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read_bransdon'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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Torture
sheriffrockyraccoon'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? Yes
3.75
While I have seen quite a few Stephen King film adaptations, this is the first time I’ve actually read his work. I was pleasantly surprised- I’ve often heard controversial things about King’s writing but generally enjoyed reading this one.
I was definitely spooked reading Salem’s Lot, there is a lot of suspense and action that I had to keep myself from reading ahead to see what became of it. King’s writing is very atmospheric, I was truly spooked by some of his descriptions! I did find the plot a little touch and go, the ending confused me as it included dates (October 1972-June 1975) but I was not sure what it had to do with the book. This may also just be an ebook error, though. I couldn’t tell.
The end did leave me wanting more, I wanted to know what became of Ben and Mark but I was also satisfied with leaving them determined to end the terror of the Lot. On creativity, I also am always going to be in Shirley Jackson’s corner. Yes, the book openly quotes and references Hill House, but it also felt as if it didn’t offer much more to the discussion and sometimes reduced it to plain text. Essentially, there were times I was a bit annoyed that it felt like a rip-off.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it as a fun read! I did not think it necessarily became a hallmark of vampire literature, but it was definitely scary, suspenseful, and really fun at some points. The characters are interesting and lovable, I was rooting for many of them (even the vampire kids against the bus driver!) and generally enjoyed the dialogue.
I would recommend this book to any vampire lover or new horror fan, Stephen King is of course a household name and has created so many iconic characters. It’s also always fun to read a story about evil vampires, as much as I loved Twilight as a kid!
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
augustinedreams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
kaimetcalfe'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? No
2.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Drug use, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Grief, and War
mad_hatter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual harassment
milorogers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
loverofbooks123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Now onto the negative parts...
The ending gave a non-satisfactory closure - at least to me.
2. Next - how didn't Jimmy become a vampire? As far as I know he was bitten by one and I don't think cleaning the wound with antiseptic will prevent the transformation. Moreover, he admitted he had a feeling to kill Ben. How does that not count as a vampire tendency?
3. Okay, even if Jimmy didn't become a vampire, what about Father Callahan? Barlow made him drink his blood! He boarded a bus to New York! Isn't that supposed to be a new threat? I was bummed when the fate of the priest was not clarified. Is he a vampire or not?
Graphic: Death and Gore
Minor: Rape and Sexual harassment