I haven’t read a lot of translated books, so I was extremely excited for this one.
I could probably count on one hand the translated books…and they’re things like Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and The Shamer’s Daughter by Lene Kaaberbol. But this? THIS is a mystery thriller. And it’s Finnish! And usually I’ll shove my book recommendations down your throat closer to release date, but I’m a special snowflake and am allowed to post this early.
\\ Thank you Hot Keys Books for the ARC! As Red As Blood by Salla Simukka was published August 7th, 2014. //
Seventeen-year-old Lumikki Andersson is hardly your average teenager. She lives by herself in the city of Tampere, Finland, and has a firm rule to mind nobody’s business but her own. But that rule is put to the test when she happens upon five hundred washed euro notes hanging up to dry in her school’s darkroom, and it is shattered once Lumikki realises who owns them.
Caught in an increasingly tangled web of deception, corruption and danger, Lumikki finds herself navigating the Tampere’s dark underbelly in the search to expose its shocking connection to the international drugs trade. Lumikki is smart, but is she smarter than a master criminal? Can she bring down the infamous ‘Polar Bear’ – or will she become another one of his victims?
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WHY YOU SHOULD REALLY READ THIS BOOK:
1) I liked it
This is the first reason you should read it. When have I ever lead you astray? I have a very refined bookish taste. Like the Critic in the Ratatouille movie. This is me with books:
“And when I don’t like it…I spit it out.”
Gee, he was a scary foodie. But enough about that movie! We’re talking about As Red As Blood! I read this book in one afternoon, despite everyone asking me to get up and do things every. six. seconds, which lead to me hiding so I could finish it.
2) It’s set in Tampere, Finland!
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3) It’s not quite a “fairy tale retelling”, but it has elements!
4) Speaking of Lumikki: she’s freakishly awesome.
Yes! Yes you smart and intelligent girl! She also takes her coffee black and bitter, which I don’t but I can, if you know what I mean. Although let’s swap the veggie curry for some pasta, okay? Then we shall be book-twins for ever and ever.
Because I connected to Lumikki so fast (and forcefully) it just escalated the book to pure awesome for me. The downside was that there are other POVs, so we can see more of the mystery and add in the suspense while reading. I didn’t enjoy any of them apart from Lumikki’s view point. In a way it IS exciting for the readers to know more about the mystery and then the tension escalates as you see what the badies are going to do, but the characters don’t know.
Ohhh, HOLD ME. I’m going to choke on my bitter black coffee.
5) It’s basically a mystery about bloody money.
It had some elements I wasn’t so fussed on, but all in all? I had a good time.
CAIT @ PAPER FURY…
…loves mysteries. She likes the whoosh as they past by her brain totally unsolved because, let’s face it, she sucks at solving mysteries. Although, while watching multiple hours of Sherlock Holmes, she IS getting better. If there is a cleaner in the background of a scene? Ding, ding, we have our murderer. She’s read a lot of books this week, but right now she’s gnawing on FALLING INTO PLACE.
Of course I read translated books! 😉 Mostly when I haven't any (original) Dutch book left to read. But I can't make a choice which is the best. I'm not such a mystery fan, let's just stick to real life :)arendedewit.blogspot.com
Hehe, see, I KNEW you would say that! Which is why I put my little disclaimer after that stupid statement. lol What, though?!! NO MYSTERY??? I suck at solving them as I read (or watch a movie) but I like that thrill of all the pieces coming together.
The only translated books I can think of (that I've read) are Why We Took the Car, The Thief Lord and Inkheart. I think. I may have missed some. I think it would be so interesting being a translator, but alas, I only know boring English. Although I'd love to learn another language someday…This book sounds great! I love that there are parallels between this and the original Snow White, and the genre is cool. The main character also sounds excellent. I've seen this around pretty often, actually… 🙂
Inkheart for me too! I didn't realise Why We Took the Car was translated! (Not that I've read it, but I've heard about it.) How hard would translating be, though?! Especially for like books with slang! I barely understand some jokes in American books, but imagine making other countries understand Australian jokes. We are insane, basically. We don't ever make sense. x) I tried to learn French once. HAR HAR HAR.
