I am a big fan of Stieg Larsson's Millennium series. I am a bigger fan of the heroine of the series, Lisbeth Salander. She makes these stories special. I am glad that the Millennium series has been continued by David Lagercrantz after the untimely death of Mr. Larsson. This continuation of the series from a new author measures up quite well. At the center of the story is a little boy with autism. His story is combined with computer (in)security, encryption and decryption, corrupt corporations and national security agencies, and some really rotten Russian gangsters! What a great story! My only complaint is: not enough Lisbeth! I want more. She is a fascinating and compelling personality. She is strong, incredibly smart, and completely dedicated to righting injustice and corruption using her most unorthodox means. She is a master hacker and coolest heroine i've read about for some time. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series - with MORE Lisbeth please :)
I have read all 3 of the original books and enjoyed them thoroughly! I was disappointed in this one. Lizbeth does not appear until past the half way point...she is the main character to be presented in my opinion and the story around her is just shallow. A let down for me.
Richard K. (richkaplanovitchsky) -
The first few pages were written poorly, but then an intriguing hero steps in with his fascinating son. Very quickly, however, that character is killed, and the rest of the novel is very scattered without any central protagonist to consistently engage in the details of the story and carry the plot forward. In some ways both heroes, Salander and Blomkvist seem marginal to the tale. Gosh is it tiresome to be told for the umpteenth time what an upstanding uncorrupt fellow is Blomkvist compared to everyone else.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 1726 more book reviews
I was reluctant to read this since it was written by a different author but was drawn into the story and the characters pretty well. The story in done in the same multi level way but you can tell that it is not in the same "voice" as the Larsson. The story feeds into Lisbeth's background and childhood and fills in some much needed gaps for those who loved the first 3. I did enjoy it overall.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist return
She is the girl with the dragon tattoo--a genius hacker and uncompromising misfit. He is a crusading journalist whose championing of the truth often brings him to the brink of prosecution.
Late one night, Blomkvist receives a phone call from a source claiming to have information vital to the United States. The source has been in contact with a young female superhacker--a hacker resembling someone Blomkvist knows all too well. The implications are staggering. Blomkvist, in desperate need of a scoop for Millennium, turns to Salander for help. She, as usual, has her own agenda. The secret they are both chasing is at the center of a tangled web of spies, cybercriminals, and governments around the world, and someone is prepared to kill to protect it . . .
The duo who captivated millions of readers in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest join forces again in this adrenaline-charged, uniquely of-the-moment thriller.
My Review:
I enjoyed this book very much but I was a little disappointed that Lisbeth Salander was only featured in the novel not until the very end. It is still a worthwhile read but I do still miss Stieg Larsson's writing. It was good to be back with Blomquist and Salander and I do look forward to what is in store for them in the future. I would recommend this book to fans of the original series.
Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist return
She is the girl with the dragon tattoo--a genius hacker and uncompromising misfit. He is a crusading journalist whose championing of the truth often brings him to the brink of prosecution.
Late one night, Blomkvist receives a phone call from a source claiming to have information vital to the United States. The source has been in contact with a young female superhacker--a hacker resembling someone Blomkvist knows all too well. The implications are staggering. Blomkvist, in desperate need of a scoop for Millennium, turns to Salander for help. She, as usual, has her own agenda. The secret they are both chasing is at the center of a tangled web of spies, cybercriminals, and governments around the world, and someone is prepared to kill to protect it . . .
The duo who captivated millions of readers in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest join forces again in this adrenaline-charged, uniquely of-the-moment thriller.
My Review:
I enjoyed this book very much but I was a little disappointed that Lisbeth Salander was only featured in the novel not until the very end. It is still a worthwhile read but I do still miss Stieg Larsson's writing. It was good to be back with Blomquist and Salander and I do look forward to what is in store for them in the future. I would recommend this book to fans of the original series.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 1222 more book reviews
I was a big fan of the Millennium series written by Stieg Larsson and was really sad to hear of his death when the third installment of the series was published. Then I heard the series would be continued by David Lagercrantz. I've had his first effort on my shelf for a while and decided I better read it because the next installment, The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye was just recently published in the US. For me, I thought Spider's Web was not quite the thriller as the previous books by Larsson, however, once the book got going, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it for those who enjoyed the original trilogy. The book starts out a little slowly with a lot of detail about computer hacking and industrial espionage. Lisbeth Salander doesn't show up until about a third into the story but once she does, I thought the story really took off. Mikael Blomkvist, who is on the brink of getting fired from Millennium Magazine, gets involved in a case involving a murdered scientist when he discovers that Salander also has an interest in the case. The scientist, Balder, has perfected an artificial intelligence program that holds the interest of a criminal organization as well as the NSA. When Balder is murdered, he leaves behind an autistic savant son who may be able to identify the killer. Salander gets involved in protecting the son and at the same time is being sought by a criminal group led by a mysterious female. But who is this person and why is she so interested in Salander? Can Salander and Blomkvist get to the bottom of why the criminal group and the NSA is so interested in the case?
The book also included a lot of information about savants which I found to be very interesting. It referenced a book titled The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat which I now want to read. Overall, I thought Lagercrantz did a good job of continuing where Larsson left off...I'm sure it was no easy task considering how popular the series became. Lagercrantz also left some loose ends at the end of the book which I'm hoping will be addressed in the next outing. Looking forward to reading it.
The book also included a lot of information about savants which I found to be very interesting. It referenced a book titled The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat which I now want to read. Overall, I thought Lagercrantz did a good job of continuing where Larsson left off...I'm sure it was no easy task considering how popular the series became. Lagercrantz also left some loose ends at the end of the book which I'm hoping will be addressed in the next outing. Looking forward to reading it.
Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 461 more book reviews
Well-crafted, tightly written and was a great read and addition to the series. Spent a couple great nights reading it by the fireplace in winter. Loved how the book addressed one of the biggest issues of our times within the construct of Lisbeth Salander, the ultimate heroine.
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
It has been so long since I read the last one and the change in the author I just couldn't get into this one. It wasn't necessarily bad and I know I gave up too soon, but I just couldn't invest the time.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
When I learned that David Lagercrantz would be continuing Stieg Larsson's Millennium series, I was intrigued... but cautious. The first thing I did was get my hands on a copy of Lagercrantz's book Fall of Man in Wilmslow, a mystery featuring Alan Turing. I was disappointed, but I love the characters of Salander and Blomkvist so much that I couldn't stay away from this newest book. For the most part I wish I had.
Like Fall of Man in Wilmslow, there are large sections of the book in which not much happens. In fact, it took until right around page 200 for the pace to finally pick up.
The worst part for me was the lack of Stieg Larsson's splendid characters, Blomkvist and Salander; in fact they almost seem like pale imitations of themselves. Yes, this book is competently written, but it lacks Larsson's passion, his fire for his story and his characters. I just heard that there's going to be yet another book in the series written by Lagercrantz. I have learned my lesson. This time I'm going to leave it alone.
Like Fall of Man in Wilmslow, there are large sections of the book in which not much happens. In fact, it took until right around page 200 for the pace to finally pick up.
The worst part for me was the lack of Stieg Larsson's splendid characters, Blomkvist and Salander; in fact they almost seem like pale imitations of themselves. Yes, this book is competently written, but it lacks Larsson's passion, his fire for his story and his characters. I just heard that there's going to be yet another book in the series written by Lagercrantz. I have learned my lesson. This time I'm going to leave it alone.
Kellie L. (dvschic) - , reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 10 more book reviews
we all know we needed more Lisbeth, but not like this.. it fell far short of the original books, especially when it comes to the main character we all needed more of. Its a decent book, had you not known about the previous 3 books, you would really enjoy this one.
Ryan M. (rmadland) reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 68 more book reviews
It took my awhile to finish this book, which isn't the book's fault as life was just so busy. I wasn't sure what to expect with a new author taking over the series as he definitely had big shoes to fill, but I would say that he did a pretty good job with continuing the series thus far.
It was great to see Lisbeth back in action and doing the things she does. She continues to be a badass and I look forward to seeing more.
Some of the storyline isn't all that original, i.e. savant child who is used to help solve the murder of his father, but its done in away that it felt fresh, so no complaints there.
Without giving away too much, I'd say this. If you have enjoyed the series so far, then you owe it to yourselves to read this one to see what you think and if you plan to read more if the author keeps this moving.
Overall, definitely recommend you read this one. And if you're new to the series, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.
It was great to see Lisbeth back in action and doing the things she does. She continues to be a badass and I look forward to seeing more.
Some of the storyline isn't all that original, i.e. savant child who is used to help solve the murder of his father, but its done in away that it felt fresh, so no complaints there.
Without giving away too much, I'd say this. If you have enjoyed the series so far, then you owe it to yourselves to read this one to see what you think and if you plan to read more if the author keeps this moving.
Overall, definitely recommend you read this one. And if you're new to the series, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.
Maryanne C. (9outof10) reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 41 more book reviews
This is the best of the Millennium Series I've read so far. Had to keep reading even though it took me far beyond my bedtime!
John O. (buzzby) -
Dare I say, David L. is a better writer than the original author? It's certainly better edited. Maybe his jokes translate better. Anyway, after all the acclaim and success that the main character, Michael B. has gotten in previous books, he seems to be somewhat powerless now in his business dealings. That is a typical problem with series, characters' past as seen through the novels seems to disappear.
STEPHEN F. (tazman) reviewed The Girl in the Spider's Web (Millennium, Bk 4) on + 2 more book reviews
I have read over 3000 books in my lifetime, and I would rank this in my top 5 of worst books I've ever read. It contained too many minor characters along with lengthy sentences about them.
