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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't assign this book a star rating. When I finished it I closed the book, set it down, and immediately got up to put my shoes on and take the book to the first donation box I could find, because I did not want it in my home. Not because of any fundamental hate for it, this book so deeply unsettled me that I just did not want to have it where I live and sleep.
At some point I will port over my original Goodreads review, which goes into more detail. In short, I come from a religious background, and was pretty primed for Revival to get under my skin. I love horror, including longer horror (I have read IT and might one day make a review for it, and I have read The Stand multiple times), but reading this book felt like slowly drowning. It continues to haunt me, though now I can look back and laugh at just how much it got under my skin, though that does not mean I will be bringing another copy into my home. I don't know if I can recommend it really, for horror lovers I'd say it's a good book certainly, but for anyone with a former-Christian background, I would tread lightly.
At some point I will port over my original Goodreads review, which goes into more detail. In short, I come from a religious background, and was pretty primed for Revival to get under my skin. I love horror, including longer horror (I have read IT and might one day make a review for it, and I have read The Stand multiple times), but reading this book felt like slowly drowning. It continues to haunt me, though now I can look back and laugh at just how much it got under my skin, though that does not mean I will be bringing another copy into my home. I don't know if I can recommend it really, for horror lovers I'd say it's a good book certainly, but for anyone with a former-Christian background, I would tread lightly.
For me, King's books can go one of two ways. I will either enjoy reading them or get bored really quickly. That being said, Revival was great!
It was like reading a memoir, Jamie telling his life story, starting with his childhood when he first met Reverand Jacobs.
What I liked:
✔ The story itself. It was relaxing to read about Jamie's life, his experiences, his growth, his ups and downs. Except for the horror stuff; that was tense.
✔ The slow pace. It didn't bother me at all. It actually worked perfectly with the book's atmosphere.
✔ The characters. From Jamie and his family, a church going one, very religious, to Reverend Jacob's and his actions over the years.
✔ The secrecy. The suspense of not knowing Charlie's next steps and the way it was all revealed at the end. I was reading the last 10-15 pages like it was a different book. Loved it!
What I didn't like:
✖ Not that much horror. The horror parts of this book are not that thrilling, suspenseful or spooky (at least not for me). Overall I would have liked a little more juice, please.
It's always hard to pick my next King book to read, afraid I won't like it. So this was a nice surprise.
It was like reading a memoir, Jamie telling his life story, starting with his childhood when he first met Reverand Jacobs.
What I liked:
✔ The story itself. It was relaxing to read about Jamie's life, his experiences, his growth, his ups and downs. Except for the horror stuff; that was tense.
✔ The slow pace. It didn't bother me at all. It actually worked perfectly with the book's atmosphere.
✔ The characters. From Jamie and his family, a church going one, very religious, to Reverend Jacob's and his actions over the years.
✔ The secrecy. The suspense of not knowing Charlie's next steps and the way it was all revealed at the end. I was reading the last 10-15 pages like it was a different book. Loved it!
What I didn't like:
✖ Not that much horror. The horror parts of this book are not that thrilling, suspenseful or spooky (at least not for me). Overall I would have liked a little more juice, please.
It's always hard to pick my next King book to read, afraid I won't like it. So this was a nice surprise.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
Really good and tightly written. A great villain especially with some amazing character work. Def one of the most dread-filled SK books. Doesn't reach emotional heights of some other SK ones tho
Shivers
Another wonderful book by the great Stephen King. I am a long time fan (40 years). The book was a fast read. I was a little disappointed in the "secret" of the story. I will not give anything away. I enjoyed the life story of the main character.
Another wonderful book by the great Stephen King. I am a long time fan (40 years). The book was a fast read. I was a little disappointed in the "secret" of the story. I will not give anything away. I enjoyed the life story of the main character.
dark
reflective
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Terminal illness, Car accident, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement
A fun little novel that dips its toe into various pools including both religious and Lovecraftian horror.
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
challenging
dark
Lovecraft horror, a downer, but good