Mystery thriller? SOLD! I want to read this now! I really like reading books set in a different place. Most books are set in the US, and FINLAND, w00t! Rashika's mothership is there! Plus, a girl who can take black and bitter coffee? Awesome!
It was the black coffee that got me too. 😉 And liquorice. THAT IS AWESOME. And, me too, I just want to go places while I read, you know? The USA is awesome and all, but I love to read books outside of that. Hehe.
IGRAINE THE BRAVE. (Also by Cornelia Funke.) THIS BOOK IS SO ADORABLE. ITS FOR YOUNGER KIDS I THINK BUT I LOVE IT. SO CUTE.
I've only read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I even OWN the second two books in that trilogy but I haven't read them.
I only read one translated ARC, which I didn't like and only served to frustrate me. But this one? I think I'll actually enjoy As Red As Blood. I don't know how I'm going to get my hands on it, but when the time comes I will be there.I do REALLLLY like Inkheart though. That doesn't count as translated though huh.
Inkheart totally counts as translated!! It's German!! (Although, I believe the author translated it herself?? Maybe? Or am I thinking of Lene Kaaberbol…)
I speak both English and Spanish fluently. In my country, Spanish is the "main" language. Whenever I'm told to read a book for Uni, I decide to check if the book is translated into English. It's not that I frown upon my language, it's just that I'm so used to reading in English that I really can't read in another language without being confused. I think my brain would be subconsciously translating the text to English anyways. This book sounds really cool, and I love lists, so you've gotten me very curious. Lumikki totally sounds like me, too!
I think you're absolutely amazing then. I can't even imagine reading in more than one language!! I struggle to read in English half the time. Urhghhh to English spellings. It's insane. -_- But still! Two languages?! YOU'RE AWESOME.
I can count with no fingers on how many I've read. That's right, none. BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST, since just got blogger mail, whoo. What a great one to start with though! Yesss, she drinks coffee right without all the fluffy stuff (excluding milk), and solitude, *sigh* if only. Ugh, hate when people call you when you're reading though, or try and have a conversation with you. I just want to say I'M READING. LEAVE ME ALONE, but quietly seethe instead.
YAY FOR FIRSTS THEN! I really really enjoyed myself, hehe, if it's hard to tell. ;)Half the issue was that my niece kept interrupting me and she's only 1 and she kept poking me and whispering and then my mum would yell from upstairs and then Mime would call and we were having guests for dinner and ARHGHH LET ME READ THIS BOOK ALREADY. I WANT TO KNOW WHODUNNIT.
You read a translated book? *Mean girl voice* Does that make you, like, cultured now? ;)Oooh Snow White parallels! I love reading stories like this. Mostly because I used to get called Snow White (curse my pale skin!) and so I like to think I'm reading a book about me. Which means YOU'VE just technically read a book about me. I'm practically famous (hehe)
*flips hair* You can only talk to me about translated books if you're wearing pink, okay? It's nothing personal, just…I'm more cultured than you. I LOVE retellings! They're awesome…and I liked that this was sort of 50/50 for retelling. Ohhh, YOU are Snow White, then eh? You get into a lot of trouble, Allie, let me tell you…
This sounds really interesting novel! I really like the sound of the mystery and the Snow White parallels, and Lumiki sounds like an awesome protagonist. I'm a little concerned about the lack of "whys" behind the mystery, but besides that, everything else sounds great! Definitely going to have to consider giving this a try. Thanks for sharing Cait, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3
It could be my brain just not catching up on all the "whys" (because I kept getting distracted, dangit) but I felt like I was reading carefully! I'M TRYING. Lumikki is the sole reason to read it anyway. She's epic.
Ooh, a book about foreign criminal underworlds?! Count me in. *adds to to-read list*
Anything in Europe, count ME in. I have such a Europe obsession. I want to go to Paris. And London. And Berlin. Basically: ALL THE PLACES.
This actually sounds really interesting! I hope my library gets it:D I might have a small (and perfectly legal, I swear!) liking for criminal underworlds, especially European ones!I read the Ruby Red series by Kerstin Geir, which I believe was in German originally. I find that I often don't even notice if a book has been translated.
