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Killing Eve #3
Endgame
As Villanelle returns to face her childhood demons and the Russian winter, Eve finds herself on the run from The Twelve, who want her dead. As the action moves between London and St Petersburg, and Eve and Villanelle finally admit their mutual erotic obsession, the chess game approaches its lethal, unforgettable conclusion.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2020
474 people are currently reading
6849 people want to read
About the author
Luke Jennings
27 books659 followersLuke Jennings is an author and the dance critic of The Observer. He trained at the Rambert School and was a dancer for ten years before turning to writing.
As a journalist he has written for Vanity Fair, the New Yorker and Time, as well as for numerous British titles. He is the author of Blood Knots, a memoir, short-listed for the 2010 Samuel Johnson and William Hill prizes, and of three novels: Breach Candy, Beauty Story, and the Booker Prize-nominated Atlantic. With Deborah Bull, he wrote The Faber Guide to Ballet, and with his daughter Laura, the Stars fiction series for Puffin Books, about teenagers at a stage-school.
He is currently writing a follow-up to his 2017 thriller Codename Villanelle (John Murray). The Villanelle titles are the basis for BBC America's upcoming TV series Killing Eve, airing in 2018 and starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer.
As a journalist he has written for Vanity Fair, the New Yorker and Time, as well as for numerous British titles. He is the author of Blood Knots, a memoir, short-listed for the 2010 Samuel Johnson and William Hill prizes, and of three novels: Breach Candy, Beauty Story, and the Booker Prize-nominated Atlantic. With Deborah Bull, he wrote The Faber Guide to Ballet, and with his daughter Laura, the Stars fiction series for Puffin Books, about teenagers at a stage-school.
He is currently writing a follow-up to his 2017 thriller Codename Villanelle (John Murray). The Villanelle titles are the basis for BBC America's upcoming TV series Killing Eve, airing in 2018 and starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 697 reviews
April 26, 2020
I did not enjoy this at all.
Purely read it to find out what might happen in the show.
Jennings has an overzealous obsession with erotica, in particular that of lesbian relationships, which dilutes and quite frankly makes the book worse. Within the first page characters are already having sex.
His insertion (I use that word quite purposefully) of a non-binary character is abrupt and untastefully done, coming across as if the author is trying to show he’s “with the times” without truely understanding or representing non-binary people.
This book for me just shows the skill and mastery of Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the writer for the television show to be able to salvage this story.
Purely read it to find out what might happen in the show.
Jennings has an overzealous obsession with erotica, in particular that of lesbian relationships, which dilutes and quite frankly makes the book worse. Within the first page characters are already having sex.
His insertion (I use that word quite purposefully) of a non-binary character is abrupt and untastefully done, coming across as if the author is trying to show he’s “with the times” without truely understanding or representing non-binary people.
This book for me just shows the skill and mastery of Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the writer for the television show to be able to salvage this story.
July 16, 2020
i almost cannot believe how bad this was
April 15, 2020
actual rating: 2.5
I really just don't know what to do with this series but suffice to say it's one of the few times the show is way better than the book. I don't really know anything about this author as a person so maybe he is genuinely trying his best but it's just very obviously like 'hi I am a straight man writing a lesbian thriller' and the way he handled adding a nonbinary character into this one felt really weird and awkward to me but again maybe the intent behind it is genuine and it's just the execution that is awkward.
Overall most of the book was okay and the spy stuff itself was good but he is definitely not good at writing the psychological bits. Also the ending was HORRIBLE. What a cop-out. Awful. I almost want to round down for the ending alone but I guess if I pretty much enjoyed 98% of the book then I should just leave it as it is.
I really just don't know what to do with this series but suffice to say it's one of the few times the show is way better than the book. I don't really know anything about this author as a person so maybe he is genuinely trying his best but it's just very obviously like 'hi I am a straight man writing a lesbian thriller' and the way he handled adding a nonbinary character into this one felt really weird and awkward to me but again maybe the intent behind it is genuine and it's just the execution that is awkward.
Overall most of the book was okay and the spy stuff itself was good but he is definitely not good at writing the psychological bits. Also the ending was HORRIBLE. What a cop-out. Awful. I almost want to round down for the ending alone but I guess if I pretty much enjoyed 98% of the book then I should just leave it as it is.
February 12, 2022
The conspiracy/thriller/detective part in the end is entertaining.
But Eve/Villanelle’s relationship is a shitstorm. I’ve read fanfics, that explore this abusive psychopathic relationship so much better, that I could believe why Eve is behaving this way.
Book Villanelle is truly scary and unstable, not a charming, childlike, funny and adorable assassin from the TV show. Eve is obviously a fucked up person herself, but author doesn’t spend enough time to explore her character and make me relate and understand her.
I read the book in 3-3.5 hours and my eyes hurt from rolling so much. All this russian klyukva, oh god, just stop, detka, pchelka, spoki noki. Russia, especially Saint Petersburg is not like that in 2020! Bratva and Pakhan, crazy clothes and saunas. Ugh.
I hope that 3rd and 4th seasons don’t rely on the books at all.
Edit. And that ending. It was obvious that Villanelle wouldn’t be killed. But still, okay, I can live with that. But all this boring domesticated life with her being a language student?!! What? In previous book she learned German like in 3 weeks, what are you talking about? I was bored by reading last paragraphs, I could not imagine how bored she would be by studying in University and behaving like a normal human being, which she is not.
But Eve/Villanelle’s relationship is a shitstorm. I’ve read fanfics, that explore this abusive psychopathic relationship so much better, that I could believe why Eve is behaving this way.
Book Villanelle is truly scary and unstable, not a charming, childlike, funny and adorable assassin from the TV show. Eve is obviously a fucked up person herself, but author doesn’t spend enough time to explore her character and make me relate and understand her.
I read the book in 3-3.5 hours and my eyes hurt from rolling so much. All this russian klyukva, oh god, just stop, detka, pchelka, spoki noki. Russia, especially Saint Petersburg is not like that in 2020! Bratva and Pakhan, crazy clothes and saunas. Ugh.
