laurashavers's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I have a box of books I've either won or accumulated so as hard as it is for me, I've been staying away from the library so I can get caught up with the books I have and then I can either donate them or give them away for others to read.
This book- others will definitely enjoy. 4 words describe this book for me: COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. I've been in a really bad reading slump lately where no books seem to grab my attention and this book may have finally brought me out of it.
I don't describe what books are about in my reviews because everyone is capable of reading the synopsis on Goodreads or the back of the book, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
This book- others will definitely enjoy. 4 words describe this book for me: COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. I've been in a really bad reading slump lately where no books seem to grab my attention and this book may have finally brought me out of it.
I don't describe what books are about in my reviews because everyone is capable of reading the synopsis on Goodreads or the back of the book, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
tbsims's review against another edition
1.0
This would be the second book by Karen Robards and I just can't do it. The writing makes me crazy. If you are running for your life, facing down death, do you say "this sucks".
usbsticky's review against another edition
4.0
This appears to be the beginning of a series. The main character is a young lady (Bianca) who is the scion of a criminal (high-end robbery) family. In the beginning of the book the father dies in a failed heist and Bianca starts her own criminal enterprise with a legitimate cover. The story proceeds where she is forced to perform a high tech heist... or else.
I liked the book because it was well written, easy to read and follow. The characters were pleasant and nice if a little cliched. In fact, everything is a little cliched and too pat. All the characters are extremes of their stereotypes: the hacker is a neck beard, the antagonist is good looking and kisses well, the side characters are all perfect or not perfect in their own ways. However, I still liked them despite them being predictable because the story was pleasant and didn't stray outside my comfort zone.
Overall, this is not a cerebral thriller, rather a light thriller with a bit of romance thrown in. I'd definitely be interested in seeing how the next book in the series continues.
I got this book free as an advanced review copy.
I liked the book because it was well written, easy to read and follow. The characters were pleasant and nice if a little cliched. In fact, everything is a little cliched and too pat. All the characters are extremes of their stereotypes: the hacker is a neck beard, the antagonist is good looking and kisses well, the side characters are all perfect or not perfect in their own ways. However, I still liked them despite them being predictable because the story was pleasant and didn't stray outside my comfort zone.
Overall, this is not a cerebral thriller, rather a light thriller with a bit of romance thrown in. I'd definitely be interested in seeing how the next book in the series continues.
I got this book free as an advanced review copy.
laurakperez's review against another edition
4.0
I won an advance copy of this book and was really excited because I enjoy the author. The book was enjoyable and I did get into it. I didn't realize it was a series until I finished the book which was disappointing because now I have to wait for the next book. Which brings me to my biggest problem with the book, I can buy into being a super agile, smart, tricky thief (it's a work of fiction) but then to find out Bianca was genetically engineered to be a "super" human, I am not quite sure why the plot had to go there. I will probably read the second book when it comes out just because I do like the author and have read the majority of her books.
riverdogbookco's review against another edition
4.0
First in a series, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was funny and witty, which aren't always the same thing. It was badass while leaving room for emotions, was detailed without boring me, and Bianca St. Ives was fierce, sexy, smart, and alluring. It has the richest of backstories which is developed slowly over the course of this fast-paced thriller, including a shocking reveal at the end, of course, meaning I am counting down the days until book 2 (sometime in 2018). This is the first Karen Robards I've ever read and I am proud to admit I am a new KR/Bianca St. Ives convert.
stephs_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I should have grabbed book two from the library at the same time.
lexee9's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this story! It is gripping and pulled me in from beginning to end and I really need the next one! There are a ton of twists and turns and surprises as Bianca tries to figure out what is going on after a heist goes bad and her dad is killed. But it looks like other people don't believe he is dead and Bianca is stuck on the other end of that, trying to untangle all of the threads and keep herself safe and free. I really enjoyed this story and once I started it, I didn't want to stop. It was great and with a huge twists towards the end, I have to know what happens next.
The narrator did a great job reading the story and adding that extra dynamic that brought it to life.
The narrator did a great job reading the story and adding that extra dynamic that brought it to life.
ymiranda's review against another edition
2.0
It pains me rate this 2 stars because I really enjoy KR's books but this just didn't do it for me.
I liked the premise although I'd have preferred the heroine at least be in her 30's. That would've been more believable.
I liked the premise although I'd have preferred the heroine at least be in her 30's. That would've been more believable.
bookishbecca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy moly! That was a ride! Non-stop action from beginning to end. I loved every minute of this book!
tita_noir's review against another edition
2.0
I've had this book on my kindle FOR. EV. ER.
I got it ages ago and started reading it and loved the beginning. But somewhere in the middle it fizzed. And then I'd put it down. Then I'd notice it was still there hovering at the 40% mark, and then I'd read some more but it would not keep me engaged so I'd put it down. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
I adore heist books and long cons and capers and thieves etc. So this book was way up my alley! This book started with a bang and was both fun and angsty. There is a great heist that goes wrong and we have a great main character in Bianca.
But then something unfortunate happens somewhere in the middle-- the momentum gets lost, the story kinda stalls, some plot elements felt rather predictable and I lost interest in the main character. In fact I had a hard time concentrating on the book. So I'd put it down for long stretches, only to remember I hadn't finished it and would pick it up again. To be fair there were some twists and some left turns I was not expecting... and yet it could not keep me wholly engaged so at times to keep reading felt like a chore.
Finally I just got sick of seeing it sitting there stalled. I truly did not want to DNF this because I did want to see what happened, so soldiered through hoping it'd spark for me again.
And then the totally unacceptable happens.... it ends on a cliffhanger. I really dislike cliffhanger endings!
So this was great in places but did not work wholly for me.
I got it ages ago and started reading it and loved the beginning. But somewhere in the middle it fizzed. And then I'd put it down. Then I'd notice it was still there hovering at the 40% mark, and then I'd read some more but it would not keep me engaged so I'd put it down. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
I adore heist books and long cons and capers and thieves etc. So this book was way up my alley! This book started with a bang and was both fun and angsty. There is a great heist that goes wrong and we have a great main character in Bianca.
But then something unfortunate happens somewhere in the middle-- the momentum gets lost, the story kinda stalls, some plot elements felt rather predictable and I lost interest in the main character. In fact I had a hard time concentrating on the book. So I'd put it down for long stretches, only to remember I hadn't finished it and would pick it up again. To be fair there were some twists and some left turns I was not expecting... and yet it could not keep me wholly engaged so at times to keep reading felt like a chore.
Finally I just got sick of seeing it sitting there stalled. I truly did not want to DNF this because I did want to see what happened, so soldiered through hoping it'd spark for me again.
And then the totally unacceptable happens.... it ends on a cliffhanger. I really dislike cliffhanger endings!
So this was great in places but did not work wholly for me.