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chem244's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Good book but drags on a bit and is a bit cliche at times.
monetcreek's review against another edition
5.0
Okay I love British imports (that's what I call books made by Brits)! They honestly make the best books especially with action and are clever as hell whether they write books or make YouTube videos or make movies (Monte Python, Tomska, Eddsworld (R.I.P. Edd Gould))
This book was no exception. I walked in with high expectations and walked out psyched to find [b:The Rising|11797478|The Rising (Department Nineteen, #2)|Will Hill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348105304s/11797478.jpg|16750275] and even more psyched for [b:Battle Lines|16101069|Battle Lines (Department 19, #3)|Will Hill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355994827s/16101069.jpg|21911370].
The characters are amazing and the twist betrayal kinda caught me off gurad (mostly because I read the book at different times because I had school work so the book fell off my priority list, bad Rika >.<). Will, in my mind, is so sexy (I find slightly lanky boys in books hot, it shows). Larissa, one word: Badass!
A lot of people I noticed were thrown off by the names (have never read Frankenstein or Dracula, next year in AP Literature Rika, next year). But I didn't know who the Rusmanov brother's were until I read this and The Rising (had to look up their last name to avoid slaughter). Valentin was badass villain and its hard to find that (another reason why I love British writers)
The size was good (read Tunnels series, that will prepare you despite the way its going now after 1/4 reading [b:Spiral|11199165|Spiral (Tunnels, #5)|Roderick Gordon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303615415s/11199165.jpg|16124179]) but I wouldn't suggest the series for those who have very overactive imaginations and have the squimish stomachs that come with it.
This book was no exception. I walked in with high expectations and walked out psyched to find [b:The Rising|11797478|The Rising (Department Nineteen, #2)|Will Hill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348105304s/11797478.jpg|16750275] and even more psyched for [b:Battle Lines|16101069|Battle Lines (Department 19, #3)|Will Hill|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355994827s/16101069.jpg|21911370].
The characters are amazing and the twist betrayal kinda caught me off gurad (mostly because I read the book at different times because I had school work so the book fell off my priority list, bad Rika >.<). Will, in my mind, is so sexy (I find slightly lanky boys in books hot, it shows). Larissa, one word: Badass!
A lot of people I noticed were thrown off by the names (have never read Frankenstein or Dracula, next year in AP Literature Rika, next year). But I didn't know who the Rusmanov brother's were until I read this and The Rising (had to look up their last name to avoid slaughter). Valentin was badass villain and its hard to find that (another reason why I love British writers)
The size was good (read Tunnels series, that will prepare you despite the way its going now after 1/4 reading [b:Spiral|11199165|Spiral (Tunnels, #5)|Roderick Gordon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303615415s/11199165.jpg|16124179]) but I wouldn't suggest the series for those who have very overactive imaginations and have the squimish stomachs that come with it.
jeanwk's review against another edition
2.0
I had to read this book for an assignment. I think the kind of people who would like this kind of book should not read it. All blood, gore, bodies exploding, and much more.
m3l89's review
4.0
I found this much harder to read than the previous 2 novels, and I was disappointed and a little cheated when I realised that this novel wasn't going to be the conclusion.
I think these are well written and fast paced, with believable and developed characters; but I cannot stand Jamie Carpenter!
I think these are well written and fast paced, with believable and developed characters; but I cannot stand Jamie Carpenter!
srandazza's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating 4.5
This was surprisingly good. I really liked the characters and the plot was very interesting.
It was deffinatly a little gory at times so if you don't like anything horror related this book is not for you. I can't wait the read the next book.
This was surprisingly good. I really liked the characters and the plot was very interesting.
It was deffinatly a little gory at times so if you don't like anything horror related this book is not for you. I can't wait the read the next book.
sila109's review
3.0
honestly, thus far, this book was the slowest in the series. i feel like so much happened in this book, but also nothing happened. there were plenty of good moments and build-ups, but i feel like this one was missing a main storyline. i was waiting for a climax in more than one of the plots but was kinda underwhelmed with how they wrapped up. still a great book, but it fell short of my expectations after the first two books. im very excited to see how the series will turn out after this though. this book felt a lot like constant rising action, so im expecting the next book to be the big ball drop.
z523's review
4.0
Admittedly, I have some complaints about the authors style: switching points of view with little warning, jumping around chronologically, etc.
However, the story is a fun and exciting read. I am rather hooked in this series despite its faults, and I am quite enjoying it.
However, the story is a fun and exciting read. I am rather hooked in this series despite its faults, and I am quite enjoying it.
z523's review against another edition
4.0
Exciting action packed book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
The writing was a little odd in a few places where the third person focus would shift unexpectedly. The author would also leave the occasional spoilerific hint.
The traitor was pretty obvious early on, and his reasons were flimsy at best (avenging great-great-grandfather who died in an rock slide...)
Also, who has a 16yo boy lead a military operation with no experience? Well, that's YA for you, so not really that uncommon.
Anyway, the story was exciting and very action packed. I am willing to overlook its faults for how much I enjoyed it. Anyway, looking forward to the rest of the series.
(These vampires don't sparkle.)
The writing was a little odd in a few places where the third person focus would shift unexpectedly. The author would also leave the occasional spoilerific hint.
The traitor was pretty obvious early on, and his reasons were flimsy at best (avenging great-great-grandfather who died in an rock slide...)
Also, who has a 16yo boy lead a military operation with no experience? Well, that's YA for you, so not really that uncommon.
Anyway, the story was exciting and very action packed. I am willing to overlook its faults for how much I enjoyed it. Anyway, looking forward to the rest of the series.
(These vampires don't sparkle.)
bart154ce's review
5.0
This review first appeared on my blog Bart's Bookshelf.
(I wrote this review back in July, but have been holding of posting it, so I could post my reviews of the last 3 books altogether, wasn’t originally planning on it taking 6 months though!)
I can’t believe how long this was sitting on my review pile for so long… Long enough for the last two books in the series to be released! I originally downloaded a review copy from Netgalley, but the formatting was found and I found I couldn’t read it. :( I did however buy a physical copy as soon as it was released, put it to one side intending to read it soon. then reading slumps and other things got in the way, and all of a sudden the last book, Darkest Night, was being released…
Something needed to be done! So in among my other review books, I decided to start a mini Department 19 marathon to get caught up! As I write this review, I’m halfway though the next one, Zero Hour, but I’ll be waiting until I’ve finished them all to start posting my reviews.
The one good thing about leaving it so long to read them, is that I at least do not have to wait months clinging to the side of a cliff!
Following on from the devastating events at the end of The Rising; Battle Lines sees Jamie and his friends settling in to their roles within the organisation, having to shoulder the responsibility of much more senior agents. Unfortunately the clock is ticking, Zero Hour is approaching, and they are under increasing pressure to achieve the impossible.
The new trainees, might not be up to the job, the number of vamps is increasing and getting stronger, far quicker that they should, it’s not clear if all the traitorous have been cleaned out. Not not that, but outside elements are threatening to reveal the truth about existence of vampire and the organisation.
Ignoring the fact that it took me so start it properly, the pages flew by once I did, and it never felt like the 700 page tomb that it is; knocking off quite large chunks every time I picked it up.
Battle Lines was every bit as gory, gripping, and fantastic as the rest of the series, now time for Zero Hour!
(I wrote this review back in July, but have been holding of posting it, so I could post my reviews of the last 3 books altogether, wasn’t originally planning on it taking 6 months though!)
I can’t believe how long this was sitting on my review pile for so long… Long enough for the last two books in the series to be released! I originally downloaded a review copy from Netgalley, but the formatting was found and I found I couldn’t read it. :( I did however buy a physical copy as soon as it was released, put it to one side intending to read it soon. then reading slumps and other things got in the way, and all of a sudden the last book, Darkest Night, was being released…
Something needed to be done! So in among my other review books, I decided to start a mini Department 19 marathon to get caught up! As I write this review, I’m halfway though the next one, Zero Hour, but I’ll be waiting until I’ve finished them all to start posting my reviews.
The one good thing about leaving it so long to read them, is that I at least do not have to wait months clinging to the side of a cliff!
Following on from the devastating events at the end of The Rising; Battle Lines sees Jamie and his friends settling in to their roles within the organisation, having to shoulder the responsibility of much more senior agents. Unfortunately the clock is ticking, Zero Hour is approaching, and they are under increasing pressure to achieve the impossible.
The new trainees, might not be up to the job, the number of vamps is increasing and getting stronger, far quicker that they should, it’s not clear if all the traitorous have been cleaned out. Not not that, but outside elements are threatening to reveal the truth about existence of vampire and the organisation.
Ignoring the fact that it took me so start it properly, the pages flew by once I did, and it never felt like the 700 page tomb that it is; knocking off quite large chunks every time I picked it up.
Battle Lines was every bit as gory, gripping, and fantastic as the rest of the series, now time for Zero Hour!
theapie's review
4.0
The only thing I'm upset about is that this series is not being given the attention it deserves. It's so so good yet so underrated.