ARA Review by Deborah Russo 1 of A Silver Medallion
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Deborah Russo 1
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ARA Review by Deborah Russo 1 of A Silver Medallion
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, A Silver Medallion.]
A Silver Medallion is a suspense thriller set in Texas and Mexico where criminals are linking forces to further human trafficking and promote modern day slavery for their own monetary benefit and satisfaction. Crystal and her grandmother find Rosa, a runaway victim of human trafficking on the grandmother’s property, and face the dilemma of how to help the victim without turning her over to authorities. The victim has been trafficked into Texas from south of the border and has escaped virtual slavery.
This is a second in a series but the plot introduced originates in this book. I appreciated the instant translation of the Spanish used, this actually made the story more effective. A major improvement for this book would be a list of characters with brief identification either at the front or back of the book for the reader to refer to so as to enjoy the book better, especially reading an online version. I found few weaknesses in the book as soon as I accepted that it was a suspense story, not a whodunnit mystery. Overall the book got off to a slow start but by Chapter 5 the writing had me hooked and I had to keep reading. For that reason I give the book a 4 out of 5 stars.
The main plot point the author had to overcome was that a single young woman, intelligent and educated- not a law enforcement officer of any type- would take it upon herself to go on a dangerous journey personally on a crusade to rescue children of a total stranger. This is somewhat mitigated by Crystal’s job with a mysterious information agency headed by a – possibly-more-to-him-than-meets-the-eye - boss with whom she is romantically involved. But it is still a stretch and is belied by the real-life vulnerability of women in physical conflict with men. That leap of belief and the slower start are the only factors keeping which keeps the book at a 4 star rating instead of 5.
A definite plus is that the story immediately focuses on Crystal, an upper class career woman, cheated out of a PHD by an abusive professor, yet still looking to make her mark in the world via her career and continued academic aspirations. The reader does not have to discern who the main character is among a competing field.
Once Crystal is established, a plethora of mostly well drawn characters soon emerge. Characters introduced early are almost evenly divided between good and bad but the former outnumber the latter as the book progresses. There is little doubt on which side each character falls, making the what’s-going-to-happen plot the focus of the book. The excellently developed virtuous characters keep the book interesting whereas the bad guys are more stereotypical relegating them to plot necessity in some instances. The best example of this is the dastardly professor who is almost a complete stereotype of the deceitful plagiarizing academic.
A positive aspect of the book is the comprehensive details revealed about the background of the main character. The author is very effective painting the picture of unresolved life problems from the first book which opens the door to the undermining of the presenting problems. Crystal’s stress at the dastardly professor’s betrayals, which apparently occurred in the first book but is succinctly chronicled here, begins to pale as she becomes haunted by the spectre of human trafficking and the individual stories of tribulations she absorbs after encountering Rosa and other victims, notably the mother who pines for her children.
Oddly Crystal’s expedition seems to turn from a mission of mercy to a touristy vacation but as the reader is lulled into the detailed adventure in Mexico scenarios with rich description and cultural insights, the action snaps back with nice tie ins with the actual plot, making Crystal’s seeming diversionary activities prove vital to the plot and success of her mission. After apparently accomplishing her missions new twists in Mexico make Crystal reluctant to leave. But as she plans her departure, she is attacked and rescued by some of the vendors she had patronized earlier. This connectivity was a very nice touch. However this is not the end. Crystal has become a target for the criminals seeking revenge for her actions. Numerous attempts ultimately result in a tragedy which keeps the book from being unrealistically positive, another reason to elevate it to 4 stars.
***
View A Silver Medallion on Bookshelves
A Silver Medallion is a suspense thriller set in Texas and Mexico where criminals are linking forces to further human trafficking and promote modern day slavery for their own monetary benefit and satisfaction. Crystal and her grandmother find Rosa, a runaway victim of human trafficking on the grandmother’s property, and face the dilemma of how to help the victim without turning her over to authorities. The victim has been trafficked into Texas from south of the border and has escaped virtual slavery.
This is a second in a series but the plot introduced originates in this book. I appreciated the instant translation of the Spanish used, this actually made the story more effective. A major improvement for this book would be a list of characters with brief identification either at the front or back of the book for the reader to refer to so as to enjoy the book better, especially reading an online version. I found few weaknesses in the book as soon as I accepted that it was a suspense story, not a whodunnit mystery. Overall the book got off to a slow start but by Chapter 5 the writing had me hooked and I had to keep reading. For that reason I give the book a 4 out of 5 stars.
The main plot point the author had to overcome was that a single young woman, intelligent and educated- not a law enforcement officer of any type- would take it upon herself to go on a dangerous journey personally on a crusade to rescue children of a total stranger. This is somewhat mitigated by Crystal’s job with a mysterious information agency headed by a – possibly-more-to-him-than-meets-the-eye - boss with whom she is romantically involved. But it is still a stretch and is belied by the real-life vulnerability of women in physical conflict with men. That leap of belief and the slower start are the only factors keeping which keeps the book at a 4 star rating instead of 5.
A definite plus is that the story immediately focuses on Crystal, an upper class career woman, cheated out of a PHD by an abusive professor, yet still looking to make her mark in the world via her career and continued academic aspirations. The reader does not have to discern who the main character is among a competing field.
Once Crystal is established, a plethora of mostly well drawn characters soon emerge. Characters introduced early are almost evenly divided between good and bad but the former outnumber the latter as the book progresses. There is little doubt on which side each character falls, making the what’s-going-to-happen plot the focus of the book. The excellently developed virtuous characters keep the book interesting whereas the bad guys are more stereotypical relegating them to plot necessity in some instances. The best example of this is the dastardly professor who is almost a complete stereotype of the deceitful plagiarizing academic.
A positive aspect of the book is the comprehensive details revealed about the background of the main character. The author is very effective painting the picture of unresolved life problems from the first book which opens the door to the undermining of the presenting problems. Crystal’s stress at the dastardly professor’s betrayals, which apparently occurred in the first book but is succinctly chronicled here, begins to pale as she becomes haunted by the spectre of human trafficking and the individual stories of tribulations she absorbs after encountering Rosa and other victims, notably the mother who pines for her children.
Oddly Crystal’s expedition seems to turn from a mission of mercy to a touristy vacation but as the reader is lulled into the detailed adventure in Mexico scenarios with rich description and cultural insights, the action snaps back with nice tie ins with the actual plot, making Crystal’s seeming diversionary activities prove vital to the plot and success of her mission. After apparently accomplishing her missions new twists in Mexico make Crystal reluctant to leave. But as she plans her departure, she is attacked and rescued by some of the vendors she had patronized earlier. This connectivity was a very nice touch. However this is not the end. Crystal has become a target for the criminals seeking revenge for her actions. Numerous attempts ultimately result in a tragedy which keeps the book from being unrealistically positive, another reason to elevate it to 4 stars.
***
View A Silver Medallion on Bookshelves
