Customer Reviews

The Manolo Matrix

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it, but I have to say that the first book in this series (The Givenchy Code) was definitely better. I don't know if it was the more likeable and real main character (who shares my name!) in Givenchy or what, but I didn't like Jennifer as much as Melanie, she felt a little flat. I felt that this book wasn't as well fleshed-out as the last one, and there was a more exclusive feeling to the riddles that turned me off a little, since they were all Broadway-based, which barred me from even trying to figure out the clues on my own. But never mind that, it was still fun and entertaining and fast-paced, and it certainly kept my attention. I can't wait for the next installment in this series (and I'm bummed that it's to be the last).

Julie Kenner has a true talent for pacing and characterization. Even though I never completely bought into the evil mastermind concept, the plot itself was engaging and I stayed with it the whole time. With the hero and heroine running all over New York City, trying to solve Broadway-related clues, I even found myself trying to guess what the clues might pertain to, even though they were fairly well over my head.

What really made this book work was the intensely personal relationship Ms. Kenner gives the reader with the two main characters. It's almost as if she's put a camera on extreme close up on them, with only brief pauses for the more panoramic view.

This really makes reader feel extremely connected to both of them-Marcus Devlin, a former Broadway child star, who gave it all up to be a cop, and Jennifer Crane, a talented but not-yet-living the dream Broadway actress get thrown together in this drama where they must race against the clock to stay alive.

Plain and simple, Marcus Devlin is a yummy character. He's a reluctant hero to be sure, but hero he is and he never strays from this path. His internal demons don't detract from the story, and in fact make him a great character for Jennifer to play against.

Jennifer's a Starbuck's lovin', shoe-obsessed wisecracker, and until she finds a time-release toxin has been released in her body, she doesn't take life too seriously. She hunkers down pretty quickly though, and the combination of her joie de vivre and her ability to concentrate completely prove to be a combination too irresistible for Marcus.

The reader should also find her hard to resist because she doesn't sit back and wring her hands, while Devlin does all the hard work. She's an active heroine, doing her own thinking and solving, while still allowing for plenty of room for Marcus' thoughts and actions.

THE MANOLO MATRIX is a novel well-worth reading. Although I was inclined not too like it (I just wasn't looking forward to reading yet another novel about an automaton shoe twit), this book quickly won me over, and I had a hard time putting it down.

Girls in wonderful shoes, racing around New York City in search of clues and answers to save their lives. Basically the same as the previous novel, except some different characters and of course a different style of shoe. I found the novel to be entertaining, but lacking in comparison to the first. The first one had all of the exciting and intrigue of a new novel. Since this is so similar, well it has fallen short.

The story is about Jennifer, who was the roommate in the first book. And how she gets sucked into the PSW game along with the hunky FBI agent from book one. I can't tell you who is behind it or who "done" it or the outcome, but the novel is a fast and fun read.

Jennifer is a waitress with Broadway asperations. She lives by herself in an apartment that she tries to keep safe because of what happened to her friend/ex-roomate the year before (Can find story in The Givenchy Code)

The next thing she knows she gets an email saying that she is sucked into the same Play.Survive.Win. game as her friend. Only this time Jenn is the protector and the target is the F.B.I man that is investigating. Using their knowledge of Broadway they try to solve the clues as they are being tracked by ex-con Birdie. Who is behind the game? Don't know we'll have to wait for The Prada Paradox to come out to find out.

Julie Kenner has done it again! If you loved THE GIVENCHY CODE, you'll adore THE MANOLO MATRIX, a terrific fast-paced story told with wit and thrills a minute as Jennifer Crane, an aspiring Broadway actress, is sucked into a deadly game with the ultimate stakes-play or die. And maybe die anyhow.

The clock is ticking, and if Jennifer ever wants to win that Tony or buy another pair of Manolos, she has to play the starring role in this suspenseful drama with real bullets whizzing past her head. I loved it!

Jennifer is a sassy charmer and FBI agent Devin Brady is her perfect partner in this rollicking adventure that had me playing along, rooting for the good guys and hissing at the villain, as they chased all over Manhattan in a scavenger hunt for survival clues. Don't miss this one. And if you haven't read its predecessor, THE GIVENCHY CODE, what are you waiting for? They're the best of the chick-lit thrillers. I can't wait for THE PRADA PARADOX, the next book in the series.

Aspiring Broadway star, Jennifer Crane is no stranger to the online game Play.Survive.Win. Her former roommate was almost killed when a still at-large psychopath brought PSW from cyberspace to reality. So when Jennifer receives an email notifying her of her role in this deadly version of PSW, she is terrified. With roles of assassin, target and protector, Jennifer finds herself assigned to protect the target, suspended FBI agent, Devlin Brady.

Angered and depressed over his suspension from the FBI, Devlin initially refuses to play the game. But the toughest battle Jennifer has ever faced before is an online auction for her beloved Manolo Blahnik shoes, and Devlin can't very well leave her to survive on her own. So together they work to win the game. With a limited amount of time and clues to solve, Jennifer and Devlin are dashing all over Manhattan in their race against the clock and the assassin's bullet.

I am a HUGE fan of Manolo Blahnik's and when I saw The Manolo Matrix, I knew this was a book for me. After reading The Manolo Matrix, I must say, I have incredible taste in shoes AND books! Ms Kenner writes a thrilling page turner with lot's of clues and lot's of adventure.

Not being a Broadway aficionado, the clues really stumped me, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book. I was hooked by the premise of the game, the entertaining characters, the thrill of the chase, and the developing relationship between Devlin and Jennifer. Fans of The Givenchy Code look out! The second book in this series, The Manolo Matrix is completely engaging and truly delicious. I adored it!

Annabelle
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Before I say anything else, let me say that I loved this book as much as I did the first one. It's incredibly intertaining, but unfortunately it just wasn't as good as the first one.

Following in the footsteps of the first book, 'Manolo Matrix' follows Jennifer (the roommate from the first book) as she is sucked into the game as the protector of hottie FBI agent Devlin Brady. In hot pursuit is a homicidal assasin known simply as "Birdie". Where the clues to the online game turned real PSW were math related in the first book, this book's clues are mainly broadway related. With the plotline moving at a fast & furious pace, there's very few boring points.

My biggest complaint was that I just couldn't get into the character of Jennifer. She just seemed a little one-dimensional & shallow for my taste. (Her attitudes towards the fashion challenged left a little to be desired at times.) I couldn't help but feel like her character was the snotty girl in the drama club, but all grown up. Still, the plotline moves so quickly that there's not very much time attributed to character growth, which seems to help more than hurt as far as Jennifer goes. Devlin Brady was also a little one-dimensional, but not nearly as bad. Their romance, however, was very well written.

Would I recommend this to a friend? I would. Despite it's shortcomings (shallow characters, plot is exactly like the 1st book), it's still a fun beach read.

I quite enjoyed this one. Like the first one, an easy read. I finished it in two nights. Unlike the first one, instead of using math and logic, the clues were Broadway Plays, which I found interesting. Enjoyable little book, although the characters were a bit too predictible.

Another Julie Kenner story that I couldn't put down! The mystery is fast-paced and engaging, the hero and heroine have great chemistry, and the dialogue is fantastic. I love the first person chapters from the heroine's point of view -- she's wry and a bit sarcastic and sometimes lives in a little denial (just like most of us do). I'm looking forward to "The Prada Paradox" -- hurry!!

Second book in the series.

When aspiring actress/singing waitress Jennifer Crane receives an email from PlaySurviveWin.com, she knows exactly what the stakes are: Solve the clues and win the game or die, literally. Jenn's former roommate, Mel, experienced the PSW game first-hand (see THE GIVENCHY CODE) and it seems the game's still active.

Jenn is the protector for selected target Devlin Brady. Devlin is the FBI agent that helped Mel. He's currently suspended from the bureau and under suspicion of being as crooked as the partner he killed.

Devlin also happens to be a former Broadway child star. Since the game is adjusted to fit the target's profile, their clues to solving the riddles are Broadway based. Jenn and Devlin race all over Manhattan trying to stay one step ahead of the assassin assigned to kill them.

With non-stop action, this is an excellent follow-up to THE GIVENCY CODE. And, like in CODE, I wish there'd been a little more romance. But still, thumbs up and lots of fun to read. Mark your calendars for book three, THE PRADA PARADOX, coming in February 2007.