Well, you've done it again. Convinced me to buy a book! Good news is, it was free! (Also, you had me at "Finland". I have been. I have eaten reindeer meatballs in Finland. True story. Maybe I'll have to post the picture. No, I am sure I will post the picture.) I haven't read a translated book before (at least, I don't think I have?) but I am going to give this one a shot. P.S.- I also like money, and no, you haven't ever led me astray. I think of you as my book guru, really.
Ooh this sounds goooood! And I'm a huge fan of thrillers and mysteries and all books dark! Blood money? Yes please! Lol! (I'm a speshul snowflake too!) >.< And wow Finland is gorgeous! I don't think I've ever read a book set there.Lumikki sounds like an awesome MC – I love it when I can really relate to a character so much! Sounds like a book you need to read with your full attention – I just finished one like that myself (Broken Monster) – WHY DO PEOPLE STILL CALL? Who calls anyone anymore, seriously? Facebook or text me or go away! haha!
Wow, I really like thrillers as well and I've added this to my TBR! I'm not sure if I've read many translated books, I wasn't a big fan of the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo you know? Glad to hear you still loved this, it sounded like you could really connect to the character! Thanks for sharing Cait!
I think I've read some translated books. I'm not sure how many though. We do have international books here being translated into Filipino and it makes me want to hurl because I'd rather read them in English. Not that I don't like our language, it's just that it feels that some of the essence of the words get lost in translation. I'm so intrigued by this book. You mentioned Finland and Sherlock and I'm totally in. I hate it when people don't understand that you're reading and need to be left alone. Haha!
Ohhhh, this definitely sounds interesting! I like mystery thrillers, so that's already a surefire factor of making me want to read this. I want more of them lately and I don't know why haha. There's just something so interesting about real fast-paced books that still make you connect to the characters. And it's in Finland! That's where Rashika is right now! Perhaps I'll be able to get a picture in my head of what life for her there is like? Although I'm not sure she lives the fast life like the characters ehre, and I'm not really sure she's involved in a plot regarding money… but hey, I can just imagine her as the main character ;DFaye at The Social Potato Reviews
(sobbing because all of my posts on your blog always get eaten, therefore disconnected and rambley comments yayayayay)Ooooo another mystery thriller to add to my TBR (: I haven't heard much (or really anything) about this one so thanks for putting on my radar. I also haven't read many translated books, other than Inkheart that is lol.Haha, that critic guy from Ratatouille was certainly scary! I remember my younger brother hiding behind my mom because he was so scared xD Don't think I've ever read a story set in Finland. Alike you I'm totally obsessed with anything European, so reading about Finland would be wonderful. It's just so pretty! I mean here in Canada we have snow but it's not all pretty like that picture. Omg my friend went to Finland for a vacation last Fall and I was so jealous. Girrrrrl we need to go to Finland STAT! It's just a must [; I do love a good retelling! However I think reading a story that isn't a straight up retelling but rather just has elements and parallels would be quite refreshing and veyr intriguing. I can see myself trying to find all of the references and tie ins. Lumikki sounds like a awesome main character! I love it when you can connect to a character on such a deep level (as you obviously did), it makes the narration so much more fun and awesome to read. I feel like Lumikki and I would get along just fine with our shared comic book adoration and love of solitude. Though I must admit, black licorice is so completely gross. Hmm, I think the multiple POVs in this one would annoy me, especially if I preferred Lumikki's narration over the others. I can see why multiple POVs may be involved to build suspense, but honestly still feel like they tend to interrupt the storyline. Great review girl! (: and omfg if blogger just makes this comment disapper casually I'M GOING TO GO CRAZZZZZY
Haha, I know how black licorice tastes, it's very much like some books– you either love it or hate it! AND THIS HAPPENED TO YOU, TOO? I just typed up a super long comment and when I hit PUBLISH, the whole thing was killed and gobbled up by Blogger. I'M ALREADY CRAZY.
