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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Blaze is a con artist, who is developmentally challenged, and whose partner in crime is no longer around. He embarks on the last con they planned to pull - the kidnapping of a wealthy couple’s baby.
Blaze is a crime novel with a massive helping of sentiment. You shouldn’t root for Blaze - and I don’t think as a reader I ever do - but you understand how he reached this point in his life and also the multiple tragedies which led to it.
Blaze could easily veer into the overly sentimental but it never does. It wears it influences on its sleeve (there’s no way to get away from Of Mice and Men) but that’s no bad thing. It’s well paced and well written. The ending is a bit abrupt perhaps, but it’s satisfying despite that.
As Bachman books go, The Long Walk (a novella) usually gets the most attention, but I think Blaze stands up just as well. It’s not as good as the best King novels, but that’s ok, most King novels don’t do that!
A 4 ⭐️ read for me - it should get more attention than it does!
Blaze is a crime novel with a massive helping of sentiment. You shouldn’t root for Blaze - and I don’t think as a reader I ever do - but you understand how he reached this point in his life and also the multiple tragedies which led to it.
Blaze could easily veer into the overly sentimental but it never does. It wears it influences on its sleeve (there’s no way to get away from Of Mice and Men) but that’s no bad thing. It’s well paced and well written. The ending is a bit abrupt perhaps, but it’s satisfying despite that.
As Bachman books go, The Long Walk (a novella) usually gets the most attention, but I think Blaze stands up just as well. It’s not as good as the best King novels, but that’s ok, most King novels don’t do that!
A 4 ⭐️ read for me - it should get more attention than it does!
Wonderfully slim work by King here, and with a morally complex protagonist to boot. Doesn't quite stick the landing though - it's somewhat in line with the efficient crime writing he's going for, but still, the conclusion feels rushed.
2- 2.5 Stars.
I just kept waiting for something to happen, but nothing really did. This felt like Stephen King-lite. Yawn. Not a fan of this story.
I just kept waiting for something to happen, but nothing really did. This felt like Stephen King-lite. Yawn. Not a fan of this story.
The least interested I have been in a King book in a while. Every time I put it down I considered not picking it up again. Just not all that engaging.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Huh so not something I'd usually pick up to read but I heard someone describe it as an alternate universe Of Mice and Men fanfiction where they raise a baby and George is gay and very mean and I had to see for myself. But that's all it is. That's the book. Shortest review I ever wrote.
Clayton Blaisdell Jr, known by his peers as Blaze, has had one hell of a childhood. One a smart and happy little boy, his life turned to shit when his drunken father threw him down the stairs not once, but multiple times resulting in a head injury that caused him to then be slow. He was taken from his father's custody and put into a state run institution, an abusive one at that. The book tells Blazes' childhood and the mischief he got into, as well as the horrible foster home he lived in for a short time. Now he's an adult and about to commit one of the biggest crimes he has committed in his life this far, and solo at that. He is going to follow through with the kidnapping of the baby of a wealthy couple in hopes to secure a hefty ransom. A kidnapping that had originally been planned mostly by his buddy and partner in crime, just months before he lost his life in a gambling game gone wrong. The book goes back and forth between Blazes' childhood and the rough times he endured and the present day and his adventure in babysitting his latest heist. Blaze is one that you won't help but carry a spot in your heart for.
I read this as a request by a good friend. I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started the book, as it wasn't seeming to get creepy as a normal Stephen King book goes. This is not a traditional Stephen King book, but the more I read, the more I loved it. I rate this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
I read this as a request by a good friend. I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started the book, as it wasn't seeming to get creepy as a normal Stephen King book goes. This is not a traditional Stephen King book, but the more I read, the more I loved it. I rate this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
My Review:
I'm trying to read one Stephen King novel a month this year, so far I'm on track, and I went into this short novel blind. It is one of King's old stories (1960s) that he only just published in 2007. I only went in expecting good writing, and maybe some paranormal elements, and ended up enjoying it.
