This may be the best vampire story I've read in a long time, way outshines Twilight. I always felt Twilight had an original twist, but lacked good character development and story-telling. It never dug deep into the idea of what it means to live forever, and that thought if pondered for long leaves us lonely and wanting to die. Bella, the main character in Twilight, never really thought it all out, which left an unrealistic feel to the book. Oskar in Let the Right One In thinks way beyond his years of only twelve. He understands the risk of becoming a vampire, and knows love may not be enough to take it.
Let the Right One has an original twist, great story-telling, and the characters stay with you. My personal favorite was Lacke, who started as rather a bit character, but became much bigger. I loved the romance between him and Virginia, very real and attainable to those realizing love too late.
Oskar and Eli paralleled so much they had to become friends. It should be noted this book is as much about love as it is friendship, and a good love story begins with friendship. I won't reveal the ending of this love/friendship tale, but it kept me guessing and I love a story that can do that, even when you think you have it all figured out. All of the characters, not just the main ones, were beautifully drawn. I could have been walking in the Louvre with all the ripping detail of their life. I loved all of them, well except one, and if you read the book you'll know who. The fact I hated one character simply meant he was drawn with exceptional precision like a fracking Francis Bacon painting with the guts hanging out.
I look forward to more from John Ajvide Lidqvist! Bravo. This is a must read for horror fans!
