Savages

A Novel

By: Don Winslow

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Part-time environmentalist and philanthropist Ben and his ex-mercenary buddy Chon run an independent Laguna Beach–based marijuana operation, reaping significant profits from an established clientele. But they may have come up against something that they can't handle---the Mexican Baja Cartel wants in, and saying no is unacceptable. When they refuse to back down, the cartel kidnaps Ophelia, the boys' playmate and confidante. O's abduction sets off a dizzying array of ingenious negotiations and gripping plot twists that will captivate listeners eager to learn the costs of freedom and the price of an amazing high.©2010 Samburu, Inc. (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A spellbinding, tour de force that is utterly impossible to put down. Savages is, bar none, the finest novel I have read in years." (Christopher Reich, author of Rules of Deception)

I can't stand the narrator

I'm returning this one. the tone of the narrator is so bad. he's trying to sound cool or something, but it just comes across in a DB way.

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"

Meets the "Real Housewives of Orange County". I agree that the characters were not very likable or well developed, but they had their own unique appeal. The novel brings to mind the first time I saw that "reality" TV show. The characters are so awful you just cannot look away. It is fun to peek into something foreign and so far removed from most of our realities. I stuck with the book unlike the TV show. A much more enjoyable way to spend some time. I loved Winslow's pace and his prose.

I preferred the sequal

excellent novel which as expected was better than the film adaptation. overall though I must say it came across as more shallow than the prequel or Mr. Winslow's Cartel novels.

It was just OK

I love Don Winslow and really liked the prequel ‘Kings of Cool’, but for me ‘Savages’ just didn’t deliver. I felt as a stand alone book it didn’t give enough background on how they go to where they were, and there wasn’t much character development or suspenseful moments (in the first 60% or so of the book). As always the writing is good, but overall it was a bit disappointing from what I’m used to.

The narrator didn't do a great job with the various characters especially the female ones. Again vs. the first book it just fell short.

Story and Narrator Were Made For Eachother

I thought I had a favourite narrator before this book...now I'm torn. I'm almost scared to listen to other books he's done because this book was so perfect for his voice.
The book was so real and raw, the movie was close but not half as good.
I started recommending it when I was only an hour in.