This was a great and well worth it read. I can see why King raved so much about this story. The writing is very similar to his own - mounting dread, grotesque scenes, with painfully detailed depictions of scenes, characters and situations. The lengthy details and descriptions, at times, felt too abundant. Although, more often than not I appreciated it.

So often I was physically clenching my whole body while reading. I’ve recently found body horror is definitely a way to get the reader to REALLY feel scenes in a story. I often squirmed & itched at the descriptions of the parasites hold on it’s host. Totally gnarly.

As a mom of two boys, I found this story more horrific than the gore and vivid imagery. Couldn’t even bear thinking of my own in this situation. With that being said, there was very much a “boys will be boys” feel to this book. I watch my own kids express every emotion under the sun in a day & found it difficult to read 14 year olds being so stoic in such horrifying situations. In my opinion, unrealistic. Dread and sadness were thought quietly often which made the emotional side of this book lack.

Overall, a solid 4/5. Wild read and a great and original spin on a story told in variations before. Looking forward to reading more from this author!