Review: a BARGAIN at twice the price!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 3, 2013
If you, like me, have to budget carefully to afford your reading habit... I strongly recommend Jonelle Patrick's "Only in Tokyo" series; it has caught my attention. I found this series completely by accident. While researching information for a class on something entirely boring, I found Ms. Patrick's blog (http://www.jonellepatrick.com/guide/Home.html) where she had commented on the topic I was researching. Intrigued, I explored the blog a tad further, and came across mention of her series of novels. Talk about copacetic!I don't generally read mystery novels, as I find most of them quite predictable, but in this case, I made an exception, and I'm really happy about my decision. Patrick's ability to bring characters to life with just a few words is a delight. Her thorough research-which she does personally- is certainly exceptional and delightful in my opinion.The setting for "Fallen Angel" is the host world... something most of us Western women know nothing about. Those few of us who do know anything about it are either dreadfully misinformed (it is NOT a sex worker industry), or damned lucky to have Japanese girlfriends. Japan certainly is progressive in many ways-but equality of the sexes isn't one of them in general. For this one thing though, the Japanese have the US beat all hollow! Where, I ask you, in the US, can a woman go to have drinks and be the center of attention for a man? Moreover, one who is thoughtful and polite, identifies your best features and mentions them, pours YOUR drinks, listens to your stories, sympathizes with your issues- AND NOT EXPECT YOU TO roll over for him?Sure, you can visit a shrink and get most of that attention, but the shrink won't pour you a cocktail or be sympathetic... or wear Armani (IMH experience)- or be pretty damned attractive while he's doing it. Sure, the shrink is cheaper, but seriously, will he walk you to a cab and hold an umbrella for you while you get in? So... I'm not offended at the idea of compensating someone for treating me like women have treated men for centuries in the least- I'm just to dang poor to afford it!OH WAIT! I'm reviewing a book, not having a fantasy...The story itself is very well crafted, and Patrick juggles the main storyline with at least 5 sub plots with amazing ease. The story is fast paced but it never seems rushed... events unfold at their own speed, not hammered into place by the author. Patrick has an extraordinary flare for bringing even minor characters to life with a few words and as the spotlight passes over those characters their part unfolds deftly. When the spotlight moves on, you have to wonder if that character continues to act while out of your sight. I'm very serious here- even characters who only appear as plot devices to "manage" events in this novel are presented with the type of detail that intrigues and makes you wonder if they'll be featured in a story of their own down the line. I'm waiting as patiently as I can for he further adventures of Kenji, Yumi, Ichiro, Coco, Hiro and Saki, and the managers (I'm fascinated by them!). I wonder if "Mt. Fuji with Snow" will make future appearances- and I hope so, his character really caught my attention! And poor Cherry... and poor stuttering, injured- well, I'd better stop now. Read it and see what you think of this cast of characters.I wonder if "Fallen Angel" will fascinate you too?