Still a worthy saga but not Winslow’s finest work.

Danny Ryan is a terrific character and the bones of the trilogy’s plot are still good, but this installment went way off the rails.

The whole Hollywood subplot just felt like filler and was an irritating and meaningless distraction from the bigger story, and most of it was so absurd that I found myself repeatedly rolling my eyes.

The ending of this book, too, is almost cringily ridiculous, complete with Danny on a goofy drug trip that makes it sound like Winslow has backslid into a lot of the silly drug bro stuff he used to write.

I’m also really tired of the fact that every female character either has a horrific backstory or dies or horribly or both. Suffice it to say that there is, essentially, one central female character left alive by the end of this book. Winslow does this a lot even in his better offerings, and it’s pretty gross to see women so consistently portrayed as nothing but victims. It’s an embarrassing flaw in the work of no small number of male authors in this genre, and Winslow is a pretty consistent offender in a way that makes me lose a lot of respect for him as a writer. Weird too because we know a lot about Winslow’s politics and this doesn’t seem to be who he is in real life at all. Sigh.

On the plus side, I think there’s still hope for this trilogy if it gets back on track plot-wise to something more akin to the first book. Danny is a great main character, and Winslow still writes great banter-y dialogue.

Another awesome Don Winslow book. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. This book picked up where book one finished and never missed a beat. Can’t wait for book three.
Thank you to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy

The tale of Danny Ryan continues. In the aftermath of the war at home, Danny moves his group of loyal followers to California.things do not get better for the group until they work with the Feds.
Danny falls in love but has to do an abrupt turn around to avoid more problems. They decide to move on to Las Vegas……hence the upcoming City if Ruins.
The only wish I have is that I didn’t have wait to see how this turns out. Entertaining storyline with nods to Hollywood and the Mob . I enjoyed it very much and recommend it.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me this ARC.

CITY OF DREAMS is the second in a trilogy by author Don Winslow and it would be a shame for a reader not to start at the beginning of this tale, with CITY ON FIRE. Don Winslow is an author not to be missed and his tales are well-written, engrossing and worth savoring. He specializes in stories about insular groups and the shifting loyalties and dynamics that roil the participants. In this book, survivors of a Mafia war in Baltimore, head west, attempting to lose themselves in the American Dream, Hollywood. The question is, whose vision of America is strongest, the Mafia’s or Hollywood’s? The set-up for the final book makes the waiting hard but worth it. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Danny Ryan is back and he's on the run to Hollywood with his three year old son and elderly father in tow. Propulsive, unputdownable, amazing characters: Don Winslow brings it all to the reading table in CITY OF DREAMS. You won't miss a beat as you transition from Book one, CITY ON FIRE. What's Danny up to? Everyone wants a piece of Danny: FBI, cops, mob bosses. As they all attempt to bring Danny down, buckle up and enjoy the ride as Winslow keeps us on the run, but informed.

City of Dreams continues the saga of the feuding Irish (the Murphys) and the Italians (the Morettis) in Providence, Rhode Island begun in Don Winslow’s City on Fire. The story follows Danny Ryan west to California with his son and father and a few of his loyal followers. There is a plethora of action including plots involving murders, thefts, family reconciliations, romance, Hollywood movie making and FBI investigations to name a few.

The reader is swept along with these story lines and is constantly rooting for Danny to be successful. The writing is compelling and this reader is anxiously awaiting the final chapter in this trilogy. I thank the author, NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.

Book #2 in the Danny Ryan trilogy did not disappoint. Plenty of plot twists and shocking developments throughout, right up until the final pages that left me wishing Book #3 was ready to go right away.

If you liked City on Fire, you will be very happy to keep going with City of Dreams.

ARC eBook Review – City of Dreams – Don Winslow
Author Don Winslow’s follow up to “City on Fire,” “City of Dreams” is another exciting and intense mobster thriller novel. I can’t wait for Book 3 to complete the crime thriller trilogy. Hold on to your seat because the body count in this tale is high, and the action is bountiful! Winslow crafts another fast moving, strong character development story that is imaginative and engrossing. From Providence, Rhode Island to Las, Vegas, Nevada, to Hollywood, California, the plot and storyline is engaging and appealing. The main character, Irish mobster, Danny Ryan, is a strong and captivating character. Readers can’t help but to like him and pull for him in this powerful and compelling gangster thriller. While the characters are plentiful but well developed, the narrative is easy to follow and keeps everything and everybody straight. Great flow, easy to read, and hard to put down, Winslow does a great job keeping the reader fully engaged in the story throughout the entirety of the book. Although City of Dreams, Book 2, can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first book, City on Fire to complement the soon to be trilogy. This was another very good read by author Don Winslow. Thank you to NetGalley, Don Winslow and William Morrow Books for the digital eBook advance reader’s copy for my honest review.

This is the second book in this trilogy and it does not disappoint,

City of Dreams picks up right where the first one leaves off and gives the reader a much predicted recap, The characters are just a complicated and conflicted, and the drama never ceases. This was a quick read for me. I love the characters, their stories and all the twists and turns.

Looking forward to book number 3!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this advance copy. #CityofDreams #Netgalley

Wow, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time. “City Of Dreams” is the second volume in Don Winslow trilogy about the Irish Mafia. Picking up from where “City on Fire”, the first volume in this very entertaining and gritty trilogy, Danny Ryan, the head of the Irish crime family has left his home in Providence Rhode Island after losing his battle with the Italian crime syndicate. He starts a journey across the country eventually ending up in California. After working out a deal that nets Danny a very substantial payday, he ends up in Los Angeles getting involved on a movie production about his adventures in Providence. You will meet many very memorable characters that you will not soon forget.

Don Winslow has written several books that grab you from the very beginning and will keep you awake late into the night reading. If you enjoyed books like “The Godfather”, this is a trilogy that you will love. 5 stars. Make sure, you put this on on your reading list

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an early release copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Don Winslows follow up in The City trilogy, City of Dreams, hits punishingly hard as you follow Danny Ryan to America’s west coast. Navigating life as an Irish crime boss who has chosen to do life his way, Ryan learns that your past is always around the next corner.

Ryan is a faithful and religious man, always choosing to do bad things the right way, no lives taken. Then the unthinkable happens, losing his own wife to cancer thinking life isn’t fair. He’s got people after him, the cops, feds, the Moretti’s. He’s also got an ass ton of heroin to move, but he makes one decision that is either the smartest thing he’s ever done, or the last thing he’s ever done.

With an 18-month-old toddler all on your own life must be tough, but even tougher when you are out of your comfort zone and attempting to lay low. Ryan ends up on the FBI’s radar as agent Reggie Moneta has a hard-on for tying him to the murder of fellow agent Phil Jardine, while an agent with the DEA has plans for a smash on a Mexican cartel stash house. With the help of his team, Ryan makes one of the biggest scores he’s ever heard of. While rekindling a relationship with his mother, Ryan begins dating one of Hollywood’s finest actresses and dodging hurdles left and right. Keeping his head on a swivel Ryan is up against some dangerous territory trying to stay alive.

Winslow rivetingly brings to life sensational characters in this emotionally rich and power-hungry adventure. He highlights the highs and lows of criminal life and those orbiting around them. Winslow transitions scenes from violent to refreshing with such ease, as the characters are putting another day in at the office. Sex, drugs, and money drive bad decision making among Danny Ryan’s crew, while Danny himself wants a straight and narrow life. Don Winslow just keeps stoking the fire and creates a world where no one is safe and your next step might be your last.

4.5 stars I was able to read this book as an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley- thank you for the opportunity. I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I liked it even more than City #1. Danny Ryan is on the run from many different characters- the Italian mob in Providence, law enforcement, and even his own demons. He and his crew head out of Rhode Island and wind up in California. He is a widower now, with a young son to take care of. Danny Ryan is a really likable flawed protagonist. You root for him even though you know you probably shouldn't. Without giving too much of the story away, he and his crew are drawn to Hollywood. I love how having the "real" Irish mob characters mix with "Hollywood" Irish mob characters leads to mayhem. Yes, read this book and enjoy it. I will be waiting for City #3!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was anxious to see how things progress for Danny Ryan and his crew. Reading this series is like watching The Sopranos or Goodfellas - mobsters with good hearts and questionable morals get wrapped up sticky situations due to a miture of actions, clashing egos and big personalities. I love how Don Winslow realizes the characters as fully developed humans, having to take care of families as well as business and making hard decisions when what they are compelled to do conflicts directly with their own conscience.

Since this is the second book in a trilogy it starts where the first one left off and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Really enjoyed it but I am hoping for the final book to come out soon so that we can see how it all ends!

Well, my neck hurts from whiplash..MPOV, multiple settings, and a breakneck paced plot. Slow down Don! What is the rush?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance copy.

I'll begin by saying I'm a Don Winslow fan. Whatever the subject of his writing (in this case, the mob in Providence, Rhode Island--although most of the action in this book doesn't take place there), he's a great writer whose style has me tearing through each book. I can't claim to be the fastest reader, but I was done with "City of Dreams" in two days.

This installment in his latest trilogy has us following Danny Ryan as he tries to escape his old life and "go straight." He finds himself on the west coast, involved in business he never would have dreamed of in the past. With twists and turns that leave the reader wondering who will survive and who won't, the book is suspenseful, while delivering an ending that I found a bit abrupt and unexpected. I also found at least one segment (thinking of the returning Marine son of one mob boss and his actions when he returns) somewhat disjointed, like it just got dropped in there almost without context. Perhaps there will be a tie-in later, but that didn't seem like it fit well. With that said, Mr. Winslow is an author who can provide surprises, so I will see what the next book brings.

Don Winslow's books aren't for the squeamish. There's some rather graphic violence, although "The Power of the Dog" et seq. were more brutal. In any case, if you're overly sensitive about such things, be warned. But really, this is a good story in a good series about damaged people doing bad things (and occasionally some good things), and I very much enjoyed this installment. Is it his best book? No, but it's very good and better than most of what I've read by other authors lately.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this advance copy.

Starred Review: Novel of 2023

Danny Ryan is on the run with his son and remaining crew in the second installment of this incredible trilogy. Ryan settles in California and is looking for a way to be legit and care for his son. An offer comes along, from none other then the DEA to make some money and pay off some debts. What can go wrong, right?

An incredible story. Don't start this book if you have things do do. It will paralyze you to race to the finish. A little treat at the end will have you gasping for the next installment. A stunning novel.

The second book from Donald Winslow’s Danny Ryan trilogy. The book picks up with Danny on the run after fleeing Providence following the Irish war with the Italians. Danny and his gang are heading to the West Coast for safety from both the Italians and the government. Danny and his crew take up residence in San Diego, a place Danny has always wanted to live. From there, Danny spends time in Las Vegas reconnecting with his mother, and in Los Angeles, where he gets involved with a movie depicting the Rhode Island war between the Irish and Italians. Danny tries to free himself from his past, while navigating new opportunities in business and life.

This is an amazing trilogy. While the main focus is on Danny Ryan, Mr. Winslow tells the story of numerous characters in the world. The book bounces from Danny on the West Coast to the Italians on the East Coast, and even manages to include some gangsters on the run in the Midwest. While the stories and characters are wide and far reaching, it is surprising easy to follow and keep everyone straight. The book has great flow and is easy to read. It was definitely a page turner for me as I didn’t want to put it down. Mr. Winslow does an excellent job weaving all these smaller stories into one large coherent one.

I can’t recommend this trilogy enough. The writing and storytelling telling are excellent. The characters are well rounded and you feel drawn to them. While I guess you could read this as a stand-alone, it would be a much better read if you read the first installment, City on Fire, first. This book was an easy five star rating for me. Thank you to @NetGalley @DonWinslow and @WmMorrowBooks for a free advance copy of the book for an honest review.

A thoroughly enjoyable second addition to the Danny Ryan series. It could be read on it’s own but you wouldn’t have all of the players backgrounds and history. I found this one a breeze to read since I already knew who everyone was and their roles.
It was much more mellow as Danny is reinventing himself as a legitimate businessman, trying to leave the wise guy life behind. He’s literally moved across country to CA. and next to Vegas. He’s giving his son a more “normal” childhood with an uneasy truce between Danny and his estranged mother. There are new beginnings as she keeps trying to set him up with new women. His grief over the loss of his wife is still very powerful.
Danny’s supposed to be lying low, as are his former cohorts. All that goes out the window when the draw of Hollywood glamour and fortune puts their mobster story into a movie. Yes, that’s the opposite of staying out of the media spotlight and consequences are a given. The movie stars, the production process, the sets and new avenues for corruption are fascinating.
It was a great read with scenes that broke my heart. Danny’s past life of crime hovers around him like a fog. There were some predictable results, like a freight train speeding off a cliff, you know what’s about to happen and go headlong anyway. It didn’t take away from the plot to me, I too raced to see what would happen. Can’t wait for the finale!
I would like to thank NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “City of Dreams” by Don Winslow, published by William Morrow & Company. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC for this book.

This is the part 2 of Don Winslow's final trilogy. This tome finds Danny Ryan on the run following the events of the first book. Once again, Mr. Winslow proves that he is the master of character building and continues to make us become engrossed in the damaged characters in his tales. Frankly, compared to his Cartel series or the Force, I thought Book 1 was a little lackluster, but this book was as good as any book he has written. I have very mixed emotions about the final chapter of this series as on one hand, I cannot wait to see what happens to Danny Ryan and his crew, while I will be really sad to see Mr. Winslow hang up writing books. I actually was so engrossed in this book that I finished it in one sitting, but I would actually recommend taking your time and savoring it. Kudos to the author for once again showing us what a fantastic author he is. 5-stars!!!

Nobody tells crime stories with the sense of grandeur that Don Winslow instills. Can't wait to see how this trilogy wraps up.