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Assassins #4
Hotel Lucky Seven
Bullet Train’s hapless underworld operative and his handler are back in this thrilling new novel from internationally bestselling author Kotaro Isaka.
In Bullet Train, underworld operative Ladybug was tasked by his handler Maria Beetle with retrieving a suitcase from a high-speed train in Japan. The job did not go according to plan, to the delight of millions of readers and movie fans around the world.
Will the unluckiest assassin in the world will find things easier this time around? All he has to do is deliver a painting to a hotel guest, a portrait made by his daughter. Easy enough, except when Ladybug makes the delivery, he realizes that the guest is clearly not the guy in the painting. Then he attacks Ladybug, they fight, and the guest ends up dead. How can such simple jobs always go wrong?
Internationally acclaimed author Kotaro Isaka spins another outrageously entertaining thriller in Hotel Lucky Seven. This is a stylish, masterful book, again featuring outsized characters, gripping action, plot twists, and surprise identities.
In Bullet Train, underworld operative Ladybug was tasked by his handler Maria Beetle with retrieving a suitcase from a high-speed train in Japan. The job did not go according to plan, to the delight of millions of readers and movie fans around the world.
Will the unluckiest assassin in the world will find things easier this time around? All he has to do is deliver a painting to a hotel guest, a portrait made by his daughter. Easy enough, except when Ladybug makes the delivery, he realizes that the guest is clearly not the guy in the painting. Then he attacks Ladybug, they fight, and the guest ends up dead. How can such simple jobs always go wrong?
Internationally acclaimed author Kotaro Isaka spins another outrageously entertaining thriller in Hotel Lucky Seven. This is a stylish, masterful book, again featuring outsized characters, gripping action, plot twists, and surprise identities.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 2023
168 people are currently reading
6047 people want to read
About the author
Kōtarō Isaka
106 books741 followersKōtarō Isaka (伊坂幸太郎, Isaka Koutarou) is a Japanese author of mystery fiction.
Isaka was born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the law faculty of Tohoku University, he worked as a system engineer. Isaka quit his company job and focused on writing after hearing Kazuyoshi Saito's 1997 song "Kōfuku na Chōshoku Taikutsu na Yūshoku", and the two have collaborated several times. In 2000, Isaka won the Shincho Mystery Club Prize for his debut novel Ōdyubon no Inori, after which he became a full-time writer.
In 2002, Isaka's novel Lush Life gained much critical acclaim, but it was his Naoki Prize-nominated work Jūryoku Piero (2003) that brought him popular success. His following work Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā won the 25th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers.
Jūryoku Piero (2003), Children (2004), Grasshopper (2004), Shinigami no Seido (2005) and Sabaku (2006) were all nominated for the Naoki Prize.
Isaka was the only author in Japan to be nominated for the Hon'ya Taishō in each of the award's first four years, finally winning in 2008 with Golden Slumber. The same work also won the 21st Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize.
Isaka was born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the law faculty of Tohoku University, he worked as a system engineer. Isaka quit his company job and focused on writing after hearing Kazuyoshi Saito's 1997 song "Kōfuku na Chōshoku Taikutsu na Yūshoku", and the two have collaborated several times. In 2000, Isaka won the Shincho Mystery Club Prize for his debut novel Ōdyubon no Inori, after which he became a full-time writer.
In 2002, Isaka's novel Lush Life gained much critical acclaim, but it was his Naoki Prize-nominated work Jūryoku Piero (2003) that brought him popular success. His following work Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā won the 25th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers.
Jūryoku Piero (2003), Children (2004), Grasshopper (2004), Shinigami no Seido (2005) and Sabaku (2006) were all nominated for the Naoki Prize.
Isaka was the only author in Japan to be nominated for the Hon'ya Taishō in each of the award's first four years, finally winning in 2008 with Golden Slumber. The same work also won the 21st Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
December 6, 2025
Assassins book #4: I didn't realise this was the fourth book in a series before I began reading it, but decided to continue regardless. A woman with a photographic memory who works fot the primary assassin broker in Japan, a politician whose wife and child were allegedly killed by organised crime hired assassins, an assassination clean-up squad, a hi-tech data manipulator, a duo of assassins on their own mission, and another group of six deadly, but mostly rather good looking assassins are all at the same hotel! Let the carnage begin.
Despite being a translated-from-Japanese read this work very much had an American/Northern European feel in regards to plotting, characterisations and even dare I say humour. This was a satisfying easy-read despite the death-count as it was fast flowing, entertaining, and to a degree innovative, with its sometimes forced humorous take on the work, lives and business relationship of hired assassins. That sounds funnier than the book was; but note that overall the plot wasn't too bad either. A neat Three Star, 6 out of 12 read.
2025 read
Despite being a translated-from-Japanese read this work very much had an American/Northern European feel in regards to plotting, characterisations and even dare I say humour. This was a satisfying easy-read despite the death-count as it was fast flowing, entertaining, and to a degree innovative, with its sometimes forced humorous take on the work, lives and business relationship of hired assassins. That sounds funnier than the book was; but note that overall the plot wasn't too bad either. A neat Three Star, 6 out of 12 read.
2025 read
Read
December 5, 2025Me: Wow I could really use a fun silly escapist assassin thriller that throws plausibility out of the window!
Me: ...no, not like that.
Me: ...no, not like that.
November 24, 2024
I enjoyed this latest instalment of the Assassins series much more than the third even though, at times, I did get a bit confused with the characters.
I listened to the audio version, which was well narrated by Pun Bandhu. Bandhu has a nice relaxed delivery even when the action becomes slightly crazy. He had good delineation between characters without resorting to "doing" voices.
The story this time sees Ladybug delivering a birthday present - nice and simple right? Of course it never is when Ladybug is involved. Unfortunately he finds himself caught up in a complex operation where a woman with an eidetic memory is being chased by 6 sadistic assassins who need to bring her to their client intact. It's certainly not what they are used to. They'd much rather do horrific things to anyone who gets in their way.
Add to this cast of characters a politician and his sidekick who were part of the first in this series, an old lady called Koko who is an expert hacker, two "cleaners" called Pillow and Blanket, several other assassins, numerous helpful hotel employees and one or two purely innocent bystanders - all chasing each other round a hotel and you've got the perfect crazy story.
Loved it. Highly recommended whether you've read the other books or not. Funny and clever with one or two twists to keep you guessing. You have to feel sorry for Ladybug.
Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for the audio advance review copy. Most appreciated.
I listened to the audio version, which was well narrated by Pun Bandhu. Bandhu has a nice relaxed delivery even when the action becomes slightly crazy. He had good delineation between characters without resorting to "doing" voices.
The story this time sees Ladybug delivering a birthday present - nice and simple right? Of course it never is when Ladybug is involved. Unfortunately he finds himself caught up in a complex operation where a woman with an eidetic memory is being chased by 6 sadistic assassins who need to bring her to their client intact. It's certainly not what they are used to. They'd much rather do horrific things to anyone who gets in their way.
Add to this cast of characters a politician and his sidekick who were part of the first in this series, an old lady called Koko who is an expert hacker, two "cleaners" called Pillow and Blanket, several other assassins, numerous helpful hotel employees and one or two purely innocent bystanders - all chasing each other round a hotel and you've got the perfect crazy story.
Loved it. Highly recommended whether you've read the other books or not. Funny and clever with one or two twists to keep you guessing. You have to feel sorry for Ladybug.
Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for the audio advance review copy. Most appreciated.
December 8, 2024
Welcome to the fourth book of the assassins series by Kotaro Isaka in which once again chaos rules for the reader until he/she find the logic of the story.
The whole book turns around one Kamino the assistant of one assassins boss whose on the run from her boss. She is hunted by a group of assassins who go by the name the Six, protected by a couple of other professionals called Cola & Soda. And then there is the unlucky Ladybug who, unlike his adventure in the novel "Bullet Train" has a whole peacefull reason to be in the hotel Winton. But with his arrival chaos starts and an amazing story with some twists thrown in for good measure are the result.
This book is best read in one sitting and is highly original and more fun than QT ever came up in his movies. Anyhow the four books in this series are all very good value for your money and the writer more than delivers and does in this latest novel.
Glad to have found and read this book, which like the previous books is grim and a hoot and a half.
The whole book turns around one Kamino the assistant of one assassins boss whose on the run from her boss. She is hunted by a group of assassins who go by the name the Six, protected by a couple of other professionals called Cola & Soda. And then there is the unlucky Ladybug who, unlike his adventure in the novel "Bullet Train" has a whole peacefull reason to be in the hotel Winton. But with his arrival chaos starts and an amazing story with some twists thrown in for good measure are the result.
This book is best read in one sitting and is highly original and more fun than QT ever came up in his movies. Anyhow the four books in this series are all very good value for your money and the writer more than delivers and does in this latest novel.
Glad to have found and read this book, which like the previous books is grim and a hoot and a half.
November 30, 2024
Narrated by Pun Bandhu
Presented by RB Media
I liked this so much I finally bought the first book in the series haha.
Following on from Bullet Train, this sees our unlucky Ladybug delivering a painting to a hotel. Naturally, things go awry and dead bodies begin to accumulate.
The audio was an interesting treat, though I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I'd read it physically. The narrator did a decent job, but there are only so many ways you can change your voice to represent different characters, and so a lot started sounding the same. Particularly Pillow and Blanket - men doing female voices always sound a little too odd for me and these two were indistinguishable. I'd love the experience of creating my own ideas of each character in my head, so I'd love to re-read it with a physical copy.
There's also so much action that the details become important, and I'm not as good at absorbing details in audiobooks (usually because I'm multi-tasking). So as much as I really enjoyed listening to the story play out, I think there'd be even more enjoyment to be had slowing down and re-reading the sentences that get really hectic!
The story itself is the same kind of crazy/insane that Bullet Train was, which was thoroughly enjoyable. I really love this series with its unique characters and wild occurrences!
In terms of reading order, this does make several references to the events of Bullet Train which could be considered spoilers, so I'd read that before tackling this. But certainly if you enjoyed that one, this will be no different for you.
Highly recommend this series for people looking for a unique crime/thriller with comedic elements. I'm very much looking forward to going back to the beginning!
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
Presented by RB Media
I liked this so much I finally bought the first book in the series haha.
Following on from Bullet Train, this sees our unlucky Ladybug delivering a painting to a hotel. Naturally, things go awry and dead bodies begin to accumulate.
The audio was an interesting treat, though I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I'd read it physically. The narrator did a decent job, but there are only so many ways you can change your voice to represent different characters, and so a lot started sounding the same. Particularly Pillow and Blanket - men doing female voices always sound a little too odd for me and these two were indistinguishable. I'd love the experience of creating my own ideas of each character in my head, so I'd love to re-read it with a physical copy.
There's also so much action that the details become important, and I'm not as good at absorbing details in audiobooks (usually because I'm multi-tasking). So as much as I really enjoyed listening to the story play out, I think there'd be even more enjoyment to be had slowing down and re-reading the sentences that get really hectic!
The story itself is the same kind of crazy/insane that Bullet Train was, which was thoroughly enjoyable. I really love this series with its unique characters and wild occurrences!
In terms of reading order, this does make several references to the events of Bullet Train which could be considered spoilers, so I'd read that before tackling this. But certainly if you enjoyed that one, this will be no different for you.
Highly recommend this series for people looking for a unique crime/thriller with comedic elements. I'm very much looking forward to going back to the beginning!
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
September 22, 2024
3.5 stars. The moment I started reading this book and encountered two women dressed as hotel maids named Blanket and Pillow I knew I was back in an Isaka thriller. Once again he creates a multi-plot assassin caper that has many of Bullet Train's pleasures. It is not quite as complex and not as grounded in character (there will never be another pair like Lemon and Tangerine!), but it's not a bad thing to have a somewhat lighter version that's a breezier read.
Once again it's darkly funny, bizarrely violent (blow guns! sheets as murder weapon!), and our friend Lady Bird just can't get a lucky break.
Keep the Isaka coming! No misses so far.
Once again it's darkly funny, bizarrely violent (blow guns! sheets as murder weapon!), and our friend Lady Bird just can't get a lucky break.
Keep the Isaka coming! No misses so far.
April 30, 2025
Another highly enjoyable comedy-of-errors entry in Isaka's "Assassins" universe, this one a direct sequel to his most famous Bullet Train, (and as such would make a great Brad Pitt sequel to that movie as well). Unlike the earlier books, this one does away with the mildly annoying fixation on bugs or stickers or Thomas the Tank Engine, although as in the previous books continues to introduce us to several new uniquely-named (and skilled) teams of assassins — Blanket and Pillow, Cola and Soda, and "the Six," all of whom are named after periods in Japan's feudal history.
Really a solid 4.5 stars, but rounding down simply because it didn't quite live up to Isaka's Three Assassins, first in this series and still (IMHO) the best. A rock-solid recommendation, as is the series as a whole, which with its mixture of clever plotting, gratuitous violence, and offbeat humor is almost starting to remind me of a Japanese "Slow Horses."
Really a solid 4.5 stars, but rounding down simply because it didn't quite live up to Isaka's Three Assassins, first in this series and still (IMHO) the best. A rock-solid recommendation, as is the series as a whole, which with its mixture of clever plotting, gratuitous violence, and offbeat humor is almost starting to remind me of a Japanese "Slow Horses."
May 10, 2025
สนุก! เบียว! ตลก! as always!
กลับมาอีกครั้งกับชุดนักฆ่า (ไม่ไตรภาคแล้วสิ) รอบนี้แมลงเต่าทอง (แสดงโดยแบรดพิทท์) กลับมารับงานอีกครั้งหลังจากผ่านเหตุการณ์รถไฟมาได้สักพัก (ไม่รู้นานเท่าไร) ด้วยความที่อ่านไตรภาคมานาน (? น่าจะสองปีแล้ว) เลยจำตัวละครที่มีอ้างอิงถึงในเล่มไม่ค่อยได้ จนรู้สึกว่า หรือเราควรกลับไปอ่าน bullet train ซ้ำดีวะ (เพื่อ) (อยากอิน) แต่ๆๆๆๆ จำไม่ค่อยได้แต่ก็ยังรู้สึกสนุกไปกับเนื้อเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นภายในวันเดียว setting เดียว ได้เป็นอย่างดี คือ พอเครื่องติดแล้วมันวางไม่ลงเลย อยากรู้ว่าพี่เต่าทองจะไปพบความชิบหายอย่างไร แล้วตัวละครทั้งหมดจะมาบรรจบกันอีท่าไหน สนุกมาก รอบนี้คิดฉากแอคชั่นพอไหวแล้วเพราะท่าไม่ยากมาก
ตัวละครทุกตัวออกแบบมาดีและใช้สิ้นเปลืองมาก 55555 เสียดายตัวละครบางตัวที่พี่ต้องเท่แน่ๆ ถ้าไม่ตุยไปก่อน แต่ก็เบียวสมกับเป็นโคทาโร่ อิซากะ ฉากพูดเรื่องเบียวๆ แบบ "อะไรวะ" มาเสมอ ดีที่มีเต่าทองคอยเบรกให้ ขอบคุณนะ ส่วนตัวรอบนี้ mvp เกินคาดคืออินุอินี่แหละ ก็เกินไปพี่
กลับมาอีกครั้งกับชุดนักฆ่า (ไม่ไตรภาคแล้วสิ) รอบนี้แมลงเต่าทอง (แสดงโดยแบรดพิทท์) กลับมารับงานอีกครั้งหลังจากผ่านเหตุการณ์รถไฟมาได้สักพัก (ไม่รู้นานเท่าไร) ด้วยความที่อ่านไตรภาคมานาน (? น่าจะสองปีแล้ว) เลยจำตัวละครที่มีอ้างอิงถึงในเล่มไม่ค่อยได้ จนรู้สึกว่า หรือเราควรกลับไปอ่าน bullet train ซ้ำดีวะ (เพื่อ) (อยากอิน) แต่ๆๆๆๆ จำไม่ค่อยได้แต่ก็ยังรู้สึกสนุกไปกับเนื้อเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นภายในวันเดียว setting เดียว ได้เป็นอย่างดี คือ พอเครื่องติดแล้วมันวางไม่ลงเลย อยากรู้ว่าพี่เต่าทองจะไปพบความชิบหายอย่างไร แล้วตัวละครทั้งหมดจะมาบรรจบกันอีท่าไหน สนุกมาก รอบนี้คิดฉากแอคชั่นพอไหวแล้วเพราะท่าไม่ยากมาก
ตัวละครทุกตัวออกแบบมาดีและใช้สิ้นเปลืองมาก 55555 เสียดายตัวละครบางตัวที่พี่ต้องเท่แน่ๆ ถ้าไม่ตุยไปก่อน แต่ก็เบียวสมกับเป็นโคทาโร่ อิซากะ ฉากพูดเรื่องเบียวๆ แบบ "อะไรวะ" มาเสมอ ดีที่มีเต่าทองคอยเบรกให้ ขอบคุณนะ ส่วนตัวรอบนี้ mvp เกินคาดคืออินุอินี่แหละ ก็เกินไปพี่
November 27, 2024
A bunch of assassins chase each other around a hotel. This is the fourth book of the series that I have read. The only one that I really liked was “Bullet Train”. I thought that this book had too many uninteresting characters and an extremely convoluted plot. I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.
December 29, 2024
Kōtarō Isaka’s Hotel Lucky Seven is a chaotic and bizarre trip through a luxury Tokyo hotel, with the world's most hapless assassin, Nanao—aka Ladybug—at its chaotic center. Following his misadventures in Bullet Train, Nanao returns for what should be a simple job: deliver a painting to a hotel guest. But when the guest turns out to be an imposter, things go sideways in spectacular fashion, leaving Nanao tangled in yet another deadly web of miscommunication, deception, and murder.
Isaka does what he does best--turn simplicity into chaos. The hotel’s halls become a battlefield for an unusual cast of characters, each with their own agendas—none of which align neatly with Nanao’s. There’s a mysterious woman with an uncanny memory, a pair of bumbling assassins who might be out of their depth, and plenty of others who each add layers to the chaos. Isaka doesn’t just rely on humor or violence—he melds the two into a darkly funny, sharp, and sometimes shockingly absurd narrative.
Nanao remains the center point. As an assassin, he’s as unlucky as ever, and his combination of self-deprecation, clumsiness, and resilience makes him endearing. His inner monologue adds humor and relatability to his adventure. The supporting cast is equally vivid; every character feels like they have a life of their own, with motivations and quirks that keep the story lively and unpredictable.
The pacing is relentless. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on the story, Isaka throws another curveball, upping the stakes and the absurdity. It’s part thriller, part comedy, and completely captivating. And if you’re a fan of multi-plot narratives, this book has that in spades. Threads weave in and out, overlapping in clever and unexpected ways, all without feeling convoluted.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Pun Bandhu, whose measured delivery adds a sly layer of contrast to the escalating mayhem. Bandhu easily navigates the tonal shifts, giving each character enough individuality without veering into caricature. His performance complements the novel’s quirky vibe, making it easy to immerse yourself in the action.
If you’re looking for a darkly funny, action-packed read that’s equal parts smart and absurd, Hotel Lucky Seven gets the job done. Isaka continues to carve out a niche for wildly unconventional thrillers, and I can’t wait to see where Nanao’s misfortunes take him next. I highly recommend this to fans of crime fiction with a comedic twist!
Thanks to RBmedia for the advanced copy.
Isaka does what he does best--turn simplicity into chaos. The hotel’s halls become a battlefield for an unusual cast of characters, each with their own agendas—none of which align neatly with Nanao’s. There’s a mysterious woman with an uncanny memory, a pair of bumbling assassins who might be out of their depth, and plenty of others who each add layers to the chaos. Isaka doesn’t just rely on humor or violence—he melds the two into a darkly funny, sharp, and sometimes shockingly absurd narrative.
Nanao remains the center point. As an assassin, he’s as unlucky as ever, and his combination of self-deprecation, clumsiness, and resilience makes him endearing. His inner monologue adds humor and relatability to his adventure. The supporting cast is equally vivid; every character feels like they have a life of their own, with motivations and quirks that keep the story lively and unpredictable.
The pacing is relentless. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on the story, Isaka throws another curveball, upping the stakes and the absurdity. It’s part thriller, part comedy, and completely captivating. And if you’re a fan of multi-plot narratives, this book has that in spades. Threads weave in and out, overlapping in clever and unexpected ways, all without feeling convoluted.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Pun Bandhu, whose measured delivery adds a sly layer of contrast to the escalating mayhem. Bandhu easily navigates the tonal shifts, giving each character enough individuality without veering into caricature. His performance complements the novel’s quirky vibe, making it easy to immerse yourself in the action.
If you’re looking for a darkly funny, action-packed read that’s equal parts smart and absurd, Hotel Lucky Seven gets the job done. Isaka continues to carve out a niche for wildly unconventional thrillers, and I can’t wait to see where Nanao’s misfortunes take him next. I highly recommend this to fans of crime fiction with a comedic twist!
Thanks to RBmedia for the advanced copy.
February 26, 2025
Hotel Lucky Seven is the latest installment in Kotaro Isaka's Three Assassins series, and like its predecessors, it is fantastic. Isaka has crafted a unique world in Japan where assassins and villains dominate, making anyone who is not a minority. Ladybug, the world's unluckiest assassin, is back and only needs to deliver a painting to a guest at a local hotel. Easy-peasy. Maybe for most assassins. Ladybug isn't like most assassins.
I can't express how much I love this series and its quirky charm. "Hotel Lucky Seven" is bizarre, original, and surprisingly heartfelt, especially given the backdrop of its ruthless characters.
Thank you to The Overland Press for providing the galley of "Hotel Lucky Seven" through NetGalley.
I can't express how much I love this series and its quirky charm. "Hotel Lucky Seven" is bizarre, original, and surprisingly heartfelt, especially given the backdrop of its ruthless characters.
Thank you to The Overland Press for providing the galley of "Hotel Lucky Seven" through NetGalley.
May 18, 2025
แบรด พิท กลับมาอีกครั้ง หลังจากรถไฟถล่ม คนตายเป็นเบือ ฆ่ากันเละเทะในครั้งที่แล้ว
ครั้งนี้เเจ้าเต่าทอง ก็ยังคงดวงซวยจากภารกิจง่ายๆแค่ส่งของให้ลูกค้าที่โรงแรม กลายเป็นภารกิจอลเวงรวมเหล่านักฆ่าเพื่อตามหาสาวน้อยคนหนึ่ง อันนำไปสู่สุดยอดแผนร้ายและการตลบหลังกันในวงการนักฆ่า ที่ตามมาด้วย คนตายเป็นเบือ ฆ่ากันเละเทะเช่นเดิม
เอาจริงๆเล่มนี้คือ เล่มต่อจากเล่มที่สอง "รถไฟสายนักฆ่า" เลยครับ มู๊ดแอนโทน หรือเซทติ้งต่างๆคล้ายกันเด๊ะ แตกต่างกันหน่อยตรงที่เล่มรถไฟ เนื้อเรื่องจะแน่นๆกว่า มีภูมิหลังหรือเรื่องราวชัดเจน การสู้กันอาจจะไม่ได้เป็นประเด็นหลักนัก แต่มาเล่มนี้คือ ตัดพาทภูมิหลังเนื้อหลังออกไป เน้นซัดกันตูมๆ แบบฉากแอคชั่นจัดเต็ม ทำให้ได้เห็นฝีมือของเจ้าเต่าทองชัดเจนขึ้นมาก ว่าพี่ท่านก็เป็นนักฆ่าคลาส S คนนึงของวงการจริงๆนั่นแหละ (ซึ่งควรเปลี่ยยนชื่อเป็นจอมหักคอแทนเต่าทองน่าจะตรงกว่า) แค่ดวงซวยไปหน่อย ชอบไปอยู่ในเหตุการณ์บ้าบออะไรไม่รู้ที่พี่ท่านไม่ได้เกี่ยวข้องจนต้องตกกะไดไปร่วมวงกับเขาเสียทุกครั้ง
การรวมกันกันแบบงงๆในโรงแรมแบบเรื่องนี้ ทำให้ผมนึกถึงหนัง Smokin Aces (2006) ที่ทั้งตัวละครหรือโครงคร่าวๆดูจะเหมือนกันมาก โดยเฉพาะตัวละครเบียวๆบ้าบอคอแตกที่มาเป็นนักฆ่านี่ใช่เลย ซึ่งอ.โคทาโร่แกดูจะชอบเหลือเกินในการสร้างตัวละครบ้าบวมสไตล์ญี่ปุ่นแบบนี้ เช่น ดูโอนักฆ่าผ้าห่มกับหมอน หรือ ก๊วนนักฆ่าหน้าตาดี 6 คน (ที่คิดว่าล้อเลข 6 อันเป็นเลขดวงซวยที่มาเย้ยเลข 7 แบบในเรื่องที่ควรจะเป็นเลขแห่งความโชคดี แต่กลายเป็นอภิมหาซวยยิ่งกว่า 6 ซะอีก) ซึ่งอะไรทำนองนี้คงหาอ่านไม่ได้จากที่ไหนนอกจาก นิยายจากประเทศเกาะญี่ปุ่นนี้นะครับ
ในภาพรวมผมว่าผมชอบเล่มรถไฟมากกว่านะ มันดูกลมกล่อมมากกว่า แต่คิดว่าเล่มนี้คนน่าจะสนุกกับมันมากกว่า แถมเหมาะกับการเอาไปสร้างเป็นหนังด้วย เพราะเน้นความแอคชั่นแบบจัดเต็ม มีการหักเหลี่ยมเฉือนคมกันแบบนาทีต่อนาที รวมถึงความตลกหน้าตายเสียดสีสังคม ดังเช่น ผู้ที่เหนือกว่าย่อมกินคนที่อ่อนแอกว่า เพียงแต่ว่าสถานะนี้คนมักคิดกันว่ามันคือสิ่งตายตัว แต่แท้ที่จริงแล้วมันไม่ได้ตายตัวเสมอไปนี่ซิ เพราะหากจังหวะและโอกาสอำนวย สถานะนี้ก็อาจจะพลิกกลับได้แบบคาดไม่ถึง ซึ่งสิ่งนี้แหละครับที่เป็นคอนเซปใหญ่ของเล่มนี้
แม้ 777 โรงแรมรวมนักฆ่า จะมาเป็นเล่มที่ 4 แล้ว แต่อ.โคทาโร่ ก็ยังคงไม่ทำให้ผิดหวัง เห็นได้ถึงศักยภาพของจักรวาลนี้ที่เทียบเท่าจักรวาลจอห์น วิคเลยนะ แต่เป็นจอห์น วิค แบบบ้าบวม และการได้มาดูว่า อ. แกจะสร้างตัวละครนักฆ่าบ้าบวมแต่ละคนให้มีวิธีการฆ๋ายังไงก็บันเทิงสุดๆแล้ว
แต่ก็อดสงสัยไม่ได้ว่า แบบนี้มันก็ไม่ใช่ไตรภาคนักฆ่าแล้วใช่มะ เพราะกลายเป็นจตุรภาคนักฆ๋าไปแล้ว แถมค่อนข้างมั่นใจว่าไม่น่าจะหยุดแค่นี้ น่าจะมีเล่ม 5 6 7 8 ตามมาแน่นอน เพราะเนื้อเรื่องยังมีอะไรให้เขียนได้อีกเยอะ เท่าที่ อ.โคทาโร่แกยังสนุกมือกับการสร้างจักรวาลนักฆ่าชิ้นนี้อยู่นั่นแหละครับ
ครั้งนี้เเจ้าเต่าทอง ก็ยังคงดวงซวยจากภารกิจง่ายๆแค่ส่งของให้ลูกค้าที่โรงแรม กลายเป็นภารกิจอลเวงรวมเหล่านักฆ่าเพื่อตามหาสาวน้อยคนหนึ่ง อันนำไปสู่สุดยอดแผนร้ายและการตลบหลังกันในวงการนักฆ่า ที่ตามมาด้วย คนตายเป็นเบือ ฆ่ากันเละเทะเช่นเดิม
เอาจริงๆเล่มนี้คือ เล่มต่อจากเล่มที่สอง "รถไฟสายนักฆ่า" เลยครับ มู๊ดแอนโทน หรือเซทติ้งต่างๆคล้ายกันเด๊ะ แตกต่างกันหน่อยตรงที่เล่มรถไฟ เนื้อเรื่องจะแน่นๆกว่า มีภูมิหลังหรือเรื่องราวชัดเจน การสู้กันอาจจะไม่ได้เป็นประเด็นหลักนัก แต่มาเล่มนี้คือ ตัดพาทภูมิหลังเนื้อหลังออกไป เน้นซัดกันตูมๆ แบบฉากแอคชั่นจัดเต็ม ทำให้ได้เห็นฝีมือของเจ้าเต่าทองชัดเจนขึ้นมาก ว่าพี่ท่านก็เป็นนักฆ่าคลาส S คนนึงของวงการจริงๆนั่นแหละ (ซึ่งควรเปลี่ยยนชื่อเป็นจอมหักคอแทนเต่าทองน่าจะตรงกว่า) แค่ดวงซวยไปหน่อย ชอบไปอยู่ในเหตุการณ์บ้าบออะไรไม่รู้ที่พี่ท่านไม่ได้เกี่ยวข้องจนต้องตกกะไดไปร่วมวงกับเขาเสียทุกครั้ง
การรวมกันกันแบบงงๆในโรงแรมแบบเรื่องนี้ ทำให้ผมนึกถึงหนัง Smokin Aces (2006) ที่ทั้งตัวละครหรือโครงคร่าวๆดูจะเหมือนกันมาก โดยเฉพาะตัวละครเบียวๆบ้าบอคอแตกที่มาเป็นนักฆ่านี่ใช่เลย ซึ่งอ.โคทาโร่แกดูจะชอบเหลือเกินในการสร้างตัวละครบ้าบวมสไตล์ญี่ปุ่นแบบนี้ เช่น ดูโอนักฆ่าผ้าห่มกับหมอน หรือ ก๊วนนักฆ่าหน้าตาดี 6 คน (ที่คิดว่าล้อเลข 6 อันเป็นเลขดวงซวยที่มาเย้ยเลข 7 แบบในเรื่องที่ควรจะเป็นเลขแห่งความโชคดี แต่กลายเป็นอภิมหาซวยยิ่งกว่า 6 ซะอีก) ซึ่งอะไรทำนองนี้คงหาอ่านไม่ได้จากที่ไหนนอกจาก นิยายจากประเทศเกาะญี่ปุ่นนี้นะครับ
ในภาพรวมผมว่าผมชอบเล่มรถไฟมากกว่านะ มันดูกลมกล่อมมากกว่า แต่คิดว่าเล่มนี้คนน่าจะสนุกกับมันมากกว่า แถมเหมาะกับการเอาไปสร้างเป็นหนังด้วย เพราะเน้นความแอคชั่นแบบจัดเต็ม มีการหักเหลี่ยมเฉือนคมกันแบบนาทีต่อนาที รวมถึงความตลกหน้าตายเสียดสีสังคม ดังเช่น ผู้ที่เหนือกว่าย่อมกินคนที่อ่อนแอกว่า เพียงแต่ว่าสถานะนี้คนมักคิดกันว่ามันคือสิ่งตายตัว แต่แท้ที่จริงแล้วมันไม่ได้ตายตัวเสมอไปนี่ซิ เพราะหากจังหวะและโอกาสอำนวย สถานะนี้ก็อาจจะพลิกกลับได้แบบคาดไม่ถึง ซึ่งสิ่งนี้แหละครับที่เป็นคอนเซปใหญ่ของเล่มนี้
แม้ 777 โรงแรมรวมนักฆ่า จะมาเป็นเล่มที่ 4 แล้ว แต่อ.โคทาโร่ ก็ยังคงไม่ทำให้ผิดหวัง เห็นได้ถึงศักยภาพของจักรวาลนี้ที่เทียบเท่าจักรวาลจอห์น วิคเลยนะ แต่เป็นจอห์น วิค แบบบ้าบวม และการได้มาดูว่า อ. แกจะสร้างตัวละครนักฆ่าบ้าบวมแต่ละคนให้มีวิธีการฆ๋ายังไงก็บันเทิงสุดๆแล้ว
แต่ก็อดสงสัยไม่ได้ว่า แบบนี้มันก็ไม่ใช่ไตรภาคนักฆ่าแล้วใช่มะ เพราะกลายเป็นจตุรภาคนักฆ๋าไปแล้ว แถมค่อนข้างมั่นใจว่าไม่น่าจะหยุดแค่นี้ น่าจะมีเล่ม 5 6 7 8 ตามมาแน่นอน เพราะเนื้อเรื่องยังมีอะไรให้เขียนได้อีกเยอะ เท่าที่ อ.โคทาโร่แกยังสนุกมือกับการสร้างจักรวาลนักฆ่าชิ้นนี้อยู่นั่นแหละครับ
May 19, 2025
นิยายแอคชั่นที่ขยันสร้างเซอร์ไพรส์ในแทบทุกๆ บท
โรงแรมรวมนักฆ่า เล่าเรื่องของเต่าทองนักฆ่าดวงซวยที่มาทำภารกิจแสนง่ายในโรงแรมหรู แต่ด้วยความดวงซวยมีเหรอจะปล่อยให้เรื่องจบง่ายๆ เขาได้จับพลัดจับผลูไปร่วมภารกิจปกป้องหญิงสาวที่มีความจำเป็นเลิศ เป็นเหตุให้เขาต้องปะทะกับกลุ่มนักฆ่า 6 คน
อิซากะเซนเซย์เป็นนักเขียนที่เรารู้สึกว่าเรื่องไหนยิ่งตัวละครเยอะเรื่องนั้นยิ่งสนุก เรื่องนี้รวมนักฆ่ามากกว่าสิบชีวิต บอกเลยว่าทั้งสนุก น่าติดตาม เบียว เซอร์ไพรส์ในแทบทุกบท ชื่มชมในการผูกโยงเรื่องราวด้วยการเล่าผ่านหลากหลาย pov ทั้งตัวประกันและเหล่านักฆ่า แล้วจับโยงเรื่องราวที่เหมือนอยู่คนละฟากให้คนอ่านค่อยๆ เห็นความเชื่อมโยง จนเห็นภาพใหญ่ในบทสุดท้าย
รู้สึกว่าเล่มนี้อ่านแล้วตามฉากแอคชั่นทันกว่าเล่มก่อนๆ บางทีนักเขียนเขียนท่ายากไปคิดตามในหัวไม่ค่อยออก แต่สำหรับโรงแรมรวมนักฆ่านั้นท่าไม่ยาก ศัตรูเป็นพวกเป่าลูกดอกอาบยาพิษ ตอนอ่านเลยคิดภาพในหัวออกเป็นฉากๆ อ่านไปก็เหมือนได้ดูหนังแอคชั่นมันส์ๆ ดีๆ นี่เอง
อีกอย่างที่อดชมไม่ได้คือการใส่เรื่องเสียดสีสังคมอย่างเล่มนี้ก็จะเป็นเรื่องมนุษย์แล่นฉิว ผู้ที่เกิดมาหน้าตาดี ฉลาด ตัวสูง มีความพรั่งพร้อม ย่อมไปได้ดีไปได้เร็วกว่ามนุษย์ทั่วไปหรือตรงกันข้าม รวมถึงการเปรียบเทียบตัวเองกับคนอื่นรอบตัวซึ่งเป็นเรื่องในสมัยนิยมของโลกในยุคโซเชียลเน็ตเวิร์ก พอมีประเด็นนี้ในเรื่องตอนอ่านนอกจากจะได้ซึมซับความแอคชั่น ดำเนินเรื่องเร็ว การหักเหของเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นแทบทุกบทแล้ว ก็ยังได้อ่านไดอาล็อคกระตุกความคิด อย่างเป็นแอปเปิลก็ดีอยู่แล้ว จะเปรียบเทียบกับกุหลาบไปทำไม เมื่อใดที่เริ่มเปรียบเทียบตัวเองกับคนอื่นเมื่อนั้นความทุกข์ก็จะมา ฯลฯ คือภายใต้ตัวละครเบียวๆ พอได้อ่านอะไรทำนองข้อคิดแบบนี้ มันเลยรู้สึกไม่ประเจิดประเจ้อ เป็นธรรมชาติ และสารเหล่านี้ก็ทำงานได้ดีกว่าอ่านโควทเดี่ยวๆ มาก
เล่มนี้ไทม์ไลน์ของเรื่องต่อจากเล่มรถไฟสายนักฆ่าหรือ Bullet Train ที่มีการดัดแปลงเป็นภาพยนตร์บล็อกบัสเตอร์นำแสดงโดยแบรต พิตต์ ถ้าได้อ่านต่อกันคงยิ่งสนุก ยิ่งฟินไปกว่านี้ แต่ใดๆ คืออ่านแยกกันได้ ส่วนตัวรู้สึกว่าโรงแรมรวมนักฆ่าเล่มนี้อ่านสนุกกว่าด้วย
โรงแรมรวมนักฆ่า เล่าเรื่องของเต่าทองนักฆ่าดวงซวยที่มาทำภารกิจแสนง่ายในโรงแรมหรู แต่ด้วยความดวงซวยมีเหรอจะปล่อยให้เรื่องจบง่ายๆ เขาได้จับพลัดจับผลูไปร่วมภารกิจปกป้องหญิงสาวที่มีความจำเป็นเลิศ เป็นเหตุให้เขาต้องปะทะกับกลุ่มนักฆ่า 6 คน
อิซากะเซนเซย์เป็นนักเขียนที่เรารู้สึกว่าเรื่องไหนยิ่งตัวละครเยอะเรื่องนั้นยิ่งสนุก เรื่องนี้รวมนักฆ่ามากกว่าสิบชีวิต บอกเลยว่าทั้งสนุก น่าติดตาม เบียว เซอร์ไพรส์ในแทบทุกบท ชื่มชมในการผูกโยงเรื่องราวด้วยการเล่าผ่านหลากหลาย pov ทั้งตัวประกันและเหล่านักฆ่า แล้วจับโยงเรื่องราวที่เหมือนอยู่คนละฟากให้คนอ่านค่อยๆ เห็นความเชื่อมโยง จนเห็นภาพใหญ่ในบทสุดท้าย
