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kathydavie's review
3.0
Third in the Sisterhood suspense series which is focused on righting the wrongs done each of the seven women.
The Story
It's Myra's turn for justice and Charles and the Sisterhood plot to kidnap John Chai, the diplomat's playboy son who ran Barbara down, from Hong Kong. The ladies aren't into killing anyone and, I must say, they do find a particularly nasty way of punishing Mr. Chai that is very much in keeping with his vanity and his and his father's viewpoints.
The Characters
I like the ladies for the most part. Charles is amazing…I want him cooking in my kitchen! But Michaels keeps slipping shoddy writing in that makes them too stupid for words. There are times I just want to smack Myra for being such a doddering old woman! The worst of it is that Michaels could write them so much better instead of slacking through their actions/speech.
Julia Webster is doing much better on her experimental HIV treatment in Switzerland.
Jack Emery has quit his district attorney job and Mark Lane has quit his FBI job and together they've opened up their own business, the Justice Agency. Jack is intent on proving that Nikki and her friends are up to no good and has posted spies up in the trees at Myra's farmhouse.
My Take
I love the concept of Michaels' story and that justice can be possible. I don't love Michaels' writing. Her treatment of her characters' actions and reactions is so juvenile—I have to wonder what her editor is thinking! Sometimes the ladies come across as a troupe of children. Sometimes I wonder where their wits have gone wandering. And other times, they actually come across as adults. At all times, I never doubt how much they care about each other. I suspect it's this friendship and the homey settings that Michaels crafts that are part of what pulls me in—besides the satisfaction I get from their brand of justice!
One of Myra's temper tantrums:
Charles' response is to remind her that she must stay at the farm to keep Jack Emery off-balance. So, naturally, Myra takes off for almost a week to help Kathryn deliver Christmas trees. Leaving the farm wide open to all sorts of mischief on Jack's part. Nor has she considered that no one will be able to contact her while she's on the road. Stupid. Selfish. And childish.
When they're about to arrive at Mr. Li's home outside Hong Kong, Nikki is wondering if she'll only be able to get tea after their flight. What? She grew up in Washington D.C. virtually as a daughter to Myra who has friends in very high places and has never absorbed anything about the world??? Just how insular is Nikki?
Then there's the scene where they encounter Chai and their disgustingly immature and obnoxious behavior. Sure, I realize the idea is to piss off or intrigue Chai into making himself vulnerable for the kidnapping, but, c'mon… I was embarrassed just reading it. Nikki, Alexis, and Yoko acted more like drunken, stuck-up, snotty, stupid college girls with a huge sense of entitlement.
I realize that exaggeration tends to make for more interesting reading, but, there is a line. One scene in particular was when the three girls come bouncing and somersaulting into the room in their slut clothes…yes, I'm serious, somersaulting like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders…to finish setting the scene for Chai's incapacitation.
The entire scene where the girls confront Chai is so lame. You'd think that Myra/Michaels would have come up with something better than unprepared children with schoolyard taunts. Exaggerations on the most juvenile levels…jeezus… As for Chai's punishment. Yeah, I think it was very appropriate but still. It was so brutal that I cannot imagine that the ladies could get past it so easily. Just not believable.
OK, then there's the break-out scene…here's Charles, the supposedly super spy who lets the bad guy get the drop on him??? In this situation? Give me a break...
The Cover
The cover continues the theme of the previous covers in this series with its peacefulness. This one a gorgeous maple blazing in its orange glory behind a white picket fence. I haven't a clue how the title, Vendetta, fits this story. "Vengeance" would have been so much more appropriate.
The Story
It's Myra's turn for justice and Charles and the Sisterhood plot to kidnap John Chai, the diplomat's playboy son who ran Barbara down, from Hong Kong. The ladies aren't into killing anyone and, I must say, they do find a particularly nasty way of punishing Mr. Chai that is very much in keeping with his vanity and his and his father's viewpoints.
The Characters
I like the ladies for the most part. Charles is amazing…I want him cooking in my kitchen! But Michaels keeps slipping shoddy writing in that makes them too stupid for words. There are times I just want to smack Myra for being such a doddering old woman! The worst of it is that Michaels could write them so much better instead of slacking through their actions/speech.
Julia Webster is doing much better on her experimental HIV treatment in Switzerland.
Jack Emery has quit his district attorney job and Mark Lane has quit his FBI job and together they've opened up their own business, the Justice Agency. Jack is intent on proving that Nikki and her friends are up to no good and has posted spies up in the trees at Myra's farmhouse.
My Take
I love the concept of Michaels' story and that justice can be possible. I don't love Michaels' writing. Her treatment of her characters' actions and reactions is so juvenile—I have to wonder what her editor is thinking! Sometimes the ladies come across as a troupe of children. Sometimes I wonder where their wits have gone wandering. And other times, they actually come across as adults. At all times, I never doubt how much they care about each other. I suspect it's this friendship and the homey settings that Michaels crafts that are part of what pulls me in—besides the satisfaction I get from their brand of justice!
One of Myra's temper tantrums:
"…to think I would be content to sit here on…on…my ass while you all do my dirty work is unthinkable. Do not make me angry, Charles. I'm not a nice person when I'm angry. Did you hear me? I'm going and that's final. Girls, tell him I'm going!"
Charles' response is to remind her that she must stay at the farm to keep Jack Emery off-balance. So, naturally, Myra takes off for almost a week to help Kathryn deliver Christmas trees. Leaving the farm wide open to all sorts of mischief on Jack's part. Nor has she considered that no one will be able to contact her while she's on the road. Stupid. Selfish. And childish.
When they're about to arrive at Mr. Li's home outside Hong Kong, Nikki is wondering if she'll only be able to get tea after their flight. What? She grew up in Washington D.C. virtually as a daughter to Myra who has friends in very high places and has never absorbed anything about the world??? Just how insular is Nikki?
Then there's the scene where they encounter Chai and their disgustingly immature and obnoxious behavior. Sure, I realize the idea is to piss off or intrigue Chai into making himself vulnerable for the kidnapping, but, c'mon… I was embarrassed just reading it. Nikki, Alexis, and Yoko acted more like drunken, stuck-up, snotty, stupid college girls with a huge sense of entitlement.
I realize that exaggeration tends to make for more interesting reading, but, there is a line. One scene in particular was when the three girls come bouncing and somersaulting into the room in their slut clothes…yes, I'm serious, somersaulting like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders…to finish setting the scene for Chai's incapacitation.
The entire scene where the girls confront Chai is so lame. You'd think that Myra/Michaels would have come up with something better than unprepared children with schoolyard taunts. Exaggerations on the most juvenile levels…jeezus… As for Chai's punishment. Yeah, I think it was very appropriate but still. It was so brutal that I cannot imagine that the ladies could get past it so easily. Just not believable.
OK, then there's the break-out scene…here's Charles, the supposedly super spy who lets the bad guy get the drop on him??? In this situation? Give me a break...
The Cover
The cover continues the theme of the previous covers in this series with its peacefulness. This one a gorgeous maple blazing in its orange glory behind a white picket fence. I haven't a clue how the title, Vendetta, fits this story. "Vengeance" would have been so much more appropriate.
augusta99's review
adventurous
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
3.0
jasmyn9's review against another edition
1.0
This will be my last in the Sisterhood series for a while. While I totally understand the need for revenge, the graphic quality of what the group does to the man that killed Myra's daughter just turned my stomach and made me sick.
In addition, after the things they have put Jack and his friend through, I find it beyond belief that he would even consider not continuing to try and find a way to stop them. If the books were less graphic, or more about the women finding ways to prove people's guilt, or trap them into confessing, I think this would be a far better series.
I will continue to read Fern Michaels' Christmas and holiday books. They are so much different than this series. Perhaps I will come back some day and see if the Sisterhood takes a new direction.
In addition, after the things they have put Jack and his friend through, I find it beyond belief that he would even consider not continuing to try and find a way to stop them. If the books were less graphic, or more about the women finding ways to prove people's guilt, or trap them into confessing, I think this would be a far better series.
