https://discord.com/invite/eTZuVZXycX https://www.facebook.com/Book.Reviews.by.Namsu https://www.instagram.com/namsu_corp https://www.pinterest.com/namsucorps https://www.reddit.com/r/Book_Reviews_by_Namsu https://alltop.com/my/Namsu https://twitter.com/NamsuCorp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pSnAi4ji3dx8HWMpHmYBQ

Later Review

Stephen King, Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Mystery, Paranormal, Police Procedurals, Psychic, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Later

Published: 2, March 2021
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Mystery, Paranormal, Police Procedurals, Psychic, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
Later Summary


The Review

Stephen King's crime thriller Later was released by Hard Case Crime. The book is published in paperback and hardback, with a limited number of hardcover copies available. The limited hardback edition has cover art by Gregory Manchess, while the paperback version has cover art by Paul Mann. Seth Numrich reads the 7-hour Audiobook.

Following the publication of The Colorado Kid and Joyland, this is Stephen King's third Hard Case Crime novel. Jamie Conklin, who has the gift to see deceased people, is the protagonist of the narrative, which is recounted in the first person. The novel debuted at number two on The New York Times fiction best-seller list in the week ending March 6, 2021.

To give you a little background on the story, it is set in the late 2000s and is told by the main character, a young boy living in New York City with his single mother, Tia.

Jamie possesses the gift to see and communicate with the dead. The deceased persons he can communicate with must honestly answer all of his queries.

Jamie is terrified as a child when a man killed in a traffic accident waves to him despite the fact that he is dead.

He also speaks to Mona, the late wife of Professor Martin Burkett, a neighbor, and friend of the Conklins', when he is a few years older. Jamie's mother is the only one who is aware of his abilities.

The book contains many themes that are reminiscent of classic Stephen King novels, but this time they have been combined with the crime, mystery, thriller, ghost story, supernatural and coming-of-age genres to produce something a little unusual. The author has always done this for most of his career, and he is just getting better at it

There are recurring themes such as a youngster having to grow up and depend on himself in the face of less-than-perfect adults, and supernatural power being both a blessing and a burden.

The protagonist's reminiscences of his terrible upbringing reminded me of earlier Stephen King stories, but this one is more current, given the events that take place in this millennium.

Even if the beginning is a little slower than in some other crime books, I was extremely hooked on this plot. The action kicks up later.

The novel isn't as long as I'd like it to be, but it's still manageable for a casual reader in terms of page count, and it has some excellent, crisp, and accurate language.

First-person narrators have always piqued my interest, and Jamie Conklin is a figure I won't soon forget. The author has a knack for writing about children and the bittersweet process of growing up, and his voice and perspective are handled with care.

Naturally, his characters are compelled to mature in ways that both terrify and pleasure us. I finished the novel in one sitting.

There are several unexpected Easter eggs stashed within this magnificent little masterpiece. What begins as a slow-burner as the author develops the universe and people, it rapidly builds into a page-turner filled with high intensity and mystery.

In reality, this Stephen King work is exceptionally brutal, gloomy, and dark. It has the feel of a Richard Bachman novel. But there's a little more heart in this. Perhaps there's a hint of J.D. Salinger here if Holden Caulfield had a magical revelation to go along with his despair.

Later is a quick but enjoyable journey that will appeal to Stephen King and Hard Case Crime aficionados alike.

When you believe it's a relation to Haley Joel Osmont from The Sixth Sense, it's not your imagination playing tricks on you. In this novel, the author brazenly admits the link.

Dean Koontz's 2007 novel Odd Thomas is another book that springs to mind while thinking about who sees dead people.

However, this does not imply that the author stole the concept because it has existed from the dawn of humanity when shamans and leaders professed to communicate with the dead. Even now, many individuals profit from deceiving the naive.

Here, too, you have a young child, aged 9 at the start to 15 at the end, who sees dead people in some way.

These deceased people, on the other hand, converse with young Jamie, and it appears that one of the magical laws is that they always answer his inquiries honestly.

These ghosts don't have the white sheets, they're more haunting than Casper, and they range from a kind elderly lady to a serial killer.

It also reminds us of Joyland, one of Stephen King's early Hard Case Crime works. It elicits a similar sense of childish awe.

Jamie's narrative voice is the key to this quick-paced small story. It's got that coming-of-age innocence mixed together with a dash of streetwise snark that simply fits.

Despite the final war between good and evil, like in most of the author's tales, you'll find this one to be horror mild. It doesn't quite reach the point of being horrifying, but it skirts the edge, and it all depends on who is reading it.

If you're searching for a way to get started with Stephen King's work, this is a good place to start. If you've been a long-time reader of Stephen King's work, like me, you'll be happy to succumb to a great author at work. There's a logical explanation we return time and time again.


