The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium #2) in Oly Reads

Oct 26, 2010 Jackie "the Librarian" rated it really liked it

Shelves: glbt, thriller, adultfiction

The sequel to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, we get more of Lisbeth's back story, again wrapped in a convoluted murder mystery with too many Swedish names to keep track of.
This book does not stand alone, but follows directly from the first book. It's better than the first book, because there's more Lisbeth Salander, and she's even more of a bad ass than in the first book. I will wade through seas of unnecessary mathematics, hurricanes, and horrible Swedish pigs of men to find out more about L ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2014 Kit rated it liked it

Entertaining and difficult to take a break from for sure. I would have appreciated a little more subtlety in the struggle of "good vs evil" here, but maybe I am being a touch too harsh for a book series that originally held the first title in it as Men Who Hate Women. I think at one point when they introduced the Blonde Giant, I had to come to terms with the fact that I am actually reading a drier pulp fiction, and didn't have any real problem with some of the sillier things after this realizati Entertaining and difficult to take a break from for sure. I would have appreciated a little more subtlety in the struggle of "good vs evil" here, but maybe I am being a touch too harsh for a book series that originally held the first title in it as Men Who Hate Women. I think at one point when they introduced the Blonde Giant, I had to come to terms with the fact that I am actually reading a drier pulp fiction, and didn't have any real problem with some of the sillier things after this realization because of it. I could have done with a little less on the sections detailing Lisbeth's every home purchase, but even the delivery of this kind of information seemed to at least add to the mood of what was going on in the story with an odd sort of urgency that paralleled her situation.
Gets a touch preachy, although I am very happy to see that the author was interested in discussing the subject of institutionalized misogyny at all, and I am sure that many people feel that touching the subject at all would make you "preachy" rather than shoving it under the rug (like, yanno, the rest of society does.) In interest of full disclosure, I am utterly thrilled to see inequality between genders and sexual orientations spoken of in terms that are realistic, especially from a thriller, as it is so common that most of these more sensational stories end in wilting into a pistol-toting Marlowe's world-weary arms, and Lisbeth's agency comes as a welcome breath of fresh air to me. At many points she seemed a little superpowered, but I think the part of me that wanted to see a female character as beefed-up as the scores of male ones in the genre overrode my odd feelings on it.
I took a lot of enjoyment from Mimi's character being explored further, as well as Berger's, as it seemed to give the overall relationships of the story more depth and interest. Mimi in particular provided one of my favorite parts of the book with her questioning, as I for one can speak to the experience detailed here of certain types of men being threatened, angered, or intimidated by my orientation and trying to either taunt, belittle, or otherwise approach me with aggression. I find it delightful that many of our most ambitious, effective characters in this installment are the women, and it is through a variety of qualities and skills that they are able to reclaim power: Lisbeth through wits, speed, and violence; Mimi through humor, martial arts skill, and firm resolve; and Berger through her ambition, emotional intelligence, and self-motivation.

I still need to think more clearly about some aspects of the story (some really hamfisted lines in this one I need to recall), but definitely worth continuing. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2009 Agathafrye rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers

One of those books you don't want to put down. Not quite as good as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but definitely an interesting plot in its own right. There were confusing moments because the storyline was so terrifically complex, and I also got some of the Swedish names mixed up. HOWEVER, I love me some Lisbeth Salander. She is one of the most compelling fictional characters I've come across in years. One more book in this trio to go... I'm already in mourning that there won't be any more af ...more

Like · see review

Aug 31, 2010 Leonardo Etcheto rated it liked it · review of another edition

What would you do if you win the lottery? is always one of those interesting thought experiments that help you plum your true desires. Lizbeths answer is fairly normal - get some plastic surgery, travel a lot, buy a super killer house and help out friends. Pretty standard responses I would say. Parts of this book were super brutal, and the ending was definitely cinematic if highly improbable.
Get a lot more insight into the character of Lizbeth in this book, as we get more of her backstory and s ...more

Like · see review

Apr 07, 2012 Rena Searles rated it it was amazing

I always feel exhausted by the time I finish Larsson's books! He is an amazing writer who keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think I have the puzzle solved and then he blindsides me. Happy for the further character development of Salander - almost felt warm and fuzzy towards her after the layers began to be peeled back. I really enjoyed this installment of the trilogy and think that Stieg Larsson was an uber-talented author who left us way too soon. ...more

Like · see review

Nov 12, 2009 Raina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, psychological, realistic, not-amerika

Awesome series, although I know I wouldn't bother to read an adult series if it weren't for the KILLER covers. I enjoy hearing about life in Sweden, and the mysteries are intriguing - Lisbeth is, of course, kickass. :) ...more

Like · see review