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rebeccanorrbrink's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Murder
beckiesophie11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Antisemitism, Sexism, Rape, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia, and Forced institutionalization
mishasmum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, Incest, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Torture
mbrogs2024's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder, Animal death, and Torture
Moderate: Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Ableism, Incest, Trafficking, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cursing, Suicide, War, Colonisation, Homophobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Antisemitism
audragio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Grief, Violence, Animal death, Car accident, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Death, Torture, Murder, Physical abuse, and Rape
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a murder mystery but is also peppered with informative statistics about the welfare of women and Disabled people, and plenty of heat leveled at financial speculators and stock market traders. Do not read if you can't tolerate animal cruelty. The story is edgy and dark and includes sexual violence, so it will not be a good fit for some readers. This book is generally sex-positive, consensual rather than coercive, and also depicts bisexuality and respectful polyamory. The body image discussions are nuanced.
I would normally find it irksome that an Autistic character is described as being violent, but in this case of a character who has childhood trauma, demand avoidance, and a fundamental lack of trust in authority figures, it's quite understandable that she might want to solve her own problems without the interference of police. I can see her work as an amazing revenge fantasy, and her competence as super-heroic.
I found that the pace dragged in places, but the problem solving and the relationship building was pretty cool. I could see some people eyerolling while specific tech equipment, vehicles and software are discussed, but I find it really cute, especially as I am familiar with much of it, and amused by how the high-tech stuff is now outdated (well it was 18 years ago...).
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Murder, and Animal death
bookstore_plantlover's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Rape, Alcoholism, Death, Pedophilia, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Incest, and Torture
cerealceec's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
it's hard to say exactly what it was about the characters, but i found them and their relationships just fascinating. many of them weren't portrayed with unusual depth, but i guess i loved how unflinchingly their flaws were portrayed. i love that lisbeth is infuriating at times in her anger and propensity to fly off the handle. it makes perfect sense for her character.
mikael's relationship with erika was such an unexpectedly loving, earnest portrayal of relationship anarchy and nonmonogamy that i couldn't believe i was reading it in such a well-known book. i'm really curious how it'll be expanded on in further books, especially with lisbeth involved.
i'm not a great plot critic but i was more or less satisfied with the resolution; not sure how i feel about some aspects of the villain's portrayal but i'll have to think on that one.
lots more thought but i'll sit on it, probably going to check out the next one.
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sat on it, updated thoughts:
started the next book and it's unfortunately put the first book's flaws closer into focus... think i might give up on this series. blomkvist's Nice Guy characterization is starting to get on my nerves, especially the way all female characters can't help but be attracted to him... also the page on lisbeth's breast implants, jesus christ. think it's best to appreciate the first book for what it was and leave it there.
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Rape
meraru's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Torture, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexism, Racism, Pedophilia, Drug use, Xenophobia, Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Rape, Misogyny, Mental illness, Death, Incest, Grief, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, War, and Trafficking
There's several rape scenes, also several of the deaths are described in graphic detail.ne0nxbutterfly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Incest, Animal death, Dementia, Death of parent, Torture, Murder, Kidnapping, Eating disorder, Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, and Misogyny