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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
dark
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism
fuck yearrhhh this was good. i guess once again Stephen King depicts masterful pacing and character-building regardless of how minor or inconsequential the characters are meant to be, we find ourselves getting sucked into worlds built out of characters without even realising the point they're meant to play in the plot (this was the case when the institute started with the cop) and in this case Barbara/Olivia's story ended up as an arc almost for the sake of it, but still held me as a bit of a side narrative all the way to the end
Minor drawbacks would be the rather heavy use of COVID in this universe, obviously as a matter of personal taste because I'd rather read to get away from reality but this really was front and centre throughout the book. Other nuances that dip into real life events such as thhe BLM movement was less heavy-handed and did well to carry forth the rich characterisation that fills out this rather diverse cast.
There were some issues with the pacing with the 2nd part of the climax, and some suspension of disbelief is considered when it comes with Barbara's own role in closing out the main plot. I found it extremely heartbreaking how the arc closes off with the Dahl mother, but I guess that was the most realistic way to put it for someone's own daughter. UGH
Genius use of a joke to tie in Holly's own arc though. I'm not too sure how much there is to say about Holly's arc because I actually skipped "if it bleeds" (i should get there!) and only read the outsider. Personally I did find the backstory involving her mother to be rich and complex and I liked the way it bled into Holly's own self doubt which built up into a rather compelling arc that manifested all the way to the end of the climax. it's great. Holly is just great. People give her so much shit but I found her so easy to root for, the pedanticness of her actions and the rather stunted way in which she interacts with some people. hilarity and banal-ness all in one woman. LOVE HER
Minor drawbacks would be the rather heavy use of COVID in this universe, obviously as a matter of personal taste because I'd rather read to get away from reality but this really was front and centre throughout the book. Other nuances that dip into real life events such as thhe BLM movement was less heavy-handed and did well to carry forth the rich characterisation that fills out this rather diverse cast.
There were some issues with the pacing with the 2nd part of the climax, and some suspension of disbelief is considered when it comes with Barbara's own role in closing out the main plot. I found it extremely heartbreaking how the arc closes off with the Dahl mother, but I guess that was the most realistic way to put it for someone's own daughter. UGH
Genius use of a joke to tie in Holly's own arc though. I'm not too sure how much there is to say about Holly's arc because I actually skipped "if it bleeds" (i should get there!) and only read the outsider. Personally I did find the backstory involving her mother to be rich and complex and I liked the way it bled into Holly's own self doubt which built up into a rather compelling arc that manifested all the way to the end of the climax. it's great. Holly is just great. People give her so much shit but I found her so easy to root for, the pedanticness of her actions and the rather stunted way in which she interacts with some people. hilarity and banal-ness all in one woman. LOVE HER
dark
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
Thought the old cannibal couple were really cute together until they turned out to be super racist.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed Holly, both as a character and the book. It does have a fairly predictable ending, which is too bad. Still, it's a pretty good time.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated