Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle

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Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings

19 reviews

emory's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

I feel like I can't give that accurate of a review as my interest came entirely from reading the inspiration for and comparing this to Killing Eve.

A fine thriller with seemingly low stakes as the main characters do not ever actually meet in this installment. Each scene is thoroughly set with emblematic and grandiose details of whichever European country Villanelle's about to assasinste someone at any given point. This can come across as extraordinary mood setting or unnecessary and ostentatious simply depending on the scene.

The fact that Villanelle's bisexuality is played as a moral failing and caused by sociopathy is a bit annoying, as are the pretty gratuitous sex scenes involving her, but what did I expect from a spy thriller that includes a female assassin?

Very middle of the road read for me, but again, it's hard to think strictly about the books pacing and plot when you are already aware of most of its plot and are familiar with someone else's interpretation of the characters. Good way to kill a day if you need.

Content Warnings

videokidd's review against another edition

2.0

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

ellieinthelibrary's review against another edition

1.0

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Content Warnings

emily_j_h's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

hilarylouise's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

millieboaudrey's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-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

Content Warnings

sommer853's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

For Killing Eve fans, this book roughly follows the plot of season 1. There are large details and plot and character aspects that were changed upon adaptation, in my opinion for the better. Whereas Codename Villanelle reads like James Bond fitted with a fresh, unique and murderous protagonist that is much more plot-driven, Killing Eve is a lot more introspective, especially when concerning Eve's subplot and her reactions and emotions concerning Villanelle. The relationship between them is the key difference between the source material and the adaptation, and I would say the thing I missed most from this. I kind of missed out on Villanelle's motivation to mess with Eve besides protecting herself, and I miss the complexity in her character beyond a sociopathic, opulent killer as well. However, Codename is still a very satisfying and enthralling spy thriller. I usually judge mysteries/thrillers by if they motivate me to read the rest of the series, and in this case, I definitely do (both the Codename series and Killing Eve)

Content Warnings