yvo_about_books's review against another edition
5.0
Finished reading: September 18th 2019
"There was no way out. She was still caught in the snare, and the vicious beast had her in its bloody jaws, ready to rip away the most important part of her."
Spoiler
Why o why didn't I pick up this trilogy sooner?!?! I have always loved a foreign (to me) setting in my stories and 2019 is definitely the year I have rediscovered my love for the Nordic noir genre. There is just something about the combination of a darker and mysterious story and the cold and harsh weather often present in Nordic countries that really makes my heart beat faster and the setting often gives the perfect backdrop for a blood chilling read.
The first book of the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy is mostly set, as you might have guessed already from the title, in Iceland and was originally published in that language. A round of applause for the translator Quentin Bates for giving us the opportunity to meet Sonja, Bragi and the rest of the characters with the help of his translation! The description of the setting is detailed and also incorporates two events in recent Icelandic history most people will remember into the plot: the 2008-2009 banking crisis and the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruptions that caused chaos in Europe with so many canceled flights and stranded travellers (including myself, as I was just about to go on a trip to the day it started). Snare is set in 2010-2011 and makes references to both events, although the criminal investigation involving Agla and the other important bankers plays a far bigger role in the plot. I personally loved these flashes of real historical references mixed in with the fiction, as it made the story feel even more authentic.
But that is not what I loved most of Snare. That prize goes to main character Sonja, Bragi and the whole drugs smuggling and airport customs angle. I admit I went in blind and it was the most fantastic surprise to find such an original plot! Snare wins a lot of brownie points for the drugs smuggling angle alone, but the interesting, well developed and diverse characters also have a lot to do with the success behind this first book of a trilogy I already know will be a new favorite. Every single main character is thoroughly developed and evolves as the story continues... Each character has its flaws and that makes them feel so much more realistic: especially Sonja and Bragi won me over quickly and I can't wait to see more of them in the sequel.
Snare is not just about drugs smuggling and the corruption investigation; it has so much more to offer... We have the broken family element, the heartbreaking Alzheimer situation with Bragi's wife, a LGBT angle and a character struggling to come to terms with who she is... We have the danger of the drugs smuggling, the feeling of being trapped in a snare and being in a hopeless and dangerous situation impossible to escape from... On top of that, we have a box filled with plot twists ready to be dropped on you any time, and those twists are well crafted and most definitely will be able to surprise you. The plot is well developed as well and the ending definitely makes me even more excited to pick up the next book soon. The writing is simply a pleasure to the eye! Snare is without doubt an excellent start of a Nordic noir trilogy with a original, exciting and well crafted plot fans of the genre will love. Recommended!
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
czytatnik's review
3.0
Sonja miała dom, kochającego męża i wspaniałego synka. Wszystko to straciła w jednej chwili, kiedy to jej mąż wraz z małym Tomasem, przyłapał ją w łóżku z kobietą – jedną z jego wpółpracownic. Zdesperowana, pozbawiona środków do życia kobieta wpada w pułapkę – zaczyna przwozić niewielkie ilości narkotyków. Ku jej zdumieniu idzie jej to nadzwyczaj sprawnie. Jej przykrywką jest firma komputerowa, oczywiście zupełnie fikcyjna. Pod pretekstem wyjazdów biznesowych Sonja wyjeżdża za granicę po to, by wrócić z ładunkiem kokainy. Pomimo dobrych rezultatów, a może właśnie ze względu na nie, kobieta plącze się w narkotykową sieć coraz bardziej i bardziej. Niestety, w ten sposób oddala się również od niej wizja powrotu do normalnego życia i odzyskania praw do opieki nad synem, na czym zależy jej najbardziej na świecie. Zdesperowana tym, co udało jej się odkryć postanawia postawić wszystko na jedną kartę i uciec jak najdalej, byle tylko zapewnić Tomasowi bezpieczeństwo.
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/
5teverin0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a quick, but engrossing read that kept me guessing until the end. The characters are mostly sympathetic, but not without flaws, and the plot is fast-paced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Drug use
booksnbrains's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Fuller review to follow for Blog tour but just had to write this now as this was very unique and sharp as a knife!
Visit the locations in the novel: Visit Iceland
Read this last night and I had to write a short review now simply because it’s quite unlike anything I’ve read before. The tension, being part of a drugs run. I even feel nervous going through customs anyway so when this woman does knowing she has something illegal in her bag – I can’t imagine! The tricks that both sides use – the smugglers and the officials are quite the eye opener but it’s the conditions that have led this woman to do this are also part of the story.
The chapters work well for this story theme as they’re short, compact and they flit from one person’s story to another, one angle of the CCTV camera to another.
The novel reads effortlessly thanks to the work of Translator Extraordinaire Quentin and the tension builds and twists until a very fitting ending. But it’s the journey of cool collected Iceland, through the long dark tunnel from the capital to the frozen north that took me on a ride on many levels. It’s going to be part of Hull Noir’s reading focus and I’m not surprised.
Visit the locations in the novel: Visit Iceland
Read this last night and I had to write a short review now simply because it’s quite unlike anything I’ve read before. The tension, being part of a drugs run. I even feel nervous going through customs anyway so when this woman does knowing she has something illegal in her bag – I can’t imagine! The tricks that both sides use – the smugglers and the officials are quite the eye opener but it’s the conditions that have led this woman to do this are also part of the story.
The chapters work well for this story theme as they’re short, compact and they flit from one person’s story to another, one angle of the CCTV camera to another.
The novel reads effortlessly thanks to the work of Translator Extraordinaire Quentin and the tension builds and twists until a very fitting ending. But it’s the journey of cool collected Iceland, through the long dark tunnel from the capital to the frozen north that took me on a ride on many levels. It’s going to be part of Hull Noir’s reading focus and I’m not surprised.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
It has been a while since I have read a thriller that kept me guessing, maintained tension throughout and had a couple of very surprising twists that were very well thought through.
Sonia is a divorced mother who doesn't have custody of her son. She is struggling to get by (I wondered why she didn't get alimony but laws are probably different in Iceland). She is tricked into getting involved in cocaine smuggling. The way she is tricked and groomed are well described. I usually don't go for books about drug dealing and smuggling, but I took a chance on this as I like Icelandic thrillers.
It is the first of 3 books and I intend to continue with the series.
Sonia is a divorced mother who doesn't have custody of her son. She is struggling to get by (I wondered why she didn't get alimony but laws are probably different in Iceland). She is tricked into getting involved in cocaine smuggling. The way she is tricked and groomed are well described. I usually don't go for books about drug dealing and smuggling, but I took a chance on this as I like Icelandic thrillers.
It is the first of 3 books and I intend to continue with the series.
meloches's review against another edition
5.0
As of lately, it is very rare for me to read the back of a novel and to be hooked immediately by the synopsis. However, from the second I read the blurb for Snare, a book which will be first novel in a trilogy, I was completely compelled to read the book immediately. A young mother, Sonja, desperate for financial stability and win full custody of her son, begins smuggling cocaine into Iceland and finds herself wrapped up in the Reykjavik criminal world. Now that I have finished the novel, the only thing I am wondering is how soon I can get my hands on the second novel. I need more of Sigurdardottir’s writing in my life.
From the first pages of the novel, in the deserted airport with holiday music playing in the background, I was completely struck by the tone. It was ominous, dark and had moments so tense that I actually felt like I had to brace myself while I was reading as I waited for these colliding characters to crash into each other. The novel surrounds Sonja, our protagonist, doing her best to get ahead and obviously causing herself more harm than good. Moving on to Bragi, a sort of washed up customs officer who is holding on for dear life to his job due to his lonely home life and ego. Finally, we meet Agla, a woman (and Sonja’s lover), who is dealing with repercussions from the financial crash. All of these characters bring a unique perspective to the story and are given their own strong voice. I actually ended up loving each of these characters. I know that Sonja was a criminal, and yet, I was rooting for her. I know that Bragi was a sort of anti-hero type villain but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
Sigurdardottr’s prose is truly a treat and gave life to the text. The moments where Sonja, who is casually smuggling drugs into the country, found herself at the airport with Bragi hot on her tail had me feeling actual anxiety. I am a stressful traveller and travelling through customs is always nerve wrecking, imaging myself in Sonja’s situation had me completely on edge!! I loved how the author was able to take a regular occurrence and make it thrilling, especially having Sonja handle the situation like a boss!
Overall, I really enjoyed this piece of noir and would highly recommend it. 5/5 stars from me. Absolutely worth the read!
From the first pages of the novel, in the deserted airport with holiday music playing in the background, I was completely struck by the tone. It was ominous, dark and had moments so tense that I actually felt like I had to brace myself while I was reading as I waited for these colliding characters to crash into each other. The novel surrounds Sonja, our protagonist, doing her best to get ahead and obviously causing herself more harm than good. Moving on to Bragi, a sort of washed up customs officer who is holding on for dear life to his job due to his lonely home life and ego. Finally, we meet Agla, a woman (and Sonja’s lover), who is dealing with repercussions from the financial crash. All of these characters bring a unique perspective to the story and are given their own strong voice. I actually ended up loving each of these characters. I know that Sonja was a criminal, and yet, I was rooting for her. I know that Bragi was a sort of anti-hero type villain but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
Sigurdardottr’s prose is truly a treat and gave life to the text. The moments where Sonja, who is casually smuggling drugs into the country, found herself at the airport with Bragi hot on her tail had me feeling actual anxiety. I am a stressful traveller and travelling through customs is always nerve wrecking, imaging myself in Sonja’s situation had me completely on edge!! I loved how the author was able to take a regular occurrence and make it thrilling, especially having Sonja handle the situation like a boss!
Overall, I really enjoyed this piece of noir and would highly recommend it. 5/5 stars from me. Absolutely worth the read!
markhoh's review against another edition
5.0
“It was clear that she was more entangled than she had ever been before. She was like a fish caught in a net, desperately trying to free itself, only to find that it was becoming ever more enmeshed.” p192
Snare is the fast paced, edgy, tension building first instalment of the Reykjavík Noir Trilogy by Icelandic author, Lilja Sigurðardóttir. Set against the backdrop of the Icelandic financial meltdown and under the ash fall of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption, chief protagonist, Sonja Gunnarsdóttir, finds herself ensnared in a drug running ring, trafficking cocaine from Europe to make ends meet. Recently divorced and recently out as a same sex attracted woman, Sonja’s life is thrown into turmoil when she tries to escape the clutches of her drug trafficking bosses.
While Sonja is the main character, there are a number of other voices telling their stories simultaneously. Agla, investment banker under prosecution for her role in the country’s financial crisis, understanding her own sexuality as she finds herself in a relationship with Sonja. Sigurðardóttir does a great job of unpacking Agla’s conflicted thoughts as she comes to terms with herself and her feelings. And then there’s Bragi, a customs officer who takes a keen interest in Sonja’s frequent air travel, observing her behaviours and eventually confronting her with surprising results.
I actually really loved this story. It’s a real page turner and in many ways quite unique. It’s a thriller but also gives voice to the characters, locations and circumstances in a way that draws the reader into the minds and hearts of each person. There is a real sense of place in the story in that it is situated in the immediate aftermath of Icelandic financial crisis. The volcanic eruption that we all remember that grounded so many flights for so long is evident and the trauma surrounding each character gives a sense of reality and groundedness to the story.
Snare is such an apt title for the book. There are the snares that we walk right into wilfully, the snares that slowly envelop us and the snares in which we find ourselves. Each has a sense of entrapment and Sigurðardóttir has done an excellent job in allowing these snares to unfold. The way that the story ends leaves me hankering for the next two books in the trilogy.
I’m kinda surprised that this is a 5 star read for me. I didn’t expect it to be and am pleasantly surprised indeed.
Snare is the fast paced, edgy, tension building first instalment of the Reykjavík Noir Trilogy by Icelandic author, Lilja Sigurðardóttir. Set against the backdrop of the Icelandic financial meltdown and under the ash fall of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption, chief protagonist, Sonja Gunnarsdóttir, finds herself ensnared in a drug running ring, trafficking cocaine from Europe to make ends meet. Recently divorced and recently out as a same sex attracted woman, Sonja’s life is thrown into turmoil when she tries to escape the clutches of her drug trafficking bosses.
While Sonja is the main character, there are a number of other voices telling their stories simultaneously. Agla, investment banker under prosecution for her role in the country’s financial crisis, understanding her own sexuality as she finds herself in a relationship with Sonja. Sigurðardóttir does a great job of unpacking Agla’s conflicted thoughts as she comes to terms with herself and her feelings. And then there’s Bragi, a customs officer who takes a keen interest in Sonja’s frequent air travel, observing her behaviours and eventually confronting her with surprising results.
I actually really loved this story. It’s a real page turner and in many ways quite unique. It’s a thriller but also gives voice to the characters, locations and circumstances in a way that draws the reader into the minds and hearts of each person. There is a real sense of place in the story in that it is situated in the immediate aftermath of Icelandic financial crisis. The volcanic eruption that we all remember that grounded so many flights for so long is evident and the trauma surrounding each character gives a sense of reality and groundedness to the story.
Snare is such an apt title for the book. There are the snares that we walk right into wilfully, the snares that slowly envelop us and the snares in which we find ourselves. Each has a sense of entrapment and Sigurðardóttir has done an excellent job in allowing these snares to unfold. The way that the story ends leaves me hankering for the next two books in the trilogy.
I’m kinda surprised that this is a 5 star read for me. I didn’t expect it to be and am pleasantly surprised indeed.
steph_84's review against another edition
4.0
I was looking for escapism, away from the global pandemic, and this book was perfect. Drama, intrigue, interesting characters and a twist just obvious enough to be guessed a page before it happened. I also loved how Iceland features so vividly: the long nights, the fireworks, the fish dinners, the icy roads and the alphabet that’s like the English one but not quite. Escapism success!
thalia_r's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not my usual genre, but an enjoyable read with some solid twists and foreshadowing that did leave me wanting to read the next book to see where Sonja's story goes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Drug use
Minor: Domestic abuse