Final Thoughts

Is this a horror story? After more consideration, uncle Stevie, or, in this instance, our protagonist Jamie Conklin is correct: there are some truly awful events in Stephen King's Later.

Don't get me wrong: it's not on the same level as IT, Pet Sematary, or 'Salem's Lot,' but it doesn't make it any less terrifying, right? Horror may be found anywhere, at any time, and in any shape or size.

Just because something isn't frightening to one person doesn't imply it won't terrify someone else.

So, what have we learned as a result of this lengthy digression? This is a scary story, but like I already stated, it all depends on who is reading it.

I adore the way the author depicts his characters; his descriptions make the characters' sentiments and emotions seem so genuine, even when their talents are magical. Despite the fact that it was a surprise, I truly like the ending.

Characters come to life in his novels, and his books are full of them. The stories frequently take a back step, despite the fact that they are equally as enticing and brilliantly anchor his work.

It's difficult to detest this book if you're a fan of the author. Even if you haven't read any of his previous excellent works, this one is a decent read. It's a quick read that was well worth my time and money.


Synopsis

“A brand-new novel from legendary storyteller Stephen King!

Sometimes growing up means facing your demons.

The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine - as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.

Later is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King’s classic novel It, Later is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Case Crime, Colorado Kid, Dead People, Easy Read, Hard Case, Highly Recommend, Jamie Conklin, Main Character, Page Turner, Quick Read, Really Enjoyed, Sees Dead, Sixth Sense, Young Boy


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:

'Salem's Lot Review

Stephen King, Classics, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller, Vampire

'Salem's Lot

Published: 17, October 1975
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Classics, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller, Vampire

Check the summary of this book here:
'Salem's Lot Summary


The Review

Stephen King's horror masterpiece 'Salem's Lot was published in 1975. This novel was his second to be published. The plot revolves around a writer called Ben Mears, who returns to the village of Jerusalem's Lot, or 'Salem's Lot for short, in Maine, where he grew up from the age of five to nine, only to discover that the people are turning into vampires. The village is revisited in Stephen King's story collection Night Shift (1978) in the short stories "Jerusalem's Lot" and "One for the Road." In 1976, the novel was nominated for the World Fantasy Award, and in 1987, it was nominated for the Locus Award for the All-Time Best Fantasy Novel.

I'm practically rearranging his words here, but the next few sentences will give you a sense of what the author meant. Stephen King had planned a sequel, but he stated on his website that he no longer saw the need for one because the Dark Tower series had already completed the story of ‘Salem’s Lot in Wolves of the Calla and Song of Susannah.

This novel has played a significant role in my nightmares, and the 1979 film adaptation has also played a significant role in my twisted fantasies. I was never afraid since, in my dreams, I am always a strong and fearless youngster who may be attributed to Stephen King's final showdowns, in which the children defy all obstacles and triumph over evil.

Now that I am an adult, I am still as courageous and skillful at defeating evil in my dreams and in real life as I was when I was a child, but the frequency of those lovely nightmares has decreased since I have yet to come across anything frightening enough to make me terrified or have nightmares.

'Salem's Lot is a horror classic as well as one of the author's finest novels of all time! You'll be intrigued right away by the way he develops Jerusalem's Lot piece by piece, with all of its intriguing people.

I couldn't put this book down and read it slowly since it's so engaging. I'm planning to watch the miniseries soon and will update this section as soon as I'm through because I haven't had the opportunity to do it yet.

A new series or remake is in the works, but you never know with these types of undertakings. Still, I hope that if they make it, they do it precisely as the book is written.

People have forgotten what a vampire novel should be about, with books and series like "The Vampire Diaries," "True Blood," and the Twilight Saga dominating modern culture.

And these aren't books for angst-ridden teens or elderly cat ladies. "'Salem's Lot" is one of such books.

Thankfully, authentic vampire books that actually terrify people are there; you just have to hunt for them.

It's Stephen King's version of the vampire narrative. The characters aren't empty shells, either. They're all rather detailed.

And the remarkable thing about the author's writing talent is that he can have a large cast of characters and make them all deep and sympathetic, and he can even make the villains believable rather than stereotypical images. This is only one of the many reasons why 'Salem's Lot is so smart and timely today.

This is a must-read for every fan of the supernatural type of literature, especially those who adore vampire novels. It's hard to think that the author created this terrifying novel when he was only 24 years old, at the start of his career.

On many levels and for many reasons, it is a work of pure genius. As the novel progresses and the plot unfolds, one of my favorite features of this book is the growing sense of doom and foreboding.

This is a story about pure evil penetrating, enveloping, and swiftly devouring the picturesque, imaginary New England town of Jerusalem's Lot.

At the beginning of his novel, the author constructed a complete community of incredibly convincing characters, which made the ensuing plot twists and turns all the more interesting and engaging for the reader.

Many of his characters were adorable, a few were repulsive, a few were insignificant, and a few were terrifying.

The character development was superb throughout, and I felt a feeling of familiarity with imaginary characters and locations I'd only read about in other books.

I thought the two new stories included in the enhanced edition of 'Salem's Lot were excellent additions to Stephen King's vampire legend.

I loved the deleted and added material in the revised version as well, although I believe the removed material was better that way and may have altered the book's original beauty.

I can't say enough good things about this book, and I hope the author will write more vampire stories. 

Only one writer, in my opinion, can bring back the terrifying and original vampires like Dracula, and that writer is Stephen King.


Final Thoughts

This is a vampire story without a joyful ending or pleasant vampires. These are the elderly vampires that just care about killing and reproducing.

The characters are well-developed and believable for the period and location in which they are set.

It is very much a product of the era in which it was written, yet it still holds up well today. So don't expect to see a gorgeous, vegetarian vampire like Edward from Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga.

The concept of little New England townships filled by distant, intolerant citizens has been a recurring motif in the author's subsequent horror stories.

These secluded hamlets have offered ideal soil for the threads of chaos, conflict, and evil to grow time and time again until the author eventually puts pen to paper.

Stephen King's true brilliance, in my opinion, is not so much in the specifics of the narrative he tells us about as in the details of the story that readers are allowed to guess.

To put it another way, he pushes us to use our imaginations to fill in the blanks in the patchwork of the narrative he tells us.

This brings the reader closer to the tale and, in turn, perhaps boosts the strength of his storytelling.

As a result, in my opinion, the more engaged your mind is, the more a book will fascinate and terrify you. Fortunately for me, I have a vivid imagination; As a result, I like this type of writing far more than a casual reader.


Synopsis

“Ben Mears has returned to Jerusalem’s Lot in hopes that exploring the history of the Marsten House, an old mansion long the subject of rumor and speculation, will help him cast out his personal devils and provide inspiration for his new book. But when two young boys venture into the woods, and only one returns alive, Mears begins to realize that something sinister is at work—in fact, his hometown is under siege from forces of darkness far beyond his imagination. And only he, with a small group of allies, can hope to contain the evil that is growing within the borders of this small New England town.

With this, his second novel, Stephen King established himself as an indisputable master of American horror, able to transform the old conceits of the genre into something fresh and all the more frightening for taking place in a familiar, idyllic locale.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Ben Mears, Dark Tower, Deleted Scenes, Father Callahan, Jerusalems Lot, King At His Best, Mark Petrie, Marsten House, New England, Small Town, Stokers Dracula


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:

The Wind Through the Keyhole Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie-In, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizards

The Wind Through the Keyhole

Published: 21, February 2012
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Arthurian, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie-In, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizards
Book 4.5 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
The Wind Through the Keyhole Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy book The Wind Through the Keyhole is the eighth novel in The Dark Tower series, however, it falls between volumes four "Wizard and Glass" and five "Wolves of the Calla" in chronological order. The book was first referenced by Stephen King in 2009, following the disputed conclusion of the seventh novel "The Dark Tower" in 2004, and was formally revealed on March 10, 2011, on the author's official website.

To begin with, it was nice to hear Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, and Roland's voices come to life again and enjoy their interactions, even if it was just for a few moments.

If you're like many fans who read the entire series before reading this book, you'll understand what I'm talking about. But if you haven't finished part four yet, I recommend you read this book before going on to the fifth.

It doesn't matter if you read it after you finish the series and then come back to read it, but if this is your first trip through the series; I think it's best to read it as part 4.5.

I strongly advise all readers to read the prior four volumes before moving on to this one, since otherwise, you will have no idea of what is going on or who is who or what is what.

This book picks up after the events of Wizard and Glass, with Roland recounting a tale from his past as a teenage gunslinger in a nearby village from Gilead, dealing with a "Skin-Man" monstrosity frightening and slaying the locals.

But about midway through that story, he switches to a fairy tale about a young kid on a journey to save his mother from his violent stepfather.

Overall, this is a fantastic book. It is reasonable to classify it as book 4.5. The novel includes a tale inside a story, which is a unique and intriguing approach to writing a novel.

The story begins with the five members of the band from Book 4 on their quest for The Dark Tower.

They are stuck in a bunker for three days due to a catastrophic storm known as a 'starkblast.' To keep them entertained, Roland recounts them a story from his adolescent years.

The narrative revolves around one of his first missions as a gunslinger when he was dispatched by train to a faraway place to investigate claims of a homicidal shape shifter, which his father does not think are genuine.

The first third of the book is about Roland's past, the second third is about the narrative he tells the youngster, and the third quarter concludes the historical story.

