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Get set for the next level in book two of the Game Trilogy, the Swedish series taking the world by storm.
How do you protect yourself from a threat whose existence you cannot prove?
After fourteen months in exile, HP misses the thrill of The Game. When he discovers that a powerful IT corporation may be affiliated to it, he begins a dangerous investigation.
Meanwhile, his sister Rebecca is threatened by a faceless enemy – are they connected to The Game too?
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2011
52 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
About the author
Anders de la Motte
40 books567 followersAnders de la Motte, a former police officer, made his debut in 2010 with the award-winning thriller Game and has since then been one of Sweden’s most beloved and popular crime writers. He is the author of several acclaimed and bestselling crime fiction series, among them the suspenseful Skåne Quartet. Published in 2022, The Mountain King is the first bestselling installment in his new Leo Asker series.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
July 23, 2014
I received a free ebook copy of this from NetGalley.
I tried. After reading Game, I thought I wouldn't. But I gave it a chapter to see if the writing was any better. And really, no. It was not.
I learned something though - not to request the second book in a series before reading the first. Oh well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the opportunity to read this.
I tried. After reading Game, I thought I wouldn't. But I gave it a chapter to see if the writing was any better. And really, no. It was not.
I learned something though - not to request the second book in a series before reading the first. Oh well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the opportunity to read this.
August 2, 2018
Frankly, there is only one thing I really liked about this book - the fact that it addressed an important issue and that would be the complete 'lack of privacy' we are experiencing in our digital age. Internet remembers everything- and as the author noticed, not even Orwell with his Big Brother concept could have foreseen the monitoring we are all agreeing to these days. Now, this is not a subject you see debated in most novels. In that sense, Buzz felt quite relevant. Moreover, the way that the Internet manipulation and the media control was connected with some other concepts in the model actually made sense. One of the few things that made sense in the novel! So, that's the part that I enjoyed.
The rest of this novel didn't really appeal to me. The plot was neither interesting nor convincing, and it took forever to get things in motion. It sure didn't help that I couldn't care less for the protagonists. I felt nothing! When you feel absolutely no empathy for the protagonists, it's hard to keep one's interest. The writing style was annoying, and the shifting POV was confusing. True, the point of view only shifts between two people, the protagonist MP and his sister Rebecca, but the shifts were so sudden they were distracting. Sometimes it would literally just be a few sentences from MP, and we switch to Becca's point of view. In addition, I felt like the synchronization between their 'parts' felt artificial. For example, MP's 'parts' would often end up with the same words Becca's would begin, and the things they were going through weren't exactly related so I felt it was forced. MP and Becca were, quite frankly, quite annoying. I find it hard to relate to them and obviously this got in the way of my reading enjoyment.
This novel is a sequel. I haven't read the first novel, but having read this one, I think I understand the concept of Geim well enough. It seems to be only slightly similar to the movie it shares the title with, as the concept of the 'game' in this series seems quite different. Ages ago I remember seeing a trailer for the movie Game (with Micheal Douglas), I actually thought that the movie was based on the novel, but since it predates it, it seems that I was wrong. I also read the synopsis of the movie and it's definitely a different concept.
Now, I can't comment on the first book, but I can say that I liked the idea of the game in this book. Moreover, I like the way the IT industry fit the picture. At some point in the novel, MP gets a job in an IT company, that seems to be trolling for a living. Not just trolling and blogging, but controlling information on a much larger scale. This company actually makes money from directing attention to where its clients might want it and manipulating digital space and media in the process. That part was actually well written. The characters were caricatures, the events were unlikely and the action sequences were ridiculous, but that part about media manipulation was quite fascinating. The problem with this novel is that the really 'interesting' part covers 20 pages at best. Is it worth reading for that?
Should Buzz be praised for the originality of some of its ideas despite the fact that it pretty much sucks a thriller?
Did the author wrote a crappy thriller just to put forward his ideas about 'compromised personal security/privacy' ? I sure hope so. It's definitely a better motivation than writing a bad thriller just to make money. I like to think Anders de la Motte wrote it to worn us about the possible dangers of modern lack of privacy, but then again I might be an idealist.
You know I have a feeling that the author of this book is quite smart. You can kind of sense that in the novel. Too bad he can't write. It's a shame, really. Clearly Anders has something meaningful to say, clearly he has good ideas, and he even makes some good social commentary but he can't write. He just can't write.
How do I grade this one? As a thriller novel I disliked it, found it boring and tedious. As a social commentary I liked it, but not enough to forgive the already mentioned flaws: the slow pace narrative, the terrible plot, the bad writing and the uninspired characters. I do want to read the sequel, if for nothing else then to see whether it is worth the effort. In the meantime the question remains, how to grade Buzz? Originally I wanted to give it one star, but I'll add two more, because Buzz's subject does feel relevant. Internet has many hidden dangerous. The media is not as free as it seems, nor are we as informed as we like to think. There is too much information that can be easily manipulated. Now, that I think of it- isn't that an important message?
* For (possibly unnecessarily) long(er) versions of my review, you can visit my blog:
http://bookmagiclove.blogspot.com/
The rest of this novel didn't really appeal to me. The plot was neither interesting nor convincing, and it took forever to get things in motion. It sure didn't help that I couldn't care less for the protagonists. I felt nothing! When you feel absolutely no empathy for the protagonists, it's hard to keep one's interest. The writing style was annoying, and the shifting POV was confusing. True, the point of view only shifts between two people, the protagonist MP and his sister Rebecca, but the shifts were so sudden they were distracting. Sometimes it would literally just be a few sentences from MP, and we switch to Becca's point of view. In addition, I felt like the synchronization between their 'parts' felt artificial. For example, MP's 'parts' would often end up with the same words Becca's would begin, and the things they were going through weren't exactly related so I felt it was forced. MP and Becca were, quite frankly, quite annoying. I find it hard to relate to them and obviously this got in the way of my reading enjoyment.
This novel is a sequel. I haven't read the first novel, but having read this one, I think I understand the concept of Geim well enough. It seems to be only slightly similar to the movie it shares the title with, as the concept of the 'game' in this series seems quite different. Ages ago I remember seeing a trailer for the movie Game (with Micheal Douglas), I actually thought that the movie was based on the novel, but since it predates it, it seems that I was wrong. I also read the synopsis of the movie and it's definitely a different concept.
Now, I can't comment on the first book, but I can say that I liked the idea of the game in this book. Moreover, I like the way the IT industry fit the picture. At some point in the novel, MP gets a job in an IT company, that seems to be trolling for a living. Not just trolling and blogging, but controlling information on a much larger scale. This company actually makes money from directing attention to where its clients might want it and manipulating digital space and media in the process. That part was actually well written. The characters were caricatures, the events were unlikely and the action sequences were ridiculous, but that part about media manipulation was quite fascinating. The problem with this novel is that the really 'interesting' part covers 20 pages at best. Is it worth reading for that?
Should Buzz be praised for the originality of some of its ideas despite the fact that it pretty much sucks a thriller?
Did the author wrote a crappy thriller just to put forward his ideas about 'compromised personal security/privacy' ? I sure hope so. It's definitely a better motivation than writing a bad thriller just to make money. I like to think Anders de la Motte wrote it to worn us about the possible dangers of modern lack of privacy, but then again I might be an idealist.
You know I have a feeling that the author of this book is quite smart. You can kind of sense that in the novel. Too bad he can't write. It's a shame, really. Clearly Anders has something meaningful to say, clearly he has good ideas, and he even makes some good social commentary but he can't write. He just can't write.
How do I grade this one? As a thriller novel I disliked it, found it boring and tedious. As a social commentary I liked it, but not enough to forgive the already mentioned flaws: the slow pace narrative, the terrible plot, the bad writing and the uninspired characters. I do want to read the sequel, if for nothing else then to see whether it is worth the effort. In the meantime the question remains, how to grade Buzz? Originally I wanted to give it one star, but I'll add two more, because Buzz's subject does feel relevant. Internet has many hidden dangerous. The media is not as free as it seems, nor are we as informed as we like to think. There is too much information that can be easily manipulated. Now, that I think of it- isn't that an important message?
* For (possibly unnecessarily) long(er) versions of my review, you can visit my blog:
http://bookmagiclove.blogspot.com/
July 24, 2014
22/7 - Great plot! Great suspense! I just wish the author hadn't decided to make his POV changes even worse than they were in Game. The changes are lightning fast, leaving the reader with a paragraph or two only, before the story switches from one sibling to the other, and then back again. The switches are very annoying but they definitely achieve their desired outcome (or what I believe was the author's desired outcome) - keeping the suspense level raised and forcing me to read pages, if not chapters more than I had intended when I first picked up the book.
As with Game I'm finding myself drawn to, and more sympathetic towards, Rebecca's POV. HP is continuing to show himself to be a drug-addicted idiot who never learns. You'd think that being used as a patsy for a contract killer's murder would teach him that DRUGS ARE BAD and are only going to get him into more trouble, but no, as soon as he is released from the Saudi prison (where a pair of lawless, ruleless police-types have been waterboarding him for hours, even days) he's looking for his next hit from the bong. He's also still addicted to the Game and the feelings of fame and power he gets from the supposed accolades of playing the Game. Currently can't see a whole lot of redeeming features in HP, I thought I did at the end of the last book, when he fought back and managed to break free of the Game. Unfortunately, it seems he has a seriously addictive-type personality, and so anything that a person could possibly get addicted to he will be addicted to. To be continued...
23/7 - I'm really speeding through this. Due to those annoyingly frequent POV changes the suspense never really dies down, if one sibling's side of the story relents on the tension a little the other keeps dragging you along - for the reader it never really lets go. Late last night I glanced at the clock at one point, thinking "It's getting late, I'll just finish this chapter and then turn out the light.", then I get to the end of the 'chapter' and glance at the clock again (just to see if I can hurry through one more tense chapter), only to find that 45 minutes and the rest of that original chapter plus three extras have gone by without me even realising it (I still managed to squeeze another chapter in before going to sleep).
The description of the business ArgosEye is in is frighteningly believable and disturbing considering the epidemic of trolls we have been experiencing over the last months and years. The thought that there might be a whole company of them working to bury true reviews from real consumers upsets my sense of fair play. In Buzz not only are they working on actual review sites like this one, but also all the social media sites that most of us use. With the type of troll ArgosEye employs we would never know if we were dealing with one, they don't behave in a suspicious manner the way your normal run of the mill GR troll does. They have full online lives, join all the right sites months before making their move on behalf of which ever client hired them to make sure their name is shown in a positive light. They don't all start flame or praise wars, mostly they're a lot less conspicuous, simply writing multiple reviews in favour of their client's products, but not all on the same day the way most of GR's less intelligent trolls do. I wonder if one day that kind of fake review might become illegal and prosecutable in a court of law... To be continued...
24/7 - Yep, finished that last night with ease, even got a decent start on the next book in the pile. This is definitely a middle-of-the-series book, you couldn't read it without having read the first book, and only the most determined of people could read this without going on to the final book - not so much a cliffhanger, more simply a case of nothing being tied up or concluded in any way. In fact Game was less conclusionless, possibly in case it was a one hit wonder, than Buzz.
Buzz didn't focus so much on the game. It was mentioned in reference and as background, but as far as HP knew he wasn't playing the game. Despite the fact that he wasn't receiving missions, or anything else through the phone, both HP and Rebecca still appeared to be dancing to the puppet master's tune, at least they were as far as the italicised conversations that preceded a few of the chapters seemed to show.
The surprise reveal of who was trolling Rebecca was indeed a surprise to me. I had my mind set on one particular character who I was sure Rebecca was discounting as not being guilty way too quickly. I thought this person had a far stronger motive for wanting revenge towards Rebecca than she believed and was already planning how I would write about it without revealing the culprit. So when my suspicions were proven wrong I was quite surprised, in fact my suspected unsub ended up helping Rebecca identify the real bad guy. Oh well, I rarely guess the bad guy in mysteries, so the fact that I was totally off isn't too surprising.
I would highly recommend this, and probably the whole series (although can't guarantee the quality of the third book, not having read it), to anyone who's a fan of other Swedish/Danish crime thrillers.
As with Game I'm finding myself drawn to, and more sympathetic towards, Rebecca's POV. HP is continuing to show himself to be a drug-addicted idiot who never learns. You'd think that being used as a patsy for a contract killer's murder would teach him that DRUGS ARE BAD and are only going to get him into more trouble, but no, as soon as he is released from the Saudi prison (where a pair of lawless, ruleless police-types have been waterboarding him for hours, even days) he's looking for his next hit from the bong. He's also still addicted to the Game and the feelings of fame and power he gets from the supposed accolades of playing the Game. Currently can't see a whole lot of redeeming features in HP, I thought I did at the end of the last book, when he fought back and managed to break free of the Game. Unfortunately, it seems he has a seriously addictive-type personality, and so anything that a person could possibly get addicted to he will be addicted to. To be continued...
23/7 - I'm really speeding through this. Due to those annoyingly frequent POV changes the suspense never really dies down, if one sibling's side of the story relents on the tension a little the other keeps dragging you along - for the reader it never really lets go. Late last night I glanced at the clock at one point, thinking "It's getting late, I'll just finish this chapter and then turn out the light.", then I get to the end of the 'chapter' and glance at the clock again (just to see if I can hurry through one more tense chapter), only to find that 45 minutes and the rest of that original chapter plus three extras have gone by without me even realising it (I still managed to squeeze another chapter in before going to sleep).
The description of the business ArgosEye is in is frighteningly believable and disturbing considering the epidemic of trolls we have been experiencing over the last months and years. The thought that there might be a whole company of them working to bury true reviews from real consumers upsets my sense of fair play. In Buzz not only are they working on actual review sites like this one, but also all the social media sites that most of us use. With the type of troll ArgosEye employs we would never know if we were dealing with one, they don't behave in a suspicious manner the way your normal run of the mill GR troll does. They have full online lives, join all the right sites months before making their move on behalf of which ever client hired them to make sure their name is shown in a positive light. They don't all start flame or praise wars, mostly they're a lot less conspicuous, simply writing multiple reviews in favour of their client's products, but not all on the same day the way most of GR's less intelligent trolls do. I wonder if one day that kind of fake review might become illegal and prosecutable in a court of law... To be continued...
24/7 - Yep, finished that last night with ease, even got a decent start on the next book in the pile. This is definitely a middle-of-the-series book, you couldn't read it without having read the first book, and only the most determined of people could read this without going on to the final book - not so much a cliffhanger, more simply a case of nothing being tied up or concluded in any way. In fact Game was less conclusionless, possibly in case it was a one hit wonder, than Buzz.
Buzz didn't focus so much on the game. It was mentioned in reference and as background, but as far as HP knew he wasn't playing the game. Despite the fact that he wasn't receiving missions, or anything else through the phone, both HP and Rebecca still appeared to be dancing to the puppet master's tune, at least they were as far as the italicised conversations that preceded a few of the chapters seemed to show.
The surprise reveal of who was trolling Rebecca was indeed a surprise to me. I had my mind set on one particular character who I was sure Rebecca was discounting as not being guilty way too quickly. I thought this person had a far stronger motive for wanting revenge towards Rebecca than she believed and was already planning how I would write about it without revealing the culprit. So when my suspicions were proven wrong I was quite surprised, in fact my suspected unsub ended up helping Rebecca identify the real bad guy. Oh well, I rarely guess the bad guy in mysteries, so the fact that I was totally off isn't too surprising.
I would highly recommend this, and probably the whole series (although can't guarantee the quality of the third book, not having read it), to anyone who's a fan of other Swedish/Danish crime thrillers.
July 10, 2016
It actually took deliberation on whether to give this a two or three star rating. In the end I opted for two as some aspects of the book irritated me and, as it was the middle book in a trilogy, it felt like a filler episode in a TV show before the big reveals happen.
Buzz is set several months after Game and HP is as naive as ever. He'll trust almost anyone, take stupidly unnecessary risks and actually crave being back in the Game even though doing so would cost him his freedom and possibly his life.
Also returning is his sister Becca who was the sensible, almost voice of reason, in the first book. This time round she's much less likeable and only mildly more tolerable than her brother (as a person at least, her story I'll get onto in a moment)
This time round the Game isn't featured as prominently and really only comes into the book in reference. Instead HP infiltrates a shady company he believes is helping out said Game as well as manipulation all aspects of the Internet which, although feeling extremely far fetched, actually felt like something that could be going on in the world.
Becca's story on the other hand wasn't nearly as interesting. A faceless attacker online takes up the majority of her time and its conclusion was anti-climactic to say the least. I like a good plot twist but this just fell flat for me.
Speaking of plot twists, along with dramatic moments, the author tries throwing them in everywhere by constantly switching back and forth between the two characters and leaving you to wonder how the one you left will get out of the perilous situation they're in. This failed for me as after a while I came to expect that whatever situation HP was in it wouldn't be as bad as expected when I returned to him. The switches happened way too frequently as well, at times it was every other paragraph.
Being the middle book this gave no conclusions. The characters learned a little, moved forward slightly but all in all not a lot was memorable. The first book was needed to learn about the plot and characters whilst the third book will no doubt tie all the plot points together. I read it because I wanted to see what happened next but so far I'm thinking Game could have been left as a standalone with a draw your own conclusions feel to what happened to HP after he went on the run.
Buzz is set several months after Game and HP is as naive as ever. He'll trust almost anyone, take stupidly unnecessary risks and actually crave being back in the Game even though doing so would cost him his freedom and possibly his life.
Also returning is his sister Becca who was the sensible, almost voice of reason, in the first book. This time round she's much less likeable and only mildly more tolerable than her brother (as a person at least, her story I'll get onto in a moment)
This time round the Game isn't featured as prominently and really only comes into the book in reference. Instead HP infiltrates a shady company he believes is helping out said Game as well as manipulation all aspects of the Internet which, although feeling extremely far fetched, actually felt like something that could be going on in the world.
Becca's story on the other hand wasn't nearly as interesting. A faceless attacker online takes up the majority of her time and its conclusion was anti-climactic to say the least. I like a good plot twist but this just fell flat for me.
Speaking of plot twists, along with dramatic moments, the author tries throwing them in everywhere by constantly switching back and forth between the two characters and leaving you to wonder how the one you left will get out of the perilous situation they're in. This failed for me as after a while I came to expect that whatever situation HP was in it wouldn't be as bad as expected when I returned to him. The switches happened way too frequently as well, at times it was every other paragraph.
Being the middle book this gave no conclusions. The characters learned a little, moved forward slightly but all in all not a lot was memorable. The first book was needed to learn about the plot and characters whilst the third book will no doubt tie all the plot points together. I read it because I wanted to see what happened next but so far I'm thinking Game could have been left as a standalone with a draw your own conclusions feel to what happened to HP after he went on the run.
November 11, 2024
Περνώντας στο δεύτερο βιβλίο, στον "Βόμβο", με το άκρως εντυπωσιακό εξώφυλλο, συναντάμε και πάλι τον Χένρικ, μόνο που αυτή τη φορά δεν βρίσκεται στην πατρίδα του, αλλά πολύ μακριά απ' αυτήν, προσπαθώντας ν' αφήσει πίσω του το παρελθόν του και όλα όσα συνδέονται με το "Παιχνίδι". Πράγμα μάταιο, αφού εκείνο καταφέρνει να τον βρει ξανά. Επιστρέφοντας στα πάτρια εδάφη, βρίσκει δουλειά σε μια μεγάλη εταιρεία πληροφορικής, αλλά ενώ προσπαθεί ν' ανακαλύψει ποια είναι η σύνδεση της εταιρείας με το "Παιχνίδι", βρίσκεται όλο και περισσότερο χαμένος στο πάθος του για τη νέα του δουλειά, χάνοντας το στόχο του και μην συνειδητ��ποιώντας πως έχει γίνει πάλι μέρος του παιχνιδιού χωρίς καν να το έχει καταλάβει. Στον αντίποδα, η Ρεμπέκα, βρίσκεται σε διαθεσιμότητα από τη δουλειά της, με τα πράγματα να δυσκολεύουν γι' αυτήν εξαιτίας των επιθέσεων που δέχεται από μεριάς ενός blogger που μυστηριωδώς, γνωρίζει πάρα πολλά τόσο για την προσωπική όσο και για την επαγγελματική της ζωή. Κι εκεί που δεν θα το φανταζόταν, η ζωή φέρνει πάλι στο δρόμο της τον από καιρό χαμένο αδερφό της, με τους δυο τους να ξεκινάνε μια νέα περιπέτεια ή μάλλον, συνεχίζοντας από εκεί που είχαν σταματήσει.
