Reviews

'Salem's Lot: Illustrated Edition by Stephen King

river69rat's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

My first Stephen King! Absolutely sped through this, writing style is so digestible and I really like the majority of the characters, but also the way King tells the story of the town and the people who live there. It made the creep to the events of the book more disturbing. Saying that... I didn't find this very scary, I perhaps hyped it up as a scary book too much after my mum saying it gave her nightmares, but I just found the vampire thing goofy. I think it's still good horror writing but it did not scare me in the way horror films/games do where I am easily scared, so I am thinking maybe books just don't scare me in the same way.

Oh also, the epilogue after wrapping up the story of the main characters could've stopped there. I got no enjoyment reading about additional characters from past and future.

Anyway, very good, very readable book and I will definitely pick up more Stephen King in the future!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Animal death, Blood, Child death, and Child abuse

kylesafgt's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

pansy_ass's review against another edition

5.0

First King book and I think I'm hooked. I can see what all the fuss is about. The literal King of horror takes on the original boogeyman and still manages to teach a proverbial dog new tricks. 10/10 would recommend.

thejessiejoy's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

mash369's review against another edition

4.0

not his greatest.

jill_98's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

katiegilley's review against another edition

4.0

This was the first King book that I've read in years. I was actually pretty scared to read it because of all of the things that I've read and heard about it. However, it didn't really scare me. I think it's because this novel is centered around vampires taking over a small town and I don't seem to believe in vampires. Now, loved ones going crazy from being isolated in a humongous mansion? Crazy stalkers that are obsessed with their idols? Those are more realistic plots that scare me more than any vampire tale. But in all honesty: it was a good story. There were memorable characters (Mark Petrie, Ben Mears, Father Callahan) that were plucky and admirable and a storyline that kept me reading until the end. And that's more important than being scared to fall asleep at night.

marshwillow's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

lumeyne's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ciaramcd's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0