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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
More than a poor man's The Stand but barely. AN excellent end of the world story with supernatural undertones. The characters are very well defined and McCammon can really paint a picture with words. There is a lot of hope in the world after nuclear war...more than one would think. The trail is not easy but the main characters finally come together in the end game very well and I turned the last page happy with the journey.
More like a 4.5, it's awesome. I don't read horror fantasy much but this was truly well done. Will evoke comparisons to The Stand. The writer is as good if not better than the honorable Mr. King. Same goes for the story. I don't know how this even got in my queue but I'm grateful to who's ever goodreads update made me aware of it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
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 actually finished this book a few days after my last comment. First time I've ever read a post apocalyptic book and I was floored at the mastery of the subject. I hesitate to read another similar format because I think it will pale in comparison. It's been some months since I read it, and I've even returned it to the rightful owner, but I find myself wanting to read it again. I'm thinking that this must be the litmus test, if I actually want to reread it - it's got to be an AMAZING book.
I thought this story was heartbreaking first and I continued because I wanted the author to fix it, and fix it he did. It was heartbreaking, then grueling, then uplifting and hopeful, then there was justice and then it was beautiful.
I'm off to Amazon...I must own this. I will update my review once I've reread it, but honestly - BUY THIS BOOK!
I thought this story was heartbreaking first and I continued because I wanted the author to fix it, and fix it he did. It was heartbreaking, then grueling, then uplifting and hopeful, then there was justice and then it was beautiful.
I'm off to Amazon...I must own this. I will update my review once I've reread it, but honestly - BUY THIS BOOK!
Just a stellar read. In many ways I liked it even better than The Stand, which I must admit it resembles. Full rich plotting, deep characterization, a truly epic climax and just enough wind down at the end to make a completely unrealistic fantasy feel like a frightening but heartwarming documentary. Bravo! Found a new author to devour!
Probably more like 3.5 stars.
I'm just going to say it: The Stand was much better. And maybe Swan Song wouldn't invite such comparisons if it wasn't so clearly derivative of The Stand.
Honestly, I'm not entirely unsure that McCammon didn't write this entire book as an homage to Stephen King. For example, one of the main characters, a young man named Roland (who refers to himself internally as the "King's Knight" - seriously?), takes a moment to recall an English assignment about Childe Roland (to the Dark Tower Came, by Browning), which is the basis for King's Dark Tower series which features the gunslinger Roland Deschain.
I mean, come on.
Anyway, the writing is fine. The story is a bit tighter than The Stand because it has a smaller cast of characters. On the other hand, a couple of the major plot points don't lead anywhere (did that jeweled crown have an actual purpose, or what?), and the "evil" borders on cartoonish.
Still, it's a decent read, and for people who feel a bit lost with the sheer breadth of The Stand, Swan Song is a fine runner up - mostly because it's trying awfully hard to be the poor man's Stand, and it's not even subtle about it.
I'm just going to say it: The Stand was much better. And maybe Swan Song wouldn't invite such comparisons if it wasn't so clearly derivative of The Stand.
Honestly, I'm not entirely unsure that McCammon didn't write this entire book as an homage to Stephen King. For example, one of the main characters, a young man named Roland (who refers to himself internally as the "King's Knight" - seriously?), takes a moment to recall an English assignment about Childe Roland (to the Dark Tower Came, by Browning), which is the basis for King's Dark Tower series which features the gunslinger Roland Deschain.
I mean, come on.
Anyway, the writing is fine. The story is a bit tighter than The Stand because it has a smaller cast of characters. On the other hand, a couple of the major plot points don't lead anywhere (did that jeweled crown have an actual purpose, or what?), and the "evil" borders on cartoonish.
Still, it's a decent read, and for people who feel a bit lost with the sheer breadth of The Stand, Swan Song is a fine runner up - mostly because it's trying awfully hard to be the poor man's Stand, and it's not even subtle about it.
Holy hell. Where to start.
Though not all parts of this story are of my liking (I dislike so, so much how the most important moments in the resolving arc as if the readers need that crap (we don't)).
But otherwise, the novel is cleverly written. How each scattered character coming up together and approaching the final moments are weaved in a satisfying way. The characters are awesome, too, and while I do agree that some feel like a mascot, a bit cartoonish to be 'real' people, their purpose is all clear, and as an avid consumer of Japanese pop culture releases, the feeling is near to when I read shounen manga, where many characters have their own 'trope' and role to fill. Maybe some other readers are disturbed by it, but I am not. This is a post-apocalyptic world where people are trying to survive after a nuclear showdown. The world is getting weird as shit. People are getting weird as shit. Weird-as-shit things can, and are justified to, happen.
A solid five stars to me.
I didn't spend the last night up and let go of my much-needed beauty sleep to finish a lousy book, after all.
Though not all parts of this story are of my liking (I dislike so, so much how the most important moments in the resolving arc
Spoiler
involves a state-security level of secret computer codes shitBut otherwise, the novel is cleverly written. How each scattered character coming up together and approaching the final moments are weaved in a satisfying way. The characters are awesome, too, and while I do agree that some feel like a mascot, a bit cartoonish to be 'real' people, their purpose is all clear, and as an avid consumer of Japanese pop culture releases, the feeling is near to when I read shounen manga, where many characters have their own 'trope' and role to fill. Maybe some other readers are disturbed by it, but I am not. This is a post-apocalyptic world where people are trying to survive after a nuclear showdown. The world is getting weird as shit. People are getting weird as shit. Weird-as-shit things can, and are justified to, happen.
A solid five stars to me.
I didn't spend the last night up and let go of my much-needed beauty sleep to finish a lousy book, after all.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Classic end of the world, good versus evil ala The Stand. Loved the vivid description of the nuclear war. Adored every single thing about Swan and her people coming together and building a community. So many excellent characters! Was disheartened to see the bad guys playing out exactly as I imagine they would in reality. Why do people suck so much? But then, when the actual war started, I lost interest. And the ending? I hated it. Truly hated. Not that the rest of the book was necessarily “believable”, but I could totally run with it. But the end just becomes ridiculously stupid. Such a bummer. I actually need someone to discuss this with because I was so disappointed. But still absolutely 100% worth a read, because the rest of it is absolutely brilliant.