Διατηρώντας την διπλή αφήγηση, αλλά και την κινηματογραφική ταυτότητα αυτής, ο συγγραφέας καταφέρνει σε αυτό το δεύτερο βιβλίο της τριλογίας του, όχι μόνο να διατηρήσει τους γρήγορους ρυθμούς που μας καθήλωσαν στο "Παιχνίδι", εντείνοντας το σασπένς και την αγωνία του αναγνώστη, αλλά να πάει ένα βήμα παραπέρα. Δημιούργησε ένα μυθιστόρημα με ανθρωποκεντρικές προεκτάσεις, βάζοντας τους ήρωές του όχι μόνο στο επίκεντρο μιας ακόμα περιπέτειας, αλλά μιας προσωπικής ενδοσκόπησης, καθώς και στο μικροσκόπιο μιας ψυχογραφικής χαρτογράφησης και ανάλυσης που σε προσωπικό επίπεδο, με γοήτευσε. Μπορεί η δράση της ιστορίας να είναι καταιγιστική, όμως αυτό που πραγματικά σε παρασύρει, δεν είναι άλλο από την ρεαλιστική αποτύπωση των χαρακτήρων, του ψυχισμού τους και της δραματουργικής ανάπτυξης του προσωπικού τους δράματος, που αν και μετουσιώνεται μέσω μιας εικονικής πραγματικότητας που οδηγεί σε μια μάχη του συνειδητού και του ασυνείδητου, παραμένει αληθινή και πειστική στον πυρήνα της.
Διατηρώντας την διπλή αφήγηση, αλλά και την κινηματογραφική ταυτότητα αυτής, ο συγγραφέας καταφέρνει σε αυτό το δεύτερο βιβλίο της τριλογίας του, όχι μόνο να διατηρήσει τους γρήγορους ρυθμούς που μας καθήλωσαν στο "Παιχνίδι", εντείνοντας το σασπένς και την αγωνία του αναγνώστη, αλλά να πάει ένα βήμα παραπέρα. Δημιούργησε ένα μυθιστόρημα με ανθρωποκεντρικές προεκτάσεις, βάζοντας τους ήρωές του όχι μόνο στο επίκεντρο μιας ακόμα περιπέτειας, αλλά μιας προσωπικής ενδοσκόπησης, καθώς και στο μικροσκόπιο μιας ψυχογραφικής χαρτογράφησης και ανάλυσης που σε προσωπικό επίπεδο, με γοήτευσε. Μπορεί η δράση της ιστορίας να είναι καταιγιστική, όμως αυτό που πραγματικά σε παρασύρει, δεν είναι άλλο από την ρεαλιστική αποτύπωση των χαρακτήρων, του ψυχισμού τους και της δραματουργικής ανάπτυξης του προσωπικού τους δράματος, που αν και μετουσιώνεται μέσω μιας εικονικής πραγματικότητας που οδηγεί σε μια μάχη του συνειδητού και του ασυνείδητου, παραμένει αληθινή και πειστική στον πυρήνα της.
March 2, 2016
This is the " middle book" of a trilogy! Nothing special about it, just a sequel to prepare an ending! But not so good I m afraid! And more difficult to follow than the first one! Sometimes naive , sometimes unbelievable!
November 19, 2018
Μπούρδα!
Μόνο έτσι θα μπορούσα να χαρακτηρίσω αυτό το δεύτερο μέρος μιας ανεκδιήγητης τριλογίας!
Όσες ιστορίες καταγράφονται στο βιβλίο δεν εξελίσσουν στο παραμικρό την ιστορία του πρώτου βιβλίου. Και όταν ο συγγραφέας το αντιλαμβάνεται αυτό (ότι δηλαδή γράφει ακατάσχετα μπούρδες και ασυναρτησίες), μέσα σε λίγες γραμμές προσπαθεί να συνδέσει τις ιστορίες με το αρχικό του κόνσεπτ.
Βασικά, έχοντας διαβάσει και το τρίτο βιβλίο, και να το παρακάμψετε το συγκεκριμένο, χαμένοι δεν θα βγείτε.
Συνωμοσίες, σεξ, σχέσεις εξουσίας, πολιτική, όλα χωράνε στον μύλο του συγγραφέα για να μας κάνει χυλό το μυαλό. Και μέσα σε όλα αυτά άσχετοι χαρακτήρες να ξεπηδάνε ξαφνικά δίχως λόγο και αιτία ύπαρξης και να ξαναχάνονται στην άβυσσο του μυαλού του συγγραφέα...
Τουλάχιστον η γραφή του ήταν πολύ πιο υποφερτή πλέον.
Μακριά και αγαπημένοι...(3/10)
Μόνο έτσι θα μπορούσα να χαρακτηρίσω αυτό το δεύτερο μέρος μιας ανεκδιήγητης τριλογίας!
Όσες ιστορίες καταγράφονται στο βιβλίο δεν εξελίσσουν στο παραμικρό την ιστορία του πρώτου βιβλίου. Και όταν ο συγγραφέας το αντιλαμβάνεται αυτό (ότι δηλαδή γράφει ακατάσχετα μπούρδες και ασυναρτησίες), μέσα σε λίγες γραμμές προσπαθεί να συνδέσει τις ιστορίες με το αρχικό του κόνσεπτ.
Βασικά, έχοντας διαβάσει και το τρίτο βιβλίο, και να το παρακάμψετε το συγκεκριμένο, χαμένοι δεν θα βγείτε.
Συνωμοσίες, σεξ, σχέσεις εξουσίας, πολιτική, όλα χωράνε στον μύλο του συγγραφέα για να μας κάνει χυλό το μυαλό. Και μέσα σε όλα αυτά άσχετοι χαρακτήρες να ξεπηδάνε ξαφνικά δίχως λόγο και αιτία ύπαρξης και να ξαναχάνονται στην άβυσσο του μυαλού του συγγραφέα...
Τουλάχιστον η γραφή του ήταν πολύ πιο υποφερτή πλέον.
Μακριά και αγαπημένοι...(3/10)
September 22, 2015
Pagājušā gada aprīlī lasīju šīs triloģijas pirmo grāmatu [game], un nav ko liegties, grāmata man patika. Tādēļ piedāvājums no izdevniecības Zvaigzne ABC izlasīt triloģijas otro grāmatu vēl pirms tās nonākšanas veikalos bija neatvairāms. Grāmatu [buzz] sāku lasīt uzreiz tajā pašā vakarā, biju nobriedis trillerim.
Henriks Peteršons veiksmīgi ticis vaļā no Spēles. Šķiet, kas nekait – dzīvs, kabatā daudz naudas, atpūties. Taču viss nav tik vienkārši – Henriks nav tik naivs, lai domātu, ka šāds izlēciens var palikt nesodīts. Nauda viņam ir, taču drošības nolūkos nākas bēguļot un slēpt savu īsto identitāti. Un bez spēles dzīvei pietrūkst asuma. Dubaijā Henriks satiek Annu – bagāta, eleganta un skaista. Tikai zem stilīgās ārienes jaušama nervozitāte, itin kā sieviete no kāda baidītos. Un tad vēl viņas telefons…
Ja lasīta autora iepriekšējā grāmata, tad lasītājam jau ir skaidrs, ka šis trilleris būs par kontroli. Ne jau atsevišķa indivīda, bet par visas sabiedrības kontroli. Pirmajā grāmatā Spēle vairāk bija kā vajadzīgo notikumu izraisošais faktors kādā tālejošā plānā, šeit viss notiek jau līmeni augstāk. Ir liela atšķirība kompānijām un indivīdiem reaģēt uz jau notikušu faktu vai vadīt savu darbību un rīcību tā, lai notikums nemaz nenotiktu, netiktu pamanīts vai tiktu pareizi interpretēts. Cilvēka uzmanība nav bezgalīga, viņš ziņas patērē tikai uz doto brīdi, un manipulējot ar tām, var viegli manipulēt ar viņu pašu. Jāmanipulē jau nav ar visu sabiedrību, pietiks vien ar pāris aktīviem viedokļa paudējiem, kas pašpasludinās sevi par sabiedrības pārstāvjiem. Pārējie aizskries līdzi paši un domās, ka tās ir viņu pašu domas un idejas. Šādiem mērķiem pastāv troļļu fermas, uzpirkti blogeri un google pagerank uzlabotāji. Nevar noliegt mūsdienu apstākļos šī tēma ir ļoti aktuāla, un ar savu izklāstu (ideju par to kā tas viss varētu strādāt) vien šī grāmata būs interesanta daudziem lasītājiem.
Sižetiski, kā jau kārtīgam trillerim, pienākas darbība notiek lielā ātrumā. Henriks iekuļas vienā ķezā pēc otras, reizēm no nāves viņu glābj tikai veiksme. Taču viņš nudien nav iesācējs šajā Spēlē un nebūt negrasās padoties. Nav jau arī tā, ka viņš būtu pilnīgi viens, viņam vēl ir palikuši daži draugi, kuriem var uzticēties. Draugi gan ir tādi nelieli dīvaiņi un kolorīti personāži, bet kādi nu ir tādi ir. Toties viņi māk programmēt. Heinrika māsa Normana, tikusi galā ar savām problēmām, atsāk darbu miesassargu vienībā, taču arī viņai nākas saskarties ar zināmām problēmām. Viņas piedzīvojumi nav tik globāla mēroga kā Henrikam, arī viņai nākas pacensties, lai sakārtotu savu dzīvi. Godīgi sakot Normena te ir ievilkta, tikai lai pareizeajā brīdī pavilktu uz priekšu galvenos grāmatas notikumus. Varoņi kā tādi nav diez ko nopucēti, viņu uzdevums ir piedalīties notikumos un tos dzīt uz priekšu. Kamēr vien stāsts spēj noturēt tempu, lasītājam nebūs laika pievērsties varoņu analīzei.
Ja trilleri lasot to aprij vienā rāvienā, tad tā ir visnotaļ laba pazīme, ka viss kārtībā. Autors ir izdarījis labu darbu. Lasītājam ir piedāvāts labs un aizraujošs piedzīvojums. Bonusā vēl pacelts aktuāls temats un nedaudz veltīts laiks tā analīzei. Jā, galvenajam varonim daudz veicas, un ir pāris “nejaušas” sagadīšanās. Patīkami ir tas, ka grāmatas autors nemaz necer, ka viņa iepriekšējās grāmatas notikumus kāds lasītājs vēl pēc gada spēs atminēties, tādēļ sākumā prologā ir īss iepriekšējo notikumu atstāsts. Man patīk autori, kas savā lasītājā nesaredz cilvēku ar absolūtu atmiņu.
Grāmatai lieku 8 no 10 ballēm. Ātrākam lasītājam tā piedāvās aizraujošu viena vakara izklaidi, prātīgāks un laikā ierobežotāks lasītājs piedzīvojumu varēs izvilkt uz kādiem trim vakariem. Tēma mūsdienu infokara apstākļos ir aktuāla, kas zina varbūt pat uzzināsiet ko jaunu. Ja patīk konspirāciju teorijas, tad te būs bagātīga viela pārdomām. Caru gan, ka ne tik daudz, lai liktu galvā folijas cepurīti.
Henriks Peteršons veiksmīgi ticis vaļā no Spēles. Šķiet, kas nekait – dzīvs, kabatā daudz naudas, atpūties. Taču viss nav tik vienkārši – Henriks nav tik naivs, lai domātu, ka šāds izlēciens var palikt nesodīts. Nauda viņam ir, taču drošības nolūkos nākas bēguļot un slēpt savu īsto identitāti. Un bez spēles dzīvei pietrūkst asuma. Dubaijā Henriks satiek Annu – bagāta, eleganta un skaista. Tikai zem stilīgās ārienes jaušama nervozitāte, itin kā sieviete no kāda baidītos. Un tad vēl viņas telefons…
Ja lasīta autora iepriekšējā grāmata, tad lasītājam jau ir skaidrs, ka šis trilleris būs par kontroli. Ne jau atsevišķa indivīda, bet par visas sabiedrības kontroli. Pirmajā grāmatā Spēle vairāk bija kā vajadzīgo notikumu izraisošais faktors kādā tālejošā plānā, šeit viss notiek jau līmeni augstāk. Ir liela atšķirība kompānijām un indivīdiem reaģēt uz jau notikušu faktu vai vadīt savu darbību un rīcību tā, lai notikums nemaz nenotiktu, netiktu pamanīts vai tiktu pareizi interpretēts. Cilvēka uzmanība nav bezgalīga, viņš ziņas patērē tikai uz doto brīdi, un manipulējot ar tām, var viegli manipulēt ar viņu pašu. Jāmanipulē jau nav ar visu sabiedrību, pietiks vien ar pāris aktīviem viedokļa paudējiem, kas pašpasludinās sevi par sabiedrības pārstāvjiem. Pārējie aizskries līdzi paši un domās, ka tās ir viņu pašu domas un idejas. Šādiem mērķiem pastāv troļļu fermas, uzpirkti blogeri un google pagerank uzlabotāji. Nevar noliegt mūsdienu apstākļos šī tēma ir ļoti aktuāla, un ar savu izklāstu (ideju par to kā tas viss varētu strādāt) vien šī grāmata būs interesanta daudziem lasītājiem.
Sižetiski, kā jau kārtīgam trillerim, pienākas darbība notiek lielā ātrumā. Henriks iekuļas vienā ķezā pēc otras, reizēm no nāves viņu glābj tikai veiksme. Taču viņš nudien nav iesācējs šajā Spēlē un nebūt negrasās padoties. Nav jau arī tā, ka viņš būtu pilnīgi viens, viņam vēl ir palikuši daži draugi, kuriem var uzticēties. Draugi gan ir tādi nelieli dīvaiņi un kolorīti personāži, bet kādi nu ir tādi ir. Toties viņi māk programmēt. Heinrika māsa Normana, tikusi galā ar savām problēmām, atsāk darbu miesassargu vienībā, taču arī viņai nākas saskarties ar zināmām problēmām. Viņas piedzīvojumi nav tik globāla mēroga kā Henrikam, arī viņai nākas pacensties, lai sakārtotu savu dzīvi. Godīgi sakot Normena te ir ievilkta, tikai lai pareizeajā brīdī pavilktu uz priekšu galvenos grāmatas notikumus. Varoņi kā tādi nav diez ko nopucēti, viņu uzdevums ir piedalīties notikumos un tos dzīt uz priekšu. Kamēr vien stāsts spēj noturēt tempu, lasītājam nebūs laika pievērsties varoņu analīzei.
Ja trilleri lasot to aprij vienā rāvienā, tad tā ir visnotaļ laba pazīme, ka viss kārtībā. Autors ir izdarījis labu darbu. Lasītājam ir piedāvāts labs un aizraujošs piedzīvojums. Bonusā vēl pacelts aktuāls temats un nedaudz veltīts laiks tā analīzei. Jā, galvenajam varonim daudz veicas, un ir pāris “nejaušas” sagadīšanās. Patīkami ir tas, ka grāmatas autors nemaz necer, ka viņa iepriekšējās grāmatas notikumus kāds lasītājs vēl pēc gada spēs atminēties, tādēļ sākumā prologā ir īss iepriekšējo notikumu atstāsts. Man patīk autori, kas savā lasītājā nesaredz cilvēku ar absolūtu atmiņu.
Grāmatai lieku 8 no 10 ballēm. Ātrākam lasītājam tā piedāvās aizraujošu viena vakara izklaidi, prātīgāks un laikā ierobežotāks lasītājs piedzīvojumu varēs izvilkt uz kādiem trim vakariem. Tēma mūsdienu infokara apstākļos ir aktuāla, kas zina varbūt pat uzzināsiet ko jaunu. Ja patīk konspirāciju teorijas, tad te būs bagātīga viela pārdomām. Caru gan, ka ne tik daudz, lai liktu galvā folijas cepurīti.
August 19, 2014
This is a sequel to Game, and another book that I impulsively snatched from netgalley. While the first one wasn't bad, this one had more issues. But first, the positives!
HP was a lot less of a little shit. Still a douche, but slightly better and I even rooted for him a little bit, especially after he got a job at the evil ArgosEye and did some bad-ass things. Not as happy with Rebecca though, because she somehow became even more boring and so much more stupid, not to mention a casually horrible person with no redemptive qualities whatsoever. But I'm talking about the positive things, so let's get back to that..
Well. The ending "ha-HA!" moment was pretty cool, and the general buildup of the conspiracy theory insanity was quite compelling. But things quickly turned for the worse when it jumped out of the realm of the believable and into "you gotta be kidding me, you asshole" land. Too many convenient coincidences, too many unexplained plot holes covered up with the pacing, and too many plot strings completely abandoned. I don't know if each one will be picked up in the finale of the trilogy, because I'm not wasting my time on it. Maybe I'll peruse other reviews tagged with a spoiler alert.
I guess I couldn't stop myself from diving straight into the bad stuff, but I don't want to dwell on it. Like I mentioned, the pacing is good towards the end, but there was a big slump in the middle and it was uneven throughout. There were some scenes that were uncharacteristically bizarre (Monica's house, anyone? How about the penthouse apartment??) The characters' reactions were wildly inconsistent with the way normal humans act. HP and his sister had a totally cavalier attitude towards her witnessing his naked cavorting and pretty much glossed right over the multiple traumas Rebecca suffered. What. I know the characters aren't a priority with this guy, but maybe try to make them a little interesting?
Sigh. This book was like eating stale potato chips. They're bad for you and they don't even taste great, but I ate them anyway because reasons.
-I got a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review-
HP was a lot less of a little shit. Still a douche, but slightly better and I even rooted for him a little bit, especially after he got a job at the evil ArgosEye and did some bad-ass things. Not as happy with Rebecca though, because she somehow became even more boring and so much more stupid, not to mention a casually horrible person with no redemptive qualities whatsoever. But I'm talking about the positive things, so let's get back to that..
Well. The ending "ha-HA!" moment was pretty cool, and the general buildup of the conspiracy theory insanity was quite compelling. But things quickly turned for the worse when it jumped out of the realm of the believable and into "you gotta be kidding me, you asshole" land. Too many convenient coincidences, too many unexplained plot holes covered up with the pacing, and too many plot strings completely abandoned. I don't know if each one will be picked up in the finale of the trilogy, because I'm not wasting my time on it. Maybe I'll peruse other reviews tagged with a spoiler alert.
I guess I couldn't stop myself from diving straight into the bad stuff, but I don't want to dwell on it. Like I mentioned, the pacing is good towards the end, but there was a big slump in the middle and it was uneven throughout. There were some scenes that were uncharacteristically bizarre (Monica's house, anyone? How about the penthouse apartment??) The characters' reactions were wildly inconsistent with the way normal humans act. HP and his sister had a totally cavalier attitude towards her witnessing his naked cavorting and pretty much glossed right over the multiple traumas Rebecca suffered. What. I know the characters aren't a priority with this guy, but maybe try to make them a little interesting?
Sigh. This book was like eating stale potato chips. They're bad for you and they don't even taste great, but I ate them anyway because reasons.
-I got a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review-
June 22, 2016
Musím přiznat, že ze začátku jsem se do toho musela trochu nutit, ale ten konec byl totální haluz! Jestli 3 bude v podobném duchu jako konec tohohle dílu, tak to bude luxusní!
Beccu pořád nijak extra nemusím, ale je to o trochu lepší než v prvním díle. Btw, kdyby si HP s Beccou promluvili, jako pořádně, tak by se hned spousta věcí vyjasnila. Ale aspoň o to bude příští díl zábavnější.
Jinak, v tomhle díle jsem "poznala" svou novou, vysněnou práci!
Beccu pořád nijak extra nemusím, ale je to o trochu lepší než v prvním díle. Btw, kdyby si HP s Beccou promluvili, jako pořádně, tak by se hned spousta věcí vyjasnila. Ale aspoň o to bude příští díl zábavnější.
Jinak, v tomhle díle jsem "poznala" svou novou, vysněnou práci!
April 30, 2015
Тръпката да се опитваш да изиграеш Играта: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/t...
След високата топка на “Играта” продължението “Тръпката” ми дойде малко постно, основно заради липсата на пряко действие около мистериозната виртуална реалност, която бе в основата на екшъна в протежение на първата книга. Андерш де ла Моте видимо поразтегля действието, все пак трилогия има да се пълни, но пък това му дава възможност да задълбае малко из героите си – а и да ги потормози малко повече. Това поне прави в доволни количества.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/t...
След високата топка на “Играта” продължението “Тръпката” ми дойде малко постно, основно заради липсата на пряко действие около мистериозната виртуална реалност, която бе в основата на екшъна в протежение на първата книга. Андерш де ла Моте видимо поразтегля действието, все пак трилогия има да се пълни, но пък това му дава възможност да задълбае малко из героите си – а и да ги потормози малко повече. Това поне прави в доволни количества.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/t...
October 18, 2015
Kolejna książka z zakończeniem w stylu "za to można by zabić autora" ;) Trzeci tom pilnie poszukiwany ;)
August 18, 2018
Το δεύτερο μέρος ήταν καταπληκτικό. Άμεσα θα πιάσω και το τρίτο. Ι χαρακτήρες φοβεροί η δράση καταιγίδα... Άψογο
January 13, 2014
I'm beginning to lose my love affair with the Game trilogy. Whilst I genuinely enjoyed Game, albeit with some minor quibbles, it does feel like Buzz is a step backwards rather than forwards. The whole premise seemed to have so much promise at the beginning, but now a lot of it feels like a wasted opportunity.
Firstly, there's my more petty complaints: the overuse of the exclamation mark, text speech in prose, typos and completely confusing passages where you have absolutely no clue who the author is on about. Then again, some of these issues may be down to the translator and/or editor and not solely the author's fault. Regardless, these are things that I find throw me out of the 'world' that has been built and are a distraction.
More worryingly are issues with the plot itself. How many times can an unfit man who has been tortured escape from a psychopath who visits the gym daily and runs relentlessly? The end of Game seriously insinuated that Magnus/Manga/Farook was the Game Master, but suddenly Henrik is utterly convinced that Tage Sammer is, based on what evidence? What about following up on Micke being a Game player and/or Ant? There's the regular insinuations that stability is boring and affairs are the way to go. Royal buildings apparently have no form of protection whatsoever and kids can get up there to play tricks on police officers. Rebecca can forgive Henrik for any kind of stupidity - including nearly killing herself and a colleague - and yet, if Rebecca happens to be fond of someone who Henrik irrationally hates then it's a nightmare?
But then, there's also the biggest plot hole of all: the Game is established at picking up bored, lazy hedonists who happen to be very clever and looking for a thrill. It has been running for at least twenty years, possibly even before the inception of the internet. And yet, nobody before Henrik has given a thought to trying to undermine the Game before now? Nobody else has ever come close to succeeding? Okay then.
However, it's still an easily readable book. Every chapter seems to have a new revelation and there's still something about the premise which makes me want to see how it all ends. There must be something I like about it, otherwise I wouldn't care, right?
Right?
Firstly, there's my more petty complaints: the overuse of the exclamation mark, text speech in prose, typos and completely confusing passages where you have absolutely no clue who the author is on about. Then again, some of these issues may be down to the translator and/or editor and not solely the author's fault. Regardless, these are things that I find throw me out of the 'world' that has been built and are a distraction.
More worryingly are issues with the plot itself. How many times can an unfit man who has been tortured escape from a psychopath who visits the gym daily and runs relentlessly? The end of Game seriously insinuated that Magnus/Manga/Farook was the Game Master, but suddenly Henrik is utterly convinced that Tage Sammer is, based on what evidence? What about following up on Micke being a Game player and/or Ant? There's the regular insinuations that stability is boring and affairs are the way to go. Royal buildings apparently have no form of protection whatsoever and kids can get up there to play tricks on police officers. Rebecca can forgive Henrik for any kind of stupidity - including nearly killing herself and a colleague - and yet, if Rebecca happens to be fond of someone who Henrik irrationally hates then it's a nightmare?
But then, there's also the biggest plot hole of all: the Game is established at picking up bored, lazy hedonists who happen to be very clever and looking for a thrill. It has been running for at least twenty years, possibly even before the inception of the internet. And yet, nobody before Henrik has given a thought to trying to undermine the Game before now? Nobody else has ever come close to succeeding? Okay then.
However, it's still an easily readable book. Every chapter seems to have a new revelation and there's still something about the premise which makes me want to see how it all ends. There must be something I like about it, otherwise I wouldn't care, right?
Right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2015
Играта разкрива своите тайни
Цялото ревю тук: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2015/0...
След мощното начало на трилогията е време за равносметка, близане на рани и лудо харчене на едни два милиона откраднати пари – къде да се покрият щетите, нанесени в първата книга, къде да се изхарчат по красиви жени и луксозни курорти. Андерш де ла Моте набива спирачки и от дивия екшън в „Играта“, том първи от поредицата, поема в друга посока с втората. „Тръпката“ („Сиела“, 2015, с превод на Любомир Гиздов) е далеч по-тиха, но пък разкрива повече елементи от прословутата Игра. Рязката промяна може и да не е голям плюс за читателя, но де ла Моте така си е нарисувал схемата и няма да му придирям много, стига да завърши подобаващо трилогията си. Все пак читателят не е оставен „на сухо“ и след стотина страници разходка из курортите и съвестта на главния герой, започват да се отварят врати, които водят към голямата конспирация. HP се променя тотално като човек и става далеч по-смел (от време на време), а сестра му Ребека пък все още продължава като по чудо да избира точно късата клечка като охранител на ВИП персони и в личния си живот. Както е тръгнало, Играта не може да бъде забравена, а играчите няма как да си живуркат спокойно в нея или извън нея.
В „Тръпката“ главната атракция съвсем очевидно е Интернет пространството и тайните, които крие. Обаче за един нашенец всичко изглежда „пределно ясно“ и едва ли де ла Моте може да го накара да възкликне от изненада и да промени из основа възгледите си за това кой движи нещата в дигиталния свят. Тук изненадите са в подробностите, които навързват видимите с невидимите нишки и дават достатъчно ясна картина за какво основно се ползват болшинството от информационни сайтове, форумите, фалшивите профили и какво ли още не. Описани са начините, по които големите корпорации защитават репутацията си, как се манипулират търсачките и по какъв начин от черното може лесно да се направи бяло. (Продължава в блога: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2015/0...)
Цялото ревю тук: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2015/0...
След мощното начало на трилогията е време за равносметка, близане на рани и лудо харчене на едни два милиона откраднати пари – къде да се покрият щетите, нанесени в първата книга, къде да се изхарчат по красиви жени и луксозни курорти. Андерш де ла Моте набива спирачки и от дивия екшън в „Играта“, том първи от поредицата, поема в друга посока с втората. „Тръпката“ („Сиела“, 2015, с превод на Любомир Гиздов) е далеч по-тиха, но пък разкрива повече елементи от прословутата Игра. Рязката промяна може и да не е голям плюс за читателя, но де ла Моте така си е нарисувал схемата и няма да му придирям много, стига да завърши подобаващо трилогията си. Все пак читателят не е оставен „на сухо“ и след стотина страници разходка из курортите и съвестта на главния герой, започват да се отварят врати, които водят към голямата конспирация. HP се променя тотално като човек и става далеч по-смел (от време на време), а сестра му Ребека пък все още продължава като по чудо да избира точно късата клечка като охранител на ВИП персони и в личния си живот. Както е тръгнало, Играта не може да бъде забравена, а играчите няма как да си живуркат спокойно в нея или извън нея.
В „Тръпката“ главната атракция съвсем очевидно е Интернет пространството и тайните, които крие. Обаче за един нашенец всичко изглежда „пределно ясно“ и едва ли де ла Моте може да го накара да възкликне от изненада и да промени из основа възгледите си за това кой движи нещата в дигиталния свят. Тук изненадите са в подробностите, които навързват видимите с невидимите нишки и дават достатъчно ясна картина за какво основно се ползват болшинството от информационни сайтове, форумите, фалшивите профили и какво ли още не. Описани са начините, по които големите корпорации защитават репутацията си, как се манипулират търсачките и по какъв начин от черното може лесно да се направи бяло. (Продължава в блога: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2015/0...)
February 21, 2015
"A internet profunda"
"Quantos têm o facebook, o twitter ou o instagram aberto noutras janelas enquanto estão a ler isto?"
"Balançar-se numa rede ao som das ondas a quebrar na areia é muito bonito quando se sonha com isso, mas viver assim durante o resto da vida?"
"Estamos cada vez mais dependentes de outras pessoas que nos digam como somos inteligentes, atraentes ou espertos."
"Os cidadãos inocentes só existem até ao momento em que são desmascarados. A culpa ou inocência são principalmente uma questão de sentido de oportunidade."
"Se trabalharem sob disfarce durante tempo suficiente, mais cedo ou mais tarde vão começar a questionar-se para quem estão a olhar no espelho da casa de banho..."
Mesmo sem ter o brilhantismo do primeiro, não deixa de ser um excelente thriller. Agora é só esperar dois meses até ser publicado o último da trilogia...
"Quantos têm o facebook, o twitter ou o instagram aberto noutras janelas enquanto estão a ler isto?"
"Balançar-se numa rede ao som das ondas a quebrar na areia é muito bonito quando se sonha com isso, mas viver assim durante o resto da vida?"
"Estamos cada vez mais dependentes de outras pessoas que nos digam como somos inteligentes, atraentes ou espertos."
"Os cidadãos inocentes só existem até ao momento em que são desmascarados. A culpa ou inocência são principalmente uma questão de sentido de oportunidade."
"Se trabalharem sob disfarce durante tempo suficiente, mais cedo ou mais tarde vão começar a questionar-se para quem estão a olhar no espelho da casa de banho..."
Mesmo sem ter o brilhantismo do primeiro, não deixa de ser um excelente thriller. Agora é só esperar dois meses até ser publicado o último da trilogia...
March 31, 2014
Tak, a mam docteno! :-( A zazivam klasickou depresi vsech knihomolu, kteri prave docetli perfektni knizku a zustal v nich jen pocit prazdnoty, ze uz to nepokracuje dal. Aspon teda zatim (uz aby byl dalsi dil!). Bylo to paradni, dostatecne strhujici, neotrele, poutave napsane, s vybrousenym jazykem a mistrnymi obraty. Jsem velmi spokojena a asi budu dlouho hledat dalsi kouseke, ktery by se tomu v mych ocich vyrovnal.
July 1, 2015
Jag gillade verkligen [geim], den kändes fräsch och ny. Eftersom den också slutade med en cliffhanger så såg jag verkligen fram emot att läsa andra delen, [buzz]. Läs mer på http://bokslut.blogspot.se/2015/07/bu...
August 10, 2023
Setting: Sudan, Dubai and Sweden; modern day.
This is the 2nd book in The Game trilogy. Some 14 months after the events featured in the first book, former Game player Henrik Pettersson (generally known as HP) has been touring Asia - but he is now missing the excitement of The Game and is looking to return to Sweden, although wary that the Gamemaster may still be hunting him. Travelling under an assumed name, HP ends up in Dubai - but ends up in great peril.
Meanwhile, his sister Rebecca is now leading a Protection Unit in the Swedish Police and is in Sudan, guarding a Swedish minister during a fact-finding mission. But, when Rebecca curtails the mission due to a perceived terrorist threat, she finds herself accused of gross misconduct on returning to Sweden.
Once in Sweden, both HP and Rebecca find themselves battling against various forces that are ranged against them, as HP seeks something to replace the excitement of The Game....
This was quite an enjoyable read, which actually got better as it went on. This was probably because I got used to the strange writing style, which alternated between HP and Rebecca with nearly every page break within each chapter. I will now be looking out for the final book in the trilogy to see how the story is brought to a conclusion - 8/10.
This is the 2nd book in The Game trilogy. Some 14 months after the events featured in the first book, former Game player Henrik Pettersson (generally known as HP) has been touring Asia - but he is now missing the excitement of The Game and is looking to return to Sweden, although wary that the Gamemaster may still be hunting him. Travelling under an assumed name, HP ends up in Dubai - but ends up in great peril.
