Harlan Coben's Shelter

Hmmm just started to watch the first 3 episodes so far I like it. It's interesting. I like all the characters. Again mind you. I have never read the novel so I really didn't know what this was about until recently.

I do like the entire cast my favorite would be the most know. Of all actors which is Constance Zimmer even though. Kristoffer Polaha was in the first episode and I really liked him. Anyhow I am looking forward. To seeing more episodes and seeing how this unfolds. I really like it. I would definitely recommend anyone that wants to spend a couple of hours entertained.

Kind of reminded me of the Goonies the way they stick together....

I'm trying to write this without spoilers.

The first two episodes are great, a captivating fast moving thriller with plenty of action and appealing characters.

Then episode three gives us a warning of what is to come as it starts to go off on a couple of weird tangents.

By episode 4 the writers had evidently lost inspiration and started writing random we have a load of boring filler.

It is hard to work out what went wrong. Were the writers left unsupervised? Were the first two episodes just to trick viewers into watching what they actually wanted to write?

Whatever happened, end result had us reaching for our phones.

Harlan Coben is a fabulous writer with really interesting characters and great stories. I've read all his books about Myron Bolitor and his nephew Micky Bolitor, including the books upon which this series is based but I don't recall any ascerbic aunt! Where's Myron?? What the hell? I am Halfway through episode 1 and I just can't do it. Sigh. I have such high hopes when my favourite authors get their books made into movies or television series and, inevitably, such disappointment when I watch. I'll stick to the books. (I cannot watch Tom Cruise play Jack Reacher either.). It's probably a good show, based on other reviews, but it's not for me.

Really enjoying this show. Usually I get lost with Harlen Coben's series but this one I can follow. Maybe because I'm actually watching it and not on my phone. Trust me you DO NOT want to be distracted during this show. Something big happens in every scene, and the series moves very fast. The acting is great, with lots of fun characters. (The nerdy kid with glasses is really funny, and all the main actors are very good.) Can't wait to see what future episodes bring! If you want more, hey, hit pause and Amazon will even sell you the book! I have to write 600 characters so here you go Internet Movie Database.

It's refreshing to watch a show that isn't super popular with a zillion raving reviews and spammed as a meme online.

I am aware of this author and his work and I'm also aware of the Young Adult novel this is based off of. And yes, the novel and show are different. For one, at least the show attempts to portray teenagers as they are. Yes, 16 year olds curse like sailors, talk about and have sex. Rebellious and aloof.

I prefer the show version of Mickey than the book. It's strongly apparent that book Mickey sounds nor behaves ABSOLUTELY NOTHING like a teenager.

Book Mickey sounds and acts like a former 15 year old FBI agent who stands a freakish 6' 8" tall who retired into high school to play basketball. This is solely because he has been written by a mid age man. This isn't too much of a dealbreaker.

The show has taken some creative liberties of changing up the characters, and including new dynamics that weren't present in the book. Some viewers have taken issue that Mickey isn't portrayed as he was in the books, albeit, he very much is. The only difference is that the actor playing him is mixed race, and I actually lol-ed when one review went something along the lines of "so much for Mickey earning the respect of his fellow pickup ball players in Newark 🙄." Gee, I didn't know being white was a vital trait for this aspect to work.

Other than that, Ema is an overweight goth in the books but that's changed in the show. There're also elements of LGBTQ rep in the show that wasn't present in the books.

As for the show itself, it's good. If you go in expecting SUCCESSION or some other critically acclaimed film, you're going of be disappointed. Adjust your expectations and you'll enjoy this show. It's magical realism with a hefty dose of Scooby Doo. It's corny and wildly unbelievable, just like the books they're based off of.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.