so_lost_in_pages's review against another edition
slow-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
2.5
thebooktrail88's review
Discover the locations in the novel
A great novel for setting and getting the buzz of the city of HK. Six stories and vignettes in one wasn't my cup of tea and I would have preferred a more cohesive story but it was good overall.
filawless's review
dark
mysterious
slow-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
2.75
An ok read. A bit "who done it" and a bit of intruige but nothing spectacular. Set in Hong Kong so helping towards my 22 countries in 2022 goal
iphigenie72's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
g_unit_lol's review against another edition
3.0
I read The Colour of Thunder by Suzanne Harrison thanks to Legend Press and NetGalley. I was excited to read this novel because it sounded so intriguing. I was instantly confused by what the story was about. It starts at an orphanage in Tianjin, the narrator being a worker seeing an argument play out, ending with the murder of one of the orphanage employees. The story then moves to Hong Kong and discusses other characters, that had nothing to do with the orphanage at the time. The story moved in a confusing way, weaving different characters together in the same chapter.
I had a hard time in some places figuring out which character’s point of view was being described in each moment of a chapter. It went from present to a flashback to one of the characters pasts, making it hard to keep up with what was going on at times. I appreciated the flashbacks because it helped to better understand what happened in each of the characters upbringing that led them to this hard life they are leading as adults and why they are struggling in their present lives.
There were a few key components to the novel that really spoke to me and weaved the characters pasts and presents together in interesting ways. The author mentioned bougainvillea many times in the story; part of me thought it was foreshadowing of hard times to come. Another thing that was similar in the upbringing of many of the characters was the rough childhood they all had, whether it was having troubled parents, absent parents, being bullied, etc. Another thing that sparked my interest was that the author showed that each of the characters wanted to escape to a better life when they grew up; they all had plans to move away, either alone or with a friend.
A few other things confused me, like how did the protests and revolution tie into the story other than bringing two characters together through them. Another thing that did not make sense to me was the first chapter with the orphanage. I know that some of the main characters had donated to that orphanage, but the murder there had nothing to do with them, which I was hoping to find out more about that in the end. The author had some loose ends that did not get solved in the end, which made me upset.
The mystery element of the novel was interesting, with the crime, the kidnapping, murder, it was all very intriguing and cool, and I found myself wanting to finish the novel quickly to find out what happened. I just felt like the novel was lacking some substance in places and some of the chapters encompassed too many points of view. I think the author could have separated some of the chapters to help with that. I think if you like historical fiction and mystery, you should read this book.
I had a hard time in some places figuring out which character’s point of view was being described in each moment of a chapter. It went from present to a flashback to one of the characters pasts, making it hard to keep up with what was going on at times. I appreciated the flashbacks because it helped to better understand what happened in each of the characters upbringing that led them to this hard life they are leading as adults and why they are struggling in their present lives.
There were a few key components to the novel that really spoke to me and weaved the characters pasts and presents together in interesting ways. The author mentioned bougainvillea many times in the story; part of me thought it was foreshadowing of hard times to come. Another thing that was similar in the upbringing of many of the characters was the rough childhood they all had, whether it was having troubled parents, absent parents, being bullied, etc. Another thing that sparked my interest was that the author showed that each of the characters wanted to escape to a better life when they grew up; they all had plans to move away, either alone or with a friend.
A few other things confused me, like how did the protests and revolution tie into the story other than bringing two characters together through them. Another thing that did not make sense to me was the first chapter with the orphanage. I know that some of the main characters had donated to that orphanage, but the murder there had nothing to do with them, which I was hoping to find out more about that in the end. The author had some loose ends that did not get solved in the end, which made me upset.
The mystery element of the novel was interesting, with the crime, the kidnapping, murder, it was all very intriguing and cool, and I found myself wanting to finish the novel quickly to find out what happened. I just felt like the novel was lacking some substance in places and some of the chapters encompassed too many points of view. I think the author could have separated some of the chapters to help with that. I think if you like historical fiction and mystery, you should read this book.
slipppingaway's review
3.0
Thank you netgalley and Legend Press for this Arc.
So I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The first 30% is extremely slow but just so mysterious. Everything seemed to be in riddles. It did take me a while to get through it.
After that it dives on and gets better..
I love how the author tried to make certain characters as innocent and some to be suspicious but turned not to be.
I really loved the plot of this story. I did expect more. As the ending was extremely disappointing I expected more from the 'boss' and I felt like the ending was rushed and left it with cliffhanger.
