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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Very quick read. I think I read it in an hour. I guess it’s a short story perhaps? H didn’t realize it was the basis of the 80s movie Silver Bullet. It’s a simple story of a town terrorized by a werewolf (equipped with illustrations). Short, simple, and very good. Recommend.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Glad this was my first King book and I'm glad it was. Nice writing style and easy to follow story. Was a nice introduction to King and I'm now more excited to get into the longer King books I own :)
Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf delivers precisely what its title promises: a visceral and direct plunge into classic horror. This isn't a sprawling epic with intricate character development or a slow-burn psychological thriller. Instead, it's a lean, mean creature feature that unfolds month by month, each chapter a terrifying vignette in a year plagued by a relentless werewolf.
The beauty of Cycle of the Werewolf lies in its refreshing simplicity. King forgoes the lengthy exposition and intricate backstories that often characterize his longer works, opting instead for a straightforward narrative of survival against a primal threat. This stripped-down approach evokes the spirit of early horror cinema, where the focus was squarely on the monster and the desperate attempts of ordinary people to evade its deadly claws.
The episodic structure, tied to the lunar cycle, builds a chilling rhythm. Each full moon brings with it not only the transformation but also a fresh wave of terror for the residents of Tarker's Mills. This predictable yet horrifying pattern creates a sense of dread that permeates the entire book. We know the werewolf will return, the only question is who will be its next victim.
For readers familiar with King's signature style, Cycle of the Werewolf offers a familiar flavor of horror, albeit in a more concentrated form. The focus on the community and the individual struggles against a seemingly unstoppable force are classic King tropes. However, the brevity and directness of the narrative make this a unique and accessible entry point into his vast bibliography, or a satisfying quick read for long-time fans.
If you're looking for a horror story that cuts straight to the chase, delivering old-school thrills and chills without unnecessary complexity, then Cycle of the Werewolf is a perfect choice. It's a potent reminder of the raw power of a simple monster story, where the fundamental fear of being hunted and killed is more than enough to keep the pages turning. This is horror in its purest form, echoing the early days of the genre where survival was the only objective, and the monster lurking in the shadows was all the explanation needed.
The beauty of Cycle of the Werewolf lies in its refreshing simplicity. King forgoes the lengthy exposition and intricate backstories that often characterize his longer works, opting instead for a straightforward narrative of survival against a primal threat. This stripped-down approach evokes the spirit of early horror cinema, where the focus was squarely on the monster and the desperate attempts of ordinary people to evade its deadly claws.
The episodic structure, tied to the lunar cycle, builds a chilling rhythm. Each full moon brings with it not only the transformation but also a fresh wave of terror for the residents of Tarker's Mills. This predictable yet horrifying pattern creates a sense of dread that permeates the entire book. We know the werewolf will return, the only question is who will be its next victim.
For readers familiar with King's signature style, Cycle of the Werewolf offers a familiar flavor of horror, albeit in a more concentrated form. The focus on the community and the individual struggles against a seemingly unstoppable force are classic King tropes. However, the brevity and directness of the narrative make this a unique and accessible entry point into his vast bibliography, or a satisfying quick read for long-time fans.
If you're looking for a horror story that cuts straight to the chase, delivering old-school thrills and chills without unnecessary complexity, then Cycle of the Werewolf is a perfect choice. It's a potent reminder of the raw power of a simple monster story, where the fundamental fear of being hunted and killed is more than enough to keep the pages turning. This is horror in its purest form, echoing the early days of the genre where survival was the only objective, and the monster lurking in the shadows was all the explanation needed.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cycle of the Werewolf was a fun and quick read. The illustrations were beautiful and gory, and the story spanned across a whole year, with each chapter representing a month of that year, which worked well.
The way Stephen King wrote this story felt different from the others I have read by him so far, and I really enjoyed it! Cycle of the Werewolf is possibly up there as one of my favourite Stephen King stories, and I am glad that the publisher made a more recent reprint of this book!
The way Stephen King wrote this story felt different from the others I have read by him so far, and I really enjoyed it! Cycle of the Werewolf is possibly up there as one of my favourite Stephen King stories, and I am glad that the publisher made a more recent reprint of this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder
Minor: Ableism, Body horror, Gore, Racial slurs, Blood
Compelling short read. However, I wasn't a big fan of how the author described certain body types and women at certain instances in the book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
medium-paced
Cycle of the Werewolf
By Stephen King
Horror, novella
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Terror began in January.. by the light of the full moon.
Each month, during the full moon, a monster causes horror to spread through Tarker's Mills.
❤️ This is a super quick novella to read, and I enjoyed it. I like the monthly layout of events and the reveal of the werewolf.
💔 In general, Im just not a big fan of novellas and short stories. I want more depth and even with this simple premise, would have liked a bit more.
🎀 I wish this book had been longer with a bit of mystery and clues to who is the werewolf. I think it could have been a "fun", horror read.
By Stephen King
Horror, novella
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Terror began in January.. by the light of the full moon.
Each month, during the full moon, a monster causes horror to spread through Tarker's Mills.
❤️ This is a super quick novella to read, and I enjoyed it. I like the monthly layout of events and the reveal of the werewolf.
💔 In general, Im just not a big fan of novellas and short stories. I want more depth and even with this simple premise, would have liked a bit more.
🎀 I wish this book had been longer with a bit of mystery and clues to who is the werewolf. I think it could have been a "fun", horror read.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated