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davehershey's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
curiousherring's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
zelse's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable Stephen King - Richard Chizmar collaboration that feels like it belongs in the same universe with the first novella. Not quite as good as the first one IMO, but it feels like a neat little vignette in Gwendy's life and I still enjoyed it. As horror goes, it's a very light touch.
Note: Spoilered section contains spoilers for Wind Through the Keyhole as well as the Gwendy series.
Note: Spoilered section contains spoilers for Wind Through the Keyhole as well as the Gwendy series.
Spoiler
I really enjoy how King seems to be making a lot of his villains more interesting - between Maerlyn in the Wind Through the Keyhole and perennial badguy Walter/RF in the Gwendy series, it's kind of neat to see King continuing to build on these time-honoured characters.oleandreasen's review against another edition
4.0
Nice follow up on the Button Box story. The magic feather did not seem to play any significant role though...
ngork032's review
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
gordonk's review against another edition
5.0
How is it possible that I gave this 5 stars but I only gave “Button Box” 4? Did I make a mistake? Was “Button Box” better than I gave it credit for? Perhaps! It’s been over a year since I read it so maybe I will have to revisit that at some point but maybe this book is better than it’s predecessor. Stephen King sat this one out which made me apprehensive to read it for starters. Would it be “Button Box” Mark 2 but with less flavour? Honestly that’s what I expected but honestly there is much more to it than that. This is the tale of Gwendy, much older now and successful unwittingly reunited with the Button Box, this time around she’s wiser but temptation is always there and this story isn’t really about the Button Box anyway it’s about Gwendy and the relationships she’s formed and I think that’s why I liked this one better. It pulls at your heartstrings so much more. And as for Castle Rock? Well done Mr Chizmar because you almost made me forget I wasn’t reading a Stephen King Novel!
jbkep's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good sequel once I got into it.
Another reviewer mentioned that the book was a lot bigger than it needed to be. Lots of white space and such. I might not have noticed on my own, but I can't un-see it now. I hope future editions waste less paper.
Another reviewer mentioned that the book was a lot bigger than it needed to be. Lots of white space and such. I might not have noticed on my own, but I can't un-see it now. I hope future editions waste less paper.
nextjamesrobert's review against another edition
3.0
Spoilers ahead. I almost went with 2 stars on this, but decided against it. The characters were well done, but the plot was all over the place. There were 3 main plot points or themese here, all merged with Gwendy's life. I guess I was expecting more from them then what was given.
The Magic Feather
The Button Box
The Killings.
Let's start with the feather. This is made to seem as something that will have impact to the story, but it doesn't hold true. The feather has meaning to the character, and we get a cool little past story of how she obtained the feather but it's really meaningless for the overarching story and I'm not sure why it was chosen as the title for the story at all. 2/5 for me.
Next, the button box. It's intriguing to a point, but it's not nearly intriguing enough as in the previous story because we already know what it does. The main addition was only added at the very end. Him also being vague about WHY he needed to leave it with her I hope is answered in the final book, or It's not going to be satisfying at all. At least she gave her mom the candy as I expected. I give this 3/5.
Third, the killings. This would be interesting enough if it were its own story, but why is a congresswoman brought into it at all? Maybe I pay attention to politics too much, but a congress woman can't guarantee that the police will get funding, that has to be done through legislation, or the governor can declare emergencies, but a congresswoman has no power in that situation (when they're on recess no less). I can see her wanting to help in the searches etc, that was ok, but playing a bigger role, being brought in as if she's some kind of expert or private detective on her own made no sense. 2/5 for me.
Finally Gwendys life. Her life inbetween these was acceptable. I wasn't interested in it, as I enjoy more supernatural/mystery suspense stories, but it was done well. I know the writing here was good, as were the conversations besides what I mentioned previously. I'm sure someone else would enjoy it much more than myself. 5/5
I'm going to finish this series, and I know the final book is a bit longer, so hopefully it wraps things up well, but again this is just my opinion. Many enjoy the book and series, and you may be one of those people. Give it a go and see how it fairs!
The Magic Feather
The Button Box
The Killings.
Let's start with the feather. This is made to seem as something that will have impact to the story, but it doesn't hold true. The feather has meaning to the character, and we get a cool little past story of how she obtained the feather but it's really meaningless for the overarching story and I'm not sure why it was chosen as the title for the story at all. 2/5 for me.
Next, the button box. It's intriguing to a point, but it's not nearly intriguing enough as in the previous story because we already know what it does. The main addition was only added at the very end. Him also being vague about WHY he needed to leave it with her I hope is answered in the final book, or It's not going to be satisfying at all. At least she gave her mom the candy as I expected. I give this 3/5.
Third, the killings. This would be interesting enough if it were its own story, but why is a congresswoman brought into it at all? Maybe I pay attention to politics too much, but a congress woman can't guarantee that the police will get funding, that has to be done through legislation, or the governor can declare emergencies, but a congresswoman has no power in that situation (when they're on recess no less). I can see her wanting to help in the searches etc, that was ok, but playing a bigger role, being brought in as if she's some kind of expert or private detective on her own made no sense. 2/5 for me.
Finally Gwendys life. Her life inbetween these was acceptable. I wasn't interested in it, as I enjoy more supernatural/mystery suspense stories, but it was done well. I know the writing here was good, as were the conversations besides what I mentioned previously. I'm sure someone else would enjoy it much more than myself. 5/5
I'm going to finish this series, and I know the final book is a bit longer, so hopefully it wraps things up well, but again this is just my opinion. Many enjoy the book and series, and you may be one of those people. Give it a go and see how it fairs!