Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read this for class and it has its problems but overall I really liked the concept of “people becoming vigilantes to solve the case about the actual vigilante.” The characters were (mostly) likable, and the unlikable ones served their roles well. It was definitely leaning too heavily Batman for a good portion of the book, but I do love Batman so even when it was a little TOO on the nose it wasn’t enough for me to give up. Also, Miss May is my icon, my legend, my baddie forever. Love her.
This would get a 4.5 if I could give it a little more love.
The Reign of the Kingfisher is a tense, well paced and well plotted mystery-novel about a vanished superhuman vigilante, and the things his disappearance left in his wake, still causing ripples over thirty years later. A disgraced cop, a journalist, and a hactivist teen get involved in the mystery through three seperate threads, and weaving their now and the past of one now-chief-of-police leading to the nightmare of today.
When Marcus is called for information about a hostage situation demanding the release of the information they claim they have on the fact the Kingfisher isn't dead, things spiral out of control. Reaching out to past contacts, he finds he didn't know as much as he thought it did. Tillman, the disgraced cop, is contacted by a fellow officer who knows she can go where he can't. Wren, hacktivst teen with an Anonymous-esque group, gets involved for all the wrong reasons: her lover convinces it's a good idea, and it's really not.
I feel like the first two thirds of the book are excellently done. Pacing is great, character moments are excellent, history is woven with the present wonderfully. The third act, however, is why this isn't a five star novel. So close, but there's a loss. As soon as one conversation occurs, I know who the killer is. I also think the fate of Stetson, chief of police who fancies himself bigger than he is, doesn't resolve nearly enough and he comes out of this far too clean for his part in the larger story. He doesn't deserve what he got.
Overall a very great novel that does stick its landing, but comes down with some turbulence. For a debut novel, it's wonderful and I hope to see more from T. J. Martinson soon.
The Reign of the Kingfisher is a tense, well paced and well plotted mystery-novel about a vanished superhuman vigilante, and the things his disappearance left in his wake, still causing ripples over thirty years later. A disgraced cop, a journalist, and a hactivist teen get involved in the mystery through three seperate threads, and weaving their now and the past of one now-chief-of-police leading to the nightmare of today.
When Marcus is called for information about a hostage situation demanding the release of the information they claim they have on the fact the Kingfisher isn't dead, things spiral out of control. Reaching out to past contacts, he finds he didn't know as much as he thought it did. Tillman, the disgraced cop, is contacted by a fellow officer who knows she can go where he can't. Wren, hacktivst teen with an Anonymous-esque group, gets involved for all the wrong reasons: her lover convinces it's a good idea, and it's really not.
I feel like the first two thirds of the book are excellently done. Pacing is great, character moments are excellent, history is woven with the present wonderfully. The third act, however, is why this isn't a five star novel. So close, but there's a loss. As soon as one conversation occurs, I know who the killer is. I also think the fate of Stetson, chief of police who fancies himself bigger than he is, doesn't resolve nearly enough and he comes out of this far too clean for his part in the larger story. He doesn't deserve what he got.
Overall a very great novel that does stick its landing, but comes down with some turbulence. For a debut novel, it's wonderful and I hope to see more from T. J. Martinson soon.
Fun book! Figured out the villain before the story revealed it—wanted a bit more of an explanation for why Peter was able to photograph so much of the Kingfisher’s adventures...seemed convenient...it almost felt like he should have had a relationship with the hero. But a fun premise and a well-told summer read.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars: I was ready to love this, and I still liked it, but just not quite enough to rave about it. I like the premise; I like that the Kingfisher takes a backseat for most of the novel, and I like that the heroes at the end don't have unusual strength or imperviousness, they're just people trying to do the right thing. I feel like that point could have felt revelatory and uplifting, but instead it fell a little flat. It just was, but it didn't make me feel anything. I think the problem was that I could sense the author working--I could tell it was his first novel in that he was a little heavy handed with the metaphors and descriptions, and the story just got away from him. Not a perfect book, but I will be interested to see what he writes next.
A solid 3.5. Enjoyed it! It’s a great first novel...but it’s very much a first novel. A few missteps here and there amidst a mostly admirable effort.
Beautiful in its wordiness. I have a feeling this one is polarizing - if you want to live in a gritty world where superheroes exist you'll love it. Reminds me a lot of my other favorite literary superhero novel, "It's Superman" by Tom De Haven
I was looking for something a little different from my usual fare and came across a positive blurb from Emily St. John Mandel about TJ Martinson's debut novel. I am a fan of Mandel's but don't particularly care for superhero stories. I gave it a try anyway and came away impressed.
Martinson's novel is billed as a superhero story, but it is atypical in that the story circles around the titular figure rather than focuses on him directly. Martinson is more interested in the 'vigilante or hero' question rather than the exploits of a superhuman character. 'The Reign of the Kingfisher' takes a look at what really constitutes a hero.
Martinson builds a strong cast of characters and does a nice job of tying the different threads of the novel together. The writing is clear and crisp. I'm glad I veered out of my lane and checked this one out. A very good novel.
Martinson's novel is billed as a superhero story, but it is atypical in that the story circles around the titular figure rather than focuses on him directly. Martinson is more interested in the 'vigilante or hero' question rather than the exploits of a superhuman character. 'The Reign of the Kingfisher' takes a look at what really constitutes a hero.
Martinson builds a strong cast of characters and does a nice job of tying the different threads of the novel together. The writing is clear and crisp. I'm glad I veered out of my lane and checked this one out. A very good novel.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced