July 28, 2009

The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson Review and Giveaway (Ends 8-15)

Around the same time Mikael Blomkvist is preparing to run a shattering expose on the Sweden sex trade, Lisbeth Salander becomes the prime suspect in a slew of murders. Cryptic as always Lisbeth doesn’t much aide her defense, and for some reason is dodging Mikael who is convinced that she is (probably?) innocent. To the delight of salivating fans across the world Mikael and Lisbeth along with appearances of some favorites introduced in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo must solve the mysterious murders, and the clues may be buried in Lisbeth’s past.

The tremendous reception of these books must have something to do with Stieg Larsson’s ability to make them feel so modern. The story is Lisbeth’s as Larsson adds layers to his fascinatingly complex character. She may be the hands down best version of a dodgy bisexual computer genius that I’ve ever read. OK, she is the only one I can think of, but that is her charm. It is so rare to come across an original character in contemporary fiction, much less a suspense/crime/mystery novel where formulas and clichés abound.

So what if some of the plot revolves around improbable coincidences? The plot moves. I read these books back to back, more than 950 pages combined, and to my surprise the story never stalled and my interest never lagged. Instead I was disappointed when the second book concluded, and I’m dying to read the third. If you liked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll be glad to know that The Girl Who Played with Fire exceeds even high expectations. Fire stands well on its own, but it is more of an extension of everything I loved about the Tattoo. I find that I can’t talk about one novel without recalling the other. Larsson’s characters and dramatic twists continuously shock. These novels set the benchmark of what a crime novel can be. They are an unparalleled achievement in fiction and worthy of all the buzz and fanfare readers can laud.

Thanks to the help of Random House I am giving away both of the first two books in the trilogy. One reader will receive a hard cover of both The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire and another will receive a Hardcover of The Girl who Played with Fire. Please leave a comment with a distinguishable email to enter. Contest open to US and Canada only and entries must be received by August 15th. Thanks for entering!

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Reviewed by Sara at 1:51 PM
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35 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    I started reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a few months ago and then got sidetracked and didn't pick it back up again. Perhaps I will have to give it another go!

    Sarah: slkooiman@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marian PereraJuly 28, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    I'd like to enter the contest. I've heard about "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" but haven't read it yet. Thanks!

    Marian : mdperera at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. -.-July 28, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    I've read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and absolutely loved it, I would be thrilled if I could be entered for The Girl who Played with Fire.

    Thanks

    ~ Popin
    proudbookworm[@]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. bermudaonionJuly 28, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    What a great giveaway! I would love to be entered! milou2ster(at)gmail.com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    Awesome giveaway! I'd love to be entered!

    WordLily AT gmail DOT com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LisaJuly 28, 2009 at 4:05 PM

    Just got "Dragon Tattoo." I'd love to have this one to read them back to back.

    litandlifeATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. PamJuly 28, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    I haven't read either of these but I've been wanting to read "Dragon Tattoo" and this one sounds good as well. Please include me (and please draw my name!!!)

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    I've heard so much about these. Please enter me!

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  9. ZiaJuly 28, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    I'd love to be entered for this.

    ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jenny N.July 28, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    I'll throw my name in the hat too, these books look interesting.

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. DonnaJuly 28, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    I heard about both of these books. I'd love to enter. Thanks! dwmorrison5161(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jessica ( frellathon )July 28, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is on my to be read list. I so very much want to read these books with all the wonderful things I've heard. jessica(at)fan(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. MelissaJuly 28, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    I would love to win either (or both!) of these. I've heard great things about them and hate to be missing out.

    shhhimreading[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Julie P.July 28, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    I have heard such wonderful things about these books. I'd love to win!

    bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. markJuly 28, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    Yes ,I would love to enter this contest. I've wanted to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo forever! Thank you!
    Mark
    freebs59@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  16. KatrinaJuly 28, 2009 at 8:48 PM

    sounds like some great reads

    ykatrina at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. wheresmyrainJuly 28, 2009 at 8:49 PM

    I have been holding my breathe for the second book to come out. So please enter me in this contest. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
    wheresmyrain(at)yahoo(dot)com

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  18. DarleneJuly 28, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    I'd love to enter. Thanks so much!

    bj19662001 (at) yahoo (dot) ca

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009 at 11:37 PM

    I just recently started to hear about this author. I would love the chance to get caught up on the story. I guess there is a 3rd book to come out too...


    bsyb100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ladytink_534July 29, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    I've heard only good things about these books but I haven't had a chance to read them yet. I'd love to be entered!

    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nikki in NiagaraJuly 29, 2009 at 12:58 PM

    Oh, I keep hearing how good this author is! Please enter me!!!! nicolama at cogeco dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  22. SueJuly 29, 2009 at 5:47 PM

    I think these look so fabulous. Thanks for the giveaway~
    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. BonnieJuly 30, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Thanks for a great giveaway! I would love to read both books!

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  24. MarieJuly 30, 2009 at 7:53 PM

    I would love to read these!

    marielay@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gwendolyn B.July 31, 2009 at 10:38 PM

    Please count me in - I've heard great things about this author and it's time I check him out for myself! Thanks for the chance!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Marjorie/cenya2August 2, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    I just found your site and am enjoying it, please couint me in for this giveaway.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. KelleyAugust 5, 2009 at 8:36 PM

    I'd love to win!

    kelleyseibel[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Steph SuAugust 7, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    I've heard rave reviews about this series and now I really want to read it. Thanks SO much for the opportunity!

    stephxsu at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousAugust 7, 2009 at 1:18 PM

    Please enter me, I borrowed the first and loved it! :3

    ReplyDelete
  30. MurderMysteryMayhemAugust 8, 2009 at 6:02 PM

    Loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and I am just starting The Girl who Played with Fire. Our library would love another copy of either they get abused...

    Thanks for the chance- LooseEnds AT Snet Dot Net

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousAugust 11, 2009 at 12:45 AM

    I'm really eager to read "The Girl Who Played with Fire!" I read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" on vacation and loved it...

    Cheers,
    agjuba at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hailey MillerAugust 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    These both sound like awesome books! Please enter me.

    Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousAugust 12, 2009 at 12:47 AM

    Please enter me! Very much looking forward to read both books.
    lizzi0915@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousAugust 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    I've never heard of this book before but I'm intrigued and would very much like to read it. libertyhockeymgr(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. EsmeAugust 15, 2009 at 10:44 PM

    These have been on my TBR list for a while

    chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

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