Location: United States
Member Since:
Jan. 17, 2013
Chibi Kodo
Chibi Kodo's favorite authors on Smashwords
Smashwords book reviews by Chibi Kodo
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The King's Men
on Dec. 04, 2014
Having read the earlier versions of this trilogy, I have to say the entire series was revamped and edited to the nth degree. The storyline is tighter, to the point where I could easily envision the Foxes' story being real-life and not fiction. Neil's life on the lam and entanglements with crime bosses isn't so farfetched at all considering all of the stories in the news about drug lords, the mafia, and other crime syndicates that have been in the news over the years. The developing relationships between Neil and the rest of his teammate, and the transformation from barely tolerating one another to becoming a real team, were a pleasure to read. Neil may not have had faith in anything but the Foxes gave him something to believe in and Andrew served as the lynchpin to keep him from running when everything that Neil feared would happen explodes all at once. This trilogy, and the last book especially, was a wonderful roller-coaster ride of emotions ranging from dread to elation. Although I am sad that it's over, the epilogue was satisfying and I can happily contend with imagining where Neil and Andrew (and the other Foxes) end up in life. This trilogy is worth a hundred times more than every penny I spent on it.
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Until It Hurts
on Aug. 03, 2015
Beware of possible spoilers? Wanda Walker has a way with words. Whenever she begins a new story, I often I find myself undecided by the story description only to be blown away by the actual storytelling. The characters are flawed yet their flaws become strengths, and the diversity of the cast in her stories makesnme really happy. I love that she is not afraid to take the plunge and write about characters who may look different than the standard causcasian male characters (or who come from different socioeconomic or racial backgrounds) that many others tend to write about. I really enjoyed Until It Hurts. The way the cast grows and develops throughout the novel in turns pleased and surprised me. Clint definitely started out as a dudebro imo but after we got to see into his heart it all began to make sense. I didn't even expect to forgive and accept Lautaro after emotionally manipulating Teo yet I found myself liking Lautaro by the end. The bonus short stories made my heart melt, especially Lautaro's story. UiH was well worth every penny and then some.