24 reviews for:

Better Off Dead

Tom Wood

4.1 AVERAGE


Great action but awful dialogue. Just brutal.

Enjoyable, if predictable hitman thriller. Easy read. 3.5 stars.

Nice glimpse into the world of a deadly assassin. Shows that Victor has actually got feelings and isn't as uncaring as he likes to portray.
adventurous dark tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Another quality installment in the Victor the Killer series. I liked this one because it focused on Victor protecting someone out of a sense of duty to a former acquaintance. That’s a piece of his backstory we weren’t privy to before.

This playing defense is a different side of Victor as he has to use all his skills to avoid being ambushed or surrounded instead of the other way around. It was like the classic trope of the hunter becoming the hunter.

But in the end it came to a shocking conclusion that was definitely atypical for other books in the series. It was a nice touch and one I feel that makes this book stand out. It was a good job all around.

It was fine. I think I struggled with the fight and chase scenes (which was like half the book) because I just couldn't picture them. If you like assassins and epic chase and fight scenes you'd probably enjoy it more :)

4.5 stars rounded up.

Once again, Tom Wood surprises readers with non-stop action and hair-raising situations which his character, Victor is thrown into. This novel can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the series from the beginning, as it gives you a better idea of who Victor is. Also, Giselle's father appears in [b:The Hunter|10287666|The Hunter (Victor the Assassin, #1)|Tom Wood|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1327932200s/10287666.jpg|15189458], and it provides knowledge of what he had done to Victor.

Tom Wood's portrayal of Victor is consistent, and Victor never does anything out of character. He remains ruthless, logical, and cunning. And his dark humor and dislike for cussing makes an appearance, as always.

In this novel, Victor ends up becoming a "bodyguard" for Giselle, the daughter of a man who once betrayed him. This is very different from the other novels, as Victor primarily operates as a lone wolf. With someone to protect, Victor must adapt to the circumstances, while also keeping Giselle and himself alive.

What sets off this series from other action/thriller series is how Victor confronts his enemies and handles the situations. Victor is a skilled marksman and fighter, but what makes him interesting is how he uses his wit and logic. Faced against numerous foes, Victor deploys every tool in his arsenal, every trick that will give him an advantage. Every time Victor ended up in a disastrous position, I kept on wondering what Victor would do next. Victor never fails to surprise and amaze me, exceeding my expectations each time.

Some readers may dislike Giselle, and I can see how. Yet, she is integral to this story as much as Victor is. She is the foil to his coldness and apathy. Giselle had less TSTL(Too-stupid-to-live) moments than I expected, and she did prove to be quite formidable and brave for a civilian.

The villains in this novel were not as impressive as the last, and the mystery was a little less interesting and a bit more confusing. Nonetheless, it does not detract much from my enjoyment of this novel. Victor remains as one of my most favorite characters to read about.

A mind-blowing, fast-paced read. Can't wait to begin the next novel!
adventurous challenging tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Excellent

1st read August 2015
Re-read June 2016

Gisele is still the worst character ever.

Awesome read and hats off to that Jack Bauer nod.
1-star deduction for the most annoying characters I've read in a very long time. (Gisele)