Reviews

Blaze by Stephen King, Richard Bachman

emmada11ow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

not_so_british's review against another edition

dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Following the point of view of the bad guy is an interesting plot in general, but getting the reader to feel empathetic for the "bad guy" is something not every author can easily achieve. Blaisdell's actions were wrong, yet his innocent and big heart make him a very loveable character. The way his story is told and all the tragic events in his life that we follow get us ro really feel bad for a man that wanted nothing more than a happy life. I absolutely fell in love with this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Murder and Kidnapping

Minor: Grief and Drug abuse

bellacom's review against another edition

2.0

stephen kings the kind of guy to end the book with “and it was all just a dream”

spartanreads117's review against another edition

reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

beverleyhomily's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

ellaraemorris's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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

3.0

ssshenberger's review against another edition

sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jetski's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

efthymis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I expected a scary story. Maybe I shouldn’t have, since it’s one of his books under an alias, hence a different period in his life? 

Anyways, not a bad book, but I wanted a bit more action I guess.

dorianeem's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Is it crazy that I was rooting for the main character, the crimina, when I should have been rooting for the police and the parents ? 

This is the second Bachman book that I've read. I've seen some mixed reviews on here, but I've this book well-written. I like the back and forth in time. It blended smoothly. And it made me have pity and root for Blaze. You can only kinda get attached to him, even though he is indeed a criminal. King made me feel so sad for Blaze, for his wasted life, that when he finally found something that gave him purpose, I wanted him to have it, even though it was wrong. 

Do not expect horror or a thriller. There are not  many huge plots. It's a simple story, Witten around a simple man. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it was mine.