Review: Curiously satisfying, well-plotted with very real characters
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2012
The Sting of the Scorpio follows the fortunes of Alexander Ivanov and his new bride Brigitte following their whirlwind romance and marriage in Scorpio Rising. All the old characters are here as Alex and Brigitte embark on a new life in New York. But Alex can't just walk straight back into work, and Brigitte struggles to balance checkbook and family commitments with Alex's determination that his wife shouldn't need to work.Soon Brigitte's painting again, making friends and allies in New York's burgeoning art world. Alex draws old friends into his architectural dreams, inspired by Brigitte, and the future starts to look good. But Alex's innate insecurities keep him from truly enjoying what he's got, and his flailing need for more has him stinging friend and foe on his way to the top.This novel feels sometimes like watching a trainwreck as well-drawn characters inspire both sympathy and despair. But there's something in the writing that keeps you trusting the author, believing things will turn out. They don't end how you'd hope or how you'd dream, but they end with an oddly pleasing sense of satisfaction and completion, just desserts with a perfect blend of sweet and sour.Corporate machinations, financial wizardly, art and friendship combine in this novel of wounded people, broken relationships, misplaced trust and undeserving affections. It's a powerful mix, but it works, and makes for a novel that's hard to put down, and a sequel that's easily as good as its predecessor.Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel from Novel Publicity blog tours in exchange for my honest review.