Two-thirds through, I was already giving this book a five-star rating . . .
353001
Two-thirds through, I was already giving this book a five-star rating . . . though typically Im a four-star giver. Im an avid mystery reader (Greg Iles anyone?).
But something about the hype on a special offering of this e-book got me interested. I believe it must have spoken of mystery. I was definitely not disappointed!
I was alive and well during this episode of history but apparently not well tuned in -- so much of it read like a novel. So many characters to boo-hiss and a few to cheer.
I am a native Angelino who left California for retirement in Kentucky. Im pretty sure Im not your average reader of business genre. Im also sure Ive not read my last Steve Coll book!
1710376
For the first half of this book, I was definitely thinking three stars. I mean, I was enjoying it. But that was about it. Around the 60% mark this all changed. Man, did it change. If the first half of the book had been the same as the last half this book would have been a 5 star, no question about it.

In the second half: The suspense and pacing was perfect. The character's grief was so accurately depicted, while not being overwhelmingly doomy-and-gloomy. Humour was injected in appropriate places to lighten the atmosphere slightly, but in a way contributed to the sad emotion even more. I thought this was well done. I was pretty much trying not to cry for the last half of the book. It was 'lump in the throat and burning eyes' material. I don't think I've been so upset in a book since Dumbledore died.

Now the first half: I really think Therin could turn this book from good to GREAT if he revisited the first section. The suspense needs to be built, the pace needs to quicken. Maybe some chapters cut. I keep thinking the author could intersperse some of the first chapters as flashbacks in the second half. The scenes with bullies, funeral etc.

If the author worked the same magic he has blatantly shown at the end, this book would be dangerous. As it is, I think readers may struggle to read to that halfway point. I really encourage readers to do just that. You will not regret it.
2523437
I have never read an entire book so quickly, loved it so much immediately, felt so connected, or put it on my Favorites list before finishing it. Until now. I started out, one night, intending to read just one chapter but ended up reading four, all the while with a big smile on my face.

There are vast differences between us (I'm old enough to be her mom, for one), but I resonated so much with what was presented here, that I felt almost like the author was a "parallel universe" me. The writing is warm, personable, open and honest in a way I've never come across before. Intelligent, complex, but easily readable wording and structure, the flow of the memoir was captivating, and an occasional statement was so beautiful in its simplicity, clarity, and profoundness that I teared up ("How tender toward me, and how brutal on my behalf, were my friends when a man let me down ... But now I have no men to speak of" [p. 155]). I didn't want to stop reading.

My only complaint, aside from wanting more pages/chapters, is that Chapter 14 seemed out of place with an abrupt change in tone and topic. I intend to go back and read Ms. Heaney's previous works and I eagerly look forward to her future ones. What a talented writer!

[I received a free copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for my honest review.]
878698
Halfway through the book it struck me that the author is probably someone who, if I met on the street, I would dismiss with an eye roll. She speaks of doing readings, of being a "Sag" with three moons rising or some such nonsense. I imagine her wearing long, flowing tie-dye skirts, talking to crystals, etc. By the time I'd realized this, however, her words of wisdom had already captivated me. She speaks of accepting that the Divine has a plan, of calling on the Divine to give guidance. She gives numerous examples of how this has helped others. Yeah, but that's others, I thought...until yesterday. I took my husband for a doctor's appointment, dropping him off and circling the block to park in the surgery's garage. When I got to the garage, a UPS truck blocked my path. My initial reaction was frustration, but I thought of Tosha Silver's book and went around the block again thinking, "There must be something I'm supposed to see on this block." Sure enough, there was a Woman's Club on the corner. A woman's club which hosts author readings. Instead of spending my time in the waiting room, I went inside to learn more.
Fabulous insight...despite the flowing skirts.:)
3244358
I'll admit I'm just a little more than halfway through this book, but I find the writing excellent (The author is an excellent story-teller) and the characters well presented. I'll finish the book soon, but I know my rating for it will not change. When I first realized what the novel dealt with I was discouraged and thought I'd wait until I was more ready for something I expected to be long and boring. Luckily, I started it at once and found it to be a much-needed portrait of a country and people by an author who well knows what he is writing about.
3808624
So, I had heard about this book. Heard a lot of good things, in fact. And managed to get myself a signed copy from a dealer at this past Jan's Marscon in Williamsburg, VA. But I only just, like within the last five minutes, finished reading it and I can understand why it's become an award-winning novel. The characterization is great, plot moves swiftly but without jumping from point to point without a strong sense that that's where the story needed to go, and the details of both physical things as well as the more ephemeral bits--like the music running through and inspiring all the elements of the story--are well done.

If I had to just give a quick capsule review it would be along the lines of: Don't wait like I did, grab a copy of this book and read it. Now, *g*
3011158
I am only one third of the way through his book, which is the only reason that I am
only giving it 4* - I expect that it will deserve 5* by the time that I have finished it.
It is so well researched and written, just as the other books of his that I have read
(The Berlin Bagdad Express and the Ottoman Endgame) and it has already given
me a very considerable insight of factors that went into the start of WW!. Certainly
it was not so straightforward as we were taught at school>
"DJE Welsh Argentinian."
2455060
I read this book so fast that I had to go back to a previous page to make sure I didn't miss anything.
208166
This book have so much value that I am going to read it a second an maybe a third time to make sure I didn't missed anything.
1316642
When I first started reading this book I had some predisposed notion that I was not going to like it. Within the first or two I could not put in down.
3409699
Perhaps i should have rated the first book with 4 stars just so I could give this one a higher review, but the truth of the matter is that it deserved it, so consider this a 5.1 star review.
Mr Allen, bravo.
3594067
I'm not much on writing, but the rating is deserved, have already read book 2 and waiting for book 3.
51752
Half way though this first book... and I already ordered the second one... I hope there will be more in this series...
2220278
which is why I gave this book five stars. If I were "grading" on plot and believability I might take off a star or two. Other reviewers have mentioned the shaky plot points. I only care that I couldn't put the book (actually my iTouch running the Kindle app) down. The author casually mentions things early on that don't get explained until the end, and I wanted to find out the "big picture". The action is pretty intense too.

A good read.
1344023
I was going through a dry spell from reading when this book came available from the library. Happily, Mrs. Moriarty pulled me into another book with the interest I thought I would struggle to manage. I enjoyed reading every page of this book. I love Mrs. Moriartys ability to so cleverly capture peoples behaviors, even those behaviors that seem to go unnoticed. She is extremely skilled at her ability to observe, articulate, and weave them into a story that you want to read cover to cover without interruption. This book is a solid 4+ stars, and I would give this book five stars if there had been a slightly happier ending for the main character.  But, overall, I would highly recommend this book as a lovely dose of engaging fiction.
1979298
I picked up this book based on the recommendation of a friend, and despite 2 false starts after getting past the 100th page I was absorbed and completed it in 2 days. It is amazing, I'm not going nay more in depth cause I just wanted to rate it.
261490
Update:
I've finished my re-read.  It's absolutely as good as I thought it was and I'm more than happy to give it the last star.  The characters are well-developed, the story kept me guessing and the slower second read only enhanced my appreciation of the writing as well as the story and characters.  I would put this on any 'must-read' list.

-----------------------------------------------
I couldn't put it down.  I desperately needed to know what happened next because it was never what I expected.  I wanted to live in this world and be part of a spectacle.

The downside is that I am sure I missed quite a bit, so I've started a second, slower, read.  Four stars because I loved it so much, but I read it too fast.  So the little things that would make up the missing star could quite possibly be present, I just missed them in my headlong sprint to the finish.  Once I finish the re-read, I'll be back.