I hope that 3rd and 4th seasons don’t rely on the books at all.
Edit. And that ending. It was obvious that Villanelle wouldn’t be killed. But still, okay, I can live with that. But all this boring domesticated life with her being a language student?!! What? In previous book she learned German like in 3 weeks, what are you talking about? I was bored by reading last paragraphs, I could not imagine how bored she would be by studying in University and behaving like a normal human being, which she is not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2020
The final installment of this series was a complete waste. I only slogged through it out of some need to finish any book I start. The tone of the book was so off and it read like some really poorly written fan fiction. I rarely say this, but the show is far better than the book. Ugh.
Read
March 2, 2020I actually enjoy these books *more* than the TV show. Also, p.s. this is a love story.
May 23, 2022
is this a 5 star book? no. will i still give it five stars out of spite for the tv show ending? 100% yes.
April 12, 2022
UPDATE: I've never said anything bad about you Luke. Love you ❤️
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Oh dear God. I felt like reading a really trashy fanfic.
The sudden change to a first person narrative??? Eve turned into a completely different character and an unsympathetic one at that. On the other hand, the annoyingly detailed, unnecessary descriptions remained very much consistent throughout the series.
Anyway thanks to Mr Jennings for the concept. How Phoebe saw any potential in this I'll never know.
SPOILER AHEAD
The ending was a downright disappointment and I don't buy Villanelle so easily sliding into this domestic life especially with someone as dull as Eve.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Oh dear God. I felt like reading a really trashy fanfic.
The sudden change to a first person narrative??? Eve turned into a completely different character and an unsympathetic one at that. On the other hand, the annoyingly detailed, unnecessary descriptions remained very much consistent throughout the series.
Anyway thanks to Mr Jennings for the concept. How Phoebe saw any potential in this I'll never know.
SPOILER AHEAD
The ending was a downright disappointment and I don't buy Villanelle so easily sliding into this domestic life especially with someone as dull as Eve.
December 16, 2020
If I could give a book 0 stars, that's mostly like what I would have rated this book. While books 1 and 2 were tolerable, Die for Me, the "high-stakes, addictive" finale to the Killing Eve series was utterly unbearable. Where the first two books are told in third-person POV, book 3 suddenly and jarringly switches to first-person from Eve's POV. Eve is perhaps the worst character in this entire series, so being stuck inside her head for 200 pages is almost worse than sitting down and having dinner with my mother for an hour. (Almost.)
Eve sounds and acts like a fifteen-year-old girl. She throws away her entire life to be with Villanelle, a psychopathic assassin who, let's not forget, murdered Eve's friend and partner in book 1. Eve is convinced that she'll make Villanelle feel something. Will make Villanelle love her like she loves Villanelle. And Villanelle, being a psychopath and all, is shockingly not the best lover, and that makes Eve sad. All of this while the two are hiding from The Twelve. The story is all over the place. The dialogue is crap. And the characters are both unrealistic and ridiculous. It's painful to read, it really is.
If I had to read Eve call Villanelle "sweetie" even one more time than I did, I was going to vomit. Also, the inclusion of a non-binary character randomly in the middle of the last book in the series tried to be inclusive but really just felt off to me. I don't think the character was portrayed well. And on that same note, I don't think Jennings knows how women talk. Or think. Or have sex with each other. Just saying.
Look, if you have to take away one thing from this review, let it be this: don't read this series. If you're already watching the TV show, keep watching it if you enjoy it. But if you are thinking about reading the books before watching the show, don't bother. I haven't watched the show, but my fiancé loves it. She did not love the books, and neither did I.
If you're thinking, Oh, wow, an LGBTQ+ spy thriller series, sounds amazing!, you're wrong. It's not. Thanks for coming to my TED talk. Goodnight.
Blog | Insta | Twitter
Eve sounds and acts like a fifteen-year-old girl. She throws away her entire life to be with Villanelle, a psychopathic assassin who, let's not forget, murdered Eve's friend and partner in book 1. Eve is convinced that she'll make Villanelle feel something. Will make Villanelle love her like she loves Villanelle. And Villanelle, being a psychopath and all, is shockingly not the best lover, and that makes Eve sad. All of this while the two are hiding from The Twelve. The story is all over the place. The dialogue is crap. And the characters are both unrealistic and ridiculous. It's painful to read, it really is.
If I had to read Eve call Villanelle "sweetie" even one more time than I did, I was going to vomit. Also, the inclusion of a non-binary character randomly in the middle of the last book in the series tried to be inclusive but really just felt off to me. I don't think the character was portrayed well. And on that same note, I don't think Jennings knows how women talk. Or think. Or have sex with each other. Just saying.
Look, if you have to take away one thing from this review, let it be this: don't read this series. If you're already watching the TV show, keep watching it if you enjoy it. But if you are thinking about reading the books before watching the show, don't bother. I haven't watched the show, but my fiancé loves it. She did not love the books, and neither did I.
If you're thinking, Oh, wow, an LGBTQ+ spy thriller series, sounds amazing!, you're wrong. It's not. Thanks for coming to my TED talk. Goodnight.
Blog | Insta | Twitter
May 23, 2022
slayed the house boots down houston im deceased
September 6, 2020
Right from the start, when she first looked into my eyes as Villanelle, Oxana recognised something that it would take time for me to understand. That we were fundamentally the same…
Yawn.
After the first two books, where MI6 operative Eve Polastri stalks (and eventually meets) the Russian assassin known as Villanelle, this was a complete let-down. A change in format from third person to first person (narrated by love-struck Polastri) reduces it from thriller to chick-lit, spoiled by an overdose of Lesbian dummy-spits, flawed by a schmaltzy ending.
Several characters were recycled from the earlier books – Richard Edwards as the MI6 turncoat, Villanelle’s earlier lover Larissa Farmanyants, and this one introduces Dasha Kvariani whom Villanelle knew from prison and is high up in the St Petersburg mafia. The two assassins are set to take out targets on behalf of the Twelve.
