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ash_acoustic's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lhart22's review against another edition
4.0
Another book from the Assassins series from Kotaro Isaka, including Bullet Train and Three Assassins. The Mantis follows similar themes blending both murder with humour in an action-packed whirlwind of fun.
The first one-hundred and fifty of this book was purely character-based. Letting us get to know our main protagonist through various snippets into both his home and personal life. With long chapters ranging upwards of twenty-five pages, a lot of different information was given during each one. At times this made the book hard to follow especially because there wasn't a steady plotline.
The actual plot takes over once we enter the final one hundred pages. This makes the early pages make much more sense as things gradually begin to unfold. This is where the book really starts to flourish and gets into a more traditional rhyme that’s easier to follow.
The character work in The Mantis is similar to the previous two Isaka assassin books. With the author's signature style prominent throughout, we get fun easy-going characters contrasted by detestable villains. This is always a highlight when reading Isaka, he does a great job creating an anti-hero worth rooting for.
Overall a book you need to stick with to fully appreciate the payoff. The disorganised beginning begins to take shape the longer you read as the pieces of the puzzle finally fall into place.
The first one-hundred and fifty of this book was purely character-based. Letting us get to know our main protagonist through various snippets into both his home and personal life. With long chapters ranging upwards of twenty-five pages, a lot of different information was given during each one. At times this made the book hard to follow especially because there wasn't a steady plotline.
The actual plot takes over once we enter the final one hundred pages. This makes the early pages make much more sense as things gradually begin to unfold. This is where the book really starts to flourish and gets into a more traditional rhyme that’s easier to follow.
The character work in The Mantis is similar to the previous two Isaka assassin books. With the author's signature style prominent throughout, we get fun easy-going characters contrasted by detestable villains. This is always a highlight when reading Isaka, he does a great job creating an anti-hero worth rooting for.
Overall a book you need to stick with to fully appreciate the payoff. The disorganised beginning begins to take shape the longer you read as the pieces of the puzzle finally fall into place.
one4ale's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible. I could not have expected how touching this story is. There is very little "action" that takes place throughout the book (especially in the start) but it remains thrilling the entire time anyway. It's a great conclusion to the Assassins Trilogy, acting as a perfect standalone with various references to the older works. It makes me want to reread the series from the start, just to see Kabuto love his family one more time.
logjam13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
dejabooked's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
darkgreenandsumny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
uknow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jarichan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
shihangh's review against another edition
3.0
A very short thriller centred around the attempts of an assassin to break free from his handler. As is to be expected of Isaka's world, the characters all move with a strong sense of character and style. I liked the multigenerational aspect of the novel, and found the interactions between father and son quite moving.
Overall, a short snack of a book, and more of the same if you liked what came before.
Overall, a short snack of a book, and more of the same if you liked what came before.
miarossi's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5