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Blood Cruise
I kväll ska 1 200 förväntansfulla passagerare åka på en kryssning mellan Sverige och Finland. Men det finns något ondskefullt ombord på den här resan. Mitt i natten är färjan plötsligt avskärmad från omvärlden. Det finns ingenstans att fly. Det finns inget sätt att kontakta land. Och du vet inte vem du kan lita på.
Mats Strandberg följer upp succén med Engelsfors-trilogin med en spännande skräckroman. Liksom i Engelsfors blandas det socialrealistiska med det övernaturliga, på en plats som många svenskar har en relation till. Här får vi lära känna både passagerare och personal. Den ensamma gamla kvinnan som söker äventyret. Den avdankade schlagerstjärnan som leder karaokekvällarna. Mannen som tidigare jobbat ombord och nu återvänder för att iscensätta ett spektakulärt frieri. Ordningsvakten som med sina tre kollegor försöker kontrollera det dagliga kaoset ombord. De tolvåriga kusinerna som var bästa vänner innan en familjehemlighet kom emellan dem.
Relationer sätts på prov. Vanliga människor tvingas bli hjältar. Men det som händer den här natten kan också locka fram det värsta i dem. Välkommen ombord på Baltic Charisma.
Mats Strandberg följer upp succén med Engelsfors-trilogin med en spännande skräckroman. Liksom i Engelsfors blandas det socialrealistiska med det övernaturliga, på en plats som många svenskar har en relation till. Här får vi lära känna både passagerare och personal. Den ensamma gamla kvinnan som söker äventyret. Den avdankade schlagerstjärnan som leder karaokekvällarna. Mannen som tidigare jobbat ombord och nu återvänder för att iscensätta ett spektakulärt frieri. Ordningsvakten som med sina tre kollegor försöker kontrollera det dagliga kaoset ombord. De tolvåriga kusinerna som var bästa vänner innan en familjehemlighet kom emellan dem.
Relationer sätts på prov. Vanliga människor tvingas bli hjältar. Men det som händer den här natten kan också locka fram det värsta i dem. Välkommen ombord på Baltic Charisma.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2015
194 people are currently reading
3850 people want to read
About the author
Mats Strandberg
26 books717 followersMats Strandberg is an award-winning novelist and journalist. He is a regular columnist for Sweden's biggest evening newspaper, has been named Columnist of the Year by Sweden's Newspapers and Magazines organization, and had published three previous novels, with rights sold in numerous countries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 694 reviews
March 20, 2022
On the Baltic Sea no one can hear you scream. That phrase alone will give you chills down your spine. What starts out as a pleasure cruise quickly turns into a nightmare of epic proportions. As the blood flies, the lifeboats disappear, there is one hell of a death party on the main deck. The passengers are helpless, there is nowhere to go. The staff is hiding in their quarters. Something ate the captain, and there is a sweet, innocent little boy wandering the halls. Will anyone survive to see land again?
I enjoyed my time on the bloody cruise. Interesting plot with new creatures to give you chills. Excellent horror read.
I enjoyed my time on the bloody cruise. Interesting plot with new creatures to give you chills. Excellent horror read.
October 25, 2015
Öppet brev till Mats Strandberg, författare till Färjan och samtidigt en allvarlig SPOILERALERT till alla som inte läst boken och i dagsläget tror att ni vill göra det.
Käre Mats.
Är du riktigt, riktigt sjuk i huvudet eller är du bara riktigt, riktigt genialisk? Blev du tappad som barn, eller blev du inlindad i bomull till den grad att du idag måste göra upp med det rädslostadium varje människa måste gå igenom för att bli en trygg person? Blev du inte sedd - eller blev du alltför sedd?
Min sjuåring grät sig till sömns i onsdags, eftersom han var rädd för att det skulle komma upp något monster från under sängen och jag förstod att hans rädsla inte var rationell, så jag försökte att inte förminska den. Däremot försökte jag trygghetsbomba honom och sa allt det där han behövde höra: inget barn ska behöva vara rädd, inte behöva känna sig otrygg och man får alltid, alltid komma till sina föräldrar om man känner att man behöver det. Jag och min man log på kvällen och pratade med lättsamma röster om att "tänk den där åldern, du vet, när man är rädd och..." Ja, nu ska inte det här resonemanget leda fram till att jag har läst Färjan högt för honom, för det vore antagligen bästa sättet att förlora vårdnaden om sina egna barn, utan det handlar om vad Färjan har gjort med mig.
Alltså Mats. Hur tänkte du? Man kan ju inte lite på någon! Man kan inte ta förgivet att den man hejar på och sympatiserar med ska överleva! Jag är ledsen att behöva säga det, men du har gjort om en hel genre, en som jag trodde mig veta ganska mycket om och som jag litade på - trygg i förvissning om att underdogen överlever. Men nej. Inte nu längre, alltså.
Ska det vara så här nu? Må då vara att jag inte vill åka färja längre, för sanningen att säga har det sättet att resa aldrig tilltalat mig i första taget, men jag tänker på det här med att läsa dina böcker. Borde jag sluta med det, för det vore väl synd? Hela den här fångade-som-råttor-i-en-labyrint-inramningen samtidigt som kom-med-mig-så-ska-jag-se-till-att-du-överlever-historien gör att jag får ett hjärtfladder som inte kan vara nyttigt för någon.
Beskrivningarna är lysande och greppet om vampyrismen lika så. Tandfällningen och utvecklandet av de nya... *hurv*. Alla personer och deras levnadsöden - spot on! Obehagligast av allt är egentligen pappan med borderline, för att inte tala om den avdankade schlagerstjärnan.
Jag är mest nyfiken på hur melodin till "Feber i mitt hjärta" låter och hoppas att någon tar sig an uppgiften att göra ett tänkbart sound. Jag hör redan i mitt huvud hur den skulle kunna tona bort i bakgrunden, lätt överröstad av några skräckiga stråkar när ett litet barn med hungriga ögon tittar ut över dansgolvet...
Slutligen: förse din nästa bok med någon typ av varningstext nästa gång. Typ att även om du är dryga 37 år gammal kan den här boken allvarligt skada din hälsa och få dig att känna en plötslig längtan efter att ringa din egen mamma.
Med vänliga hälsningar, Maria
Käre Mats.
Är du riktigt, riktigt sjuk i huvudet eller är du bara riktigt, riktigt genialisk? Blev du tappad som barn, eller blev du inlindad i bomull till den grad att du idag måste göra upp med det rädslostadium varje människa måste gå igenom för att bli en trygg person? Blev du inte sedd - eller blev du alltför sedd?
Min sjuåring grät sig till sömns i onsdags, eftersom han var rädd för att det skulle komma upp något monster från under sängen och jag förstod att hans rädsla inte var rationell, så jag försökte att inte förminska den. Däremot försökte jag trygghetsbomba honom och sa allt det där han behövde höra: inget barn ska behöva vara rädd, inte behöva känna sig otrygg och man får alltid, alltid komma till sina föräldrar om man känner att man behöver det. Jag och min man log på kvällen och pratade med lättsamma röster om att "tänk den där åldern, du vet, när man är rädd och..." Ja, nu ska inte det här resonemanget leda fram till att jag har läst Färjan högt för honom, för det vore antagligen bästa sättet att förlora vårdnaden om sina egna barn, utan det handlar om vad Färjan har gjort med mig.
Alltså Mats. Hur tänkte du? Man kan ju inte lite på någon! Man kan inte ta förgivet att den man hejar på och sympatiserar med ska överleva! Jag är ledsen att behöva säga det, men du har gjort om en hel genre, en som jag trodde mig veta ganska mycket om och som jag litade på - trygg i förvissning om att underdogen överlever. Men nej. Inte nu längre, alltså.
