llwilliams080117's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
lthale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
LOVED the ending but the middle really drug for me.
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Here are my reactions while reading Bluff:
One-quarter through the book: “This is a lot of back story --- when are we getting to the plot?”
One-third through: “Oh, there’s the plot! This is neat --- why didn’t the book start with this?”
Two-thirds through: “This is a sludge, but I started, so I guess I will finish.”
Forty pages to the end: “This sucks and is turning violent. I’ll scan pages until the end.”
After the epilogue: “That is an effing brilliant ending.”
For me, the problem is that Kardos is trying to tell at least three different stories: a con job with the requisite twist, a revenge story about family, and a finding-out-who-you-are-in-your-twenties tale. In addition, he wants to cover close up magic and card cheats. And that’s just too much. I counted at least two huge coincidences that the plot heavily depends on, and there are set ups (especially in the revenge plot) that never seem to pay off. Moreover, the different stories lead to widely divergent shifts in tone. The book isn’t quite noir, but it gets dark enough that the chapters where the protagonist learns the value of friendships stick out like a sore thumb.
However, the denouement is amazing. I was fully expecting to pan this book, but what Kardos does in the last fifteen pages redeemed a ton of my bad feelings about the book. I’m not sure I’d recommend it (even if you are into magic and poker), but I can’t deny the impact of its conclusion.
One-quarter through the book: “This is a lot of back story --- when are we getting to the plot?”
One-third through: “Oh, there’s the plot! This is neat --- why didn’t the book start with this?”
Two-thirds through: “This is a sludge, but I started, so I guess I will finish.”
Forty pages to the end: “This sucks and is turning violent. I’ll scan pages until the end.”
After the epilogue: “That is an effing brilliant ending.”
For me, the problem is that Kardos is trying to tell at least three different stories: a con job with the requisite twist, a revenge story about family, and a finding-out-who-you-are-in-your-twenties tale. In addition, he wants to cover close up magic and card cheats. And that’s just too much. I counted at least two huge coincidences that the plot heavily depends on, and there are set ups (especially in the revenge plot) that never seem to pay off. Moreover, the different stories lead to widely divergent shifts in tone. The book isn’t quite noir, but it gets dark enough that the chapters where the protagonist learns the value of friendships stick out like a sore thumb.
However, the denouement is amazing. I was fully expecting to pan this book, but what Kardos does in the last fifteen pages redeemed a ton of my bad feelings about the book. I’m not sure I’d recommend it (even if you are into magic and poker), but I can’t deny the impact of its conclusion.
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
3.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 3
Characters: 2
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 4
Excitement Factor: 2
Story Line: 3
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 3.67
Characters: 2
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 4
Excitement Factor: 2
Story Line: 3
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 3.67
leahvogel's review against another edition
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
momadvice's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have read a lot of con artist novels over the years, but this 2018 backlist selection is my new favorite. Published in 2018, show guest Julia Whelan was the audiobook narrator for this novel and praised it as a fantastic under-the-radar selection that she wishes more people would read.
The concept is such a clever one. Magician Natalie Webb, once a rising star in the world of card tricks, is now a washed-up has-been at twenty-seven. After a gig goes horribly wrong, she finds herself in financial debt due to an impending lawsuit.
She takes on a freelance writing assignment to give an insider look at the art of cheating at cards to make ends meet. But when she becomes enveloped in the world of a mesmerizing cardshark, her journalistic endeavor becomes a personal test. She makes a dangerous proposition with the player to execute a $1.5 million magic trick that could change her fate forever.
I selected this book not only to discuss Kardos's research on card tricks but also because it delivered some of the best plot twists I've read this year. Each time I thought I had gotten to the bottom of the story, Kardos threw in one more wrench. The characters aren't the only ones with a well-thought sleight of hand; the author delivers too.
Equal parts thriller and mystery, I recommend that you listen to this on audiobook! While the paper copy offers some fun handwritten notes, Whelan's performance is captivating and enhances this selection greatly. I will be surprised if it doesn't become one of your favorites of the year.
The concept is such a clever one. Magician Natalie Webb, once a rising star in the world of card tricks, is now a washed-up has-been at twenty-seven. After a gig goes horribly wrong, she finds herself in financial debt due to an impending lawsuit.
She takes on a freelance writing assignment to give an insider look at the art of cheating at cards to make ends meet. But when she becomes enveloped in the world of a mesmerizing cardshark, her journalistic endeavor becomes a personal test. She makes a dangerous proposition with the player to execute a $1.5 million magic trick that could change her fate forever.
I selected this book not only to discuss Kardos's research on card tricks but also because it delivered some of the best plot twists I've read this year. Each time I thought I had gotten to the bottom of the story, Kardos threw in one more wrench. The characters aren't the only ones with a well-thought sleight of hand; the author delivers too.
Equal parts thriller and mystery, I recommend that you listen to this on audiobook! While the paper copy offers some fun handwritten notes, Whelan's performance is captivating and enhances this selection greatly. I will be surprised if it doesn't become one of your favorites of the year.
justinbuffalo's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read in years. I never thought a book about a magician and a game of poker could hold my interest this much, but it did.
cwittekind's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0