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joshkiba13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
People often say that King is a great character writer, and that rings true here. I don't know that I've read a book with so many main characters and perspectives, but I was never really confused. Larry, Frannie, Lloyd, Stu, Tom, Nick, Harold, Nadine, etc. were all so distinct and unique from each other, it was relatively simple to follow their stories and intentions, and to become invested in their doings.
I loooooved the premise and rising action of the story. Spoiler-free: A new superflu ravages society and kills nearly everyone in its path. Some people mysteriously survive without symptoms, and despite being separated by hundreds or thousands of miles, these characters all begin to have the same dreams and nightmares, pulling them to one place or the other. It was so intriguing and satisfying to watch them begin to move and meet.
King builds a lot of dramatic irony for the readers, since we know the doings of certain characters that other characters do not. At one time I had to put the book down and take a break because I was so anxious.
I'll say that the third act became a little dry and anti-climactic in a way, but not overall disappointing. Just maybe not what I expected. And the dark man wasn't quite as scary or powerful as he was built up to be in the rising action, but I am looking forward to seeing more of him in other King books :)
A pretty amazing story with great characters. M-O-O-N, that spells a pretty great book but not his best by any means.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body horror and Rape
Minor: Suicide and Trafficking
nicilaui's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Abandonment, Grief, Medical trauma, and Slavery
roisin_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Suicide, Animal death, Bullying, and Mental illness
So you need to know about the dog?bookish_manda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Rape and Suicide
Moderate: Racial slurs and Sexism
scipio_africanus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
beatle426's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Death, Medical content, Grief, Violence, Sexual content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, War, Murder, Suicide, Torture, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Gore, and Child death
zoinkie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic, Terminal illness, War, Sexual harassment, Death, Suicide, Body horror, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Murder
mon11's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual violence, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Drug abuse, Grief, and Sexual content
kirtreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book starts off so strong. I was gripped from the beginning and couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what happened to each of the characters. Everyone was interesting and dynamic. The book moves along at a nice pace until it doesn't. It comes to a screeching halt
Then, the story picks up again finally and there is movement again towards some kind of resolution.
There also are some frustratingly huge issues with the ending.
This book really highlights the best and worst of King.
- Pro: Characters are amazing and really fleshed out. You end up feeling connected to each of them and rooting for them
- Pro: It has a great premise and he has great world building at the beginning of the novel
- Con: The ending blows and falls flat
- Con: It is so long and needed some heavy editing. I know that people say that it "fleshes out the world" but you know what I didn't need?
Chapters of council meetings that had literally no hold on the plot.
If you are a die hard King fan and you want to complete all his works, then this book provides some really great highs and I recommend it for the great characters.
If you are not a huge King fan and are not sure if you are willing to put in the work, just stay away. The pay off is not worth it.
Graphic: Mental illness, Abandonment, Gore, Vomit, Body horror, Rape, Pregnancy, Infertility, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Car accident, Drug abuse, Excrement, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Medical trauma, Violence, Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Confinement, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Medical content
uriah's review against another edition
2.0
Also theres a pun at the climax of this book that was so silly it really took me out of the experience. It was the audiobook listening format of looking into the camera like you're on the office.
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Violence, Cursing, Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Torture, and Suicide
Moderate: Colonisation and Racism