Audiobook Re-Read August 2017

Re-read June 2016

This was such a lovely re-read. I find myself in a bit of a book slump, but this one truly hit the spot. It's like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day.

Original Review

Ahhh, finally diving into my last Kelley Armstrong series (well, not counting unpublished books!). The setting of this one in the real world made it feel like a very different kind of book for Armstrong. Or perhaps that was just my overly conscious perception.

(Hey, my boss just called me a winner. Writing reviews while working, I CAN DO IT ALL.)

This also got me thinking a great deal about first books in a series. Specifically, Armstrong's in-progress Cainville series, where Jess, Beth, and I didn't REALLY fall for the series until the second book. I think I liked this one a little less than the first Cainsville book (Omens). However, it gave me a similar feeling of, okay, these are great characters and you're going to REALLY love them in the next book. But I'm not quite there yet. (This was a more complete story than Omens, though.)

(Also, unlike Cainsville, I can read the rest of the series RIGHT NOW. YESSSS.)

I really loved the characters in this particular work.

In fact, they might actually be more enjoyable than some of Kelly Armstrong's other books.

The concept of hitmen with their own code is truly fascinating.

It provides a great angle that enables the story to unfold in an engaging and unique way.

Their code adds an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to the narrative.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, eager to see how the characters would navigate through the challenges and conflicts that came their way.

Overall, this book has left me with a strong desire to read the next installment.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and developments await the characters in the upcoming book.

I have high expectations based on the quality and enjoyment I experienced in this one.

I'm sure the next book will be just as captivating and entertaining.

Jack talks like a caveman. His use of pronouns is bad, and his sentences are far from complete. This drove me crazy. It seems a bit excessive, even for the sake of character development. We understand, Kelley; he's the strong silent type, a man of few words. However, you don't have to hit us over the head with it.

It's a mildly enjoyable read, provided you can tolerate a main character who speaks the entire time as if he's an idiot. Nadia is a bit of a ditzy airhead herself. I'm not sure how she hasn't managed to get herself killed in "the business" considering how careless she is.

I love reading books like this because it gives me hope. If something like this can get published, then perhaps one day I'll have a chance too.

Maybe I can write a story with a unique character who speaks in an odd way, just like Jack. Or a female lead who is as scatterbrained as Nadia. Who knows? Maybe my book will be even better and more successful than this one.

I'll keep writing and working hard, hoping that one day my dream of getting published will come true. Just like this author, I want to share my stories with the world and touch the hearts of readers.

In my opinion, the work in question was pretty good.

However, it failed to reach the same level of excellence as her Otherworld Series.

The Otherworld Series had a certain charm and allure that this particular piece seemed to lack.

Perhaps it was the depth of the characters, the intricacy of the plot, or the unique world-building that made the Otherworld Series so captivating.

While the current work had its own merits, it just couldn't compare to the masterpiece that was the Otherworld Series.

Nonetheless, it was still an enjoyable read and showed promise for future works by the author.

Maybe with time and more experience, the author will be able to create something that rivals or even surpasses the greatness of her Otherworld Series.

Until then, readers can continue to enjoy the good works that she produces and look forward to what the future holds.

This was an extremely fast-paced and exciting story.

It kicks off with two murders within the first 20 pages and then just keeps on going.

Ordinarily, I have a preference for heroes over anti-heroes. However, Nadia, being a hitwoman, managed to draw me in with the story, and I found it to be compelling reading.

The flashbacks that we are presented with, which detail Nadia's traumatic past, make her a more sympathetic character, even though her occupation is far from noble.

There is also a great deal of suspense. When your partners are fellow hitmen, it becomes incredibly difficult to know who to trust. Add to that the public panic, the media frenzy, and law enforcement getting closer, and the quick pace never relents.

This is the first book that Kelley Armstrong has written that is not a paranormal book; instead, it is a straightforward mystery.

I found it to be a non-stop page-turner, very well-written, and I highly recommend it to mystery fans and action fans alike.

It offers a thrilling ride from start to finish, with engaging characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Whether you're a fan of mysteries or just looking for an exciting read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

I really liked this piece for its great plot and the presence of anti-heroes. The story was presented in a way that was about as realistic as one could imagine, although of course, it wasn't extremely realistic.

Due to this lack of absolute realism, there were aspects that I didn't quite like. However, it still served as great fodder for medium-level writing talent.

The overall experience was very fun, as it had its own unique charm and吸引力. It managed to engage me with its interesting characters and the twists and turns in the plot.

Despite its flaws in terms of realism, it had enough elements to keep me entertained and interested throughout. It was a good example of how a story can be enjoyable even if it doesn't perfectly mirror real life.

I would recommend it to others who are looking for an entertaining read that offers something different with its anti-heroes and engaging plot.

3.5 to 4 stars.

This is a different genre compared to Armstrongs' typical stories, but I still found it enjoyable.

The combination of guns, serial killers, and a strong, silent, romantic interest really hits the mark.

The story keeps you on the edge of your seat with its thrilling plot and well-developed characters.

I especially liked the ending, which was a great "Exit Strategy".

It ties up all the loose ends in a satisfying way and leaves you with a sense of closure.

Overall, this is a great read for those who enjoy a good mystery or thriller.

I would definitely recommend it to others.

What a truly engaging and unexpectedly captivating read with a remarkable female protagonist!

Regular patrons of Nadia's nature lodge have no idea what she does during the off-season, and it's a fortunate thing too. For if she were to disclose her true occupation, she'd have no choice but to eliminate them. She is, in fact, a hit woman for a Mafia family.

Yes, she's a former disgraced cop who has now transformed into a lodge owner and a hired gun. However, Nadia is extremely selective about her targets - they must all be Mafia thugs. As we witness in the initial chapters, she is incredibly cautious when carrying out her assignments.

Then, a situation arises that could put her and all her hard work at risk. A serial killer is on the loose in the United States, demonstrating skills that only a professional could possess. Law enforcement indeed suspects that a hit man has become the infamous and elusive Helter Skelter Killer. Her mentor, "Jack," has several other hit men ready to pursue the killer, stating that it's bad for business if the HSK is one of them. This is because every local and federal law enforcement agency will round up known professionals, potentially compromising the identities of those in the business. In other words, he and Nadia could be in danger. She agrees and decides to assist "Jack" and his motley crew (which includes a woman who appears to be a sweet old granny).

Nadia becomes suspicious of the older woman, despite the fact that Jack was her student. Felix and Quinn are wonderful characters - one is an employed cop who takes a romantic interest in Nadia. The group of assassins always seems to be one step behind the HSK. Could there be a traitor in their small band of killers? And if so, who will survive?

I truly adored this book, although it could have been shortened by approximately 50 pages from its 480-page length. The writing is excellent. The action is fast-paced. The dialogue is intelligent. The overall writing quality is top-notch. The level of suspense steadily builds and builds - I couldn't wait to pick up the book again. I must definitely read the other two books in the Nadia Stafford Trilogy!

It took over half of this book for it to even remotely become interesting, and it only really picked up near the end.

Considering it's an assassin book, one wouldn't have expected it to be so boring, yet that was unfortunately the case.

The characters, including Nadia, were rather dull. The only one I had any semblance of liking was Quinn, but even he didn't leave a significant impact.

Also, in what universe would a group of hitmen team up to take out another while ensuring no innocents are harmed in the process? They're hitmen, after all. Why would they care about such things?

I have such a tumultuous relationship with this author. I didn't much care for The Summoning and this particular book. City of the Lost and Age of Legends were just okay. However, The Masked Truth and Cainsville I absolutely loved.

It seems that with this author, the quality of the books can vary greatly, making it a bit of a gamble when picking up a new one.

Hopefully, future works will be more consistent in terms of entertainment value and character development.

About two years ago, when I was reading a number of Armstrong books, I came across Nadia Stafford #2. At that time, I thought it was just okay. However, now that I have all three books in the series, I have decided to read them in order to see if the overall experience is better. After reading Book 1, I found that it made more sense than Book 2. I am looking forward to continuing with the series and seeing how the story develops. I hope that by reading them in order, I will be able to gain a better understanding of the characters and the plot. I will also be able to appreciate the author's writing style more fully. Overall, I am excited to embark on this reading journey and see where it takes me.

2.5 Stars

This story truly felt very different from what one would expect from KA. The characters came across as mere undeveloped sketches rather than the mysterious and engaging figures one might anticipate. Moreover, the pace was excruciatingly slow. It has to be one of the most tedious thrillers I've ever read, second only to The Other Daughter by Lisa Gardner. I lost count of the number of times I simply lost track of what I had read because everything was so incredibly boring, slow, and uneventful. Additionally, I despise it when characters are supposed to be badasses but fail miserably when put to the test. What's with all these books featuring female assassins these days? While Nadia isn't like Calaena (as Nadia actually kills her targets), things were still a bit complicated. As I already mentioned, this story took far too long. It didn't need more pages; it needed a severe trimming. Then there are the guys. One has the personality of a tree stump (I'm guessing Nadia will end up with him?), and the other is like a human version of a Labrador retriever with green eyes. -_- Will I be reading the next volume? Ahhh... I don't know. A small part of me insists that this is KA's work, and perhaps things will improve in the second one. If I do, I'll probably wait a few weeks just to forget how bored I was with most of the story.

One of my all-time favorite authors has once again delivered a story that didn't disappoint.

It's a slow burn, which I quite enjoy as it allows for a more in-depth exploration of the characters and their relationships.

I'm not entirely sure who I'm rooting for at this point, which adds an element of excitement and anticipation.

The tee shirt that Quinn found her in did bother me initially, but there was a valid excuse provided, so I'm willing to forgive.

I'm extremely excited to move on to the next installment and see where the story takes us.

The narrators did a great job of bringing the story to life, adding another layer of enjoyment to the reading experience.

I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.