‘People say the Twelve are a patriarchal organisation, but I think they offer real opportunities for women and gender non-binary people. The chance to grow as a person and live your dream. Which for me has always been shooting people.’
Though their sniper training on a North Sea platform was interesting, ditto the subterranean passages beneath Moscow - other aspects did not sit so well: the convenience of a Lear Jet and helicopter rides across the North Sea.
My compass is spinning. The only real allegiance I have is to Oxana. I’m rehearsing a murder to be by her side, and right now she won’t even look at me.
That just about sums it up.
Yawn.
After the first two books, where MI6 operative Eve Polastri stalks (and eventually meets) the Russian assassin known as Villanelle, this was a complete let-down. A change in format from third person to first person (narrated by love-struck Polastri) reduces it from thriller to chick-lit, spoiled by an overdose of Lesbian dummy-spits, flawed by a schmaltzy ending.
Several characters were recycled from the earlier books – Richard Edwards as the MI6 turncoat, Villanelle’s earlier lover Larissa Farmanyants, and this one introduces Dasha Kvariani whom Villanelle knew from prison and is high up in the St Petersburg mafia. The two assassins are set to take out targets on behalf of the Twelve.
‘People say the Twelve are a patriarchal organisation, but I think they offer real opportunities for women and gender non-binary people. The chance to grow as a person and live your dream. Which for me has always been shooting people.’
Though their sniper training on a North Sea platform was interesting, ditto the subterranean passages beneath Moscow - other aspects did not sit so well: the convenience of a Lear Jet and helicopter rides across the North Sea.
My compass is spinning. The only real allegiance I have is to Oxana. I’m rehearsing a murder to be by her side, and right now she won’t even look at me.
That just about sums it up.
June 20, 2021
Luke Jennings seems to know very little about women. Further, he has very little competency or insight to write about what real women might actually say or do.
From talking about their feelings while taking a bath together, to jealous tantrums over breakfast, and suicidal ideation when the emotions are just "too much," this books reads like nothing more than fetishized swill from a man who is clearly obsessed with women who like to sleep with other women.
Further, the switch from the previous books to the first-person narrative by Eve in this installment reveals her to be nothing but a stupid, one-dimensional, self-involved woman who has little thought beyond, "How does Villanelle feel about me?" At times, I found myself rolling my eyes at the incredulity of the dialogue - at others, it was all I could do to not close the book and hurl it against the wall, the writing and characters are so absurd.
Like many other reviewers here, I started reading these books because of the TV show; I only finished these books to have some closure on the story. But if you are still debating whether to give these a go? Save yourself some time. Don't bother.
My appreciation to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was able to make such an engaging show out of reductive and dreadful source material. Now there is the REAL writer.
From talking about their feelings while taking a bath together, to jealous tantrums over breakfast, and suicidal ideation when the emotions are just "too much," this books reads like nothing more than fetishized swill from a man who is clearly obsessed with women who like to sleep with other women.
Further, the switch from the previous books to the first-person narrative by Eve in this installment reveals her to be nothing but a stupid, one-dimensional, self-involved woman who has little thought beyond, "How does Villanelle feel about me?" At times, I found myself rolling my eyes at the incredulity of the dialogue - at others, it was all I could do to not close the book and hurl it against the wall, the writing and characters are so absurd.
Like many other reviewers here, I started reading these books because of the TV show; I only finished these books to have some closure on the story. But if you are still debating whether to give these a go? Save yourself some time. Don't bother.
My appreciation to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was able to make such an engaging show out of reductive and dreadful source material. Now there is the REAL writer.
June 17, 2020
The TV series of Killing Eve & Dexter have odd parallels or me. Both series & the novels they are based on eventually follow differing storylines. This means you have to remember events & characters in both formats & how they differed. However, while the Dexter novels became weaker as the TV series got stronger with Killing Eve it's the opposite. So, having just watched a rather dull & lacklustre series 3 of Killing Eve I was glad to pick up the third novel by Luke Jennings.
Killing Eve on TV is now pretty much style over content, whereas Die For Me (or Endgame as it's called here) is just a good old fashioned spy story.
Jennings gives the reader a fast paced adventure that keeps its focus on Eve & Oxana (Villanelle) as they experience the harsh winter of St Petersburg. There's perhaps a little less humour than in the previous two novels, but just as much sex & violence as ever. So, if that's the bag you're into check this one out.
Killing Eve on TV is now pretty much style over content, whereas Die For Me (or Endgame as it's called here) is just a good old fashioned spy story.
Jennings gives the reader a fast paced adventure that keeps its focus on Eve & Oxana (Villanelle) as they experience the harsh winter of St Petersburg. There's perhaps a little less humour than in the previous two novels, but just as much sex & violence as ever. So, if that's the bag you're into check this one out.
May 12, 2022
This is still pretty bad, but not as bad as KE season 4 finale.
May 30, 2020
I have so many mixed feelings about this book its actually painful. My main issue is the way Eve’s character is presented. Her development from the previous book is completely thrown out the window and it feels like her whole personality is just to be Villanelle’s girlfriend, with her clinging to Villanelle for survival and completely forgetting who she is as an individual. This change in character feels as though it happens from the first chapter, with Eve and Villanelle suddenly in a romantic relationship without the author even attempting to explain how this came about, and its as though there’s been a huge jump in Eve that was never fully explored. Villanelle is also constantly harsh and cold towards her, and it feels like their relationship goes around in circles – one minute they are all loved-up and the next Villanelle doesn’t even want to acknowledge Eve. Although this felt more in line with the book version of Villanelle, who is much more unlikeable than the TV series counter-part, it was still frustrating to read as it means Eve is constantly pining for love and affection, again, losing her stronger traits that I felt book 2 had really built up. I just hated how Eve was constantly moaning about her situation but then not doing herself any favours and often making things worse, it was as if the intelligent version of herself that we see in book 2 was sacrificed for her being in a relationship with Villanelle. It was so hard to have sympathy for her, and I just kept reading and thinking ‘there’s no way book 2 Eve would do that’, but then I guess I didn’t really know Eve anymore since the writer spent little time exploring her extreme personality changes post MI6 life.
I think both the book and TV show work best when Villanelle and Eve are interacting together, so generally this book does flow nicely and there are some really great moments between the two characters, but generally I did find their relationship dynamic unrealistic. The TV series definitely does a better job of building their relationship and having you root for them to come together.
The ending is controversial and although I didn't hate it, I do I think it would have been better suited to the TV show, which currently in season 3 is exploring Villanelle becoming more emotionally vulnerable. I just don’t believe book Villanelle would be satisfied with that end, the author himself even says this throughout the series with him hinting that a happily-ever-after could never be on the table for these characters. It felt almost like fan service for the TV fans that love Villaneve and want to see them happy, which I appreciated but don't think it quite worked.
I’d probably give the book a 2.5, its definitely not boring and there’s some great twists and turns, but Eve and Villanelle’s relationship is the main element of the book and it just isn’t done quite right.
I think both the book and TV show work best when Villanelle and Eve are interacting together, so generally this book does flow nicely and there are some really great moments between the two characters, but generally I did find their relationship dynamic unrealistic. The TV series definitely does a better job of building their relationship and having you root for them to come together.
The ending is controversial and although I didn't hate it, I do I think it would have been better suited to the TV show, which currently in season 3 is exploring Villanelle becoming more emotionally vulnerable. I just don’t believe book Villanelle would be satisfied with that end, the author himself even says this throughout the series with him hinting that a happily-ever-after could never be on the table for these characters. It felt almost like fan service for the TV fans that love Villaneve and want to see them happy, which I appreciated but don't think it quite worked.
I’d probably give the book a 2.5, its definitely not boring and there’s some great twists and turns, but Eve and Villanelle’s relationship is the main element of the book and it just isn’t done quite right.
April 8, 2021
This book could have single-handedly ruined my 2020.
I will be fair and say I haven't yet read the first two books but I don't plan on reading them after this.
The relationship between the two main characters is so bland, if you're coming from the show like I did to this one, do NOT expect to read that complex cat-mouse dynamic. I also think this book is quite problematic in its depiction of non-binary people. I forget their name now (thankfully forgetting about this book) but not only were they often disrespected by everybody else but Eve, they also are quite annoying. Everything was stacked against this character and I felt no sympathy towards them. This is not a good example of representation and it felt forced. There was no need of any additional love interests at all.
Villanelle's behavior is so incredibly irritating throughout the whole thing. I remember almost giving up amidst one of her several arguments with Eve. It is so juvinile yet boring. It reads like a bad fanfic based on the show and you best believe I have read at least three fanfics of Killing Eve superior to this book in tone, depth, plot and character development.
I cannot fathom how the stakes are so high and so low at the same time. The 12 don't feel grand or scary neither does any other organization. You read through so much nonsense that the ending is laughable. Sure, Luke, they are assassinating the Russian AND the American presidents. Why didn't you throw Jesus in there as well?
I get even more angry as I think about it.
I will be fair and say I haven't yet read the first two books but I don't plan on reading them after this.
The relationship between the two main characters is so bland, if you're coming from the show like I did to this one, do NOT expect to read that complex cat-mouse dynamic. I also think this book is quite problematic in its depiction of non-binary people. I forget their name now (thankfully forgetting about this book) but not only were they often disrespected by everybody else but Eve, they also are quite annoying. Everything was stacked against this character and I felt no sympathy towards them. This is not a good example of representation and it felt forced. There was no need of any additional love interests at all.
Villanelle's behavior is so incredibly irritating throughout the whole thing. I remember almost giving up amidst one of her several arguments with Eve. It is so juvinile yet boring. It reads like a bad fanfic based on the show and you best believe I have read at least three fanfics of Killing Eve superior to this book in tone, depth, plot and character development.
I cannot fathom how the stakes are so high and so low at the same time. The 12 don't feel grand or scary neither does any other organization. You read through so much nonsense that the ending is laughable. Sure, Luke, they are assassinating the Russian AND the American presidents. Why didn't you throw Jesus in there as well?
I get even more angry as I think about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2023
Su šia knyga užbaigiama samdomos žudikės Vilanelės ir ją medžiojusios agentės Evos istorija. Pilna nusikaltimų, žudynių, ginklų, juokelių, sekso ir įtampos. Visko čia buvo, tad rašydama apie trečią dalį galiu kažkiek išduot ankstesnius įvykius ir siužeto posūkius. Serijos dar neskaitę - sustokit čia ir apžvalgą skaityt :D
Paskutinė dalis turi daug daugiau romantikos ir asmeninių santykių dalykų. Pagaliau autorius leidžia įsibrauti į giluminį Vilanelės pasaulį, pramušti jos šalčio ir „man viskas dzin" kaukę. Nors ji save vadina (Dievas mato, tokia ir yra :D) psichopate, tačiau kažkur giliai galima rasti jaučiančią būtybę ir už tai dėkoti turime būtent Evai. Moterų romanas įsivažiuoja ir nors jas nugalabyti nori grynai pusę pasaulio, jos surezga planą kaip ne tik išlikti gyvoms, bet ir kartu.
Kaip ir ši dalis, man visa serija patiko. Smagu, kad autorius nedaugžodžiauja, rašo taupiai ir tik apie reikalingus dalykus. Jokių nukrypimų į lankas, jokio tuščiažodžiavimo apie miestus, vaizdus, kažkokių aprašymų - išvien veiksmas ir pavojai. Šioje dalyje veiksmas vyko rusijoje ir buvo smagu kaip šmaikščiai autorius pašiepia šitos teroristinės šalies „valdžią" ir kasdienybę. Trumpai tariant - tikrai faina, kitokia ir greit perskaitoma serija apie drąsias ir gąsdinančias moteris.
Paskutinė dalis turi daug daugiau romantikos ir asmeninių santykių dalykų. Pagaliau autorius leidžia įsibrauti į giluminį Vilanelės pasaulį, pramušti jos šalčio ir „man viskas dzin" kaukę. Nors ji save vadina (Dievas mato, tokia ir yra :D) psichopate, tačiau kažkur giliai galima rasti jaučiančią būtybę ir už tai dėkoti turime būtent Evai. Moterų romanas įsivažiuoja ir nors jas nugalabyti nori grynai pusę pasaulio, jos surezga planą kaip ne tik išlikti gyvoms, bet ir kartu.
Kaip ir ši dalis, man visa serija patiko. Smagu, kad autorius nedaugžodžiauja, rašo taupiai ir tik apie reikalingus dalykus. Jokių nukrypimų į lankas, jokio tuščiažodžiavimo apie miestus, vaizdus, kažkokių aprašymų - išvien veiksmas ir pavojai. Šioje dalyje veiksmas vyko rusijoje ir buvo smagu kaip šmaikščiai autorius pašiepia šitos teroristinės šalies „valdžią" ir kasdienybę. Trumpai tariant - tikrai faina, kitokia ir greit perskaitoma serija apie drąsias ir gąsdinančias moteris.
August 16, 2023
After the events of No Tomorrow, I couldn't wait to read the third and final book of this series. It had such promise and potential... but unfortunately Die for Me didn't deliver. It's always bitterly disappointing to see your expectations shattered like that. After the major improvement No Tomorrow was on Codename Villanelle, I expected even greater things from this final book.
If I could describe Die for Me using only one word, it'd be anticlimactic. I was about fifty pages in when I noticed this anticlimactic tone. The first few pages were exciting because it was a whole new experience, the interactions between Eve and Villanelle were intriguing and I was eager to see how they behaved with each other. But soon the excitement started to wash down and as the story went by everything kind of remained the same.
The spy action part of the plot was okay and mildly entertaining, I don't have much criticism in that department. However, the approach made to Eve and Villanelle's obsessive, psychopathic relationship in this book was kind of a let down. Nevertheless, the interaction between both the main characters made this book more humorous than Codename Villanelle and No Tomorrow - courtesy of Villanelle's complete lack of tact (some of those humorous remarks made me think of Jodie Comer's Villanelle, which I liked).
In addition, the change from third person to first person narrative was unexpected and didn't make much sense. In my opinion, it didn't add enough to the narrative to make it worth missing on other characters and events. By focusing only on Eve's point of view, it took a lot from the plot and other characters, like Villanelle herself. The first person narrative is always rather limiting and I didn't like to be restricted to Eve's thoughts and perceptions. Nonetheless, I got used to it and by the end I wasn't as bothered about it.
I found the ending to be very unsatisfying, overall. We got some explanations in the last couple of pages that explained a few things, but those were very rushed.
The plot twist about the target kills was nice; Villanelle's last piece of art was iconic and I'm sad we didn't get to read it going down (courtesy of first person narrative *cough*).
Eve and Villanelle's happy ending (I suppose we can call it that) didn't make much sense to me and looking at both of those characters, specially Villanelle, it wasn't written to be very convincing (the reference made in the last sentence of the book made me a bit less angry, but still!).
Overall, the book didn't live up to its potential, but it was still mildly enjoyable. It wasn't boring and all its flaws never once made me feel like the only reason I kept reading was for the sake of not leaving it unfinished. It was still entertaining and fun, just not as better as the other two books.
If I could describe Die for Me using only one word, it'd be anticlimactic. I was about fifty pages in when I noticed this anticlimactic tone. The first few pages were exciting because it was a whole new experience, the interactions between Eve and Villanelle were intriguing and I was eager to see how they behaved with each other. But soon the excitement started to wash down and as the story went by everything kind of remained the same.
The spy action part of the plot was okay and mildly entertaining, I don't have much criticism in that department. However, the approach made to Eve and Villanelle's obsessive, psychopathic relationship in this book was kind of a let down. Nevertheless, the interaction between both the main characters made this book more humorous than Codename Villanelle and No Tomorrow - courtesy of Villanelle's complete lack of tact (some of those humorous remarks made me think of Jodie Comer's Villanelle, which I liked).
In addition, the change from third person to first person narrative was unexpected and didn't make much sense. In my opinion, it didn't add enough to the narrative to make it worth missing on other characters and events. By focusing only on Eve's point of view, it took a lot from the plot and other characters, like Villanelle herself. The first person narrative is always rather limiting and I didn't like to be restricted to Eve's thoughts and perceptions. Nonetheless, I got used to it and by the end I wasn't as bothered about it.
I found the ending to be very unsatisfying, overall. We got some explanations in the last couple of pages that explained a few things, but those were very rushed.
The plot twist about the target kills was nice; Villanelle's last piece of art was iconic and I'm sad we didn't get to read it going down (courtesy of first person narrative *cough*).
Eve and Villanelle's happy ending (I suppose we can call it that) didn't make much sense to me and looking at both of those characters, specially Villanelle, it wasn't written to be very convincing (the reference made in the last sentence of the book made me a bit less angry, but still!).
Overall, the book didn't live up to its potential, but it was still mildly enjoyable. It wasn't boring and all its flaws never once made me feel like the only reason I kept reading was for the sake of not leaving it unfinished. It was still entertaining and fun, just not as better as the other two books.
May 23, 2020
"Endgame" (or "Die for Me") completes the high energy trilogy of MI6 agent Eve's dogged pursuit of evil assassin Villanelle. Both women become embroiled in a major geopolitical power grab as their relationship evolves into two sides of the same entertaining coin. Fast pacing, dialogue and humor drive the action with two unforgettable characters!
February 27, 2023
5⭐️ zbog kraja nek crkne Laura Neal
January 20, 2022
As with the previous book, we pick up exactly where we left off with Eve and Villanelle. On the run and trying to stay undetected, Villanelle takes Eve to her country of birth in a shipping container, and when they land in Russia it is far from smooth.
