Scan barcode
maclunkeyy's reviews
29 reviews
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Murder
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A fun, lighthearted read compared to Stephen King's other works. Eyes of The Dragon is an absolute treat.
The plot is a very standard medieval tale of kings, castles and wizards. It doesn't try to be anything more, but allows itself some very solid world-building, and enough quirks to differentiate it from other medieval stories. The characters are all very loveable, and Stephen King employs a deep sense of compassion, often missing from such tales, to deepen the reader's connection with them. Where another story may condemn a character to villainy based on a mistake or negative action, King reminds the reader that people are often greatly flawed, and everyone is allowed to make mistakes.
One character is exempt from this, that character being the evil sorcerer Flagg. He is comically evil and conniving, and you love-to-hate him. Flagg is a character appearing in King's Dark Tower series as well as The Stand, and while this story helps to flesh out his character, it also allows itself to be its own thing and doesn't try to tie in too heavily with King's other works.
King is a very active narrator in this book. The story is told the way a parent may tell their children of a fairy-tale before they go to bed, and if that's something you enjoy from a story you'll love this. I found myself wanting to go back to this story every second I wasn't reading it, and I think the way that it's written contributed largely to that.
Overall a fantastic read, and brilliant for both fans of King as well as people who haven't read his works (and even people who usually dislike his stories).
The plot is a very standard medieval tale of kings, castles and wizards. It doesn't try to be anything more, but allows itself some very solid world-building, and enough quirks to differentiate it from other medieval stories. The characters are all very loveable, and Stephen King employs a deep sense of compassion, often missing from such tales, to deepen the reader's connection with them. Where another story may condemn a character to villainy based on a mistake or negative action, King reminds the reader that people are often greatly flawed, and everyone is allowed to make mistakes.
One character is exempt from this, that character being the evil sorcerer Flagg. He is comically evil and conniving, and you love-to-hate him. Flagg is a character appearing in King's Dark Tower series as well as The Stand, and while this story helps to flesh out his character, it also allows itself to be its own thing and doesn't try to tie in too heavily with King's other works.
King is a very active narrator in this book. The story is told the way a parent may tell their children of a fairy-tale before they go to bed, and if that's something you enjoy from a story you'll love this. I found myself wanting to go back to this story every second I wasn't reading it, and I think the way that it's written contributed largely to that.
Overall a fantastic read, and brilliant for both fans of King as well as people who haven't read his works (and even people who usually dislike his stories).
Wizard and Glass by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.75
The Talisman by Peter Straub, Stephen King
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
The Waste Lands by Stephen King
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
This book is so incredibly well written and enjoyable. It had me feeling tense whenever I had it open, and itching to pick it back up the second I put it down.
The world King created in this series is so uniquely weird, and endlessly dark, but he brings little moments of light and reminders of the characters' humanity to balance it out (Oy is definitely a highlight of this book for me).
Can't wait to pick up Part IV and continue the adventure.
The world King created in this series is so uniquely weird, and endlessly dark, but he brings little moments of light and reminders of the characters' humanity to balance it out (Oy is definitely a highlight of this book for me).
Can't wait to pick up Part IV and continue the adventure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexism, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall an enjoyable book; well written and tense. It sets up an interesting new threat for the series, and does the characters justice, as well as serving as a nice introduction for Luke's new Jedi Order.
There were a few questionable choices by the author to include some darker themes without really exploring them. It felt a bit edgy for the sake of being edgy, but they didn't impact the plot and weren't dragged out.
There were a few questionable choices by the author to include some darker themes without really exploring them. It felt a bit edgy for the sake of being edgy, but they didn't impact the plot and weren't dragged out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Child death, Rape, and Trafficking
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.75
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
dark
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Stand by Stephen King
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.5