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A review by blockonthenewkid
Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Right there in this story right until the end when it turned out the bad guys were a cross between Star Wars, Marvel Comics and Harry Potter. I dig the cross literary references but this was laying it on a bit thick. We've returned to not trusting the reader on those big references, and it is exasperating.
Following on the heels of Wizard and Glass, this feels like its hollow echo with the present ka-tet, and does less to capture the magic of Mejis in the Calla.
Where this installment really shines is in the differences to its predecessor, and tensions with the subplots of Callahan, Susannah, Jake and Benny, and Calvin Torren - real slices of joy. The horror elements are also top-notch, love the fantasy/western/horror blend (less pleased with the pastiche elements of pop-culture being so front and center).
Following on the heels of Wizard and Glass, this feels like its hollow echo with the present ka-tet, and does less to capture the magic of Mejis in the Calla.
Where this installment really shines is in the differences to its predecessor, and tensions with the subplots of Callahan, Susannah, Jake and Benny, and Calvin Torren - real slices of joy. The horror elements are also top-notch, love the fantasy/western/horror blend (less pleased with the pastiche elements of pop-culture being so front and center).