Let Me In is definitely outside of my usual reading comfort zone, but I am glad I gave it a shot. It’s dark, unsettling, and has several elements I don’t typically gravitate toward. That said, despite the fluidity of the plot and how well the story is put together, 500 pages was a lot to take in. There’s some seriously graphic imagery, and the book often left me with an uncomfortable feeling, especially during certain scenes. It’s not something I would describe as “easy reading,” and I’m now ready to enjoy a break from the genre. 

When it comes to the characters, I think JAL does a great job making you feel for them, even though most of them aren’t exactly likeable. Oskar, the lonely, bullied kid, and Eli, the strange and disturbing girl who enters his life, both have a certain vulnerability that makes it hard not to feel bad for them. At the same time, they’re not exactly people you’d want to hang out with. Still, I couldn’t help but feel for them and did take some enjoyment from the concluding pages.

All in all, I’m glad I gave this genre a try, but I don’t think I’ll be diving into it too often.