Reviews

Let Me in by John Ajvide Lindqvist

sams84's review against another edition

4.0

I am torn by this book, following the release of the film (which I'm yet to see) and it being described as one of the best re-workings of the vampire legend in the past decade I had quite high expectations. When I started reading I was disappointed as it was not the vamp-fest I thought it was going to be but then as the story progressed I enjoyed it more and more. It is not what I would call a vampire book, more a tale of growing up and dealing with life that just so happens to involve befriending the neighbourhood vampire. The focus of the story is 12 year old Oskar and the relationship that develops and changes between him and Eli (the neighbourhood vamp). The differences between the uncertain-ness felt between Oskar and Eli and the more comfortable and relaxed relations amongst the local alcoholics and semi-drifters and their varying attitudes towards Eli by the end offer interesting and intriquing contrasts and add depth to the story which isn't always present in vampire stories. The 'side' story of Oskar and his bullies adds to his vulnerability in the beginning and shows how he grows with Eli's influence as the story progresses. Although I've shelved this book as a horror but I don't really consider it to be so in the conventional sense but more a horror about the different sides of the human spirit rather than a book about vampires. Certaintly an interesting and different addition to the vampire genre (if you so wish to include it in this)

caroline77's review against another edition

3.0

***NO SPOILERS***

Book content warning: pedophilia

Lindqvist's vampire thriller is an unusual and original take on the theme--which unfortunately by now has gotten tired--but this is no Twilight or Vampire Academy. There's real darkness in these pages, with portrayals of pedophilia and gory scenes I could've done without. It is, to put it bluntly, a disgusting story. In an attempt to add complexity, Lindqvist also added secondary story lines that neither relate to the main one nor enhance it. Overall, Let the Right One In is strange and sometimes nonsensical, but the high suspense saved it for me.

mph_book_reviews's review against another edition

4.0

A murderer of young men is on the loose in 1970's Sweden. A serial killer obsessed boy named Oscar, who fantasizes about killing his bullies in school, makes friends with the odd girl who just moved in next door.

This book is slow and methodical, but knows how to up the ante when the violence happens.

It had its boring moments but over all a great read. I suspect having seen the movie took away some of the intrigue and impact from the mysterious parts of the story, but there were plenty of bits that were not included in the movie that had me white knuckling this book.

teagans's review against another edition

boring

sprainedbrain's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bllowns's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

karinanoelle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

gabe_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed the characters involved, actually quite liking the different perspectives, with everyone trudging through their own unfulfilling lives. I also thought Oskar and Eli's relationship was done very well, and it was fun to watch it unfold. I was expecting to not enjoy Oskar's archetype, but he grew on me more than I expected.

I was somewhat disappointed by the horror aspects of it, which didn't feel hugely... scary I suppose. There were also some bits I just found slightly weird to be included.

The extent of the paedophilia, the castration of Eli(as) etc.

I'm not quite sure what they brought to the picture.

All in all perfectly decent, and relatively easy to get through (from about half way).

ryoko20042's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

2.0

rosiefpb's review against another edition

3.0

Hmm. Essentially just a Stieg Larsson book, by a different author. I'm sure it would be great if you're in to graphically violent, Swedish serial killer thrillers - but they're not so much my thing. Also, not as strong a central pairing as his books. The vampire thing is kind of felt superfluous in the end really - just allowed the book to be a bit more fantastical.