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lillowo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I totally understand why when this book came out it was really popular. It blends the hard conversations of talking about death with children and the horror of losing a child and really interesting ways.
That being said, if you are not intending to read a King book because you want to read King's stuff, I would suggest the book How To Sell A Haunted House instead. I found there was a lot of dated language used (the r slur as a major example and ableism generally, the use of an "ancient indigenous burial ground" that brings people back to life), and the perspective of Louis that we got, felt like the idea of her King was looking at was grit and dark things to say to make it feel like a darker read. There were multiple comments that were just made offhandedly that gave the main character this air of being incredibly cynical but without much to back it up. I also felt like some of the through lines that were there weren't fully explored for the sake of
I also felt like a lot of the logic that the characters explored in the book were very half-hearted at best.
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Sexism, and Murder
pholcidae's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
The story is paced perfectly and I have been reading it nonstop. The author’s use of language to create suspense and terror is reminiscent of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
This was my first King novel and I think it was the perfect one to start on! Very tense and lots of fun easter eggs in there :)
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Incest, Misogyny, Sexism, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and War
ddspirittt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Then I read. And read. Read. And read. Read some more. Read. The end.
People keep recommending this as the "scariest" story by King. But if the emotional payoff or lack thereof is "scary" to some, then dear lord, go read some more. The action at the end was neither suspenseful nor emotional but laughable.
Part two could be interesting, but this was the biggest letdown and snoozefest of a book ever. I don't want to read King again because of it.
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
archaicgambit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism, and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Antisemitism
megselyane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
amiegold's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
And in all reality, if most people had a chance to bring someone they loved back from the dead, especially in those painful first days, wouldn't they give anything to do it?
I didn’t love the condescending way Louis treats Rachel, even if it’s coming from a good place.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, and Sexual content
becca_w_'s review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Confinement, Genocide, Gun violence, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Car accident, and War
ely1996's review against another edition
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Minor: Sexism