Reviews

The Cellist by Daniel Silva

mrsmangoa's review against another edition

4.0

This book was a journey. Honestly it’s been a while since I picked up a book and wanted to cruise to the finish like this one. The plot line was good and the characters well thought out and generally well planned.

The reason I gave this 4 instead of 5

kfrig's review against another edition

4.0

Another engaging, fast paced Daniel Silva book, perfect for audio on a long drive. Excellent story. Interesting characters. I always learn something about the world as a result of these books. The voice of the audiobook reader is perfect for the story.

hphipps's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

nesita's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

durantedianne's review against another edition

2.0

I've read all the Gabriel Allon books, most as soon as they were published. They've always had good, twisty plots and interesting characters. This one has a twisty plot, but not much character development. What knocked it down to 2 stars, though, is the frequent political commentary on the 2020 elections and the pandemic. In the Author's Note, Silva sets out his interpretation of these events in lengthy detail. If you still like to draw the line between your fiction and nonfiction reading (alas, not everyone does), this is NOT the book for you.

orygunn's review against another edition

3.0

In the afterward, the author notes he rewrote part after 1/6/21. And you can tell. I liked it up to the clear change for inclusion of that date. It didn’t need to go there.

maddiebisek's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

tamaralgage1's review against another edition

3.0

Where to begin with this review? Let's start with the negative and then finish on the positive. As I write this review, it's November 2021. For almost 4 years, our country has been severely split by politics. Family and friends no longer speak due to political views. It very much reminds me of the things I read prior to the launch of the American Civil War in 1862. This divide has been further compounded by a Global Pandemic and how it should be treated .. Masks, vaccines, social distancing … the debates are as heated as politics. So why do I bring this up now in a book review? This book's foundation dives into these issues. Perhaps 100 yrs from now someone might be entertained with a spy thriller circling in this water of controversy. For me, now, I am not amused or entertain. This is not a confirmation or rejection of the politics defined in the book. Only that I have had enough and did not want to be smacked in the face with more of what I see every day. Perhaps it's like a comedian telling a joke, "too soon" after an event. It's just too soon for me.

Fundamentally, I love this series and the main character. The international spy thriller draws in the reader and keeps you on the edge of your seat. If it were not for the "too soon" effect, I might have given this a 4 or 5*. Looking forward to reading more in this series and by this author.

bredabear4823's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

3.0

Just too much information and too many characters. Don't like being confused when I am reading.

tlm1964's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

3.5