*rolls eyes, as you expected XD* I read lots of translated books when I was little, but when I grew up, I found that books in their original languages are far more funnier and punnier than translated ones. Also, I don't know whether it's that publisher's in the US and UK are particularly influential or something, but most books I have read or want to read now are published by them, hence English…which makes me feel like I betrayed my mother language :P. If I know both the original language and the language the book was translated into and that's the best part of reading translated books. Also, I can understand some cultural references (which confuse the hell out of me when reading English books) better, thanks to the translator and the editor. Although sometimes they still make some cringe-worthy translations…I'm glad they didn't try to translate "Nerdfighters" in John Green's books. That would be a disaster. I've always had a crush on the country Finland (weird, I know), I guess it had something to do with Santa Claus and Europe. Also, snow, forests and lakes. So last summer, I actually took a trip to the Finland (and might or might not spent my life savings) and it's indeed lovely! People there were super friendly and everything was beautiful. Finland is wonderful. Well, in summer. Winter I can't guarantee that. Really want to read the book!
Exactly! It's a legal interest in the evil minds of others. 😉 I haven't heard of the Ruby Red series, which isn't very surprising because I'm a bit unknowledgable when it comes to translated books. I wish there were more! I like perspectives with different cultures.
GO ME. (I apologise to your wallet though. 😉 Raindeer meatballs?!! OKAY THEN. I want to go to Finland. If you have gone you should most definitely post a picture sometime!!*blushes* N'aww, SHANNON YOU ARE TOO NICE.
Finland is gorgeous! I haven't ever seen snow before, but it looks beautiful. From a distance. (A fair distance. Give me summer and beaches please.) Lumikki is just the BEST. She's the kind of heroine I wish I read more of not found it so startling when I come across one. x) I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE CALL. I HAVE A BOOK WHICH MAEANS "DO NOT SPEAK TO ME".
I haven't tried the Girl with the..etc. But to be honest, I haven't heard wild things about it. 😉 I LOVE awesome characters so this was definitely insta-win. xD
I've always wondered how hard it must be to translate books. 😐 I think some of the cultural references would be hard to translate sometimes, right?But yes! Being left alone is just a necessity. Why don't people get that?!
YOU DO WANT TO READ THIS. I just have this deep feeling that you definitely do. YAY FOR RASHIKA! Although it's not the same town, didn't you say? Still. Same country. Finland is small.
I AM SO SORRY GUYS. *cries quietly in the corner* I don't know why blogger is misbehaving. I WANT to change the commenting platform, if that helps..hehe, but I'm worried it'll scare people off commenting. IT'S SO HARD TO FIGURE IT OUT.But, Larissa: Yay! I'm glad you added to your (towering?? hehe) TBR! If you read it I totally want to know what you think, okay?! XD Loooool, yes that critic guy was fearsome. Now I kind of understand him. Scrap that, I adore him. He loved good food, I mean, what more could a person hanker after??I'm quite obsessed with Europe too, *sigh* I would just LOVE to see Paris, though I kind of want to see Finland now too. x) Snow…not so much. I'm very attached to the heat of the sun.
*swats you* I SAID SORRY IN ADVANCE. xD lol. Juuuuust teasing.Since English is my first language I haven't had ANY of these issues. I'm spoilt and lucky. x) I can imagine jokes being lost though through translation. Ugh, that sucks. SORRY YOU BETRAYED YOUR MOTHER TONGUE. English is awesome, though. 😉 Ohmygosh, I can't even imagine translating Nerdfighters. That must've been interesting. I have a crush on Europe in general.
Wow, this sounds cool. I like crime and mystery books and it seems like it's so hard to come by good ones. Must investigate this further. (Meaning, read your Goodreads review and then click 'want to read' XD)
This looks interesting. I may have to take the plunge. SOLD add to the to be read pile over there please. 🙂
I haven't read a lot of translated fiction but I have read some. There's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series which I liked the first one but I think it got a little to political for me in the second and third books. I read Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier last year and quite liked it. And of course there are the books I read as a child like Heidi or The Little Mermaid. I really think they do add something different because it's not just the language which isn't the same. It's the culture too. I'm glad you liked this one Cait. I read it recently and I was really surprised by it – mostly because I think I was expecting a Snow White retelling… whoops! But seriously – Lumikki is epic. I want to be friends with her – I want to BE her.Great review! Hope you get to read the next two books in the trilogy!
As I trust you and your refined bookish tastes, I will definitely be giving this a go! I love the Breaking Bad money gif, it made me smile a lot! I hadn't heard of this one before Hot Key tweeted your review! So happy that you liked this one so much. I have read a few translations and am excited for this one 🙂