Ska det vara så här nu? Må då vara att jag inte vill åka färja längre, för sanningen att säga har det sättet att resa aldrig tilltalat mig i första taget, men jag tänker på det här med att läsa dina böcker. Borde jag sluta med det, för det vore väl synd? Hela den här fångade-som-råttor-i-en-labyrint-inramningen samtidigt som kom-med-mig-så-ska-jag-se-till-att-du-överlever-historien gör att jag får ett hjärtfladder som inte kan vara nyttigt för någon.
Beskrivningarna är lysande och greppet om vampyrismen lika så. Tandfällningen och utvecklandet av de nya... *hurv*. Alla personer och deras levnadsöden - spot on! Obehagligast av allt är egentligen pappan med borderline, för att inte tala om den avdankade schlagerstjärnan.
Jag är mest nyfiken på hur melodin till "Feber i mitt hjärta" låter och hoppas att någon tar sig an uppgiften att göra ett tänkbart sound. Jag hör redan i mitt huvud hur den skulle kunna tona bort i bakgrunden, lätt överröstad av några skräckiga stråkar när ett litet barn med hungriga ögon tittar ut över dansgolvet...
Slutligen: förse din nästa bok med någon typ av varningstext nästa gång. Typ att även om du är dryga 37 år gammal kan den här boken allvarligt skada din hälsa och få dig att känna en plötslig längtan efter att ringa din egen mamma.
Med vänliga hälsningar, Maria
November 18, 2020
My copy of the book had a sticker that said The Swedish Stephen King .
Erm …… no, that's not even close.
On the one hand Stephen King writes in a completely different style and builds his stories very differently, on the other hand this novel is a full-blown splatter horror with a classic horror film ending.
The story revolves around a ferry whose passengers are less interested in being transported anywhere, but who primarily want to buy and consume tax-free alcohol.
The author brings us closer to some passengers and several crew members, whom we follow in the course of the story.
It irritated me that the supernatural creatures on board behaved atypically for their species or displayed the typical behavior of another species. .
I liked that the author kept the infected people's humanity insofar as he enhanced their human traits.
Overall, I don't find splatter horror particularly exciting and worth reading, so I wasn't that happy with the book.
On the other hand, the book also offers a certain glimpse of Swedish society. This view is certainly not representative, as probably not every Swede goes on party and booze cruises, but it still leaves a certain impression on the reader and I found it to be much more scary than the horror parts of the story.
This is of course not typical Swedish behavior, but can be found in every place where crowds usually consume large amounts of alcohol (e.g. Oktoberfest, Ballermann holiday in Mallorca, spring break in Florida).
The socially critical view on the events increases the quality of the book, so that I ultimately rate it with 3 stars.
------------------------------------
Auf meiner Ausgabe des Buches befand sich ein Aufkleber mit der Aufschrift Der schwedische Stephen King.
Erm…… nein, das trifft nicht mal annähernd zu.
Zum Einen schreibt Stephen King in einem völlig anderen Stil und baut seine Geschichten auch ganz anders auf, zum Anderen handelt es sich bei diesem Roman um einen ausgewachsenen Splatter Horror mit einem klassischen Horrorfilm-Ende.
Die Geschichte dreht sich um eine Fähre, deren Passagiere weniger daran interessiert sind, sich irgendwohin transportieren zu lassen, sondern die in erster Linie steuerfreien Alkohol kaufen und konsumieren wollen.
Der Autor bringt uns einige Passagiere und etliche Mannschaftsmitglieder näher, denen wir dann im Laufe der Geschichte folgen.
Mich hat irritiert, dass die übernatürlichen Kreaturen an Bord sich für ihre Spezies untypisch verhalten haben bzw. das typische Verhalten einer anderen Spezies an den Tag gelegt haben. .
Mir hat gut gefallen, dass der Autor die Menschlichkeit der infizierten Personen insofern beibehalten hat, als er ihre menschlichen Charakterzüge verstärkt hat.
Insgesamt finde ich aber Splatter-Horror nicht sonderlich aufregend und lesenswert, daher war ich mit dem Buch nicht so ganz glücklich.
Andererseits bietet das Buch aber auch einen gewissen Blick auf die schwedische Gesellschaft. Dieser Blick ist sicher nicht repräsentativ, da vermutlich nicht jeder Schwede sich auf Party- und Sauf-Fähren begibt, aber ein gewisser Eindruck wird möglich und wurde von mir als deutlich grusliger empfunden als die Horror-Anteile der Geschichte.
Das ist natürlich kein typisch schwedisches Verhalten, sondern ist an jedem Ort anzutreffen, an dem üblicherweise von Menschenmengen große Mengen an Alkohol konsumiert werden (z.B. Oktoberfest, Ballermann-Urlaub auf Mallorca, Spring Break in Florida).
Der sozialkritische Blick auf das Geschehen hebt die Qualität des Buches, so dass ich letztlich doch mit 3 Sternen bewerte.
Erm …… no, that's not even close.
On the one hand Stephen King writes in a completely different style and builds his stories very differently, on the other hand this novel is a full-blown splatter horror with a classic horror film ending.
The story revolves around a ferry whose passengers are less interested in being transported anywhere, but who primarily want to buy and consume tax-free alcohol.
The author brings us closer to some passengers and several crew members, whom we follow in the course of the story.
It irritated me that the supernatural creatures on board behaved atypically for their species or displayed the typical behavior of another species. .
I liked that the author kept the infected people's humanity insofar as he enhanced their human traits.
Overall, I don't find splatter horror particularly exciting and worth reading, so I wasn't that happy with the book.
On the other hand, the book also offers a certain glimpse of Swedish society. This view is certainly not representative, as probably not every Swede goes on party and booze cruises, but it still leaves a certain impression on the reader and I found it to be much more scary than the horror parts of the story.
This is of course not typical Swedish behavior, but can be found in every place where crowds usually consume large amounts of alcohol (e.g. Oktoberfest, Ballermann holiday in Mallorca, spring break in Florida).
The socially critical view on the events increases the quality of the book, so that I ultimately rate it with 3 stars.
------------------------------------
Auf meiner Ausgabe des Buches befand sich ein Aufkleber mit der Aufschrift Der schwedische Stephen King.
Erm…… nein, das trifft nicht mal annähernd zu.
Zum Einen schreibt Stephen King in einem völlig anderen Stil und baut seine Geschichten auch ganz anders auf, zum Anderen handelt es sich bei diesem Roman um einen ausgewachsenen Splatter Horror mit einem klassischen Horrorfilm-Ende.
Die Geschichte dreht sich um eine Fähre, deren Passagiere weniger daran interessiert sind, sich irgendwohin transportieren zu lassen, sondern die in erster Linie steuerfreien Alkohol kaufen und konsumieren wollen.
Der Autor bringt uns einige Passagiere und etliche Mannschaftsmitglieder näher, denen wir dann im Laufe der Geschichte folgen.
Mich hat irritiert, dass die übernatürlichen Kreaturen an Bord sich für ihre Spezies untypisch verhalten haben bzw. das typische Verhalten einer anderen Spezies an den Tag gelegt haben. .
Mir hat gut gefallen, dass der Autor die Menschlichkeit der infizierten Personen insofern beibehalten hat, als er ihre menschlichen Charakterzüge verstärkt hat.
Insgesamt finde ich aber Splatter-Horror nicht sonderlich aufregend und lesenswert, daher war ich mit dem Buch nicht so ganz glücklich.
Andererseits bietet das Buch aber auch einen gewissen Blick auf die schwedische Gesellschaft. Dieser Blick ist sicher nicht repräsentativ, da vermutlich nicht jeder Schwede sich auf Party- und Sauf-Fähren begibt, aber ein gewisser Eindruck wird möglich und wurde von mir als deutlich grusliger empfunden als die Horror-Anteile der Geschichte.
Das ist natürlich kein typisch schwedisches Verhalten, sondern ist an jedem Ort anzutreffen, an dem üblicherweise von Menschenmengen große Mengen an Alkohol konsumiert werden (z.B. Oktoberfest, Ballermann-Urlaub auf Mallorca, Spring Break in Florida).
Der sozialkritische Blick auf das Geschehen hebt die Qualität des Buches, so dass ich letztlich doch mit 3 Sternen bewerte.
July 8, 2018
Having made sure that this was NOT a zombie novel (thank you to the kind reader on Goodreads, who reassured me on that point), I embarked on this horror novel with interest. It is only 548 pages – long, but not massively so. However, the paperback version of this was a real doorstopper and it took me a while to read, as I could not face lugging it about with me on my daily commute. That said, I was always keen to pick it up and found it a really interesting read.
The premise is that a group of people are taking a short cruise from Sweden to Finland. This is a very much a ‘booze cruise,’ although there are families aboard. However, the ferry, ‘The Baltic Charisma,’ is run down, the security staff on board have to deal with public drunkenness and, for many of the assorted passengers, this is just a chance to let your hair down and party. The idea is a good one – a closed environment, with no escape from the ship and danger on board.
What makes this work, though, are the characters. You see events through various people’s eyes; from those who work on the ship, some fearing that they may soon lose their jobs, others tired of the relentless trips, and those of the passengers – again, some who are thrilled to be on board and ready to take every opportunity to drink and party and others who are there through no choice of their own. Among the characters that really grabbed my attention were Albin, a young, Vietmanese boy, who was adopted by a Swedish couple, and who dislikes his bullying father, Dan Appelgren, stuck singing his Eurovision hit on board forever, aided by drugs, barman, Filip and many others.
These characters come alive and you do care what happens to them. I don’t really read a lot of horror – I prefer reading the genre, to watching films. I suppose, if you are a devotee, then you will not find this that scary. However, it is certainly well written. An interesting idea, with an excellent, realistic setting and a good cast of characters. I enjoyed it a lot and would read more by this author.
The premise is that a group of people are taking a short cruise from Sweden to Finland. This is a very much a ‘booze cruise,’ although there are families aboard. However, the ferry, ‘The Baltic Charisma,’ is run down, the security staff on board have to deal with public drunkenness and, for many of the assorted passengers, this is just a chance to let your hair down and party. The idea is a good one – a closed environment, with no escape from the ship and danger on board.
What makes this work, though, are the characters. You see events through various people’s eyes; from those who work on the ship, some fearing that they may soon lose their jobs, others tired of the relentless trips, and those of the passengers – again, some who are thrilled to be on board and ready to take every opportunity to drink and party and others who are there through no choice of their own. Among the characters that really grabbed my attention were Albin, a young, Vietmanese boy, who was adopted by a Swedish couple, and who dislikes his bullying father, Dan Appelgren, stuck singing his Eurovision hit on board forever, aided by drugs, barman, Filip and many others.
These characters come alive and you do care what happens to them. I don’t really read a lot of horror – I prefer reading the genre, to watching films. I suppose, if you are a devotee, then you will not find this that scary. However, it is certainly well written. An interesting idea, with an excellent, realistic setting and a good cast of characters. I enjoyed it a lot and would read more by this author.
June 24, 2018
"Blood Cruise" or Färjan in Swedish is a horror novel written by Mats Strandberg who is touted as being "Sweden's Stephen King." I'm surprised this is my first time hearing of him but that may be down to the fact that I only got into the horror genre recently. Before that, I had wrongly assumed that my dislike for horror movies also tranferred over to books. That is not the case, I now thoroughly enjoy a little horror sprinkled between my favourite genres.
A booze cruise departs from Finland and is on its way to Sweden when an unfortunate series of events take place. It is the middle of the night and the ship is cut-off from outside contact. Noone knows who they can or can't trust. Welcome aboard the Baltic Charisma!
Kudos to whoever wrote the synopsis, it lures you in without revealing the detail of the story. Very well done! I enjoyed the original setting a lot although I have been on a few cruises and I know that I will go on many more in the future. I do know that the next time I board I will be reminded of this story! It wouldn't stop me going as once you've been on a cruise you won't ever return to staying in one resort for a fortnight.
This is one terrifying and realistic horror that gave me a few nightmares. You know it's good when you find elements of the story in your dreams. His portrayal of everyday events is nuanced and believable.
I didn't realise this was initially released in 2015 but that is neither here nor there I suppose. All in all, an interesting read and one I will remember for a long time whether I like it or not!
Many thanks to Jo Fletcher Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
A booze cruise departs from Finland and is on its way to Sweden when an unfortunate series of events take place. It is the middle of the night and the ship is cut-off from outside contact. Noone knows who they can or can't trust. Welcome aboard the Baltic Charisma!
Kudos to whoever wrote the synopsis, it lures you in without revealing the detail of the story. Very well done! I enjoyed the original setting a lot although I have been on a few cruises and I know that I will go on many more in the future. I do know that the next time I board I will be reminded of this story! It wouldn't stop me going as once you've been on a cruise you won't ever return to staying in one resort for a fortnight.
This is one terrifying and realistic horror that gave me a few nightmares. You know it's good when you find elements of the story in your dreams. His portrayal of everyday events is nuanced and believable.
I didn't realise this was initially released in 2015 but that is neither here nor there I suppose. All in all, an interesting read and one I will remember for a long time whether I like it or not!
Many thanks to Jo Fletcher Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 28, 2018
Sehr solider Horror mit kleinen Schwächen! Mats Strandberg ist definitiv ein Autor, der mich diesen Monat begeistert hat und den ich im Auge behalten muss!
October 5, 2022
Ever wanted to know what might happen on a cruise ship 🛳 located miles from anywhere in the Baltic Sea ? Gory, blood soaked mayhem ,that’s what !!! Excellent horror fun !
October 6, 2021
3.5 stars
February 24, 2020
Having made sure that this was NOT a zombie novel (thank you to the kind reader on Goodreads, who reassured me on that point), I embarked on this horror novel with interest. It is only 548 pages – long, but not massively so. However, the paperback version of this was a real doorstopper and it took me a while to read, as I could not face lugging it about with me on my daily commute. That said, I was always keen to pick it up and found it a really interesting read.
The premise is that a group of people are taking a short cruise from Sweden to Finland. This is a very much a ‘booze cruise,’ although there are families aboard. However, the ferry, ‘The Baltic Charisma,’ is run down, the security staff on board have to deal with public drunkenness and, for many of the assorted passengers, this is just a chance to let your hair down and party. The idea is a good one – a closed environment, with no escape from the ship and danger on board.
What makes this work, though, are the characters. You see events through various people’s eyes; from those who work on the ship, some fearing that they may soon lose their jobs, others tired of the relentless trips, and those of the passengers – again, some who are thrilled to be on board and ready to take every opportunity to drink and party and others who are there through no choice of their own. Among the characters that really grabbed my attention were Albin, a young, Vietmanese boy, who was adopted by a Swedish couple, and who dislikes his bullying father, Dan Appelgren, stuck singing his Eurovision hit on board forever, aided by drugs, barman, Filip and many others.
These characters come alive and you do care what happens to them. I don’t really read a lot of horror – I prefer reading the genre, to watching films. I suppose, if you are a devotee, then you will not find this that scary. However, it is certainly well written. An interesting idea, with an excellent, realistic setting and a good cast of characters. I enjoyed it a lot and would read more by this author.
The premise is that a group of people are taking a short cruise from Sweden to Finland. This is a very much a ‘booze cruise,’ although there are families aboard. However, the ferry, ‘The Baltic Charisma,’ is run down, the security staff on board have to deal with public drunkenness and, for many of the assorted passengers, this is just a chance to let your hair down and party. The idea is a good one – a closed environment, with no escape from the ship and danger on board.
