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1.88k reviews for:
The Girl in the Spider's Web: Continuing Stieg Larsson's Dragon Tattoo Series
David Lagercrantz
3.57 AVERAGE
1.88k reviews for:
The Girl in the Spider's Web: Continuing Stieg Larsson's Dragon Tattoo Series
David Lagercrantz
3.57 AVERAGE
This book continues the story of Lisbeth but it pales in comparison to the original trilogy.
I listened to this on audio and I had some trouble following along. It just wasn't the same. I'm not sure how much of that is Lagercrantz's writing (vs. Larsson) and how much is the story line itself...in my opinion it just wasn't up to snuff compared to the original trilogy. Honestly, (and maybe it was the audiobook and my inability to differentiate characters with Swedish names without seeing the name spelled) I'm not even entirely sure what exactly it was about. There was something to do with secret information, bad guys getting a hold of that info, hackers...I'm not really sure. Blomkvist seemed incredibly boring. There was no reference to the woman he was seeing at the end of the last book. He seemed weirdly obsessed with Salander (also the narrator pronounced Salander-Suh-lander...it was annoying). Salander didn't enter until chapters in and she was almost had a supporting role. She just didn't seem like a developed character...it's like her character development regressed.
Salander hacks the NSA looking for the Spider Society (which, SPOILER ALERT, is most likely lead by her twin sister Camilla). A computer genius hacker is working in America, discovers some secrets, returns home to Sweden and takes his son August (who has autism) from his ex-wife and her abusive boyfriend. Computer genius is murdered. Murderer does not kill son because killer can tell he's handicapped. Turns out he's a savant and begins drawing his murderer. Salander (through hacking) realizes people are after him. Saves his life. Keeps him safe for awhile. They're attacked by her sister and bafoons. He gives her some code that helps her de-encrypt some file she got from her NSA hack. Blomkvist is doing something that I don't really remember. Talking to her and writing. He was just so freaking boring. There was also a story line where Millennium was owned by a company who wanted to "change their style" which was mentioned in the first chapter...and then not mentioned until the end of the book. And I felt the introduction of Camilla was a gimmick.
Overall, OK. But disappointed. I'm wondering if it would have been better if I had a read a hard copy. Maybe I'll reread it again sometime in the future, but right now kind of feeling blah about it. The first three are great-suspenseful and fast reads. This one just wasn't up to snuff :(
Salander hacks the NSA looking for the Spider Society (which, SPOILER ALERT, is most likely lead by her twin sister Camilla). A computer genius hacker is working in America, discovers some secrets, returns home to Sweden and takes his son August (who has autism) from his ex-wife and her abusive boyfriend. Computer genius is murdered. Murderer does not kill son because killer can tell he's handicapped. Turns out he's a savant and begins drawing his murderer. Salander (through hacking) realizes people are after him. Saves his life. Keeps him safe for awhile. They're attacked by her sister and bafoons. He gives her some code that helps her de-encrypt some file she got from her NSA hack. Blomkvist is doing something that I don't really remember. Talking to her and writing. He was just so freaking boring. There was also a story line where Millennium was owned by a company who wanted to "change their style" which was mentioned in the first chapter...and then not mentioned until the end of the book. And I felt the introduction of Camilla was a gimmick.
Overall, OK. But disappointed. I'm wondering if it would have been better if I had a read a hard copy. Maybe I'll reread it again sometime in the future, but right now kind of feeling blah about it. The first three are great-suspenseful and fast reads. This one just wasn't up to snuff :(
The beginning was a lot of effort to slog through. It reminded me a lot of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in the sense Lagercrantz was building the complicated foundation and back story to introducing the Russian Duma- and Lisbeth's evil twin, Camilla. Admittedly, I suspected Kira was Camilla. Camilla is the only one left of Salander's family, save for her half siblings.
In some respects, I felt like he was trying TOO hard to be like Stieg instead of allowing the story to flow better, but all in all I liked the book. However, this is also where I felt he succeeded at taking over Stieg's franchise; he created a complicated back story and plot, and delivered on twists that prevented you from putting the book down.
He didn't do a lot of product placement like Stieg did [when Lisbeth first bought Fiskargatan, he named every single item she bought for that house from IKEA], he did name drop encryption apps. I thought it was interesting that in this book, Android phones are the safest to encrypt, and he provided some app names. Can't remember what they are right now, but I can look them up if anyone is interested.
I enjoyed the open ending and am curious to see if he's hired to write a fifth book.
In some respects, I felt like he was trying TOO hard to be like Stieg instead of allowing the story to flow better, but all in all I liked the book. However, this is also where I felt he succeeded at taking over Stieg's franchise; he created a complicated back story and plot, and delivered on twists that prevented you from putting the book down.
He didn't do a lot of product placement like Stieg did [when Lisbeth first bought Fiskargatan, he named every single item she bought for that house from IKEA], he did name drop encryption apps. I thought it was interesting that in this book, Android phones are the safest to encrypt, and he provided some app names. Can't remember what they are right now, but I can look them up if anyone is interested.
I enjoyed the open ending and am curious to see if he's hired to write a fifth book.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
Even though it has been a few years since I read the original Millennium books, I definitely felt that there was something missing from the newer ones. It wasn't badly written, and the story was exciting most of the time. However, it kind of seemed like a lighter version of Lisbeth Salander. The beginning was a bit slow, and Lisbeth doesn't come in until several chapters into the book. The main part of the story went at a faster pace and held my attention, but the last third of the book felt a bit rushed.
I did enjoy the relationship between Lisbeth and August, however. If anyone was going to get through to a misunderstood kid, it was going to be Lisbeth.
Even though it has been a few years since I read the original Millennium books, I definitely felt that there was something missing from the newer ones. It wasn't badly written, and the story was exciting most of the time. However, it kind of seemed like a lighter version of Lisbeth Salander. The beginning was a bit slow, and Lisbeth doesn't come in until several chapters into the book. The main part of the story went at a faster pace and held my attention, but the last third of the book felt a bit rushed.
I did enjoy the relationship between Lisbeth and August, however. If anyone was going to get through to a misunderstood kid, it was going to be Lisbeth.
Would probably be more like a 3.5. I did enjoy it though it didn't seem to have quite the edge of the other books.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A distinct style that is very similar to the original author while adding his own flavor. I missed Lisbeth Salander. She's an amazing character
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes