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veronicadidato's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Interesting concept, but failed to deliver. Not only when it comes to plot and world-building, but the writing itself needs a lot of work as well. I don't think I've ever read a published book with so many "very" still in it. It was actually ridiculous.
There were also a lot of odd statements included in the book. Such things as being feminine mean being small and weak, and you can't really be feminine and businesslike at the same time, and so on. Just weird things to include in a book that tries so hard to make the woman lead out to be this badass, intelligent character.
Because the book tries reaaaaaal hard to make you think the main characters are smart, mysterious, and the best at what they're doing. But it falls flat not only because it's so painfully obvious what the author is trying to do but can't really seem to manage it, but also because the execution is just...so poor. If you're going to write characters that lie for a living, at least look up how to lie. Sharing unnecessary details that no one asked for? That's a sure-fire way to give you away as a liar. If you can't bother with the research, at least spend an evening looking at Ocean's Eleven or something. At least that'll give you a better inclination about how to lie than whatever this book tried to do.
The pacing was also off. It started fast and kicked off the plot well enough, and then as soon as they started having sex, it came to a grinding halt until the author remembered that it was time to end the book. It was flimsy at best and this is supposed to be a setup for a series. And I still can't tell you honestly what this series is about, because so much time was wasted on their "relationship" and skipped over a lot of the important build-up that would make you interested in the continuation.
All in all, an interesting concept, but flawed execution.
There were also a lot of odd statements included in the book. Such things as being feminine mean being small and weak, and you can't really be feminine and businesslike at the same time, and so on. Just weird things to include in a book that tries so hard to make the woman lead out to be this badass, intelligent character.
Because the book tries reaaaaaal hard to make you think the main characters are smart, mysterious, and the best at what they're doing. But it falls flat not only because it's so painfully obvious what the author is trying to do but can't really seem to manage it, but also because the execution is just...so poor. If you're going to write characters that lie for a living, at least look up how to lie. Sharing unnecessary details that no one asked for? That's a sure-fire way to give you away as a liar. If you can't bother with the research, at least spend an evening looking at Ocean's Eleven or something. At least that'll give you a better inclination about how to lie than whatever this book tried to do.
The pacing was also off. It started fast and kicked off the plot well enough, and then as soon as they started having sex, it came to a grinding halt until the author remembered that it was time to end the book. It was flimsy at best and this is supposed to be a setup for a series. And I still can't tell you honestly what this series is about, because so much time was wasted on their "relationship" and skipped over a lot of the important build-up that would make you interested in the continuation.
All in all, an interesting concept, but flawed execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Slavery
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