รู้สึกว่าเล่มนี้อ่านแล้วตามฉากแอคชั่นทันกว่าเล่มก่อนๆ บางทีนักเขียนเขียนท่ายากไปคิดตามในหัวไม่ค่อยออก แต่สำหรับโรงแรมรวมนักฆ่านั้นท่าไม่ยาก ศัตรูเป็นพวกเป่าลูกดอกอาบยาพิษ ตอนอ่านเลยคิดภาพในหัวออกเป็นฉากๆ อ่านไปก็เหมือนได้ดูหนังแอคชั่นมันส์ๆ ดีๆ นี่เอง
อีกอย่างที่อดชมไม่ได้คือการใส่เรื่องเสียดสีสังคมอย่างเล่มนี้ก็จะเป็นเรื่องมนุษย์แล่นฉิว ผู้ที่เกิดมาหน้าตาดี ฉลาด ตัวสูง มีความพรั่งพร้อม ย่อมไปได้ดีไปได้เร็วกว่ามนุษย์ทั่วไปหรือตรงกันข้าม รวมถึงการเปรียบเทียบตัวเองกับคนอื่นรอบตัวซึ่งเป็นเรื่องในสมัยนิยมของโลกในยุคโซเชียลเน็ตเวิร์ก พอมีประเด็นนี้ในเรื่องตอนอ่านนอกจากจะได้ซึมซับความแอคชั่น ดำเนินเรื่องเร็ว การหักเหของเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นแทบทุกบทแล้ว ก็ยังได้อ่านไดอาล็อคกระตุกความคิด อย่างเป็นแอปเปิลก็ดีอยู่แล้ว จะเปรียบเทียบกับกุหลาบไปทำไม เมื่อใดที่เริ่มเปรียบเทียบตัวเองกับคนอื่นเมื่อนั้นความทุกข์ก็จะมา ฯลฯ คือภายใต้ตัวละครเบียวๆ พอได้อ่านอะไรทำนองข้อคิดแบบนี้ มันเลยรู้สึกไม่ประเจิดประเจ้อ เป็นธรรมชาติ และสารเหล่านี้ก็ทำงานได้ดีกว่าอ่านโควทเดี่ยวๆ มาก
เล่มนี้ไทม์ไลน์ของเรื่องต่อจากเล่มรถไฟสายนักฆ่าหรือ Bullet Train ที่มีการดัดแปลงเป็นภาพยนตร์บล็อกบัสเตอร์นำแสดงโดยแบรต พิตต์ ถ้าได้อ่านต่อกันคงยิ่งสนุก ยิ่งฟินไปกว่านี้ แต่ใดๆ คืออ่านแยกกันได้ ส่วนตัวรู้สึกว่าโรงแรมรวมนักฆ่าเล่มนี้อ่านสนุกกว่าด้วย
January 29, 2025
Meeting our Ladybird and his handler again in this 4th instalment after that shinkansen incident in book 2. Another simple job (as claimed by Maria) with an odd coincidence for Nanao to be at the exact time and day with other few assassins who were also on the move for their own personal missions at the same Winton Palace Hotel. It tangled so twisty with full of wits narrative told in multiple POVs that were set in different floors and rooms at the hotel. From years ago political incident to one’s dark motivation in catching a prey, Nanao now stuck in between a sudden rescue mission and becoming a target as the hotel turned into a maze-like locked-room and making it too impossible for him to escape.
Loved the characterization the most and how Isaka interlinked their narratives with an engaging backstory for each. I was hooked with both Blanket and Pillow’s chapters for their interactions and dynamics (they remind me much to Lemon and Tangerine from the Bullet Train) as well The Six with their bickerings yet tense POVs. Koko was wicked (give me any old lady with tough cunning character and I would definitely be a fan) and too bad that I did not get much of both Cola and Soda— that scene when Soda said to Nanao he would go to Room 2010 for the card and did not return; I was hopeful, frankly :’//
The action parts moved fast and I liked how intricate both fights and murder scenes were crafted esp on their method of killing. Bit spooked with Yomogi’s chapters and his political mess but I liked how the revelation goes on his part. The tension lured me, too intense nearly the end and loved how Isaka ended the plot with that scene at the hotel restaurant after a year it happened.
One of my fav from the series now and I don’t think I have heard any news about book 5(?) but hopefully Isaka would continue writing about these assassins; honestly I still need more of Ladybird.
“Ladybirds are good luck, they say. They fly toward the sun, taking the divine path to the goddess. That’s why they have seven dots on their back.”
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!
Loved the characterization the most and how Isaka interlinked their narratives with an engaging backstory for each. I was hooked with both Blanket and Pillow’s chapters for their interactions and dynamics (they remind me much to Lemon and Tangerine from the Bullet Train) as well The Six with their bickerings yet tense POVs. Koko was wicked (give me any old lady with tough cunning character and I would definitely be a fan) and too bad that I did not get much of both Cola and Soda— that scene when Soda said to Nanao he would go to Room 2010 for the card and did not return; I was hopeful, frankly :’//
The action parts moved fast and I liked how intricate both fights and murder scenes were crafted esp on their method of killing. Bit spooked with Yomogi’s chapters and his political mess but I liked how the revelation goes on his part. The tension lured me, too intense nearly the end and loved how Isaka ended the plot with that scene at the hotel restaurant after a year it happened.
One of my fav from the series now and I don’t think I have heard any news about book 5(?) but hopefully Isaka would continue writing about these assassins; honestly I still need more of Ladybird.
“Ladybirds are good luck, they say. They fly toward the sun, taking the divine path to the goddess. That’s why they have seven dots on their back.”
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!
January 6, 2025
So good i stayed up and read almost the whole thing in a day.
I was a little iffy on the new translator; there were definitely places where the dialogue felt jarring or unnatural, and figuring out the pace of the dialogue and who was speaking when was also a bit of a challenge. Nonetheless, I think the book still had the original spirit and voice that makes it so fun to read.
The action was really good, I liked the plot a lot, and I especially loved the new professionals added to the story. I hope this isn't the last book in the series, since it just made me want more.
I was a little iffy on the new translator; there were definitely places where the dialogue felt jarring or unnatural, and figuring out the pace of the dialogue and who was speaking when was also a bit of a challenge. Nonetheless, I think the book still had the original spirit and voice that makes it so fun to read.
The action was really good, I liked the plot a lot, and I especially loved the new professionals added to the story. I hope this isn't the last book in the series, since it just made me want more.
