ailishsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aielylois's review against another edition
4.0
What a trip (in all senses of the word)
Sardonic, witty, meta as hell - and that's just the writing. The main character is that to the nth degree.
This book isn't for everyone and admittedly, it took me a while to finish. Sometimes it's too tongue-in-cheek for it's own good.
But geez once you're on the rollercoaster it'll take you on a ride - you've just got to let go and get as loose as A.Z. Kimrean. Well, Z at least.
Sardonic, witty, meta as hell - and that's just the writing. The main character is that to the nth degree.
This book isn't for everyone and admittedly, it took me a while to finish. Sometimes it's too tongue-in-cheek for it's own good.
But geez once you're on the rollercoaster it'll take you on a ride - you've just got to let go and get as loose as A.Z. Kimrean. Well, Z at least.
crystxlxsxd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
missmelia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the third of Cantero's books that I've read, and I'm not as head over heels about it as I was the others. As with the previous, it is a fascinating combination of meta-textual commentary on a set of genre tropes, and a completely over the top example of the same. I think that the reason that it didn't work for me is that I'm not as familiar with the genre, and so rather than being engaged with the cleverness (and the bits I did get were so very clever) sections felt really flat.
Also, I think the pace of the story was best described as frenetic. Which when there are madcap criminal Things happen, including car chases and shootouts, kind of makes sense, but I did find it exhausting to read and it took me significantly longer than I would have expected. I dialed it down to only attempting to read a chapter at a time, and that helped for dealing with the overwhelm, but meant that I wasn't as focused on the details of the plot as I might have been.
The central conceit, of two people in the same body, kind of worked, but there were lots of times where the science side of my thoughts got in the way, because the plausible deniability wore thin. Be interested in knowing whether other people find the same thing, and whether it is more that I just wasn't engaged enough. After all, I'm perfectly willing to hand wave lots of science bullshit when a story sells it to me.
As would be expected for detective noir, the characters are all a bit over the top, a bit charicatured, a bit flimsy. I didn't really mesh with any of the major players, finding the most believable one a bit part -- Ursula, kid sister of the fellow whose death is being investigated.
There are many great paragraphs, several fabulous scenes, but few gripping chapters.
All in all, Cantero stays on my 'buy on sight' list because their all in investment in deconstructing stories makes for a great read.
Also, I think the pace of the story was best described as frenetic. Which when there are madcap criminal Things happen, including car chases and shootouts, kind of makes sense, but I did find it exhausting to read and it took me significantly longer than I would have expected. I dialed it down to only attempting to read a chapter at a time, and that helped for dealing with the overwhelm, but meant that I wasn't as focused on the details of the plot as I might have been.
The central conceit, of two people in the same body, kind of worked, but there were lots of times where the science side of my thoughts got in the way, because the plausible deniability wore thin. Be interested in knowing whether other people find the same thing, and whether it is more that I just wasn't engaged enough. After all, I'm perfectly willing to hand wave lots of science bullshit when a story sells it to me.
As would be expected for detective noir, the characters are all a bit over the top, a bit charicatured, a bit flimsy. I didn't really mesh with any of the major players, finding the most believable one a bit part -- Ursula, kid sister of the fellow whose death is being investigated.
There are many great paragraphs, several fabulous scenes, but few gripping chapters.
All in all, Cantero stays on my 'buy on sight' list because their all in investment in deconstructing stories makes for a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, Ableism, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Murder
zobow's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
menniemenace's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so very much. The concept was new to me, and the twins were very good main characters. I really regret keeping this on my TBR shelf for so long.
The audio was fantastic, it made the book alive. (Currently looking for more by the same narrator.)
I hated Adrian kimrean as much as it was possible, he reminded me of Bernie Gunther -every annoying drama queen PI reminds me of him, nothing personal- but I liked his dynamic with Zooey and how mean he was to everyone in general.
I didn't like Zooey at first but it was easy to fall for her as the story went on. The part with FBI agent was hilarious, she's really fast in creating light drama and odd jokes- I love odd jokes.
The audio was fantastic, it made the book alive. (Currently looking for more by the same narrator.)
I hated Adrian kimrean as much as it was possible, he reminded me of Bernie Gunther -every annoying drama queen PI reminds me of him, nothing personal- but I liked his dynamic with Zooey and how mean he was to everyone in general.
I didn't like Zooey at first but it was easy to fall for her as the story went on. The part with FBI agent was hilarious, she's really fast in creating light drama and odd jokes- I love odd jokes.
rangerbabe311's review against another edition
4.0
Omg such a fun read. Also surprisingly touching as well.
the_jelli_bean's review against another edition
1.0
Rather disappointed with this one, considering how much I enjoyed Meddling Kids. DNF at about 50%, but may give it another shot in the future.