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zuomiriam's review
3.0
I couldn't put this book down because of how quickly everything moves along. A lot happens, but as the book progressed, I feel like some of the twists become less believable; for example, the main character, who hasn't used her martial arts training for years, is repeatedly able to take down trained assailants who are armed. Despite needing to suspend disbelief every now and then, I enjoyed the plot and the relationships in the main character's family.
vendea's review against another edition
3.0
Erm....on the surface this is a premise that I thought I would really like. In execution it was rather weak. If you just want crime/spy thriller then it certainly fits the bill but I didn't feel like it had the heart or the small detail accuracy that I'm looking for in those kind of books. Won't be reading any more of the series.
lenalooo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This would make a great action movie. Some of the other reviews discuss it moving to quickly and glossing over certain points, but I believe this was meant to be an action book. You can fill in enough of the blanks to accept this is a well told story. It may not be exactly realistic, but that doesn’t take away from the story itself.
sammyp19's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure why but I got lost, not in a good way, in this book. Kinda started good then at some points it just seemed like too many little fluff details and I didn’t care for that. Wasn’t a horrible book though.
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
2.0
The book started off well, and the first chapter sucked me in. Then it all just fell flat. I didn't connect with any of the characters, the plot was confusing, and as much as I love a badass woman, her fighting was to good to ring true.
A woman who is the daughter of a famous photographer, finds her husband and child murdered. Not trusting the police, she investigates on her own showing unbelievable fighting skills, and abundance of wealth to travel the world, and using the amazing connections of her mobster grandfather.
It kept me interested enough to keep going, but I won't be continuing on to book 2.
A woman who is the daughter of a famous photographer, finds her husband and child murdered. Not trusting the police, she investigates on her own showing unbelievable fighting skills, and abundance of wealth to travel the world, and using the amazing connections of her mobster grandfather.
It kept me interested enough to keep going, but I won't be continuing on to book 2.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
2.0
I was so confused. So much of this story just didn't really line up for me. Harper Collins loses everything to an assassin and she's determined to find out why. OK. I'm on board so far. But when things get a little odd when she mysteriously has all these connections, including an ex-mobster father.
Putting aside the crazy characters, the mystery is a bit odd. Tracking down the people behind a chocolate corporate conspiracy takes Harper all over the world. Meanwhile, the assassin is on her tail, but only because he's become obsessed with her. Odd. A lot of this is explained - eventually - but it all just played out funny to me.
The ending seemed overly contrived as well. Their solution was so simple and yet overly complicated at the same time. Again, too many cases of "well, I just happen to know so-and-so from my past life."
Putting aside the crazy characters, the mystery is a bit odd. Tracking down the people behind a chocolate corporate conspiracy takes Harper all over the world. Meanwhile, the assassin is on her tail, but only because he's become obsessed with her. Odd. A lot of this is explained - eventually - but it all just played out funny to me.
The ending seemed overly contrived as well. Their solution was so simple and yet overly complicated at the same time. Again, too many cases of "well, I just happen to know so-and-so from my past life."
lindca's review
2.0
DNF at 78%
Time to call it quits.
I loved the premise of the book. Kickass woman out to avenge the murders of her husband and baby. International locales. But the story fell short in so many ways, I finally had to acknowledge that I didn't care how it ended.
Many of the characters simply didn't strike me as believable, Hall's portrayals sloppy or somehow off. The assassin who is so captivated by Harper he leaves ways to trace him. The head of a multinational corporation who supposedly is a micromanager yet acts on childlike obsessions and wants others to make sure they happen. The seven-year-old Swiss child who sounded nothing like a child and who, while she shouldn't have been speaking English, used an epithet based on a name that only made sense in English (Helmet Head for someone named Helmut). The first contact in Cote d'Ivoire who withheld vital information when it could have accomplished his aim of dissuading or at least effectively warning Harper and instead made vague statements. There were so many others.
The biggest problem, though, was with Harper herself. Her emotions often didn't ring true and her actions didn't fit her supposed expertise in observation (her photography background) or self-defense. She repeatedly dove into TSTL territory, to her own and her allies' detriment. I didn't connect with Harper nor did I see her as a realistic person.
There was no single event in the book that made me quit. It more was the realization that I was finding excuses not to read more and that I really didn't care what happened next.
Time to call it quits.
I loved the premise of the book. Kickass woman out to avenge the murders of her husband and baby. International locales. But the story fell short in so many ways, I finally had to acknowledge that I didn't care how it ended.
Many of the characters simply didn't strike me as believable, Hall's portrayals sloppy or somehow off. The assassin who is so captivated by Harper he leaves ways to trace him
Spoiler
and later is delusional enough to think he and Harper could be loversThe biggest problem, though, was with Harper herself. Her emotions often didn't ring true and her actions didn't fit her supposed expertise in observation (her photography background) or self-defense. She repeatedly dove into TSTL territory, to her own and her allies' detriment. I didn't connect with Harper nor did I see her as a realistic person.
There was no single event in the book that made me quit. It more was the realization that I was finding excuses not to read more and that I really didn't care what happened next.
bangerlm's review
2.0
I probably wouldn't have finished if it hadn't been a book club book, though it did pick up in the end. Overall the book was a bit cliche and I didn't have any emotional investment in the main character.
vendea's review against another edition
3.0
Erm....on the surface this is a premise that I thought I would really like. In execution it was rather weak. If you just want crime/spy thriller then it certainly fits the bill but I didn't feel like it had the heart or the small detail accuracy that I'm looking for in those kind of books. Won't be reading any more of the series.
jessyhere's review against another edition
4.0
When I read the first Thorn novel I thought I could write off James W. Hall. It was just ok and I felt no need to pursue the series further. But when my husband started reading this book, and was staying up late to see what would happen next, I decided I would give James W. Hall another shot. I am so glad I did. James has come a long way as a writer from 1987 to 2017. I guess it goes to show you can't just write someone off based on their early work.
This book had great thriller pacing, interesting characters, and an intriguing corporate conspiracy plot. I can't wait for the next one!
This book had great thriller pacing, interesting characters, and an intriguing corporate conspiracy plot. I can't wait for the next one!