April 10, 2025
為了這本最新的書而把整個殺手系列都看了一次XDD（絕對是很值得）
如同我在第二集的心得所寫，我更喜歡這本書的場景設定，感覺飯店樓層更容易想像相對位置。
而且感覺這本書，七尾變得更加可愛了XD，其他人都用一些很酷的手法，只有他總是在就地取材用一些小兒科的防禦方式，除了很好笑，反而凸顯他非常厲害。而且大家更加善用這個「因為超級倒霉，明明做這簡單的工作還是會發生一堆事情」設定，非常有趣！
也如同第二集的心得，這本書的結局我是沒有這麼這麼喜歡的，不過這也是比較出來的，所以！這本作為續集已經是非常非常好看了！
如同我在第二集的心得所寫，我更喜歡這本書的場景設定，感覺飯店樓層更容易想像相對位置。
而且感覺這本書，七尾變得更加可愛了XD，其他人都用一些很酷的手法，只有他總是在就地取材用一些小兒科的防禦方式，除了很好笑，反而凸顯他非常厲害。而且大家更加善用這個「因為超級倒霉，明明做這簡單的工作還是會發生一堆事情」設定，非常有趣！
也如同第二集的心得，這本書的結局我是沒有這麼這麼喜歡的，不過這也是比較出來的，所以！這本作為續集已經是非常非常好看了！
July 30, 2025
3.5/5
I enjoyed it, like the other ones. Not quite as much as Bullet Train, but I still enjoy the combination of action movie plot with some humor.
I do not like the ending very much.
I enjoyed it, like the other ones. Not quite as much as Bullet Train, but I still enjoy the combination of action movie plot with some humor.
I do not like the ending very much.
May 22, 2025
สนุกมาก น่าจะทำเป็นหนังแน่นอน เดี่ยวย้อนกลับไปอ่าน รถไฟอีกรอบ
February 19, 2025
Super fun! Has the same energy and kookiness as the first book but much crisper. Loved the Die Hard-esq element of being in a hotel
I can’t really fault this, it’s not a super stand out but I had a great time
3.75 rounding up to 4 stars
I can’t really fault this, it’s not a super stand out but I had a great time
3.75 rounding up to 4 stars
June 11, 2025
2.5/5, rounded up to 3
Plot: A whole bunch of different quirky and themed assassins descend on a hapless target in a hotel - an otherwise ordinary lady with the extraordinary gift of a perfect memory. Meanwhile Nanao - a "professional" (read: assassin) with no connection to the job - finds himself stumbling into this collapsing house of cards, with just one goal: escape (and maybe protect the target).
---
A fun rollicking ride; speedy and easy, not particularly deep but has some glimmers of depth. Could make a great movie in the hands of a stylish director (funnily enough, one of the other books in the series was made into a movie - Bullet Train).
RIP .
General notes/observations:
- the bad guys/'The Six' poisoners were absurdly evil, lmao. Also, the author seems to have something against attractive people - he goes on several filibusters against them across various POVs. I mean, I agree pretty privilege is real and annoying, but it felt a bit overblown here. Though I did like , that surprised me.
- the climax/reveal was nuts and nonsensical but kinda fun because of it. Also I wanna say I called it
- Koko, the underground altruistic hacker granny, was a cool character.
- Nanao is a fun character, but it didn’t feel like we spent enough time with him for him to feel like the main character. It's more Kamino (the everywoman target) whose story this is. I did like how how well Nanao straddled being bumbling and competent; I wasn't sure until the end if he was legit or not.
- I was really surprised in the epilogue that
Anyways, ’twas a decent, quick, light action read - with, strangely, the best comparison parable I’ve ever seen, lmao.
---
"I asked Cola once, "Don't you ever get jealous of people? Or want what they have that you don't?" After all, I knew I did. Like, I'd watch sports and see someone perform some amazing feat, and I'd think, Oh man, if only I could do that! or, you know, I'd get depressed, thinking Oh man, I could never do that in a million years. So I figured Cola must be the same. But he just looked at me and said, "No. Never."'
According to Soda, he was shocked at Cola's response, raising his voice to ask, 'Really? You never get jealous, ever? Of anyone?' To which Cola, puzzled, replied, 'What point would there be for a plum tree to want to be like the apple tree beside it? A plum is perfectly a plum; an apple is perfectly an apple - what good would it do to want to be a rose?'"
"What did you think about what he said before?"
"Which part?"
"The part about how an apple is perfectly an apple."
"Oh." Her expression softens. Her unusual powers of memory have naturally meant she's spent a lot of time envying others. She's asked herself, Why me?; she's imagined that if only she were just a little prettier, people would be more willing to help her out.
She replies, "I think it's true - unhappiness begins the moment you start comparing yourself to others."
"You know, you said something once that really stuck with me, Kamino-chan."
I did? Something that really stuck with him? Kamino cocks her head, puzzled.
"You said, 'Forget? How?'"
"Ahhh."
"The fact is, there's no way to forget. My father always worried how he could make sure I was happy." Inui spreads his hands before him.
Kamino finds herself at a loss once more.
[...] "I'm glad I got to know you, Kamino-chan. At the most crucial moment, you brought me luck."
"What do you mean?" asks Kamino.
In lieu of answering her, Inui grows serious and asks a question of his own.
"Did I eat lunch today? Do you remember?"
Plot: A whole bunch of different quirky and themed assassins descend on a hapless target in a hotel - an otherwise ordinary lady with the extraordinary gift of a perfect memory. Meanwhile Nanao - a "professional" (read: assassin) with no connection to the job - finds himself stumbling into this collapsing house of cards, with just one goal: escape (and maybe protect the target).
---
A fun rollicking ride; speedy and easy, not particularly deep but has some glimmers of depth. Could make a great movie in the hands of a stylish director (funnily enough, one of the other books in the series was made into a movie - Bullet Train).
RIP .
General notes/observations:
- the bad guys/'The Six' poisoners were absurdly evil, lmao. Also, the author seems to have something against attractive people - he goes on several filibusters against them across various POVs. I mean, I agree pretty privilege is real and annoying, but it felt a bit overblown here. Though I did like , that surprised me.
- the climax/reveal was nuts and nonsensical but kinda fun because of it. Also I wanna say I called it
- Koko, the underground altruistic hacker granny, was a cool character.
- Nanao is a fun character, but it didn’t feel like we spent enough time with him for him to feel like the main character. It's more Kamino (the everywoman target) whose story this is. I did like how how well Nanao straddled being bumbling and competent; I wasn't sure until the end if he was legit or not.
- I was really surprised in the epilogue that
Anyways, ’twas a decent, quick, light action read - with, strangely, the best comparison parable I’ve ever seen, lmao.
---
"I asked Cola once, "Don't you ever get jealous of people? Or want what they have that you don't?" After all, I knew I did. Like, I'd watch sports and see someone perform some amazing feat, and I'd think, Oh man, if only I could do that! or, you know, I'd get depressed, thinking Oh man, I could never do that in a million years. So I figured Cola must be the same. But he just looked at me and said, "No. Never."'
According to Soda, he was shocked at Cola's response, raising his voice to ask, 'Really? You never get jealous, ever? Of anyone?' To which Cola, puzzled, replied, 'What point would there be for a plum tree to want to be like the apple tree beside it? A plum is perfectly a plum; an apple is perfectly an apple - what good would it do to want to be a rose?'"
"What did you think about what he said before?"
"Which part?"
"The part about how an apple is perfectly an apple."
"Oh." Her expression softens. Her unusual powers of memory have naturally meant she's spent a lot of time envying others. She's asked herself, Why me?; she's imagined that if only she were just a little prettier, people would be more willing to help her out.
She replies, "I think it's true - unhappiness begins the moment you start comparing yourself to others."
"You know, you said something once that really stuck with me, Kamino-chan."
I did? Something that really stuck with him? Kamino cocks her head, puzzled.
"You said, 'Forget? How?'"
"Ahhh."
"The fact is, there's no way to forget. My father always worried how he could make sure I was happy." Inui spreads his hands before him.
Kamino finds herself at a loss once more.
[...] "I'm glad I got to know you, Kamino-chan. At the most crucial moment, you brought me luck."
"What do you mean?" asks Kamino.
In lieu of answering her, Inui grows serious and asks a question of his own.
"Did I eat lunch today? Do you remember?"
July 23, 2024
Thank you to ABRAMS and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review!
Ladybug is back! Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka is the newest installment of the Bullet Train series to be translated into English. Although I have read all of the author's works translated into English, I was so excited to hear that Ladybug and Maria would finally be back in this one. The story revolves around Ladybug, the unlucky assassin played by Brad Pitt in the Bullet Train movie. All he has to do this time is to deliver a painting. But unluckily for Ladybug, the simple turns into an adventure full of mistaken identities, assassins, and danger.
Here is an intriguing excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from new character Pillow's point of view:
"'Everything's decided at birth,' murmured Pillow, looking off into the distance after another game spent without even being allowed to fill out the bench. She wasn't actually trying to start a conversation - rather, her innermost thoughts had simply spilled from her lips, and Blanket had been there downstream to catch them. But Blanket knew what Pillow meant. Both of them were conspicuously small-framed, even among the other girls. The taller girls were obviously prized even if they were less athletic, and the smaller girls knew that no matter how hard they trained, they'd hard ever be allowed to play.
'You're right,' said Blanket. 'It's so unfair, isn't it? The advantages some people are both with.'
'You have a pretty face and a good sense of style, and bang: you're on Easy Street. Even school will be fun. Your whole life will be smooth as silk. Makes me sick.'"
Overall, Hotel Lucky Seven is the latest amazing book that will appeal to fans of the Bullet Train movies. One highlight of this book is the humor. That is definitely what sets this book apart from other books about assassins. I found myself giggling in every chapter, which is very difficult for a book about murder to do. If you have a sense of humor, then you definitely won't mind reading this book, which is masterfully written and translated, keeping all humor and jokes intact.
Another highlight of this book is how it is a work of translated, translated from Japanese originally. I really think that there are not enough books being translated from other languages into English. I am so glad to be able to support this book and its author. I will definitely be reading any of the author's other books that are translated into English in the future. They will be at the top of my TBR list. Also, I'm in the mood now to rewatch the amazing Bullet Train movie. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of books about assassins in general, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in November!
Ladybug is back! Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka is the newest installment of the Bullet Train series to be translated into English. Although I have read all of the author's works translated into English, I was so excited to hear that Ladybug and Maria would finally be back in this one. The story revolves around Ladybug, the unlucky assassin played by Brad Pitt in the Bullet Train movie. All he has to do this time is to deliver a painting. But unluckily for Ladybug, the simple turns into an adventure full of mistaken identities, assassins, and danger.
Here is an intriguing excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from new character Pillow's point of view:
"'Everything's decided at birth,' murmured Pillow, looking off into the distance after another game spent without even being allowed to fill out the bench. She wasn't actually trying to start a conversation - rather, her innermost thoughts had simply spilled from her lips, and Blanket had been there downstream to catch them. But Blanket knew what Pillow meant. Both of them were conspicuously small-framed, even among the other girls. The taller girls were obviously prized even if they were less athletic, and the smaller girls knew that no matter how hard they trained, they'd hard ever be allowed to play.
'You're right,' said Blanket. 'It's so unfair, isn't it? The advantages some people are both with.'
'You have a pretty face and a good sense of style, and bang: you're on Easy Street. Even school will be fun. Your whole life will be smooth as silk. Makes me sick.'"
Overall, Hotel Lucky Seven is the latest amazing book that will appeal to fans of the Bullet Train movies. One highlight of this book is the humor. That is definitely what sets this book apart from other books about assassins. I found myself giggling in every chapter, which is very difficult for a book about murder to do. If you have a sense of humor, then you definitely won't mind reading this book, which is masterfully written and translated, keeping all humor and jokes intact.
Another highlight of this book is how it is a work of translated, translated from Japanese originally. I really think that there are not enough books being translated from other languages into English. I am so glad to be able to support this book and its author. I will definitely be reading any of the author's other books that are translated into English in the future. They will be at the top of my TBR list. Also, I'm in the mood now to rewatch the amazing Bullet Train movie. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of books about assassins in general, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in November!
March 18, 2025
3.5 stars.
Not quite as memorable as the other books in the series, but still quick and entertaining! Loved Nanao just as much as I did in Bullet Train, and all the new characters were fun and interesting, but I think the ending was a little abrupt.
Not quite as memorable as the other books in the series, but still quick and entertaining! Loved Nanao just as much as I did in Bullet Train, and all the new characters were fun and interesting, but I think the ending was a little abrupt.
November 14, 2024
Kinetic and comedic, Kōtarō Isaka’s latest in his Assassins series is also slightly confusing. At times, Hotel Lucky Seven reads like a screenplay and, based on the successful adaptation of his novel Bullet Train, there might have been a killer of a reason for that. Right, Hollywood?
Hotel Lucky Seven starts with a simple premise. Nanao, Isaka’s unlucky assassin code named Ladybird, is tasked to deliver a birthday parcel in the Winton Palace Hotel. Nanao bumbles and stumbles and soon realizes he needs to leave the hotel – fast. But then the overall plot deepens. There just so happens to be professional cleaners, the team of Pillow and Blanket, also within the hotel, also looking to depart, and with bodies in tow. Then Yuka Kamino, a former employee of the hotel’s manager, has seen too much. Now, she has the fabled assassin team known as the Six after her. Kamino, yup, is also trying to escape the hotel.
So much escaping! Although tedious at times, Hotel Lucky Seven has fortune on its side and makes for fun crime-fiction escapism of its own.
Escape on over to Joe's to read the full three-star book review.
Dōmo arigatō to Abrams and Netgalley for the advance read.
Hotel Lucky Seven starts with a simple premise. Nanao, Isaka’s unlucky assassin code named Ladybird, is tasked to deliver a birthday parcel in the Winton Palace Hotel. Nanao bumbles and stumbles and soon realizes he needs to leave the hotel – fast. But then the overall plot deepens. There just so happens to be professional cleaners, the team of Pillow and Blanket, also within the hotel, also looking to depart, and with bodies in tow. Then Yuka Kamino, a former employee of the hotel’s manager, has seen too much. Now, she has the fabled assassin team known as the Six after her. Kamino, yup, is also trying to escape the hotel.
So much escaping! Although tedious at times, Hotel Lucky Seven has fortune on its side and makes for fun crime-fiction escapism of its own.
Escape on over to Joe's to read the full three-star book review.
Dōmo arigatō to Abrams and Netgalley for the advance read.
January 22, 2025
Hotel Lucky Seven eats me !!
We got the unluckiest assassin, a victim with a photogenic memory that trying to escape from fabled assassins, the blowgun killers, an old tech-savvy sassy lady, the skilled killer who expertise in explosive, corrupted ex-parliament, and two friends who professionally work disposing of dead bodies.
It has a fun premise & simple storyline but I extremely love it when the author crafted a bunch of characters that specialized in different ways no matter what the gender and age. Although Yuko Kamino is just a plain woman to be gifted a photogenic memory it always comes to the cost just like how Inui used her.
Back and forth reading pov from numerous characters, I got myself confused at first but then, it was quite a clean experience when I was able to conclude the motives of the characters. Moreover, I was quite invested in reading about the unfortunate events that happened to Nanao but without him realizing, there was always a bit of fortune revolving around him.
The final reveal was twisty and I could keep up with the storyline despite having not read all the other books in the series. Good job with the translation (Brian Bergstrom) and looking forward to the rest of Kotaro Isaka's books. And because of too many characters coming in, I would suggest that you read it in one go.
Book courtesy of @definitelybooks #pansing #definitelybooks
We got the unluckiest assassin, a victim with a photogenic memory that trying to escape from fabled assassins, the blowgun killers, an old tech-savvy sassy lady, the skilled killer who expertise in explosive, corrupted ex-parliament, and two friends who professionally work disposing of dead bodies.
It has a fun premise & simple storyline but I extremely love it when the author crafted a bunch of characters that specialized in different ways no matter what the gender and age. Although Yuko Kamino is just a plain woman to be gifted a photogenic memory it always comes to the cost just like how Inui used her.
Back and forth reading pov from numerous characters, I got myself confused at first but then, it was quite a clean experience when I was able to conclude the motives of the characters. Moreover, I was quite invested in reading about the unfortunate events that happened to Nanao but without him realizing, there was always a bit of fortune revolving around him.
The final reveal was twisty and I could keep up with the storyline despite having not read all the other books in the series. Good job with the translation (Brian Bergstrom) and looking forward to the rest of Kotaro Isaka's books. And because of too many characters coming in, I would suggest that you read it in one go.
