Scan barcode
caityq's review against another edition
5.0
It is a fresh, visceral take on a classic theme, and I really enjoyed every moment - even if some were really uncomfortable.
This book was essentially about vampires - but in a way that didn't feel well-trodden.
First of all, Oskar is one of the main voices of the book and at first you think you know which way the book is going. However, Oskar's initial 'bloodlust' at his bullies doesn't stand up to actual murder.
He falls for (mostly, he is 12/13 and fickle) Eli, who's gender is pretty flexible. You learn - through psychic kissing which sounds odd to type but really worked in the context of the book - the torture and means through which Eli became not only a vampire, but as they are - without any genitals.
Through this semi-romantic plot, there's Hakan - an older man who whilst he knows he finds younger boys attractive, thinks he's hit the jackpot with Eli - body of a 12 year old, mine of a 200 year old. When Hakan becomes infected it seems to take differently. Not in his heart - but I believe in his penis (which sounds weird but works in the context of the book, yet again).
There's a visceral gore - from Oskar's piss-ball to Hakan's vampiric erection - that I really enjoyed, even though it was uncomfortable at times.
Graphic: Bullying, Pedophilia, and Rape
maddireads13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
jiggityjog's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Child abuse
gringolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
hejsansvejsan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, and Murder
jbcrue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
beeping_librarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
elvenpanther's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This novel was dark, and gritty, and explored so much more than "monster" trope. In a way, it focused on how monstrous people could be. How sometimes it's not what goes bump in the night that you need to fear, but instead your neighbor or your classmate. It explored broken people, broken families and broken children and their struggle to navigate the world when they feel alone.
I didn't really know what to expect when starting this, and yes some parts of the novel made me squirm, but overall I enjoyed it. I had watched the Swedish film adaptation after and I will say I appreciate how much more in depth the book went. It made for a much more complex and visceral narrative than the movie.
*As a warning, the book does strongly contain the topic of pedophilia*
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
jaedia's review against another edition
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, and Fatphobia
owlribbon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail