misamille's review
4.0
if you aren't into the whole POV of a serial killer genre this book may not be for you, BUT if you are I suggest going to Amazon or somewhere and getting this book.
So the story is split into two different time periods, one set in 1978 when Norton is having his trial done and then the other is in 1995 when he's released. This is my favorite kind of format because you can guess what's about to happen next but then it completely surprises you when you find out in the flash forward that it didn't happen. I hate it when this isn't done well, but Diamond does this flawlessly! It's really awesome.
I also like that it's centered around the killer himself and not focused on the whodunnit part which, no offense to the people who write and read that kind of stuff, bothers me to no end. I do enjoy it sometimes but when the murder mystery genre is flooded with it I don't like it. I like killer POV.
I don't want to spoil the awesomeness so go get it! It's a really awesome fast paced read, well I thought it was but if you want to savor it go for it!
So the story is split into two different time periods, one set in 1978 when Norton is having his trial done and then the other is in 1995 when he's released. This is my favorite kind of format because you can guess what's about to happen next but then it completely surprises you when you find out in the flash forward that it didn't happen. I hate it when this isn't done well, but Diamond does this flawlessly! It's really awesome.
I also like that it's centered around the killer himself and not focused on the whodunnit part which, no offense to the people who write and read that kind of stuff, bothers me to no end. I do enjoy it sometimes but when the murder mystery genre is flooded with it I don't like it. I like killer POV.
I don't want to spoil the awesomeness so go get it! It's a really awesome fast paced read, well I thought it was but if you want to savor it go for it!
travvyt's review
5.0
This was a great book. I picked it up in the morning and it ended up derailing my whole day until it was finished. Parts of it were very dark and unnerving (the author writes from more than one viewpoint) but the effect was mesmerizing. I saw a several reviews saying this book reminded them of Dexter but I didn't really get that feeling from it. Tony never felt like Dexter to me. If anything he was more like The Punisher on a mission of brutal justice. Dexter was a killer who developed a moral code whereas Tony, at least to me, never enjoyed the act, only the end result. Definitely recommend if you like this kind of dark fiction.
jenny_reads_horror's review
5.0
So, I came across this author, his name is Lane Diamond and boy can he tell a story. Forgive Me, Alex is the story of loss, growth, hope, despair, grief, and revenge. I was captivated by Lane's story telling.
Tony has seen and experienced things no young teen should ever have to. After the tragic death of his mother, he basically has to play dad to his younger brother, when their father turns to the bottle. hank goodness for the help and guidance of Frank Willow,Tony and Alex's (his younger brother) surrogate grandfather. Senior Skip Day starts the ball rolling on the unimaginable. Mitchell Norton has his eye on his "angel",Diana, who also happens to be Tony's girlfriend and love of his life. Norton must have her, no matter what the cost.
The story takes you on a whirlwind journey between two time periods, 1978, when Norton begins his road to destruction, and 1995, when Norton is released from prison. Tony has lots of demons to face from past and present and refuses to let Norton get away with his reign of terror anymore.
Lane gets you into the head of the characters and you feel this bond with them urging you to read faster to find out what happens next. You know you are reading a great book when you need to stop reading but keep telling yourself just one more chapter, then one more leads to half the book. I felt so bad for Tony and all his loss. I wanted to murder Mitchell Norton myself. I wish I knew old Frank personally. I was caught off guard by the ending and can't wait for the next book! Well done!
Tony has seen and experienced things no young teen should ever have to. After the tragic death of his mother, he basically has to play dad to his younger brother, when their father turns to the bottle. hank goodness for the help and guidance of Frank Willow,Tony and Alex's (his younger brother) surrogate grandfather. Senior Skip Day starts the ball rolling on the unimaginable. Mitchell Norton has his eye on his "angel",Diana, who also happens to be Tony's girlfriend and love of his life. Norton must have her, no matter what the cost.
The story takes you on a whirlwind journey between two time periods, 1978, when Norton begins his road to destruction, and 1995, when Norton is released from prison. Tony has lots of demons to face from past and present and refuses to let Norton get away with his reign of terror anymore.
