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bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Review of Firestarter
By: Stephen King
College students Andy McGee and Vicky Tomlinson, just wanted to make some extra cash by participating in an experiment, but little did know was it would result in them having psychic powers. Getting married their daughter Charlie is born with powers, she’s a Firestarter. The government agency, The Shop, who experimented on them, want Charlie and they’re hunting Charlie and her father down.
Another exciting thriller from King with his signature supernatural flavor. King always finds a way to nail down a kid character and how they would feel, as well as act. In the afterward, he discusses what inspired this novel and that his daughter Naomi helped him give an accurate portrayal of Charlie. She’s scared but also enjoys having this power. She constantly fears losing control and burning an innocent or someone she loves, but she desires to be able to punishment those who deserve it. She’s vulnerable and naïve, because she’s only a little girl, but she also has a strong will. This is another one of those stories that shows people’s worse fear about the government; that they are taking humans and experimenting on them and making them weapons. That’s how The Shop sees Charlie, a weapon. One of the antagonists who I find a compelling and scary character is John Rainbird. He understands people and knows how to gain Charlie’s trust. There’s a dream sequence where Andy compares him to Long John Silver of Treasure Island. It’s a perfect comparison, because Long John Silver plays someone nice and innocent like John Rainbird does, and they gain the trust of a naïve child. He’s also a Vietnam Vet. King has a way of writing characters that you hate or love. Even though oftentimes King’s novels tend to be long it still goes by fast. His plots are always moving, but they have moments of character development, but something is always happening. Of course, there are always those aspects of his novels that can make the reader uncomfortable like foul language and characters who are sexist or racist. This is a thrilling and at times heartbreaking read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, Cursing, Racial slurs, and Drug use
Moderate: Animal death and Addiction
caitlink's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I had a hard time at first getting into the book and I ended up skimming the book at the end. Does use slurs in the book. There is one Native American character but I won’t comment on if it’s good or bad representation because I’m not Native American and I would much people would listen to the people that the character is represented then me when I’m not apart of that group(like listening to someone who a person of color or being non-binary). I did hate the government characters besides the Native American character because he was actually nice and was a good person. Was able to guess the ending around when Andy was asked about going to Hawaii. But the ending was alright.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racial slurs
nadia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This isn't a King title that you hear a lot about so I went in not knowing the sort of vibe I was going to get at all, and I really enjoyed it! I definitely had a movie playing out in my head, with most of the characters, certainly all of the main ones, clearly defined. I especially appreciated the depiction of the main relationship between the two main characters, which served to add emotional impact to what was more of an entertaining, faster-paced thriller/action-movie style read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexism and Racial slurs
booksbyjazz's review against another edition
Meandering. Racist remarks right away.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
keen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Abortion, Antisemitism, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Pedophilia
Content warning for moderate
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