Helpful Score: 4
This book in no way resembles a typical novel. Instead, its staccato prose and constant action from ironic characters make it read like a movie script, a good one.
Severance package is not for the squeamish. There's a significant body count by book's end. But some of these characters, you REALLY wanted them to die.
(Yes, I'm often inured to violence - even the sick, twisted and gory violence in this book -- because of a cable tv childhood.)
It's simply a fantastic story by one of my new favorite writers.
Severance package is not for the squeamish. There's a significant body count by book's end. But some of these characters, you REALLY wanted them to die.
(Yes, I'm often inured to violence - even the sick, twisted and gory violence in this book -- because of a cable tv childhood.)
It's simply a fantastic story by one of my new favorite writers.
Helpful Score: 2
Brutal. Violent. Relentless. Fun. This could be easily be a four-word review, as these particular words go a long way in preparing you for Bill Swierczynski third novel, out on the heels of The Blonde. Severance Package does a wonderful job of combining corporate office politics and the deadly world of nothing-is-as-it-seems espionage, raising the question of exactly which profession is more ruthless, cut throat, and soullessly ambitious. One would be tempting to describe it as a cross between The Office and Three Days of the Condor, but that would barely be doing it justice.
Bill Swierczynskis writing style has one major asset that many authors tend to overlook these days: brevity. His descriptions are colorful and informative, yet they arent weighed down by their own poetic license. Characters and locations are set up and knocked down as quickly and efficiently as dominoes, without ever leaving the reader confused or unsatisfied.
Even the story itself, which takes place in the time frame of a few hours, is tight and compact, with all of the action and suspense layered delicately from beginning to end. Swierczynskis storytelling style is as quick and hard hitting as a lead sap to the temple.
The comic book reminiscent illustrations scattered throughout the book are interesting and fun, even though some might find them a little distracting. Of course, considering that Swierczynski authored the Cable series for Marvel Comics, and is currently helming a six issue run of The Punisher in Garth Ennis absence, the presence of the silhouette artwork is understandable.
If you like your novels short, sweet, and chock full of balls-to-the-wall action, you should definitely not pass this one up. Just dont forget to punch in.
Bill Swierczynskis writing style has one major asset that many authors tend to overlook these days: brevity. His descriptions are colorful and informative, yet they arent weighed down by their own poetic license. Characters and locations are set up and knocked down as quickly and efficiently as dominoes, without ever leaving the reader confused or unsatisfied.
Even the story itself, which takes place in the time frame of a few hours, is tight and compact, with all of the action and suspense layered delicately from beginning to end. Swierczynskis storytelling style is as quick and hard hitting as a lead sap to the temple.
The comic book reminiscent illustrations scattered throughout the book are interesting and fun, even though some might find them a little distracting. Of course, considering that Swierczynski authored the Cable series for Marvel Comics, and is currently helming a six issue run of The Punisher in Garth Ennis absence, the presence of the silhouette artwork is understandable.
If you like your novels short, sweet, and chock full of balls-to-the-wall action, you should definitely not pass this one up. Just dont forget to punch in.
Helpful Score: 1
Seven employees of a financial company are called to work for a special Saturday meeting. When they arrive, they learn that their employer plans to end their lives as well as their careers. If they choose to not drink poisoned mimosas, he plans to shoot them all. The underlings fight back, but that may not be enough as their boss has disabled the elevators and rigged the stairways with sarin gas. Whoever is in charge is determined that no one will leave the building alive, and has enlisted the help of an office worker turned assassin to kill everyone on the employee roster.
Severance Package is like Kill Bill meets Alias. It is full of shifting allegiances, secret identities, and shady organizations that may or may not be working for the government. The plot is quick as most of the book is action: very violent action. Tarantino fans will love this slick and violent thriller.
Severance Package is like Kill Bill meets Alias. It is full of shifting allegiances, secret identities, and shady organizations that may or may not be working for the government. The plot is quick as most of the book is action: very violent action. Tarantino fans will love this slick and violent thriller.
This book is the exact literary equivalent of a mediocre horror movie. The setup is totally unrealistic, which hardly matters, since it's the gore that counts. The antagonist is a psychotic and ruthless killer with more lives than a cat. Pretty much every single character absorbs implausible amounts of damage without dying or going into shock. Various office supplies are used as weapons. Fairly predictable plot twists.
If you're into a blood-soaked action fantasy that's obviously fated to become a major motion picture, it's fast-paced and satisfyingly gory. Otherwise, give it a miss.
If you're into a blood-soaked action fantasy that's obviously fated to become a major motion picture, it's fast-paced and satisfyingly gory. Otherwise, give it a miss.
Severance Package is pretty much pure violence. There's no plot or point to the story other then killing from every characters possible. Although the fight scenes (and just about every other scene as well) are not very engaging, possibly because such violence doesn't translate to paper as well as it does on the big screen. One of the reviews on the back of the book states that it has "close-quarters Bourne-style mayhem," but it's not anywhere near the level of the Bourne trilogy. It is also very predictable, especially the ending, and few of it's twists are at all surprising. Overall, if you like violent stories and are looking for something easy to read when you're bored, this book will be fine for that. It's not horrible, it's just not that good.
Sweet. Good and gory!
Fast paced and lots of action. Just for entertainment!
