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tbot's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series. For me it has been like binge-watching Louie on Amazon Prime, except with reading - and books. My only criticism is that the climax is inevitably anti-climactic, with the real climax being an afterthought (or Afterword). In some ways that makes it interesting and in other ways it makes it annoying. However, I still have given every one in the series four or five stars because they are very interesting, with a pace that always makes me want to keep reading past the end of my bus ride.
fredmoyer's review against another edition
3.0
Usual Gabriel Allon style, but weaker storyline than previous books
“The Messenger” is the sixth book in the Gabriel Allon series. At this point, there are basic similarities style-wise with all stories in this series. But this book’s storyline was more over-the-top than the others, even though it turned out that most of Gabriel’s actions did not actually have any impact of the major purpose for the Israeli counter-terrorism operation.
The most entertaining aspect is that Gabriel has to bring a novice into the team, train her and then have her go to work for a Saudi bankroller of terrorists while also acting as a mole who is looking for the Israeli’s assassin target to finally surface from hiding.
So why do I complain about the storyline? *** SPOILERS ***
- The terrorists attack of the Vatican felt too over-the-top. And since that never actually happened, the usual mix of history and fiction, common to all Gabriel Allon books, fails here.
- The mole’s cover is blown. But Gabriel saves her at the very last minute. That was too much like the ending for a poorly imagined one-hour TV show.
- With the mole’s cover blown, the whole effort to assassinate the targeted terrorist fails. But, like the ending for most Gabriel Allon books, a quick follow-up operation (via a completely different plan) succeeds. So 90% of the Gabriel’s actions turned out to be irrelevant to story’s final outcome. (That was probably the most realistic aspect of the story, though.)
Bottom line: Weaker storyline than the book’s predecessors. But Gabriel and his team are as entertaining as ever.
“The Messenger” is the sixth book in the Gabriel Allon series. At this point, there are basic similarities style-wise with all stories in this series. But this book’s storyline was more over-the-top than the others, even though it turned out that most of Gabriel’s actions did not actually have any impact of the major purpose for the Israeli counter-terrorism operation.
The most entertaining aspect is that Gabriel has to bring a novice into the team, train her and then have her go to work for a Saudi bankroller of terrorists while also acting as a mole who is looking for the Israeli’s assassin target to finally surface from hiding.
So why do I complain about the storyline? *** SPOILERS ***
- The terrorists attack of the Vatican felt too over-the-top. And since that never actually happened, the usual mix of history and fiction, common to all Gabriel Allon books, fails here.
- The mole’s cover is blown. But Gabriel saves her at the very last minute. That was too much like the ending for a poorly imagined one-hour TV show.
- With the mole’s cover blown, the whole effort to assassinate the targeted terrorist fails. But, like the ending for most Gabriel Allon books, a quick follow-up operation (via a completely different plan) succeeds. So 90% of the Gabriel’s actions turned out to be irrelevant to story’s final outcome. (That was probably the most realistic aspect of the story, though.)
Bottom line: Weaker storyline than the book’s predecessors. But Gabriel and his team are as entertaining as ever.
duchess's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely one of my favourite Daniel Silva books, the suspense was kept high throughout the story. It really takes Gabriel the near destruction of a fresh new operative for him to learn that he can't lose Chiara. A bit preachy, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the story.
iugarretts's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot, and I think I'll read more from the series, but I don't think I feel up to reading all of the books in the series. Apparently there are now 7 books in the series, but I didn't even realize it was a part of the series when I read it, so you don't need to read the other books to understand it. The book is about an Israeli spy, so it's very exciting. Of course, there's also a bit of romance!
tmdguru500's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. As much as you know there was some plot to kill someone important, I think the fact that it wasn't until the end when the US president was the target instead of the pope made this story interesting.
Once again, Gabriel Allon is involved with the Vatican and he does come out on top, but this after a number of details and incidents escape him.
A good read overall.
Once again, Gabriel Allon is involved with the Vatican and he does come out on top, but this after a number of details and incidents escape him.
A good read overall.
mardob95's review against another edition
2.0
Read this because my dad recommended it. Not my cup of tea (a little world-police-y) and the characters are all the same. Will read the next one to see if it improves.
joannawarrens's review against another edition
4.0
Good solid read. It was perfect for a long travel day.
evanrij's review against another edition
5.0
My favourite of the series so far. Liked the character Sarah a lot.
lawyerlee's review against another edition
4.0
The best of the Gabriel Allon series so far! Highly recommended. Great summer read.
akewalramani's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5