Reviews

Firestarter by Stephen King

labunnywtf's review against another edition

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4.0

An episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (that I fell asleep on) has me wanting to re-read this. It's been minimally a decade and a half since I last read it.
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Wow, I wasn't kidding about how long it's been since I read this. It was like reading a brand new book, albeit one I'd seen the movie for many moons ago.

I loved the movie Firestarter as a little girl. That, along with Cat's Eye, started my love for Drew Barrymore, and unknowingly started the rolling snowball of my love for Stephen King. After a friend of my mom's gave me Carrie, I wanted to read all of his books, and was thrilled to discover he'd written Firestarter.

I don't remember this book. I know I liked it well enough, but it was way over my head. Listening to it, my brown was perma-furrowed from all the science mumbledy jumbledy.

It's a fascinating book, though. I would've loved more information on why Andy was in so much pain (just too much psychic power for one human brain, I suppose?) and the numb spots on his face. I would've liked to have known more about Vicky's limited power, why it stuck with Andy but not with her. Apparently her power was enough to pass on a bit to her daughter.

Charlie is a fantastic character. So sweet and so innocent, and yet she REALLY enjoys her powers. So much so that it scares her. The character in the movie (which I rewatched a bit of while reading this) is actually kind of annoying, and maybe Barrymore wasn't the natural born talent I remember her being.

The movie is definitely watered down from the book. But in some parts that's really okay. I don't know at what age I discovered that to enjoy Stephen King you had to do some serious skimming, but this book definitely needs some skimming. I did the audiobook, so it wasn't an option. Sigh.

Even the relatively faceless operatives of The Shop were interesting characters. Rainbird, obviously, is horrifying and amazing to read. Cap
Spoilerwasn't anything until Andy took control. Seeing how he drove Cap and Pinchot (? Spelling?) to insanity, and the rebound affect. And then add to that that Andy pushed himself while he was sleeping... What would happen if someone pushed themselves into ricochet mode? Is there a way to push that off?

I have questions, goddamit.

King liked to say, before Doctor Sleep, that Charlie ended up meeting Danny Torrence down the line, and they had interesting children.

I want that story more than I want oxygen.

shandidit's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

kassidee's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

patriziaciuppa's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

4.0

heidipretzel's review

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dark 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? It's complicated

3.75

ofbooksandtrees's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • 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

4.0

Read March 2024
I have my issues with King's writing that I can't ignore (racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism), but I also have to admit that I really enjoyed Firestarter and found it almost impossible to put down whenever I had to.

 

the_dead_king's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

It was really good other than a couple slow parts
mainly being when they were captured by the shop
but otherwise a solid read. Institute is still definitely my favorite Stephen king, and I think I like Billy Summers more. Rating is more like a 4.15-.2

posies23's review against another edition

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5.0

I believe I've read FIRESTARTER twice before this re-read. Once in high school (the late-1980's), once at the tail end of college (Mid-1990's), and this makes the third time, in Sept. 2017. I also clearly remember watching the movie several times in middle school. So, you would think that I would remember the story pretty clearly. But, strangely, this wasn't the case. Sure, certain "beats" of the story came back to me, but this re-read made me realize the story isn't so much about Charlie, although she's clearly a major player, it's more about her father, and his struggle to deal with the forces around them even as he deals with his guilt about his role in bringing them after his family.

There's some great writing here, and some genuinely suspenseful moments, but it's the characterizations and small details that really make this a classic of King's early period. And yes, I know everyone says this, but it really does deserve a sequel, even this late in the game.

pumpkinliz's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No

3.0

This book feels like quintessentia  Stephen King in a lot of ways. It has all the things you expect and want going in. It's dark and gritty and refuses to pull any of its punches. It is also at times excruciatingly slow and overly obsessed with its own cynicism. It was interesting to revisit - I believe I last read this in high school - but I feel like I've gotten the urge to read Stephen King out of my system.

emma_noshelfcontrol's review against another edition

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Slow paced, not interesting