Reviews with content warning for Addiction - Fairy Tale

This book seemed to be split into 3 completely separate stories almost. I got a bit confused and struggled around 200-350 pages in. I struggled going from an odd

fairy tale story

to almost

hunger games style story

and then back to the strange fairy tale story. There was a lot of stairs and I often got confused if what was happening ! It was overall okay ? I enjoyed the style of writing and would read other kings.

I just kept reading because I was worried the dog was going to die ! I’m unsure if that’s good because of the hook or bad because it was the only reason after

mr bowditch dies

- I feel that In. Itself didn’t do the character justice.

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depmythmoon's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

“[…] learn to listen so you can listen to learn,” (pg. 413)

“There’s a dark well in everyone, I think, and it never goes dry. But you drink from it at your peril. That water is poison.” (pg. 446)

This was my first Stephen King book (I know I’m behind, please ✋🏾😭), and I really enjoyed his writing style. If I had to relate it to anything I’ve read before, it would be “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. It’s that descriptive type of writing that tends to have longer sentences and delve into minor details of something a character mentions. He also uses parenthesis more liberally than any author I’ve read before, which I enjoyed seeing. I’m not exactly sure why some people suggest that this isn’t the Stephen King book to start with. It was a great read in my opinion (if the 5 ⭐️ rating was anything to go off of). If this isn’t considered to be one of his best, I’m just glad that I have many more great works to look forward to.

This story has an overall theme that focuses on morality and how nobody is only good or only evil. We follow the male MC, Charlie Reade, who has a less than squeaky clean past, yet he has such a noble role within the story that juxtaposes that past nicely. He can even recognize that he may not be the textbook definition of a protagonist in a story, but he steps up to the plate anyway. The whole reason he even got into this situation is some twisted sense of obligation that hurt my heart for him while also making me think further about the motives of the good deeds that people choose to do. Anything that makes me slightly question how I view the world and others is guaranteed to stick with me and get a good rating.

Radar, the dog that Charlie goes on this mission to save, was both so adorable and heartbreaking. Seeing how her condition deteriorated as the story continued pulled at the heartstrings. Had I been a pet owner, I know for a fact that this book would have made me shed more than a few tears. So, pet owners, please be careful when going into this story. She’s such a good girl 😭

I will say… the big bad if the story did feel slightly anticlimactic while also being fitting for this tale. It left me torn, but I did love how King was able to tie it all back to multiple points that go all the way back to the beginning of the story. It would have been nice to see a little bit more there, of all places, but we were already pushing like 500+ pages at this point, so I don’t exactly blame him for getting it out the way.

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ladyhunbun's review

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adventurous dark reflective tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.0

I think the main character growth is Charlie

understanding that he can be two things at once, that having strong sometimes brutal thoughts and behaviors doesn’t mean he can’t also be loving and kind and gentle.

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anniefizzell's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-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

4.0

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hannahrose_fgc's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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booklover_helen's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This was my first ever Stephen King book and boy did I love it. It initially had a slow build up slowly building my curiosity of that mysterious shed before delving into the wonderful tales of another world with Charlie and his dog Radar. It entailed a great adventure and is probably one of my favourite fantasy books. So sad when it ended but I guess all good things come to an end eventually. Definitely listen to the audiobook if you can (which is what I did)!!!! Happy reading

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Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

unicornofblue's review

krymar13's review against another edition

shiftycow1313's review against another edition

stellabombella's review against another edition

djenkin96's review against another edition

depmythmoon's review

ladyhunbun's review

anniefizzell's review

hannahrose_fgc's review against another edition

booklover_helen's review