What makes this work, though, are the characters. You see events through various people’s eyes; from those who work on the ship, some fearing that they may soon lose their jobs, others tired of the relentless trips, and those of the passengers – again, some who are thrilled to be on board and ready to take every opportunity to drink and party and others who are there through no choice of their own. Among the characters that really grabbed my attention were Albin, a young, Vietmanese boy, who was adopted by a Swedish couple, and who dislikes his bullying father, Dan Appelgren, stuck singing his Eurovision hit on board forever, aided by drugs, barman, Filip and many others.
These characters come alive and you do care what happens to them. I don’t really read a lot of horror – I prefer reading the genre, to watching films. I suppose, if you are a devotee, then you will not find this that scary. However, it is certainly well written. An interesting idea, with an excellent, realistic setting and a good cast of characters. I enjoyed it a lot and would read more by this author.
November 21, 2016
The Stockholm cruise is something of a cultural institution in Finland. The ferries − perhaps more aptly described as "floating shopping malls" − take passengers between Helsinki or Turku and Stockholm, with a brief stop at Mariehamn to get the alcohol sales exempt from the famously high Nordic alcohol taxation. The cruises themselves are dirt cheap, and discount vouchers and special offers are the norm rather than the exception. I've had a cabin to myself for 15 euros.
It is a very comfortable way to travel between Finland and Sweden, if one has the time to spare. The ferry companies can undercut even the cheapest of discount airlines, because they are far better positioned to sell their passengers food. And alcohol. Especially alcohol. My view is from the Finnish side, but the only way the Swedes seem to look at the concept differently is that they call it the Finland boat.
There also exists the concept of the 23-hour cruise, where the ship stops at each end of the trip just to let out and take on passengers, who then disembark the next day at the same port where they stepped aboard. The trip itself is the destination. The boat is the attraction. Though there's stuff to keep children occupied, overall the air is of an adult amusement park. Booze is cheap, there's karaoke, a fine selection of restaurants, and the promise of meeting people you will never meet again. What happens on the Stockholm ferry stays on the Stockholm ferry.
This also means you can't get out. There's a wealth of horror fiction about the Stockholm ferry.
I took Ristely − "The Cruise" − as my reading just before a student cruise, finishing it in the bar waiting for the boarding to start. I was far less interested in the cruise after that.
It's ostensibly a vampire novel, though because of how Strandberg's interpretation of vampirism works, I would rather classify it as a zombie story, with the exception that there are a pair of clear villains, a child vampire and the has-been night club singer.
The story is told in chapters from the points-of-view of its different protagonists − a child with an unhappy family, a former employee who brought his boyfriend to see where he once worked, an older woman who booked the cruise on a lark, a younger woman out to party, the nightclub singer, and most importantly, the ship herself, Baltic Charisma. The ship is the most interesting of the lot. The book's description of the cruise experience is loaded with bile in a way that had me nodding my head. There's the buffet restaurant that's not quite as high-end as it's letting on, complete with customer-operated wine taps. There are the violent drunks, the barf in all the wrong places, the passengers thinking it's glamorous, the worn-out and faintly dirty cabins whose bathrooms invariably smell of death.
It's a far too familiar ship.
Throughout the first half of the book, the people engage in their personal problems, while the vampire infection still spreads unnoticed. Then it can no longer be contained and the rest of the book becomes a zombie story, and people start dying left and right in graphic ways that veer very close to splatter without, I think, quite crossing over. This part of the book is much less interesting, but the first half quite makes up for it. The characters are interesting. Zombies I have never found interesting.
Strandberg's vampire mythology also comes with a suspension of disbelief issue. Vampirism is extremely easily transmitted and turns the victim initially into a rage zombie that then, over days or months, would reclaim a personality. There's just no damn way I can see how something like that would be able to uphold a masquerade for any length of time. It works for the length of a single novel, though.
Overall, Risteily was a fun book, and someone who dislikes zombies less than I do would probably enjoy it even more. I especially appreciated the cruise descriptions, which felt far too true to life. I was already feeling done with the Stockholm boat, but Mats Strandberg may have delivered the coup de grace. This is not a bad thing.
It is a very comfortable way to travel between Finland and Sweden, if one has the time to spare. The ferry companies can undercut even the cheapest of discount airlines, because they are far better positioned to sell their passengers food. And alcohol. Especially alcohol. My view is from the Finnish side, but the only way the Swedes seem to look at the concept differently is that they call it the Finland boat.
There also exists the concept of the 23-hour cruise, where the ship stops at each end of the trip just to let out and take on passengers, who then disembark the next day at the same port where they stepped aboard. The trip itself is the destination. The boat is the attraction. Though there's stuff to keep children occupied, overall the air is of an adult amusement park. Booze is cheap, there's karaoke, a fine selection of restaurants, and the promise of meeting people you will never meet again. What happens on the Stockholm ferry stays on the Stockholm ferry.
This also means you can't get out. There's a wealth of horror fiction about the Stockholm ferry.
I took Ristely − "The Cruise" − as my reading just before a student cruise, finishing it in the bar waiting for the boarding to start. I was far less interested in the cruise after that.
It's ostensibly a vampire novel, though because of how Strandberg's interpretation of vampirism works, I would rather classify it as a zombie story, with the exception that there are a pair of clear villains, a child vampire and the has-been night club singer.
The story is told in chapters from the points-of-view of its different protagonists − a child with an unhappy family, a former employee who brought his boyfriend to see where he once worked, an older woman who booked the cruise on a lark, a younger woman out to party, the nightclub singer, and most importantly, the ship herself, Baltic Charisma. The ship is the most interesting of the lot. The book's description of the cruise experience is loaded with bile in a way that had me nodding my head. There's the buffet restaurant that's not quite as high-end as it's letting on, complete with customer-operated wine taps. There are the violent drunks, the barf in all the wrong places, the passengers thinking it's glamorous, the worn-out and faintly dirty cabins whose bathrooms invariably smell of death.
It's a far too familiar ship.
Throughout the first half of the book, the people engage in their personal problems, while the vampire infection still spreads unnoticed. Then it can no longer be contained and the rest of the book becomes a zombie story, and people start dying left and right in graphic ways that veer very close to splatter without, I think, quite crossing over. This part of the book is much less interesting, but the first half quite makes up for it. The characters are interesting. Zombies I have never found interesting.
Strandberg's vampire mythology also comes with a suspension of disbelief issue. Vampirism is extremely easily transmitted and turns the victim initially into a rage zombie that then, over days or months, would reclaim a personality. There's just no damn way I can see how something like that would be able to uphold a masquerade for any length of time. It works for the length of a single novel, though.
Overall, Risteily was a fun book, and someone who dislikes zombies less than I do would probably enjoy it even more. I especially appreciated the cruise descriptions, which felt far too true to life. I was already feeling done with the Stockholm boat, but Mats Strandberg may have delivered the coup de grace. This is not a bad thing.
November 5, 2018
3.5 stars...
I've been going back and forth on whether or not to rate this 3 stars or 4 stars because the first half of this book is pure character development and its pretty slow. It seemed to drag on and on, so much so, that I put it aside for a while unsure if I would even continue it. Then one day I decided what the hell let's give it another go. I'm glad I did because the second half of this 500+ page monstrosity was non-stop action and gore. They were supposedly on a 24 hour cruise but damn for all the shit that happened, I felt like we sailed around the world and back again! I imagine if I was on that ship though, outrunning crazed vampires, I would've felt the same way. It was pretty intense!
I definitely recommend if you're a horror fan and don't mind a little slow burn before the main attraction. Just make sure you've blocked out a considerable chunk of reading time or better yet- a nice long cruise!
