Review: Pure Escapism!!!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2014
Niki Savage’s novel Crossfire starts off quite literally in a hail of bullets and the action grabs the reader’s attention from the very beginning. Savage’s writing is assured, and the pace doesn’t really let up, as she takes us on an exciting journey with her two main characters, Marcelle and Stefan.In Marcelle, Savage has created an awe-inspiring but believable character. Having lived independently from a young age, she is resourceful, tough and well able to take care of herself. A talented cyclist, Marcelle has worked hard to become a world champion and is at the height of her physical prowess. She is also not averse to throwing punches when the occasion calls for it.The novel is set in Paris but has an international feel as Marcelle is originally from South Africa and Stefan is German. Stefan is seriously injured in a gun battle and Marcelle takes him in and nurses him back to health. As their feelings for each other develop, Marcelle had to deal with her grief and guilt, as she lost her beloved husband just a couple of years earlier.I really liked the way Savage depicts the emotional turmoil that Marcelle endures. I liked Marcelle and felt as if I were on the journey with her. The novel is pure escapism and once you pick it up, it’s hard to put it down. My only issue with it is that the ending is very shocking and, for me personally, I don’t see how there is any way back for Stefan. There are two more stories in the series, however, so maybe I will be proved wrong.