The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
ellajade3's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape and Pedophilia
jamballdonut's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I love Win, which is surprising because he's exactly the type of person that I would typically hate, but he's written in a way that makes me laugh and enjoy his sassy and macabre personality. He's a rich, white asshole, and that works perfectly for him. He knows he's better than everyone, and there's no point in hiding that.
In saying that, as an "introductory" book to the world of Win without Myron Bolitar, the actual plot itself felt a little.. ridiculous. We get it, he's rich, he's self-indulged, he has access to so many things us peasants never will, but to base the book on the theft of a priceless one-of-a-kid art piece owned by Win's family just felt a little too "wow I'm so much better than you". In saying all of that, I still enjoyed the book.
The twist was one I never saw coming, and I'm beginning to appreciate that about Harlan Coben. He's quickly becoming someone whose every book I need to read, and I genuinely look forward to more books focusing on just Win, although hope his fame and fortune allows him to focus on cases that aren't so close to home next time.
In saying that, as an "introductory" book to the world of Win without Myron Bolitar, the actual plot itself felt a little.. ridiculous. We get it, he's rich, he's self-indulged, he has access to so many things us peasants never will, but to base the book on the theft of a priceless one-of-a-kid art piece owned by Win's family just felt a little too "wow I'm so much better than you". In saying all of that, I still enjoyed the book.
The twist was one I never saw coming, and I'm beginning to appreciate that about Harlan Coben. He's quickly becoming someone whose every book I need to read, and I genuinely look forward to more books focusing on just Win, although hope his fame and fortune allows him to focus on cases that aren't so close to home next time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Rape, Grief, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Murder, and Physical abuse
cwniebuhr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Introducing a new character, the titular Win, Coben adds to the universe of his previous series, the Myron and Mickey Bolitar novels, respectively. While serving as a stand-alone, one should catch up on both Myron and Mickey series to understand the full depth of Cobenâs writing.
âWinâ reads differently than previous Coben novels. Written from the perspective of Win, the first seventy-odd pages were clichĂ© and difficult to get throughâmost of it serving as background characterization for the protagonist. Coben develops the plotâs mystery well in an intricate web, with all details coming together well in the end.
A 3.75 rating is for the slow beginning, which was more of a chore than the usual ease of other Coben works. Additionally, the protagonist is challenging to love, and Cobenâs dialogue for the character, at times, is not realistic.
âWinâ reads differently than previous Coben novels. Written from the perspective of Win, the first seventy-odd pages were clichĂ© and difficult to get throughâmost of it serving as background characterization for the protagonist. Coben develops the plotâs mystery well in an intricate web, with all details coming together well in the end.
A 3.75 rating is for the slow beginning, which was more of a chore than the usual ease of other Coben works. Additionally, the protagonist is challenging to love, and Cobenâs dialogue for the character, at times, is not realistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Child abuse
ozshark's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I have read a couple of Harlan Coben novels, and enjoyed a couple of TV adaptations, but I am not overly familiar with his work. I didn't even realise that Myron Bolitar (a character who often gets referenced in Win) was a character with his own long-running series.
I enjoyed this. I particularly enjoyed the character of Win himself. He is written with just the right level of poise, arrogance and humour to suit him, without him becoming grating and unbearable. The story/mystery was less engaging for me. I found I didn't really care who was behind the theft, or whether it linked to the Hut of Horrors etc.
I will definitely give the character of Win another go though, and might check out one of Myron's stories too.Â
I enjoyed this. I particularly enjoyed the character of Win himself. He is written with just the right level of poise, arrogance and humour to suit him, without him becoming grating and unbearable. The story/mystery was less engaging for me. I found I didn't really care who was behind the theft, or whether it linked to the Hut of Horrors etc.
I will definitely give the character of Win another go though, and might check out one of Myron's stories too.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Torture, and Kidnapping
blanca's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Rape, and Sexual violence
terriep's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This isn't "win" as in a game, this references Win, as in Myron's best friend from the Bolitar series. It's similar but different since the focus is on Win - his family, his past, his attitudes and how he views the world. There are many references to the ultra-wealthy lifestyle he leads and generalizations about wealthy people and their attitudes. It's got occasional smile-worthy phrases and situations, a few sad/grim moments and lots of "philosophy by Win". It's clever, a fast read, an intriguing and sometimes complex family mystery. If you enjoy Coben's Bolitar series, you'll like this extended take on Win.Â
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
klutzykara's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Rape
biblio_jordyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
đSynopsisđ
Windsor Home Lockwood III, aka Win, is brought by the FBI to a dead manâs upper west side apartment and at first he doesnât know why...until he sees two items sitting there...family heirlooms that were last scene over twenty years ago when his cousin Patricia went missing. Although, Patricia escaped her captors, the items that went missing? They were never found..until now. THEN it gets weirder. The dead man? He was a mastermind of a notorious domestic terrorism attack.Â
Win is handsome, blunt, rich, and very Batman-esque. He Is your regular antihero who enacts his own brand of justice...and heâs going to get it now.
đReviewđ
I was so excited to get this copy of Win because I have loved the Netflix original series based on his books.Â
This book starts off fast paced and action packed from the beginning, which I love when Iâm reading a suspense novel. The writing, much like the main character, was what I would describe as no frills for the most part and a lot of great content.
What did I enjoy?
All the twists I didnât see coming.
Unraveling the mystery with the main character.
The storytelling.Â
The occasional nugget of wisdom or great quote (I would share but it doesnât encompass the plot or anything as a whole đ)
THE MAIN CHARACTER who is an antihero vigilante who reminds me a bit of Batman, but a bit darker, blunt, charismatic, and a bit full of himself. I love books and tv shows where itâs not a detective solving a case or a mystery so I really enjoyed this.
If you like this authors netflix originals? Read this. If you like stories with suspense, antiheroes and some twists you wonât see coming? Read this.
Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia
More...