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jtduncan16's review against another edition
3.0
I read this right around the time the movie was coming out (which I have not seen yet) without really knowing much about it. What proceeded was most like a sexualized Jason Bourne story with both a male and female protagonist. While I’ve read that the depictions of how the CIA operate abroad are accurate, they did make for some long passages about how to detect surveillance.
As thrillers go, this one is passable, with one caveat. The expected double (or maybe triple?) cross happened in a flash without a lot of preamble or internal character monologue – I found this disingenuous and unbelievable, even in the midst of my willing suspension of disbelief required for a Russian spy thriller. Overall a fine part one of a trilogy, but I don’t expect to read the next two books.
As thrillers go, this one is passable, with one caveat. The expected double (or maybe triple?) cross happened in a flash without a lot of preamble or internal character monologue – I found this disingenuous and unbelievable, even in the midst of my willing suspension of disbelief required for a Russian spy thriller. Overall a fine part one of a trilogy, but I don’t expect to read the next two books.
rascalsmom1031's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. I rarely quit reading a book, However this had way too much sexual content and cursing for me. The story line was good. But I just couldn’t get past the language and sexual content. It was also SUPER discriptive way over kill in my opinion!
nerdalert219's review against another edition
DNF. I don't think spy novels are for me.
frannieman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Police brutality, and Murder
last_chapter's review against another edition
5.0
Red Sparrow is a spy novel in every way and it is beautifully done. Well worth the read. Don't pay any attention to the movie!
aseel_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I can see why this was made into a movie, it makes so much sense, not the best read though. Very long and tedious and we would get random monologues on random people, who would become important in the next bit, but it just took us out of the flow. I found it hard to differentiate the russian last names in the audiobook, since physically seeing it would have helped or seeing them as actors on screen. I did like the inclusion of the recipes at the end of each chapter, they were fun, but again, hard to pay attention to when listening. Overall, a fine book, quite long but I got through it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Stalking
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
brig_berthold's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredible.
I read spy novels like Michael Jordan scores points. Rarely am I this impressed by a spy story. It retained all the elements you expect from good espionage fiction but this book adds things to that list almost unseen anywhere else.
I cannot say enough good things about the characters, the storyline or the writing style. I would write more in this short review, but I can't, because I already have book two and I'm busy.
I read spy novels like Michael Jordan scores points. Rarely am I this impressed by a spy story. It retained all the elements you expect from good espionage fiction but this book adds things to that list almost unseen anywhere else.
I cannot say enough good things about the characters, the storyline or the writing style. I would write more in this short review, but I can't, because I already have book two and I'm busy.
briarsreviews's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
1.0
A few years ago the Jennifer Lawrence film adaptation of this book came out and I decided I would read the book before I saw the movie. I enjoy doing that most of the time... Yeah, that didn't work out for me.
I can easily say this book is not for me as a reader. I can appreciate those who enjoy thrillers written like this book (very in-depth, honestly) but it was too slow and I felt it degraded the women too much. Sure, some women are spies who engaged in the type of behaviour explained in this book, but man... Was our female lead one sided. Big temper and likes seducing men. That's it. She's smart... But it felt so degrading and I felt she could have been a real person, not just a sex weapon.
I finished it, but I didn't enjoy it. It was too long and slow for me, and the whole women issue bugged me a lot. Well written, I'll give it that. You can tell Jason Matthews has a background in the industry. But not for me! And hey, that happens sometimes! I know many other readers are going to love this book.
One out of five stars.
I can easily say this book is not for me as a reader. I can appreciate those who enjoy thrillers written like this book (very in-depth, honestly) but it was too slow and I felt it degraded the women too much. Sure, some women are spies who engaged in the type of behaviour explained in this book, but man... Was our female lead one sided. Big temper and likes seducing men. That's it. She's smart... But it felt so degrading and I felt she could have been a real person, not just a sex weapon.
I finished it, but I didn't enjoy it. It was too long and slow for me, and the whole women issue bugged me a lot. Well written, I'll give it that. You can tell Jason Matthews has a background in the industry. But not for me! And hey, that happens sometimes! I know many other readers are going to love this book.
One out of five stars.
hhardison16's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. This book was excellent!
Russian espionage meets American espionage. The first quarter is R-rated, but the plot line is so well done.
Russian espionage meets American espionage. The first quarter is R-rated, but the plot line is so well done.