Scan barcode
depmythmoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
“There’s a dark well in everyone, I think, and it never goes dry. But you drink from it at your peril. That water is poison.” (pg. 446)
This was my first Stephen King book (I know I’m behind, please ✋🏾😭), and I really enjoyed his writing style. If I had to relate it to anything I’ve read before, it would be “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger. It’s that descriptive type of writing that tends to have longer sentences and delve into minor details of something a character mentions. He also uses parenthesis more liberally than any author I’ve read before, which I enjoyed seeing. I’m not exactly sure why some people suggest that this isn’t the Stephen King book to start with. It was a great read in my opinion (if the 5 ⭐️ rating was anything to go off of). If this isn’t considered to be one of his best, I’m just glad that I have many more great works to look forward to.
This story has an overall theme that focuses on morality and how nobody is only good or only evil. We follow the male MC, Charlie Reade, who has a less than squeaky clean past, yet he has such a noble role within the story that juxtaposes that past nicely. He can even recognize that he may not be the textbook definition of a protagonist in a story, but he steps up to the plate anyway. The whole reason he even got into this situation is some twisted sense of obligation that hurt my heart for him while also making me think further about the motives of the good deeds that people choose to do. Anything that makes me slightly question how I view the world and others is guaranteed to stick with me and get a good rating.
Radar, the dog that Charlie goes on this mission to save, was both so adorable and heartbreaking. Seeing how her condition deteriorated as the story continued pulled at the heartstrings. Had I been a pet owner, I know for a fact that this book would have made me shed more than a few tears. So, pet owners, please be careful when going into this story. She’s such a good girl 😭
I will say… the big bad if the story did feel slightly anticlimactic while also being fitting for this tale. It left me torn, but I did love how King was able to tie it all back to multiple points that go all the way back to the beginning of the story. It would have been nice to see a little bit more there, of all places, but we were already pushing like 500+ pages at this point, so I don’t exactly blame him for getting it out the way.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Addiction, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Chronic illness
Minor: Sexual content and Cursing
shrachel_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, Pregnancy, Death, and Death of parent
elizas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Death
alexmall029's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Injury/Injury detail
anniefizzell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Car accident, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Alcoholism, Excrement, Gore, Vomit, Alcohol, Bullying, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Genocide, Grief, Torture, and Violence
hannahrose_fgc's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, Murder, Gore, Alcoholism, Violence, Alcohol, Cancer, Addiction, Blood, and Vomit
Moderate: Cursing
bookboxbabe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
the world is so rich and thought out, the characters were all lovable, and the narration (as i listened to this on audio), was one of my favorites.
also, radar deserves the best
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
booklover_helen's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Addiction, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Gun violence
nat20charisma's review against another edition
4.75
I had some minor issues with the story, but nothing that ruined it.
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
The father becomes and alcoholic after the mother dies at the beginning, but that part of the story is short lived and he does recover. Also, if anyone is worried about the dog: Does the dog die in this story, the answer islindsaybethlyons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Car accident, Addiction, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcoholism