thomasswann'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
4.5
wyemu's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd started at the beginning of the series, or read more from the series in general preceding this one.
I understand that there's a whole history of connections between Louis and the main character of the series, Charlie Parker, so it probably means more to anyone who's familiar with that. Normally, I wouldn't dream of starting a series partway through and insist on reading books in order, even if it's not always necessary. However, I grabbed this from the work lending library in a desperate bid not to run out of reading material during the first lockdown.
There was some decent backstory about Louis, how he became a Reaper and what that means, and I thought the relationship and bond between him and Angel was well done. The plotline of someone from their past looking for revenge is hardly original, then again what plotlines can be said to be totally original now with so many books, films, TV shows, etc to choose from. Whenever I read, or watch, something with a plotline which is pretty familiar, I prefer to focus on how well they put it together as well as the characters and realism of the plot. As far as all of those things went, Connelly does a pretty good job, he doesn't fall into too many easy clichés when portraying Louis, Angel, Bliss etc., although, not sure I'm a fan of some of the names, those did seem overly dramatic at times.
I think for those new to Connelly, start nearer to the beginning, not necessarily with the first one, I've heard this series takes a while to pick up, but maybe build some appreciation for the characters before you get to this one.
I understand that there's a whole history of connections between Louis and the main character of the series, Charlie Parker, so it probably means more to anyone who's familiar with that. Normally, I wouldn't dream of starting a series partway through and insist on reading books in order, even if it's not always necessary. However, I grabbed this from the work lending library in a desperate bid not to run out of reading material during the first lockdown.
There was some decent backstory about Louis, how he became a Reaper and what that means, and I thought the relationship and bond between him and Angel was well done. The plotline of someone from their past looking for revenge is hardly original, then again what plotlines can be said to be totally original now with so many books, films, TV shows, etc to choose from. Whenever I read, or watch, something with a plotline which is pretty familiar, I prefer to focus on how well they put it together as well as the characters and realism of the plot. As far as all of those things went, Connelly does a pretty good job, he doesn't fall into too many easy clichés when portraying Louis, Angel, Bliss etc., although, not sure I'm a fan of some of the names, those did seem overly dramatic at times.
I think for those new to Connelly, start nearer to the beginning, not necessarily with the first one, I've heard this series takes a while to pick up, but maybe build some appreciation for the characters before you get to this one.
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
I loved that the author has allowed Angel and Louis their own story in which we learn a lot about how Louis became one of the elite assassins known as the reapers, from his childhood where he is plucked from a prison cell to develop the craft of a feared killer.
The plot finds Louis called to kill a man with a vendetta ,while at the same time superbly nasty villain Bliss is hunting down individuals that have an association to Louis.
As usual a brilliantly plotted thriller with the introduction of two characters, Willie and Arno whose dialogue crackles. A great series.
The plot finds Louis called to kill a man with a vendetta ,while at the same time superbly nasty villain Bliss is hunting down individuals that have an association to Louis.
As usual a brilliantly plotted thriller with the introduction of two characters, Willie and Arno whose dialogue crackles. A great series.
historybooksandtea's review against another edition
4.0
LOVED getting more with Louis and Angel in this fast-paced story! Excellent!!
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
Another great book in the Parker series although this time the focus is placed on angel and louis in particular the upbringing, trials and tribulations of louis. Next I would like to find our more about angel mr Connolly!
yorkslass70's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read from the pen of John Connolly. This is a bit of a departure from the other books in the Charlie Parker series and the story concentrates on Angel and Louis, particularly Louis. You learn more about Louis' past and what made him the man and killer he has become. As always there is plenty of black humour interspersing the violence and the tension builds almost relentlessly to a bloody climax, I was gripped right from the first page. I'm already looking forward to the next in the series.
shannnanigans's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chewingpencils's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but it’s not what I come to the series for.
shelflife's review against another edition
4.0
This is the last of the Charlie Bird Parker series so far and probably my least favorite. All the other books surrounded Charlie with his pals, Louis and Angel, being part of the background. This story puts Louis and Angel in the forefront of the story. Although I like learning more about these two, especially the enigmatic Louis, I found this story plodding along and boring at times. Most of the stories have so many layers to their plots and so many characters and excitment going on, while this one bounces back and forth between Louis' past and how it catches up to him today. The story is straigh-forward with little to offer. This was only an excuse to get to know this character more and in my opinion, Connelly could have built that information in a couple of chapters of one of his better storylines rather than write 300+ pages on it.
But I still love this series and look forward to more of it.
But I still love this series and look forward to more of it.