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foldsea's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
canadabooks'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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
catapocalypse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think this book is unusual among Stephen King's other early works, in that it is primarily a fantasy adventure with only a sliver of horror. It follows two princes: Peter is the eldest and a good boy, but he is framed for the murder of their father. Thomas is the younger and fairly troubled, and he struggles in the shadow of his older brother until this murder... when he then must struggle under the shadow of knowing the real cause of their father's death while still assuming the throne that is not rightfully his.
The story starts at a slow pace, but reads quickly as it progresses. There's a lot of fun stuff, including a dragon, an evil magician, an incredibly intricate dollhouse, and even dogsledding. But there are missteps as well. It started off on a bad foot, basically beginning with the 50-year-old king marrying a 17-year-old girl, including his having to explain to her how things were going to work on their wedding night. It felt gross and unnecessary. This is the main reason I would not consider this middle grade/children's as I've seen some shelves describe it... The tone of the storyteller narrator does treat it like a children's tale, though.
In the end, it's not a terrible book, but it's not a great book, either.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Blood
annapox's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
rachelunabridged's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death