4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hold onto your seat and your heart, April 16, 2009
This review is from: Thief of Always (Elite Operatives, Book 2) (Paperback)
Excellent second offering from the dynamic duo of Kim Baldwin and Xenia Alexiou. Exceptional plotting and character development in this thrilling, not-your-average lesbian book. You won't be disappointed in this novel - as a matter of fact, you will be left wondering when you'll be able to get your hands on the third in this series.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"For a difficult woman," Kris said, "You're very easy to love"., March 11, 2009
This review is from: Thief of Always (Elite Operatives, Book 2) (Paperback)
"Thief of Always" was as entertaining as and even richer than my much enjoyed read of "Lethal Affairs". I was looking forward to exploring more of the `ways and means' of the Elite Operatives and curious to learn more about present and previous operatives... and was not disappointed! The plot is clear (though not simple), exciting and interesting. The surprisingly varied groups interested in the Diamond give the story depth and spice.
So far, Allegro is my favourite EOO character. She is gloriously cocky, irreverent and beautifully caring and loyal. I loved reading about her and getting to know her. The wonderful thing about being the reader is that you read the story from different points of view and so eventually get to know the character better than anyone in the story.
My favourite things: the exotic and familiar locations; a glimpse into the conflicted lives of operatives and the options the do and don't have; action scenes that induce speed-reading; strong women with weaknesses; windows into the past which describe motivations in the present; linking current world affairs and sentiments; throwing in some ugliness; and a glimpse into the future.
The setting of so much of "Thief of Always" in The Netherlands was awesome - it's been exciting to picture Allegro and Kris on streets, bridges and in places that I see daily. That gave the story a personal edge I felt more invested in it than I would in an unfamiliar setting. My long ago vacation in Venice even gave me scents and sounds to enhance the scenes set there. The rest of the settings are vivid and, I imagine, that locals may have the same feeling about them as I had about Amsterdam.
While I'm not such a fan of "high, perfectly formed" anything, I guess it is part of the genre and, after all, beautiful isn't a bad thing. But, I'm left wondering what these stories would be like if the authors didn't have to write within the constraints of the genre. While I'm thrilled to have a satisfying ending it would exciting to dive into the darkness and see a little more of what it's like. I wonder how far the story could be taken and how dark it could become.
My favourite line in the book is: "For a difficult woman," Kris said, "You're very easy to love". It's something I've uttered... and so she is. While Kris is not quite as fixed in my memory as Allegro, she's a well described and fleshed out character with her own issues and history. Their banter is very enjoyable and I can understand their mutual attraction.
So, I'd certainly recommend the series and definitely "Thief of Always". Kim and Xenia have delivered on the promise of the first book - with interest. I`m looking forward to "Missing Lynx", and the next one... and the one after that!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Have in Your Collection!!, February 15, 2009
This review is from: Thief of Always (Elite Operatives, Book 2) (Paperback)
This book is the second in the Elite Operatives Series. The first book was "Lethal Affairs" which I loved, but "Thief of Always" blew the first book out of the water. I don't know if there are enough words to explain how amazing I thought this book was!
With "Thief of Always," I didn't have to use my imagination. The authors are able to make the reader feel like they are sitting on the bench right in front of the action. It was like I was watching the story unfold with the charaters words being fed straight to my ears. It was even better than watching a movie. I loved the characters and loved even more that they brought Domino into the story towards the end. (Domino is from "Lethal Affairs.") I like when stories connect like that. It makes the story feel so much bigger than just the one book.
Anyway, I couldn't put the book down! I ended up reading it straight through. It was worth it. Great book! Can't wait for the next one!
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