Although I think that on an intellectual level this novel had a lot of promise; on a practical level, I found the thread of it it very difficult to follow.
This surprised me because I read 100 books per year across a variety of genres. My practice is to discard any book …more where the writing or subject does not capture my attention.
I finished this one because I received it for review and I kept thinking that it might live up to the promise I thought I detected.
The story line itself had the potential to be very compelling and very good. However, I found the structure to be disjointed and almost too contrived. The continuous interruption of the flow of the story from page to page sadly ruined the novel for me. (less)

I quickly became absorbed in this excellent second novel by Jane Harper. Force of Nature sees the return of the intriguing Federal Agent Aaron Falk. He, along with his partner, Carmen Cooper, is investigating the disappearance of an informant Alice Russel. Alice has …more disappeared during a corporate team-building retreat in the Giralang Ranges.

For me, the compelling power of the storytelling in this book lives in the descriptions of the landscape and the characters. And their relationships.
The landscape is raw, treacherous, challenging, claustrophobic, dark, dangerous, sometimes beautiful...and echoes aspects of the characters.
The characters are complex and multi-layered. Not one character in this novel is without purpose and as the layers are peeled back, secrets and truths and strengths and vulnerabilities are exposed. The tensions between and among the characters around the central tragedy of the novel are what made the pages turn with rapid speed for me.

Aaron Falk is a fascinating character whom I hope plays a recurring role in future books. However, I am so impressed with Jane Harper that if she writes it, I will read it! (less)

Enjoying The Essex Serpent has been one of the most outstanding reading experiences I have had in a very long time. I read many, many books across a variety of genres and this one is truly superior.
I found myself entranced by the incandescent use of language - and either …more stopped frequently to savour a word, a sentence, or an idea; or read on a few pages and went back to re-read something that had caught my attention. This is something that rarely happens in my reading experience.
The characters - all of the characters - are unforgettable!
Each character is so finely drawn and complete in their physical, psychological, and emotional description it is as if they are right before you, living out the story line right now and in vivid color.
This is a beautiful novel, a multi-layered, intellectually satisfying novel. This novel made me think on many different levels and about many different things...and I became lost in its world.
Everybody should read this one! (less)

I read this technically well written and compelling book in one sitting. The story line gracefully transitions between Tanya, a current day art specialist in New York and Catherine the Great.

The sections on Catherine skillfully portrayed her ability to shape herself to her …more situation, her fierce personal ambition, and her willingness to sacrifice anyone and anything in pursuit of her personal goals.

Many of the situations in the sections on Tanya largely failed to convince me. Many of the situations described seemed to me to be inauthentic and contrived and left me with a feeling that something was missing.

However, Tanya's character rang true. The background and immigrant experience of Tanya shaped her commitment, drive, and ambition to excel and to overcome every obstacle in her pursuit of recognition and success. She, like Catherine, was willing to make sacrifices for her ambition.

The story of these two strong women illustrates that human characteristics remain the same no matter what the period of history we inhabit. (less)