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3.11 AVERAGE
3.11 AVERAGE
I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This series is back on top form - 5*
I first fell in love with the Millennium series in 2014. It was my first introduction into Scandinavian literature. I was thrilled and obsessed when I read the trilogy. I was then devastated to find out of Larsson's suicide that he was so troubled writing these fantastic books and there would be no more. Thankfully, Lagercrantz took over the series for three books, which I found filled my need for Salander and Blomkvist but was missing something.
Fast forward to Smirnoff taking the reigns of the Millennium series. I feel whatever was missing by the previous author isn't noticeable in this book. I CONSUMED this book. I love conspiracies and theories; I really enjoyed the premise of the book. I liked the introduction of Salander's niece and how this showed new sides to a character we all well and truly love. Blomkvist was quite a side character in this book but it turned out I didn't really mind. The supporting characters and the plot was so strong that I had no time to miss Blomkvist.
I really hope Smirnoff continues the series because she's proven she has a true understanding of what the Millennium series is. She understands the complexities of the characters and the importance of a pacey, well-written and deeply thought out plot.
This series is back on top form - 5*
I first fell in love with the Millennium series in 2014. It was my first introduction into Scandinavian literature. I was thrilled and obsessed when I read the trilogy. I was then devastated to find out of Larsson's suicide that he was so troubled writing these fantastic books and there would be no more. Thankfully, Lagercrantz took over the series for three books, which I found filled my need for Salander and Blomkvist but was missing something.
Fast forward to Smirnoff taking the reigns of the Millennium series. I feel whatever was missing by the previous author isn't noticeable in this book. I CONSUMED this book. I love conspiracies and theories; I really enjoyed the premise of the book. I liked the introduction of Salander's niece and how this showed new sides to a character we all well and truly love. Blomkvist was quite a side character in this book but it turned out I didn't really mind. The supporting characters and the plot was so strong that I had no time to miss Blomkvist.
I really hope Smirnoff continues the series because she's proven she has a true understanding of what the Millennium series is. She understands the complexities of the characters and the importance of a pacey, well-written and deeply thought out plot.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is one of my all time favorite series, the original three books that is. Usually not a series reader, this is one of the few series that I had to have each book immediately after finishing the previous edition. When the fourth book was published with a new author, I was skeptical. But I missed Lizbeth and Mikael, so had to read it. As the books continued, the edge and rawness of the characters diminished and was replaced with drab shapeless characters I no longer recognized. Their unapologetic manner was gone from the page and something else took its place. Again The Girl in the Eagle's Talons tempted me with its alure of a new author and hope of a return to the earlier glory of the series. Alas, that was not to be for this reader. Sadly, I did read the book, and was disappointed. Salander and Blomkvist are dead to me in any future attempts to revive the series. I will take solace that a reread of the original series is still in my future somewhere. For now, thank for for you time on the page and may we meet again someday. My rating 2.5 stars.
As a huge Lisbeth Salander fan, I was excited to see a new book released in the series that I have grown to love so much. After Stieg Larsson’s death, I thought no one would be able to fill his shoes in bringing Lisbeth and Mikael Blomkvist back to the page. David Lagercrantz exceeded my expectations and dare I say, I may have enjoyed his trilogy even more than the original.
Now we have yet another new writer attached to the series and I thought it was a hot mess. It is clear the author does not have either a journalistic or computer background and quite honestly, I’m not sure she read the previous novels, but instead was given a two sentence summary of the characters. Both Salander and Blomkvist are relegated to background characters in their own story with very little resemblance to the characters Larsson and Lagercrantz worked so hard to craft. There is no hacking. There is no journalistic search for the truth, no matter the cost. Instead of being the independent, devil-may-care super hacker that she is, Lisbeth is sidelined as a guardian to her niece and spends most of the novel worried about her safety. Mikael spends his time brooding about being a terrible father . The villains are over the top, the setting of a small municipality is unrealistic, and the coincidences and intertwining relationships completely jump the shark.
Many have suggested that the translation may be the problem, however the translation does not negate the fact that Lisbeth and Mikael are mere shells of their former selves and the typical Scandinavian eco-thriller plot does not save the book either.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Now we have yet another new writer attached to the series and I thought it was a hot mess. It is clear the author does not have either a journalistic or computer background and quite honestly, I’m not sure she read the previous novels, but instead was given a two sentence summary of the characters. Both Salander and Blomkvist are relegated to background characters in their own story with very little resemblance to the characters Larsson and Lagercrantz worked so hard to craft. There is no hacking. There is no journalistic search for the truth, no matter the cost. Instead of being the independent, devil-may-care super hacker that she is, Lisbeth is sidelined as a guardian to her niece and spends most of the novel worried about her safety. Mikael spends his time brooding about being a terrible father . The villains are over the top, the setting of a small municipality is unrealistic, and the coincidences and intertwining relationships completely jump the shark.
Many have suggested that the translation may be the problem, however the translation does not negate the fact that Lisbeth and Mikael are mere shells of their former selves and the typical Scandinavian eco-thriller plot does not save the book either.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
I had a hard time following the storyline in this book. Perhaps, it does not lend itself to an audio format... but I was lost, and bored, much of the time.
I think I, and lots of other folks, are trying to recapture the magic of the original Millennium trilogy, and it's just not happening. I'm calling it - done.
I think I, and lots of other folks, are trying to recapture the magic of the original Millennium trilogy, and it's just not happening. I'm calling it - done.
This is one of my favorite series. I was apprehensive when it continued after Mr. Larsson's unfortunate death; however, the authors who have continued the series have done a fantastic job. The Girl in the Eagle's Talons is no exception. It begins with the usual frenzy of so many characters you can barely keep track and then evolves into a fast-paced story that you can't put down. Lisbeth is a more human, empathetic character in this iteration. It works! If you are a fan of the series, continue to read the new books!
slow-paced
Just terribly written. There are so many things wrong with it.
The dialogue is unrealistic and forced, or it's superfluous and does not move the story forward or contribute to characterization.
The structure is horrendous. Half the time you don't know what's going on. There is significant point-of-view head-hopping. We will be in one person's head, and then all of a sudden we're in the thoughts of somebody else without any clear marker to tell us that we have swapped. I counted a total of 12 points of view, including points of view that were completely unnecessary. It was like the author needed filler. Or a way to get the reader a piece of information.
There were way too many characters. And the interiority of the points of view characters were all way too similar. For example, every single POV character objectified other humans in the novel. They would refer to other characters as it, or doll, or hack, or they, in a derogatory way. It's a very boring when every single character thinks exactly the same.
And there are way too many implausible coincidences. Hans Faste, Mikeal and Lisbeth in the same town, IB being in Security on Mikael's train, Jessica being a cop under Faste. Per-Henrik Hirak being in the hospital next to Mikael. Lisbeth's partner, Dragon, having met Branco at a watch auction and having tea with him. Joar Bark (Henry Salo's brother) is the guerilla that told Sophia to" stay dead". That Joar is also the Cleaner. That the woman landowner hold out is Henry's mum.
Finally the climax was completely anticlimactic. I rarely give a writer only one star. But this book deserved one star. She really destroyed a legacy.
The dialogue is unrealistic and forced, or it's superfluous and does not move the story forward or contribute to characterization.
The structure is horrendous. Half the time you don't know what's going on. There is significant point-of-view head-hopping. We will be in one person's head, and then all of a sudden we're in the thoughts of somebody else without any clear marker to tell us that we have swapped. I counted a total of 12 points of view, including points of view that were completely unnecessary. It was like the author needed filler. Or a way to get the reader a piece of information.
There were way too many characters. And the interiority of the points of view characters were all way too similar. For example, every single POV character objectified other humans in the novel. They would refer to other characters as it, or doll, or hack, or they, in a derogatory way. It's a very boring when every single character thinks exactly the same.
And there are way too many implausible coincidences.
Finally the climax was completely anticlimactic. I rarely give a writer only one star. But this book deserved one star. She really destroyed a legacy.
dark
tense
medium-paced