Bookish Chat: The Chemist

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
Narrator: Ellen Archer
Published by Little Brown and Company on November 8, 2016
Length: 17 hours 1 minute
Genres: Espionage, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 512
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads

She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn't even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning.

Now she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They've killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon.

When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it's her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous.

Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of.

 

Welcome to another edition of Julie and Lynn read the same book and chat about it. This time, we read The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer. Both of us were excited at the prospect of a new book by a favorite author. Read on for our thoughts.

 

     Ok so, The Chemist. Was it what we were expecting?

  I didn’t really have any expectations going in. I don’t think I even read the description. Was more intrigued by a new Stephenie Meyer book.

  you?

     It was definitely different than her previous work, and that shows how versatile she is. I did expect to be addicted, like with Twilight, but The Host was different and this was different still. But same, saw that Stephenie Meyer has a new book, and that meant I had to get it.

  I’d have to agree with the versatility. I remember reading The Host and missing the Cullen’s. Not so here. I didn’t even think about them. The characters and plot were completely different from Twilight.

     Yes. Completely. All her characters are unique and have some interesting quirks, whether fantastical or realistic.

  And I think we could call these characters realistic.

  What did you think of the whole action\thriller genre? I know that’s not usually your thing.

  I loved how the book was dedicated to Jason Bourne and Alex Cross [Editor’s Note: Alex totally stole my What Books Taught Us idea!]

 Definitely not my usual cuppa, but gotta read outside your comfort zone, right? I did like it, overall. Though those torture scenes, uck.

  At least toward the end it wasn’t as descriptive as the earlier scenes that were slower and less chaotic.

  yes – those torture scenes were definitely ick. The one at the end, with the messy guy and the toe. For me was pretty gross.

  And yes – I agree. Sometimes you do need to read outside of your comfort zone.

  Yea the toe I could have done without.

  Did you like the characters the entire time? I found that Alex or whoever she was at the moment, she grew on me, but I didn’t like her at first. Kevin I hated at first, then started to laugh at. Danny was always a good one.

  and the new use for bolt cutters I learned. definitely could have done without that as well.

  and for me, I found Danny boring and Kevin interesting. I loved when he jumped in to save Danny.

  But I did like Alex from the beginning. Using her skills to stay alive while on the run.

     I thought the whole opposite twins thing was quite interesting. But at the beginning I thought it took a lot of time to go into all the stuff Alex had to go through on the run. So many details about traps and such.

  I agree with the opposite twin thing. I was kind of wondering what the point of that was. When it made that appearance at the end, everything made sense!

  And I can see your point. The whole “comfort” gas mask is odd. And sleeping in the bathtub for safety

   I did like that. Cause I was wondering why she would even introduce such a weird topic.

   Yea it was good to see her come out of her “comfort” extra paranoid state with Daniel.

  right? that was kind of obscure.

  At the beginning, Alex was making ME paranoid!

   Haha yea! Maybe that’s why it took a while for me to get into the story. Not until the 3 of them met up.

  that was one of the aspects of the book I was impressed with. I really felt her fear and paranoia

   Yes, that’s proof of Stephenie Meyer’s skills right there.

  agreed.

  Definitely curious what other genre she will tackle. But want more paranormal stuff from her too.

  I agree. I think she does really well with the paranormal.

  Should we talk about the dogs, too? I’m not really a dog person. But even I was feeling for the dogs.

  I really want to know what happened to the dogs!

  Well we know the big beastie Great Dane was given to the neighboring dog people, or at least that was the plan Kev had. Maybe the other dogs went there too? But Lola, was she abandoned at that vet?

  And Einstein? is the coolest dog ever.

  I want to think they went back and picked up Lola, Kahn, and all of the other dogs. But yes, Einstein is the best dog.

  The fact that Einstein led the escape? That was great. I would have never thought of that.

  The epilogue missed that important point

  Oh yea, that was a brilliant escape plan.

  I want to know how long it took to train that haha

  RIGHT? Very true. At least a bark or two to tell us they are ok!

  Yes – that’s some serious training. I think Einstein could have paddled that boat himself if he needed to.

  Haha, but yes, very intelligent dog.

  I also appreciated how Kevin had back up plans. All over the country. That takes some serious planning that I can get behind.

  Kevin and Alex had that in common. Paranoia, but for good reasons. Or is it really paranoia when you’re really in danger?

  I don’t know. Maybe it’s not paranoia when you are actually in danger.

  And I think that’s one of the reasons I liked Kevin. He was a total jerk at the beginning. But he was really out to protect everyone.

  At least out to protect Daniel, at first. Then he expanded his liability circle ha

  true.

  I love that whole liability circle aspect. That was great. They unlikely team up

  That’s what made it interesting, an unlikely partnership turned into something really awesome.

  What did you think of the kidnapping at the end? I kind of saw that coming. But still, it made me uncomfortable knowing that Alex would resort to that.

  Very uncomfortable, but at least we knew she wouldn’t really hurt her. But it is sad to have things so wrong that you have to resort to that kind of plan.

  My thoughts exactly.

  I was glad though at the end when the bad guys all got their comeuppance. At least there was a satisfactory ending.

  Yes, even though they still didn’t feel completely safe even after that, they really did kick some major ass in the end.

  I can see still being a bit paranoid after all they went through

  Oh – and I’m glad they are all having a somewhat happily ever after. And that they are all together.

  How do you feel about the Danny and Alex relationship? Like how could Danny like someone who tortured him?

  That part always bothered me.

  Me too! But, he liked her before that. So maybe that first feeling was much stronger.

  He was too understanding though. Oh, I get it, you tortured me, but you were misled. Its all cool.

  yes – he did say he liked her from the beginning. And she was keeping him alive. But I think I would have had some trust issues with Alex. Especially when she’s booby-trapping every room around.

  Yea, at least for a while until things got better. He was defending her from the start.

  which might be one of the reasons I never really liked him. I prefer angry Kevin to complacent Danny

  Ha, ok I can definitely see that

  What about Kevin and Alex’s relationship? They finally compromise at the end and save everyone. Working together and figuring it all out.

  Theirs was most believable for that reason. They earned each others respect.

“This is weird, Ollie. I… well, I almost like you right now.”

“The feeling will pass.”

― Stephenie Meyer, The Chemist

  yes. I agree. I guess Danny was good for that. He got them to compromise and work together.

  And I like how they both put Danny first, even in the end he got the life he’d always wanted ha

  yes – I agree. The Danny liability. For both of them.

  what about the whole Stephenie Meyer\Twilight haters? I think she gets a bad rap. And I hope they give the Chemist a chance.

   I think this can appeal to a totally different audience and can help make the haters see what she can really do.

  me, too. I never really understood the Twilight hating. But this? It’s a completely different genre. And well written.

  Yes. The audio was quite well narrated too!

  agreed. the narrator did a good job. That always help like a book.

  Yep, great choice. Loved her voices for everyone, especially the calm, cool, evil torture voice for Alex lol

  yes. And how Kevin and Alex were close. But different.

  I’d have to say I am glad I read it, an author I trust, outside my comfort zone, good choice overall.

  agree on all of those. I’m glad we read it, too! That was a good idea you had!

  I think that wraps us up. Overall stars 4 for me. Close to 4 1/2, really.

  I’m more 3.5. Not quite 4 but almost.

  great.

 

Have you read The Chemist yet? What did you think?

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