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roomy's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
witchqueen5's review against another edition
5.0
The dynamic between Ben and Raul was pretty amusing, and after all those times when Ben had a female sidekick it was refreshing. Not gonna lie, I enjoyed the ingenuity of the female character and also her strength and resolve. Another great book in this series!
kstumpf's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this installment of the Ben Hope saga. I wish Mr. Maria I would have provided a little “extra” information at the end about the book’s main topic (non-spoiler). How much of that is real? I would be intrigued to read more, but too lazy to search on my own.
balthazarlawson's review
3.0
Ben Hope encounters Raul in a bar in Spain. The story he hears about Raul's dead sister, that he believes is still alive, makes him decide to help the man. They travel across Europe to find out exactly what happened to Catalina. It soon becomes apparent that her suicide was not as it would appear and their are others who are interested in her death as well. Even though it's been three months since she had died and Ben's deadly talents are soon put into action.
The reasoning behind all the death in this book doesn't really make sense. It lacked a certain believability. But it was still entertaining enough even though in places it was repetitious in it's explaining of events.
The reasoning behind all the death in this book doesn't really make sense. It lacked a certain believability. But it was still entertaining enough even though in places it was repetitious in it's explaining of events.
ciannait76's review
3.0
3.75
I'm not sure why I didn't like this book as much as the others. It is just as good maybe even better in some places but...I just can't put my finger on why I didn't like it.
I'm not sure why I didn't like this book as much as the others. It is just as good maybe even better in some places but...I just can't put my finger on why I didn't like it.
barnsey's review
3.0
I love the Ben Hope series but sad to say, this book isn't one of the best. There's far less action and it just seemed to flatline rather than blow me away. I so much wanted to like it more than I did but it just didn't 'do' it for me. Here's hoping the next one gets back on track.
canada_matt's review
4.0
Continuing with a new-found vagabond lifestyle, Ben Hope tends to open the novel with more mystery, at the hands of Scott Mariani’s infinite list of ideas. Seeking again to live under the radar, Hope finds himself in Spain and witnesses a dust-up in a bar. Stepping in to help, Hope becomes acquainted with Raul Fuentes, who is trying to defend the honour of his sister, who seemingly committed suicide not too long before. The more Hope learns, the more he finds himself aligning with Raul’s belief that Catalina might be alive, her death part of an elaborate plan. Tracing her steps, Hope and Raul try to determine where she might have gone and for what reason. As they scour the European continent, Hope learns that Catalina Fuentes was known for not only her beauty, but the brains behind it. A solar physicist, her work related to sun spots was known within the academic community. Dodging a collection of men sent to deter them, Hope and Raul soon come face to face with the woman they seek, but this is only the start to their woes. Catalina tries to convince them to let her be, but when that fails, she expounds upon some troubling research that she has uncovered. What she knows might be more deadly to her that the world at large, though there is certainly enough to make headlines around the world. With one man seeking to destroy Dr. Fuentes at any cost, Hope must do all he can to save her before it's too late. Another interesting science-based story from the archives of the master storyteller, Scott Mariani. Series fans will surely want to focus their attention on this one, as it charms and impresses on many levels.
The ongoing metamorphosis of Ben Hope has become a staggered process and one in which the protagonist struggles with shedding his past. Wanting a life free from of drama, Hope seems to be a magnet for it and cannot help but turn towards those in need. However convinced he is to himself, Hope cannot help but crack all mysteries and save all damsels. That said, there is only now a slow thaw as it relates to his family and what he did when he abandoned everyone two novels ago. This progression is an interesting contrast to the aforementioned lifestyle change he seeks. A dozen novels into the series, the story is rich in science and yet the thriller aspect is not lost on the dedicated reader. Things can get a little hung up and this might be one reason I was not able to push through with as much ease as I would have liked. However, that does not mean that its quality was lacking whatsoever. I am highly excited to see where Hope will go and how he will use some of his ever-evolving experience to tackle the next case. I yearn for more, Mr. Mariani and hope you have some real high-impact stories to come, both that address Hope’s need for thrills and his personal struggles that remain unresolved.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me hooked this far into the series. What a great choice for binge reading and there are still a few more to go.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The ongoing metamorphosis of Ben Hope has become a staggered process and one in which the protagonist struggles with shedding his past. Wanting a life free from of drama, Hope seems to be a magnet for it and cannot help but turn towards those in need. However convinced he is to himself, Hope cannot help but crack all mysteries and save all damsels. That said, there is only now a slow thaw as it relates to his family and what he did when he abandoned everyone two novels ago. This progression is an interesting contrast to the aforementioned lifestyle change he seeks. A dozen novels into the series, the story is rich in science and yet the thriller aspect is not lost on the dedicated reader. Things can get a little hung up and this might be one reason I was not able to push through with as much ease as I would have liked. However, that does not mean that its quality was lacking whatsoever. I am highly excited to see where Hope will go and how he will use some of his ever-evolving experience to tackle the next case. I yearn for more, Mr. Mariani and hope you have some real high-impact stories to come, both that address Hope’s need for thrills and his personal struggles that remain unresolved.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me hooked this far into the series. What a great choice for binge reading and there are still a few more to go.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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