Meanwhile, his sister Rebecca is now leading a Protection Unit in the Swedish Police and is in Sudan, guarding a Swedish minister during a fact-finding mission. But, when Rebecca curtails the mission due to a perceived terrorist threat, she finds herself accused of gross misconduct on returning to Sweden.
Once in Sweden, both HP and Rebecca find themselves battling against various forces that are ranged against them, as HP seeks something to replace the excitement of The Game....
This was quite an enjoyable read, which actually got better as it went on. This was probably because I got used to the strange writing style, which alternated between HP and Rebecca with nearly every page break within each chapter. I will now be looking out for the final book in the trilogy to see how the story is brought to a conclusion - 8/10.
November 7, 2013
Book Info
Kindle Edition, 480 pages
Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books (first published 2011)
original title Buzz
ASIN B00AYIDR9O
series HP Pettersson #2
other editions (14)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
AMAZON
B&N
In the second installment in a new international thriller trilogy, a young man is on the run to escape a “game” that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
It’s been four months since he was dragged into the Alternative Reality Game that nearly cost him his life, and HP is still on the run. He has everything he ever wished for—freedom, money, and no responsibilities, but he still isn’t happy. Plagued by insomnia and paranoia, HP misses the rush and attention of The Game. Sometimes he almost wishes the Game Master would find him.
In Dubai, HP meets Anna Argos, a sophisticated and beautiful Swedish IT millionaire. When she disappears, HP is questioned by the police. Fearing he has been found by The Game, HP returns to Sweden after being released from custody. Determined to uncover the truth about Anna’s disappearance, HP uses a fake identity to apply for a job at Argos Eye, the company Anna worked for. In the business of online information management, Argos Eye is involved in some questionable practices, under the control of Anna’s husband, the CEO Philip Argos.
Meanwhile, HP’s sister Rebecca has started dating Philip Argos. When she unknowingly reveals her brother’s real identity to Philip, the police try to bring HP in for questioning again. On the run again, HP refuses to give up and tries to uncover what is really happening at ArgosEye. Before he can find the truth, HP is stopped in his tracks. Thinking he’s about to be thrown in prison, HP is taken to the outskirts of the city and left in the woods, where an elderly man hands him a piece of paper. HP believes the game is over, but is it really just beginning?
After 4 months of running, searching for the perfect high or the perfect escape into alcohol induced escape from reality HP has tired of traveling around the globe and longs to stop looking over his shoulder in fear of being found. Neither the privileges accorded him by his newfound wealth nor the most luxurious accommodations can erase his sense of isolation and loneliness for home.
HP finds himself at a stopping point in Dubai where he hooks up with a beautiful blonde, the woman agrees to go on an expedition with he and an acquaintance that he had met on his travels which results in her disappearance and HP being targeted as her murderer. A case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people is not as straightforward as it seems, HP soon realizes that he has been set up and also that he is in grave danger if he cannot provide proof that he did not indeed commit a crime.
Upon being able to set the police on the trail of the real criminal HP is released and returns home to Sweden, he feels that no one would be looking for him to come to his homeland and he feels a burning need to uncover the truth about what happened to Anna Argos to which end he creates the perfect opportunity for himself when he becomes the newest employee of Argos Eye. However once again HP discovers that he has gotten involved way over his head, especially when his new employer inadvertently discovers his real identity.
The story lines once again take two different tangents, that of HP and his chaotic searching for the truths that may or may not finally set him free from the clutches of the Game and it’s hypnotic ability to ensnare him and that of his sister Rebecca as she herself becomes an unwitting pawn.
The way in which the author patiently reveals the true purpose of the Game is both thrilling and terrifying, seeing how both HP and Rebecca navigate each hurdle that crops up in their path takes patience as they slowly but surely come closer to solving the mystery of why the two of them have been targeted by the Game Master and thrown into a world that neither one is prepared for where no one can be trusted and anyone could be the enemy the pair is trying to evade!
Book 3, Bubble: A Thriller hopefully will answer all the questions raised throughout the previous two books and provide a satisfactory conclusion for both HP and his sister Rebecca as well. I guess we all have to read on and find out for ourselves. Regardless things are for sure becoming very interesting as the story progresses!
Kindle Edition, 480 pages
Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books (first published 2011)
original title Buzz
ASIN B00AYIDR9O
series HP Pettersson #2
other editions (14)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
AMAZON
B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS
In the second installment in a new international thriller trilogy, a young man is on the run to escape a “game” that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
It’s been four months since he was dragged into the Alternative Reality Game that nearly cost him his life, and HP is still on the run. He has everything he ever wished for—freedom, money, and no responsibilities, but he still isn’t happy. Plagued by insomnia and paranoia, HP misses the rush and attention of The Game. Sometimes he almost wishes the Game Master would find him.
In Dubai, HP meets Anna Argos, a sophisticated and beautiful Swedish IT millionaire. When she disappears, HP is questioned by the police. Fearing he has been found by The Game, HP returns to Sweden after being released from custody. Determined to uncover the truth about Anna’s disappearance, HP uses a fake identity to apply for a job at Argos Eye, the company Anna worked for. In the business of online information management, Argos Eye is involved in some questionable practices, under the control of Anna’s husband, the CEO Philip Argos.
Meanwhile, HP’s sister Rebecca has started dating Philip Argos. When she unknowingly reveals her brother’s real identity to Philip, the police try to bring HP in for questioning again. On the run again, HP refuses to give up and tries to uncover what is really happening at ArgosEye. Before he can find the truth, HP is stopped in his tracks. Thinking he’s about to be thrown in prison, HP is taken to the outskirts of the city and left in the woods, where an elderly man hands him a piece of paper. HP believes the game is over, but is it really just beginning?
My Thoughts
After 4 months of running, searching for the perfect high or the perfect escape into alcohol induced escape from reality HP has tired of traveling around the globe and longs to stop looking over his shoulder in fear of being found. Neither the privileges accorded him by his newfound wealth nor the most luxurious accommodations can erase his sense of isolation and loneliness for home.
HP finds himself at a stopping point in Dubai where he hooks up with a beautiful blonde, the woman agrees to go on an expedition with he and an acquaintance that he had met on his travels which results in her disappearance and HP being targeted as her murderer. A case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people is not as straightforward as it seems, HP soon realizes that he has been set up and also that he is in grave danger if he cannot provide proof that he did not indeed commit a crime.
Upon being able to set the police on the trail of the real criminal HP is released and returns home to Sweden, he feels that no one would be looking for him to come to his homeland and he feels a burning need to uncover the truth about what happened to Anna Argos to which end he creates the perfect opportunity for himself when he becomes the newest employee of Argos Eye. However once again HP discovers that he has gotten involved way over his head, especially when his new employer inadvertently discovers his real identity.
The story lines once again take two different tangents, that of HP and his chaotic searching for the truths that may or may not finally set him free from the clutches of the Game and it’s hypnotic ability to ensnare him and that of his sister Rebecca as she herself becomes an unwitting pawn.
The way in which the author patiently reveals the true purpose of the Game is both thrilling and terrifying, seeing how both HP and Rebecca navigate each hurdle that crops up in their path takes patience as they slowly but surely come closer to solving the mystery of why the two of them have been targeted by the Game Master and thrown into a world that neither one is prepared for where no one can be trusted and anyone could be the enemy the pair is trying to evade!
Book 3, Bubble: A Thriller hopefully will answer all the questions raised throughout the previous two books and provide a satisfactory conclusion for both HP and his sister Rebecca as well. I guess we all have to read on and find out for ourselves. Regardless things are for sure becoming very interesting as the story progresses!
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
October 15, 2022
Don’t really need to review this crime/fantasy novel as the two-star reviews below have really done it for me. The writing style is average only, with many annoying changes of perspective in every chapter, as well as unbelievable coincidences. The only saving grace of the book was the warning of the power of the internet, social media in particular, for spreading mis- and dis-information. Sorry, this is the only de la Motte novel I will read.
April 21, 2023
Začátek byl na odložení (to je tak když naskakujete do série až od 2 knížky) ale po překousnutí zmatku ze začátku velmi dobré a hlavně čtivé. @Anders vypada, jako muj nejoblíbenější severský autor.
June 19, 2015
Идеята за свободния обмен на файлове и информация има дълбоки корени в Швеция, та това е страната, в която бе създаден един от най-известните и скандални торент тракери - The Pirate Bay. През 2006 г. пак в Швеция бе основана и първата по рода си Пиратска партия, която започна да набира скорост, а в основата на тяхна политическа програма залегнаха именно проблемите с авторските права и защитата на лични данни. Може да се каже, че скандинавските страни точно по това отношение са доста чувствителни.
Именно поради тази причина трилогията на Андерш де ла Моте е доста актуална, тъй като шведския писател е един от малкото, които поставят под въпрос добронамерените цели на целия този поток от информация, както и от опасността той да започне да се контролира и да се насочва, да се моделира по желанието на крупни групировки.
Светът, в който живеем, е свят на дигиталната информация. Всеки публикува своите данни в социалните мрежи, включително и това какви филми, книги, музика, спорт и дейности харесва. Социалните мрежи вече станаха основно средство за извличане на данни. Преди 2-3 години, когато се явявах на интервюта за работа, HR-ите определено бяха ровичкали във Facebook, в блоговете ми и бяха вече изготвили доста обстоен профил. Тази информация е ценна за големите компании, тъй като по този начин те могат да планират своите маркетинг модели, направляват активи, моделират продукти, както и внимателно да подбират персонал. Но това е само малка част от възможностите, чрез този информационен поток може да се контролират не само корпоративни желания, но и политическите нагласи. В романа именно политическата част е една от основните теми, а на една от страниците бегло се споменава как именно интернет изигра решаваща роля в срутването на дългогодишни системи в северноафриканските страни.
Затова ще цитирам няколко абзаца от втората част на трилогията "Game, Buzz, Bubble" книгата, които много ясно абсорбират основните идеи, нахвърлени дотук:
"- Интернет е абсолютно затънал в информация, която хората си пробутват едни на други. Любими телевизионни предавания, филми или книги, религиозни и политически възгледи, какви коледни подаръци са взели на децата или какво са сготвили за вечеря. И защо? Ами защото почти всички от нас вътрешно копнеят за едно-единствени нещо.
- Признание - измърмори НР.
- Именно! Ставаме все по-зависими от това други хора да потвърждават колко сме умни, красиви или способни. Какво прекрасно съществуване водим с хубавите си съпруги или съпрузи и прелестни деца, колко щастлив се е получил тъкмо нашият живот. За разлика от другите, онези, които имат грешния вид чувство за хумор, ядат грешната храна, носят грешните дрехи, живеят в грешните жилища, отглеждат децата си по грешен начин или просто имат грешни възгледи за живота".
