The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer
3.5/5 stars
Hyperion, 2013
341 pages
Young Adult Paranormal Time Travel
Scheduled to release May 7
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I remember reading the first Artemis Fowl book and being blown away in particular by the first few chapters. I liked the rest of the story too but the beginning was the part I read over and over again. While I fell away from the series, I retained a fondness for Colfer and his writing. Thus I was pleased to see a new story coming out, one where I could jump feet first into a new world particularly as it teased time travel.
This novel brings together two unlikely compatriots. First is Riley, an orphan in Victorian London apprenticed to the cruel and evil magician/assassin Albert Garrick who ends up traveling to the future, our present, and intersecting with the second protagonist Chevron Savano, a young would-be FBI agent. The book spends time both in our present as well as returning to the past with Garrick chasing the pair throughout. He seems near indestructible and is a suitably terrifying villain.
For me, this book took ages to really get off the ground. I dragged my feet through the opening chapters with all their set-up but flew through the ending. Especially for a young person's novel, I think the story needs to delve into the meat earlier. Once it got going, there was some snappy dialogue and ingenious plotting but it took a long time to reach that point.
Riley and Chevron are perfectly nice characters. I loved his vulnerability, having being orphaned as a baby and with a cruel master while Chevron is an orphan, having become tough and daring on her quest to prove herself as a potential agent. They had a fun relationship trying to unravel the mystery of the time travel and attempting to keep one step ahead of the nefarious Garrick.
Overall: A fun plot that just takes a little too long to get going.
Cover: Really not a favorite for me with all the faces looking at me.
HEY GIRL! I'M BACK!!! Sorry I've been kinda absent lately, but now I'm back and I can't wait to visit and comment on your blog. <3 Great review! I have to say, this doesn't really sound like my type of book, but I bet it has a huge audience- what with it being written by Eoin Colfer, and everything. ;) It sounds like a really fun book with an action-full plot that sounds really interesting, I'm glad you enjoyed it overall. Lovely review! :) x
ReplyDeleteI bet Colfer fans will be thrilled he has something new out-it just wasn't quite what I expected and the second half was so much more thrilling than the first.
DeleteI read most of the Artemis Fowl series with one of my kids, and really enjoyed it. I thought this was MG or I might have requested it. And I agree, kids today (and even many adults) have no patience for slow beginnings!
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
I'm not entirely sure of the distinctions between YA and MG but this seemed more young adult than the AF series to me.
DeleteGreat review :D I have never read Artemis Fowl (A) haven't heard of this book either, but it looks pretty awesome :) I'm glad you kind of enjoyed it, even though the story was a bit slow at first. Glad you enjoyed the characters :) Thank you for sharing. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my blog. <3
Love, Carina @ Carina's Books
I definitely recommend at least the first three books of the Artemis Fowl series-so good!
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author before. It sounds like a pretty fun book though. To bad it takes so long for it to get really going. Great review
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
Yeah, I don't want to have to wait for the book to hook me!
DeleteI've heard a lot about Eoin Colfer and his Artemis Fowl books (my sister is a huge fan), though I've never actually tried his writing before. I'm glad you liked this one overall, even if it took some time to get into. Slow starts are usually hell for me because I feel like giving up most of the time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helpful review!
I would certainly recommend Artemis Fowl over this book but it should be good for those needing more Colfer in their lives!
DeleteYou know, I'm surprised about the speed of the book's start. The other books I've read by Eoin had much quicker starts. The two main characters seem quite interesting, though!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised too because Artemis Fowl grabbed me from the start but this one just didn't connect.
DeleteHoly cow, this sounds like a series I'd LOVE! It's too bad it has such a slow start though. I still think it's one I'll have to pick up cause it just sounds so much like ME and a book I'd love!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do love this then! This book and I had a weird experience but I think it will be fun for others.
DeleteI hate when a book takes ages to get going, but I'm glad it picked up for you and that you enjoyed it. Normally Eoin Colfer gets right into the action. Still thinking of giving this one a read since you had fun once the plot picked up steam. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt was so dull and I'm not sure how I managed to stay connected although at least it all paid off.
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