So I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The first 30% is extremely slow but just so mysterious. Everything seemed to be in riddles. It did take me a while to get through it.
After that it dives on and gets better..
I love how the author tried to make certain characters as innocent and some to be suspicious but turned not to be.
I really loved the plot of this story. I did expect more. As the ending was extremely disappointing I expected more from the 'boss' and I felt like the ending was rushed and left it with cliffhanger.
planetsaturns's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
iknowpages's review
3.0
The first thing I liked about this book was the writing. It was easy to picture, it was engaging and it was complex. However in parts I felt like there was a lot stuff going on that I couldn't pin point.
The nature of the story surrounding six characters would naturally have the tendency to make me feel a bit lost (don't forget I'm dumb).
The other thing I liked was the character building. Although sometimes too much, Harrison really made an effort with how well you know the characters. Not just the connection with each other but their back stories and what led them to ending up in Hong Kong.
Overall I enjoyed #TheColourofThunder but I felt as though it lacked a little in the mystery and suspense it promised, and in some parts felt a little long-winded. I expected it to really pack a punch and be incredibly intense, and although quite seductive secretive in parts, it was very subtle.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #LegendPress for this copy in exchange for my review.
The Colour of Thunder comes out 01.02!
The nature of the story surrounding six characters would naturally have the tendency to make me feel a bit lost (don't forget I'm dumb).
The other thing I liked was the character building. Although sometimes too much, Harrison really made an effort with how well you know the characters. Not just the connection with each other but their back stories and what led them to ending up in Hong Kong.
Overall I enjoyed #TheColourofThunder but I felt as though it lacked a little in the mystery and suspense it promised, and in some parts felt a little long-winded. I expected it to really pack a punch and be incredibly intense, and although quite seductive secretive in parts, it was very subtle.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #LegendPress for this copy in exchange for my review.
The Colour of Thunder comes out 01.02!
rhirhireader's review
3.0
One of my favorite book covers ever! So pretty.
I read this one in Jan, and today is my blog tour stop for it
I read this one in Jan, and today is my blog tour stop for it
honeyreads1066's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First off, this book was just as mysterious as promised with an interesting setting and brilliant characters.
The book follows 6 separate people and their lives in Hong Kong, they're all connected by the same event but even they don't know how. The past begins to catch up to them, pulling them into a race to figure out just how much everyone else knows and what they'll do to complete this mystery.
The characters themselves were extremely complex. Various sections of their lives were shown which gives you a brilliant understanding of why they are the way they are but also connect to the characters better.
A lot of the characters were not supposed to be likeable and of course, they were so human so a lot of them are not exactly loveable but I didn't like any of them. Because of this, it meant that I was not rooting for any character and didn't care very much for their fates.
The setting itself is full of a lot of subtleties that make your idea of this place. It also makes the setting seem so animated and alive which is great since I have never been to Hong Kong.
The mystery itself is as confusing as you would expect. I found the introduction to everyone and their pieces very layered and puzzling at times and did get frustrating since it took so long for the mystery to unravel. Despite this, the ending is worth it. Some sections were easy to put together, others, it took them saying for you to understand where it fits but it was also nicely tied up.
Overall, it was difficult to get immersed, however, the mystery and the end was worth it.
The book follows 6 separate people and their lives in Hong Kong, they're all connected by the same event but even they don't know how. The past begins to catch up to them, pulling them into a race to figure out just how much everyone else knows and what they'll do to complete this mystery.
The characters themselves were extremely complex. Various sections of their lives were shown which gives you a brilliant understanding of why they are the way they are but also connect to the characters better.
A lot of the characters were not supposed to be likeable and of course, they were so human so a lot of them are not exactly loveable but I didn't like any of them. Because of this, it meant that I was not rooting for any character and didn't care very much for their fates.
The setting itself is full of a lot of subtleties that make your idea of this place. It also makes the setting seem so animated and alive which is great since I have never been to Hong Kong.
The mystery itself is as confusing as you would expect. I found the introduction to everyone and their pieces very layered and puzzling at times and did get frustrating since it took so long for the mystery to unravel. Despite this, the ending is worth it. Some sections were easy to put together, others, it took them saying for you to understand where it fits but it was also nicely tied up.
Overall, it was difficult to get immersed, however, the mystery and the end was worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Torture, Violence, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Cancer, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Trafficking