...
С други думи, модерният свободолюбив човек, прегърнал идеята за поверителността на информацията, картографира сам себе си до най-малките лични подробности. Дори Джордж Оруел не би могъл да предвиди такъв сценарий.
...
Трийсет хиляди терабайта, знаеш ли колко е това?...Това означава трийсет милиона милиарда байта, толкова информация тече по интернет всеки час, поне според определени източници. Трийсет милиона миларда букви, цифри или други знаци. Три хиляди часа нови клипчета в Youtube, над 5 милиона блогпоста или туитвания. Всичко това за един незначителен час.
...
Но...когато клиентите получат подробни сведения за всички механизми в мрежата, ежедневни механизми, които имат пряко влияние върху крайната сума в отчета за доходите им, обикновено не минава дълго, преди да попитат за следващата стъпка..
-Контрол - вметна НР. "
След като изяснихме цялата идеология за втората част от трилогията, е редно с няколко думи да спомена някои неща и за историята, която продължава с Хенрик Петершон (познат като НР), сестра му Ребека и купищата проблеми и интриги, с които постоянно се забъркват.
След като едвам се измъква жив от Дубай, HP се връща в Швеция, където постъпва във IT фирма, чиято основна задача е именно контрол в интернет пространството. Създаване на профили-тролове, които да се опитат да влияят в социалните мрежи и блогове, във форуми и сайтове. Но старите духове от първата част започват да го преследват, животът на HP виси на косъм във всеки един момент.
Андерш де ла Моте умее да държи в напрежение читателя и да разлиства неусетно страница след страница, но пък в желанието си непрекъснато да изненадва и шокира, се е престарал с многобройните туистове в последната третина, където книгата започва да придобива малко повече вид на холивудски трилър, но не може да не се признае - затваряш последната страница с идеята веднага да започнеш третата част.
Именно поради тази причина трилогията на Андерш де ла Моте е доста актуална, тъй като шведския писател е един от малкото, които поставят под въпрос добронамерените цели на целия този поток от информация, както и от опасността той да започне да се контролира и да се насочва, да се моделира по желанието на крупни групировки.
Светът, в който живеем, е свят на дигиталната информация. Всеки публикува своите данни в социалните мрежи, включително и това какви филми, книги, музика, спорт и дейности харесва. Социалните мрежи вече станаха основно средство за извличане на данни. Преди 2-3 години, когато се явявах на интервюта за работа, HR-ите определено бяха ровичкали във Facebook, в блоговете ми и бяха вече изготвили доста обстоен профил. Тази информация е ценна за големите компании, тъй като по този начин те могат да планират своите маркетинг модели, направляват активи, моделират продукти, както и внимателно да подбират персонал. Но това е само малка част от възможностите, чрез този информационен поток може да се контролират не само корпоративни желания, но и политическите нагласи. В романа именно политическата част е една от основните теми, а на една от страниците бегло се споменава как именно интернет изигра решаваща роля в срутването на дългогодишни системи в северноафриканските страни.
Затова ще цитирам няколко абзаца от втората част на трилогията "Game, Buzz, Bubble" книгата, които много ясно абсорбират основните идеи, нахвърлени дотук:
"- Интернет е абсолютно затънал в информация, която хората си пробутват едни на други. Любими телевизионни предавания, филми или книги, религиозни и политически възгледи, какви коледни подаръци са взели на децата или какво са сготвили за вечеря. И защо? Ами защото почти всички от нас вътрешно копнеят за едно-единствени нещо.
- Признание - измърмори НР.
- Именно! Ставаме все по-зависими от това други хора да потвърждават колко сме умни, красиви или способни. Какво прекрасно съществуване водим с хубавите си съпруги или съпрузи и прелестни деца, колко щастлив се е получил тъкмо нашият живот. За разлика от другите, онези, които имат грешния вид чувство за хумор, ядат грешната храна, носят грешните дрехи, живеят в грешните жилища, отглеждат децата си по грешен начин или просто имат грешни възгледи за живота".
...
С други думи, модерният свободолюбив човек, прегърнал идеята за поверителността на информацията, картографира сам себе си до най-малките лични подробности. Дори Джордж Оруел не би могъл да предвиди такъв сценарий.
...
Трийсет хиляди терабайта, знаеш ли колко е това?...Това означава трийсет милиона милиарда байта, толкова информация тече по интернет всеки час, поне според определени източници. Трийсет милиона миларда букви, цифри или други знаци. Три хиляди часа нови клипчета в Youtube, над 5 милиона блогпоста или туитвания. Всичко това за един незначителен час.
...
Но...когато клиентите получат подробни сведения за всички механизми в мрежата, ежедневни механизми, които имат пряко влияние върху крайната сума в отчета за доходите им, обикновено не минава дълго, преди да попитат за следващата стъпка..
-Контрол - вметна НР. "
След като изяснихме цялата идеология за втората част от трилогията, е редно с няколко думи да спомена някои неща и за историята, която продължава с Хенрик Петершон (познат като НР), сестра му Ребека и купищата проблеми и интриги, с които постоянно се забъркват.
След като едвам се измъква жив от Дубай, HP се връща в Швеция, където постъпва във IT фирма, чиято основна задача е именно контрол в интернет пространството. Създаване на профили-тролове, които да се опитат да влияят в социалните мрежи и блогове, във форуми и сайтове. Но старите духове от първата част започват да го преследват, животът на HP виси на косъм във всеки един момент.
Андерш де ла Моте умее да държи в напрежение читателя и да разлиства неусетно страница след страница, но пък в желанието си непрекъснато да изненадва и шокира, се е престарал с многобройните туистове в последната третина, където книгата започва да придобива малко повече вид на холивудски трилър, но не може да не се признае - затваряш последната страница с идеята веднага да започнеш третата част.
November 20, 2013
Buzzing after Buzz
The problem with Buzz is that you eventually finish the book. Buzz is the second book in the Game Trilogy by Anders De La Motte that keeps up the pace of Game and continues with all the twists and turns with regular surprises when not really expecting them. This really is the edge of the seat stuff everything you want and expect from a thriller, from two competing worlds of the real and online world. It is also based on fact as you read this book knowing that there are companies out there that like to clean up reputations online for companies and people, whereas here Anders de La Motte takes it that one step further.
The story continues on 14 months after Game has finished and HP is touring the world and trying to keep a very low profile low tech life as not to let The Game Master know that he is alive and where the money he liberated from the Game Master is. He is starting to get bored when he lands in Dubai and meets business woman Anna Anders and this is the beginning of where things start to get beyond his control. He is accused of murder and is then deported back to Sweden but does not want the Game Master to find out he is back in the country.
He somehow manages to get a job at an IT company where he even he was surprised and even enjoyed it but then again he was not quite honest as to who he was. Things are going well he is learning and enjoying his relationships when unbeknown to him by accident his sister will turn his world upside down and from there he really will need his wits about him to stay alive.
Becca has been promoted and has been out in Darfur protecting a minister on an official government visit when as the head of the bodyguard she has to get everyone away in a hurry from a baying crowd and danger. They get home and she is suspended pending an investigation in to her conduct but her life goes from good to bad in the blink of an eye. She is being taunted on a police internet forum she does not know who to trust and is suspicious of everyone. She has not seen or heard from her brother in 14 months until he lands on a car roof by her.
From the minute they are reunited they do not know how much trouble either of them are in and how dangerous things are going to get. Not until a friend of their late father’s intervenes do things start to work out correctly for them both. But not before they’re involved in quite a few situations that they may not leave alive will things work out who knows as that is a whole new game level.
This again mirrors the pace in Game but Buzz takes things to a different level while keeping an exciting and exacting pace. This is the sort of book where you think I will read a chapter and when you next look up it is an hour later and you are well into the story and thinking you should be doing something else but cannot leave as you are getting a buzz from Buzz. I cannot recommend this book highly enough as the follow on from Game and now that I have finished to the final book Bubble, I cannot wait.
The problem with Buzz is that you eventually finish the book. Buzz is the second book in the Game Trilogy by Anders De La Motte that keeps up the pace of Game and continues with all the twists and turns with regular surprises when not really expecting them. This really is the edge of the seat stuff everything you want and expect from a thriller, from two competing worlds of the real and online world. It is also based on fact as you read this book knowing that there are companies out there that like to clean up reputations online for companies and people, whereas here Anders de La Motte takes it that one step further.
The story continues on 14 months after Game has finished and HP is touring the world and trying to keep a very low profile low tech life as not to let The Game Master know that he is alive and where the money he liberated from the Game Master is. He is starting to get bored when he lands in Dubai and meets business woman Anna Anders and this is the beginning of where things start to get beyond his control. He is accused of murder and is then deported back to Sweden but does not want the Game Master to find out he is back in the country.
He somehow manages to get a job at an IT company where he even he was surprised and even enjoyed it but then again he was not quite honest as to who he was. Things are going well he is learning and enjoying his relationships when unbeknown to him by accident his sister will turn his world upside down and from there he really will need his wits about him to stay alive.
Becca has been promoted and has been out in Darfur protecting a minister on an official government visit when as the head of the bodyguard she has to get everyone away in a hurry from a baying crowd and danger. They get home and she is suspended pending an investigation in to her conduct but her life goes from good to bad in the blink of an eye. She is being taunted on a police internet forum she does not know who to trust and is suspicious of everyone. She has not seen or heard from her brother in 14 months until he lands on a car roof by her.
From the minute they are reunited they do not know how much trouble either of them are in and how dangerous things are going to get. Not until a friend of their late father’s intervenes do things start to work out correctly for them both. But not before they’re involved in quite a few situations that they may not leave alive will things work out who knows as that is a whole new game level.
This again mirrors the pace in Game but Buzz takes things to a different level while keeping an exciting and exacting pace. This is the sort of book where you think I will read a chapter and when you next look up it is an hour later and you are well into the story and thinking you should be doing something else but cannot leave as you are getting a buzz from Buzz. I cannot recommend this book highly enough as the follow on from Game and now that I have finished to the final book Bubble, I cannot wait.
December 16, 2013
Game and Buzz are the first two books in a three book thriller series by Swedish author Anders de la Motte.
In Game, the first installment, we meet Henrik “HP” Pettersson and his sister Rebecca Normén. HP is an aimless loser while Rebecca is a bodyguard with the Swedish Security Police. When HP acquires a cell phone left behind on a train, the mysterious device keeps asking him if he wants to play a game. He was just going to sell the thing for some quick cash, but when it asks him by name to play the game, he decides to give the game a try. He becomes embroiled in a game that is wide spread, more vicious than he could have ever anticipated, and more profitable if he is willing to take big risks. When HP decides to play this most dangerous game where his every move seems to be watched, he inadvertently gets his sister involved.
