As I understand the definition, a character driven story by is one in which the main character’s fundamental traits create the plot. Who she is determines what she does and what happens to her. If that definition is anything close to real, then Red Darkling is as character driven as character driven gets.
The titular character is a lovable screwup. She lives from paycheck to paycheck and, as soon as she gets that paycheck, blows it on booze and cigars. Almost the entire plot consists of tight scrapes that only happened because Red did something shortsighted. Her unerring ability to make the worst possible decision keeps landing her in hotter and hotter water until she finds herself in the hottest water of all.
It’s well-written, and the author has obviously put onto the page exactly, precisely the character she intended.
It slows down in the middle, and changes pace from action to basically action free, which reduced my enjoyment a little bit.
Sex is talked about a lot but not depicted. Some gruesome violence is hinted at but not depicted.
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