Author: James LePore
About (from Goodreads)
When Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder.
1.) Reasons you chose this book
I read 'A World I Never Made,' by the author back in 2009, loved it and when James contacted me about reading this one I immediately said yes.
2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
- I liked the characters that James brought to life. I could picture having a friend much like Jay and Dan. I understood their relationship and the bond that they forged.
- I had a hard time getting into the pace of the story. I found myself getting lost and at times not really feeling vested in the story.
- I feel bad that I didn't enjoy it because I loved LePore's earlier work. I think I just had a tough time trying to connect to a character. This may boil down to something as simple as, "just not the right time for this book."
- I would like to advise you to read the following reviews for this book. What might not work for me could possibly be the best book you've read this year!
Linus's Blanket- "It’s easy for me to remember how absorbing a read Blood of My Brother, by James LePore turned out to be. It was waiting for me when I returned home after the Thanksgiving holiday, and my intention was to flip through a few pages to get a feel for it, but then I couldn’t put it down because I just had to see what would happen next."
Confessions of a Real Librarian-"This is a fast paced novel that will catch you right from the beginning. LePore seamlessly moves back and forth from the past (how the young boys met, as well as other important times in the boys' lives), to the present. The plot grows deeper and deeper throughout the novel, involving a host of characters and some scary bad guys in high places."
Musings of a Bookish Kitty- "The novel got off to a slow start for me but soon took off. It is an intense book, right up until the end. I was most drawn to the scenes when the author takes the reader back into the characters' pasts, giving us a taste of why the characters are who they are today."
Published: December 28, 2010Publisher: The Story PlantPages:313Genre: Suspense/ThrillerISBN: 9780981956886 Disclaimer:Thank you to the author, James LePore for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel © 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I'm sorry this one was a disappointment especially after you loved the first one. That seems to make it even more disappointing. The synopsis sounded good though.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kaye... sounded really promising... too bad it didn't jive with you! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteI feel bad too when I don't like a book by an author I like!
ReplyDeleteEvery so often I pick up a book that I thought was "just not the right time for this book" and it turns out I was right. But with so many books out there to read, they often get forgotten as I've moved on to the next one.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how you get a book read when you don't feel like it. I have to take a vacation once in a while and do something else. I'm thinking I might fail at the 52 books challenge somewhere down the road. :/
ReplyDeleteYou did a great review on this book even though you didn't really enjoy it. I loved how you put some reviews from other people as examples of people who really enjoyed the book. I think that has a lot to do with not liking a book when the time just isn't right for a certain book.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting review format. Too bad the book didn't work for you, though!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's impossible to love every book you read. I like the premise of the book but I do know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteSorry this didn't work for you. I appreciate your honest review.
ReplyDeleteSometimes timing and expectation make all the difference!
ReplyDeleteSo some characters like Dan and Jay were good, but another character you had a hard time connecting too. I am wondering how important that character was? I do hate when I have such high expectations, but the book falls short.
ReplyDeleteI will just trust you, cos it does not sound like a book for me in the first place.
ReplyDeleteToo bad it wasn't better for you :(
Based on how much you liked the first one, I will try to remember to look for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review. I saw this one, but had a feeling it would not be for me either.
ReplyDeleteSounds good and will have to get it. I enjoyed his first book. Mad at myself because he emailed me about reviewing it and I forgot to answer him back. My bad.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how the timing can change the way you feel about a book. I'm still convinced I'm goint to like The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, I just have to find the right mindset to read it.
ReplyDeleteI like that you shared reviews from other bloggers since this book didn't work for you. It is a nice way to put a positive spin on a negative review :)
ReplyDeleteI too found this story a disappointment. I thought the story was slow up until the halfway point and then I found it much better going. Overall all it wasn't a favorite.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you didn't enjoy this one, Staci. I liked his first book as well but haven't got this one yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bummer when this happens, but I understand.
ReplyDelete