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

Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov

"When a scientist, Benes, who has integral and world changing information attempts to defect and join our Side, he's injured. A blood clot forms in his brain and the only way to save his life is to miniaturize the crew of the Proteus and inject them into Benes' body, so they can break up the blood clot from the inside. Of course, one thing after another goes wrong and every chapter is a new catastrophe but it was definitely a fantastic voyage. 2 Stars Pros: Grant is one dry character but he's a welcome bit of amusement in an otherwise serious and scientific novel. Cons: Grant is also SUCH a man that he spends most of the mission staring at saving the one woman board, Cora./Definitely ripe with anatomical lessons and what part of the body they were in. Since I've never been great at anatomy, a lot of it was lost on me and became burdensome near the end. Full Review: As in all things, there is a good side and a bad side. This book is very vague as...

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 Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

"Arnold Spirit, Jr, or "Junior" as he's known on the Rez, does something no Spokane Indian has ever done. He enrolls in Reardon High School and begins the long and often painful process off navigating not only high school and adolescence but also being an outsider. Alexie handles it all with grace, humor and honesty. This was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone." 5 Stars Pros: Alexie handles the ups and downs of not only adolescence, but tragedy and loss in a stark, honest but gut wrenchingly relatable way. Cons: Some of Junior's all-consuming guilt, though understandable was a little repetitive but it's all part of being a teenager. Full Review: It all starts when Arnold Spirit Jr, or Junior, throws a textbook across the classroom. When he opened the book he saw his mother's name, her maiden name and it enrages him. He's furious that the reservation is so poor that they're learning from thirty-year old textbooks. He doesn't...

All the Books.

Search This Blog