ARC Review--The Operator by Kim Harrison

On-the-run ex-agent Peri Reed returns bigger and bolder than ever in this second highly-anticipated installment in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's new suspense trilogy, The Peri Reed Chronicles.

Peri Reed’s job eats her mind, but for a special task agent in hiding, forgetting the past can be a blessing.

Betrayed by the man she thought she loved and the agency who turned her into the very thing she fought against, Peri abandoned the wealth and privilege of Opti for anonymity riddled with memory gaps and self-doubt. But when a highly addictive drug promises to end her dependency on those who’d use her as a tool for their own success, she must choose to remain broken and vulnerable, or return to the above-the-law power and prestige she once left: strong but without will—for whoever holds her next fix, will hold her loyalty.

Yet even now as then, a love based on lies of omission might still save her life.

I received this eARC from the publisher via Edelweiss for a honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Kim Harrison returns to the Peri Reed Chronicles with The Operator and continues Peri’s journey as she tries to flee her enemies and a find a way to draft without losing her memories. Something that is next to impossible to accomplish. This series is definitely way different than Kim’s previous one and there’s zero supernatural or magical elements to it. But I find the whole writing time situation to be quite intriguing.

It’s been a year since the events of the first book, Peri has brought down Opti—to a point—and is living a nice, normal life. That is until Silas finds her to give her her journal back. Then Allen finds her to tell her Jack, who had previously been incarnated is now missing. And the CIA is involved and they want Peri to help find him. Basically wanting her to get back into the role she fought so hard to leave behind.

Add to that there’s a deranged and somewhat psychotic drafter named Michael who’s working for Bill who has it out for her. Bill is still trying to bring her back under his wing. And oh yes, there’s a dangerous new drug out there that is not only addicting, but can supposedly let you draft and remember what happened in both timelines.

So basically, a lot is going on! I once again have virtually no memory over the first book. Probably in part because the world is so different than my norm. It’s sometimes hard to focus on and figure out just what’s going on. This time, I didn’t have that same amount of confusion though, even though I can’t remember much at all of the first book. I was able to just roll with things and comprehended some of the science to this one rather well. Trying to explain said science in a spoiler free and comprehensive matter is another issue! LOL!

We do get multiple third person points of view in this one. Over the years, I’ve gotten used to pretty much all the usual routes of narration. Never really developed a favorite, but I just like to mention the narration type just to let you guys know how the story’s told. I must say I do enjoy getting inside the other characters’ heads! Seeing into the villains’ eyes is always a trip, because sometimes, they don’t really see themselves as a bad guy.

The pacing to this one was pretty good. It kind of had moments of slower pacing, but then burst with a few action scenes and then slowed back down. It was enough to keep me engaged because I was itching to see what would happen. This series is meant to be a trilogy, so at the same time I figured a HEA ending was not in Peri’s future, but there was still that wanting of hope for her!

There wasn’t much romance in this one. Take that as you will, though we do get some tantalizing moments between Peri and Silas, for as she reads her journal she is able to recall their past history. Which felt like a trip for me since I so couldn’t remember Silas much from the first book. Overloaded reader’s memory is a serious issue folks! LOL. But I liked seeing them care for one another. In a way it was like watching it all from the beginning.

The ending kind of left me with some questions. Things are wrapped up case wise, but as I said, this is a trilogy and all is not totally resolved. There are characters’ fates who remain unknown. And with how Bill hinted at one being not so honest, it has me wondering if we will see that character again. I kind of felt like we kept seeing this character a bit too often without really having said character involved. We shall just have to wait and see what the finale will bring, I guess!

I am a diehard Kim Harrison fan and I must say as a paranormal reader, I quite enjoyed her non-paranormal story here! The Operator is like the must see action/suspense flick of the year! It’s got a lot of secretiveness to it, engaging characters, sci-fi like elements involving rewriting time, and some sprinkles of romantic intrigue! Pretty much making it a must read, especially for Kim Harrison fans! And if you haven’t yet read this new series, I definitely recommend starting at the beginning!

 
Overall Rating 4/5 stars


The Operator releases November 22, 2016