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contemporarymeepsie's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The 3rd book in the Darkside series is a heist novel. This time around Johnathan must band together with an unusual crew of ex-circus performers to help him steal a precious stone and save his neighbour from the venerable Vendetta.
The plot seems interesting at first glance but the pacing itself left me bored. Unfortunately too much time was spent bringing the team together only for the most obvious twist to occur at the end. As with the other books there is quite a few spelling errors which also threw me off and I didn't find the new characters lovable at all. I think this was the book that put me off the series when I originally read it as a teen and unfortunately it hasn't gotten any better with age. But I'm determined to read the full series this time so onwards and upwards.
The plot seems interesting at first glance but the pacing itself left me bored. Unfortunately too much time was spent bringing the team together only for the most obvious twist to occur at the end. As with the other books there is quite a few spelling errors which also threw me off and I didn't find the new characters lovable at all. I think this was the book that put me off the series when I originally read it as a teen and unfortunately it hasn't gotten any better with age. But I'm determined to read the full series this time so onwards and upwards.
emmsdot's review
3.0
The fact this started with Jonathan being arrested and having to explain to the police how he got there in the prologue and then having him be broken out in chapter 21 therefore continuing the story was genius. I also really liked when the guy was killed at the auction and his killer was like ‘going once, going twice, gone!’ *stab*
Carnegie was once again great. “are you saying I smell?”
Carnegie snorted. “Everyone smells”
Raquella really needs to ditch Vendetta.
And Xavier made my skin crawl *shudders*.
BUT WE STILL KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT TERESA. LIKE WHERE IS SHE AND WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.
Carnegie was once again great. “are you saying I smell?”
Carnegie snorted. “Everyone smells”
Raquella really needs to ditch Vendetta.
And Xavier made my skin crawl *shudders*.
BUT WE STILL KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT TERESA. LIKE WHERE IS SHE AND WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.
ljbentley27's review
4.0
The third instalment of the Darkside series by Tom Becker see’s Jonathan Starling and a motley crew of cohorts embark on a new adventure; this time to save Jonathan’s long time carer, Mrs Elwood.
I originally started reading the Darkside books as it was the set text for a class that I work with in my day job (teaching assistant by day, bookblogger extraordinaire by night) and I quickly became immersed in the world of Darkside. The menacing people who live there, the olde world Victorian setting, the unruly society where the rules are that there are no rules is just fascinating and really entertaining.
In my opinion, the series keeps getting better and better. The crime capers become more elaborate with more and more secrets being revealed….equally more intrigue and mystery is built up with each story which is testament to Becker’s writing. Furthermore, I have to give kudos to Becker for his skill of writing a cliffhanger. Every chapter ends at a crucial and dramatic point which made me have to read on. Well played, Becker.
As much as the Darkside series is targeted to a younger audience it is the kind of book that will keep even the cleverest of adults guessing until the very end. This series is a must, go out and buy them all now.
Nighttrap (Darkside #3) by Tom Becker is available now.
I originally started reading the Darkside books as it was the set text for a class that I work with in my day job (teaching assistant by day, bookblogger extraordinaire by night) and I quickly became immersed in the world of Darkside. The menacing people who live there, the olde world Victorian setting, the unruly society where the rules are that there are no rules is just fascinating and really entertaining.
In my opinion, the series keeps getting better and better. The crime capers become more elaborate with more and more secrets being revealed….equally more intrigue and mystery is built up with each story which is testament to Becker’s writing. Furthermore, I have to give kudos to Becker for his skill of writing a cliffhanger. Every chapter ends at a crucial and dramatic point which made me have to read on. Well played, Becker.
As much as the Darkside series is targeted to a younger audience it is the kind of book that will keep even the cleverest of adults guessing until the very end. This series is a must, go out and buy them all now.
Nighttrap (Darkside #3) by Tom Becker is available now.
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