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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
3.5. While the story itself is intriguing, it became very muddy with a lot of, IMO, extra writing that felt like reaching. There are tons of Robert Ludlum fans and I'm sure writing style is part of it; unfortunately, it turned me off. Scott Brick did partially save it with the audiobook. One of the few times I can say, with absolute certainty, that I liked the movie better.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god it’s Jason Bourne. QUICK….tell him to be in a better book.
There’s a lot to unpack here, and not a lot of it is about the story itself. On one hand, this book was a gift from my mother, that I would’ve never read otherwise, and she (and apparently a lot of other people around her age) really likes. On the other hand, the book itself is overwritten, over complicated, incredibly hard to follow, and not enjoyable enough to overcome those challenges. And I could end the review right there, if not for the ENDING. Because here’s the things, once pieces REALLY started to tie together, I actually got into it a little. The penultimate and ultimate action scenes were ok, I even enjoyed some of the back half talking scenes; but at the VERY END he leaves it open on a cliffhanger, and not a good one. Unrelated, the book has no reason having as many talking scenes as it does. ALSO, the author seemed to be reading my mind, because every time I did find a scene, or moment, or character enjoyable, he’d sweep it aside and go on to the next over complicated chapter, it became frustrating how easily I could tell EXACTLY when a chapter would end.
Between the incredibly slow start (I only started getting mildly invested by the 60% mark) the poor finale on an otherwise strong ending (strong for the books standard anyway) and an author who seemed to want to make my reading harder than it already was, I have no choice to give this book the grade that it has. And now I have to go online to figure out details I couldn’t figure out the first time AND how the trilogy ends, what fun.
(- -)
There’s a lot to unpack here, and not a lot of it is about the story itself. On one hand, this book was a gift from my mother, that I would’ve never read otherwise, and she (and apparently a lot of other people around her age) really likes. On the other hand, the book itself is overwritten, over complicated, incredibly hard to follow, and not enjoyable enough to overcome those challenges. And I could end the review right there, if not for the ENDING. Because here’s the things, once pieces REALLY started to tie together, I actually got into it a little. The penultimate and ultimate action scenes were ok, I even enjoyed some of the back half talking scenes; but at the VERY END he leaves it open on a cliffhanger, and not a good one. Unrelated, the book has no reason having as many talking scenes as it does. ALSO, the author seemed to be reading my mind, because every time I did find a scene, or moment, or character enjoyable, he’d sweep it aside and go on to the next over complicated chapter, it became frustrating how easily I could tell EXACTLY when a chapter would end.
Between the incredibly slow start (I only started getting mildly invested by the 60% mark) the poor finale on an otherwise strong ending (strong for the books standard anyway) and an author who seemed to want to make my reading harder than it already was, I have no choice to give this book the grade that it has. And now I have to go online to figure out details I couldn’t figure out the first time AND how the trilogy ends, what fun.
(- -)
I thought this book would be a thrilling fast read- full of spies, murder, cliff hangers. Nope. This was a pretty slow thriller that was barely like the movie....there was amnesia and an American spy.
I dragged my feet reading it- found much of it annoying....and was confused. I may just not be "smart" enough for this style of spy novel....I would argue that I am, but I definitely missed something. This is the story of a man who wakes up on an island in the Mediterranean with no memory of his past- who spends the whole book trying to figure out who he is- and why everyone seems to be trying to kill him. He takes a woman hostage at a conference- and she magically and automatically falls in love with him and drop everything to keep him alive (rolling eyes yet?)....there is mention of a "fiche"- that I never fully understood, a fashion designer shop that is a front, an assassin named Carlos, a pile of American politicians sweating profusely because their killer is lose, lots of mention of jungles of SE Asia (isn't he too young to be a part of all that)....stolen cars, a retired French military man that has to help save him...
I never grabbed this books interested to see what happens next.
Read if you like slow and disjointed spy novels.
I dragged my feet reading it- found much of it annoying....and was confused. I may just not be "smart" enough for this style of spy novel....I would argue that I am, but I definitely missed something. This is the story of a man who wakes up on an island in the Mediterranean with no memory of his past- who spends the whole book trying to figure out who he is- and why everyone seems to be trying to kill him. He takes a woman hostage at a conference- and she magically and automatically falls in love with him and drop everything to keep him alive (rolling eyes yet?)....there is mention of a "fiche"- that I never fully understood, a fashion designer shop that is a front, an assassin named Carlos, a pile of American politicians sweating profusely because their killer is lose, lots of mention of jungles of SE Asia (isn't he too young to be a part of all that)....stolen cars, a retired French military man that has to help save him...
I never grabbed this books interested to see what happens next.
Read if you like slow and disjointed spy novels.
In short, watch the movie it’s a lot better than the book. The premise is pretty cool with a guy with amnesia that somehow remembers the evil tools of his trade. It’s just not a fun book to read for some reason. In and out of impossible situations. I don’t know how many times he got shot in this book. A woman he kidnaps falls in love with him and risks her life? Just way too far fetched scenarios and situations.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
I tried so hard to get into this book and I just couldn’t do it maybe the movies are too good?
Very long, repetitive, and boring. I only finished it to see how it ended, but the ending was terrible and sets you up to read more of the books. I won't be doing that.
Spoiler
I was really soured when the girl falls in love with the guy who kidnapped her, threatened to kill her, got her involved in a very dangerous situation, got her raped and nearly killed just because he was outraged about it. Horrible.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was a good book. Was long and got tired of reading it at a certain point. Felt like it could be condensed down.