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marlobo's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! that was oppressive.
This book set the reader at work, you have to pay attention in order to catch every detail because the author gives away nothing.
And it comes to be nothing tough holding that attention; the story is absorbing despite of -or perhaps because of- the dark tones and the frugality of the narration.
I think that it isn't a story for all tastes, doesn't generate Aws or sighs but a kind of ball of anguish and caution in the pit of the stomach even in the ending.
There are more remarkable things: The plot in itself, with an outcome that I didn't see coming; a very good work with the MCs and cast, hardened like the background in which they live. Only George's character seemed me a little bit exaggerated
The best, in my opinion, was that none was served on a silver platter, that turned into an active experience the reading.
This book set the reader at work, you have to pay attention in order to catch every detail because the author gives away nothing.
And it comes to be nothing tough holding that attention; the story is absorbing despite of -or perhaps because of- the dark tones and the frugality of the narration.
I think that it isn't a story for all tastes, doesn't generate Aws or sighs but a kind of ball of anguish and caution in the pit of the stomach even in the ending.
There are more remarkable things: The plot in itself, with an outcome that I didn't see coming; a very good work with the MCs and cast, hardened like the background in which they live. Only George's character seemed me a little bit exaggerated
The best, in my opinion, was that none was served on a silver platter, that turned into an active experience the reading.
shazov's review against another edition
4.0
Talk about a book that kept me on my toes. I went from utter confusion, to WTH is happening now, why is this happening, to why is he acting like this and who the hell is Freeman anyway... And this was all in the first 40%. I enjoy this author, so I knew I'd get the answers to things sooner or later. And well, yes, it did turn out to be later, but what a ride it was to get there.
There isn't a anything fluffy about this story, but it's not all dark either. As readers we are really left out in the dark for a long time. We see Freeman and get to know just enough about him to keep reading. All the information is given in little snippets...teeny bits at a time, when we really need to know. It's not until nearly the end that we get all the pertinent information that we need to connect ALL the dots.
The build-up is brilliantly done and I'm so glad I stuck it out through my original confusion and doubts.
There isn't a anything fluffy about this story, but it's not all dark either. As readers we are really left out in the dark for a long time. We see Freeman and get to know just enough about him to keep reading. All the information is given in little snippets...teeny bits at a time, when we really need to know. It's not until nearly the end that we get all the pertinent information that we need to connect ALL the dots.
The build-up is brilliantly done and I'm so glad I stuck it out through my original confusion and doubts.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fascinating book with two main characters who interested me from the start, but who only very gradually came into focus.. We see the story through the eyes of Freeman - who has returned to his home town where his ex-business partner George is drifting further and further into criminal enterprises, where his ex-wife still lives, where the apartment he's owned for a long time feels like home, but not quite.
One night, sitting in the corner of a bar George owns, where he's warily tolerated, he meets a very young man. Kit is one of George's newest possessions, a kid who thinks he's made his own choices, who desperately needs to feel in control even though George effectively owns him. But Kit is caught in George's web, a pawn in a much bigger game, controlled and used. Freeman sees it, wants to help him, and yet doesn't want to get to close. So he lets Kit in, a bit at a time. A safe place to stay, a meal, an evening watching a movie without pressure to perform. And gradually, his heart becomes captured too.
But Kit is useful to George for more than his ass, and George isn't happy at having Freeman around, butting back into his empire. Slowly, things come to a head.
I liked that this was dark, but not super-dark. That the criminality was sometimes mundane, sometimes less that life-and-death, and yet still painful and grimy and devastating. I enjoyed the slow burn, and also the slow reveal. We learn important things about both men and their situation very gradually, with what feel like natural reveals over the length of the book. Freeman is very closed down, and often we learn things about him in how other people react to him.
The writing captured my attention and the slow build kept me turning the pages. I didn't fall in love with the main characters - the little bit of distance from Freeman's emotions was both part of the fascination but also kept me from loving him as I do my favorite MCs. But I imagine I'll reread this one , someday, and will be interested in what clues I missed the first time through, not to the mystery element, but to the men themselves.
One night, sitting in the corner of a bar George owns, where he's warily tolerated, he meets a very young man. Kit is one of George's newest possessions, a kid who thinks he's made his own choices, who desperately needs to feel in control even though George effectively owns him. But Kit is caught in George's web, a pawn in a much bigger game, controlled and used. Freeman sees it, wants to help him, and yet doesn't want to get to close. So he lets Kit in, a bit at a time. A safe place to stay, a meal, an evening watching a movie without pressure to perform. And gradually, his heart becomes captured too.
But Kit is useful to George for more than his ass, and George isn't happy at having Freeman around, butting back into his empire. Slowly, things come to a head.
I liked that this was dark, but not super-dark. That the criminality was sometimes mundane, sometimes less that life-and-death, and yet still painful and grimy and devastating. I enjoyed the slow burn, and also the slow reveal. We learn important things about both men and their situation very gradually, with what feel like natural reveals over the length of the book. Freeman is very closed down, and often we learn things about him in how other people react to him.
The writing captured my attention and the slow build kept me turning the pages. I didn't fall in love with the main characters - the little bit of distance from Freeman's emotions was both part of the fascination but also kept me from loving him as I do my favorite MCs. But I imagine I'll reread this one , someday, and will be interested in what clues I missed the first time through, not to the mystery element, but to the men themselves.
djeterg19's review
3.0
I liked this but felt like Freeman was a bit too much of a mystery for too much of the story. Really liked how the relationship built between Freeman and Kit. Loved that there was build up to their relationship. Overall, an enjoyable read.
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