David Rotenberg

This was a thrilling, exhilarating ride! Rotenberg combines theme, character, and location in a powerful splendour of historical fiction that borders right on the literary sphere. I was very impressed with the book and it has some great writing, parts, and scenes that- all together, make up a comprehensive, decisive victory of reading.

Recommended for those interested in historical and literary fiction.

The second book in the Junction Chronicles, A Murder of Crows continues the story of Decker Roberts, acting professor and discerner of truths. Decker is a synaesthete – a person who has with the rare sensory ability to perceive if someone is telling a truth. Though A Murder of Crows does bring Decker’s story further, you can still read this book without having read The Placebo Effect, the first novel in this series.

I enjoyed this novel for its story line as well as the main character. show more I’m a fan of Decker’s wit and his true-to-life persona. The author knows his characters well and writes them with consistency. They are not all good or all bad but a mixture of both. I know I’m reading a good book when a likeable main character admits to an unlikable trait.

The story has twists and turns and enough suspense that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens. In this second novel, there are more explanations of the synesthete ability and what happens when someone is using it - though it could be I just picked up more on the effects of using this sensory ability in this book than I did in the first, nevertheless, it rounds out the story and leaves the reader with the impression that more will be revealed in the next novel.

A Murder of Crows is a polished, well-written novel that explores what happens when a person is born with a gift that can be used for both good and evil. I like to think that if I had this special gift, I would use it only for good, but the temptation to serve one’s heart desire must be great. Decker faces this dilemma and more in this great series. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes a mix of genres. Give it a try! show less

Long saga about the city and it's opening up to other settlers and the history of China in 19th century through the vehicle of a story of the influence of ancestors and mythology. A really interesting way to thread history through personal stories. Three large books with about 30 chapters each but tightly woven. Good read.

Didn't like main character - he's an abrasive jerk who doesn't respect anyone living or dead. Didn't like China's inherent racism and post-revolution ugliness. Hated the section where he (via third person) gets into the assassin's cruel and twisted mind. DNF.