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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As sequels go, it does a good job of standing on its own. In other words, I'm not sure that you need to have read the first book in order to appreciate it. I did read the first book (The Talisman) when I was in seventh grade, very nearly three decades ago, and I certainly don't remember all the plot points. But because memory, and lack of memory, are major themes in the novel, knowing or remembering what happened in The Talisman doesn't feel very important. Having said that, I am glad that I'd already read The Talisman and King's Dark Tower series. Being familiar with all of those books enriches this one. Actually, I'd almost say that familiarity with the Dark Tower books is more important for understanding certain references herein. The ending felt a bit rushed, particularly when we finally enter the eponymous Black House, but it didn't bother me as much as the conclusion of Dark Tower. I was ready to be that disappointed (yes, I'm one of those), but then I wasn't.
4/5 ⭐
I love both [b:The Talisman|59219|The Talisman (The Talisman, #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170530286l/59219._SX50_.jpg|3324421] and the Black House but in different ways and honestly, I liked the former just a little more.
Nevertheless, Black House is amazing. It's very classic King while adding some new layer to King's universe. I love how King and Straub related the story to King's metaverse and the Dark Tower. The Talisman/Black House are also very similar to [b:It|830502|It|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334416842l/830502._SY75_.jpg|150259] in some aspects, with Jack having to go back to a place from his childhood after 20 years of oppressing the memories. Even the crime in Black House is similar to IT and I was partly convinced it was about IT or some creature of the same breed in the beginning.
And the ending was pretty fine in my opinion. Jack's story could end here but a part of me also wants to see more of him. So, I'd love a third book in the series but I could also be content with this ending.
(Minor Spoiler)
Henry deserved better.
I love both [b:The Talisman|59219|The Talisman (The Talisman, #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1170530286l/59219._SX50_.jpg|3324421] and the Black House but in different ways and honestly, I liked the former just a little more.
Nevertheless, Black House is amazing. It's very classic King while adding some new layer to King's universe. I love how King and Straub related the story to King's metaverse and the Dark Tower. The Talisman/Black House are also very similar to [b:It|830502|It|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334416842l/830502._SY75_.jpg|150259] in some aspects, with Jack having to go back to a place from his childhood after 20 years of oppressing the memories. Even the crime in Black House is similar to IT and I was partly convinced it was about IT or some creature of the same breed in the beginning.
And the ending was pretty fine in my opinion. Jack's story could end here but a part of me also wants to see more of him. So, I'd love a third book in the series but I could also be content with this ending.
(Minor Spoiler)
Henry deserved better.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was ok. I think I should have read the Talisman first but whatever. The flashbacks were kinda interesting but the majority of this book was a massive snooze fest.
AUDIOBOOK: I would give this 4.5 possibly 5 ⭐️. The second and final book following The Talisman where the child protagonist is now an adult. This is another long read. 26 hours of audio but much like the previous one, it didn’t drag at all for me. King weaves in characters and plot lines from other stories which is always fun. Graphic and horrific storyline but very well done. Highly recommend.
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Kidnapping
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Alcohol
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated