Review: The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Book      :     The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Book 3 of the Millenium Trilogy)

Author   :     Stieg Larsson

Rating   :     ★★★★★

This is perhaps the best book of the series, although all three books got five stars from me.  Yes, it's that good and yes, it's a good buy.  I got the trilogy from a family friend, the Dagdag family (thank you again!) and the only regret that I have is that I did not purchase the hardbound set. Hehe.  Yes, it's one of those books that you have to get in hardbound so that it will last for a very long time.  Anyway, moving on to the review...

In the third book, we find the continuation where book 2, The Girl who Played with Fire, left off.  In this book, the late Stieg Larsson finished off all the ends in the story, tidily, I might add.  He was also kind enough to give us a very satisfactory ending to Lisbeth Salander's story.  This book is actually kind complicated and I got slightly dizzy trying to keep track of all the characters because of all the names and events that happened.  820 pages (in paperback format) can do that to you.  Unfortunately I'm not given the same talents that Lisbeth Salander has so I had to frequently recall from memory the characters mentioned from the previous two books.

The book dishes out the whole complicated story of the people who were really the root of all the mess that Lisbeth Salander was in.  Furthermore, we find in the third book more on Lisbeth's growth as an individual although she has not changed as much.  Moreover, we see the satisfying downfall of the people who have, literally, put her through hell.

In summary, the Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson revolves around the life of Lisbeth Salander, a woman with the body of a teenager, who was declared insane and incompetent by the Swedish state when she was 12 years old.  From the first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, she is already shown to be exceptionally brilliant, has a photographic memory, and has had quite a rough childhood that shaped her to be what she is in present day.  She has had good reason to resent doctors and the police and that she is skilled enough to survive all on her own.  The second book focuses more on her as her existence threatens to uncover a secret and thus Larsson unravels the whole story of her life.  You can't help but be impressed with her tenacity and perseverance.  The third book finishes all the chaotic assumptions and issues that arose in the 2nd book.  We are left with the view that in the end, Lisbeth Salander will be okay and that she has finally been given a new leash on life.

I can't say more on the plot because I highly suggest all of you to go grab yourself your own copies (no sense borrowing from your friends...you might be tempted not to return it :p).  I started reading the book from 9-1 then 7-10.  I threw the book on the bed afterwards (no, I didn't damage it since I'm sitting on the bed as we speak) out of sheer frustration that Stieg Larsson is dead.

Is the book great?  Heck yeah.  But not recommendable for kids because it does have sexual and violent imagery.  Plus, her morality leaves something to be desired, however justified she may be.  When they turn 18, then let them loose on these books.  But for you, adult readers, sit back and relax with this series.  You won't regret it.

Ciao! :)