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collegiate_assessor_kovalyov's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Suicide and Vomit
miniingrid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Excrement, Gore, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, Medical trauma, Racism, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Infidelity
dtrain3000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I didn't find this book as funny as everyone in the reviews had told me it was going to be. It was actually quite dark. There were some elements that were comical but I was not laughing out loud at any point.
That being said, I enjoyed the premise of the book. A bunch of agents from MI5 go to a dead-end part of the agency and get themselves wrapped in a mission way over their heads. The characters are quite lovable and the reader wants them to win because of their underdog status.
What I didn't like was the large ensemble cast. It was confusing to keep everyone's backstory straight. The constant moving between storylines made it difficult to keep track of where the reader is in the overall plot.
I also found Herron's prose to be difficult to follow and verbose at times. I found myself at multiple points in the book thinking "why do I need to know this?" which is never something you want.
Overall, I still found the book really interesting. There were amazing twists and turns, lovable characters, and an interesting premise for future books. I would recommend anyone who is interested in spy novels to read because it's an modern take on the genre. But my only word of caution would be to take your time because you will likely get confused.
That being said, I enjoyed the premise of the book. A bunch of agents from MI5 go to a dead-end part of the agency and get themselves wrapped in a mission way over their heads. The characters are quite lovable and the reader wants them to win because of their underdog status.
What I didn't like was the large ensemble cast. It was confusing to keep everyone's backstory straight. The constant moving between storylines made it difficult to keep track of where the reader is in the overall plot.
I also found Herron's prose to be difficult to follow and verbose at times. I found myself at multiple points in the book thinking "why do I need to know this?" which is never something you want.
Overall, I still found the book really interesting. There were amazing twists and turns, lovable characters, and an interesting premise for future books. I would recommend anyone who is interested in spy novels to read because it's an modern take on the genre. But my only word of caution would be to take your time because you will likely get confused.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Cursing, Murder, and Body horror
Minor: Suicide
smitinghedgehog's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Blood, Torture, Fatphobia, Gore, Islamophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
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