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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
One of my least favorite Stephen King books that said it was OK. I can’t put my finger on it, but I felt more YA in that there was not as much depth to his characters. It also seemed more fantasy than sci-fi, which is expected of “fairy tales.”
adventurous
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:
Yes
I really wanted to read a Stephen King novel. Would I have finished this if I hadn’t been stubbornly determined to see it all the way through? I’m not sure.
This story is written from the perspective of the main character, a 17 year old high school senior named Charlie who is supposedly from the year 2013, and his voice comes through really strong as part of the story. I would call him “an annoying narrator.” I was 17 in 2013 and I do not recall my speech being so riddled with dad jokes and sexism. Charlie seems more like a kid in the 80’s. I found him so irritating and stupid.
The story that Charlie tells, if we can separate the story from the narrator, is interesting. I really am impressed by King’s ability to surprise and horrify. I just really didn’t think we needed Charlie’s annoying dad jokes or all of the over the top mundane descriptions of people “picking up back packs” and “picking their ways down hallways.” Just felt like too much describing things that didn’t matter. From what I’ve read, that seems to be a common trope for King’s writing. Overall I did enjoy the plot and I wanted to see how it would end. I just was irritated by the sexism and prejudice.
This story is written from the perspective of the main character, a 17 year old high school senior named Charlie who is supposedly from the year 2013, and his voice comes through really strong as part of the story. I would call him “an annoying narrator.” I was 17 in 2013 and I do not recall my speech being so riddled with dad jokes and sexism. Charlie seems more like a kid in the 80’s. I found him so irritating and stupid.
The story that Charlie tells, if we can separate the story from the narrator, is interesting. I really am impressed by King’s ability to surprise and horrify. I just really didn’t think we needed Charlie’s annoying dad jokes or all of the over the top mundane descriptions of people “picking up back packs” and “picking their ways down hallways.” Just felt like too much describing things that didn’t matter. From what I’ve read, that seems to be a common trope for King’s writing. Overall I did enjoy the plot and I wanted to see how it would end. I just was irritated by the sexism and prejudice.
This wasn't my favourite Stephen King book (I'm not sure which one is but it's a high bar) but it was totally engrossing and enjoyable nonetheless.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I expected something different.
The beginning of this had me hooked! I was intrigued by the mysteries of Mr. Bowditch and of course loved Radar. 🐕 However about halfway through I lost interest.Yes, probably because Radar is saved and then leaves and all of a sudden it feels like a different book. It picked back up for me when the Fair One competition started, but overall I just found the ending a little disappointing 🤷🏻♀️ There was also A LOT of unexplained plot convenience…
Overall I did enjoy the themes of the book with my favorite quote being“You get used to the amazing, that’s all. Mermaids and IMAX, giants and cell phones. If it’s in your world, you go with it. It’s wonderful, right? Only look at it another way, and it’s sort of awful. Think Gogmagog is scary? Our world is sitting on a potentially world-ending supply of nuclear weapons, and if that’s not black magic, I don’t know what is.”
The beginning of this had me hooked! I was intrigued by the mysteries of Mr. Bowditch and of course loved Radar. 🐕 However about halfway through I lost interest.
Overall I did enjoy the themes of the book with my favorite quote being
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Torture
Minor: Cancer
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced