mpr2000's review
5.0
A nail bitting mystery that will make your heart pump faster than ever, because you will not be a simple reader in the story, you will feel the fear, the sweat and adrenaline beating in your own body since the first page!
First of all, this is the second part of the Reykjavik Noir series, and is so good that I highly recommend you to start from the beginning, in addition, have you seen the amazing cover? So related but subtile at the same time!
We will start the story with Sonya, that has to return home after trying to escape from her "business" with her loved son, sadly her husband finds her and returns with her at home and back to work again... But Sonya is a "polar bear" (as she describes herself) and even if it seems that life has thrown away with the worst turns in her life, she is brave enough to continue fighting for her son's life and their freedom.
I will not have any nice word for Adam, Sonya's ex-husband, he hates her so much that is capable of hurting their son to make Sonya do his will, I still don't know why she married him or how she could be so civilised near him.
Agla seems the must grey character in the story, we don't know for sure whose side she is, only that she really loves Sonya and tries to help her as much as she can, even if she doesn't know much of what's happening to her!
I really don't want to advance any part of the plot, is really a turn page story and full of surprises and complicated characters that makes you wonder who will trust Sonya, because none of them really care about her, simply the money and staying alive. So, if the last book was complicated, be prepared because this one will take you to the next level!
As you can read I am a big fan of this series; is original, very well written and full of twists that will leave the reader totally engaged from the first page, a must read!
First of all, this is the second part of the Reykjavik Noir series, and is so good that I highly recommend you to start from the beginning, in addition, have you seen the amazing cover? So related but subtile at the same time!
We will start the story with Sonya, that has to return home after trying to escape from her "business" with her loved son, sadly her husband finds her and returns with her at home and back to work again... But Sonya is a "polar bear" (as she describes herself) and even if it seems that life has thrown away with the worst turns in her life, she is brave enough to continue fighting for her son's life and their freedom.
I will not have any nice word for Adam, Sonya's ex-husband, he hates her so much that is capable of hurting their son to make Sonya do his will, I still don't know why she married him or how she could be so civilised near him.
Agla seems the must grey character in the story, we don't know for sure whose side she is, only that she really loves Sonya and tries to help her as much as she can, even if she doesn't know much of what's happening to her!
I really don't want to advance any part of the plot, is really a turn page story and full of surprises and complicated characters that makes you wonder who will trust Sonya, because none of them really care about her, simply the money and staying alive. So, if the last book was complicated, be prepared because this one will take you to the next level!
As you can read I am a big fan of this series; is original, very well written and full of twists that will leave the reader totally engaged from the first page, a must read!
sheeprustler's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
finlaaaay's review
5.0
Nothing could top the twist at the end of Snare, but this book did a great job of continuing the trilogy. Perhaps gets into fanciful territory at points, though.
starscattered's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annabarbarabittner's review against another edition
3.0
Po trylogii Lilji Sigurðardóttir nie spodziewałam się cudów i słusznie, bo nie są to wyżyny kunsztu kryminalnego, co dotkliwie pokazał mi tom trzeci, który z braku dostępu do audiobooka, przeczytałam. Już nie raz się przekonałam, że to co bezrefleksyjnie wchłaniam podczas słuchania, nie zawsze jest strawne, gdy się tę książkę czyta. Zacznę może jednak od pozytywów.
Akcja tego cyklu ma miejsce tuż po krachu finansowym, podczas którego bardzo ucierpiała Islandia. Okazało się, że dynamiczny rozwój banków był tylko wielką bańką pełną spekulacji. Teraz tzw banksterzy podlegają prawu i ich kombinacje i machlojki są stopniowo rozpracowywane przez specjalną policyjną komórkę. Jedną z banksterek jest Agla - nieprzytomnie bogata, niezwykle elegancka, lwica jeśli chodzi o finanse i zupełnie nieśmiała w kwestii związku. Agla prowadzi bowiem niecałkiem oficjalny związek z Sonją - ładną, zgrabną matką kilkuletniego chłopca. To ich tête-à-tête doprowadziło do rozpadu małżeństwa Sonji. Adam, jej ex, to sprytny zawodnik, również bankster. Tak ustawił całą sprawę, że dziecko mieszka u niego, a spragniona kontaktów z synem matka musi o nie walczyć. To właśnie ta sytuacja wplątała je w szemrane interesy i teraz pracuje jako kurierka narkotyków. Niewykształcona i w zasadzie niezbyt rozgarnięta Sonja dobrze odnalazła się w tej czynności i może poszczycić się najlepszą skutecznością wśród islandzkich kurierów. W pierwszym tomie dowiadujemy się więc, jak doszło do tego, że Sonja działa w świecie narkotyków oraz kto stoi za wielkim handlem. Autorka wprowadzi też postać Bragiego - celnika, który zbliża się do emerytury i bardzo potrzebuje pieniędzy. Miałam zacząć od pozytywów, więc podkreślę na plus wprowadzenie wątku lesbijskiego, a także dość szczegółowe (aczkolwiek mogą ono być nużące) wyjaśnienie tła islandzkiego krachu finansowego.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.com/2021/12/puapka-siec-klatka-lilja-sigurardottir.html
Akcja tego cyklu ma miejsce tuż po krachu finansowym, podczas którego bardzo ucierpiała Islandia. Okazało się, że dynamiczny rozwój banków był tylko wielką bańką pełną spekulacji. Teraz tzw banksterzy podlegają prawu i ich kombinacje i machlojki są stopniowo rozpracowywane przez specjalną policyjną komórkę. Jedną z banksterek jest Agla - nieprzytomnie bogata, niezwykle elegancka, lwica jeśli chodzi o finanse i zupełnie nieśmiała w kwestii związku. Agla prowadzi bowiem niecałkiem oficjalny związek z Sonją - ładną, zgrabną matką kilkuletniego chłopca. To ich tête-à-tête doprowadziło do rozpadu małżeństwa Sonji. Adam, jej ex, to sprytny zawodnik, również bankster. Tak ustawił całą sprawę, że dziecko mieszka u niego, a spragniona kontaktów z synem matka musi o nie walczyć. To właśnie ta sytuacja wplątała je w szemrane interesy i teraz pracuje jako kurierka narkotyków. Niewykształcona i w zasadzie niezbyt rozgarnięta Sonja dobrze odnalazła się w tej czynności i może poszczycić się najlepszą skutecznością wśród islandzkich kurierów. W pierwszym tomie dowiadujemy się więc, jak doszło do tego, że Sonja działa w świecie narkotyków oraz kto stoi za wielkim handlem. Autorka wprowadzi też postać Bragiego - celnika, który zbliża się do emerytury i bardzo potrzebuje pieniędzy. Miałam zacząć od pozytywów, więc podkreślę na plus wprowadzenie wątku lesbijskiego, a także dość szczegółowe (aczkolwiek mogą ono być nużące) wyjaśnienie tła islandzkiego krachu finansowego.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.com/2021/12/puapka-siec-klatka-lilja-sigurardottir.html
stinajohanns's review against another edition
3.0
Mér fannst þessi bók betri en fyrri bókin og kannski meðal annars vgna þess að í raun er ágætlega leyst úr málum. Það er talað um að þetta sé önnur bókin í þríleik en mér finnst það í raun ekki. Mér finnst þetta vera seinni bókin í tvíleik því maður þarf ekkert að halda áfram. Að auki skilst mér að þótt næsta bók sé um sömu persónur færist áherslan yfir á Öglu og að þar sé í raun um töluvert aðra hluti að ræða þótt skildir séu. Ég hef ekki þörf fyrir að halda áfram. Þessi bók stendur alveg undir sér án þess.
yvo_about_books's review
5.0
Finished reading: September 23rd 2019
"It was time to turn around, look fear in the face and swim back into the net. Somewhere in that tangle had to be the way out."
Spoiler
I know I'm a bit late to the party when it comes to this series, but I guess it also has the advantage of being able to binge read all three books in a row without the long and painful wait for the next book... And while I was already caught in a snare with the first book of the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy, this sequel has me completely trapped and under its spell. There are so many different elements in play in this series, and all those elements together create the perfect Nordic Noir recipe. Trap is no exception and is without doubt a fantastic sequel. So, what turned Trap into such a success for me?
First up, we have the international setting. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I have a weak spot for stories with an foreign (to me) setting. My love for travelling as well as learning about countries and cultures lesser known to me probably has a lot to do with this interest, and Trap is without doubt a little treasure mine for those who also have the wanderlust bug. Iceland, Greenland, Mexico, The Netherlands, Luxembourg... Those are only a few countries featured during this sequel packed to the brim with travel scenes and this story does an excellent job describing the different settings as well as giving little references to local culture. This aspect gives Trap a truly international vibe and it is one of the reasons this trilogy is quickly turning into one of my favorite new discoveries this year.
Another weak spot of mine is any mention of drugs smuggling, drugs related crime or the 'war on drugs'. And guess what: you get a little dose of all three in Trap! We have the drugs smuggling angle, with how things can go wrong and escalate as well as the practical angle... We have the drugs related crime and maffia feel with a couple of very graphic and shocking scenes... And we have the 'war on drugs' in the form of Bragi and the other customs officers trying to stop the influx of drugs. All these different angles are expectly combined and incorporated into the plot and definitely give Trap an unique touch. And for me it was yet another reason I love spending time with Sonja, Bragi and the others.
This trilogy isn't just another drugs related story though... With its complex and rich plot filled with a wide variety of interesting topics, this series truly has a lot to offer. Another important topic involves the banking crisis and financial investigations that come afterwards, connecting historical facts with fiction in a way that really makes this story so much more authentic. Agla is a fascinating character and I loved learning a bit more about the whole financial world through her character as well as the others involved. And it's not Agla alone. Trap has a fascinating mix of different characters, all well developed and adding a little something unique to the story. I love that none of the characters are perfect; they have their flaws and make their mistakes, but they feel all the more realistic because of it. I really loved the development of the main characters in the sequel and especially Sonja and Bragi are quick to win over your heart.
The diverse characters also provide us with further interesting themes to enrich the plot... We have Bragi struggling to come to terms with his wife's Alzheimer and trying to make her final stretch on earth more comfortable no matter what the cost. We have the family element, with divorced parents fighting over custody of their child. We have the LGBT angle and Agla struggling to accept who she is. On top of all those different elements mentioned, we have a number of plot twist bombs ready to be thrown at you at any moment... Creating that feeling of suspense and tension that will make you sit on the edge of your seat and will have you unable to let go until you find out how the story ends. And you won't find relief after finishing Trap either... Because while it seemed like a happy ending, instead I was mostly left with feelings of dread and forboding... Will my intuition be right? Oh yes, the pressure is on! If you are looking for a dose of well written and captivating Nordic noir, love international settings, diverse characters and a complex and rich plot, the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy should be right on the top of your wishlist.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
czytatnik's review
3.0
Ucieczka spod wpływów narkotykowej mafii okazuje się być rozwiązaniem jedynie tymczasowym. W pewnym momencie dochodzi do tego, czego Sonja obawiała się najbardziej: jej były mąż znalazł sposób by ją odnaleźć i sprowadzić z powrotem na Islandię. Sieć zaciska się wokół niej coraz bardziej. Jej eks odciął ją niemal zupełnie od widzenia się z dzieckiem. Jej narkotykowi przełożeni naciskają coraz bardziej. Jednak Sonja się nie poddaje i nieustępliwie dąży do tego, aby wyeliminować konkurencyjnych kurierów, którzy mogą zagrozić jej pozycji w biznesie, a co za tym idzie, zmienić warunki umowy jaka ją obowiązuje. Jej działania owocują tym, że w końcu nawiązuje współpracę z żoną jednego z dostawców kokainy. Jednak ta „przyjaźń” nie wróży dla Sonji nic dobrego.
Całość recenzji pod adresem: http://zapach-ksiazek.pl/lilja-sigurdardottir-trylogia-reykjavik-noir/
Całość recenzji pod adresem: http://zapach-ksiazek.pl/lilja-sigurdardottir-trylogia-reykjavik-noir/
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Snare was a novel that really stabbed its story and characters into your reading memory. This one takes Snare and sets it in a trap, which then grabs you and keeps you captive throughout.
The story of Agla and Sonja continues and boy does it ramp up! Agla is awaiting trial for fiscal misconduct, Sonja has to return to Iceland to save her son. Bragi is also once again at the heart of the story and the heart of the drug deals which flow through Iceland’s airports. Talk abot dealing and double dealing!
If a snare is a trap, then this one is that one on the cover which clams shut and makes you squeal. There’s a lot more detail to this story than the first installment and at times it felt overstuffed or maybe that was the financial jargon. There are several stories happening at once and the very short chapters both added tension yet jarred at times.
Still, it moved the story on and it was also exciting to head off to Nuuk. (other brief stays in Amsterdam and elsewhere were also a breather - but in 226 pages that was barely needed)
So, I now need part three to see how things pan out. Kudos to the translator. I don’t imagine this was easy to translate!
The story of Agla and Sonja continues and boy does it ramp up! Agla is awaiting trial for fiscal misconduct, Sonja has to return to Iceland to save her son. Bragi is also once again at the heart of the story and the heart of the drug deals which flow through Iceland’s airports. Talk abot dealing and double dealing!
If a snare is a trap, then this one is that one on the cover which clams shut and makes you squeal. There’s a lot more detail to this story than the first installment and at times it felt overstuffed or maybe that was the financial jargon. There are several stories happening at once and the very short chapters both added tension yet jarred at times.
Still, it moved the story on and it was also exciting to head off to Nuuk. (other brief stays in Amsterdam and elsewhere were also a breather - but in 226 pages that was barely needed)
So, I now need part three to see how things pan out. Kudos to the translator. I don’t imagine this was easy to translate!
steph1rothwell's review
4.0
I enjoyed reading Snare, the first part in the Reykjavik Noir series last year so was looking forward to catching up with all the criminals again. And to the two who made me smile, Bragi and Tomas. I do advise that you read Snare before this, you won’t appreciate the characters or the plot as much. Sonya especially, a drug smuggler who would you expect to judge for her actions you don’t when you understand why she does it. And I adored her relationship with her son, Tomas and the way she was with Bragi.
There were a couple of new characters, one of who proved me right with my theory that an evil woman was much worse than an evil man. Especially when the author is also female. Nati was absolutely terrifying.
I enjoyed every scene that Tomas appeared in, especially the ones that also featured his father Adam. Just like his mother he could see through the charm. Bragi, near the end of his working life and devoted to his ailing wife knows that he is doing wrong in helping Sonya but would prefer to do that than see his wife somewhere different to their home.
A lot of the financial crime I found complex, even though I am aware that there was a banking crisis in Iceland. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. I’m very curious about what happens next with this little group of people, there has to be potential for more drama. The characters are so fascinating and the writing is mesmerising.
There were a couple of new characters, one of who proved me right with my theory that an evil woman was much worse than an evil man. Especially when the author is also female. Nati was absolutely terrifying.
I enjoyed every scene that Tomas appeared in, especially the ones that also featured his father Adam. Just like his mother he could see through the charm. Bragi, near the end of his working life and devoted to his ailing wife knows that he is doing wrong in helping Sonya but would prefer to do that than see his wife somewhere different to their home.
A lot of the financial crime I found complex, even though I am aware that there was a banking crisis in Iceland. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. I’m very curious about what happens next with this little group of people, there has to be potential for more drama. The characters are so fascinating and the writing is mesmerising.