We follow Eve and Villanelle as they try to remain hidden from the Twelve’s all seeing eyes while trying to figure out what their next move should be. I really started to hope and wonder if they could manage to start a new and happy life together as things seemed to slot into place. But, obviously, things were never going to be that simple when it came to these characters. Throughout this book, Eve starts to become more and more like Villanelle, probably because she is in survival mode, the only difference being that she does feel some guilt over what is happening. I sort of saw the twist at the end of the book coming, but also didn’t want to believe that it would happen as I wanted everything to work out nicely for them.
This book, unlike the others, is all written from Eve’s point of view. This means that we get a lot more insight into Eve’s feelings and her struggle to understand Villanelle and her behaviours towards her. You can see that Eve loves Villanelle despite everything while Villanelle seems to behave in ways that will intentionally hurt Eve and then uses her diagnosis as a psychopath to excuse her behaviour. The good thing is that Eve repeatedly tells her that she can’t use it as an excuse, but at the same time she still lets Villanelle get away with the behaviour.
Overall, I would give this final instalment 4.5 stars as I really enjoyed it and didn’t put it down until I had read the very last word. I wish that there were more books coming as I have found this series really good reads (despite them being about a psychopath assassin!) and although I love them, I think the TV series is a great adaptation of them, even if they have gone in slightly different directions. I will miss Eve and Villanelle immensely now that I have finished the series.
We follow Eve and Villanelle as they try to remain hidden from the Twelve’s all seeing eyes while trying to figure out what their next move should be. I really started to hope and wonder if they could manage to start a new and happy life together as things seemed to slot into place. But, obviously, things were never going to be that simple when it came to these characters. Throughout this book, Eve starts to become more and more like Villanelle, probably because she is in survival mode, the only difference being that she does feel some guilt over what is happening. I sort of saw the twist at the end of the book coming, but also didn’t want to believe that it would happen as I wanted everything to work out nicely for them.
This book, unlike the others, is all written from Eve’s point of view. This means that we get a lot more insight into Eve’s feelings and her struggle to understand Villanelle and her behaviours towards her. You can see that Eve loves Villanelle despite everything while Villanelle seems to behave in ways that will intentionally hurt Eve and then uses her diagnosis as a psychopath to excuse her behaviour. The good thing is that Eve repeatedly tells her that she can’t use it as an excuse, but at the same time she still lets Villanelle get away with the behaviour.
Overall, I would give this final instalment 4.5 stars as I really enjoyed it and didn’t put it down until I had read the very last word. I wish that there were more books coming as I have found this series really good reads (despite them being about a psychopath assassin!) and although I love them, I think the TV series is a great adaptation of them, even if they have gone in slightly different directions. I will miss Eve and Villanelle immensely now that I have finished the series.
March 18, 2020
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley, and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I flew through it and struggled to put it down, even to do typical activities, like making dinner. The writing felt natural and flowed beautifully. The action held my attention, but the characters are really what made this book. The complex interactions between all of the characters, especially Villanelle and Eve, who finally made the jump into ... dating!
In addition, the psychology aspect of this book was absolutely fascinating. Just reading about Villanelle; her motivation, emotions, and how she relates to other people was a revelation - she doesn't make any bones about being a psychopath, and neither does anyone else. But what I didn't see coming was the intricacy in her relationships with the people around her. I don't know how the other books are, but Villanelle becomes a three-dimensional character so easily in this book. Eve evolves a great deal in this book too. It was refreshing to see her step out of her comfort zone, regardless of the outcome. I couldn't ever really predict what was going to happen, and from what I gathered, neither did the majority of the characters.
I haven't read the previous books in the series, having had no idea that it was even a book series, but I have enjoyed the show since I stumbled upon it shortly after it premiered. The characters are cast perfectly, and I could easily see them in this book. I rarely find a book where the main characters aren't described at all, but this was one of them, and it was done so well. There's great bisexual/lesbian and non-binary representation in the story, and I am definitely planning to read the other books in the series.
I really enjoyed this book. I flew through it and struggled to put it down, even to do typical activities, like making dinner. The writing felt natural and flowed beautifully. The action held my attention, but the characters are really what made this book. The complex interactions between all of the characters, especially Villanelle and Eve, who finally made the jump into ... dating!
In addition, the psychology aspect of this book was absolutely fascinating. Just reading about Villanelle; her motivation, emotions, and how she relates to other people was a revelation - she doesn't make any bones about being a psychopath, and neither does anyone else. But what I didn't see coming was the intricacy in her relationships with the people around her. I don't know how the other books are, but Villanelle becomes a three-dimensional character so easily in this book. Eve evolves a great deal in this book too. It was refreshing to see her step out of her comfort zone, regardless of the outcome. I couldn't ever really predict what was going to happen, and from what I gathered, neither did the majority of the characters.
I haven't read the previous books in the series, having had no idea that it was even a book series, but I have enjoyed the show since I stumbled upon it shortly after it premiered. The characters are cast perfectly, and I could easily see them in this book. I rarely find a book where the main characters aren't described at all, but this was one of them, and it was done so well. There's great bisexual/lesbian and non-binary representation in the story, and I am definitely planning to read the other books in the series.
November 15, 2020
1/5 stars.
I was a big fan of the first two "Killing Eve" novels: I truly enjoyed them. However, this one was horrible.
First of all, the story itself is boring: maybe also because the narrator this time is only Eve. In general, I didn't find the thriller and the amazingness of the first two volumes. It was just so flat and boring. Most of the time, it felt like I was reading a lesbian drama kinda book. )Another thing: what's all this with lesbian erotica? It was so weird to read because it was so clearly written by a man.) All the plot seems to revolve around Eve being jealous, Eve being worried for Villanelle loving her. I mean, dude??????? WAKE THE FUCK UP!
Secondly, the non-binary representation was just bad. I'm not non-binary however I felt so uncomfortable reading all the scenes where it was discussed. It seems like the author just wanted to check a box of representation which is so bad! If you want to represent someone, a gender identity, a sexuality, a mental disorder (BECAUSE ALSO THAT WAS NOT DONE VERY WELL EITHER), or a minority in general, you need to work on it.
