Scan barcode
A review by jadeeby
The Dispatcher by Ryan David Jahn
5.0
Originally posted at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
I had zero expectations starting this book. I thought the premise sounded interesting and very reminiscent of Taken with Liam Neeson which happens to be one of my favorite movies. After finishing the book, it had all of the same elements that made me love Taken. I was floored by how much I enjoyed this book. It hooked me from page one.
The intensity in this novel starts from page one and it doesn't stop for one minute. It's a read-at-your-own-peril kind of book because you pretty much block everything else out when you're reading it. The characterization in this novel was incredible. Our main character, Ian Hunt is a man you do not want to mess with. The way Ian loves his daughter.I haven't seen very many books where the love between a father and a daughter is so strongly felt. Jahn did such a great job of showing just how far a father would go to get his daughter back and make sure she is safe. Also, he is so in awe of her strength and bravery and it makes me fall in love with him a little bit the way he views his daughter. The way Ian loves his daughter….haven't seen very many books where the love between a father and a daughter is so strongly felt. Jahn did such a great job of showing just how far a father would go to get his daughter back and make sure she is safe. Also, he is so in awe of her strength and bravery and it makes me fall in love with him a little bit the way he views his daughter.
Jahn did a great job of having Henry and Bee be atrociously creepy and yet…you pity them and feel sorry for them for a bit. He doesn't make it easy to straight out hate them like you want to. He makes you work for your emotions.
Maggie. Oh my word. I loved loved loved Maggie. She possessed a kind of strength that only people who have these traumatic experiences possess. She was smart and witty and I found that her complete in her faith in her father endearing. It's the way every little girl should feel about their father…that no matter what happens, your daddy will go through hell to get you back. The psychological aspect of Maggie's abduction is seen through her manifestation of "Borden," the boy living in the basement with her. It's evident that Maggie tries to cope with things by believing Borden is a real boy and is keeping her company, telling her what to do etc. But I think the telling part of Maggie's character is the way she felt AFTER she escaped. She got a taste of her old world, what it felt like to be free and it's a desire that grows in her like a fire and she won't stop until she has her freedom back. That's an incredible spirit to have not only in a child but in someone who has gone through such a traumatic experience. I love that she event taunts Henry with the realization that her dad is going to come get her and he will kill Henry when he does. I just love Maggie's spirit. I loved that the novel was told in alternating POV's and I loved being able to get into the heads of the main character. This novel is truly a glimpse inside the human psyche and an attempt to figure out why people are the way they are and what motivates them.
There wasn't much to complain about this novel honestly. The only thing I can say is that I think for a child to be abducted and kept in isolation, tortured a bit and brainwashed, Maggie seemed a little too "normal" for her situation. I mean, I admire her strength and everything, but I just feel like it's not totally accurate. I feel like there would be A LOT deeper issues with Maggie than what is shown in the novel.
Overall, this was a fantastic, wild, Taken-esque ride. I couldn't put it down and I loved every single minute of this novel. I HIGHLY recommend for mystery/thriller lovers and anyone who loves to read about the lengths a father will go to save his daughter.
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I had zero expectations starting this book. I thought the premise sounded interesting and very reminiscent of Taken with Liam Neeson which happens to be one of my favorite movies. After finishing the book, it had all of the same elements that made me love Taken. I was floored by how much I enjoyed this book. It hooked me from page one.
The intensity in this novel starts from page one and it doesn't stop for one minute. It's a read-at-your-own-peril kind of book because you pretty much block everything else out when you're reading it. The characterization in this novel was incredible. Our main character, Ian Hunt is a man you do not want to mess with. The way Ian loves his daughter.I haven't seen very many books where the love between a father and a daughter is so strongly felt. Jahn did such a great job of showing just how far a father would go to get his daughter back and make sure she is safe. Also, he is so in awe of her strength and bravery and it makes me fall in love with him a little bit the way he views his daughter. The way Ian loves his daughter….haven't seen very many books where the love between a father and a daughter is so strongly felt. Jahn did such a great job of showing just how far a father would go to get his daughter back and make sure she is safe. Also, he is so in awe of her strength and bravery and it makes me fall in love with him a little bit the way he views his daughter.
Jahn did a great job of having Henry and Bee be atrociously creepy and yet…you pity them and feel sorry for them for a bit. He doesn't make it easy to straight out hate them like you want to. He makes you work for your emotions.
Maggie. Oh my word. I loved loved loved Maggie. She possessed a kind of strength that only people who have these traumatic experiences possess. She was smart and witty and I found that her complete in her faith in her father endearing. It's the way every little girl should feel about their father…that no matter what happens, your daddy will go through hell to get you back. The psychological aspect of Maggie's abduction is seen through her manifestation of "Borden," the boy living in the basement with her. It's evident that Maggie tries to cope with things by believing Borden is a real boy and is keeping her company, telling her what to do etc. But I think the telling part of Maggie's character is the way she felt AFTER she escaped. She got a taste of her old world, what it felt like to be free and it's a desire that grows in her like a fire and she won't stop until she has her freedom back. That's an incredible spirit to have not only in a child but in someone who has gone through such a traumatic experience. I love that she event taunts Henry with the realization that her dad is going to come get her and he will kill Henry when he does. I just love Maggie's spirit. I loved that the novel was told in alternating POV's and I loved being able to get into the heads of the main character. This novel is truly a glimpse inside the human psyche and an attempt to figure out why people are the way they are and what motivates them.
There wasn't much to complain about this novel honestly. The only thing I can say is that I think for a child to be abducted and kept in isolation, tortured a bit and brainwashed, Maggie seemed a little too "normal" for her situation. I mean, I admire her strength and everything, but I just feel like it's not totally accurate. I feel like there would be A LOT deeper issues with Maggie than what is shown in the novel.
Overall, this was a fantastic, wild, Taken-esque ride. I couldn't put it down and I loved every single minute of this novel. I HIGHLY recommend for mystery/thriller lovers and anyone who loves to read about the lengths a father will go to save his daughter.
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.