Lane gets you into the head of the characters and you feel this bond with them urging you to read faster to find out what happens next. You know you are reading a great book when you need to stop reading but keep telling yourself just one more chapter, then one more leads to half the book. I felt so bad for Tony and all his loss. I wanted to murder Mitchell Norton myself. I wish I knew old Frank personally. I was caught off guard by the ending and can't wait for the next book! Well done!
xan_van_rooyen's review
4.0
I’d like to preface this by saying I’m a huge fan of all serial killer works, particularly shows like Criminal Minds and Dexter. I really enjoy the psychological aspect of these stories and just can’t seem to get enough of either of those shows. Consequently, I have pretty high standards when it comes to this genre.
First Line: “I never expected to be a killer.” Yup, that got my attention straight away.
What I Liked: The narrative style which alternates between the protagonist and antagonist. This is great, kind of like watching Criminal Minds and Dexter at the same time getting both perspectives in one case. I really appreciated the way the author balanced the darkness and light in the voices of Tony and Mitchell, as well as balancing out their perspectives to give us insight into their different mindsets.
What I didn’t Like: The narrative style which jumps backwards and forwards in time. While I loved the two different perspectives, I found the time jumps disorientating and confusing. They actually annoyed me at times. Just when I thought I’d got a handle on the current situation, the narrative would jump and I’d lose the thread. This type of narrative is extremely ambitious and I think the author pulled it off; it’s just not for me.
My Rating: This is tough. The book is well written, the narrative interesting, the plot complete with a few unexpected twists is engaging and yet I didn’t find myself too emotionally invested. This may have been a result of the switching POV. I battled to feel truly connected to either character and felt a bit in limbo about where my sympathies lay. I’ll settle on 3.5/5 and strongly recommend this story to anyone who’s a fan of psychological approaches to crime writing
First Line: “I never expected to be a killer.” Yup, that got my attention straight away.
What I Liked: The narrative style which alternates between the protagonist and antagonist. This is great, kind of like watching Criminal Minds and Dexter at the same time getting both perspectives in one case. I really appreciated the way the author balanced the darkness and light in the voices of Tony and Mitchell, as well as balancing out their perspectives to give us insight into their different mindsets.
What I didn’t Like: The narrative style which jumps backwards and forwards in time. While I loved the two different perspectives, I found the time jumps disorientating and confusing. They actually annoyed me at times. Just when I thought I’d got a handle on the current situation, the narrative would jump and I’d lose the thread. This type of narrative is extremely ambitious and I think the author pulled it off; it’s just not for me.
My Rating: This is tough. The book is well written, the narrative interesting, the plot complete with a few unexpected twists is engaging and yet I didn’t find myself too emotionally invested. This may have been a result of the switching POV. I battled to feel truly connected to either character and felt a bit in limbo about where my sympathies lay. I’ll settle on 3.5/5 and strongly recommend this story to anyone who’s a fan of psychological approaches to crime writing
buttontapper's review
4.0
As someone with a minor ninja fetish, I must admit that when Lane Diamond's Forgive Me, Alex introduced the character of Ben Komura, I was excited to learn more. Though Komura's first physical appearance is delayed until after the midway point in the novel, his presence provides a unique twist to the traditional serial killer story. After all, it's not every day that you combat your enemy with the wisdom of the samurai and the blades of the ninja.
Komura has taken Tony on as his special student, teaching him aikido, jujitsu, karate and ninjutsu, as well as sword skills, history and more beyond the typical karate class world of belt acquisition and board-breaking. Komura's family tree can be traced back to the samurai, and although he is thoroughly American, he was also raised within Japanese traditions by parents who insisted on respect for their history and culture.
In training with Master Komura, Tony has even learned how to walk silently like a ninja, so Komura insists he ring the chimes in his dojo when he is ready to learn--part of a game that is meant to let Tony know when he has finally defeated his master in stealth.
Of course, Komura is always one step ahead: he's installed security cameras and monitors the visuals as well as any motion in the dojo below his living quarters.
Just as he is one step ahead of Tony physically, he is also able to display his mental dexterity when Tony asks him for help with his quest to destroy serial killer Mitchell Norton. Norton has recently been released from a psychiatric prison after 17 years, and suspiciously similar murders in the small town of Algonquin, Illinois have begun again. Tony insists it is Norton, whom he refers to as "the devil"; Norton has already killed Tony's little brother, Alex, and attempted to take the life of his girlfriend, Diana, as well.
Komura isn't convinced. He wisely inquires, "Is it justice you desire or is it vengeance?" His pupil makes no reply. He continues in this line of reasoning, asking "Are you certain it is him, Shadow? Do you have no doubts?" Tony insists he is 95 percent certain, and Komura pounces on this information. He expresses the opinion that Norton has corrupted Tony's mind, that he must find a way to know, not merely believe or feel that he understands the truth, before making his move. A true samurai does not take the lives of innocent people, after all.
Though Komura originally helps Tony rescue Diana, providing him the basic ninja weaponry and attire he needs for the mission, he does not allow this past connection to cloud his mind in pondering what he would do in Tony's position. Komura is detached from the outcome, as he is not directly involved, and can therefore properly advise his ninja-in-training. Along with Frank Willow, Tony's neighbor who functions as an adopted grandfather and mentor, he provides wise counsel and sound judgement--but when push comes to shove, he also provides the necessary tools and equipment to fight off the devil himself, allowing Tony to make his own decisions.
Smarts and skills and the way of the samurai? That's one very crush-worthy combination.
(Originally posted at Black Heart Magazine)
Komura has taken Tony on as his special student, teaching him aikido, jujitsu, karate and ninjutsu, as well as sword skills, history and more beyond the typical karate class world of belt acquisition and board-breaking. Komura's family tree can be traced back to the samurai, and although he is thoroughly American, he was also raised within Japanese traditions by parents who insisted on respect for their history and culture.
In training with Master Komura, Tony has even learned how to walk silently like a ninja, so Komura insists he ring the chimes in his dojo when he is ready to learn--part of a game that is meant to let Tony know when he has finally defeated his master in stealth.
Of course, Komura is always one step ahead: he's installed security cameras and monitors the visuals as well as any motion in the dojo below his living quarters.
Just as he is one step ahead of Tony physically, he is also able to display his mental dexterity when Tony asks him for help with his quest to destroy serial killer Mitchell Norton. Norton has recently been released from a psychiatric prison after 17 years, and suspiciously similar murders in the small town of Algonquin, Illinois have begun again. Tony insists it is Norton, whom he refers to as "the devil"; Norton has already killed Tony's little brother, Alex, and attempted to take the life of his girlfriend, Diana, as well.
Komura isn't convinced. He wisely inquires, "Is it justice you desire or is it vengeance?" His pupil makes no reply. He continues in this line of reasoning, asking "Are you certain it is him, Shadow? Do you have no doubts?" Tony insists he is 95 percent certain, and Komura pounces on this information. He expresses the opinion that Norton has corrupted Tony's mind, that he must find a way to know, not merely believe or feel that he understands the truth, before making his move. A true samurai does not take the lives of innocent people, after all.
Though Komura originally helps Tony rescue Diana, providing him the basic ninja weaponry and attire he needs for the mission, he does not allow this past connection to cloud his mind in pondering what he would do in Tony's position. Komura is detached from the outcome, as he is not directly involved, and can therefore properly advise his ninja-in-training. Along with Frank Willow, Tony's neighbor who functions as an adopted grandfather and mentor, he provides wise counsel and sound judgement--but when push comes to shove, he also provides the necessary tools and equipment to fight off the devil himself, allowing Tony to make his own decisions.
Smarts and skills and the way of the samurai? That's one very crush-worthy combination.
(Originally posted at Black Heart Magazine)
lisa01's review
3.0
This one was a bit much for me. I was not a fan of the back and forth in time and it became irritating. There are scenes that are a bit aggressive and too violent usually with Mitchell in them. I have read other books and can usually tolerate such descriptions but this was too much for me. The characters were good maybe if this was told differently I could have enjoyed it. I did listen on audio. Kevin Scollin did a good job.
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