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readingchia's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story, ending not quite what I was expecting. It was a good listen.
brittneyandalicebookclub's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Dead Zone
By Stephen King
Thriller, science fiction
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Johnny Smith has an ability to see things occasionally when he touches people. Is it a gift or a curse? Does he act on what he sees? Is it for a purpose?
❤️ I absolutely loved this book. I felt so connected to Johnny and his story. Often, his story was sad. The sense of sadness I felt for Johnny revealed just how well he was written. I felt for his character. I also really enjoyed Johnny's father. Other characters weren't as developed, but didnt need to be. They all were there for a reason and served their purpose well in the book. I would have loved to read more with Sam in it though.
💔 I don't know that I have any negatives. This book gripped me start to finish. Didnt feel too long, too short, too fast or slow. Loved it.
🎀 This may be my new favorite Stephen King book. I loved the usage of foresight when we know that one more intense vision is coming, but not when or what. It kept some tension as to what's coming up. There wasn't a sense of horror in this book, and I loved the way it was done instead.
✨️TRIGGER WARNING✨️
Animal cruelty - In the beginning, there's a scene with animal cruelty. I can't do that, and thought it'd lower my view of the book. Personally, once I saw that's where the story was going, I quickly just skimmed enough words to not get upset and started back when that scene was over. It wasn't much to skip and I dont feel like I missed anything.
By Stephen King
Thriller, science fiction
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Johnny Smith has an ability to see things occasionally when he touches people. Is it a gift or a curse? Does he act on what he sees? Is it for a purpose?
❤️ I absolutely loved this book. I felt so connected to Johnny and his story. Often, his story was sad. The sense of sadness I felt for Johnny revealed just how well he was written. I felt for his character. I also really enjoyed Johnny's father. Other characters weren't as developed, but didnt need to be. They all were there for a reason and served their purpose well in the book. I would have loved to read more with Sam in it though.
💔 I don't know that I have any negatives. This book gripped me start to finish. Didnt feel too long, too short, too fast or slow. Loved it.
🎀 This may be my new favorite Stephen King book. I loved the usage of foresight when we know that one more intense vision is coming, but not when or what. It kept some tension as to what's coming up. There wasn't a sense of horror in this book, and I loved the way it was done instead.
✨️TRIGGER WARNING✨️
Animal cruelty - In the beginning, there's a scene with animal cruelty. I can't do that, and thought it'd lower my view of the book. Personally, once I saw that's where the story was going, I quickly just skimmed enough words to not get upset and started back when that scene was over. It wasn't much to skip and I dont feel like I missed anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
adambhughes's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bobgray19's review against another edition
4.25
John great character.
No time wasted in this book.
Good ending.
No time wasted in this book.
Good ending.
mackenzie_mae's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bluhorseamy's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
3.75
daisymaytwizell's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly? Underrated King novel. The pacing was great, Johnny is a good protagonist, and there is a sense of momentum that carries through even the quieter moments.
I found it a particularly sharp read at the moment; Greg Stillson might have been written in 1979 but he could have walked right out of Trump's 2025 cabinet, down to thebaby human shield and all.
I also really liked Johnny and Sarah's relationship - the longing and the "what could have been" of it all feels true but stays grounded in a way that makes it feel very authentic.
I found it a particularly sharp read at the moment; Greg Stillson might have been written in 1979 but he could have walked right out of Trump's 2025 cabinet, down to the
I also really liked Johnny and Sarah's relationship - the longing and the "what could have been" of it all feels true but stays grounded in a way that makes it feel very authentic.
khaleesidrums's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
cjmacolivine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ann_eats_and_runs's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read. Eerily prescient. The only difference is using a kid as a human shield probably wouldn’t matter these days.