Review of The Kovalenko Secret
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Ram Sahni
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- Latest Review: The Kovalenko Secret by Philip L Rettew
Review of The Kovalenko Secret
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Kovalenko Secret" by Philip L Rettew.]
The narrative of Philip Rettew's "The Kovalenko Secret" hinges on a terrifying premise: a disappearing weapon of mass destruction and a dangerous terrorist group seeking a chance to detonate it. Next, meet Duke Chancellor, a rather mysterious and secluded man who, as you probably guessed, is a billionaire. He emerges as an unconventional heroine in this world of chess, thus being forced to team up with a stubborn reporter and a disgruntled Russian officer in a bid to prevent the horrible event. Rettew is very successful in combining these characters, making the audience see and get the multi-faceted story that is painted across different continents and cultures.
Thus, the primary strength of The Kovalenko Secret lies in its ability to interest a reader. In this case, Rettew uses a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the introduction of a faster pace where the stakes grow higher is mesmerizing and makes anticipation a companion on every page. However, because the story is set on a global level, Rettew can present the twists of international relations and the shadows of security interests. This gives the story an element of reality and tension that turns the story into something more profound than simply a battle between light and darkness. The presentation of many characters is another potential strength and weakness of the show. Though it gives viewers a perfect opportunity to see the story from different angles, some members of Rettew look like chess figures provided to the checkmate. Duke Chancellor, for instance, could easily become a stereotype of the eccentric billionaire who happens to have a dark past. It is apparent that scenes of his enticements were revealed, but if more focus was given to the analysis of his personality, the book would gain tremendous depth. In the same manner, characters such as the journalist and the colonel are indispensable in telling the story; however, they are not multi-dimensional enough to appeal to the reader's emotions.
The Kovalenko Secret enthralls the reader and provides an exciting ride for those interested in high-stake international espionage. Plotwise, good editing of a complex narrative that confronts global conflict and power dynamics with a story of human resilience makes for a compelling read. Nevertheless, the characterization in the novel is not as strong as the plot, and some of the characters remain mere characters or pawns and do not develop into compelling or complex beings. Overall, I will be giving this book 5 out of 5 stars all through. It was quite hard to find things that one could dislike at or raise criticism about.
If you're in the mood for a highly charged, full-plot suspense novel with non-stop action and increasing levels of tension throughout the book, take a look at The Kovalenko Secret. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a book in which character growth is as interesting as the plot, it is better to turn to other books in the genre.
******
The Kovalenko Secret
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The narrative of Philip Rettew's "The Kovalenko Secret" hinges on a terrifying premise: a disappearing weapon of mass destruction and a dangerous terrorist group seeking a chance to detonate it. Next, meet Duke Chancellor, a rather mysterious and secluded man who, as you probably guessed, is a billionaire. He emerges as an unconventional heroine in this world of chess, thus being forced to team up with a stubborn reporter and a disgruntled Russian officer in a bid to prevent the horrible event. Rettew is very successful in combining these characters, making the audience see and get the multi-faceted story that is painted across different continents and cultures.
Thus, the primary strength of The Kovalenko Secret lies in its ability to interest a reader. In this case, Rettew uses a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the introduction of a faster pace where the stakes grow higher is mesmerizing and makes anticipation a companion on every page. However, because the story is set on a global level, Rettew can present the twists of international relations and the shadows of security interests. This gives the story an element of reality and tension that turns the story into something more profound than simply a battle between light and darkness. The presentation of many characters is another potential strength and weakness of the show. Though it gives viewers a perfect opportunity to see the story from different angles, some members of Rettew look like chess figures provided to the checkmate. Duke Chancellor, for instance, could easily become a stereotype of the eccentric billionaire who happens to have a dark past. It is apparent that scenes of his enticements were revealed, but if more focus was given to the analysis of his personality, the book would gain tremendous depth. In the same manner, characters such as the journalist and the colonel are indispensable in telling the story; however, they are not multi-dimensional enough to appeal to the reader's emotions.
The Kovalenko Secret enthralls the reader and provides an exciting ride for those interested in high-stake international espionage. Plotwise, good editing of a complex narrative that confronts global conflict and power dynamics with a story of human resilience makes for a compelling read. Nevertheless, the characterization in the novel is not as strong as the plot, and some of the characters remain mere characters or pawns and do not develop into compelling or complex beings. Overall, I will be giving this book 5 out of 5 stars all through. It was quite hard to find things that one could dislike at or raise criticism about.
If you're in the mood for a highly charged, full-plot suspense novel with non-stop action and increasing levels of tension throughout the book, take a look at The Kovalenko Secret. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a book in which character growth is as interesting as the plot, it is better to turn to other books in the genre.
******
The Kovalenko Secret
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Kovalenko Secret by Philip L Rettew
