Reviews

Firestarter by Stephen King

andr901p's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

stitchesmcgoo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

irxren's review against another edition

4.0

Firestarter follows father and daughter, Andy and Charlie McKee, who are fleeing a government agency called The Shop. Andy has a limited psychic ability known as "the push," while Charlie possesses limitless firestarting powers. Their abilities result from a secret experiment with a drug called Lot Six.

This book is a mix of emotions. It’s good, sometimes touching, and has a subtle creepiness that keeps you on your toes. King excels at creating real characters that feel alive and relatable. You can’t help but cheer for them as they navigate their dangerous lives and hope they make it through safely.

One of the most moving parts of the story is Andy's determination to assure his daughter that one day, she can have a normal life without always looking over her shoulder. The emotional depth in their bond makes the story even more engaging.

bodim's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mona36b's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

gothikry's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Suicide

mmadill227's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Death of parent

aimeekimbo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jj_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A great Stephen King novel and another to pull at the old heartstrings if you are a parent. 

It felt like an action movie for quite a portion which I really enjoyed. I would not call this a horror novel at all but that’s my two cents. The fear of constantly being found and never safe reads more like thriller to me. I thought the premise was super cool and loved Andy Mcgees powers. 

John Rainbird is our main villain in this one and I found him very disturbing, there is nothing supernatural about him but that doesn’t stop you feeling tense and uneasy every page he appears on.

The thing that is stopping this getting five stars from me is the last chapter. Just think it was rushed and not really fulfilled but great book nonetheless.

sele_the_bookworm's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.0