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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: Death, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Drug use, Infidelity, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
hankcanread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I absolutely loved this book. I'm an avid murder mystery reader who loves well placed comedy and this book screams it from the roof tops. I love how Zooey quoted Adrian compliment and complete each other by the end. Adrian having to face the consequences of his actions by losing his mobility was a necessary humble. He throughout the book was overall cold and angry at Zooey for something neither of them could control. I hope in their next adventures they will gain a newfound appreciation for one another. The action was something out of a movie for a book about a sibling duo PI mixed with gangs, love, and a unexpected father reveal. It really felt like I was there, another person sharing one body. I love how yes our main character is really two main characters but you can tell who is talking. It's important to give these people a recognizable voice even when they are referred to as Kimrean. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Cantero's work. This was an amazing introduction to his work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Car accident, Abandonment, and Alcohol