Set in New York and Paris amid the glamorous and competitive worlds of art and real estate, Scorpio Rising takes the reader from the late 1940s to the 1960s through the tumultuous lives of its heroes.
There is Alex Ivanov, the son of a Russian immigrant and part-time prostitute. He yearns to escape his sordid life and achieve fame and fortune. His dreams of becoming a world-class builder are met with countless obstacles, yet he perseveres in the hope of someday receiving the recognition he craves.
Half a world away, Brigitte Dartois is an abused teenager who runs into the arms of a benefactor with an agenda all his own. When she finds out that her boss has an ulterior motive, she flees again, determined to earn her living through her art. This career brings her fame, but also the unwanted attention of her early abuser.
Monique Domovitch’s debut novel, Scorpio Rising, is a compelling tale filled with finely etched characters and a superb understanding of the power of ambition. Scorpio Rising promises to resonate with all who once had a dream.
This scrumptious blend of cultures and times formed an engrossing read!
Scorpio Rising begins with a brief glimpse into Alex Ivanov's life. He is the son of a Russian immigrant and prostitute who grew up outside of Manhattan, New York. Needless to say, he was never handed anything in life; he constantly had to pick and save for everything that he acquired, which made him tough. As time progressed, Alex learned that he wanted to be the absolute best at whatever he chose to do. He wanted to command respect from any person he came across, and wouldn't settle for anything less than that.
Brigitte Dartois' life is no walk in the park either. She, on the other hand, grew up in Paris to a jealous mother and a loving father. When said father passes away at thirteen, Brigitte feels disheartened when her mother quickly remarries. Her life becomes even more desperate when her new step-father starts to rape and threaten her behind her mother's back. One day, her mother discovers her husband in bed with her daughter and quickly chooses his side, ultimately kicking her daughter out on the streets with absolutely nothing.
Although Alex and Brigitte's lives have been extremely rocky since birth, neither of them will except their fates lying down. They both achieved the drive and determination that can take a person far in whatever they choose to do. So what happens when these two power beings come across one another...
What I liked about this book:
Scorpio Rising begins with a brief glimpse into Alex Ivanov's life. He is the son of a Russian immigrant and prostitute who grew up outside of Manhattan, New York. Needless to say, he was never handed anything in life; he constantly had to pick and save for everything that he acquired, which made him tough. As time progressed, Alex learned that he wanted to be the absolute best at whatever he chose to do. He wanted to command respect from any person he came across, and wouldn't settle for anything less than that.
Brigitte Dartois' life is no walk in the park either. She, on the other hand, grew up in Paris to a jealous mother and a loving father. When said father passes away at thirteen, Brigitte feels disheartened when her mother quickly remarries. Her life becomes even more desperate when her new step-father starts to rape and threaten her behind her mother's back. One day, her mother discovers her husband in bed with her daughter and quickly chooses his side, ultimately kicking her daughter out on the streets with absolutely nothing.
Although Alex and Brigitte's lives have been extremely rocky since birth, neither of them will except their fates lying down. They both achieved the drive and determination that can take a person far in whatever they choose to do. So what happens when these two power beings come across one another...
What I liked about this book:
The
different cultures, the flow of the plot, and the passion from the
characters all made this novel stand out to me! It was easy to become
engaged once you started reading it, which is a necessity for people
like me who have short attention spans.
Also, I think what stuck with me the most was Alex and Brigitte's desperation. They had both suffered from completely tragic lifestyles that can utterly break a person, but it seemed like they would use that to fuel their passion to succeed.
What I disliked about this book:
Also, I think what stuck with me the most was Alex and Brigitte's desperation. They had both suffered from completely tragic lifestyles that can utterly break a person, but it seemed like they would use that to fuel their passion to succeed.
What I disliked about this book:
There wasn't a
particular thing I disliked about this book. I will say that there are
some casual sexual descriptions in this novel that may not be for
everyone, so read at your own discretion.
Verdict:
Verdict:
This book left off with a huge cliffhanger, so I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
4 TARGETS!
I hadn't heard of this one before. Thanks for the review! :D
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