I always enjoy Archer's books, but this one was a bit disappointing for me. I found the first half to 3/4s, but the same old, same old. I grew a bit weary of the same enemies trying bring down the Clifton family. It was just too much. And Seb's temporary personality shift just didn't work for me. I am still looking forward to reading the next in the series as I did enjoy the latter half of the book, but I'm hoping for a little more freshness.

I'm so conflicted on Mightier Than the Sword. After loving the first two novels in the Clifton Chronicles I felt there was a major drop off in books three and four. To keep things as simple as possible I didn't understand why this was such a long series. Harry and Emma have always been the draw for me into these novels and as the cast expanded and contracted I just began to lose interest. However since I'm already four books invested I felt like I had to continue my trek into this series.

The good news is, Mightier Than the Sword is a much better novel then books three and four and yet it still isn't anywhere near the drama of the first two. The big issue I have had with this book and the last two are the conflicts. They feel forced. Characters in The Clifton Chronicles are far either good or evil. There's no room for nuance. No grey areas. You have characters you're told to like and others that are the epitome of evil. This makes the story feel a little too clean.

I've also gotten to the point where I wonder if Harry and Emma are just too good for their own good? There's a scene where Harry follows his conscious to help another and I kept wondering what person would ever do this? And yet for all of its faults, and there are many, I still really enjoyed Mightier Than the Sword. The pacing was much better in this one then the previous two. More happens and what happens seems at least slightly more plausible then the last two books.

I will continue down the windy road that is The Clifton Chronicles. Although I think reading all this Jeffrey Archer makes me excited for what he writes after this series as its starting to get long in the tooth.

I am binging these audiobooks! Bring on #6!

I appreciated how this book in the series has a little more on an overarching storyline than the previous ones. I thought it was entertaining, but would like to see some new “villains” or nemesis for our main characters rather than the same ones repackaged every book.

Another wonderful episode of this series. Usually after this many books they get redundant or drawn-out. I still can't wait to pick this up every time! And he is the king of the cliff-hanger.

Always a fast read and always a cliffhanger

I love this series and was pleased that in spite of a long gap between the read of #4 and #5, I was immediately drawn back into the story. Archer does a lovely job filling in the gaps for readers like me; reviewing just enough to jog one's memories. However, this time I'm diving right back in. #6 is downloaded and ready to delight!

Poorly written, with a narrative that doesn't flow very well, and not particularly likeable characters