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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Some of the big "mysteries" in this book were pretty obvious, but overall a fast and enjoyable read.
Well, isn't that a fine kettle of fish! There I was at my lunch break today hoping I would have enough time to finish the last 70 pages or so of David Baldacci's Split Second. I rarely have enough time to read more than 50 pages of a standard novel at lunch so I was expecting that I might have to "forget" to get back from lunch on time, thereby allowing me to wrap it up. However, the pages in this book fly by and I actually finished it with a good 15 minutes to go! There I was stuck with no book to read and 15 minutes before I needed to return to the office.
Life goes on. I was very much looking forward to reading this book. After all, Absolute Power won my "best of the year" award for 2007. (I know it was published years earlier but I read it in 2007 and that's all that counts). That was my first and only Baldacci novel to date and I was anxious to see if the quality would continue to all of his other novels. Since it was also the first novel he had written, I was a bit wary because it seems often a new author spends years getting it just right only to be very successful and then be under the gun (or contract) to get another one out every year or so.
This particular book was a good read. It started out very well indeed and I know why Mr Baldacci has been on the best seller list all this time. His first book was no fluke afterall. This book starts a series involving the same two protagonists: Sean King, ex-secret service agent and Michelle Maxwell, current secret service agent, but just having screwed up an assignment. It is an intriguing situation because both characters are very competent people and very likable. There is a fair share of thriller action in this book which keeps the pages turning however, it tends to be more mystery than Mr Baldacci's novels usually contain...or so I've heard. That mystery part of the plot is fairly complex and involves quite a number of smaller characters. The wrap up at the end seems a bit hokey to me but I might just be holding this book to such high expectations that I couldn't help but be let down just a little. Don't get me wrong, it did nothing to disuade me from reading future novels from this author, in fact I very much look forward to them. But when I checked on Amazon to see what other people thought it seems this book is among the least favorites of all of his work. If that is the case then future Baldacci reading will be great!
Life goes on. I was very much looking forward to reading this book. After all, Absolute Power won my "best of the year" award for 2007. (I know it was published years earlier but I read it in 2007 and that's all that counts). That was my first and only Baldacci novel to date and I was anxious to see if the quality would continue to all of his other novels. Since it was also the first novel he had written, I was a bit wary because it seems often a new author spends years getting it just right only to be very successful and then be under the gun (or contract) to get another one out every year or so.
This particular book was a good read. It started out very well indeed and I know why Mr Baldacci has been on the best seller list all this time. His first book was no fluke afterall. This book starts a series involving the same two protagonists: Sean King, ex-secret service agent and Michelle Maxwell, current secret service agent, but just having screwed up an assignment. It is an intriguing situation because both characters are very competent people and very likable. There is a fair share of thriller action in this book which keeps the pages turning however, it tends to be more mystery than Mr Baldacci's novels usually contain...or so I've heard. That mystery part of the plot is fairly complex and involves quite a number of smaller characters. The wrap up at the end seems a bit hokey to me but I might just be holding this book to such high expectations that I couldn't help but be let down just a little. Don't get me wrong, it did nothing to disuade me from reading future novels from this author, in fact I very much look forward to them. But when I checked on Amazon to see what other people thought it seems this book is among the least favorites of all of his work. If that is the case then future Baldacci reading will be great!
Not bad, after so many of these types of books the sexist undertones (women just can't seem to get enough of King) start to get annoying after a while. As well, having protagonists that have these outrageous backstories (ie: the Olympian), feels unnecessary to me. The ending I liked but also disliked; the antagonist seemed very much like a Batman villain. Which is cool but didn't seem right for this novel.
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good first book in a series.
Quite a complex ending.
Enjoyed it a lot
Quite a complex ending.
Enjoyed it a lot
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I think I found a new favorite author! I love the mystery in this book, as well as the parallels that Sean King and Michelle Maxwell had in their careers. Maxwell was my favorite in this book, I love strong female characters, and she absolutely lived up to my expectations!
This was the first David Baldacci book I have read and to be honest I was very impressed.
I really liked the characters, King was a very likeable character and he knew he was likable and had a good sense of humour but wasn't big-headed with it. When women were quite literally throwing themselves at him. He ignored all their advances which were actually nice to read in a book that involves an ex-agent.
Maxwell was also a likeable character and a strong independent woman, who could take care of herself. She eventually learns that she isn't indestructible and she also needs protecting at times.
The other character Jane I needed really gel with, at first she seemed needy but you find out the back story throughout the book which slightly makes it easier to understand. She just wasn't a character that I could get on with.
I enjoyed the plot, it was interesting and wasn't something which jumped out at you instantly so that you could guess it throughout. It personally didn't hit me until I was about to read the reveal. I liked his writing style and I think I will definitely continue on with this series.
I really liked the characters, King was a very likeable character and he knew he was likable and had a good sense of humour but wasn't big-headed with it. When women were quite literally throwing themselves at him. He ignored all their advances which were actually nice to read in a book that involves an ex-agent.
Maxwell was also a likeable character and a strong independent woman, who could take care of herself. She eventually learns that she isn't indestructible and she also needs protecting at times.
The other character Jane I needed really gel with, at first she seemed needy but you find out the back story throughout the book which slightly makes it easier to understand. She just wasn't a character that I could get on with.
I enjoyed the plot, it was interesting and wasn't something which jumped out at you instantly so that you could guess it throughout. It personally didn't hit me until I was about to read the reveal. I liked his writing style and I think I will definitely continue on with this series.
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No