alaawritesablog's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Child death, Murder, and Violence
stardustvein's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Death, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Blood, Gore, Sexual violence, Cursing, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Animal death
theimposter's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Rape, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Grief, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Torture, Cancer, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Kidnapping, Child death, Murder, Grief, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture
tiernanhunter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Cannibalism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Cancer, Murder, Police brutality, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Addiction, Death of parent, Dementia, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Racial slurs, and Vomit
nicole_cob_reads's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicide, Kidnapping, Rape, Cancer, Blood, Cursing, Child death, Body horror, Drug use, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Stalking, Torture, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Bullying, Gore, Grief, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
antireading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Gore, Rape, Alcohol, Body horror, Blood, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child death, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism and Cancer
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, and Cannibalism
memydogandbooks's review against another edition
- 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
SYNOPSIS:
"An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can."
MY THOUGHTS:
🧍🏻♂️ From the very beginning this starts with the brutal discovery of a murdered boy, which is dark and graphic (and thus not for everyone) from the outset. But it gripped me as I am a HUGE fan of dark dark thrillers.
🧍🏻♂️ The first part of this book feels like a disturbing crime thriller and then in true King style takes a twist you may/may not expect pending if you've ever read King before. I mean I never expected the twist per se but the kinda twist wasn't a surprise.
🧍🏻♂️ I LOVED the two main characters Holly* (from Mr. Mercedes/Bill Hodges Trilogy) and the investigating officer, Ralph, they made a great duo in this thriller.
🧍🏻♂️King's writing, I LOVE it, love it, love it. He has an outstanding ability to write about human nature that I connect with whilst often always having social commentary. As well as just his ability to write about normal day-to-day life in a captivating way.
🧍🏻♂️ In this book the social commentary is very much about our quick-to-judge society, and to believe the unbelievable as it's even more believable than... (well I cannot say! that would be a spoiler).
🧍🏻♂️ This book is dark, unsettling, disturbing, and horrifying but utterly gripping, poignant, with amazing characters and I could not put it down.
I highly recommend this book if you love dark thrillers (like Karin Slaughter's dark) but with a twist and have enjoyed books/movies like IT.
I also highly recommend the HBO tv adaptation of this, it's brilliant.
*This book contains spoilers to the Bill Hodges Trilogy due to the fact one of the key characters in this series (Holly) features. Also sooooo excited to know that King's new book this year is all about Holly as she is an awesome character.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Body horror
chloevienna's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Animal death
jmg317's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Child death, and Body horror