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miaeke's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
redants's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
heptonius's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dimmps's review against another edition
3.0
"The Devil's Star", the previous installment in Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole series is one of the best detective thrillers that I've read so far, so I had very high expectations for the next one. However, it turned out to be a huge disappointment.
The plot is inexcusably complex, to the point that in my eyes it felt totally unrealistic. I also found some of the violence to be too sadistic for my taste, although the story tried to "explain" the reason behind it, thus adding it into the unrealistic point that I mentioned above.
Nesbø also gives a whole lot of information on the background of characters that in the end hadn't that much of an important role in the main story, which kind of gave me the idea that it was filler material just to amp up the number of pages in the book.
I have to admit that the pace of the action was pretty satisfying, especially after the first one third of the book and I devoured the last two thirds in just two days, however, the more I think about them the more I get the feeling that I wasn't really invested in the story, I just wanted for it to end so that I can move on.
Of course, this isn't going to stop me from reading the rest of Hole's series because, in general, I like Nesbø's dark writing-style and I've become quite fond of Hole's anti-heroic character.
The plot is inexcusably complex, to the point that in my eyes it felt totally unrealistic. I also found some of the violence to be too sadistic for my taste, although the story tried to "explain" the reason behind it, thus adding it into the unrealistic point that I mentioned above.
Nesbø also gives a whole lot of information on the background of characters that in the end hadn't that much of an important role in the main story, which kind of gave me the idea that it was filler material just to amp up the number of pages in the book.
I have to admit that the pace of the action was pretty satisfying, especially after the first one third of the book and I devoured the last two thirds in just two days, however, the more I think about them the more I get the feeling that I wasn't really invested in the story, I just wanted for it to end so that I can move on.
Of course, this isn't going to stop me from reading the rest of Hole's series because, in general, I like Nesbø's dark writing-style and I've become quite fond of Hole's anti-heroic character.
wvrs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cahrion's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
bmckillip's review against another edition
4.0
I read "The Bat" about a year ago and wasn't too impressed with Jo Nesbo's detective Harry Hole, but I had picked up a number of Nesbo's books all at once so I gave another one a try. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed the story and pacing of the story so much more than that first book. The mystery was complex but believable, and Nesbo's prose does a wonderful job of establishing a sense of the scene. He doesn't just describe what's going on, he gives you a sense of what it's like to be present in the scene with his characters.
Nesbo still packs his books with too many characters and sometimes goes into way more than necessary background info for these secondary and tertiary characters, but I can forgive that for the intense and complex character of Harry Hole. I've got one more Nesbo book that I had purchased when I thought to give Nesbo a try. Now I'm looking forward to the next one.
Nesbo still packs his books with too many characters and sometimes goes into way more than necessary background info for these secondary and tertiary characters, but I can forgive that for the intense and complex character of Harry Hole. I've got one more Nesbo book that I had purchased when I thought to give Nesbo a try. Now I'm looking forward to the next one.
dani_thebookdragon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0