Friday Mini Reviews #72: Pierce Brown, J.D. Robb & Kevin Hearne
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
"I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."
"I live for you," I say sadly.
Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
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8.5/10
A very strong listen on audio. There are flaws of course. The main character loses the plot halfway through because of his enormous pride but it's to be expected really, with the sheer brutality of what's going in. To be honest it' so nerve wracking and brutal I don't think I have the stomach to read the continuation of the series. Very strong imagery and characters, BUT. Darrow is just not very likeable. *shrugs* Still, recommended.
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Очень сильная книга на аудио. Конечно, в ней есть и недостатки. Главный герой теряет свой моральный компас и первоначальные цели посреди сюжета из-за своей гордыни, чему я совершенно не удивилась. Очень брутальная книга. Яркие описания происходящего, настолько яркие, что у меня аж живот крутило иногда. Прямо боюсь читать книгу следующую, честно говоря. Ну вот, не пришёлся мне Дарроу по душе, и в этом проблема. Однако, книгу всё-равно советую.
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
Set in 2059 in New York City, the number-one bestselling In Death series has given fans a searing glimpse into near-future law and order. Now, as scientists work to expand the limits of technology, Detective Eve Dallas tracks the cunning, cold-blooded killer of a father and son. A pioneer of modern reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Wilfred B. Icove, is found dead in his office--murdered in a chillingly efficient manner: one swift stab to the heart. Struck by the immaculate condition of the crime scene, Dallas suspects a professional killing. Security disks show a stunningly beautiful woman calmly entering and leaving the building--the good doctor's final appointment. Known as "Dr. Perfect," the saintly Icove devoted his life to his family and his work. His record is clean. Too clean for Dallas. She knows he was hiding something and suspects that his son--and successor--knows what it is. Then, like father, like son, the young Dr. Icove is killed . . . with the same deadly precision. But who is the mystery woman--and what was her relationship with the good doctors? While her husband, Roarke, works behind the scenes, Dallas follows her darkest instincts into the Icoves' pasts. What she discovers are men driven to create perfection--playing fast and loose with the laws of nature, the limits of science, and the morals of humanity. Origin in Death proves once again the incredible appeal of Eve Dallas and the bestselling popularity of her creator. Whether writing as herself or as J. D. Robb, Nora Roberts continues to push the boundaries of suspense--and she takes delighted fans along for the ride.
Audible US/UK | Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
8.5/10
One of the best books in this series (and I'm telling this to you looking back from catching up to almost all of them). Very convoluted, futuristic plot worthy of a movie. There is a huge moral battle, many emotional moments and an incredible ending. The consequences of this book will echo in many more books in the future so you can not miss it! Roarke and Eve come very close to dying. Very much recommended.
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Одна из лучших книг серии с сюжетом, заслуживающим полноценного превращения в кинофильм. Это я говоря с уверенностью, так как на момент этой рецензии, книги я прочитала почти все. Готовьтесь к трудному моральному выбору, тяжёлым вопросам, вызванным прогрессом науки и медицины, а также ко многим эмоциональным моментам. Рорк и Ив чуть ли не умирают. Книга эта будет отзываться эхом во многих последующих книгах серии, так что её пропускать нельзя.
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
Iron Druid Atticus O'Sullivan, hero of Kevin Hearne's epic New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series, has a point to make—and then drive into a vampire's heart.
When a druid has lived for two thousand years like Atticus, he's bound to run afoul of a few vampires. Make that legions of them. Even his former friend and legal counsel turned out to be a bloodsucking backstabber. Now the toothy troublemakers—led by power-mad pain-in-the-neck Theophilus—have become a huge problem requiring a solution. It's time to make a stand.
As always, Atticus wouldn't mind a little backup. But his allies have problems of their own. Ornery archdruid Owen Kennedy is having a wee bit of troll trouble: Turns out when you stiff a troll, it's not water under the bridge. Meanwhile, Granuaile is desperate to free herself of the Norse god Loki's mark and elude his powers of divination—a quest that will bring her face-to-face with several Slavic nightmares.
As Atticus globetrots to stop his nemesis Theophilus, the journey leads to Rome. What better place to end an immortal than the Eternal City? But poetic justice won't come without a price: In order to defeat Theophilus, Atticus may have to lose an old friend.
Audible US/UK | Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
8/10
I do think that in general this series is losing steam, but I also was enormously relieved that this giant vampire plot arch finally came to its end. Hallelujah! Owen was okay, Granuaile is still not my favorite, although Polish witches were nice. Atticus is still his old self. Loved the ghost story. Very nice touch, Mr. Hearne! *smirking* So, overall not bad, but I am more than ready for a fresh start for all the characters.
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Да, я думаю, что эта серия постепенно и неумолимо теряет свой блеск. Как-то восторга последние несколько книг у меня не вызывали. Нить сюжета о вампирах наконец-то оказалась завершена, о чём я прочитала с огромным облегчением. Оуэн был в порядке, хоть и довольно скучноват. Грануаль мне никогда особо не нравилась, хотя её общение с польскими ведьмами было очень милым. Ну а Аттикус как обычно - Аттикус! Понравилась история с призраком в Канаде. Хорошо была она написана, мистер Хирн. Так что, в общем, неплохо, но я более чем готова к новым, свежим поворотам сюжета.
