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arangele's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The premise was so interesting, and the beginning really grabbed me. Slowly, I got really tired of the writing style. It is not congruent with the seriousness of the themes, and that completely took me out of the experience. The dialogue is flat, and the characters have no personality when they speak. They all have the same exact voice. Even more, I found their actions hard to believe. I couldn't take them seriously. It's a shame because it seems like the research was there, and the ideas were good, but I was bored for the whole second half of the book. I couldn't wait for it to be over. I really wanted to enjoy it, but it read a bit like an annoying soap opera. Maybe it was rushed? It's an okay book, but don't expect it to be incredible (like I did).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Death, and Kidnapping
jenna_gilb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Antisemitism, Murder, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Drug abuse
rubl_b's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
2.5
I liked the story and plot, and I was hopeful to love the book. But something about it left me dissatisfied. I fee like the writing was trying to hard to be good and some points left me thinking “did that really just happen?” Slightly disappointed but good enough to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Antisemitism, Drug use, and Death
camsand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Seems like this book is made for me:
- Historical fiction
-WWII
-Priceless art intrigue
-Dual timelines
It started really hopeful with an opening scene that had me hooked. But then too much and not enough happened. There are too many characters and they each fit a cliche: hard- nosed newspaper editor, “ruggedly handsome” tortured artist, crazy rich old guy, sexy psychopath villian woman, etc.. The main character is an investigative reporter who dresses in frumpy clothes and glasses so no one knows she’s hot until she gets dressed up. You can tell that a lot of effort went into the writing, but it just didn’t gel for me. I get the feeling this was written to become a Netflix/HBO Max series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Addiction, Antisemitism, Murder, Toxic relationship, War, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
kates_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I don’t tend to read WW2 or historical fiction books, but I’m glad this was our book club pick. There was a lot going on in this book — perhaps too much. Here are my chaotic thoughts on it:
- I loved learning about the art world and the history of art theft during the war.
- I tend to love love stories in books, but I’m not sure if this story needed the plot line.
I really thought Dan, the renowned journalist that takes Jules under his wings, was going to make a reappearance — that he escape death yet again - There were so many characters and each had such a deep and complex background. They could have easily been written as unattainable, perfect people but the author added such deep, personal, complex flaws for each. Plus there was a great group of side characters that played such important roles: Owen, Jules mom, Louise, the hacker
Margaux being a psychopath was obvious and I can’t decide if I liked that revelation. In a way it’s a unique choice because most authors I read tend to create a background for the villains that lends at least some empathy and understanding to the characters horrendous actions. So Margaux being a psychopath just doesn’t add to the story. I thought we would come back somehow to Jules former editor and he would finally be held accountable for taking advantage of Jules as a minor. But I do think this element of her as a character made her more fully formed and believable. - Especially in the beginning of the book, the author took her time really getting into the details of everything. Perhaps taking too long at times. But then at the end it felt like it wrapped up so quickly.
Thoughts on the ending: Ellis losing his sight before seeing the recovered painting broke my heart. Are we not going to know what happens with Carrie and Adam being involved in Margauxs fathers death? Margaux blood seeping into the art was a terrible shock but i think it made the story more interesting — it wasn’t a perfect, obvious ending. Again, I don’t think Adam and Jules need to be together — also what is their age difference?? - The book opens with Jules perspective on a flash forward to a scene that we later revisit from Margauxs perspective. I feel like these perspectives don’t match. And that how Jules is portrayed in that scene in the opening is not how she was portrayed later on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Antisemitism
kimveach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love it when historical fiction is the basis for a contemporary thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Drug use, Genocide, Confinement, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, War, Addiction, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
kathyf1687's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Blood, Cancer, Gun violence, Stalking, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, Addiction, Antisemitism, and Self harm
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