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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Zase ďalšia skvelá detektívka. Komplikovaná voľba prostredia, ale páčilo sa mi spracovanie.
Neustále som sa strachovala o Robin. Záver bol veľmi pekný.
Som veľmi spokojná s originálnym príbehom každého prípadu.
Neustále som sa strachovala o Robin. Záver bol veľmi pekný.
Som veľmi spokojná s originálnym príbehom každého prípadu.
Honestly, quite a disappointment. I've given it two stars only because I liked the cult setting, and I think some descriptions were well written, but the rest of the book was just really annoying. Rowling's characterisations are awfully stereotypical, as she's often blamed for, but clearly the criticisms don't affect her. The dialog, especially when she's trying to emulate accents is downright unreadable. Strike is like a wannabe Harry Hole. The book, the characters everything was just weak. I've really enjoyed some of the earlier Strike books, (except the one right before this, that was completely unreadable), but this was a complete disappointment. Would not recommend
Compared to the previous installment in the Strike series, it's a definite improvement; compared to the first three books, The Running Grave still badly needs editing. It feels as if Rowling doesn't let any proper editor get their hands on her novels, which results in them being unreadable at times. There are multiple chapters in The Running Grave that don't have any tangible purpose except inflating the volume of the book. All the main issues with the series are ever-present: any other contracts Strike and Robin have are useless, time- and space-consuming endeavors, totally unrelated to the main story; romantic storyline is as awkward and tedious as ever with burdening details and repetitions; you can't escape Rowling's proneness to excruciatingly long preambles when it gets to setting a scene as if the story will not move on unless she gives yet another elaborate description of a pub and character's menu for the day. It seems a miracle that the first three installments were so concise and stuck predominantly to the investigations, which made them so fun to read.
Yet, the detective part, in and of itself, is not that bad, at least it's better than in The Ink-Black Heart. It's a nice take on cults ad indoctrination with the focus on how they (cults) do it and not really on what they do: how do sane people lose themselves? why can't they see what's going on? why is it so difficult to set yourself free once you've been trapped? Rowling's point of view is not insightful in any way, but it brings some much-needed fresh air to the series, the dynamics between Strike and Robin in particular. Unfortunately, there are still loopholes and lame explanations for some plot twists, multiple guns hanging on the wall that never fire a single shot and appallingly poor pacing by the end of the novel. However, it's entertaining enough, which at this point is a notable achievement for the series.
Yet, the detective part, in and of itself, is not that bad, at least it's better than in The Ink-Black Heart. It's a nice take on cults ad indoctrination with the focus on how they (cults) do it and not really on what they do: how do sane people lose themselves? why can't they see what's going on? why is it so difficult to set yourself free once you've been trapped? Rowling's point of view is not insightful in any way, but it brings some much-needed fresh air to the series, the dynamics between Strike and Robin in particular. Unfortunately, there are still loopholes and lame explanations for some plot twists, multiple guns hanging on the wall that never fire a single shot and appallingly poor pacing by the end of the novel. However, it's entertaining enough, which at this point is a notable achievement for the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Slow slow start but could be one of the best in the series. But dang it’s twisted and creepy!
This is the first book of this series where I feel the length is justified - the last two had unnecessary subplots that detracted from the story.
This one I feel gave real insight into cults and how they operate!! Very cool to see the dimensions and complexity of people at the top instead of an easy "well, they're a sociopath" as the default explanation. I definitely couldihave solved the mystery but I liked this one more because it didn't seem that was the goal, you could read it for the story and be surprised. The author is improving their mystery writing skills???
Also there was some stuff in the middle about vegetables that the supposedly very smart detective completely ignored. Why!!!!
Some things I get some characters did because they were indoctrinated into a cult but I was pulling my hair out about them!!!
And I really liked Robin's monologue to the therapist it felt very real.
One thing I don't like is that Robin always seems to be in some kind of peril. Can Strike be in peril next time?!??!
Also there was a loose end they didn't tie up........ hmm ......
This one I feel gave real insight into cults and how they operate!! Very cool to see the dimensions and complexity of people at the top instead of an easy "well, they're a sociopath" as the default explanation. I definitely couldihave solved the mystery but I liked this one more because it didn't seem that was the goal, you could read it for the story and be surprised. The author is improving their mystery writing skills???
Also there was some stuff in the middle about vegetables that the supposedly very smart detective completely ignored. Why!!!!
Some things I get some characters did because they were indoctrinated into a cult but I was pulling my hair out about them!!!
And I really liked Robin's monologue to the therapist it felt very real.
One thing I don't like is that Robin always seems to be in some kind of peril. Can Strike be in peril next time?!??!
Also there was a loose end they didn't tie up........ hmm ......
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
So hard to rate, because there were aspects I really really liked, and then there were some i absolutely despised.
Actually... you know what i'm rounding this down to three.25. Because JK had a truly mind-blowing twist/resolution sitting right on a platter, so much so that she included it as a red herring at the end,Becca turning out to be Daiyu this whole time... and then she passed it up for something still horrifying, but frankly kind of more bland as a resolution. Still, the chapters of Robin undercover were harrowing and kept me on the edge of my seat. Not to mention just the whole premise of a religious cult, fascinating.
And on the other side, I hate hate hate Strike's misogyny, pettiness, bitterness, and horrible sexualized internal thoughts about robin, all while he tries subtle ways tobreak up or cause discord in her current relationship. he is the most selfish character ever and i have grown to really dislike him. he does not deserve a partner like robin, not after the way he treats the women he has dated. and I don't believe he could make robin happy the way she deserves to be. Obviously with the cliffhanger of an ending, we'll have to see if i'm left further disgruntled by this in future books.
So, overall, lots of good, fair amount of annoying. Gives you a middling 3 stars.
Actually... you know what i'm rounding this down to three.25. Because JK had a truly mind-blowing twist/resolution sitting right on a platter, so much so that she included it as a red herring at the end,
And on the other side, I hate hate hate Strike's misogyny, pettiness, bitterness, and horrible sexualized internal thoughts about robin, all while he tries subtle ways to
So, overall, lots of good, fair amount of annoying. Gives you a middling 3 stars.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
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
I love this series and can't wait for September for the next book to come out. Once again the mystery was great, I enjoyed very much the development of the recurring secondary characters, the individual development of Strike and Robin as well as the development of their relationship. I really cannot wait to get hold of the next instalment