I will continue to read Fern Michaels' Christmas and holiday books. They are so much different than this series. Perhaps I will come back some day and see if the Sisterhood takes a new direction.
rosemaryandrue's review
3.0
After Myra Rutledge's daughter is killed in a hit and run, she assembles a team of women who aim to get revenge outside the law against those who have wronged them. In this book, it is Myra'a turn to exact retribution on the driver who killed Barbara.
This book was again a fast read, though it lacked the shock factor of the first two books. For that, I didn't like it quite as much. I did think the writing was somewhat better this time, though, and I enjoyed the juxtaposition between holiday cozyness and the horror of the revenge.
This book was again a fast read, though it lacked the shock factor of the first two books. For that, I didn't like it quite as much. I did think the writing was somewhat better this time, though, and I enjoyed the juxtaposition between holiday cozyness and the horror of the revenge.
mapleeaston's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
clwojick's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
couchnest's review
3.0
Honestly, after reading some reviews and seeing all the hype over how supposedly violent the women are in this book, I was rather disappointed that punishment for murder was caning and that was it. One violent scene. One. Caning.
The overall story was okay. I feel like the conversations in these books are not very, mature. I mean, Myra is supposed to be old enough to have grown daughters and yet much of the time the way she speaks is like some naive 20 year old. She goes on and on about how exciting going on a long distance truck drive was and seems overly flattered from male attention while she is out. Just doesn't ring realistic of a woman of her age and her means (money) to not have had more life experience.
These books play out like fantasies in my head where I win the lottery and suddenly become very wealthy and can do what I want when I want and don't really need to explain any real details. Charles is pretty awesome and can do just about anything, but at the same time, we get no real depth on why, other than he is a former spy so he has all the perfect contacts, all the knowledge necessary and so far never fails.
A lot of detail in the books is spent on what they are eating, giving us complete menus of the multiple items they are offered for any given meal. Less detail is given on why Charles knows what he knows. I realize the story is supposed to be about the women and their revenge, but they can only carry out their revenge with Charles' help, so it seems only fair to share some of his backstory and some stories from his days as a spy to give some background on how he knows certain things or has certain skills.
I also think adding the supernatural element of Barb visiting is odd and doesn't really fit in this story. It's not a ghost story, or is it?
I hope the writing improves and matures some as I go on. I hope Barb finally finds peace and moves on. Her constant presence everywhere, not just in her mom's house, is odd. The conversations seem stilted at times. I really want to like this series. I love the idea behind it. I have hopes for the future, but three books in, this is how I feel.
The overall story was okay. I feel like the conversations in these books are not very, mature. I mean, Myra is supposed to be old enough to have grown daughters and yet much of the time the way she speaks is like some naive 20 year old. She goes on and on about how exciting going on a long distance truck drive was and seems overly flattered from male attention while she is out. Just doesn't ring realistic of a woman of her age and her means (money) to not have had more life experience.
These books play out like fantasies in my head where I win the lottery and suddenly become very wealthy and can do what I want when I want and don't really need to explain any real details. Charles is pretty awesome and can do just about anything, but at the same time, we get no real depth on why, other than he is a former spy so he has all the perfect contacts, all the knowledge necessary and so far never fails.
A lot of detail in the books is spent on what they are eating, giving us complete menus of the multiple items they are offered for any given meal. Less detail is given on why Charles knows what he knows. I realize the story is supposed to be about the women and their revenge, but they can only carry out their revenge with Charles' help, so it seems only fair to share some of his backstory and some stories from his days as a spy to give some background on how he knows certain things or has certain skills.
I also think adding the supernatural element of Barb visiting is odd and doesn't really fit in this story. It's not a ghost story, or is it?
I hope the writing improves and matures some as I go on. I hope Barb finally finds peace and moves on. Her constant presence everywhere, not just in her mom's house, is odd. The conversations seem stilted at times. I really want to like this series. I love the idea behind it. I have hopes for the future, but three books in, this is how I feel.
fxtrtr's review
4.0
The Sisterhood is back for their next mission and this time it is Myra's turn to right the wrong done to her. It won't be easy to make the man responsible for Myra's daughters death pay since he is in China but a little thing like that won't stop the Sisterhood when they put their minds to it.
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