-fashioned.
But, good narrative, good plot. Will probably read more.
But, good narrative, good plot. Will probably read more.