In this book, there is a cliché that I personally hate: the savior of the mental illness. I believe people can help people with mental illnesses, but can they "change" them? Most of all, can someone change someone else with psychopathy? That's a very bold statement. Yeah. Very irrealistic too.
Finally, the ending was SO FUCKING BAD. Predictable since the beginning and so happy ending. EW.
I was a big fan of the first two "Killing Eve" novels: I truly enjoyed them. However, this one was horrible.
First of all, the story itself is boring: maybe also because the narrator this time is only Eve. In general, I didn't find the thriller and the amazingness of the first two volumes. It was just so flat and boring. Most of the time, it felt like I was reading a lesbian drama kinda book. )Another thing: what's all this with lesbian erotica? It was so weird to read because it was so clearly written by a man.) All the plot seems to revolve around Eve being jealous, Eve being worried for Villanelle loving her. I mean, dude??????? WAKE THE FUCK UP!
Secondly, the non-binary representation was just bad. I'm not non-binary however I felt so uncomfortable reading all the scenes where it was discussed. It seems like the author just wanted to check a box of representation which is so bad! If you want to represent someone, a gender identity, a sexuality, a mental disorder (BECAUSE ALSO THAT WAS NOT DONE VERY WELL EITHER), or a minority in general, you need to work on it.
In this book, there is a cliché that I personally hate: the savior of the mental illness. I believe people can help people with mental illnesses, but can they "change" them? Most of all, can someone change someone else with psychopathy? That's a very bold statement. Yeah. Very irrealistic too.
Finally, the ending was SO FUCKING BAD. Predictable since the beginning and so happy ending. EW.
December 28, 2022
i really needed this after the killing eve finale (fuck you laura neal) bc this is everything i ever wanted for eve and villanelle. admittedly the first person pov change was a little weird to adjust to but i think i understand the decision behind it now, and i like it. the plot was engaging and the dialogue is SO funny, and i just like watching eve and villanelle banter and get to be soft and hard in all the right ways. they're just so entertaining, and the rest of the supporting cast are shifty and untrustworthy, and keep you on your toes constantly. this book feels like fanfiction, which i mean in the best way. it feels a lot less plot-heavy than the previous two books, we get a lot more villaneve relationship content, they're toxic weird little freaks and i love it. i had so much fun with this series.
May 10, 2023
reads like a shitty fanfic but I'm here for it
November 27, 2023
❝ Kartais pričiumpu ją stebinčią mane tomis jūros pilkumo akimis ir besistengiančią įžvelgti mano emocijas. Tos pastangos veria man širdį. Negaliu nė įsivaizduoti, kaip liūdna gyventi prispaudus nosį prie stiklo, skiriančio tave nuo kitų žmonių. Amžinai šalti lauke ir bandyti įžiūrėti, kas vyksta viduje.
Priversiu ją pajusti mano meilę, net jeigu tai mane ir nužudys.
Priversiu ją pajusti mano meilę, net jeigu tai mane ir nužudys.
August 17, 2020
I have quite enjoyed this series and this was an okay closer, but it was nowhere near the level of book two, and didn't have any of the high points, like Villanelle exploding that guy's dildo, or any of the nice down to earth touches, like Eve and Nico keeping goats in their terraced house.
I had to suspend my disbelief way up in the sky for this book. Nothing rational or remotely ordinary follows Eve to Russia. She is completely immersed in the "shadow world" from page one. And she's unrecognisable as that savvy government agent who had a (mostly) innocent crush. Eve and Oxana are having sex from the get-go. I know Eve's marriage was failing, and she was in a high pressure situation, but I can't empathise with someone who abandons their husband without a backward glance. She barely thinks of him this entire book, in fact, he's brought up almost exclusively by the other characters.
Eve is really hard to relate to as a first person narrator because I can't help but think of her as a worse person than Oxana. Oxana was groomed to be an assassin from a very young age, and is a clinical psychopath, so she can't care that what she does is bad or wrong. But Eve chooses to follow her into the shadow world, and isn't exactly there as a bystander.
I do really feel sympathy for authors whose work is completely eclipsed by a movie or TV adaptation, but I really don't know who looked at the content of these books and managed to turn it into the feminist sensation that it is and I only felt that more strongly as I progressed further in. This book, worst of the three, is an incredibly misogynist portrayal of women and how they interact with each other. The insertion of a non-binary character made me very uncomfortable because the only time it ever came up was for other characters to deliberately disregard their pronouns and chosen name, so in effect, the author was making fun of them too?
I did enjoy this book, as I have enjoyed all three of them, but its very hard to pinpoint what was good about it. There are a lot of problems that should have been weeded out long before it went to print, but overall all it was good wrap-up of the trilogy and answered most of the outstanding questions, I think. Eve and Villanelle are an epic love story, modern day star-crossed lovers, even if the finer details actually kind of suck.
I had to suspend my disbelief way up in the sky for this book. Nothing rational or remotely ordinary follows Eve to Russia. She is completely immersed in the "shadow world" from page one. And she's unrecognisable as that savvy government agent who had a (mostly) innocent crush. Eve and Oxana are having sex from the get-go. I know Eve's marriage was failing, and she was in a high pressure situation, but I can't empathise with someone who abandons their husband without a backward glance. She barely thinks of him this entire book, in fact, he's brought up almost exclusively by the other characters.
Eve is really hard to relate to as a first person narrator because I can't help but think of her as a worse person than Oxana. Oxana was groomed to be an assassin from a very young age, and is a clinical psychopath, so she can't care that what she does is bad or wrong. But Eve chooses to follow her into the shadow world, and isn't exactly there as a bystander.
I do really feel sympathy for authors whose work is completely eclipsed by a movie or TV adaptation, but I really don't know who looked at the content of these books and managed to turn it into the feminist sensation that it is and I only felt that more strongly as I progressed further in. This book, worst of the three, is an incredibly misogynist portrayal of women and how they interact with each other. The insertion of a non-binary character made me very uncomfortable because the only time it ever came up was for other characters to deliberately disregard their pronouns and chosen name, so in effect, the author was making fun of them too?