In Buzz HP was on the run for four months after the events in Game, but a set-up and circumstances force him back to Sweden where, in order to investigate why he was targeted overseas (and to see if it was part of the Game), he gets a job by masquerading as someone else. In the meantime Rebecca is facing trumped up charges and is suspended from the security Police. While she's waiting for the investigation to be completed a cop-blogger seems to be targeting her for a fall.
In both Game and Buzz there are many references to social media and how it can be (or is) used for nefarious purposes or at least for influencing and trying to sway public opinion in a targeted direction. While they were interesting and at times quite thrilling, for me, at least, it felt like something was lost in the translation from the original. The whole narrative in both books just switches back and forth from HP to Rebecca with no indication of a transition. I got used to it over two books but it also diminished much of the potential enjoyment of the series.
Honestly, I found HP grating and annoying, while, basically, I liked Rebecca. Over time HP redeemed himself slightly above annoying in Game and into Buzz, but then I just grew tired of him and Rebecca - not a good sign. My lack of empathy with the characters coupled with the lack of transitions did not bode well for me overlooking the language and unattractive actions of the characters. While there were some interesting ideas, in the end both books amounted to a so-so read for me.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Atria/Emily Bestler Books via Netgalley for review purposes.
In Game, the first installment, we meet Henrik “HP” Pettersson and his sister Rebecca Normén. HP is an aimless loser while Rebecca is a bodyguard with the Swedish Security Police. When HP acquires a cell phone left behind on a train, the mysterious device keeps asking him if he wants to play a game. He was just going to sell the thing for some quick cash, but when it asks him by name to play the game, he decides to give the game a try. He becomes embroiled in a game that is wide spread, more vicious than he could have ever anticipated, and more profitable if he is willing to take big risks. When HP decides to play this most dangerous game where his every move seems to be watched, he inadvertently gets his sister involved.
In Buzz HP was on the run for four months after the events in Game, but a set-up and circumstances force him back to Sweden where, in order to investigate why he was targeted overseas (and to see if it was part of the Game), he gets a job by masquerading as someone else. In the meantime Rebecca is facing trumped up charges and is suspended from the security Police. While she's waiting for the investigation to be completed a cop-blogger seems to be targeting her for a fall.
In both Game and Buzz there are many references to social media and how it can be (or is) used for nefarious purposes or at least for influencing and trying to sway public opinion in a targeted direction. While they were interesting and at times quite thrilling, for me, at least, it felt like something was lost in the translation from the original. The whole narrative in both books just switches back and forth from HP to Rebecca with no indication of a transition. I got used to it over two books but it also diminished much of the potential enjoyment of the series.
Honestly, I found HP grating and annoying, while, basically, I liked Rebecca. Over time HP redeemed himself slightly above annoying in Game and into Buzz, but then I just grew tired of him and Rebecca - not a good sign. My lack of empathy with the characters coupled with the lack of transitions did not bode well for me overlooking the language and unattractive actions of the characters. While there were some interesting ideas, in the end both books amounted to a so-so read for me.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Atria/Emily Bestler Books via Netgalley for review purposes.
January 19, 2020
Bättre än förväntat!
April 4, 2015
I had a big doubt - to give 2 or 3 stars. Finally, I've decided to give it 3 stars because there are some parts I really liked. I totally agree with this conversation.
Today is all about affirmation. We are not happy if we don't get enough likes, tweets, whatever. It seems that nowadays we eat, sleep, go out, go to holidays just because we want to be seen.
One more good thing about the novel is, again, its ending. Unexpecting, just like in Game.
There are a lot of thing which I didn't like, but I won't mention them here.
Surely, it is not the best novel I have read. It could be much better, and I hope that the last part will have higher quality than first two parts.
Today is all about affirmation. We are not happy if we don't get enough likes, tweets, whatever. It seems that nowadays we eat, sleep, go out, go to holidays just because we want to be seen.
One more good thing about the novel is, again, its ending. Unexpecting, just like in Game.
There are a lot of thing which I didn't like, but I won't mention them here.
Surely, it is not the best novel I have read. It could be much better, and I hope that the last part will have higher quality than first two parts.
November 18, 2025
Oh boyy. There's a lot going on with this one... So let me start with the good stuff.
The story is good. It's exciting, promising and you just want to keep on reading because you just háve to know how it will end. The entire book is one big puzzle and in the end, the pieces will fit together. It actually makes you want to read more.
But the reason why I'm only giving this book two stars is because of the writing. I wanted to see if the writer developed his writing skills after the first book but he didn't. Not even a bit. The two main characters are still annoying and boring as hell. HP is just a dick and will probably always be one. Rebecca is pathetic. As a reader, I find it very hard to like them and so the story becomes harder to read.
Also, HP makes me cringy. Literally. The way he thinks, the way he talks... It's like he's not an adult but a teenager who just learned some English. It's really hard to explain because readers who read the English translation will probably notice it less than others. Just imagine you're reading something in your own language and somehow the main character just throws in some modern English. It's really hard to explain but all the cursing in English was just frustrating to read and made me wanna throw the book out of the window.
I'm gonna read the final book, because of the story. But I would never recommend anyone reading this triology.
The story is good. It's exciting, promising and you just want to keep on reading because you just háve to know how it will end. The entire book is one big puzzle and in the end, the pieces will fit together. It actually makes you want to read more.
But the reason why I'm only giving this book two stars is because of the writing. I wanted to see if the writer developed his writing skills after the first book but he didn't. Not even a bit. The two main characters are still annoying and boring as hell. HP is just a dick and will probably always be one. Rebecca is pathetic. As a reader, I find it very hard to like them and so the story becomes harder to read.
Also, HP makes me cringy. Literally. The way he thinks, the way he talks... It's like he's not an adult but a teenager who just learned some English. It's really hard to explain because readers who read the English translation will probably notice it less than others. Just imagine you're reading something in your own language and somehow the main character just throws in some modern English. It's really hard to explain but all the cursing in English was just frustrating to read and made me wanna throw the book out of the window.
I'm gonna read the final book, because of the story. But I would never recommend anyone reading this triology.
February 12, 2016
Nieważne, że pomysł na powieść nie porywa już tak, jak miało to miejsce w przypadku części pierwszej. Nieważne, że nasz HP spada, skacze i przewraca się tyle razy, iż współczuję każdej pojedynczej komórce jego ciała. Nie ma najmniejszego znaczenia, że momentami fabuła jest naciągana jak skóra na twarzach niektórych celebrytów. Książka jest po prostu świetna.
„[buzz]” = perfekcyjne tempo. Naprawdę. Wszystkie zdarzenia dzieją się tak, jak powinni się dziać w thrillerze. Nie ma dłużyzn, ale nie lecimy też po łebkach. Przeskoki narracyjne między dwójką bohaterów znów są zróżnicowane stylistycznie. Nie mam pojęcia, jak policjant i dyrektor do spraw bezpieczeństwa w firmie IT (a takich zawodów imał się autor) może mieć taką smykałkę literacką, ale kupuję go całego.
Ktoś kiedyś powiedział mi, że zazdrości mi tego, iż nie boję się eksperymentować z nowymi autorami. O Andersie de la Motte na początku nie wiedziałam nic - oprócz tego, że napisał „tę odjechaną książkę, która miała świetną akcję marketingową”. Podczas jednej z wizyt w Matrasie kupiłam dwie pierwsze części cyklu jednocześnie. Nie tylko nie żałuję, ale chyba też powinnam podziękować sama sobie, że się nie wahałam. Nie pozostaje mi nic innego, jak czekać na „[bubble]”. Dawać mi tu, ino szybko!
„[buzz]” = perfekcyjne tempo. Naprawdę. Wszystkie zdarzenia dzieją się tak, jak powinni się dziać w thrillerze. Nie ma dłużyzn, ale nie lecimy też po łebkach. Przeskoki narracyjne między dwójką bohaterów znów są zróżnicowane stylistycznie. Nie mam pojęcia, jak policjant i dyrektor do spraw bezpieczeństwa w firmie IT (a takich zawodów imał się autor) może mieć taką smykałkę literacką, ale kupuję go całego.
Ktoś kiedyś powiedział mi, że zazdrości mi tego, iż nie boję się eksperymentować z nowymi autorami. O Andersie de la Motte na początku nie wiedziałam nic - oprócz tego, że napisał „tę odjechaną książkę, która miała świetną akcję marketingową”. Podczas jednej z wizyt w Matrasie kupiłam dwie pierwsze części cyklu jednocześnie. Nie tylko nie żałuję, ale chyba też powinnam podziękować sama sobie, że się nie wahałam. Nie pozostaje mi nic innego, jak czekać na „[bubble]”. Dawać mi tu, ino szybko!
August 27, 2017
My Grade = 60% - D-
Earlier this month I found Game, the first book in this trilogy at a thrift store, and I liked it so much that, by the time I was halfway through, I bought the next two books in the series on eBay.
I just finished Buzz, the second book at the town pool about an hour ago. As I sit here typing this, book by my side, I see that on the bottom is ink stamped "Mobile Public Library," and on the back is a sticker that reads, "DISCARD." I only wish that I had done that before I started reading it.
I cannot imagine a more unsatisfying sequel (or book two in a trilogy) than was this!
It was not at all interesting, the characters, especially the two main ones, were flat. It was unbelievably slow moving, torpid, sluggish.
I am absolutely thrilled to be finally able to say that I have finished it, however, but, unfortunately, Book 3, Bubble, sits on my shelf upstairs, and I am dead set on starting on it tomorrow, just to get it over with so I can actually read something I like.....
Earlier this month I found Game, the first book in this trilogy at a thrift store, and I liked it so much that, by the time I was halfway through, I bought the next two books in the series on eBay.
I just finished Buzz, the second book at the town pool about an hour ago. As I sit here typing this, book by my side, I see that on the bottom is ink stamped "Mobile Public Library," and on the back is a sticker that reads, "DISCARD." I only wish that I had done that before I started reading it.
I cannot imagine a more unsatisfying sequel (or book two in a trilogy) than was this!
It was not at all interesting, the characters, especially the two main ones, were flat. It was unbelievably slow moving, torpid, sluggish.
I am absolutely thrilled to be finally able to say that I have finished it, however, but, unfortunately, Book 3, Bubble, sits on my shelf upstairs, and I am dead set on starting on it tomorrow, just to get it over with so I can actually read something I like.....
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