Eric Stone

This one was tricky for me. On one hand, it’s a great story with some wonderfully complex characters. I really liked Jamie, his family, and the whole cast of people in his orbit - especially during the "youth" chapters. King is at his best when he’s writing that specific kind of coming-of-age nostalgia, and I was fully on board for the first two-thirds of the book.

The issue for me was the payoff. People always cite Revival as having one of his darkest endings, and while it is definitely bleak, it didn't quite land for me. The notion that the afterlife just universally sucks didn't feel as heavy or as "bad" as a small community being forced to hand a child over to the devil, or a figure like the Dark Man always looming.

The Verdict: I didn't feel the sting of the ending as much as I wanted to, but the journey getting there was solid enough that I’ll probably try rereading it in a few years to see if it sits any better with me. For now, it’s a good book that just missed that final gut-punch.

A man of noble birth finds his calling, but he’s always a moment too late. He couldn't save his mother, his father, or the boy. By the end, you’re left wondering if he’ll even be able to save himself. Roland is a tragic figure, but his coming-of-age story was a huge highlight for me and gave the character some much-needed weight.

I read this while on a business trip in Texas, and the context was perfect. Reading that opening scene in the saloon while being out in that heat made the atmosphere feel incredibly real. It’s a strange, sparse book - very different from King’s "doorstoppers" - but it’s effectively haunting in its own way. It’s not a perfect journey, but it’s clearly the start to something much more meaningful.

This is a tremendous book and a true hidden gem. I ordered it out of the back of either Hit Parader or Circus Magazine in the early 2000s when I was fourteen, and I’m not overstating it when I say it literally transformed my life. It was my definitive coming-of-age tale, and it shifted the entire path of my journey. I’ll be forever grateful for it.

A few years ago, I reached out to the author, Charles Romalotti. He was incredibly kind and sent me the 10th Anniversary Edition (the one with the black cover) and a copy of his later book, Bride of the Reaper. Super kind of him to do so.. but Salad Days? If you can track down a copy, read it.

This is a cute little novella, though to be honest, I probably would have settled on a flat 3 stars if it weren't for the illustrations. They are fantastic and really elevate the whole experience. It’s a quick, breezy read that doesn't try to do too much, but it hits the right notes for a werewolf story.

It’s actually something I’ll probably urge my kids to read when they're a bit older. It’s accessible enough to be a "gateway" book into horror without being totally traumatizing. It’s not a masterpiece, but with the artwork included, it’s a great addition to the shelf.

3.75 Stars. This period of historical fiction doesn't usually appeal to me, but I wanted to read an account of historical women's oppression written by a woman.

About 40% of the way through, I noted that the characters weren't quite distinct enough to tell apart. I still think that’s a fair criticism, but I’m pleased to report that the story itself really came into its own after that point. Inspired by true events, this is a tale that cannot be told enough. It’s a stark example of how far we’ve come, but also a reminder of how far we have to go.

Specifically, the way the book handles the "Hysteria" diagnosis of the late 1800s - and how the ruling class used it as an acceptable tool of control - is great food for thought. It's impossible not to draw parallels to modern injustices that are still viewed as "acceptable" by society today.

The story had some solid twists that felt grounded enough to maintain immersion. Overall, it’s a quick read and a powerful reminder of the systems man is capable of building to keep others down.