The Operator

By: Kim Harrison

Narrated by: January LaVoy

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.

A little better than the first

I had a difficult time liking the first book in this new series and only tried this second installment because I loved Harrison's previous series. Though I like the basic idea of drafting that underpins the new series, I don't much care for the actual story lines or the main characters.

In this follow up Peri is a bit more sympathetic and likeable, but I do get really sick of her rhapsodizing about how much she loves/misses expensive cars and clothes and such. And an adrenaline addiction isn't inherently more interesting than any other addiction just because it includes car chases and fight scenes. There needs to be more substance to this chronicle.

With the introduction of LB and his crew, this story became a bit more interesting, but most of the secondary characters are pretty flat, frequently inconsistent, or very predictable. I find almost every male character (except LB) simply annoying, even Silas who is supposed to be the most sympathetic (I think...).

Nevertheless I'm willing to try one more book before I give up. I'm still hoping for a more interesting direction than factions fighting over who will catch and use Peri as a resource. That is such an old tired story played out in comic books, tv shows, and movies constantly. And since it is the only thing actually happening so far, it feels abusive to both Peri and to Ms. Harrison's readers.

Good Story That Is Getting Overly Complicated

First of, yes, I did enjoy this book. But I can't help compare it to the Hallows books that Kim is famous for before this.

When you think about it, it's a pretty similar sort of setup. A former "spook" defects and is on the run from seemingly everyone. What I like about it is the characters. What I don't like about it is that Perry's life, just like Rachael's, is getting more and more complex and generally going down a spiral. To me that is just not a good formula, and is why I eventually stopped reading the Hallows before that series concluded.

Another book that this is very comparable to is "The Chemist", which I consider a far more satisfying story with a very similar setup and theme. The main difference is that The Chemist has a much tighter plot and also a much more satisfying resolution.

Anyway, if you enjoyed the first book in this series, and Kim's other works, you are sure to like this one too, flaws and all.

Story is Hard to follow

I really enjoyed Kim Harrison's Hollows series but Peri Reed is just a little hard to follow.

Not my fav

Peri is not a likable character in this book, not something that I was aware of in the others; maybe I'm picking up on her struggle to figure herself out but it made for a frustrating listen. If the series continues I hope she is a bit less insipid

Gonna be startin somethin!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Operator to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version but I would have put it down and come back to it if it wasn't for the fact that I did have audio book

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Peri. She has now moved from 60% bad azz to about 80%. It irks me she is always telling herself that she'll remember something and then doesn't. There are so many agents that are jealous of her but they aren't hearing her when she says she wants out.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when she programs Michael's access to her vehicle! LOL

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Unfortunately, I have to stop comparing it to the Hollows series; this book is better than the first. I was panting for the witch/vampires...but this series is growing on me.