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Title: Terribly mediocre
Review: This novel seems so rushed and half-hearted. It doesn't come close to the early Trilogy of Renko novels. Character relationships seem undefined and unbelievable; the use of a mute child for Renko to talk to as a source of exposition seems amateurish; Renko initiates another sexual encounter but this time there's no connection or passion; the plot and climax aren't nearly as powerful as they should be, it left me with one of those "THAT was it?" feelings. Renko's antagonists clearly state their intentions to slow him down over and over again and in ways that are far too obvious; where did the subtlety go in Cruz Smith's writing? Maybe Renko should have been left alone after Red Square.
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