Sunday 20 May 2012

Book review: RETRIBUTION by Jilliane Hoffman

Note: This review is taken from the GoodReads spoilerific version and stripped of spoilers, for public consumption.

It took me 7 and a bit days to finish this crime/thriller/whatever you wanna call it, which generally speaking for me is quite quick (I'm a slow reader). This book was not only easily consumed but, at times, hard to put down. Not only were we watching the present-day story of grisly murder play out, but we were also seeing main character C.J.'s own personal story unfold (or at least we were waiting to see what lay in her future as a result of her traumatic past). The two stories were, after all, intertwined.

RETRIBUTION was Jilliane Hoffman's debut novel, and I think she did a really good job. The psycho characters were maybe a little bit two dimensional - super crazy and scary, for sure, but with no apparent reason for being so. Being given no explanatory background for either character, I find that I'm still curious about how they turned out like they did. But then, some people are just born a certain way, right? Twisted, scary and basically nuts.

In general, I tended to have pretty strong feelings about Hoffman's characters - some of them I hated with a great passion, some I wanted to slap, and others I was cheering on with enthusiasm. As for main character C.J., I found myself at some moments saying, "Yeah, you go girl!" and at others muttering incredulously, "OMG, what are you doing? No! Stop!" And I guess that's how I like it. A tormented, imperfect main character makes things lots more interesting.

I gave this book 4/5 stars at GoodReads, 'cause while it's not a sheer mind-blowing 5, I didn't really have anything to criticise it for. And on the GoodReads note, I still haven't really figured out a proper rating system. Someday, I'll get there. ;)




In other news, it's Sunday, and so time for a Sunday Session in which I share with you the song I've been listening to the most in the last week! I received the new Silversun Pickups album in the mail early in the week, and have been listening ever since. Early impressions are it's a gorgeous album full of great wonders, but the song I've listened to most so far is the following:






I'm eagerly awaiting a video clip to see what these guys have done! Meanwhile, I'll mention that the song is about a friend of Brian Aubert's who had a horrible childhood but has overcome it and is prospering now. I think that's just awesome, and so is this band. Can't wait to see them live in concert again! Last time they put on a show that was one of my favourites of all time.

22 comments:

  1. I like that song and I haven't tried that author but I think I'll look her up at the library.

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  2. I always enjoy mysteries and thrillers, yet they never make 5s on my list either, weird. I don't know how I rate either.
    Still, now you got me wanting to read this one.

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    1. I think the quality of the writing for me just has to have a serious impact. Don't get me wrong, this writing was pretty high standard compared to a lot I've read, but it was more the story that was intriguing. The writing quality itself wasn't quite gasp-worthy I guess.

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  3. Sounds like a great book - I LOVE thrillers!

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  4. This sounds like an intriguing read. Thanks for the review and recommendation--I'm a sucker for crime thrillers!

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  5. Awww! Mysteries and thrillers. Sounds fantastic! Thanks for posting about this book.

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  6. Thanks for the review of the book. It sounds cool.

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  7. I think it's pretty amazing to turn out a thriller for a first book--they are SO HARD. Sounds like she did a good job! I struggle with dimensionality of villains, too, though I think they DO need a reason. I mean if they are a sociopath, it STILL needs to be established.

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    1. I think that her inside knowledge helped her, 'cause she actually worked as a DA's assistant in Florida. So she had a good foundation for writing this I guess.

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  8. The book sounds super stimulating, but a little scary for me. I've become a total weenie when it comes to grisly murder stuff. Cool song.

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  9. I'm a slow reader as well, so your review intrigued me. The book sounds interesting. I do like crime thrillers and admire anyone who can write them.

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    1. Yeah, I haven't managed to write one yet either. Not that I've tried. But I think I'm scared of all the research I'd have to do. This author works in the industry so has good knowledge.

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  10. Nice Tunes!

    My villains always end up needing revision because they are too nice. I have a hard time finding the balance between evil and over the top dastardly.

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    1. Yeah...I guess I love a villain who you can sort of feel sorry for, or relate to, but they do have to be *villains*. :)

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  11. God, I have got so many reviews to write, I can't stand it! I keep promising myself and then they don't get done. I even set it as a work goal... doesn't happen. UGH. On a good note at least I've gotten some writing done. btw: this sounded interesting.

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    1. I've just promised myself I'll do one a month. I very rarely promise anyone I'll review their stuff. But it does happen occasionally.

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  12. Ooh, neat. Love hearing about new-to-me bands.

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    1. I can highly recommend SSPU, they are amazing!

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  13. At least the characters made you feel :) I love that cover!

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  14. Thanks for all the comments everyone :)

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  15. I wish I could read as fast as you -- I'm so s-l-o-w. Silversun Pickups rrrrock it.

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    1. The book I read prior to this one took me aeons. Or so it felt. ;)

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