*WARNING: Parental Guidance is strongly recommended. Though this book contains characters who are children, it is not meant to be read by children due to the violence and graphic content. This book is classified for ADULTS ONLY.
Most vampire lore tells us that the undead should never be invited in—unless you want to be the main course that is.
Never has there been so much hype on vampires. Ever since Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, more and more readers have been drawn to the so-called "darker side" of literature. Of course, its much more palatable when love is involved. Fear is often replaced by readers rooting for couples like Bella and Edward; blood and gore is overlooked, superseded by that highly anticipated kissing scene between human and vampire.
Not so with John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In, which is the tale of an unusual "friendship," one that has dire consequences. The love involved is marked by an innocence that can only exist between children. Unfortunately, this innocence is marred by one of the protagonists' dark nature.
The story is set in Blackeburg, Sweden and revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Oskar. Ridiculed and bullied at school, Oskar keeps to himself. When a gruesome murder of a teenager takes place in his neighborhood, Oskar harbors a secret hope that somebody out there will do away with all bullies once and for all. And then he meets Eli. Finally, Oskar has a friend. So what if she looks a bit strange? She likes him for who he is. Funny thing is, unlike normal kids, Eli can only come out to play at night...
Chilling and masterfully written, you won't be able to put down this book until you have reached the last page. It may make you think twice about your new neighbor... kidding, of course!
Adapted into film in 2008 and directed by Tomas Alfredson, Let the Right One In bagged the Best Narrative Feature FOUNDERS AWARDS in the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Here is the trailer:
