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gardner98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
karennelapati's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was complex, fascinating and devastating. A power we know so little about but is so feared and the brutality of the regime on everyone involved. A heartbreaking but thrilling read, I couldn’t put this down
encgolsen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A deeply researched thriller that pits a young intelligence officer against the hermit kingdom of North Korea in a search for her missing sister. A few far-fetched plot points prove occasionally distracting, but all in all this was a highly readable story, and worth it for the detailed depiction of an enigmatic and brutal regime.
siriuschico's review against another edition
4.0
Star of the north is a curious mix of fantastic atmosphere, chilling dystopia and very immature spy story.
Let's start with the positives. It is clear that D. B. John did his homework, he knows a lot about North Korea, and he expertly use this knowledge to build an atmosphere and living background. North Korea is really a horrible can of worms, and they have really done it all - abductions, drug production, public executions, gulags, selective breeding or human experiments. And in this dream-like dystopia (which is real!), we can read stories about Mrs Moon - one of the lower class of society, which struggles to survive and Lieutenant Colonel Cho - the cream of the society. This part of the book is impressive, it is really bustling with life, and it's worth five stars alone.
However, there is an additional main character - Jenna, a young CIA agent obsessed with the possible abduction of her twin sister - to North Korea! Unfortunately, the whole part of this story is a little bit cheap. There is not much character in Jenna, she is just obsessed with her twin, and I really couldn't believe that she went through CIA training successfully. She has only one interesting scene, where she is pretending to be Terminator while she is high on methamphetamine.
The whole package is a fun and easy thriller built on the grotesque and horror world of North Korea.
Let's start with the positives. It is clear that D. B. John did his homework, he knows a lot about North Korea, and he expertly use this knowledge to build an atmosphere and living background. North Korea is really a horrible can of worms, and they have really done it all - abductions, drug production, public executions, gulags, selective breeding or human experiments. And in this dream-like dystopia (which is real!), we can read stories about Mrs Moon - one of the lower class of society, which struggles to survive and Lieutenant Colonel Cho - the cream of the society. This part of the book is impressive, it is really bustling with life, and it's worth five stars alone.
However, there is an additional main character - Jenna, a young CIA agent obsessed with the possible abduction of her twin sister - to North Korea! Unfortunately, the whole part of this story is a little bit cheap. There is not much character in Jenna, she is just obsessed with her twin, and I really couldn't believe that she went through CIA training successfully. She has only one interesting scene, where she is pretending to be Terminator while she is high on methamphetamine.
The whole package is a fun and easy thriller built on the grotesque and horror world of North Korea.
dear_alice's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Very gripping. Daring story set in North Korea. Would highly recommend.
As a Christian, it also offered some insight in living in a country were religion is illegal and punishable by death, which was quite harrowing.
Having said all that, it hasn't stayed with me for more than a few weeks..
As a Christian, it also offered some insight in living in a country were religion is illegal and punishable by death, which was quite harrowing.
Having said all that, it hasn't stayed with me for more than a few weeks..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Murder
_mdc_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
moira_desu's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting and exciting book, however I have made the mistake of reading it in hungarian. Unfortunately the translation was somehow weird and confusing at times, and it contained many mistakes. I'd highly recommend this book, but perhaps in english.