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jujuplays's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pickingweeds's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
An enjoyable read! Kept me engaged through and Holly is a standout character. The supernatural explanation was not unpredictable but the description of the big bad outsider was plenty scary to leave an impression. Would recommend but would probably not reread.
tatianaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
whatmidoreads's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
melanatedbookwork91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rebecca86758's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Creepy!!
iuribe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
foxynz's review against another edition
4.0
First half of this book was spectacular! Once it turned to the supernatural, (I know, it's King, I shouldn't be surprised!), it was still good, but it lost a little edge for me. A really good read though, and I will read the Bill Hodges trilogy. King is a masterful writer, I really enjoyed his characters and the pacing of this novel.
catriona176's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
My favourite of those featuring Holly Gibney so far and I loved the call back to the first one at the end. *chef’s kiss*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death
julessssss's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
the mystery here I think it very well crafted. I was at the edge of my seat for most of it - the best part for me was I had a basic idea of what was going on but had no idea how the evidence was going to make sense, which made me feel like i needed to know even more.
I also enjoyed the two main characters and their narration in general. I really liked Holly, but that seems to be a common opinion, even from King.
my biggest issue was with the pacing of the ending in comparison with the rest of the book. I also found the switch back to what felt like a normal police procedural from the paranormal thriller middle jarring and wish that it had stayed more on the paranormal side.
Most of the other issues i had i have had with King before, so those I think are just expected: weird descriptions of woman’s bodies and fat bodies as well as super wordy portions and random/weird/unnecessary details. Some of the descriptions of younger people also sounded like an older person talking about what they would think younger people would be like, but again King is in fact an older person talking about younger people lol.
I think this book could have been shorter, but probably not super short (in comparison) given how much I liked most of King’s crafting in the beginning and middle. I do wish the ending was tweaked more though.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I was going to at the start and will probably follow through to more of King’s books, especially ones like this. This one definitely gave me nightmares / kept me up during portions too which is fun.
I also enjoyed the two main characters and their narration in general. I really liked Holly, but that seems to be a common opinion, even from King.
my biggest issue was with the pacing of the ending in comparison with the rest of the book. I also found the switch back to what felt like a normal police procedural from the paranormal thriller middle jarring and wish that it had stayed more on the paranormal side.
Most of the other issues i had i have had with King before, so those I think are just expected: weird descriptions of woman’s bodies and fat bodies as well as super wordy portions and random/weird/unnecessary details. Some of the descriptions of younger people also sounded like an older person talking about what they would think younger people would be like, but again King is in fact an older person talking about younger people lol.
I think this book could have been shorter, but probably not super short (in comparison) given how much I liked most of King’s crafting in the beginning and middle. I do wish the ending was tweaked more though.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I was going to at the start and will probably follow through to more of King’s books, especially ones like this. This one definitely gave me nightmares / kept me up during portions too which is fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder