First Sacrifice

Rating:
Summary: medicore
Review: The First Sacrifice was a loaner from a relative who thought I'd love the setting of the book - Berlin, a city near and dear to my heart. And for me, it was the best part of the book - his descriptions of the city, its layout and familar haunts made me "homesick."

The plot, on the otherhand, left much to be desired. This may be a function of me reading the sequel without having read the previous story - there are allusions to events that happened "earlier", but it didn't seem to make a huge difference to me. Essentially the story deals with the resurgence of a 4th Reich in the newly re-united Germany, with plenty of intrigue, twists, and double-dealing characters. Similar to a Le Carre or Ludlum book, but not nearly as well written or as tight.

The book would make for a decent airplane read, short of that, not recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Too Confused
Review: The first sacrifice was to the readers of this book. The story really stretches believability and for no reason. Change some of the characters and you would buy into it. Another issue I had was the confusing sub plots that seemed to be through in just to add another 50 pages to keep up the size of Clancy or Ludlum books. Some of the characters were interesting and the end third of the book came together, but all in all it took an heck of an effort to get to the end. This is a book that takes all of your concentration to get through, and for all that work the pay off is not that rewarding.

Rating:
Summary: Too Confused
Review: The first sacrifice was to the readers of this book. The story really stretches believability and for no reason. Change some of the characters and you would buy into it. Another issue I had was the confusing sub plots that seemed to be through in just to add another 50 pages to keep up the size of Clancy or Ludlum books. Some of the characters were interesting and the end third of the book came together, but all in all it took an heck of an effort to get to the end. This is a book that takes all of your concentration to get through, and for all that work the pay off is not that rewarding.