Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

"It had promise at the start but by the end, it was a struggle due to unnecessary, explicit gore, abuse and just overall cringe worthiness."

1 Star

Pros: It was intriguing at first, the mystery behind it all.

Cons: In the end, the lack of a backstory, explanation and just, the events overall left me feeling extremely uncomfortable and sick.

Full Review:

Oskar is intelligent but an outcast. He's often picked on by Jonny and his two lackeys. They beat him up, call him names, all the usual bullying antics and he's left feeling miserable and alone. He keeps a scrapbook of news stories about serial killers and often fantasizes that perhaps, one day, he can get his revenge.

It's on one night while out in the playground that he sees the reflection of a girl in the blade of his knife, while he's playing serial killer (yes, you read that right) and he goes over to see who she is. It turns out she lives in the building next to his and her name is Eli. She's strange, quiet, moves with the grace and strength of a gymnast and though she has no understanding of social etiquette, she's frighteningly intelligent and Oskar takes an immediate shine to her.

There is, of course, more to Eli than meets the eye. And more to the old man that she lives with.

The book started off promising but quickly devolved into cringe worthy dialogue and unnecessary, sickening abuse. I finished it simply to see how it ended but after that, I was done. I don't recommend this book to anyone and it makes me uncomfortable that it's an international best seller.

Well, it gives me some hope that my Urban Fantasy WIP might have a chance in the publishing world.

Comments

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

“Rick Deckard is a Bounty Hunter who's on the trail of six "Andys" (Androids) who have come to Earth illegally. His job is to track them down and "retire" them. Something he found easy to do until he met her, Rachael Rosen. The Android that does the impossible, passes the "Voight-Kampff" test. The story quickly devolves into a slow, drawn out and frankly boring mystery that was putting me to sleep by the end." ⭐⭐ Pros: I was more interested in comparing it to the film, "Bladerunner."/At first I kind of liked the drab, dreary atmostphere but it soon became soporific. Cons: I had no real idea what was going on with Mercerism/The end there had me blinking in bewilderment, like with Herbert's 29th Dune Book/There was a lot of idle chit-chat while they were in murderous/intense situations, it just seemed odd. Full Review: Rick Deckard, a Bounty Hunter, contracted with the San Francisco Police Department hunts down and retires rogue ...

Animal Farm by George Orwell

"A blithe and scathing commentary on equality, power, corruption and how everyone is created equal, but...some are more equal than others. Orwell hit the nail right on the head with this novel and it's no wonder it's a staple for most high school curriculums. " 3 Stars. Pros: Benjamin the Donkey is the smartest animal on the farm and it would have done all the others a world of good if they had listened to him in the first place. Cons: The fact that societies like this actually do exist is nauseating and terrible. It's not a con, per se, it's just a gut wrenching fact. Full Review: When the overworked and mistreated Animals on Manor Farm decide to rise up and overthrow their cruel master, they're successful. They rebel and now find themselves with an entire Farm to run. They rename it Animal Farm and are intent on creating a paradise, where work and play are equal, where productivity is key but relaxation is a must and all the lives of all the animal...

The Glutton by A. K. Blakemore

"Though dark, disturbing and at times, truly disgusting, Blakemore has created an unforgettable character in Tarare and his sad, sordid tale. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time for many different reasons and to me, that's a sign of a great read." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ Pros: Tarare wasn't a monster, it just seemed that the world was against him/I liked Lozeau and his strange band of misfits/Dr. Dupuis seemed like a genuinely good person, or at least, he had his moments. Cons: Some of the timeline/people of the French Revolution were just white noise to me/Courville was a despicable man. Full Review: The Bottomless man, the Glutton of Lyon, Tarare the Terrible. The man who has many titles but who's name is simply, Tarare, is dying in a hospital in Versailles. Citizen Doctor Tissier has written to his friend, Dupuis, in hopes that he'll be able to cure this mysterious illness that plagues Tarare. For now though, he lays, chained to his bed and waits for...

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