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aoifeallen_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shailydc's review against another edition
2.0
I really want to love this book since it was so highly recommended, but it was a struggle.
Things that bothered me (may contain spoilers):
- The way Hayes sexually described every woman Pilgrim encountered.
- The bizarre, negative comments on Islam and every country besides America.
- Back stories that were completely irrelevant to the story. I love Ben, but his background added nothing to the story.
- The ridiculous coincidences. Pilgrim goes to Turkey using the Dodge death as his cover and it conveniently connects back to the NYC murder - what? How stupid.
- Pilgrim would say exactly what happened in a situation he wasn't present for and know he's right without having any evidence and the reader just has to believe him. This may be how intelligence agents work in real life, but it doesn't make for good reading.
Things that bothered me (may contain spoilers):
- The way Hayes sexually described every woman Pilgrim encountered.
- The bizarre, negative comments on Islam and every country besides America.
- Back stories that were completely irrelevant to the story. I love Ben, but his background added nothing to the story.
- The ridiculous coincidences. Pilgrim goes to Turkey using the Dodge death as his cover and it conveniently connects back to the NYC murder - what? How stupid.
- Pilgrim would say exactly what happened in a situation he wasn't present for and know he's right without having any evidence and the reader just has to believe him. This may be how intelligence agents work in real life, but it doesn't make for good reading.
kaffro's review against another edition
5.0
This book definitely kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I found I really had to pay attention to details the author was writing about, because later in the book, they would be relevant. And there's a story in the story and I liked that. I would definitely recommend this one if you like crime thrillers!
jake_king's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Read while travelling in Asia in 2022. Long book and I read slowly so was forgetting parts. The exciting bits were very good
cubej's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
katiescho741's review against another edition
4.0
I remember buying this book in a supermarket and being dubious about whether I would like it. It turned out that I really liked it, even though it was not my normal thing to read and despite the issues with it.
It's very obviously written by a white man...the female characters are described based on looks, especially when they are wearing make-up, high heels, and how sensual their face is. The writing in general is very masculine but this book has become a guilty pleasure for me. It's fast-paced, an easy read, and it draws you in to the dark plot and the world behind the curtain.
I liked the way the Saracen's part of the story was also told. We watch as he experiences terrible things, works hard, and we see his determination and skills grow. Yes he is masterminding a horrific plan but I found he was written in quite a sympathetic way and you sort of have to admire the skill, intelligence, and patience
It could have been several books, and it's a bit a hefty thriller with lots of interwoven stories and flash-backs, but I think it works and is very immersive. I think the main character is lacking a little in the personality department, but I assumed it was because of his history in the secret world and having to be so many different people throughout his life.
It's very obviously written by a white man...the female characters are described based on looks, especially when they are wearing make-up, high heels, and how sensual their face is. The writing in general is very masculine but this book has become a guilty pleasure for me. It's fast-paced, an easy read, and it draws you in to the dark plot and the world behind the curtain.
I liked the way the Saracen's part of the story was also told. We watch as he experiences terrible things, works hard, and we see his determination and skills grow. Yes he is masterminding a horrific plan but I found he was written in quite a sympathetic way and you sort of have to admire the skill, intelligence, and patience
It could have been several books, and it's a bit a hefty thriller with lots of interwoven stories and flash-backs, but I think it works and is very immersive. I think the main character is lacking a little in the personality department, but I assumed it was because of his history in the secret world and having to be so many different people throughout his life.
Spoiler
After a dark and violent book, the ending is happy and hopeful. I can't imagine how you would write nay sequels to this book though because he seems to have finally shaken off the secret world, so to plunge him back in for a follow-up would be a bit cruel!dr2danielr's review against another edition
4.0
A true page turner! Although I must say, it became a page-turner to me halfway through the book and that is for this particular book quite some pages. For me, the introduction was a bit too long. The first 200-250 pages, with the exception of the starting chapter (the murder in the hotel in New York), took too long. But after this introduction and when the Pilgrim is finally recruited to chase down the Saraceen (an intelligent and dangerous terrorist with a cruel plan to attack the western world), the book was hard to lay down.
twincam59's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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? No
4.0