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jesterror's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
thejellybeany's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Just a classic King (and Straub) book in my opinion. Dark, tense, brutal in parts, with scenes that truly turn your stomach to read, but then ultimately with a happy ending that is just a little bit bittersweet. The good guys usually win in King's books, but never without some heavy cost, usually to a character (or two) King has brought you to like, or even love, over the course of the novel, and here is no exception .
I think the only place this book falls down is if one were to mistakenly choose to read it as a stand-alone novel, as being a sequel to The Talisman is a core part of the plot, and prior knowledge of the Dark Tower series and Universe is essential also. For me, however, it added some fascinating insight to Mid-World, the Territories, and the many lands between. Definitely required reading for those on their own journeys to the Tower.
Overall, everything you expect from King's type and level of story-telling. They call him the King of Horror, but he should certainly get more credit for the fantasy side of his writing also. Not for the faint of heart.
I think the only place this book falls down is if one were to mistakenly choose to read it as a stand-alone novel, as being a sequel to The Talisman is a core part of the plot, and prior knowledge of the Dark Tower series and Universe is essential also. For me, however, it added some fascinating insight to Mid-World, the Territories, and the many lands between. Definitely required reading for those on their own journeys to the Tower.
Overall, everything you expect from King's type and level of story-telling. They call him the King of Horror, but he should certainly get more credit for the fantasy side of his writing also. Not for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, and Vomit
garbgini's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
whompa's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.5
xxscramblesxx's review against another edition
4.0
The Talisman is kind of a “coming of age” story, where Black House is more of a thriller.
I have to say, I much preferred The Talisman as a stand-alone novel. Black House is better enjoyed in conjunction with King’s other work which reference The Dark Tower series. Not that it’s necessary, but it definitely makes it more enjoyable.
…which makes me wonder how Straub approached co-writing this book.
I have to say, I much preferred The Talisman as a stand-alone novel. Black House is better enjoyed in conjunction with King’s other work which reference The Dark Tower series. Not that it’s necessary, but it definitely makes it more enjoyable.
…which makes me wonder how Straub approached co-writing this book.
maxsebastian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Ok so this one is maybe slightly better than The Talisman? As I continue to make my way through The Dark Tower series, I've taken a couple of breaks to read some of the relevant related novels that fall outside of the core books. After completing both of the Peter Straub-Steven King co-authored books, I have to say I'm not sure I fully understand their relevance to King's multiverse. Perhaps more importantly, I found both books to be ponderous. That said, I do think that Black House was, at least in some ways, an improvement on The Talisman. But not in all ways...I'm conflicted.
Black House is the story of an adult Jack Sawyer. After spending his 20s as a big shot cop in Los Angeles, Sawyer retires at 31 to a small town in Wisconsin for unknown reasons. However, he's quickly drawn back into law enforcement as a mysterious killer called the Fisherman begins to abduct children. As someone who is not used to detective novels, I found myself mostly pleasantly surprised by that part of this story. The Fisherman does absolutely horrible things that feel scarily possible in the real world. Beyond the villain, the way the fear of his crimes strikes the town and undermines their faith in the police is also terrifying. The largest downside to this story is its length. I found the entire middle of the book to be slow and plodding.
While the villain is interesting, I did not find myself all that connected to the broader cast. Although King is amazing at building a town, I sometimes find it difficult to get invested enough to care about all its inhabitants, so this critique may be on me. However, I will point out that King and Straub use a narrative style for large chunks of this story that is distracting and often confusing. While sometimes the book is written in a close third person past narrative, it often shifts to a first person plural present (we do this, we see that, etc.).
Before closing, I will mention that this book is probably the most Dark Tower connected story I've read yet. Although I found the main through line of Black House to be a little muddy, the chapter where we hear about Roland's role in stopping the Crimson King was highly engaging. The next book up in my read through is The Wastelands, and I can't wait to see where the journey will take me in that entry.
Black House is the story of an adult Jack Sawyer. After spending his 20s as a big shot cop in Los Angeles, Sawyer retires at 31 to a small town in Wisconsin for unknown reasons. However, he's quickly drawn back into law enforcement as a mysterious killer called the Fisherman begins to abduct children. As someone who is not used to detective novels, I found myself mostly pleasantly surprised by that part of this story. The Fisherman does absolutely horrible things that feel scarily possible in the real world. Beyond the villain, the way the fear of his crimes strikes the town and undermines their faith in the police is also terrifying. The largest downside to this story is its length. I found the entire middle of the book to be slow and plodding.
While the villain is interesting, I did not find myself all that connected to the broader cast. Although King is amazing at building a town, I sometimes find it difficult to get invested enough to care about all its inhabitants, so this critique may be on me. However, I will point out that King and Straub use a narrative style for large chunks of this story that is distracting and often confusing. While sometimes the book is written in a close third person past narrative, it often shifts to a first person plural present (we do this, we see that, etc.).
Before closing, I will mention that this book is probably the most Dark Tower connected story I've read yet. Although I found the main through line of Black House to be a little muddy, the chapter where we hear about Roland's role in stopping the Crimson King was highly engaging. The next book up in my read through is The Wastelands, and I can't wait to see where the journey will take me in that entry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Physical abuse
chefjeng's review against another edition
3.0
Well. This put me into a huge reading slump. I dragged my way through the seemingly never ending 600 odd pages.
I really liked the story. A great premise. Some very well written characters and a lot to like. But, I have never read any Peter Straub before and I don't think I like his writing style. I am a big Stephen King fan and as I read the book I thought that the parts written by him were obvious and I got through those parts quickly, but other parts were over descriptive, drawn out with unnecessary detail and just bogged me right down. I'm not sure I'm right about who wrote which parts, but having googled an interview with Straub discussing how they passed the manuscript back and forth between them, each adding a few pages before sending it back makes sense, as I am very familiar with Kings style.
Ultimately I think the biggest mistake I made was reading this and not having read the first book, I didn't think it would matter but I think it did. I
Enjoyed ending 1 and 2 but the final epilogue just felt like an ending too far.
This took me around 6 weeks to read which is unheard of for me, I need to wipe my mind of it and move on with something I can get my reading mojo back with.
I really liked the story. A great premise. Some very well written characters and a lot to like. But, I have never read any Peter Straub before and I don't think I like his writing style. I am a big Stephen King fan and as I read the book I thought that the parts written by him were obvious and I got through those parts quickly, but other parts were over descriptive, drawn out with unnecessary detail and just bogged me right down. I'm not sure I'm right about who wrote which parts, but having googled an interview with Straub discussing how they passed the manuscript back and forth between them, each adding a few pages before sending it back makes sense, as I am very familiar with Kings style.
Ultimately I think the biggest mistake I made was reading this and not having read the first book, I didn't think it would matter but I think it did. I
Enjoyed ending 1 and 2 but the final epilogue just felt like an ending too far.
This took me around 6 weeks to read which is unheard of for me, I need to wipe my mind of it and move on with something I can get my reading mojo back with.
jimhart3000's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sara_2103's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5