Official Review: Mortal Showdown by Nik Krasno

[cdnollett]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Mortal Showdown" by Nik Krasno.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Mortal Showdown is told from the perspective of a wealthy man named Mikhail (Misha) Voratavich who was recently targeted in an assassination attempt. While jet-setting around the globe and fending off various physical and fiscal attacks, Misha must try and find the person (or people) responsible before it's too late. The story is a rollercoaster that gives the reader glimpses into extravigant lifestyles, extreme partying, promiscuity and nail-biting action sequences.

First off, between downloading the ebook and starting to read, I attempted to do some research regarding the author, Nik Krasno, to get a feel for his writing style to understand what I was getting myself into. While conducting my research, I found out this book is a sequel to the novel "Rise of an Oligarch". Considering the synopsis of the book does not mention the fact it is a sequel, I decided to see if I could understand the storyline as a standalone. I have to say, although at first it is a little difficult to understand characters that are undoubtedly introduced in detail in the first book, it is still possible to read "Mortal Showdown" as a standalone and still appreciate the storyline as well as the characters with minimal head-scratching.

Considering the author was born in Kiev, I expected to find some grammatical and syntax errors. They are definitely present, and there are a few sentences you need to re-read in order to fully understand the context of the sentence. However, the scarce grammatical errors don't take away from the story in any way, shape or form.

While reading, I couldn't help but feel the story felt rushed. I understand time is of the essence for Misha to get to the bottom of the situations at hand, and that was very well conveyed, but I found myself getting frustrated with the lack of details. Instead of being pulled into Misha's mind and feeling a connection with him, it felt as though I was reading a synopsis of events in the book. For example, conversations are not written in conversation format. Instead, they are summarized to say things like "he told me he got the call disclosing the meeting location". Why not just include the actual dialogue? At times, usually when Misha was conversing with family or very close friends, the dialogue would be spelled out and I would start to feel a connection, only for the conversation to end and the summaries to begin again. The story had a very formal feel to it that kept the reader at a distance, which I didn't particularly enjoy.

That being said, the twists and turns keep the reader on the edge of their seat and their jaw dropped for most of the story. Misha is a very smart man, and it's not hard to see how he has become so wealthy and successful. He thinks quick on his feet and is never lost for a plan of action for long. The personalities of his head of security, Arthur, and friend, Boris, are so complex and they mesh so well with Misha, you're definitely rooting for them all to be successful in their mission to take care of those who pose a threat. Not being proficient in foreign relations, I have to admit, I was a little confused at times, but I was still able to enjoy the story at face value.

In summation, this is a very well thought out story that I can see being made into an amazing action movie. However, because of the formal and summarized feel to the book, I had a hard time reading the story for extended periods of time before finding my mind wandering, which made it difficult to finish reading in my usual quick manner. While I enjoyed the story, I can't see myself re-reading this book any time soon.

2 out of 4 stars

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Mortal Showdown
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Like cdnollett's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Nik Krasno]

Dear Cdnolett,

Thank you very much for your time, interest (even in my background -:)) and the detailed review, which I enjoyed very much.
I would have hoped for a higher mark, allowing for many good words that you mentioned, but it is what it is and it's by all means your legit opinion, which I accept with respect.
I thought that a snappy style that I've chosen deliberately would be an advantage, but if you felt the story was rushed then I guess for some readers it might be a deficiency. Your criticism on this account is noted down and I'll consider maybe a bit more balanced approach, if and when, I do a sequel. Even if I wanted, I can't write anywhere close to Leo Tolstoy's style, but I definitely can add more details, if these won't impede the speedy development of the plot, as I like it.
I'm really delighted that the story kept you 'on the edge of the seat and with the jaw dropped', as you put it, and I really appreciate that you think it is 'very well thought out' and can be adapted into 'an amazing action movie'. If you happen to know Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie, Robert Rodriguez or an aspiring director, who'd want to pick up the gauntlet, please, forward the manuscript to them, as it contains my e-mail for further contact -:)

With many sincere thanks,
Nik

[Max Tyrone]

What an honest review! It seems like there are some kinks involved with editing in the text. I don't think I've ever seen writing bad enough to render the text incomprehensible, so it's nice that you confirm that the aforementioned writing isn't that much of a problem.

very informative review!

[Nik Krasno]

Dear Max,

You mean there are also dishonest reviews?

I don't know where you take an idea of incomprehensible text or bad writing from, because the reviewer didn't say any such thing and consequently I didn't admit anything about it.

Inappropriate, defamatory comment on your part

[Max Tyrone]

Didn't say that. I know the reviewer didn't say that. I didn't say that about the (your) novel. I wrote that I don't see anyone write about crappy writing because people who write novels tend to do a good job at it. Wasn't a throw at you. It was just a general statement about reviews. You're good. I can see how I wasn't clear on that. I do not wish to be inappropriate or defamatory.

[Nik Krasno]

If it's an apology, it's accepted.
I'm not good and I'm not not good and anyway I'm not the one to judge, as I can't be objective about my own writing. It's for the readers to estimate. Cdnollett here, after reading my book, evaluates it at 2 out of 4 and it's fine with me, because she read it, hopefully considered its pros and cons and shared with us what she thinks. I'm well aware that there might be readers enjoying the book as well as those that won't. What I like less is implying something negative without even reading it....
The reviewer says she had to read certain sentences twice to fully understand their context, but this didn't "take away from the story in any way, shape or form", as she puts it. Some things that Nietzsche, for example, wrote one would need to read many times to understand their context. Simplicity is desirable, but not the prime goal in writing, in my opinion.
And "kinks" can be anywhere -:)

[cdnollett]

Mr. Krasno, I am very excited to see that you read my review! I was out of state with limited access to my accounts, and what a pleasant surprise I received upon returning home! I felt you wrapped up Misha's story very well, but I would be interested in reading if you so choose to write a sequel.

I apologize for disappointing you with the score given, but I operate with the mentality that there is no such thing as perfect, therefore a 4 out of 4 stars is nearly impossible.

Max, thank you so much for taking the time to read my review and respond!

[Nik Krasno]

Welcome back to your own state then, Cdnollett.
Between perfect and half-perfect, there is also a three quarter perfect -:)
I'd let you know gladly about a sequel, if Scott here, preventing self promotion, would let my message through