Curiosity, and a good review from USA Today, prompted me to read Stephenie Meyer's The Chemist. “Alex,” aka “The Chemist,” is a former government employee that is on the run after her superiors decided she knew too much. Action, adventure, and romance ensue as she tries to survive.
Despite Meyer citing the Bourne books as inspiration, the book falls into the thriller/romance genre. Nothing about the content stood out as especially superior or inferior to similar books by Iris Johansen, Karen Robards, or Sandra Brown. What did stand out was the length. At 518 pages, it was at least 200 pages longer than it needed to be. A good editor could have easily resolved the problem. Like in her Twilight novels, Meyer also relies on unrealistic romantic relationships that perpetuate the myth of love at first sight. Overall, though, The Chemist is an easy, brainless read that is sufficiently entertaining.
Despite Meyer citing the Bourne books as inspiration, the book falls into the thriller/romance genre. Nothing about the content stood out as especially superior or inferior to similar books by Iris Johansen, Karen Robards, or Sandra Brown. What did stand out was the length. At 518 pages, it was at least 200 pages longer than it needed to be. A good editor could have easily resolved the problem. Like in her Twilight novels, Meyer also relies on unrealistic romantic relationships that perpetuate the myth of love at first sight. Overall, though, The Chemist is an easy, brainless read that is sufficiently entertaining.
