chloebear21's review
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
eve_boobies's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I liked this a lot more than I was expecting too. I admit, it did take a little while for me to actually get into this but once I got there, there was no turning back. I really liked our main character Sasha, she was a badass not only in the courtroom, but when she was fending off baddies too. I also really liked Leo and his relationship with Sasha, they worked well together.
I am a little bit interested in where this series goes, especially with the way this one ended, but whether I’ll actually carry on is another story.
I liked this a lot more than I was expecting too. I admit, it did take a little while for me to actually get into this but once I got there, there was no turning back. I really liked our main character Sasha, she was a badass not only in the courtroom, but when she was fending off baddies too. I also really liked Leo and his relationship with Sasha, they worked well together.
I am a little bit interested in where this series goes, especially with the way this one ended, but whether I’ll actually carry on is another story.
cnorbury's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable book with a unique premise and an attractive MC, Sasha McCandless, we want to root for mainly because she's petite, attractive, and competes in the rough-and-tumble man's world of a high-powered law firm.
Miller is solid with her craft. The story flows well, has excellent pace, and maintains tension throughout. A few supporting characters stand out as better than average: Sasha's boss, Noah Peterson, her assistant Naya, and Leo Connelly.
My reservations were few but notable. Sasha had too many Krav Maga encounters with bad guys (and one practice session with her instructor). They seemed forced into the story for some gratuitous action. I had big problems with Leo Connelly (a US air marshal) casually handing Sasha his gun on more than one occasion, even though she had no weapons training AT ALL. I didn't quite buy into the ending, which felt like Miller had Sasha physically "save the day in the end" when Connelly could have taken over the final showdown situation and prevented the violence that ensued.
But the denouement was good because it set up the continuation of the series in a clever way.
As legal thrillers go, it was certainly better than the book I reviewed immediately before this one, John Grisham's "The Client." If you like the genre, this series may be worth checking out.
Miller is solid with her craft. The story flows well, has excellent pace, and maintains tension throughout. A few supporting characters stand out as better than average: Sasha's boss, Noah Peterson, her assistant Naya, and Leo Connelly.
My reservations were few but notable. Sasha had too many Krav Maga encounters with bad guys (and one practice session with her instructor). They seemed forced into the story for some gratuitous action. I had big problems with Leo Connelly (a US air marshal) casually handing Sasha his gun on more than one occasion, even though she had no weapons training AT ALL. I didn't quite buy into the ending, which felt like Miller had Sasha physically "save the day in the end" when Connelly could have taken over the final showdown situation and prevented the violence that ensued.
But the denouement was good because it set up the continuation of the series in a clever way.
As legal thrillers go, it was certainly better than the book I reviewed immediately before this one, John Grisham's "The Client." If you like the genre, this series may be worth checking out.
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
Irreparable Harm starts out with a high tension scene and it doesn't let up. Oh, there are times when things slow down a bit, but the tension doesn't ease. This is the first in a series featuring Sasha McCandless, and I've just gotta tell you - Sasha is one tough lawyer, and I don't just mean in the courtroom. As it turns out, she's pretty darn good at taking care of herself. The storyline is a little out there, or at least I hope it's a little out there - if not, I may never get on an airplane. It's also a bit convoluted, and while I would usually knock a book for that, it works here. There are a lot of moving parts in this one, and Melissa Miller brings it all together wonderfully.
Suzanne T Fortin gives voice to Sasha, and she does so quite well. The excitement and tension of the book comes through loud and clear, from courtroom drama to physical fights, it's done so well that I could picture it all.
In the end, this one doesn't have as much courtroom page time as I expected, but that along with the drama and action blends together so well that I didn't even notice it until I'd finished listening and thought back over the story. It's a great mix of solid storytelling and narration, and I'll be checking out more work by both Miller and Fortin.
Suzanne T Fortin gives voice to Sasha, and she does so quite well. The excitement and tension of the book comes through loud and clear, from courtroom drama to physical fights, it's done so well that I could picture it all.
In the end, this one doesn't have as much courtroom page time as I expected, but that along with the drama and action blends together so well that I didn't even notice it until I'd finished listening and thought back over the story. It's a great mix of solid storytelling and narration, and I'll be checking out more work by both Miller and Fortin.
visp's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
maggymags's review against another edition
3.0
3.5* Entertaining read. Given it is the 1st book in the series, I will give book two a read in the near future. Sasha is a likeable character. Fast paced and a quick read.
zabacitanovine's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know, I felt like reading a magazine. Like when JK Rowling became Robert Galbraith. I wanted to yell "this is not your field of work" the whole time. I don't mean to be mean towards the author, but with all descriptions of clothes, jewelry, and sandwich ingredients, I might have enjoyed a cookbook better.
This was a very plot-driven novel and I felt like I didn't get to know the characters at all. Well, except for their fashion choices and the fact that they like sushi more than cinnamon rolls.
There were some really strange jumps from the important case to the tattoo a replacement secretary was getting, and it had no importance to the story at all. So I was very confused with this part.
I also didn't appreciate having a tragic story that has NO importance for ANYTHING - not the character and not the plot. Why kill someone's family member when it will bring no value to the table. Well, it might have been important if we actually got to meet the characters a little.
The story was okay, I guess. Nothing special, but not all that bad either. It was fast and easy to read, but nothing memorable.
The bad guy was revealed waaaaaay to early and there was no suspense. I never gasped or opened my eyes a bit wider or anything that you would normally associate with a good thriller that has you on the edge of your seat.
It was just a little less than "meh".
A big thank you to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very plot-driven novel and I felt like I didn't get to know the characters at all. Well, except for their fashion choices and the fact that they like sushi more than cinnamon rolls.
There were some really strange jumps from the important case to the tattoo a replacement secretary was getting, and it had no importance to the story at all. So I was very confused with this part.
I also didn't appreciate having a tragic story that has NO importance for ANYTHING - not the character and not the plot. Why kill someone's family member when it will bring no value to the table. Well, it might have been important if we actually got to meet the characters a little.
The story was okay, I guess. Nothing special, but not all that bad either. It was fast and easy to read, but nothing memorable.
The bad guy was revealed waaaaaay to early and there was no suspense. I never gasped or opened my eyes a bit wider or anything that you would normally associate with a good thriller that has you on the edge of your seat.
It was just a little less than "meh".
A big thank you to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
gettinglostinagoodbook's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars.
I really enjoyed Sasha's character and role. I would like to see more of her and Connelly. She is a tough, determined character with a good head in her shoulder. An unusual character in the legal field - or at least the stories I have read about lawyers.
This was a quick but intriguing read. Held my attention from the beginning. Yes there were parts that were pretty predictable, but there were enough twists and turns to outweigh that.
I really enjoyed Sasha's character and role. I would like to see more of her and Connelly. She is a tough, determined character with a good head in her shoulder. An unusual character in the legal field - or at least the stories I have read about lawyers.
This was a quick but intriguing read. Held my attention from the beginning. Yes there were parts that were pretty predictable, but there were enough twists and turns to outweigh that.
oracleofaal's review against another edition
3.0
There were several points in this book that I thought to myself, "Seriously, did she just do that? Why didn't she do xyz?!" In no way shape or form am I an expert on law or lawyers or such, but I've read quite a few crime dramas (not necessarily a lot) in my day and never once questioned the motives or reasoning behind why a character did something.
For example, not going straight to the courthouse guards when you're actually in a court house and have been attacked?! She didn't have any reason not to call the police. And it might have actually created a much more interesting ending if the villains were getting more desperate instead of thinking that everything was okay.
She tried to write backstories for the villain(s) that I just didn't find credible either. But after I read through the spots that made my teeth itch and the points where I wanted to throw the book, it was a decent read. Nothing to write home about but certainly not the worst thing I've picked up recently.
Spoiler
For example, not going straight to the courthouse guards when you're actually in a court house and have been attacked?! She didn't have any reason not to call the police. And it might have actually created a much more interesting ending if the villains were getting more desperate instead of thinking that everything was okay.
She tried to write backstories for the villain(s) that I just didn't find credible either. But after I read through the spots that made my teeth itch and the points where I wanted to throw the book, it was a decent read. Nothing to write home about but certainly not the worst thing I've picked up recently.