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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Got this book as a birthday present in 2024. Now, do I blame this book for causing my year-long reading slump? Probably not.
------Stat Score------
Plot/Content: 4/10
Characters/POVs: 6/10
Prose/Style: 5/10
Themes/Messages: 7/10
Enjoyability/Impact: 1/10 (Take this stat w/ a grain of salt)
OVERALL RATING: 5/10 (Mediocre)
This won't be my typical detailed book review, partly because I am still resetting my bookworm brain, but also I read the first half a year ago (and thus don't have the most concrete/fresh grasp on the whole aspect.)
The book's fine, in a vacuum. Nothing to crazy within the spectrum. Charlie is a compelling enough protagonist with a brave and heroic heart. The world building, although was overstaying at many points, was convincing enough. Radar, the dog, was cute and easily the best part. Its good themes and lessons will always be appreciated.
But now we go to the problems, and there is a TON, but I'll just the the two most important. The book's pacing is uncannily structured and frustratingly slow. That's the main contributor to my slump. The other one is that most of the characters are way too bland. There's lacking of life within this fairy tale narrative (but perhaps...that's the point?
This is my first (and probably last) Stephen King book, which is surprising introduction to the author since this is more Fantasy than Horror (what he is usually known for.)
Alas, I just want to get over this damn book and start new.
------Stat Score------
Plot/Content: 4/10
Characters/POVs: 6/10
Prose/Style: 5/10
Themes/Messages: 7/10
Enjoyability/Impact: 1/10 (Take this stat w/ a grain of salt)
OVERALL RATING: 5/10 (Mediocre)
This won't be my typical detailed book review, partly because I am still resetting my bookworm brain, but also I read the first half a year ago (and thus don't have the most concrete/fresh grasp on the whole aspect.)
The book's fine, in a vacuum. Nothing to crazy within the spectrum. Charlie is a compelling enough protagonist with a brave and heroic heart. The world building, although was overstaying at many points, was convincing enough. Radar, the dog, was cute and easily the best part. Its good themes and lessons will always be appreciated.
But now we go to the problems, and there is a TON, but I'll just the the two most important. The book's pacing is uncannily structured and frustratingly slow. That's the main contributor to my slump. The other one is that most of the characters are way too bland. There's lacking of life within this fairy tale narrative (but perhaps...that's the point?
This is my first (and probably last) Stephen King book, which is surprising introduction to the author since this is more Fantasy than Horror (what he is usually known for.)
Alas, I just want to get over this damn book and start new.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Really enjoyed the beginning and end but the middle felt incredibly long and dragged on. Had to take several breaks to work through the book but glad I did
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
The reviews and comments I read indicated that the first half of the book was excellent, and the second half was a little...odd. I didn't feel they were wrong, but perhaps this knowledge managed my expectations enough to keep from being too turned off by some of the less than perfect plot choices. It's called "Fairy Tale" and it's by Stephen King, and that's exactly what you get.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
I love, love, loved the first third of this book. Once the main character falls down the rabbit hole so-to-speak, I felt like I was reading The Hunger Games (which is compelling and at the same time too over-the-top in its sensational and disgusting plot). I stuck it out, but I felt used by the end. Still, if I don't like a book, I don't finish it, so I guess this is really more like a three and half stars for me.
This book was good! But, at some points, I would zone out bc I was bored :/
adventurous