I did enjoy this book, as I have enjoyed all three of them, but its very hard to pinpoint what was good about it. There are a lot of problems that should have been weeded out long before it went to print, but overall all it was good wrap-up of the trilogy and answered most of the outstanding questions, I think. Eve and Villanelle are an epic love story, modern day star-crossed lovers, even if the finer details actually kind of suck.
October 12, 2021
El final de la serie de Killing Eve hace, la verdad, honor al resto de la serie. Mantiene la tensión y los giros sorprendentes y consigue un final algo similar a feliz. Al menos para ciertas definiciones de feliz. El autor cambia la voz a la primera persona por razones que no termino de entender, y a historia es narrada sólo desde el punto de vista de Eve, quizá porque a fin de cuentas Eve y Villanelle están juntas todo o casi todo el tiempo.
Es una serie amena que he leído de unas pocas sentadas y la verdad es que me ha satisfecho y la recomiendo. Pero no tendrá 5 estrellas, no sólo porque no es una obra que te cambie la vida sino porque...
Pero en fin, que es una serie redonda y que al menos tiene un inicio, un desarrollo y un final muy en condiciones.
Es una serie amena que he leído de unas pocas sentadas y la verdad es que me ha satisfecho y la recomiendo. Pero no tendrá 5 estrellas, no sólo porque no es una obra que te cambie la vida sino porque...
Pero en fin, que es una serie redonda y que al menos tiene un inicio, un desarrollo y un final muy en condiciones.
April 8, 2025
„Jis neria į šalį, ištiesusi ranką pro Vilanelę atšaunu vartų sklendę. Ji prasibrauna lauk, iš paskos ištempia ir mane, bet koja kryptelėjusi ant ledinės žemės sunkiai žnekteliu tiesiai ant klubo. Mėginu atsistoti, bet kulkšnis iš skausmo tiesiog dega.“ (Jennings, 2023, p. 41)
Ech, gaila, bet trečioji dalis man pasirodė silpniausia šios serijos grandis. Turėjau lūkesčių, kurių, deja, nepateisino. Aišku, paskutiniosios knygos šlamštu tikrai nepavadinčiau, bet galėjo būti geriau arba galėjo nebūti visai.
Aš niekaip nesugebėjau perprogramuoti savo smegenų, sunkiai sekėsi priimti pasakojimą pirmuoju asmeniu, kai prieš tai į veiksmą žvelgiau iš šono. Man pasirodė mažų mažiausiai keistas toks autoriaus sprendimas, nesupratau, ką tai turėjo duoti šiai istorijai. Tiesą sakant, jaučiausi atitolusi, tarsi skaityčiau jokiai serijai nepriklausančią knygą.
Ankstesnėse dalyse mane žavėjo pagrindinės veikėjos. Abi. Nepaisant to, jog viena jų yra neprilygstama žudikė, kuri jaučia keistą malonumą atlikdama savo darbą. Tai prikaustė mano dėmesį. Eva taip pat niekuo nenusileido – stipri, išskirtinai protinga ir savaip sukta. O štai čia viskas lyg apsivertė ir to žavesio tiesiog nebeliko. Viena išskydo, kita – virto daugiau sociopate nei talentinga žudike.
Trečioji dalis turėjo nemažai potencialo pritraukti. Ypač tuos, kuriems buvo įdomu sekti šių dviejų moterų santykį. Tačiau, mano galva, personažai per daug pasikeitė ir per staigiai. Suprantu, kad jas lydėjo išskirtinai sunkios aplinkybės, tačiau virsmas man pasirodė itin neorganiškas.
Negaliu sakyti, jog šioje dalyje nėra dinamiško veiksmo, šiek tiek intrigos bei įtampos. Pabaiga irgi faina. Bet vertinant bendrą vaizdą – meh, kažko pritrūko. Jei jau pradėjote seriją, rekomenduoju užbaigti. Tik nesitikėkite kažko itin daug ir priimkite tekstą tokį, koks jis yra.
Ech, gaila, bet trečioji dalis man pasirodė silpniausia šios serijos grandis. Turėjau lūkesčių, kurių, deja, nepateisino. Aišku, paskutiniosios knygos šlamštu tikrai nepavadinčiau, bet galėjo būti geriau arba galėjo nebūti visai.
Aš niekaip nesugebėjau perprogramuoti savo smegenų, sunkiai sekėsi priimti pasakojimą pirmuoju asmeniu, kai prieš tai į veiksmą žvelgiau iš šono. Man pasirodė mažų mažiausiai keistas toks autoriaus sprendimas, nesupratau, ką tai turėjo duoti šiai istorijai. Tiesą sakant, jaučiausi atitolusi, tarsi skaityčiau jokiai serijai nepriklausančią knygą.
Ankstesnėse dalyse mane žavėjo pagrindinės veikėjos. Abi. Nepaisant to, jog viena jų yra neprilygstama žudikė, kuri jaučia keistą malonumą atlikdama savo darbą. Tai prikaustė mano dėmesį. Eva taip pat niekuo nenusileido – stipri, išskirtinai protinga ir savaip sukta. O štai čia viskas lyg apsivertė ir to žavesio tiesiog nebeliko. Viena išskydo, kita – virto daugiau sociopate nei talentinga žudike.
Trečioji dalis turėjo nemažai potencialo pritraukti. Ypač tuos, kuriems buvo įdomu sekti šių dviejų moterų santykį. Tačiau, mano galva, personažai per daug pasikeitė ir per staigiai. Suprantu, kad jas lydėjo išskirtinai sunkios aplinkybės, tačiau virsmas man pasirodė itin neorganiškas.
Negaliu sakyti, jog šioje dalyje nėra dinamiško veiksmo, šiek tiek intrigos bei įtampos. Pabaiga irgi faina. Bet vertinant bendrą vaizdą – meh, kažko pritrūko. Jei jau pradėjote seriją, rekomenduoju užbaigti. Tik nesitikėkite kažko itin daug ir priimkite tekstą tokį, koks jis yra.
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