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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Dementia, Death of parent
audio/physical
first Stephen King labeled book ever read-- I do not support him as an author for reasons- but this was on booktok and found a copy in a free little library so I gave it a shot--
it was flatline. not a bad story. not a good story. no incline of adrenaline or dive of sadness. it was MEH. I could imagine small details would have built it up
the authors note- I don't typically read these but this one made me want to barf it was so fake! Stephen King and his writers are NOT dark
first Stephen King labeled book ever read-- I do not support him as an author for reasons- but this was on booktok and found a copy in a free little library so I gave it a shot--
it was flatline. not a bad story. not a good story. no incline of adrenaline or dive of sadness. it was MEH. I could imagine small details would have built it up
the authors note- I don't typically read these but this one made me want to barf it was so fake! Stephen King and his writers are NOT dark
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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
I love Holly and I love reading King's work as he adapts to the times. It is refreshing to see an author so dedicated and unafraid to speak politically through their characters, saying so many things that must be said, instead of hiding behind their works. Good on King. I am a long time fan and was very impressed and appreciate everything he did with this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I first read Holly two years back when it was released. At the time, I hadn't read the Holly Gibney series. I had no context for it's references to the other books. Even with that hurdle, the book was fine, not one of King's best. But now, it's still not one of King's best. However, I have a much greater appreciation for the character development in this story.
I'll start off with what I didn't like. Yes, the politics are heavy handed and a bit shallow. I agree with King's political views (for the most part), but he could've been more subtle with it in his writing. I understand he wanted the writing to feel more realistic, but at the end of the day it's a crime thriller, some suspension of disbelief is necessary. The back and forth perspective between the villains and Holly is a bit aggravating. Sometimes Holly is on the verge of a revelation only for it to be tempered down. For the most part, I enjoyed Barabara's sections. It's a beautiful look into how a person can get through trauma via a healthy outlet like poetry. But after a while, it does slow the story down a bit.
Now for what I liked. I found Holly not as annoying as she is in the other books. Honestly, the character development is pretty good. She'll always have her quirks but she is making progress, in a social sense. I found the dynamics between Holly and her dead mother to be interesting, especially after we learn of a betrayal. Writing wise, it's as smooth as ever. I was hoping to finish this book in a week, but I was so beholden by the thrills that I couldn't put it down. King hasn't lost his cracker jack writing skills. And one last thing, the villains are freaking fantastic! Just a nasty couple of cannibals. Possibly one of King's best in his late period.
In summary, despite the heavy handed politics, Holly is a good crime thriller with some great villains. Now onto Never Flinch.
I'll start off with what I didn't like. Yes, the politics are heavy handed and a bit shallow. I agree with King's political views (for the most part), but he could've been more subtle with it in his writing. I understand he wanted the writing to feel more realistic, but at the end of the day it's a crime thriller, some suspension of disbelief is necessary. The back and forth perspective between the villains and Holly is a bit aggravating. Sometimes Holly is on the verge of a revelation only for it to be tempered down. For the most part, I enjoyed Barabara's sections. It's a beautiful look into how a person can get through trauma via a healthy outlet like poetry. But after a while, it does slow the story down a bit.
Now for what I liked. I found Holly not as annoying as she is in the other books. Honestly, the character development is pretty good. She'll always have her quirks but she is making progress, in a social sense. I found the dynamics between Holly and her dead mother to be interesting, especially after we learn of a betrayal. Writing wise, it's as smooth as ever. I was hoping to finish this book in a week, but I was so beholden by the thrills that I couldn't put it down. King hasn't lost his cracker jack writing skills. And one last thing, the villains are freaking fantastic! Just a nasty couple of cannibals. Possibly one of King's best in his late period.
In summary, despite the heavy handed politics, Holly is a good crime thriller with some great villains. Now onto Never Flinch.