curiousherring's reviews
290 reviews

It by Stephen King

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

       2024 Re-Read
My heart breaks for Eddie.
every. single. time.

       2023 Re-Read
I always think it sounds odd to say that a horror book feels like home, but it's true. This one really, really does.

This book is my happy place.

'Drive away and try to keep smiling. Get a little rock and roll on the radio and go toward all the life there is with all the courage you can find and all the belief you can muster. Be true, be brave, stand.'

        2021 Re-Read
'We all float down here'🎈

This, for me, is King at his ultimate height of writing. The level of nostalgia this book evokes for me is simply unparalleled. It's not just the familiarity of the characters and the setting, but also the masterful storytelling that keeps me engaged every single time I pick it up.

I'm absolutely in love with how this book delves so deeply into the lives of each of the kids in the Loosers Club.

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this book is how it exposes the true horror of adulthood - the gradual loss of the childlike wonder and magic that once defined us. It serves as a poignant reminder to hold onto those qualities that made us who we are, and to never let go of the joy and enchantment that can only be found in youth.

'In this universe there might grow roses which sing.'

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Black Mouth by Ronald Malfi

dark mysterious 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

Sky's End by Marc J Gregson

adventurous challenging hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

The House That Horror Built by Christina Henry

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Rouge by Mona Awad

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

2.75

A slow burn fever dream, not quite my cup of tea. 

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

TJ Klune's brain must be a wonderful place to be 🖤

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

Revival by Stephen King

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

Worth it for the build up and the last 50 pages 

Lightlark by Alex Aster

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75