Book courtesy of @definitelybooks #pansing #definitelybooks
September 24, 2024
奏田大吃一驚，高聲問：「高良哥完全不會羨慕別人嗎？」
高良反而露出愣住的表情，回答：「梅樹在意旁邊的蘋果樹是要幹麼？」
「梅樹好好地當梅樹就行了，蘋果樹好好地做蘋果樹就是了，幹麼跟玫瑰花比？」
七尾很想指出離題了，卻發現自己被奏田轉述的高良的話的話打動。他不止一次怨恨自己宛如被詛咒的倒楣人生，羨慕別人。他也不止一次夢想走上不一樣的人生之路，想過更和平的日常生活。
蘋果樹好好地做蘋果樹就是了，開不出玫瑰花又如何？這句話在七尾的腦中迴響。
—
如果前一陣子看的《摩登時代》是令人省思的主食，這次的《777》就是一部更輕鬆有節奏感的清爽佳餚！
之前看伊坂的殺手系列都是看改編電影，對於《蚱蜢》恰到好處的2.5次元感跟《子彈列車》（《瓢蟲〉的電影版）胡來又豪爽的風格印象深刻又滿意，這次直接看777雖然是系列作的第四集了，但獨立閱讀依然是很能享受故事的作品。
簡單任務永遠不簡單、還會搞出一串屍體的殺手瓢蟲，這次也不意外地在一個簡單的任務裡面捲入一連串的腥風血雨之中，搭配一群極具魅力又很有特色的「業者」們，在一間高級飯店裡面交織在一起。
殺手系列在非現實的風格中創造了各式各樣奇特的殺人方式，卻在一些層面又有小人物的現實感。在這部作品中，伊坂依然很會描寫惡，也帶入一些對於生活及國家的反思，總會讓人思考在每個資訊的背後有多少是操弄、有多少是真實？
個人最喜歡在本作出現的逃亡專家可可女士，因為職棒選手的兒子在棒球電玩的數值是E，而讓中年的他為了竄改兒子的數據而學習駭客技術，真的是很歡樂的角色。也覺得從其他角色視角看到的瓢蟲和瓢蟲視角看到的反差實在有趣，每次都會心一笑。
很喜歡所有人物都有各自的魅力，但他們各自間的動力和善惡沒卻沒有那麼絕對，是在模糊地帶不斷地擺動和反轉的，這個特性，也在這本書的後期帶來一些驚喜和轉折。
而伊坂的便當也真的快到猝不及防，有些角色剛喜歡上沒多久便當就也很乾脆地發下來了，真希望能多看一些他們的故事呢。（倒是《瓢蟲》裡面的蜜柑與檸檬在本作有出現一下）。
這部作品跟《瓢蟲》一樣，順著脈絡讀下去，有些金句隨著裡面的人物讓人更加有感。也在後面解說文的脈絡裡面，看到日本方如何在版權和推動伊坂的作品上努力，讓子彈列車的電影化合作創造機會帶來更多的可能。看完這本書之後，實在很希望因為布萊德彼特喜歡瓢蟲這個角色而催生出的這部作品，也可以早日聽到下一部電影化的消息。
高良反而露出愣住的表情，回答：「梅樹在意旁邊的蘋果樹是要幹麼？」
「梅樹好好地當梅樹就行了，蘋果樹好好地做蘋果樹就是了，幹麼跟玫瑰花比？」
七尾很想指出離題了，卻發現自己被奏田轉述的高良的話的話打動。他不止一次怨恨自己宛如被詛咒的倒楣人生，羨慕別人。他也不止一次夢想走上不一樣的人生之路，想過更和平的日常生活。
蘋果樹好好地做蘋果樹就是了，開不出玫瑰花又如何？這句話在七尾的腦中迴響。
—
如果前一陣子看的《摩登時代》是令人省思的主食，這次的《777》就是一部更輕鬆有節奏感的清爽佳餚！
之前看伊坂的殺手系列都是看改編電影，對於《蚱蜢》恰到好處的2.5次元感跟《子彈列車》（《瓢蟲〉的電影版）胡來又豪爽的風格印象深刻又滿意，這次直接看777雖然是系列作的第四集了，但獨立閱讀依然是很能享受故事的作品。
簡單任務永遠不簡單、還會搞出一串屍體的殺手瓢蟲，這次也不意外地在一個簡單的任務裡面捲入一連串的腥風血雨之中，搭配一群極具魅力又很有特色的「業者」們，在一間高級飯店裡面交織在一起。
殺手系列在非現實的風格中創造了各式各樣奇特的殺人方式，卻在一些層面又有小人物的現實感。在這部作品中，伊坂依然很會描寫惡，也帶入一些對於生活及國家的反思，總會讓人思考在每個資訊的背後有多少是操弄、有多少是真實？
個人最喜歡在本作出現的逃亡專家可可女士，因為職棒選手的兒子在棒球電玩的數值是E，而讓中年的他為了竄改兒子的數據而學習駭客技術，真的是很歡樂的角色。也覺得從其他角色視角看到的瓢蟲和瓢蟲視角看到的反差實在有趣，每次都會心一笑。
很喜歡所有人物都有各自的魅力，但他們各自間的動力和善惡沒卻沒有那麼絕對，是在模糊地帶不斷地擺動和反轉的，這個特性，也在這本書的後期帶來一些驚喜和轉折。
而伊坂的便當也真的快到猝不及防，有些角色剛喜歡上沒多久便當就也很乾脆地發下來了，真希望能多看一些他們的故事呢。（倒是《瓢蟲》裡面的蜜柑與檸檬在本作有出現一下）。
這部作品跟《瓢蟲》一樣，順著脈絡讀下去，有些金句隨著裡面的人物讓人更加有感。也在後面解說文的脈絡裡面，看到日本方如何在版權和推動伊坂的作品上努力，讓子彈列車的電影化合作創造機會帶來更多的可能。看完這本書之後，實在很希望因為布萊德彼特喜歡瓢蟲這個角色而催生出的這部作品，也可以早日聽到下一部電影化的消息。
November 12, 2024
November 2024
Kindle edition
I really need to stop hyping myself up for books. Or Goodreads needs to shorten the new release page to one month in advance. Love the cover. Nanao, back again and just as unlucky this time around. Now that I know what happens, a re-read would probably make this one more enjoyable. An array of assassins, Inui, seemingly a mastermind, a guy in a cafe that made no sense until the end, and Ladybug in the middle. I felt sorry for Soda and Cola. It was strange conversations, a climbing body count and a really unlucky assassin. At the end it all came together in an oh moment. Curious what the chocolate message said. It was alright, but I could've waited for this one to go on sale.
Kindle edition
I really need to stop hyping myself up for books. Or Goodreads needs to shorten the new release page to one month in advance. Love the cover. Nanao, back again and just as unlucky this time around. Now that I know what happens, a re-read would probably make this one more enjoyable. An array of assassins, Inui, seemingly a mastermind, a guy in a cafe that made no sense until the end, and Ladybug in the middle. I felt sorry for Soda and Cola. It was strange conversations, a climbing body count and a really unlucky assassin. At the end it all came together in an oh moment. Curious what the chocolate message said. It was alright, but I could've waited for this one to go on sale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2024
Kotaro Isaka is back doing what he does best. Another stellar addition to his Assassins series, full of his usual humour, and splatterings of violence.
In my opinion, not quite as good as Bullet Train. However, it's still a very entertaining read as Ladybird makes his return alongside many others in Isaka’s eccentric cast of assassins.
To begin with, characters were slightly hard to follow, but once the book advanced this became less of an issue. All seem well-placed and add their own uniqueness to the story.
The writing could perhaps be described as a little simple at times, while I had no issues with this I can see others being put off.
Kotaro Isaka remains one of my favourite reads as he delivers another great story.
In my opinion, not quite as good as Bullet Train. However, it's still a very entertaining read as Ladybird makes his return alongside many others in Isaka’s eccentric cast of assassins.
To begin with, characters were slightly hard to follow, but once the book advanced this became less of an issue. All seem well-placed and add their own uniqueness to the story.
The writing could perhaps be described as a little simple at times, while I had no issues with this I can see others being put off.
Kotaro Isaka remains one of my favourite reads as he delivers another great story.
January 10, 2025
Probably a 3.5. Another strange and rollicking romp (if a story with a relatively high body count can be called a romp that is) from the author of Bullet Train. The fourth in a peripherally connected series of assassin and assassinating the assassin stories, this time all happening in a luxury Tokyo hotel. Not as graphic (or crass) as some elements of his other works and with the occasional good line, Hotel Lucky Seven was a relatively positive read with a clever structure. A couple of rather convenient and contrived escapes from tight situations did, however, create a few cheech moments from this reader.
February 21, 2025
I enjoyed the story and wish I could have given it 3.5. There are a lot of characters, all with code names, in this book and it makes it hard to keep track of, hence 3.5 and not 4. I think if I had read some of the earlier books I might not have had as a hard a time. I did watch the movie Bullet Train and I think this was key to understanding the quirky comedy of these assassins and the crazy circumstances of the story. I may go back and read the others as I think they will be enjoyable now that I am more familiar with the storyline.
November 3, 2024
4.25 stars
Nanao - code name Ladybird - continues to be the unluckiest assassin in existence. Maria has an 'easy, no problems' job for him: deliver a birthday gift to a wealthy hotel guest. But the usual comedy of errors occurs and soon the hotel is so full of corpses, people start to wonder if a plague god has come to stay.
This references Bullet Train several times, so it's probably best to read that book first.
I enjoyed this more than Bullet Train! It was slightly less chaotic and slapstick, while having even more hilarious characters. I liked the set up of all the action being contained to the hotel, with the assassins using the elevators, different floors, security cameras etc to strategize. The overall plot kept me guessing, and I enjoyed the overarching theme of appreciating what you have. This series is great for people who enjoy action sequences and silly Matrix-style dodging!
Nanao - code name Ladybird - continues to be the unluckiest assassin in existence. Maria has an 'easy, no problems' job for him: deliver a birthday gift to a wealthy hotel guest. But the usual comedy of errors occurs and soon the hotel is so full of corpses, people start to wonder if a plague god has come to stay.
This references Bullet Train several times, so it's probably best to read that book first.
I enjoyed this more than Bullet Train! It was slightly less chaotic and slapstick, while having even more hilarious characters. I liked the set up of all the action being contained to the hotel, with the assassins using the elevators, different floors, security cameras etc to strategize. The overall plot kept me guessing, and I enjoyed the overarching theme of appreciating what you have. This series is great for people who enjoy action sequences and silly Matrix-style dodging!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews