A while back, I decided (again) that life is just too damn short to read easy, pop books, and that I would dedicate my reading and living only to challenge. Then, after reading Pynchon's Bleeding Edge (Challenging and I loved it), I gave my brain a rest and read Olen's The Star of Istanbul. One of those spy/mystery novels that just so happen to take place at an auspicious moment in history, this time the sinking of the Lusitania and the imminence of WW I. Olen seems to me to be a frustrated man of letters, because there are many allusions to Shakespeare and other literary works. And parts are nicely writ. But the mystery is not a mystery, as I figured that our 1/3rd through the book, and for the most part there is just too much cliche. Actually 2 1/2 stars. Okay, I'm ready for challenge again. I won this book through a goodreads giveaway. Unfortunately, I did not realize that the book was hardback until it arrived (my fault for not reading carefully). Also, this book features a character (Christopher Marlowe Cobb) that the author has used in other stories - which is something that I tend to get frustrated with. Sometimes I feel that I need to read all of the books that a character has been in so that I can more fully understand what the characters' motives are... And I do not have the time (unfortunately) to read the other Cobb-centered books.
What do You think about Star Of Istanbul (2013)?
I am thrilled to have won this book through First Reads! I simply cannot wait to read this.
—Cresent
Good read, very descriptive book. Really enjoyed the characters and the plot.
—Debs
