At last I found DARK FANTASY: "Let the Right One In" or "Let Me In" by John Ajvide Lindqvist

 A while ago I complained that for all the talk about HP or Martin's SoIaF "darkness", I couldn't find any dark fantasy, except in a few fanfics. At last, I found 1 example in Lindqvist's 1^st novel (set in Sweden in 1981). This review defines what I've been searching for:

 

It is not for everyone - not so much for the violence (par for the course in these sorts of books) as much as the peek into damaged psyches. It's to Lindqvist's credit that he presents even the most revolting human beings as full-fledged characters and not just drooling, one-note lunatics. The vampire, Eli, is also that rarity in horror fiction - a sympathetic vampire who is by no means "good." Eli will attack and kill innocent human beings, yet still remains sad because of her loneliness

 

If you haven't read the novel, I advise the 2 Amazon reviews I put in the 1^st comment to this post. Before talking about my view of Eli-Oscar relationship, I wanted to recommend the movie too. Watched only Swedish, original version and it's very good.

Let The Right One In - Official Trailer [HD]

 

If I had to choose one word which became associated in my head with the book, I'd choose grooming in the 3 & 4 meanings of the verb.

 

Groom:

vb (tr)

1. to make or keep (clothes, appearance, etc.) clean and tidy

2. (Individual Sports & Recreations / Horse Training, Riding & Manège) to rub down, clean, and smarten (a horse, dog, etc.)

3. To prepare, as for a specific position or purpose.

4. (Law) to win the confidence of (a victim) in order to a commit sexual assault on him or her

 

 Elias is turned through forced castration by the older vampire. The book gives no explanation why and how, which bothered me a bit, but isn't thematically important.

 

At first a victim himself, Eli proceeds to victimize others and at the novel's start has been doing that for 200 years. As I see it, the creature is a perfect manipulator, the way JKR unsuccessfully tried to present Tom Riddle. Exactly the type of character I hoped to see! Lindqvist gave some big clues (*), but, since he didn't constantly drop anvil-sized hints or told us outright, instead choosing the superior way of describing how other characters intercept Eli's behavior & letting readers judge for ourselves, some seem to miss that and see only the love story or think there is a real love story despite recognizing the manipulation.  

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