Let The Right One In (John Ajvide Lindqvist)

Highly original take on the vampire myths with a warts and all approach that is the perfect antidote to the horrors of the "paranormal romance" subgenre that seems to have taken over the vampire myth. Bleak, touching and wrapped in an oddly alien Scandinavian setting this book is a masterpiece of Nordic Noir.

real characters with real thoughts and terrible flaws, the story is beautifully told without all the flourish of a modern vampire novel... no one wants to be these kids, or anyone else in this book, their lives are laid bare, cold and lonely. i really enjoyed reading this, just when i was getting worried for the world of vampire fiction.

I like the way the story was told in a down to earth way. There is no glamorisation, secret societies or Grahams "teen vampire crap", just murder and despair set against the backdrop of real people with real issues. The Vampire fantasy wound seamlessly around the lives of the other characters.

Superb antidote to the current crop of romantic, teen vampire crap that's doing the rounds at the moment. Nasty, sinister, dark and depressing but also incredibly well written (and translated) as well as being compelling reading which keeps you hooked right up to the end. Bravo Mr Lindqvist!

I honestly can't think of anything in the book that I liked...I had no sympathy for any of the characters, I thought the ending was rushed etc etc...but all I can say about it is that I loved it.

A surprisingly easy read considering the subject matter includes bullying and paedophilia. Lindqvist seems able to make you empathise with all his characters despite the fact there are few truly likable ones amongst them.