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2.91 AVERAGE
2.91 AVERAGE
I'm not sure if I liked the book or not, or why exactly. The pacing often was great, but often it was too slow as well. To be honest, I found the sex-parts a bit too ... I'm not sure. Too much there, somehow. It did not add enough to the story, and seemed to be more like 'sex sells, so I will add it'. On the other hand, it did add something to the story, it showed much of Alison's vulnerability. But then, I somehow did not really liked those scenes. My conclusion is that I do not really know why, and I hate that I do not know it! (And then, is it not a sign of a book being good, that it leaves a reader with some kind of itch?)
In the end, 'Tokyo Firewall' was certainly interesting. I am not sure if I would pick up another book by this writer again though.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
In the end, 'Tokyo Firewall' was certainly interesting. I am not sure if I would pick up another book by this writer again though.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I have quite a few mixed feelings about this book.
I like its setting in Tokyo and the time period of the '90s. The background of the early days of the internet was also interesting. I was really pleased to see a story about a black protagonist in the Japan which isn't something I ever see. There is some suspense in the book which was reasonably well done to a point. She is willing to learn about the computer stuff she's trying to navigate even though she goes about it in less conventional ways. This part sort of resonates with me because I was an early user of the internet although my access was mostly through university servers and later on paid services and not so much bulletin board systems. You kind of learned it as you went and I think you tended to become a bit more tech savvy through the process.
What bothered me in this book was the woman seemed to lack common sense at times. She's supposed to be a lawyer with a sharp mind, a point she makes a few times through the story. But then she does some pretty foolish things and seems to trust way too easily, especially for someone in a country where they don't speak the language. I can understand her accepting advice from her brother to some degree because you wouldn't expect a sibling to steer you wrong (assuming you get along). But then she makes a friend online and soon after sets up a meeting even though they really don't know each other. The advice she gets on the computer from her brother includes downloading some questionable software but she goes ahead and does it anyway. It's not so bad she does this once but even when she asks for items later on and has to go to suspicious places to get them she carries on anyway. This just doesn't match the lawyer mind she supposedly has.
One of the last things that bugged me is something I see in lots of books. Her fiance/boyfriend is clearly quite a jerk and yet she has followed him overseas to live with him. He clearly was trying to prevent her from following him beforehand and you'd think this would raise red flags. That said, I do realise humans will overlook a lot of suspicious behaviors in those they love and be a bit stupid. But it still bugs me. Also I was rather surprised she went there on a tourist visa yet was looking for work. But I don't really know how that worked there at the time so maybe I shouldn't comment on it after all.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did but I do find in hindsight I can appreciate more of the story than immediately after I read it. I give it 2.5 stars.
I like its setting in Tokyo and the time period of the '90s. The background of the early days of the internet was also interesting. I was really pleased to see a story about a black protagonist in the Japan which isn't something I ever see. There is some suspense in the book which was reasonably well done to a point. She is willing to learn about the computer stuff she's trying to navigate even though she goes about it in less conventional ways. This part sort of resonates with me because I was an early user of the internet although my access was mostly through university servers and later on paid services and not so much bulletin board systems. You kind of learned it as you went and I think you tended to become a bit more tech savvy through the process.
What bothered me in this book was the woman seemed to lack common sense at times. She's supposed to be a lawyer with a sharp mind, a point she makes a few times through the story. But then she does some pretty foolish things and seems to trust way too easily, especially for someone in a country where they don't speak the language. I can understand her accepting advice from her brother to some degree because you wouldn't expect a sibling to steer you wrong (assuming you get along). But then she makes a friend online and soon after sets up a meeting even though they really don't know each other. The advice she gets on the computer from her brother includes downloading some questionable software but she goes ahead and does it anyway. It's not so bad she does this once but even when she asks for items later on and has to go to suspicious places to get them she carries on anyway. This just doesn't match the lawyer mind she supposedly has.
One of the last things that bugged me is something I see in lots of books. Her fiance/boyfriend is clearly quite a jerk and yet she has followed him overseas to live with him. He clearly was trying to prevent her from following him beforehand and you'd think this would raise red flags. That said, I do realise humans will overlook a lot of suspicious behaviors in those they love and be a bit stupid. But it still bugs me. Also I was rather surprised she went there on a tourist visa yet was looking for work. But I don't really know how that worked there at the time so maybe I shouldn't comment on it after all.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did but I do find in hindsight I can appreciate more of the story than immediately after I read it. I give it 2.5 stars.
TOKYO FIREWALL by Elizabeth Wilkerson is yet another example of why I continue to be open to new and indie authors. Wilkerson takes readers back to the 1990's when the internet is new, exciting, a bit confusing, and for our main character Alison, dangerous.
I enjoyed the cyber mystery element of the story and that Alison isn't setting out to become a detective and solve a crime. She is mainly just trying to figure out how to navigate the internet for a job that she has talked her way into and stumbles into the sights of a crazy person preying on foreign women. Viewing Alison's online behavior through today's lens she is very naive and trusting of the person she meets online which I think was probably the norm in the early days of the internet. She is also too forgiving of people in her daily life. Her boyfriend's negligent behavior is prominent and because she loves him she lets things slide. Alison took a big leap of faith following Charles to Japan in the first place and Wilkerson does a great job of showing just how complicated and frustrating it can be picking up your life and moving to a completely different culture.
TOKYO FIREWALL is a quick and enjoyable read with a unique plot. It's well paced and kept me engaged with what was happening from beginning to end. I would have liked for events to have unfolded with a bit more detail. Without spoilers I'll just say that there are things that are revealed that I wish could have been given more substance. Alison's emotional transitions also seemed pretty quick. With that being said, I still didn't catch the Easter egg hidden in the story which is a bummer! I will probably reread this one at some point with an eye out for it. I will also be looking out for the next story from Elizabeth Wilkerson.
**I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
I enjoyed the cyber mystery element of the story and that Alison isn't setting out to become a detective and solve a crime. She is mainly just trying to figure out how to navigate the internet for a job that she has talked her way into and stumbles into the sights of a crazy person preying on foreign women. Viewing Alison's online behavior through today's lens she is very naive and trusting of the person she meets online which I think was probably the norm in the early days of the internet. She is also too forgiving of people in her daily life. Her boyfriend's negligent behavior is prominent and because she loves him she lets things slide. Alison took a big leap of faith following Charles to Japan in the first place and Wilkerson does a great job of showing just how complicated and frustrating it can be picking up your life and moving to a completely different culture.
TOKYO FIREWALL is a quick and enjoyable read with a unique plot. It's well paced and kept me engaged with what was happening from beginning to end. I would have liked for events to have unfolded with a bit more detail. Without spoilers I'll just say that there are things that are revealed that I wish could have been given more substance. Alison's emotional transitions also seemed pretty quick. With that being said, I still didn't catch the Easter egg hidden in the story which is a bummer! I will probably reread this one at some point with an eye out for it. I will also be looking out for the next story from Elizabeth Wilkerson.
**I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
TOKYO FIREWALL by Elizabeth Wilkerson is yet another example of why I continue to be open to new and indie authors. Wilkerson takes readers back to the 1990's when the internet is new, exciting, a bit confusing, and for our main character Alison, dangerous.
I enjoyed the cyber mystery element of the story and that Alison isn't setting out to become a detective and solve a crime. She is mainly just trying to figure out how to navigate the internet for a job that she has talked her way into and stumbles into the sights of a crazy person preying on foreign women. Viewing Alison's online behavior through today's lens she is very naive and trusting of the person she meets online which I think was probably the norm in the early days of the internet. She is also too forgiving of people in her daily life. Her boyfriend's negligent behavior is prominent and because she loves him she lets things slide. Alison took a big leap of faith following Charles to Japan in the first place and Wilkerson does a great job of showing just how complicated and frustrating it can be picking up your life and moving to a completely different culture.
TOKYO FIREWALL is a quick and enjoyable read with a unique plot. It's well paced and kept me engaged with what was happening from beginning to end. I would have liked for events to have unfolded with a bit more detail. Without spoilers I'll just say that there are things that are revealed that I wish could have been given more substance. Alison's emotional transitions also seemed pretty quick. With that being said, I still didn't catch the Easter egg hidden in the story which is a bummer! I will probably reread this one at some point with an eye out for it. I will also be looking out for the next story from Elizabeth Wilkerson.
**I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
I enjoyed the cyber mystery element of the story and that Alison isn't setting out to become a detective and solve a crime. She is mainly just trying to figure out how to navigate the internet for a job that she has talked her way into and stumbles into the sights of a crazy person preying on foreign women. Viewing Alison's online behavior through today's lens she is very naive and trusting of the person she meets online which I think was probably the norm in the early days of the internet. She is also too forgiving of people in her daily life. Her boyfriend's negligent behavior is prominent and because she loves him she lets things slide. Alison took a big leap of faith following Charles to Japan in the first place and Wilkerson does a great job of showing just how complicated and frustrating it can be picking up your life and moving to a completely different culture.
TOKYO FIREWALL is a quick and enjoyable read with a unique plot. It's well paced and kept me engaged with what was happening from beginning to end. I would have liked for events to have unfolded with a bit more detail. Without spoilers I'll just say that there are things that are revealed that I wish could have been given more substance. Alison's emotional transitions also seemed pretty quick. With that being said, I still didn't catch the Easter egg hidden in the story which is a bummer! I will probably reread this one at some point with an eye out for it. I will also be looking out for the next story from Elizabeth Wilkerson.
**I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase