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louiselou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
laurarash's review against another edition
4.0
A very complicate story covering drug dealers, mules, messy divorce & custody, Bank discrepancies & elder abuse. Somehow with all the different point of views telling the story it made for an interesting & entertaining read.
Thanks to Orenda for this copy.
Thanks to Orenda for this copy.
marko68'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.
miemsie's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
christi_reads's review against another edition
5.0
A great Scandinavian noir novel. Definitely kept me engaged and turning the pages.
I read this on a flight to Iceland which made it even better to then see the places in the book.
I definitely looked at people differently in the airport too.
Another great book recommended by The Book Bully, Ellison Weist, and the Another Mother Runner Summer Reading podcast.
I read this on a flight to Iceland which made it even better to then see the places in the book.
I definitely looked at people differently in the airport too.
Another great book recommended by The Book Bully, Ellison Weist, and the Another Mother Runner Summer Reading podcast.
findus161's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
emily_bg's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
celia25's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0