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theoryofbones's review against another edition
4.0
King gotta be putting crack in his book, cause I could not put it down
laurzj82's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
irxren's review against another edition
4.0
Firestarter follows father and daughter, Andy and Charlie McKee, who are fleeing a government agency called The Shop. Andy has a limited psychic ability known as "the push," while Charlie possesses limitless firestarting powers. Their abilities result from a secret experiment with a drug called Lot Six.
This book is a mix of emotions. It’s good, sometimes touching, and has a subtle creepiness that keeps you on your toes. King excels at creating real characters that feel alive and relatable. You can’t help but cheer for them as they navigate their dangerous lives and hope they make it through safely.
One of the most moving parts of the story is Andy's determination to assure his daughter that one day, she can have a normal life without always looking over her shoulder. The emotional depth in their bond makes the story even more engaging.
This book is a mix of emotions. It’s good, sometimes touching, and has a subtle creepiness that keeps you on your toes. King excels at creating real characters that feel alive and relatable. You can’t help but cheer for them as they navigate their dangerous lives and hope they make it through safely.
One of the most moving parts of the story is Andy's determination to assure his daughter that one day, she can have a normal life without always looking over her shoulder. The emotional depth in their bond makes the story even more engaging.
lea96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
bbrassfield's review against another edition
4.0
I originally read Firestarter when it was brand new and I was a freshmen in high school. I guess I was pretty new too. This was a long fucking time ago so I didn't remember the details of the book other than Charlie can start fires. I didn't remember that her father Andy has the ability to 'push' people into doing things or that agents from the Shop pulled out Charlie's mother's fingernails before killing her when they came for the little girl. I didn't remember that Andy and Charlie meet Irv Manders and his wife while they were on the run and how important this meeting would be to the story's conclusion. I didn't remember the firestorm Charlie creates at the Manders farm or the long period of captivity for Andy and Charlie at the Shop as the government agents attempt to gain control of Charlie's ability. Andy they just dose with thorazine and leave to get fat thinking him spent. I had forgotten what a mistake this was on the part of Cap Hollister and the doctors. I certainly didn't remember that there is a character named Patrick Hockstetter in Firestarter, just as there will be in It when it is published six years later. Very different characters and yet their souls are more alike than not. I had no memory of the character of John Rainbird and how important he is to the story. I did not remember his fascination with Charlie or his long running deception to be her surrogate father during the time she was unable to see her own. I did not remember any of these characters meeting their ends but they all do, save for Charlie. She eventually finds her way to Rolling Stone magazine where she will tell her story and her parents story of that time in college when they needed a little extra money and it came in exchange for being test subjects.
I'm glad I had no memory of the most of the events in this excellent King novel because it felt like reading it for the first time and that doesn't happen too often in a lifetime, at least in my experience. Firestater hits the ground running and doesn't let up until you hit the final page. Even during the time at Shop HQ, the tension runs straight through the tranquility. Don't miss this one.
I'm glad I had no memory of the most of the events in this excellent King novel because it felt like reading it for the first time and that doesn't happen too often in a lifetime, at least in my experience. Firestater hits the ground running and doesn't let up until you hit the final page. Even during the time at Shop HQ, the tension runs straight through the tranquility. Don't miss this one.
meagan_young's review against another edition
4.0
Not the best or worst King I’ve read. A good place for someone to dip in who wants very mild horror and a shorter book of his.
andydrew2's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really good Sci-Fi book.
catsushi's review against another edition
4.0
This one was another solid Stephen King read. It was one of his shorter ones, which definitely worked to his advantage. The lengths of his books are usually my biggest critique of his books because they go on for so long that I start getting bored and losing interest. I will say that the beginning started off strong, then halfway through, something happened and I wasn't as interested, but I wasn't bored. The end did pick up a lot, and I ended up really enjoying this one. I loved the relationship with Andy and Charlie. I'm a sucker for books that feature a good father and daughter relationship. I really liked their characters and was rooting for them. This also gave me The Institute vibes with a little of Carrie thrown in, two other Stephen King books that I really liked. I was weary of picking this one up, thinking I wasn't going to like it, but I'm so glad I did.