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jkay747's review against another edition
5.0
A great , taut thriller
Winslow never fails to amaze...a great retelling of a gripping thriller... A lightning read that never drags. Will read it again!
Winslow never fails to amaze...a great retelling of a gripping thriller... A lightning read that never drags. Will read it again!
thionite's review against another edition
3.0
**I received a Satori ARC free of charge as part of a Goodreads promotion.**
I don't read many thrillers, but I am always trying to expand my tastes in genre fiction, so a free copy of Satori was too good to pass up. Having finished the book, I'll say that it was certainly good, technically speaking: well written, tightly plotted, and with an interesting historical setting to boot. I think, though, that this book just isn't for me. I tried to like it, I really did, but for some reason I just prefer steel-jawed space heroes to super sex-machine karate secret agents. Thriller fans, add one star to this review.
I don't read many thrillers, but I am always trying to expand my tastes in genre fiction, so a free copy of Satori was too good to pass up. Having finished the book, I'll say that it was certainly good, technically speaking: well written, tightly plotted, and with an interesting historical setting to boot. I think, though, that this book just isn't for me. I tried to like it, I really did, but for some reason I just prefer steel-jawed space heroes to super sex-machine karate secret agents. Thriller fans, add one star to this review.
drcwright's review against another edition
3.0
As unkillable as James Bond ever was, so be sure to pack your suspension of disbelief when embarking on this pan-Asia adventure.
It's a fun read and well-written.
I haven't read SHIBUMI (the book which this prequels) but it's now on my list.
It's a fun read and well-written.
I haven't read SHIBUMI (the book which this prequels) but it's now on my list.
lorinlee's review against another edition
4.0
The story is based on the principal character in Trevanian's Shibumi, Nicholas Hel, and Winslow aces it. Satori is drenched in tension and the presentation of Nicholas has depth. After three years in solitary, Hel is given the chance of freedom if he will become an assassin for the US. He accepts and plunges into Communist China even as the Korean War continues. One incident after another, brushes with Russia, Chinese, American, Vietnamese, French and Mafia attempts to kill him...well, it's a breathless adventure. Winslow captures the taste of French Indochina and China in the early 50s. All in all a highly readable book. In some ways, Winslow has created a young Nicholas Hel who is more interesting than the original character.
ladydewinter's review against another edition
5.0
This time it has to be five stars. I spent all day at work gushing about this - this was so much fun, and so exciting, and Nikolai is the most fascinating character! I enjoyed this a lot, and because there were none of the politically incorrect opinions that made "Shibumi" a little uncomfortable sometimes I enjoyed this even more than "Shibumi", although I would say that "Shibumi" is the better book.
Don Winslow really delivers a worthy sequel here, however. I found it absolutely fascinating to see how the style of the book differed from his usual way of writing, but it is still very obviously a Don Winslow book. It's more action focused than "Shibumi", but still manages to introduce and capture the characters in a way that remains true to the original. In fact, I'm positive it can be read without knowing the original, but personally I think that once you get to know Nikolai Hel you want to read all there is about him, and more (at least that's the way I feel).
I have to say that I read both books at the best time possible - I've been reading a few books with an Asian setting, and these two fit in nicely with my current interests in Buddhism and Asian history and culture. And "Satori" certainly cemented my enthusiasm for Don Winslow. Once I finished a few more books on my to read pile, I get to buy another one of his books. I can hardly wait.
Don Winslow really delivers a worthy sequel here, however. I found it absolutely fascinating to see how the style of the book differed from his usual way of writing, but it is still very obviously a Don Winslow book. It's more action focused than "Shibumi", but still manages to introduce and capture the characters in a way that remains true to the original. In fact, I'm positive it can be read without knowing the original, but personally I think that once you get to know Nikolai Hel you want to read all there is about him, and more (at least that's the way I feel).
I have to say that I read both books at the best time possible - I've been reading a few books with an Asian setting, and these two fit in nicely with my current interests in Buddhism and Asian history and culture. And "Satori" certainly cemented my enthusiasm for Don Winslow. Once I finished a few more books on my to read pile, I get to buy another one of his books. I can hardly wait.
twrafferty's review against another edition
5.0
spooks and spies, gun-runners and grudges, a "Go" mindset against a chess mindset - excellent !
stillingenova's review against another edition
4.0
Shibumi is one of those books that stick with you years after you read them, so when I saw that Don Winslow had written a prequel, I had to give it a try. Although it doesn't have the nuance or subtlety of Shibumi, it is great fun and I really enjoyed. Think I may have to reread Shibumi after all these years as well.
madsjohnstone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.5
plot development was slow at times. it was difficult to keep key characters clear. overall the story was engaging and fun to follow the main character through diverse geography