Welcome to Litsy!

I searched this out after spotting it in Bullet Train. While the plot and various aspects were decent, overall I found it tried too hard to be overly intelligent. Hel also ends up more super hero than man, and the aspect which got to me the most was the authors infatuation with race - particularly attributing stereotypes and the appalling way Arabs were portrayed. It wrapped up decently and wasn‘t the worst read but not one I‘d recommend.

“my advice will effect your future as much as a cherry blossom falling into the river alters its course”. Appropriate the cherry blossom was in bloom as I read this. A mostly great book, but..Trevanian tries to outFlemming the master but wanders into pompous parody and I‘m unsure if it‘s intentional. He occasionally sabotages his own story by crafting thrilling tension and then, puzzlingly, puts the breaks on.Hel is a great but unlikable character

March 2021 - spy thriller - good story and interesting characters. Weird how the continuation really helped with this original story. It was good except for towards the end and it got silly

Just starting

A thrilling and deeply enjoyable spy novel that explores mysticism, aesthetics, loyalty, honor, and wisdom. It features remarkable and admirable characters in an exploration between the "real world" of power and greed and the esoteric world of one's mind and soul.

Day 3 of the #Riotgrams challenge: one-word titles! These were all the books with one-word titles I could reach without having to get up out of my chair. 😝💗📚

I really enjoyed this. The way Nicholai's character is developed through the telling of his backstory - while intertwining that story with the present day of the plot- was great. I'm looking forward to reading Don Winslow's version of this story in "Satori." Four solid stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Perhaps I can protect you and get you back to the bourgeois comfort of your home, where you can express your social passions by campaigning against litter in national parks." Can't remember ever reading a more condescending line than this one ??

Took the day off for a little me time- decided on going out for breakfast- of course with my book!

Don Winslow- who has quickly become a favorite of mine- wrote a novel called "Satori" which is based on this book/character. It has been in my TBR pile since I grabbed it at a used book sale a few months ago but I decided I need to read the original story first!