What I Liked:
Main Character. The novel is solely focused on the character, Blaze, and King's writing made it easy to connect with him.
Writing Style. Once again I enjoyed the writing because I like King's detailed and lyrical writing style.
Story. It was easy to get sucked into King's story, mainly because Blaze was an interesting main character. King always creates unique story lines and he did the same with this one.
Audiobook. I randomly picked up the audiobook format and enjoyed the narration style. It was 8 hours long but it went by quickly because it was well performed and well written.
Paranormal Elements. I was expecting some horror or supernatural element because King usually includes those in his works. However, this time I enjoyed how he subtly he put in the paranormal elements. I loved that it unraveled slowly and was not over the top.
What I Disliked:
Format. The novel went from past to present with each chapter and I'm personally not a fan of that format. It was confusing
I recommend checking out this underrated Stephen King novel if you enjoy his writing style and story telling abilities.
My Rating:
4 Stars Out of 5 Stars
I'm trying to read one Stephen King novel a month this year, so far I'm on track, and I went into this short novel blind. It is one of King's old stories (1960s) that he only just published in 2007. I only went in expecting good writing, and maybe some paranormal elements, and ended up enjoying it.
What I Liked:
Main Character. The novel is solely focused on the character, Blaze, and King's writing made it easy to connect with him.
Writing Style. Once again I enjoyed the writing because I like King's detailed and lyrical writing style.
Story. It was easy to get sucked into King's story, mainly because Blaze was an interesting main character. King always creates unique story lines and he did the same with this one.
Audiobook. I randomly picked up the audiobook format and enjoyed the narration style. It was 8 hours long but it went by quickly because it was well performed and well written.
Paranormal Elements. I was expecting some horror or supernatural element because King usually includes those in his works. However, this time I enjoyed how he subtly he put in the paranormal elements. I loved that it unraveled slowly and was not over the top.
What I Disliked:
Format. The novel went from past to present with each chapter and I'm personally not a fan of that format. It was confusing
I recommend checking out this underrated Stephen King novel if you enjoy his writing style and story telling abilities.
My Rating:
4 Stars Out of 5 Stars
As I finished this book today... I don't know how I feel because this book was brilliant and at the same time it makes me sad.
I cannot still believe that Clayton Blaisdell Jr. endures all the problem all his own although George Rackley help him until the end.
I love the character development of this book especially to Clayton "Blaze" Blaisdell Jr. and George Rackley. It is my not typical thriller book and the characters I'm amazed with them and of course how Stephen King/Richard Bachman put dedication for this two characters. Blaze will be my one of the top characters in Stephen King Universe.
This was also about how to do babysitting hahaha and it is so cute how Blaze do it to baby Joe.
Here it is being mentioned the Shawshank Prison a little bit and it makes me kind of happy with it.
I highly recommend this freaking book. It usually makes me sad and teary eyed (I don't know but I think I'm only emotional). This was the second book that makes me sad aside from Hearts in Atlantis.
I cannot still believe that Clayton Blaisdell Jr. endures all the problem all his own although George Rackley help him until the end.
I love the character development of this book especially to Clayton "Blaze" Blaisdell Jr. and George Rackley. It is my not typical thriller book and the characters I'm amazed with them and of course how Stephen King/Richard Bachman put dedication for this two characters. Blaze will be my one of the top characters in Stephen King Universe.
This was also about how to do babysitting hahaha and it is so cute how Blaze do it to baby Joe.
Here it is being mentioned the Shawshank Prison a little bit and it makes me kind of happy with it.
I highly recommend this freaking book. It usually makes me sad and teary eyed (I don't know but I think I'm only emotional). This was the second book that makes me sad aside from Hearts in Atlantis.
Una mezcla entre el argumento de De ratones y hombres de John Steinbeck y el personaje John Coffey de La milla verde. Muy triste.