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Above suspicion, beyond reproach and beneath contempt
The title of the post, btw, is a quote from Dexter describing himself.
I have just finished reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter. Because I have great problems writing reviews without spoilers,
The Good - I love the character of Dexter and I love the world in which he operates. The descriptions of Miami traffic, whether true or not, add such a realism to his existence that, as fantastic (as in, "of fantasy", that is) as many parts of these books are, they always feel believable. The development in Dexter is great across both books and the softening of his sociopathic tendencies with encroaching domestic bliss is a sight to behold. Mind you, I think Dexter doth protest too much at times - he isn't the utterly amoral, emotionless machine he thinks he is. The discovery of a fellow sociopath in Cody is a great lead into the next book - and I hope there are more of these because this is a rich source to mine.
Jeff Lindsay can write vivid descriptions of the most gory scenes and not get caught up in the spectacular sprays of blood but keeps it on the participants' reactions. He can build tension until the pages seem to fly by. He can write rich varied (but always deeply flawed) characters - I hope that Rita turns out to be just as flawed as all the others because right now she is suspiciously without major flaw.
The Bad - This guy cannot write endings - in both books they dribble out to lame, tame conclusions, the first because of some poor and confusing writing and in the second because it is just too easy. Both books build and build and then ..... left me feeling peculiarly dissatisfied.
Vivid exciting books that just tailed off - damn! But if there is a third book, I'll be first in the queue!
I have just finished reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter. Because I have great problems writing reviews without spoilers,
The Good - I love the character of Dexter and I love the world in which he operates. The descriptions of Miami traffic, whether true or not, add such a realism to his existence that, as fantastic (as in, "of fantasy", that is) as many parts of these books are, they always feel believable. The development in Dexter is great across both books and the softening of his sociopathic tendencies with encroaching domestic bliss is a sight to behold. Mind you, I think Dexter doth protest too much at times - he isn't the utterly amoral, emotionless machine he thinks he is. The discovery of a fellow sociopath in Cody is a great lead into the next book - and I hope there are more of these because this is a rich source to mine.
Jeff Lindsay can write vivid descriptions of the most gory scenes and not get caught up in the spectacular sprays of blood but keeps it on the participants' reactions. He can build tension until the pages seem to fly by. He can write rich varied (but always deeply flawed) characters - I hope that Rita turns out to be just as flawed as all the others because right now she is suspiciously without major flaw.
The Bad - This guy cannot write endings - in both books they dribble out to lame, tame conclusions, the first because of some poor and confusing writing and in the second because it is just too easy. Both books build and build and then ..... left me feeling peculiarly dissatisfied.
Vivid exciting books that just tailed off - damn! But if there is a third book, I'll be first in the queue!