Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Review: Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein

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Cold Fury
T.M. Goeglein
Series: Cold Fury, #1
Release date: July 24th 2012
by Putnam Juvenile

 

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance–until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It’s a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies–a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense–hidden in its pages the secret to “ultimate power.” It’s why she’s being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

*A copy was provided by Penguin Group USA for review purposes*

“Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos”! Yeah!

Starting off slowly, Cold Fury begins by throwing us into Sara’s past – her family dynamics in particular – which has always been filled with whispers and secrets. This is all done via flashbacks and, while interesting, can become a bit tedious, or even confusing. Although I can’t say that I was ever bored as the mysteriousness kept my attention from faltering. Page 104 is where it really begins, with a bang. House in shambles, her family gone, on the run from what seems to be everyone who looks at her on the street; from this point on it’s action packed until the very end. A race for answers – literally! With her pursuers ranging from family members to crooked cops, no one and nowhere is safe.

Like action movies, it’s best to read this without thinking very much about the probabilities of what Sara conveniently stumbles upon that, at the very last second, saves her life. We’ve got the typical conveniently located trap doors, tunnels, insider connections, and, my personal favourite: ninja rats. Ninja. Rats. 😀 Trained and bread to become body guards of sorts, rats, among other things, are the deus ex machina of this plot. On the same wavelength, there are flashes of paranormal powers that certain members of the mob inhibits. I was hoping that this would get a deeper explanation, or at least a bigger meaning. A few vague passages that are barely more than a brush off are not enough to give credibility to these plot elements. Thus, it makes it seem like a lot of twists are simply added for some extra oomph that, ultimately, means nothing. However, it works to give an exciting action mob story. You just have to roll with the punches.

Badass, smart, determined, courageous, are some of the qualities we see in our protagonist, Sara. Her tomboy ways – including learning how to box at 4 years old – will appeal to those who like a little kick in their female leads. Though I will never understand why after days of her being attacked and almost killed several times as soon as she steps outdoors, she decides it would be a good idea to go to school. Education above all else? This detail aside, I found her personality refreshing, and her fierceness, engaging. With a Mafia implicated plot comes a large history where we see how Sara’s family comes into play in this complex, very well depicted, mob story which puts her right in the middle of it.

Yes, it has a very Bourne Identity feel to it, though I wouldn’t go as far as saying it compares to it (as one of my favourite movie sagas this would be a near impossible feat). Intense and exciting with an intriguing ending that has me looking forward to book 2; if you’re looking for an action-packed high speed chase, Cold Fury will definitely give you a run for your money!

3 Hot Espressos
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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31 Responses to “Review: Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein”

  1. Nick

    Awesome review, Giselle. This sounds like an awesome read. I don’t know about the slow start though. I might get a little bored since I’ll be expecting tons of actions. It’s good to know that there is action in it though. Plus, the main character sounds fun.

  2. Sam

    Now this sounds quite interesting. I love a fast paced story and plenty of action. Sara sounds like a cool main character too. I will have to give this a go one day. Great review, Giselle! 🙂

  3. Born Bookish

    Good to know it has a slow start but does pick up after that! I’m always afraid I’m going to give up on a book too soon and miss out on something great. I have this one in my TBR pile and can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the awesome & honest review =)

  4. Amy

    This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I would have a hard time not thinking about things that seem a bit convenient, but in general this sounds pretty good. Action packed, kick ass character, and ninja rats! I think I will have to read this one sometime.

  5. Katie @ BlookGirl

    I have mixed feelings about this one, due to the mixed reviews its received. It sounds like you enjoyed Cold Fury overall, though, so maybe I’ll give it a chance. Ninja rats, eh? Yeeeah, maybe I’ll give it a chance 😉

    Great review, love muffin!

  7. Meg K.

    I’ve been seeing a lot of three-star reviews for this one. :/ I can’t say I’m THAT excited for it anymore, haha, but I’m glad to hear that Sara was a kick-ass MC! If I ever do pick this up, I’ll be expecting a lot of action-packed scenes. 😀

    Great review as usual, Giselle!

  8. Candace

    This is what I like about reading multiple revises of a book- I have only seen rave reviews of this book with no negative comments at all. I’m super excited to read this but I’m better prepared now I think. As the improbability of things seems a bit far fetched. And the rat thing seems a bit…weird. Still excited to read it but I have set my expectations just a bit lower.

  9. Heather

    I must admit, a YA books that boasts it’s Bourne meets the Sopranos kind of concerns me. I mean, it’s YA, right?! I might have given it a chance but flashbacks, ugh.

  12. cambria hebert

    I enjoyed reading this review, I have seen this cover around but wasn’t sure what the book was about. This does seem action packed, I was a little surprised to hear it started slowly you would think it would be go! go! go! but I can see the need for backstory. 😉 I am definitely intrigued by this book, I might give it a try! Great review!

  14. Alexa

    The combination DOES sound intriguing. It certainly seems like it would be a good book! I’d definitely check it out 🙂

  17. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    I really wanted to read this but I have been seeing a lot of 3 star reviews. With that awesome cover and storyline, I thought it would for sure wow people. Books with slow beginnings just kill me. Although I do love kick-ass girls. Awesome review!

  20. A Canadian Girl

    Giselle, although this one is action-packed, I feel like it’s going to be one of those books I’d have to read just for fun and not think too much about. Otherwise, my enjoyment factor wouldn’t be very high.

  23. Aneeqah

    I’m sorry that you didn’t love this one, Giselle, but I am happy that you at least liked it! =) I was really excited for Cold Fury- I thought it would start off with a bang. So it makes me sad that it doesn’t really start until Page 104. However, I think I’ll still be giving this one a try, but with lowered expectations now. I do always love a good kick-butt main character! =)

    Fabulous review! <3

    -Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

  24. Shooting Stars Mag

    Nice review. My sister read this one (review will hopefully be up soon) so I’ve heard a bit about it. I don’t know if I’d enjoy it or not, but it definitely seems like a fun read.

    -Lauren

  26. Camille Picott

    I totally love the premise of this novel, though I have to admit the body guard rats sound a little . . . hmm. Yeah. But there are those novels out there were you just have to suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. And they’re usually really good rides! This sounds like one of those novels.

  27. Vegan YA Nerds

    Ninja rats, seriously!!? I think I would have found that very amusing! And while I’ve never watched the Sopranos, I do like the Bourne comparison and the action sounds thrilling!

  29. Misa G.

    Like everyone else, I’ve been seeing a bunch of mixed reviews. I really don’t mind a slow start as long as it picks up not too close to the end (or after I give up). But the ninja rats… I’m in! LOL xD

    Misa
    Skyway Avenue Reads

  30. Christina

    Hmmm, good to know. I hadn’t seen any reviews of this yet and was somewhat on the fence. I DO still want to read it, but it’s definitely not a priority.

  31. J.J. Bonds

    Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos? What a great hook! Sara sounds just like my kind of protagonist (except maybe that whole going to school when her life’s in danger thing– I was a good kid, but not that good!). I’ll have to check this out if I ever get my TBR list under control!