Review -- The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Played With Fire

by Stieg Larsson

Knopf, 2010

630 pages

*I purchased this book from a local bookstore.

Summary: When two journalists are murdered and Lisbeth Salander is the prime suspect, Mikael Blomkvist sets out to prove Lisbeth's innocence with the help of her friends.

Review: The second book in Larsson's Milennium series, The Girl Who Played With Fire is a fantastic read. I actually enjoyed this one more than The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo because I had experience with Larsson's prose and story style and was not overwhelmed this time with the various subplots. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters whose names grace the pages and how much we learn about their personalities, quirks, and ulterior motives. Even though I was overwhelmed I could not put this book down. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a big read (600+ pages) but is engrossing and intense. Rating: **** out of 5.

Have you read and reviewed this book? Leave a link to your review in the comments section!

Review -- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

by Stieg Larsson

Knopf Doubleday Publishing, 2009

608 pages

*Bought from local bookseller

Summary: Mickael Blomkvist is a journalist who is in the middle of a professional crisis. Convicted in court of libel, he distances himself from his job as publisher and writer for Millennium magazine when an unusual offer comes his way. Henri Vanger offers Mickael a job researching the disappearance of Henri's niece 40 years ago. With the help of hacker Lisbeth Salander, Mickael learns the Vanger family secrets and just what happened to Harriet Vanger all those years ago.

Review: The summary is just a small piece of what actually happens in this book. The novel is chocked full of plots and subplots that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. However, it did take me a good 100 pages to become engaged in the story. There was a lot of set up which completely paid off in the end, but felt long and laborious in the beginning. The characters are well developed and the writing is crisp. I will say that this may not be the right book for everyone. There is a great deal of torture and sexual assault throughout the novel. With that said, I absolutely enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. Rating: **** out of 5

Did you read / review this book too? Leave a link to your review in the comment's section!

3 W Wednesdays -- 5/26

This meme is hosted by Should Be Reading.

What are you currently reading? I am about halfway through The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley.

What have you recently finished reading? Last night I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Last week I read (and recently reviewed) The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard. I also just finished Never Let You Go by Erin Healy (review to come).

What are you reading next? I have to start Shanghai Girls by Lisa See next for a book club meeting in June.

What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? -- 3/1

This week I am continuing my quest to finish Powers by John B. Olson. I am having a hard time getting into the story, but will continue to work on it throughout the week (the book club meeting is next Monday). I hope to have a few minutes to read The End of Overeating this week. The weekend was so crazy that I was unable to pick up this fascinating read again. I also received The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. Many bloggers have raved about this book and I can't wait to read what all the fuss is about!

What are you reading this week? (This meme is hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books).