I've been going back and forth on whether or not to rate this 3 stars or 4 stars because the first half of this book is pure character development and its pretty slow. It seemed to drag on and on, so much so, that I put it aside for a while unsure if I would even continue it. Then one day I decided what the hell let's give it another go. I'm glad I did because the second half of this 500+ page monstrosity was non-stop action and gore. They were supposedly on a 24 hour cruise but damn for all the shit that happened, I felt like we sailed around the world and back again! I imagine if I was on that ship though, outrunning crazed vampires, I would've felt the same way. It was pretty intense!
I definitely recommend if you're a horror fan and don't mind a little slow burn before the main attraction. Just make sure you've blocked out a considerable chunk of reading time or better yet- a nice long cruise!
October 11, 2020
Κοίτα να δεις τώρα... Το πρώτο μισό, που παρουσίαζε τους ήρωες, μου άρεσε πολύ. Έλεγα από μέσα μου: "Οκ, το' χει, καλά θα περάσουμε, άντε να δούμε τι θα πάθουν όλοι αυτοί μεσοπέλαγα και ποιοι θα γλιτώσουν". Καταπιάστηκε με την περιγραφή πάρα πολλών ατόμων κι όμως κατάφερε να δώσει ξεχωριστά χαρακτηριστικά στον καθένα, οπότε ήταν δύσκολο να τους μπερδέψεις και μπράβο του για αυτό.
Όμως το δεύτερο μέρος ήταν μεγάλη απογοήτευση. Καθαρά κινηματογραφικές σκηνές, με κυνηγητά και δόντια να χτυπούν μεταξύ τους και κάμποσο ελαφρύ σπλάτερ που δεν είχε να προσφέρει και πολλά στην πλοκή, παρά μόνο να μου γυρίσει λίγο το στομάχι. Δεν ξέρω, ίσως σε ταινία να ήταν καλύτερο, πιστεύω εξάλλου ότι έτσι το είχε ο συγγραφέας στο μυαλό του , σαν να περιέγραφε ταινία και όχι σαν να έγραφε βιβλίο.
https://kiallovivlio.blogspot.com/
Όμως το δεύτερο μέρος ήταν μεγάλη απογοήτευση. Καθαρά κινηματογραφικές σκηνές, με κυνηγητά και δόντια να χτυπούν μεταξύ τους και κάμποσο ελαφρύ σπλάτερ που δεν είχε να προσφέρει και πολλά στην πλοκή, παρά μόνο να μου γυρίσει λίγο το στομάχι. Δεν ξέρω, ίσως σε ταινία να ήταν καλύτερο, πιστεύω εξάλλου ότι έτσι το είχε ο συγγραφέας στο μυαλό του , σαν να περιέγραφε ταινία και όχι σαν να έγραφε βιβλίο.
https://kiallovivlio.blogspot.com/
July 17, 2016
I keep getting impressed by Swedish horror. This is a quite long and very well-written story about a ferry of drunk Swedes (a horror story in itself) that also happens to contain something else. I love the concept, and the execution is great. A BIG + is how the ending doesn't disappoint, because they often do.
June 5, 2017
Ein Lesehighlight! UNBEDINGT lesen 😍😍👍🏻
September 12, 2019
Lievästi kulahtaneeseen Baltic Charisma -risteilyalukseen nousee Tukholman satamasta perinteinen joukko matkustajia ja työntekijöitä iloineen, suruineen ja ihmissuhdesotkuineen. Joku haluaa irrotella kunnolla, toinen suunnittelee kosivansa pitkäaikaista kumppaniaan ja kolmas on paennut laivalle kuristavaa yksinäisyyden tunnetta.
Luvassa on vuorokauden verran karaokea, alkoholia, seksiä, taxfree-ostoksia ja merellisiä buffetteja - tiedätte kyllä homman nimen. Laivassa on kuitenkin myös kaksi tavallisuudesta poikkeavaa matkustajaa, ja kohta on öisellä Itämerellä helvetti irti.
Nerokkaita romaaneja hyvin erilaisille ikäryhmille kirjoittaneen Mats Strandbergin "Risteily" (Like, 2016) on parhaita lukemiani pohjoismaisia kauhuromaaneja sitten John Ajvide Lindqvistin mestarillisen Ystävät hämärän jälkeen -teoksen. Luin sen alun perin kahdeksasluokkalaisten genrevinkkausta ajatellen, mutta nyt joudun kyllä miettimään kaksi kertaa, uskallanko kuitenkaan ottaa sitä mukaan - sen verran verisiä ja vastenmielisiä piirteitä saavasta kirjasta on kyse.
Strandberg on onnistunut luomaan kiinnostavan ja monipuolisen henkilögallerian, mutta täytyy vielä todeta, että kirjan hienoin puoli on sen miljöö. Kaikessa tuttuudessaan ja näennäisessä turvallisuudessaan ruotsinlaiva tarjoaa harvinaisen hyytävän miljöön kauhutarinalle!
Nopeatempoinen ja viihdyttävä romaani saattaa vedota muun muassa niihin lukijoihin, jotka pitivät Guillermo del Toron Vitsaus -romaanista.
Luvassa on vuorokauden verran karaokea, alkoholia, seksiä, taxfree-ostoksia ja merellisiä buffetteja - tiedätte kyllä homman nimen. Laivassa on kuitenkin myös kaksi tavallisuudesta poikkeavaa matkustajaa, ja kohta on öisellä Itämerellä helvetti irti.
Nerokkaita romaaneja hyvin erilaisille ikäryhmille kirjoittaneen Mats Strandbergin "Risteily" (Like, 2016) on parhaita lukemiani pohjoismaisia kauhuromaaneja sitten John Ajvide Lindqvistin mestarillisen Ystävät hämärän jälkeen -teoksen. Luin sen alun perin kahdeksasluokkalaisten genrevinkkausta ajatellen, mutta nyt joudun kyllä miettimään kaksi kertaa, uskallanko kuitenkaan ottaa sitä mukaan - sen verran verisiä ja vastenmielisiä piirteitä saavasta kirjasta on kyse.
Strandberg on onnistunut luomaan kiinnostavan ja monipuolisen henkilögallerian, mutta täytyy vielä todeta, että kirjan hienoin puoli on sen miljöö. Kaikessa tuttuudessaan ja näennäisessä turvallisuudessaan ruotsinlaiva tarjoaa harvinaisen hyytävän miljöön kauhutarinalle!
Nopeatempoinen ja viihdyttävä romaani saattaa vedota muun muassa niihin lukijoihin, jotka pitivät Guillermo del Toron Vitsaus -romaanista.
April 15, 2021
4 stars
"Blood Ferry" (swed: Färjan, dt: Die Überfahrt) is marketed as a Swedish Stephen King-esque horror novel, but it's really a disaster novel. The same general plot arc could be applied to a volcanic eruption, a tsunami, a nuclear meltdown or ....a mass outbreak of vampirism on a day-ferry.
The Sweden-Finland ferry is a cultural institution, so setting a "horror"story on one is bound to hit home with a Swedish audience. Non-Swedish (or Finnish) audiences won't have the emotional connection and so might not find the setting nearly as gripping.
Or terrifying.
Simply because we've not been there. (Like they have.)
The gore in the novel is not especially gory, it's more the human suffering and loss that's dwelt on.
Each of the main characters (and there are a handful) is their own personal disaster. In fact, this novel might have worked better without the vampires as Strandberg focuses far more on the human life carnage, the blood and guts carnage seems to only be a flavouring, or a metaphor for the rest. (Although, judging by the short interview in the German edition, he didn't mean it that way. For him, it's deffo horror.)
The novel is well-written, the characters fully rounded, and Strandberg never once in 500 pages loses control of his material. Also plus points for an openly gay character surviving till the end! But for all that, it feels rather "movie", like something we're watching unfold on a screen instead of being in the middle of it. That, I'd say, is the only drawback the novel really has.
A fast, good read... despite the brick-like appearance of many editions.
"Blood Ferry" (swed: Färjan, dt: Die Überfahrt) is marketed as a Swedish Stephen King-esque horror novel, but it's really a disaster novel. The same general plot arc could be applied to a volcanic eruption, a tsunami, a nuclear meltdown or ....a mass outbreak of vampirism on a day-ferry.
The Sweden-Finland ferry is a cultural institution, so setting a "horror"story on one is bound to hit home with a Swedish audience. Non-Swedish (or Finnish) audiences won't have the emotional connection and so might not find the setting nearly as gripping.
Or terrifying.
Simply because we've not been there. (Like they have.)
The gore in the novel is not especially gory, it's more the human suffering and loss that's dwelt on.
Each of the main characters (and there are a handful) is their own personal disaster. In fact, this novel might have worked better without the vampires as Strandberg focuses far more on the human life carnage, the blood and guts carnage seems to only be a flavouring, or a metaphor for the rest. (Although, judging by the short interview in the German edition, he didn't mean it that way. For him, it's deffo horror.)
The novel is well-written, the characters fully rounded, and Strandberg never once in 500 pages loses control of his material. Also plus points for an openly gay character surviving till the end! But for all that, it feels rather "movie", like something we're watching unfold on a screen instead of being in the middle of it. That, I'd say, is the only drawback the novel really has.
A fast, good read... despite the brick-like appearance of many editions.
Read
May 18, 2019Μια κρουαζιέρα που ξεκινά από τη Σουηδία για τη Φιλανδία με χίλιους διακόσιους επιβάτες. Κάθε ένας επέλεξε αυτήν την κρουαζιέρα για διαφορετικούς λόγους, μα όλοι θα έρθουν αντιμέτωποι με έναν άγνωστο και απρόσμενο τρόμο.
Το βιβλίο αποτελείται από μικρά κεφάλαια στα οποία γνωρίζουμε τους βασικούς ήρωες, αλλά υπάρχουν και κεφάλαια με τίτλο το όνομα του πλοίου "Μπάλτικ Καρίσμα", μέσα από τα οποία ο συγγραφέας αφηγείται την ιστορία και συνδέει τα κομμάτια της εξέλιξής της.
Στα θετικά του βιβλίου είναι οι αληθοφανεις χαρακτήρες, άνθρωποι απλοί και καθημερινοί με ρεαλιστικά προβλήματα και σκέψεις. Συγκεκριμένα ο συγγραφέας αφιερώνει αρκετές -ίσως και τις περισσότερες- σελίδες στην ανάπτυξή τους και έτσι καταφέρνει να γνωρίσουμε καλύτερα, αλλά και να θυμόμαστε αργότερα κάθε έναν από αυτούς. Επίσης, μου άρεσε πολύ που ήταν σύγχρονοι και όχι κλασσικοί χαρακτήρες, δηλαδή μέσα στο βιβλίο συναντάμε εφήβους, ανθρώπους με οικογενειακά προβλήματα, ομοφυλόφιλους, μοναχικούς τύπους κ.ά. Η γραφή του μου άρεσε και βοηθά στο να διαβάζεται εύκολα και γρήγορα.
Αυτό που δεν μου άρεσε τόσο είναι οι λίγες σελίδες δράσης. Ουσιαστικά η δράση ξεκινά στο τέλος του βιβλίου, παρόλο που το μυστήριο υπάρχει από τις πρώτες σελίδες. Η αλήθεια είναι πως το περίμενα τρομακτικό και με αγωνία, αλλά τελικά ήταν ένα απλό θρίλερ, με ωραία κεντρική ιδέα.
Δεν μπορώ να σας αποκαλύψω ποιος ήταν τελικά αυτός ο τρόμος που απείλησε τις ζωές τόσων ανθρώπων, αλλά αν έχετε περιέργεια και σας αρέσουν τα θρίλερ με φαντασία, τότε να το διαβάσετε.
Το βιβλίο αποτελείται από μικρά κεφάλαια στα οποία γνωρίζουμε τους βασικούς ήρωες, αλλά υπάρχουν και κεφάλαια με τίτλο το όνομα του πλοίου "Μπάλτικ Καρίσμα", μέσα από τα οποία ο συγγραφέας αφηγείται την ιστορία και συνδέει τα κομμάτια της εξέλιξής της.
Στα θετικά του βιβλίου είναι οι αληθοφανεις χαρακτήρες, άνθρωποι απλοί και καθημερινοί με ρεαλιστικά προβλήματα και σκέψεις. Συγκεκριμένα ο συγγραφέας αφιερώνει αρκετές -ίσως και τις περισσότερες- σελίδες στην ανάπτυξή τους και έτσι καταφέρνει να γνωρίσουμε καλύτερα, αλλά και να θυμόμαστε αργότερα κάθε έναν από αυτούς. Επίσης, μου άρεσε πολύ που ήταν σύγχρονοι και όχι κλασσικοί χαρακτήρες, δηλαδή μέσα στο βιβλίο συναντάμε εφήβους, ανθρώπους με οικογενειακά προβλήματα, ομοφυλόφιλους, μοναχικούς τύπους κ.ά. Η γραφή του μου άρεσε και βοηθά στο να διαβάζεται εύκολα και γρήγορα.
Αυτό που δεν μου άρεσε τόσο είναι οι λίγες σελίδες δράσης. Ουσιαστικά η δράση ξεκινά στο τέλος του βιβλίου, παρόλο που το μυστήριο υπάρχει από τις πρώτες σελίδες. Η αλήθεια είναι πως το περίμενα τρομακτικό και με αγωνία, αλλά τελικά ήταν ένα απλό θρίλερ, με ωραία κεντρική ιδέα.
Δεν μπορώ να σας αποκαλύψω ποιος ήταν τελικά αυτός ο τρόμος που απείλησε τις ζωές τόσων ανθρώπων, αλλά αν έχετε περιέργεια και σας αρέσουν τα θρίλερ με φαντασία, τότε να το διαβάσετε.
May 21, 2018
This is how Stephen King used to write: when his books were still scary. The author is certainly not afraid of killing off major characters! His observations of drunken passengers on the Baltic booze cruise are very accurate: in fact it's difficult to decide whether their behaviour is worse before or after their 'change'. There is plenty of gore but it is never gratuitous and the characters are well drawn. Kudos to the translator too!
May 30, 2016
även om boken var väldigt spännande var det en besvikelse då jag älskade trilogin om Engelsfors. Färjan saknade komplexa karaktärer, de var antingen hjältar eller genomruttna (ibland inte nödvändigtvis bokstavligt). I en bok med oerhört många karaktärer hade man ju hoppats att man skulle kunna känna med flera av dem men det var bara 4 karaktärer i hela boken som jag ens brydde mig om (Calle och Vincent, Pia och Lo) men man fick knappt veta något om dem utan fokuset låg hela tiden på att beskriva hur blodigt och brutalt allt gick till. Som jag skrev medan jag läste så skulle boken varit bättre om kapitlen varit längre då man aldrig hann komma in i handlingen förrän den hoppade vidare. boken hade inget nytänkande utan kändes bara som någon blandning av twilight och Titanic vilket inte är något positivt. ju mer jag tänker på det desto säkrare blir jag på att den här boken mest var slöseri av tid och jag rekommenderar den inte. De enda pluspoängen var kapitlen skrivna ur Baltic Charismas perspektiv vilket var oerhört innovativt och intressant. Jag tror nästan att boken skulle varit bättre om hela varit skriven på det sättet. Dessutom att det fanns ett homosexuellt åar vilket ger stort plus för jämlikhet, dock antar jag att det berodde på att författaren Mats Strandberg tydligen är gift med en man
October 31, 2018
Trigger warnings: blood. Seriously. So much blood. Death, violence, gore, eyeball trauma, stabbings, death of basically any type of familial relationship, friendship, or romantic relationship you can think of.
So for some reason based on the cover of this book, I thought it was going to be a haunted cruise ship type of a deal. So colour me surprised when this was a vampire book. A VAMPIRE BOOK! Not even remotely what I was expecting, but a fast paced and compelling story that I nonetheless enjoyed the hell out of.
There were probably a couple too many perspectives for my liking, but I honestly spent the whole book with absolutely no idea of who was going to survive and who wasn't. It kept me guessing throughout, the ending wasn't what I expected, and it was basically non-stop vampire mayhem good times. I'm definitely glad I read this, even though there was far more eyeball trauma than I would have liked.
So for some reason based on the cover of this book, I thought it was going to be a haunted cruise ship type of a deal. So colour me surprised when this was a vampire book. A VAMPIRE BOOK! Not even remotely what I was expecting, but a fast paced and compelling story that I nonetheless enjoyed the hell out of.
There were probably a couple too many perspectives for my liking, but I honestly spent the whole book with absolutely no idea of who was going to survive and who wasn't. It kept me guessing throughout, the ending wasn't what I expected, and it was basically non-stop vampire mayhem good times. I'm definitely glad I read this, even though there was far more eyeball trauma than I would have liked.
May 23, 2017
Leider war dieses Buch eine pure Enttäuschung. Der Klappentext klingt super, aber da hört es dann auch schon auf.
Das Buch bedient sich sämtlichen Vampirklischees, die man bereits kennt, ebenso sämtlichen Typen an Charakteren, die auch genauso handeln, wie man es erwartet.
Statt Spannung erwartet einen Ekel-Splatter, der sich bis zum Ende hin weiter steigert und dann in einem für das Genre typischen Finale endet.
Die Vampirmythologie, die der Autor genutzt hat, kam viel zu kurz und macht einen nicht richtig durchdachten Eindruck, da die Handlung ja nur auf der Fähre spielt. Es wird sich schön Klischees und Ideen bedient, die man als Leser von Vampirromanen bereits aus anderen Büchern und Filmen kennt, deshalb erwartet einen da auch wenig Überraschung.
Die Charaktere fand ich durchgehend alle unsympathisch oder ich habe gar keine Bindung zu ihnen aufgebaut oder mit ihnen mitgefiebert.
Das Positive ist der Schreibstil, der mich das Buch in einem Rutsch hat lesen lassen. Ich hatte die Hoffnung, dass noch irgendetwas Überraschendes passiert, was leider nicht der Fall war. Schade.
Das Buch bedient sich sämtlichen Vampirklischees, die man bereits kennt, ebenso sämtlichen Typen an Charakteren, die auch genauso handeln, wie man es erwartet.
Statt Spannung erwartet einen Ekel-Splatter, der sich bis zum Ende hin weiter steigert und dann in einem für das Genre typischen Finale endet.
Die Vampirmythologie, die der Autor genutzt hat, kam viel zu kurz und macht einen nicht richtig durchdachten Eindruck, da die Handlung ja nur auf der Fähre spielt. Es wird sich schön Klischees und Ideen bedient, die man als Leser von Vampirromanen bereits aus anderen Büchern und Filmen kennt, deshalb erwartet einen da auch wenig Überraschung.
Die Charaktere fand ich durchgehend alle unsympathisch oder ich habe gar keine Bindung zu ihnen aufgebaut oder mit ihnen mitgefiebert.
Das Positive ist der Schreibstil, der mich das Buch in einem Rutsch hat lesen lassen. Ich hatte die Hoffnung, dass noch irgendetwas Überraschendes passiert, was leider nicht der Fall war. Schade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2019
Är det bra eller dåligt att boken var läskigare innan det tänkt läskiga startade? Tycker boken som skräckroman eg förtjänar 3 stjärnor, den var ”trevlig” att läsa, typ som att kolla splatterfilm, men skrämde mig inte.
Men pga den klockrena ångeststämningen Mats lyckas förmedla i porträtten av resenärerna ger jag den ändå en 4!
Men pga den klockrena ångeststämningen Mats lyckas förmedla i porträtten av resenärerna ger jag den ändå en 4!
January 3, 2018
Hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, vor allem die realen Charaktere und deren manchmal auch unheldenhafte Entscheidungen.
November 11, 2017
Färjan är en välskriven och lättläst skräckroman. Dock så undrar jag fortfarande om det här är ”min” stil. Men det finns ett par saker som jag verkligen tycker om med Färjan. Mats Strandberg är en mästare på karaktärsteckningar – osympatisk eller sympatisk, ond eller god, det spelar ingen roll. Alla karaktärer i den här boken är en del av historien, och jag kommer på mig själv långt efteråt att fundera på dem, som verkliga människor.
Att sätta en skräckroman på en Finlandsbåt är ett strålande val. Där finns alla förutfattade meningar, olika personligheter ihopklämda mot sin vilja. Och så den där obehagliga klaustrofobiska känslan – och jag som både lider av klaustrofobi och är mindre förtjust i att befinna mig oskyddad ute på vattnet, ja, det blir riktigt obehagligt för mig.
Den första halvan av Färjan är mycket bra. Det är en stark spänning, i många stycken psykologisk, som Mats Strandberg också bemästrar. Undertonerna, det outsagda och tolkningarna är spännande. Jag kommer på mig själv att fundera på om människor verkligen kan klassificeras som onda eller goda. Det är i början som jag blir skrämd, och så alldeles alldeles på slutet (snyggt!).
Andra halvan av Färjan – nej, då blir det inte min grej. Jag hoppas jag nu inte spoilar för mycket, men jag tycker inte man kan undgå att veta om att den här boken innehåller vampyrer. Det är mycket blod och på tok för många detaljer. Inte så att jag i huvudsak blir äcklad, utan det blir bara för mycket, så jag tappar intresset. Psykologisk spänning och skräck är mycket hemskare än blod, som blir overkligt.
Om jag nu struntar i om skräck är min sak eller inte så är jag i alla fall nyfiken på Mats Strandbergs senaste bok – Hemmet. Om jag förstått det rätt så är det mer psykologisk spänning och inte så blodigt.
Omdöme: Lättläst skräck med bra karaktärsteckningar
Betyg: 4-
https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...
Att sätta en skräckroman på en Finlandsbåt är ett strålande val. Där finns alla förutfattade meningar, olika personligheter ihopklämda mot sin vilja. Och så den där obehagliga klaustrofobiska känslan – och jag som både lider av klaustrofobi och är mindre förtjust i att befinna mig oskyddad ute på vattnet, ja, det blir riktigt obehagligt för mig.
Den första halvan av Färjan är mycket bra. Det är en stark spänning, i många stycken psykologisk, som Mats Strandberg också bemästrar. Undertonerna, det outsagda och tolkningarna är spännande. Jag kommer på mig själv att fundera på om människor verkligen kan klassificeras som onda eller goda. Det är i början som jag blir skrämd, och så alldeles alldeles på slutet (snyggt!).
Andra halvan av Färjan – nej, då blir det inte min grej. Jag hoppas jag nu inte spoilar för mycket, men jag tycker inte man kan undgå att veta om att den här boken innehåller vampyrer. Det är mycket blod och på tok för många detaljer. Inte så att jag i huvudsak blir äcklad, utan det blir bara för mycket, så jag tappar intresset. Psykologisk spänning och skräck är mycket hemskare än blod, som blir overkligt.
Om jag nu struntar i om skräck är min sak eller inte så är jag i alla fall nyfiken på Mats Strandbergs senaste bok – Hemmet. Om jag förstått det rätt så är det mer psykologisk spänning och inte så blodigt.
Omdöme: Lättläst skräck med bra karaktärsteckningar
Betyg: 4-
https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...
August 20, 2020
Shame on me for letting this book simmer for such a long time before finally reading it. One reason was that I thought this was a zombie novel, which I was not in the mood for recently (of course, when I chose this book I was definitely interested, but right then I had a couple other books lined up on my TBR which prevented me from digging right in, and then it was kind of 'too late'). Another reason was the book's length, which made me hesitate as well - could a doorstopper like this in a genre like that actually hold my interest? Now that I've read the book I can't understand my needless hesitation at all, because the book was a real gem. While the fact that the 'monsters' here where no zombies at all (which in the end makes no dramatic difference I guess) I am pleased to see that there are still some great new vampire stories to be found, and this is among the best. I love that the author focused so much on the characters and took his time building them with so much detail. I immediately felt 'at home' aboard the Baltic Charisma and familiar not only with the crew and passengers, but the ship itself as well. The vampire angle was well created and I appreciated the way the vampires, especially the first ones aboard, were portrayed, and that the vampire world was not all black and white - I would almost say some vampires actually kept their conscience after turning, but that may come across as weird. However, I was fascinated by how the vampires seemed to keep, or enhance, their former characteristics with some of them adapting better and faster than others, regaining control of their minds and actions and not simply succumbing to their hunger for blood. A very remarkable vampire story and a new author to watch out for.
(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)
March 31, 2021
I had never heard of this book or author before a friend gave me this book, but apparently the author is being herald as the next Stephen King. I can say that that is not the case. While this book was good, it was by no means, Stephen King good.
Blood Cruise is a straight up horror gore fest. Strandberg holds nothing back when describing kills, so this definitely isn't for the faint of heart. And while I do love me some good horror, I did have issues with this one. Standberg's writing style seems to be direct and to the point. He doesn't waste time on scene and character building, and maybe for some people, this works. But I need the emotions and the visuals and the heart. I'm not one for being told what to feel, I want to feel along with the characters. Another thing I think hurt the book was that there were too many POV's. Each chapter switched POV's and they were super short - like 3 pages max so we got very little time with each character before it switched. Because of this, it was a little hard to keep people separate as they all tended to blend in.
I also didn't know this was supernatural when I picked it up. I thought it was just a straight serial killer on the loose on a ship, but the vampire element worked here. It's definitely a terrifying thought, being trapped on a cruise ship without a way to get help. I just wish a little more time was spent on character building.
Blood Cruise is a straight up horror gore fest. Strandberg holds nothing back when describing kills, so this definitely isn't for the faint of heart. And while I do love me some good horror, I did have issues with this one. Standberg's writing style seems to be direct and to the point. He doesn't waste time on scene and character building, and maybe for some people, this works. But I need the emotions and the visuals and the heart. I'm not one for being told what to feel, I want to feel along with the characters. Another thing I think hurt the book was that there were too many POV's. Each chapter switched POV's and they were super short - like 3 pages max so we got very little time with each character before it switched. Because of this, it was a little hard to keep people separate as they all tended to blend in.
I also didn't know this was supernatural when I picked it up. I thought it was just a straight serial killer on the loose on a ship, but the vampire element worked here. It's definitely a terrifying thought, being trapped on a cruise ship without a way to get help. I just wish a little more time was spent on character building.
July 30, 2019
Λοιπόν, προφανώς δεν είναι το βιβλίο που θα σου αλλάξει τη ζωή, αλλά δεν έχει και τέτοιους στόχους. Του βάζω 5 αστέρια επειδή τους στόχους που βάζει τους πετυχαίνει 100% κατά τη γνώμη μου. Είναι γραμμένο πειστικά και ζωντανά, με εστίαση στους χαρακτήρες και στα καθημερινά και αναγνωρίσιμα προβλήματά τους, τα οποία θα έφταναν κι από μόνα τους για να κρατήσουν το ενδιαφέρον μου ως το τέλος του βιβλίου, ακόμα και χωρίς το υπερφυσικό στοιχείο. Το δε υπερφυσικό στοιχείο εμφανίζεται πολύ ήσυχα και διακριτικά και πρόκειται για μια πολύ απλή εκδοχή αυτής της μυθολογίας, χωρίς προσπάθειες να της αποδοθούν βαθιά και υπαρξιακά νοήματα - δε χρειάζεται αυτό για να είναι καλό το βιβλίο. Το γράψιμο είναι όπως θα έπρεπε να είναι, χωρίς ατάκες, ποιητικές παρομοιώσεις και βαθυστόχαστες δηλώσεις και γενικά χωρίς να τραβάει την προσοχή του αναγνώστη πάνω του. Ο μεταφρασμένος τίτλος νομίζω ότι το κάνει να ακούγεται κάπως κλισέ - εγώ θα το μετέφραζα απλώς ως "Η κρουαζιέρα".
August 24, 2016
It's a bit of an exaggeration considering this "horror". It's a fun ride, but it's not exactly terrifying - at least not for me, not at any point. However, this is an absolutely delicious "gossip" novel that shows human nature from its worst side. The book follows the fates of a handful of people going on an alcohol binge on a mini cruise between Sweden and Finland. The horrors of so many lost hopes collecting in one place is indeed terrible. The characterisations are brilliant, I loved every sorry fate described.
On the ferry is a woman and her son. They are not exactly human anymore. The son goes beserk. Everyone on the ferry is doomed. But how will our beloved characters die? And who will live? Absolutely entartaining, absolutely not particularly horrifying. No regrest though!
On the ferry is a woman and her son. They are not exactly human anymore. The son goes beserk. Everyone on the ferry is doomed. But how will our beloved characters die? And who will live? Absolutely entartaining, absolutely not particularly horrifying. No regrest though!
August 5, 2018
"He muses that the only real thing on board is the gluttony: the greed, the insatiability."
I'm not going to say much about Blood Cruise so that I don't give anything away. This book has such a fun concept, and the idea of being trapped on a cruise ship feallg freaks me out.
I liked that the book had short chapter, and once it got going, it was pretty easy to figure out who was who. This book is kind of like a very gory character study.
My only complaint is that it went on for way too long. This book is over 500 pages, and I definitely think some of it could have been cut down. Overall, I did like it, and I hope more horror stories are translated from Mats Strandberg!
I'm not going to say much about Blood Cruise so that I don't give anything away. This book has such a fun concept, and the idea of being trapped on a cruise ship feallg freaks me out.
I liked that the book had short chapter, and once it got going, it was pretty easy to figure out who was who. This book is kind of like a very gory character study.
My only complaint is that it went on for way too long. This book is over 500 pages, and I definitely think some of it could have been cut down. Overall, I did like it, and I hope more horror stories are translated from Mats Strandberg!
February 16, 2016
I Färjan ger Mats Strandberg röster inte bara åt de som i någon slags jakt på sig själva eller något helt utanför dem själva åker med Charisma, utan åt Charisma själv.
Passagerarna ges egna kapitel och ett av dem är färjan, som om den sugit åt sig av alla de själar som passerat genom den över åren, blivit en egen varelse, en flytande, pulserande entitet där människor i tjugo år utgjutit tårar och hjärteblod.
Ur recension på bloggen: http://elilaserochskriver.se/falnad-d...
Passagerarna ges egna kapitel och ett av dem är färjan, som om den sugit åt sig av alla de själar som passerat genom den över åren, blivit en egen varelse, en flytande, pulserande entitet där människor i tjugo år utgjutit tårar och hjärteblod.
Ur recension på bloggen: http://elilaserochskriver.se/falnad-d...
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