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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went in not knowing much about the plot and though I enjoy my cemetery, goosebump like stories this one did not blow me away. It sure was creepy and had some new perspectives on a cemetery that’s been around longer than any local knows but it just kind of fell off for me at the end? Like the characters seemed to lack depth, the story is similar to most stories about old places and it was giving IT with an evil presence.
I will say one thing about Stephen King is he finds ways to incorporate towns, people, stories, etc from previous books he’s written and I LOVE that! It’s like an easter egg you wont know is there unless you know!
I will say one thing about Stephen King is he finds ways to incorporate towns, people, stories, etc from previous books he’s written and I LOVE that! It’s like an easter egg you wont know is there unless you know!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, well, well, I guess I should not be surprised by King's amazing storytelling and writing skills anymore, because the man is just too good! Recently losing my cousin's 5-year-old daughter to leukaemia made all the Gage scenes extra emotional and relatable... (Unfortunately...)
Towards the end, I was so worried that it was going to turn into one of those classic stories where everything works out at the last moment (Rachel or Jud or both saving the day), and oh boy, was I glad to see one of my favourite authors (I think I can say this now without any embarrassment) not falling into that trap. Instead, he gave us the darker and more believable reality of things. And no, I am not a psychopath, I just hate when a story becomes a boring Hollywood action, hero-driven movie where everything ends up okay at the last minute with no real losses.
Also, I imagined a different ending that could have made the book a lot longer, so I don't know. I can't complain much, but I think my version might have been better :)
Towards the end, I was so worried that it was going to turn into one of those classic stories where everything works out at the last moment (Rachel or Jud or both saving the day), and oh boy, was I glad to see one of my favourite authors (I think I can say this now without any embarrassment) not falling into that trap. Instead, he gave us the darker and more believable reality of things. And no, I am not a psychopath, I just hate when a story becomes a boring Hollywood action, hero-driven movie where everything ends up okay at the last minute with no real losses.
Also, I imagined a different ending that could have made the book a lot longer, so I don't know. I can't complain much, but I think my version might have been better :)
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just the right length for the story with a perfect amount of details to keep you intrigued and invested.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Interestingly enough, I don't love this book because of the horror. Most of the spooky elements were not that terrifying (the hero literally punts the baddie and I thought it was both hilarious and great for the realism. Don't bring your [spoilers] body at me with a knife and not expect me to use my full physical edge as an adult to send you back to Jesus). No, what makes this such an awesome novel is the drama and emotional turmoil King puts his characters through. This might be the most raw and authentic deep dive into grief I have ever read and I love it. The emotions that come as these characters process death was truly heartbreaking. If you felt nothing reading this, you should probably see a therapist. If you did feel something, congratulations. This is your therapy. Also this solidifies my theory that cats are evil, so I feel doubly validated.
I can't read 2 stephen king books in a row I'll probably continue later