Three messed-up characters out of five lumps of goo.
Reading this book is like watching Transformer.
Picked based on Goodreads recommendations from my previous reads.
I want to read something different, something more recent, maybe not lighter but less <i>literary</i>. Well, this is not exactly it.
Spoiler review
The book starts off by introducing the four main characters and their backgrounds. I like this part but the changes between characters and scenes feel jumpy because there are barely any transitions (ebook). Each part is brief, maybe to keep readers curious but personally, I prefer it longer, so that I care a bit more for the characters before it switches.
The building of the characters seems promising, with each of them given their own personalities and histories. The book builds them up well enough that I want to know more about them but unfortunately, things go down from there.
When the three characters meet, everything sort of mashed together, especially after they are released from prison and form a ‘working" team. It’s almost like the book forgets each personality’s uniqueness and just lumps them together.
From there on, one remains quite consistent, quite, but he is obviously nothing more than a plot device. The other two suddenly have the capabilities to do things that are not at all implied previously and make out-of-character decisions. One lousy-low-level con who can’t prevent himself from being locked up because he screws up a simple scam turns into a criminal mastermind with a lot of underground contacts. One sleazy ex-playboy who was locked up because of a rookie mistake turns into a professional persistent hero.
Their motivations are either weak, no longer there, or questionable, yet they are willing to sacrifice everything. Everything. There are good and great people/characters, but I don’t buy it here.
Hang on. The review is still going down a slippery slope.
From half the book, it turns into Transformer. I use Transformer a lot to explain something that starts off quite intriguing into a mind-numbing attempt of actions with me not caring whatever is going on and whose body is flying now.
When the characters are facing the consequences after going out of prison, there are barely a few paragraphs describing them, and bam. Action. Action. Disbelief? Suspend it!
There is some potential to make a good story by picking one, just one of those sensitive story elements but no, they want it all. However, it feels like being bitten by a mosquito on the sole of my foot. When I scratch it, there is zero satisfaction. It itches more because I am scratching all the surfaces but nothing is getting in.
And don’t get me started with the ending. Sigh. It’s starting. I don’t need a cliche or predictable or complete ending. I am all for ‘we can’t solve everything here.’ But when you do all that character build-ups at the beginning, ignoring and throwing away most of them in the middle to gear up for action, then setting up a conclusive ending through mind-numbing suspension of belief sequence of events, then there should be something. I don’t mind the ending if that is the focus of the story, but it’s not. It’s not!
There are glaring plot holes and mistakes as well. Dummy 101 to magical disguise but addressing a character with his real well-known name, how to impress the final boss in two simple steps, how to make everything seems smart and tricky with confusing sequences and betrayals but it’s a lump of goo, how to put wrong character names and forget unsolved actions because the characters are teleported. In their defense, all of those are not very obvious for those who solely like actions (I am not). And not in their defense: it’s not obvious because the story has turned into a mashed potato that no one notices the inaccurate details.
Okay, one more before I justify my rating. There are at least two notable lengthy explanations between urgent actions. It’s distracting and out of place but I can’t really blame this as writing is very subjective. Some readers prefer that everything is explained, while others prefer to read between the lines.
I lied. One more, the timing is way too linear it misses some opportunities to make the story more interesting. But the main point, IMHO, it botches the characters too much.
I give this a round-up of three stars because while there are many things that tickle me; I appreciate two things.One, there are some rich and imaginative descriptions of settings and actions. Two, although the theme revolves around criminals, sex, and violence, the book stays away from unnecessary scenes and doesn’t let them go further than they should.
It’s not my cup of tea, but some readers might appreciate it.
Three messed-up characters out of five lumps of goo
