A review by lubiluuc
Cross Fire by Fonda Lee
4.0
I really like this book but did not find it as gripping as the first one.
I found the relationships more strenuous and was not as endeared by Donovan as in the first book. The fast pace and action definitely held me on the edge of my seat but I felt less connected to Donovan and surprised by his choices, albeit dumb and reckless, but that was what was part of the charm in the first book.. Where his character fluctuated in the first book, I found his potential had been dulled in this second instalment. I would have also preferred more Donovan and Jet time..
But I think the reason why I felt quite detached from the text was the gut-wrenching depictions of trauma in this text. I think in a reflex of preservation or something I made myself become numb or uninterested with the plot or characters because, holy crap, it was A LOT to take in! I felt very overwhelmed a couple of times that I had to put the book down for days to get back into a better morale. Ultimately this is the reason why it took me so long to finish this book... It was VERY painful and the depression essentially permeated the book which made it very difficult to shake off the sadness when the action was going on.
I found the relationships more strenuous and was not as endeared by Donovan as in the first book. The fast pace and action definitely held me on the edge of my seat but I felt less connected to Donovan and surprised by his choices, albeit dumb and reckless, but that was what was part of the charm in the first book.. Where his character fluctuated in the first book, I found his potential had been dulled in this second instalment. I would have also preferred more Donovan and Jet time..
But I think the reason why I felt quite detached from the text was the gut-wrenching depictions of trauma in this text. I think in a reflex of preservation or something I made myself become numb or uninterested with the plot or characters because, holy crap, it was A LOT to take in! I felt very overwhelmed a couple of times that I had to put the book down for days to get back into a better morale. Ultimately this is the reason why it took me so long to finish this book... It was VERY painful and the depression essentially permeated the book which made it very difficult to shake off the sadness when the action was going on.