Primitive (edition 2009)

Couldn't get through it ( )

Not my cup of tea! Couldn't get through it and I rarely let go of a book very easily. ( )

I felt like this story had been told before. Full of cliches and entirely predictable. ( )

A 40-something fashion model, an eco-terrorist group and a governmental plot to hide devastating information regarding global warming - all the hallmarks of a good political thriller, right? Well, not really. Nykanen was, perhaps, a bit overly ambitious in his attempts to create a timely, fast-paced thriller. While this book might make a good beach read (or snowed-in weekend read), the elements that create this book do not really hang together. First, who wants to read about an over-the-hill fashion model? [SPOILER ALERT] The premise that models are easy targets for abduction (because their bookers don't really check out every assignment) is interesting. However, the idea that an eco-terrorist group might abduct an older model because she represents the the problems with modern day consumption seemed a bit far fetched. Second, it is a gamble to create an enviromental thriller based on one element - it very much dates the book to 2007-2009. While Nykanen constructed some exciting chase scenes with hide-and-seek between animal rights and eco-terrorist groups and a bounty hunter, basing the great mystery of the story around one governmental report was a risk that didn't pay off. ( )

I received this book through Early Reviewers, and requested it for what sounded like a unique mix of mystery and (several angles of) politics. Normally, I like "unique". Normally, I speed through books I like. NOT THIS TIME. I sped through this knowing these were hours I'd never get back, and my sense of duty (to review this for ER) saw me through. This novel is full of cringe-worthy moments. As others have mentioned, it contains stereotypes beyond belief, which made it impossible for me to believe in the characters, much less root for any of them or have much interest in the very important issues they were bringing to the fore. ( )