creeker868's review against another edition
2.0
Historical Fiction. Roxy us a female aviator and contemporary of Amelia Earhart. Setting is Europe just before WWII, Berlin Olympics and a valuable painting.
unusualsnowunicorn's review against another edition
3.0
So, I originally got this in advance, but misplaced it in the two moves I went through before I could finally read it.
I agree with others' reviews that this would have been better as a movie, and when I researched the author, I could see why it's written that way. I do have to wonder why he didn't just go down that route for this story to begin with.
I didn't find the novel bad, but I doubt I will ever crack it open again, nor would it be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list.
I feel this novel would have been better if it hadn't tried to include Amelia Earhart, as her name felt more like it was being dropped, and would pull me out of the actual setting of the book (even though, the worldbuilding is done very well). For the most part, I believe Roxy is fairly fleshed out, and even more her on-again-off-again partner, Jocco.
All in all, it's pretty decent.
I agree with others' reviews that this would have been better as a movie, and when I researched the author, I could see why it's written that way. I do have to wonder why he didn't just go down that route for this story to begin with.
I didn't find the novel bad, but I doubt I will ever crack it open again, nor would it be anywhere near the top of my recommendation list.
I feel this novel would have been better if it hadn't tried to include Amelia Earhart, as her name felt more like it was being dropped, and would pull me out of the actual setting of the book (even though, the worldbuilding is done very well). For the most part, I believe Roxy is fairly fleshed out, and even more her on-again-off-again partner, Jocco.
All in all, it's pretty decent.
astracrompton's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and Inglorious Basterds, take note! Roxy Loewen is a spitfire aviatrix who's willing and capable of facing down any thug—and doing so in fashionable heels.
Starting with the '20s stock market crash, and soaring into the rise of Adolf Hitler, Roxy suffers tragedy, gangsters, and tumultuous love affairs while trying to eke out her existence. She's seen the ugly underbelly of the world, and she's learned to hit back in order to protect herself and survive it. She'd hate me telling you this, but she helps the deserving unfortunates she encounters along the way.
With a noir action tone and a rip-roaring pace, this book was entertaining and charming from start to finish. In Humphreys's signature cinematic style, every scene unfolds in crystal clarity, from Roxy's bombshell seductions to the vibrato-strings tension of evading Nazi patrols. Where's my Netflix adaptation??
I'd highly recommend this to any fan of historical fiction—especially those led by female protagonists with a whole lotta gumption!
Starting with the '20s stock market crash, and soaring into the rise of Adolf Hitler, Roxy suffers tragedy, gangsters, and tumultuous love affairs while trying to eke out her existence. She's seen the ugly underbelly of the world, and she's learned to hit back in order to protect herself and survive it. She'd hate me telling you this, but she helps the deserving unfortunates she encounters along the way.
With a noir action tone and a rip-roaring pace, this book was entertaining and charming from start to finish. In Humphreys's signature cinematic style, every scene unfolds in crystal clarity, from Roxy's bombshell seductions to the vibrato-strings tension of evading Nazi patrols. Where's my Netflix adaptation??
I'd highly recommend this to any fan of historical fiction—especially those led by female protagonists with a whole lotta gumption!
sadirienzo23's review against another edition
3.0
I want to rate it lower because the plot was more or less nonsensical, but it was really readable, so like.... I guess. This is the “I guess” of books.
krisrid's review against another edition
4.0
Let me say first, that I have a rule - no Nazi books. I got saturated on Nazis several years ago, and just couldn't take any more of them, so any books that included Nazis I took a hard pass on.
This book has Nazis. But I picked it up so many times when I was in the bookstore, that finally, I figured I needed to read it, because obviously something about it was appealing to me, in spite of the Nazis [which is saying something]. Turns out, what appealed to me was Roxy!
I really loved this character. She is complicated, and not always likable. She can be selfish and stubborn and she makes some really bad choices throughout the book. And yet, I really, really liked her. Under all her drama and her faults, she's a good person, and she tries to do what's right. Also, she's an independent, kick-ass balls-to-the-wall take-no-prisoners heroine. I loved going along on Roxy's adventures, even when they were really unpleasant [Nazis, remember? You know that never ends well].
I also found it interesting to read about a really strong female main character written by a man. I feel like the way Roxy is written has an extra something that gives her more edge and more, I don't know lack of some of the characteristics that some female authors give to female MCs. Roxy really didn't give a tinker's damn about what people thought about her or her choices, and we could use more of that from women IMO, both in fiction and in life, so I loved the heck out of Roxy.
The plot has quite a bit going on, but it all worked and came together in an interesting way. This really felt like a different kind of action/adventure book to me, but honestly, I loved it!
This book has Nazis. But I picked it up so many times when I was in the bookstore, that finally, I figured I needed to read it, because obviously something about it was appealing to me, in spite of the Nazis [which is saying something]. Turns out, what appealed to me was Roxy!
I really loved this character. She is complicated, and not always likable. She can be selfish and stubborn and she makes some really bad choices throughout the book. And yet, I really, really liked her. Under all her drama and her faults, she's a good person, and she tries to do what's right. Also, she's an independent, kick-ass balls-to-the-wall take-no-prisoners heroine. I loved going along on Roxy's adventures, even when they were really unpleasant [Nazis, remember? You know that never ends well].
I also found it interesting to read about a really strong female main character written by a man. I feel like the way Roxy is written has an extra something that gives her more edge and more, I don't know lack of some of the characteristics that some female authors give to female MCs. Roxy really didn't give a tinker's damn about what people thought about her or her choices, and we could use more of that from women IMO, both in fiction and in life, so I loved the heck out of Roxy.
The plot has quite a bit going on, but it all worked and came together in an interesting way. This really felt like a different kind of action/adventure book to me, but honestly, I loved it!
bryonie's review
4.0
A fun read. I liked Roxy a lot, and agree with the author's notes that if she had been a man as originally planned, the book just wouldn't work. It's apparent that a lot of research had been done for this book, and I found that it interfered with the overall flow of the book at times.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Roxy never really gets out of any of the jams she gets into by herself. There is always some sort of 'oops' moment, where someone or something interferes and she goes free. When I'm reading an action-based novel, I want the protagonist to be strong. They don't have to win EVERYTHING they get into, but they can't rely on chance or luck to get through ALL the time.
I'm still going to give this book a 4 because it was a good read and overall well written.
My biggest complaint, however, is that Roxy never really gets out of any of the jams she gets into by herself. There is always some sort of 'oops' moment, where someone or something interferes and she goes free. When I'm reading an action-based novel, I want the protagonist to be strong. They don't have to win EVERYTHING they get into, but they can't rely on chance or luck to get through ALL the time.
I'm still going to give this book a 4 because it was a good read and overall well written.
More...