carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent thriller, especially strong for its Chinese setting and the interplay between the main character's previous time as a medic in the Iraq war and her present-day difficulties.
aminowrimo's review against another edition
1.0
Others might say this is a fantastic first novel (or whatever number it is), that it's a great plot with interesting characters, etc etc etc.
But if it wasn't on my iPod, which is the only consistent reading apparatus I have, I'd have thrown the book across the room. As it is, I'm a bit surprised I finished it. I wasn't interested enough in the occurences, the characters, anything to justify reading all 300-some pages. The only reason I went ahead with it, actually, was because I only realized how pointless the book was about 90 pages in (I'm pretty tolerant, so I didn't set it aside until too late), and by then a 90 page investment was a bit pointless to throw out, especially when I didn't have enough books for a particular Toppler category as it was.
So I read the book. And there were interesting pieces— the use of the video game, for instance. But I really would like to know why a character is favoring a leg right off— at least a mention that it's a war wound, specifically from a bomb, would have been nice. As it was, I found myself rolling my eyes at the fact that this is the hook.
But if it wasn't on my iPod, which is the only consistent reading apparatus I have, I'd have thrown the book across the room. As it is, I'm a bit surprised I finished it. I wasn't interested enough in the occurences, the characters, anything to justify reading all 300-some pages. The only reason I went ahead with it, actually, was because I only realized how pointless the book was about 90 pages in (I'm pretty tolerant, so I didn't set it aside until too late), and by then a 90 page investment was a bit pointless to throw out, especially when I didn't have enough books for a particular Toppler category as it was.
So I read the book. And there were interesting pieces— the use of the video game, for instance. But I really would like to know why a character is favoring a leg right off— at least a mention that it's a war wound, specifically from a bomb, would have been nice. As it was, I found myself rolling my eyes at the fact that this is the hook.
sharppointysticks's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. I thought the plot was rather interesting and original. Possibly not the best written, and a little predictable in places, but an interesting story. Definitely worth reading.
floribunda52's review against another edition
4.0
This was recommended by a friend who said it definitely wasn't her usual thing but she was enjoying it. I felt the same way -- although at times the plot was a bit confusing and I'm still not sure I understood all that was going on! (sort of an odd recommendation, eh?)
stacialithub's review against another edition
3.0
A good international/political thriller that probably paints an accurate picture of the mix that is modern-day China, as well as the after-effects (physical, mental, emotional) affecting soldiers who served in Iraq.
I enjoyed it enough that I would read more of Brackmann's books.
I enjoyed it enough that I would read more of Brackmann's books.
viiu's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
ramseyhootman's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome on so many levels. Let me just list what I loved:
Ellie - the protagonist is just... wow. Yeah. I guess a lot of other readers disliked her quite strongly, but for me she totally resonated. I've always gravitated towards books with men as the protagonists, because women protagonists always seemed either too emotional or were just men with boobs. Ellie is not me - we have totally different beliefs, different education levels, different life experiences - but she THINKS like me. She's a woman and she's real and I found myself identifying with her no-nonsense matter-of-fact unromantic attitude in a way I don't think I've ever experienced in a book before. She also experiences very organic, realistic transformation and growth, as we see her both in the past and present. Spot on, all the way.
China - So, I lived in China for a year. And I can say that Brackmann's completely captured what it's like for a foreigner. I think readers who haven't visited China will enjoy the sort of grungy reality portrayed, while those who have spent significant time in China will find themselves laughing at some of the details Brackmann drops here and there, like hidden jokes. The couple watching the tiny TV in the Great Wall tower was so, so perfect.
Writing - Brackmann can definitely write. The pacing, the dialogue, everything - perfect.
I gave this book five stars, so obviously I love it, but there were a couple of things I think could have been better:
Plot - We spend most of the book, like Ellie, totally in the dark about what's happening and who's chasing her. It gets wrapped up in a very satisfactory manner by the last page (thank goodness), but I personally would have liked more clues earlier on, so I could at least feel like I was piecing things together. That said, I think part of Ellie's situation was being in this country with people who are culturally so different from her that it's often impossible to tell what people want, even when they think they're being very clear.
Politics - I felt like the very end of the book came down a LITTLE too heavy on the "message." Ellie basically just says what she learned, and it feels a little too much like moralizing. I could have done with a little more ambiguity. But then that's just me.
Overall, a fantastic read. Going on my top shelf.
Ellie - the protagonist is just... wow. Yeah. I guess a lot of other readers disliked her quite strongly, but for me she totally resonated. I've always gravitated towards books with men as the protagonists, because women protagonists always seemed either too emotional or were just men with boobs. Ellie is not me - we have totally different beliefs, different education levels, different life experiences - but she THINKS like me. She's a woman and she's real and I found myself identifying with her no-nonsense matter-of-fact unromantic attitude in a way I don't think I've ever experienced in a book before. She also experiences very organic, realistic transformation and growth, as we see her both in the past and present. Spot on, all the way.
China - So, I lived in China for a year. And I can say that Brackmann's completely captured what it's like for a foreigner. I think readers who haven't visited China will enjoy the sort of grungy reality portrayed, while those who have spent significant time in China will find themselves laughing at some of the details Brackmann drops here and there, like hidden jokes. The couple watching the tiny TV in the Great Wall tower was so, so perfect.
Writing - Brackmann can definitely write. The pacing, the dialogue, everything - perfect.
I gave this book five stars, so obviously I love it, but there were a couple of things I think could have been better:
Plot - We spend most of the book, like Ellie, totally in the dark about what's happening and who's chasing her. It gets wrapped up in a very satisfactory manner by the last page (thank goodness), but I personally would have liked more clues earlier on, so I could at least feel like I was piecing things together. That said, I think part of Ellie's situation was being in this country with people who are culturally so different from her that it's often impossible to tell what people want, even when they think they're being very clear.
Politics - I felt like the very end of the book came down a LITTLE too heavy on the "message." Ellie basically just says what she learned, and it feels a little too much like moralizing. I could have done with a little more ambiguity. But then that's just me.
Overall, a fantastic read. Going on my top shelf.
electablue's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the intimate picture of China that I got from this, but in the end it was a little disappointing.
jpbehrens's review against another edition
3.0
I managed to make my way through the book, but not without a little work. I guess my biggest issue with the story was that nothing really ever happened. The main character is just shifted from one strange event or kidnapping to the next while barely doing more than sitting back and feeling sorry for herself. The writing is clean, but the story just didn't pull me in.