Both stories are well-written and enjoyable to read. The narrative is intriguing, although not as suspenseful as some of author's other novels because we all know Roland will survive the shape shifter.

We also discover a little more about Roland's mother, including a final letter she sent to him. Roland tells the youngster a story about a terrible tax collector from Gilead.

I greatly doubt Roland's mother, who raised Roland in Gilead, the purported stronghold of virtue on the world, would have ever taught him a story about such a guy.

That was the only portion of the work that appeared out of place because the tale could have been presented without mentioning a wicked Gilead representative.

The rest of Roland the boy's narrative was well-developed, particularly in its exploration of elderly people's marvels.

I have a feeling Roland's childhood story isn't totally compatible with the rest of the books; for example, the Manni people in book 5 weren't familiar to Susannah, Jake, and Eddie, despite the fact that they should have known them based on this description. Even yet, given the high quality of the plot, any inconsistencies are small and easily overlooked.

Young Roland's plot goes swiftly and is both interesting and intriguing. It showcases his abilities, even at such a young age, and shares the same spirit of adventure and unpredictability as the previous Tower stories.

The fairy tale itself is well constructed and brimming with Stephen King’s universe references. Finally, I believe the author has done the series honor by continuing it 5 years after he declared it complete.

Adding to a popular series is a tough and hazardous decision. The book, on the other hand, does not feel like an afterthought; rather, it improves what has already been written and makes the voyage as a whole that much more complete and pleasurable.

There are things that can be learned, magic elements to be discovered, a new culture of "muties" to be discovered, and, of course, the beam.

We read of a little boy, maybe eleven years old, whose father was just murdered by a dragon of some kind. In a cruel environment, he and his mother strive for survival.

Just when they think they've discovered their savior, the author throws a curveball into the mix to throw everything off. The young man's quest to save his mother and himself leads us on a perilous trip packed with magic, danger, and suspense.

This is one of the novels that, like the series in which it is set, maybe considered among Stephen King's best.

I still wish we'd seen more of Roland when he was younger. What are the chances? Perhaps the author will continue the Dark Tower Series with a new installment someday.


Final Thoughts:

Even if you've never read any of Stephen King's earlier works, let alone the Tower series, the book may be read as a stand-alone, according to the preface.

True, but doing so would be foolish because so much of it is based on these individuals and their distinct environment.

As a result, I'd only suggest this to someone who has read the Tower Series before or if you're interested in giving them a try, start at the beginning and read this one in the order it appears in the series. You'll be pleased you did, and I am sure of it.

This novel takes us closer to Roland as a young boy as readers. It also helps us comprehend Roland's finality as he grew older.

After Mejis, Roland had attained manhood not merely by passing Cort's gunslinger exam, but also by seeing Mejis' murder and devastation.

Roland reveals his frigid heart to the world for the first time as the nails are pounded deep into the coffin that signifies maturity.

It's also enjoyable to read, providing insight into some of our favorites (if you're a fan of the series). It will draw you back into Roland Deschain's universe as if you had never left it before.

Given the scope of King's Dark Tower levels, the novel fits nicely into the series.

I have to bring out an important truth once more. It is true that this book may be read as a stand-alone novel, but only if you have read the entire series or have finished the fourth book but have not yet begun the fifth; otherwise, it cannot be termed a stand-alone novel, so please keep that in mind when reading this book.


Synopsis:

“In his New York Times bestselling The Wind Through the Keyhole, Stephen King returns to the spectacular territory of the Dark Tower fantasy saga to tell a story about gunslinger Roland Deschain in his early days.

The Wind Through the Keyhole is a sparkling contribution to the series that can be placed between Dark Tower IV and Dark Tower V. This Russian doll of a novel, a story within a story within a story, visits Roland and his ka-tet as a ferocious, frigid storm halts their progress along the Path of the Beam. Roland tells a tale from his early days as a gunslinger, in the guilt-ridden year following his mother’s death. Sent by his father to investigate evidence of a murderous shape-shifter, Roland takes charge of Bill Streeter, a brave but terrified boy who is the sole surviving witness to the beast’s most recent slaughter. Roland, himself only a teenager, calms the boy by reciting a story from the Book of Eld that his mother used to read to him at bedtime, “The Wind Through the Keyhole.” “A person’s never too old for stories,” he says to Bill. “Man and boy, girl and woman, we live for them.”

And stories like The Wind Through the Keyhole live for us with Stephen King’s fantastical magic that “creates the kind of fully imagined fictional landscapes a reader can inhabit for days at a stretch” (The Washington Post).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Addition To The Dark, Eddie And Susannah, Glass And Wolves, Great Addition, Old Friends, Roland And His Ka-Tet, Within A Story, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla, Young Roland


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Follow This Blog