My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this book through the Pigeonhole, so thank you to them.
This is a tricky review to write, because I don’t want to spoil the creeping realisation that you get initially. What I will say is that it’s a very skilful update of a story that you know, and that it brings things into a modern world of mobile phones and night clubs and dinner parties.
It’s also about choices, and how people can make bad – terrible – choices. How complicit can someone be in what is ultimately an abusive relationship? What does friendship mean? How far do we take our fantasies.
It’s a book that takes a whole load of cliches – starting with the creepy house scene – and plays with them knowingly. It’s very cleverly done.
If you’re happy with spoilers, read on:
This is an update of the classic vampire story. Every trope is pulled out and played with – the mirror thing, the need to be invited in. The difference is that these are modern people with modern needs and issues, and the monster has to deal with it’s own needs in a modern context. It’s dark and sexy and quite troubling, with one of those endings that satisfies, but also leaves you with a lot of questions.
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