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chrysalissa's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Death of parent
nikimorr's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
There are few books which I purposely read slowly because I do not want it to end. This was one. In fact, it may be Stephen King’s best novel to date (although IT is still a strong contender for #1).
This book is easily 4 full stories in 1. First, the story of Howard Bowditch. Second, the journey with and for Radar. Third, Deep Maleen. And fourth, saving Empis. Essentially, you get a full series in a single book.
Every part of this book was special. Even in the very beginning, when there is no fantasy, I was entranced. Charlie is such an endearing character from the beginning. In essence, Charlie loses his mother in a terrible accident. Charlie’s father becomes an alcoholic thereafter. Charlie prays one night as a child for God to make his dad sober, and, in turn, he would return the favor. Charlie’s father becomes sober, and Charlie begins his journey of trying to repay the promise. This is a theme through the entire book.
This leads to Charlie helping Mr. Bowditch, a man down the street who takes a fall and needs help, in an effort to repay the promise. And of course, Charlie falls in love with Mr. Bowditch’s dog, Radar. Just this part of the story - the friendship, the love of the dog, Charlie dedicating his life to repaying this promise - could have been a book in and of itself.
But this is just the beginning. Charlie will eventually come to learn that Mr. Bowditch has an access to another world in his backyard. And this world may just be able to save the dog, Radar, from old age.
From here is adventure that you have to read to appreciate. This adventure would not happen if not for the Charlie’s desire and goal of saving Radar. As a dog lover, this is the best. I would do so much for my dog - and Charlie faces grave danger for a chance at more time with his dog.
At first, I thought Charlie’s travels to the sundial to reverse time and make his dog younger went too smoothly. Come to find out, we were sailing along just to end up in Deep Maleen, prison for those captured in the city after dark. This was one of the most page turning parts of the story. Then for it to build to prisoners being forced to fight in the Fair One - battles to the death for the entertainment of others - was reminiscent for me of the Hunger Games.
So much wonder and adventure happens that it’s difficult to appreciate it all in one review like it deserves.
Although the ending was still wonderful, it was way more about the journey for me. The only thing I wish was that I was more read up on my fairy tales to appreciate all the references.
So much wonder and adventure happens that it’s difficult to appreciate it all in one review like it deserves.
Although the ending was still wonderful, it was way more about the journey for me. The only thing I wish was that I was more read up on my fairy tales to appreciate all the references.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, and War
abbyynormal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
jnaeraeshele's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
10/5 stars. I loved this so much. Maybe my favorite read this year so far!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Violence
katelyn11's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Excrement
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Animal cruelty
urmm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
My first Stephen King book. Not what I expected but really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
ashrad's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
racoongod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Infertility
jdhauk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Violence
liksie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
Good Book! Sadly very slow and long for a quite simple Story. The first and the last 200 pages were really good. All in All its a great tale with highs and lows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail