Book Title: The Finisher
Author: David Baldacci
Date Started: April 23rd 2014
Date Completed: April 27th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Action, Adventure
Rating: Four stars
Review:
The Finisher, whilst ending up with a pretty gripping and complex plot, was incredibly slow to start off. I became bored quite early on, and was afraid that would last the entire book. However, around halfway through, the story really picked up and I was genuinely invested for things to turn out alright in the end for Vega.
Vega has always wondered what dwells past the boundaries of her little town, hidden in the woods. But she didn't think it would take her friend and mentor abandoning the village and disappearing into the dangerous depths of the Quag for her to begin to find the answers. And then, when suspicious eyes start to turn on her, Vega must uncover the mystery hidden at the core of their community, whilst also surviving a dangerous set of duels she has been forced into if she wants her freedom.
The writing in this novel was very good, as expected from an adult-fiction writer. The action was described amazingly, and was interesting to read and easy to picture. The monologue also had a twist to it that showed that the narrator was not from the world we know; it painted an idea about Vega's fantastical life before anything kicked off.
On the other hand, the slang used was quite confusing, and didn't lessen throughout the book. Although this also helped with enforcing the alien location to the reader, it made it a little hard to keep up with the story and dialogue until a good way through.
I found the beginning of this story pointless. Quentin's situation wasn't revisited or explained or even really queried at all after the start of the book, when I still had lots of questions distracting me from the main story about it. The first too-hundred or so pages was just setting everything up for the actual story, and was unnecessarily dragged out. It also presented loads of little side-stories that weren't ever resolved. Furthermore, the book ends at quite a strange point for me; it felt like it had ended, and then something exciting was sparked and then cut short abruptly - surely you could have continued that little part at the end on and cut some of the starting information?
However, though I didn't like the start of the book, the rest was very, very good. First of all the backstory (that could've featured the first couple of hundred pages) was very interesting and the gradual reveal throughout the entire story made the mystery even more curious. Also, the way we're made to genuinely feel sorry for Vega and want her to end up okay is well crafted to the point where you're on the edge of your seat whenever she's put in serious danger (which feels like a lot, because Baldacci can create a tense atmosphere easily).
The very mild romance in this book was excellently done in my opinion: it was realistic and flimsy and actually built upon years of friendship and trust and help shown towards the other person. It was very sweet, but not overpowering enough to destroy the main plot of the novel.
Finally, the ending of the book was very good, but it was cut short. I believe this was done purposefully to leave the audience wondering what happens next, but, after reading the beginning of this book, I was frustrated that when I was truly caught up the story it ended so suddenly, still with so many questions left unanswered.
It was hard to keep up with so many characters with so many strange new names, so only a few really stood out to be to remember. In addition, the dialogue between people sometimes felt a bit forced and stiff.
Vega was a great protagonist. I absolutely loved her personality and fierceness; it came so naturally to her. Although, for some other parts of her persona, I felt Baldacci had a bit of trouble in getting into a teenage girl's mind.
I love Delph's character and the astonishing development he went through. Although presented as one character right at the beginning, the reader gradually learns more and more about him, and he turns into a new person at the end that really impressed me. He was very real to me.
I wish John had been revisited, as he was so important to Vega and could've influenced the story so much, yet didn't. It isn't often we're presented with a situation between siblings where they're separated and are gradually turned against one another, and I would have been really interested to see more of it and where it would have gone.
I have to say, the pacing wasn't great at first. It took me a few days to get through the early chapters, because nothing was really happening, and there was a fair amount of information dumping amidst getting to grips with the foreign slang and life of the characters. Having said that, after the initial slow drag, I ended up reading around half of the book in one go as it picked up so quickly.
I really enjoyed The Finisher, after pushing through the setting up section at the beginning. I felt the characters had had lots of thought put into them, and the story had been crafted well. It was frustrating how the start was so long, and the ending far too short, however it was worth it for the main part of the story. Anyone who likes fantasy, action and mystery will get on with this novel, I think, and there's some interesting writing styles thrown in for good measure.
Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20799751-the-finisher
The Finisher, whilst ending up with a pretty gripping and complex plot, was incredibly slow to start off. I became bored quite early on, and was afraid that would last the entire book. However, around halfway through, the story really picked up and I was genuinely invested for things to turn out alright in the end for Vega.
Vega has always wondered what dwells past the boundaries of her little town, hidden in the woods. But she didn't think it would take her friend and mentor abandoning the village and disappearing into the dangerous depths of the Quag for her to begin to find the answers. And then, when suspicious eyes start to turn on her, Vega must uncover the mystery hidden at the core of their community, whilst also surviving a dangerous set of duels she has been forced into if she wants her freedom.
The writing in this novel was very good, as expected from an adult-fiction writer. The action was described amazingly, and was interesting to read and easy to picture. The monologue also had a twist to it that showed that the narrator was not from the world we know; it painted an idea about Vega's fantastical life before anything kicked off.
On the other hand, the slang used was quite confusing, and didn't lessen throughout the book. Although this also helped with enforcing the alien location to the reader, it made it a little hard to keep up with the story and dialogue until a good way through.
I found the beginning of this story pointless. Quentin's situation wasn't revisited or explained or even really queried at all after the start of the book, when I still had lots of questions distracting me from the main story about it. The first too-hundred or so pages was just setting everything up for the actual story, and was unnecessarily dragged out. It also presented loads of little side-stories that weren't ever resolved. Furthermore, the book ends at quite a strange point for me; it felt like it had ended, and then something exciting was sparked and then cut short abruptly - surely you could have continued that little part at the end on and cut some of the starting information?
However, though I didn't like the start of the book, the rest was very, very good. First of all the backstory (that could've featured the first couple of hundred pages) was very interesting and the gradual reveal throughout the entire story made the mystery even more curious. Also, the way we're made to genuinely feel sorry for Vega and want her to end up okay is well crafted to the point where you're on the edge of your seat whenever she's put in serious danger (which feels like a lot, because Baldacci can create a tense atmosphere easily).
The very mild romance in this book was excellently done in my opinion: it was realistic and flimsy and actually built upon years of friendship and trust and help shown towards the other person. It was very sweet, but not overpowering enough to destroy the main plot of the novel.
Finally, the ending of the book was very good, but it was cut short. I believe this was done purposefully to leave the audience wondering what happens next, but, after reading the beginning of this book, I was frustrated that when I was truly caught up the story it ended so suddenly, still with so many questions left unanswered.
It was hard to keep up with so many characters with so many strange new names, so only a few really stood out to be to remember. In addition, the dialogue between people sometimes felt a bit forced and stiff.
Vega was a great protagonist. I absolutely loved her personality and fierceness; it came so naturally to her. Although, for some other parts of her persona, I felt Baldacci had a bit of trouble in getting into a teenage girl's mind.
I love Delph's character and the astonishing development he went through. Although presented as one character right at the beginning, the reader gradually learns more and more about him, and he turns into a new person at the end that really impressed me. He was very real to me.
I wish John had been revisited, as he was so important to Vega and could've influenced the story so much, yet didn't. It isn't often we're presented with a situation between siblings where they're separated and are gradually turned against one another, and I would have been really interested to see more of it and where it would have gone.
I have to say, the pacing wasn't great at first. It took me a few days to get through the early chapters, because nothing was really happening, and there was a fair amount of information dumping amidst getting to grips with the foreign slang and life of the characters. Having said that, after the initial slow drag, I ended up reading around half of the book in one go as it picked up so quickly.
I really enjoyed The Finisher, after pushing through the setting up section at the beginning. I felt the characters had had lots of thought put into them, and the story had been crafted well. It was frustrating how the start was so long, and the ending far too short, however it was worth it for the main part of the story. Anyone who likes fantasy, action and mystery will get on with this novel, I think, and there's some interesting writing styles thrown in for good measure.
Image Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20799751-the-finisher
No comments:
Post a Comment