Nikki Heat 7: Driving Heat by Richard Castle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Okay, this took forever to read. Mostly because kids and holidays such up a lot of time at the end of the year. That and with the Castle TV series back in full swing, I was more interested in keeping up with episodes than reading new chapters of the book until it went on break. That break gave me time to switch gears into the alternate reality that is so close and yet different in Nikki Heat.
While still having obvious difficulties, mostly around counseling and kidnapping, Nikki and Rook don't have nearly the number of set backs to their wedding than their "real life" counterparts did. Not to say that their adventure is any less dramatic with Agent Bell thrown in the mix and convoluted webs around murder, federal offenses, and hacking. Roach is probably the best highlight of this book as they are really put through the wringer to come out stronger as a team on the other side. Similar to how they are struggling with the detective exams both took recently in the TV series.
I will admit, with the current upheaval in the TV series, and rumors of possible closing after this season, it was a lot harder to stay interested in this book in the long haul. I wanted so badly to know what happened to Castle and Beckett, that it was just too hard to stay focused on Rook and Heat. In that regards, probably not the best timing as far as release date and attempt to read, though it did make sense with the wedding parallels.
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Showing posts with label series: castle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series: castle. Show all posts
January 8, 2016
February 7, 2015
Nikki Heat 6: Raging Heat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
These characters are so similar to their TV counterparts, that there were scenes I got confused with the TV series this time around instead of being from the book series. This especially did not help with the engagement tie in after that being the biggest fiasco for the end of the last season, and start of the newest one. There was one point where they found "Beckett's Neck" that I was expecting "Rook" to make a crack about the street being named after his lady love... until I remembered this was Heat instead of Beckett. Obviously this means that it's also doing it's job tying into the TV series... though maybe a little too well if it gets that confusing between characters. Might also help if I wasn't reading it on either end of catching up with Castle episodes.
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January 8, 2014
Nikki Heat 5: Deadly Heat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
These books are hard to not enjoy, especially if you already like the TV series. This one even features a reference to Firefly, which is always amusing given the shared lead roles between Firefly and Castle.
The downside is that these books are getting longer as their popularity grows, and that's added a lot of filler and meandering in the cases that otherwise wouldn't be present. Can't say I was particularly fond of Agent Bell or Rook's constant errors with her. A little too convenient how the two cases dovetail this time around, especially with two moles in the network effectively blocking Nikki at every turn. Hard to win when you have a clueless media hog as a boss and your own "allies" are against you.
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March 22, 2013
Derrick Storm Mystery 2: Storm Season
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
In color and full print is definitely the better way to read this series. Reading it in black and white small e-ink majorly detracts from the story. Storm manages to get himself in even more trouble, oddly revolving around the previously believed deceased Clara. Sadly, it also doesn't do much to draw a reader in if you aren't already familiar with the origins of the story. Being a previous Castle fan however, I get some enjoyment just from seeing the series come to life. Does make me wish the story was a little more involved however to do Castle justice as the amazing author he's supposed to be.
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December 27, 2012
Nikki Heat 4: Frozen Heat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This one took me a long time to read. I am quickly learning that reading on baby schedule while trying to work as much as possible during the week does not work very well, especially when sleep often takes priority in those few downtime moments that aren't with the family or the office.
While this Nikki Heat story is good, it seems to pale in comparison to the chase for Beckett's old case in the corresponding TV series, Castle. It also ends on another cliff hanger as they find her mother's killer, but are left with Homeland Security and the killer's warning that he was working for someone else and something very big, and very bad, is coming to town. While at least two more characters are known in the current criminal ring, they don't appear to have any hope of catching the perpetrators and certainly don't seem to have any answers to the bigger questions. Captain Irons is as annoying as ever, and his girlfriend's actions leave a reader wondering if maybe she was in on the take too, just like the old lead of the case who ended up dying for trying to warn Heat. Overall, this book seemed to bring more questions than answers and didn't do a whole lot in the relationship department either. Bit of a let down overall as far as the case files go.
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October 5, 2011
Derrick Storm Mystery 1: Deadly Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to agree with most other readers when they say that whoever came up with the idea of publishing and marketing Richard Castle's books from the TV series was a genius. Derrick Storm comes from Castle's first big hit series. Released as a graphic novel (also conveniently just debuted last week in the TV series as well) instead of as the original novel it was described as in the first season, it's easy to be drawn into the story and like the characters. True to Castle's typical attitude and humor, Derrick is a would-be government agent who jumps to conclusions with his wild imagination from too many mystery books, might have a bit of a playboy streak, and generally is honestly a good guy despite landing in many not-so-great scenarios. It's easy to see where this series could keep going in the franchise.
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September 29, 2011
Nikki Heat 3: Heat Rises
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This story very closely and rather obviously follows the line of the last season in the TV series. Not so much with the case or the relation to Beckett's mother's death. Definitely in the case of the captain dying and problems with Beckett staying on the force or being suspended. Also with her working with Castle behind the scenes. Of course there's the ever obvious change that Heat and Rook are involved while Beckett and Castle are still involved in their never-ending dance around their feelings/would-be relationship. While the reasoning is sound, it was still a bit of a surprise to have Heat turn down the promotion to Lieutenant at the end of the book. True to character though, she digs deeper in the case than anyone else and turns over every stone possible, revealing some very interesting details no one saw coming that lead directly back home to NYPSD.
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March 27, 2011
Castle
Castle (2009)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Popular writer Rick Castle tags along with Detective Kate Beckett, giving murder a whole new twist. With plenty of stumbling and sexual tension added to the mix, Castle and Beckett make for never ending entertainment of a very amusing variety. One of them is going to have to cave eventually.
November 27, 2010
Nikki Heat 2: Naked Heat
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Entertaining and engaging as any Castle story. Even more so if you're a fan of the TV show and familiar with the characters. Makes for a very amusing quick read.
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