M. Chandler

4,75 stars. I used to have this as a three star read, because I read it back in the day when I still rated books on one big scale. Nowadays I realize that there's no point in comparing "fun" books with "serious" books because I read them for completely different reasons. It's like trying to use the same criteria for rating a cheesecake and a pizza, just madness.

What I love about The Morning Star are the characters, the world, and the writing. Even with all the ridiculous jamesbond-esque gadgets Shadow has, or the way team Templar seems to be able to bend the law to suit themselves, the writing is just so good that I don't really pay attention to any of that. The author can sell it to me, which is all that matters.

These books are so much fun, even when they take a turn for the serious, and I'm going to be continuing on to the next one right after I've finished reading all the extras between Morning Star and Double Down.… (plus d'informations)

4,75 stars

I knew I liked this book going in to it, but I didn't remember just how much. I think it's a shame that this series is "just" a self-published one and it's not crossed more people's paths than it has. I'm pretty sure if Shadow's character was female, these would be some sort of best sellers (although some things would surely be different in the story line.)

It's hard to pinpoint what I love most about these, but in the end it probably boils down to the characters and their interactions. I especially like Nate and Johnny, but they all feel so real (if not completely realistic) that I just feel like I'm more invested in them than I probably should, considering they are all fictional. It makes it all the more difficult to read, knowing what's up a head for them.

The other thing that Chandler handles exceptionally, is tension. These books pull me in so completely because they are just so well written that you feel like you're living in the story. I just can't get over it.

These books somehow manage to have a bit of everything I usually look for in a good book (or most of everything). The dialogue is funny, the emotions are easy to empathize with, the characters are flawed but lovable, the plot moves forward with exceptional pacing and while the plot might not be mind blowing, it's well thought out and very entertaining.

I like that The Relationship isn't the leading plot line, while it is an interesting one. Simon's so messed up and Shadow's too good for him, but there's constant development and hope. I also appreciate the author's decision to fade most sex scenes out. I agree that in a book like this, sex scenes would detract from the plot, so it's good to leave it to the reader's imagination. (Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good sex scene as much as the next person, but I think there are books better suited for those than these ones.)

I'm probably going to get into With a Bullet straight away, even though I'm simultaneously dreading it.… (plus d'informations)

Okay, a solid five stars this time around. Once upon a time, I rated this three stars because I didn't think of this as a real book (I originally read this as published on the author's website) and thus rated it in a state of embarrassment, as if it was fanfiction or something. Luckily, I've grown up some since, and no longer give a shit about what other people think about my reading habits.

I fucking love this world and these characters, Nate and Jeremy in particular. Mike annoyed the hell out of me, and Simon definitely has his asshole moments, but I still love all of them. They're like family like that.

Obviously, these books aren't guidebooks or documentations on how the actual FBI works. Some elements are incredibly fantastical, but the characters and their dynamic more than make up for it.

With a Bullet is my least favorite out of the first three in the series, mainly because I'm not a huge fan of multiple POV's to begin with, and least of all when it splits the story between all the main characters. In a way, it was a useful device, though, in letting the reader get to know the characters on a deeper level.

So, so good. Most definitely going to continue to the last part in the first quarter of 2018.… (plus d'informations)