ciska's review against another edition
4.0
Though it starts to feel like a trick the Believer is just as captivating as The Swimmer. Klara is back working a research job in security in the European Union. She is not as much in the middle of the action this time though. This story concentrates around Yasmine and her brother Faadi. Moved to Sweden by there parents at a young age the reader gets introduced how hard it is to fit in. How much trouble it costs to get connected to a country, to people. How adjusting to the habits often is not enough to get accepted. Only for that part of the story everyone should read this book just to create understanding how it feels to being that position. It gave an insight why people make certain decisions. Faadi feels a connection to IS and I could understand his motivation to do this.
The story is raw and full of violence. I sometimes had trouble identifying if the chapter was Yasmine's or Faadi's on the first 15 or so sentences. As they shared a past their voices were close and they shared experiences. There are a lot of things in this book that make you hope it is fiction you are reading but in truth you do know these things happen. Russian involvement in the European politics. Decisions made on high level. IS getting involved in our every day life and searching for people for their war. It have me the chills. On the other hand there are a few things that do not end up. Specially the last part of Faadi's story is unbelievable. The end finally brings some happiness which was much needed.
It is clear the author knows a lot about the way politics and lobbyist work. This does not really help with the trust in the European Parliament and the governments
The story is raw and full of violence. I sometimes had trouble identifying if the chapter was Yasmine's or Faadi's on the first 15 or so sentences. As they shared a past their voices were close and they shared experiences. There are a lot of things in this book that make you hope it is fiction you are reading but in truth you do know these things happen. Russian involvement in the European politics. Decisions made on high level. IS getting involved in our every day life and searching for people for their war. It have me the chills. On the other hand there are a few things that do not end up. Specially the last part of Faadi's story is unbelievable. The end finally brings some happiness which was much needed.
It is clear the author knows a lot about the way politics and lobbyist work. This does not really help with the trust in the European Parliament and the governments
melonpea's review against another edition
3.0
A great concept and well written, but there's something about this second in the series that just didn't grip me like the first did.
Also, stop killing off the queer characters, no matter how minor, not cool.
Also, stop killing off the queer characters, no matter how minor, not cool.
timetoread_more2022's review against another edition
5.0
Really well-done, and very timely story arc. Zander is a strong writer with a good message
missmesmerized's review against another edition
4.0
Yasmine and her brother Fadi have come to Sweden as young children. As the older sister, Yasmine always felt responsible for Fadi and when he got in a mess four years ago, she took over the blame and then left the country to make a new start in New York. She cut all connections to the old home, but now Fadi seems to be in real trouble and so she has to go back to the place where she has grown up. Some months before, Fadi joined a group of jihadists, he believed in the fight for Allah in Syria and went to war. After a major coincidence, he is now back in Sweden looking for revenge. At the same time, Klara, a young woman in London has taken over a really dangerous job without knowing it.
Joakim Zander’s thriller really has the finger on the pulse. Young, disillusioned immigrants who turn their back on Europe and believe in the holy war that groups such as IS are proclaiming and advertising for. You can follow Fadi’s thoughts and motivation; it is easy to understand what makes him join a radical group and why he is disappointed by the life and future he sees for himself in Sweden. His experiences in Syria – albeit rather short – also can illustrate the way those kids are hit by reality and how their dreams vanish into thin air. In a state of disillusionment and hopelessness – what is there that keeps you going and worth staying alive?
What I liked especially about the novel was the high speed at which the different lines of action move on. The chapters are rather short which also accelerates the action. Jumping backwards and forwards in time is first not easy, but when you got to know the characters, it is not difficult to follow their action anymore. The plot as a whole seems quite authentic and believable to me, at least the story about Yasmine and Fadi is highly likely to be real. The second part about Klara did not really convince me, she only appears at a quite late stage and much of her job remained unclear which made it difficult to bond with her. I also did not really see the necessity of this story for the main plot. I would have preferred a focus in the Yasmine/Fadi story.
All in all, a thriller which combines tension with a very hot topic, political entanglements and business interests – while also showing how strong the bon between siblings can be.
Joakim Zander’s thriller really has the finger on the pulse. Young, disillusioned immigrants who turn their back on Europe and believe in the holy war that groups such as IS are proclaiming and advertising for. You can follow Fadi’s thoughts and motivation; it is easy to understand what makes him join a radical group and why he is disappointed by the life and future he sees for himself in Sweden. His experiences in Syria – albeit rather short – also can illustrate the way those kids are hit by reality and how their dreams vanish into thin air. In a state of disillusionment and hopelessness – what is there that keeps you going and worth staying alive?
What I liked especially about the novel was the high speed at which the different lines of action move on. The chapters are rather short which also accelerates the action. Jumping backwards and forwards in time is first not easy, but when you got to know the characters, it is not difficult to follow their action anymore. The plot as a whole seems quite authentic and believable to me, at least the story about Yasmine and Fadi is highly likely to be real. The second part about Klara did not really convince me, she only appears at a quite late stage and much of her job remained unclear which made it difficult to bond with her. I also did not really see the necessity of this story for the main plot. I would have preferred a focus in the Yasmine/Fadi story.
All in all, a thriller which combines tension with a very hot topic, political entanglements and business interests – while also showing how strong the bon between siblings can be.
secondhandshelves's review against another edition
3.0
I’m thinking this may have been a case of my expectations being higher than what this book was for me. The book alternates three different perspectives and I found myself wanting to spend more time with some characters than other. It felt a little choppy and unrealistic in places but still made for an overall enjoyable Scandinavian crime/political thriller. I would recommend this for fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Some of the same themes are covered but the writing style is definitely different.
secondhandshelves's review
3.0
I’m thinking this may have been a case of my expectations being higher than what this book was for me. The book alternates three different perspectives and I found myself wanting to spend more time with some characters than other. It felt a little choppy and unrealistic in places but still made for an overall enjoyable Scandinavian crime/political thriller. I would recommend this for fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Some of the same themes are covered but the writing style is definitely different.
More...