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colca 's review for:
Red Sparrow
by Jason Matthews
I didn't know what exactly was I supposed to expect going into this as this is for me first time reading a purely spy novel.
So let's start with the positives:
1) I really loved how the chapters ended with a receipt. It seemed strangely hilarious to read a detailed description of a frog suicide and then how to make a shrimp dish (btw all the best chapters ended with shrimp).
2) Gable's character was just so amazing. He's the goofy sidekick every book needs. He's funny, sarcastic and the main couple isn't the only thing going on in his life so his essential existence isn't only being there to make funny comments in terrible situations. (I don't think he was in the movie, but if he were, I could totally imagine Woody Harrelson playing him)
3) I especially enjoyed the way it ended between Dominika and Nash, because that's the ending they both deserve. It also seemed fair and realistic. I won't say more ('cause spoilers), but that was an element that the story needed)
4) The drastic scenes were awfully detailed - I loved that. No shame, no hesitation, just straight into the mess.
Now on the more doubtful things…
1) It was kinda sad seeing how how greatly and smoothly the author managed to write Dominika's transfer from a obedient Russian patriot to a double spy and how poorly he wrote the romance. I get why that happened, but for a long time it looked like there were no feelings and suddenly they were in love. Also the only reasons she had to fall in love with him were that he didn't look like a pig and wasn't interested in her.
2) Furthermore on the romance there was this one moment when it looked like the cliché airport scene was gonna happen. I'm so glad I was wrong… (via. point 3 in the positives), but if I hadn't been, this book would have probably gone down to 3 stars.
3) The plot point between the pages 400 and 500 (out of 550) could have been resolved with a few conversations… come on, where's the fun when the main thing is that all the characters don't know how to communicate.
4) Also I didn't get why it took Dominika so long to decide - yeah, her hesitation was correct, but she didn't have to stretch it on for 50 pages
All in all, I enjoyed more that I though I would. Originally, I didn't know this was a series, because the book works as a standalone with a openish ending, but now I am considering continuing with this one day… (that might be in a few days or it a few decades, probably the latter)
So let's start with the positives:
1) I really loved how the chapters ended with a receipt. It seemed strangely hilarious to read a detailed description of a frog suicide and then how to make a shrimp dish (btw all the best chapters ended with shrimp).
2) Gable's character was just so amazing. He's the goofy sidekick every book needs. He's funny, sarcastic and the main couple isn't the only thing going on in his life so his essential existence isn't only being there to make funny comments in terrible situations. (I don't think he was in the movie, but if he were, I could totally imagine Woody Harrelson playing him)
3) I especially enjoyed the way it ended between Dominika and Nash, because that's the ending they both deserve. It also seemed fair and realistic. I won't say more ('cause spoilers), but that was an element that the story needed)
4) The drastic scenes were awfully detailed - I loved that. No shame, no hesitation, just straight into the mess.
Now on the more doubtful things…
1) It was kinda sad seeing how how greatly and smoothly the author managed to write Dominika's transfer from a obedient Russian patriot to a double spy and how poorly he wrote the romance. I get why that happened, but for a long time it looked like there were no feelings and suddenly they were in love. Also the only reasons she had to fall in love with him were that he didn't look like a pig and wasn't interested in her.
2) Furthermore on the romance there was this one moment when it looked like the cliché airport scene was gonna happen. I'm so glad I was wrong… (via. point 3 in the positives), but if I hadn't been, this book would have probably gone down to 3 stars.
3) The plot point between the pages 400 and 500 (out of 550) could have been resolved with a few conversations… come on, where's the fun when the main thing is that all the characters don't know how to communicate.
4) Also I didn't get why it took Dominika so long to decide - yeah, her hesitation was correct, but she didn't have to stretch it on for 50 pages
All in all, I enjoyed more that I though I would. Originally, I didn't know this was a series, because the book works as a standalone with a openish ending, but now I am considering continuing with this one day… (that might be in a few days or it a few decades, probably the latter)