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catfanatichorroradict's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Konnte meine Hände nicht mehr davon lassen und nicht aufhören zu spekulieren.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder
nichole_of_numenor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I loved reading Holly's first case that she handled by herself. And what a creepy one it was. Of course it was creepy. Thanks again for a great one, Mr. King.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Murder
krysley's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Murder
rhiadav1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really enjoyed this book and it started off very fast paced with lots of character development. However as I got deeper into the book it began to lack the same pace. The ending was disappointing and anti-climactic. I liked the characters and how they reflected on themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder
kittycaserine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Rape
jmyles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
drtone's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I flew through this one, couldn’t put it down. The star of the show here is of course, Holly Gibney. I’m excited to continue reading her story and getting to know her better.
I don’t think there was any real standout plot here, just your run-of-the-mill King novel and those are stories I continue to read and love doing so.
I did like how the villain here has origins in Mexican folklore (and maybe others?). It wasn’t a creature I’d heard about before.
I don’t think there was any real standout plot here, just your run-of-the-mill King novel and those are stories I continue to read and love doing so.
I did like how the villain here has origins in Mexican folklore (and maybe others?). It wasn’t a creature I’d heard about before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cancer
bruxifixion's review against another edition
3.0
Despite being a long time die hard fan, this one didn't really do it for me, truthfully, Mr. King. I admittedly only picked it up because my hold for Holly came in and I didn't realize it was technically a third (or a... sixth? depending on your perspective) and I had wondered if there was more to it than "same character, different stories/cases" that I'd need this previous book for. Don't really think I do upon finishing it, if there's anybody who winds up wondering the same.
The final confrontation felt like a letdown but Holly's continued resourcefulness struck my heart as someone who writes characters exactly like her, be it rogues or highly prepared people, etc.
Negativity aside, I liked Ralph's and Holly's relationship so very much, and the last couple pages really honed in perfectly on how far their friendship grew through the course of the novel. If anything, The Outsider left me looking forward to more of Holly as a character.
The final confrontation felt like a letdown but Holly's continued resourcefulness struck my heart as someone who writes characters exactly like her, be it rogues or highly prepared people, etc.
Negativity aside, I liked Ralph's and Holly's relationship so very much, and the last couple pages really honed in perfectly on how far their friendship grew through the course of the novel. If anything, The Outsider left me looking forward to more of Holly as a character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
chadconnecticut's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was my first sampling of King’s later work, and while I didn’t hate it, I miss the fervor of his earlier years.
Despite the harrowing nature of the crimes depicted in the book, it’s hard to root for a cast of characters who are all different flavors of middle-aged white cop (plus a Mexican character who does make me doubt King’s ability to write diversely). Holly Gibney, clearly a favorite of King’s, was charming, and I can see why he and readers both attached to her.
Overall, there were moments of tension, but the mystery lacked the tautness I’ve seen demonstrated in King’s other work. More than that, I didn’t feel the same loving attention paid at the sentence level, which made it easier to look past some oversimplified characterization on King’s part in the past. But the moments I loved, I really loved. Lovie Bolton will go down as an example of King’s ability to craft a memorable character when he truly tries. I just wish I could say the same for Ralph Anderson and the rest of the protagonists.
Despite the harrowing nature of the crimes depicted in the book, it’s hard to root for a cast of characters who are all different flavors of middle-aged white cop (plus a Mexican character who does make me doubt King’s ability to write diversely). Holly Gibney, clearly a favorite of King’s, was charming, and I can see why he and readers both attached to her.
Overall, there were moments of tension, but the mystery lacked the tautness I’ve seen demonstrated in King’s other work. More than that, I didn’t feel the same loving attention paid at the sentence level, which made it easier to look past some oversimplified characterization on King’s part in the past. But the moments I loved, I really loved. Lovie Bolton will go down as an example of King’s ability to craft a memorable character when he truly tries. I just wish I could say the same for Ralph Anderson and the rest of the protagonists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt
This is a book whose plot hinges on the graphic, sexually sadistic murder of a child.jmdeal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Murder