Scan barcode
agatamil's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dsteenbergen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Great fun summer read. I wasn't expecting where it was going but I was glad where it ended up.
allielit's review against another edition
3.0
A bit rushed/crammed with the whodunit, but still had the classic Stephen King buildup.
cinn48's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
This wasn't a bad book. It was about a college student who gets a summer job working at an independent amusement park (similar to those that existed pre-Disneyland), and his interest in a murder that took place there years before.
It actually was a pretty decent read. Not really a horror story, and the mystery was pretty light, it was still a good read about a certain type of student and his experience in a different type of "summer work."
It actually was a pretty decent read. Not really a horror story, and the mystery was pretty light, it was still a good read about a certain type of student and his experience in a different type of "summer work."
lethaldose's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book and loved the audio performance by Michael Kelly.
This is not a Stephen King horror novel, there is a bit of the paranormal and supernatural in it. But it is mostly a coming of age story with a crime story at it's heart.
For me there is one thing that Stephen King has always been better at than any other writer ever, making believable and interesting characters. That is on full display here, you don't love all the characters but you are drawn to all of them and you find each of them fascinating. Devin the main character is likable and relatable, while we can't really relate to the adventure and intrigue of his 21st year, we can certainly relate to dealing with our first heartbreak and trying to find yourself in your early twenties. Joyland and the surrounding community is populated by people that it is a true shame that you don't get to know better.
For Stephen King this is actually a fast paced story, world building here is sufficient but is kept to a minimum, this being one of King's short books. You almost never see what is coming next in the story and each twist feels exciting because of it. This is the kind of book you just crawl into and enjoy the journey.
If you're a Stephen King fan this book is a must, and I would still recommend it to anyone that didn't like Stephen King books. because it is just far enough off from his normal style that it wouldn't matter.
This is not a Stephen King horror novel, there is a bit of the paranormal and supernatural in it. But it is mostly a coming of age story with a crime story at it's heart.
For me there is one thing that Stephen King has always been better at than any other writer ever, making believable and interesting characters. That is on full display here, you don't love all the characters but you are drawn to all of them and you find each of them fascinating. Devin the main character is likable and relatable, while we can't really relate to the adventure and intrigue of his 21st year, we can certainly relate to dealing with our first heartbreak and trying to find yourself in your early twenties. Joyland and the surrounding community is populated by people that it is a true shame that you don't get to know better.
For Stephen King this is actually a fast paced story, world building here is sufficient but is kept to a minimum, this being one of King's short books. You almost never see what is coming next in the story and each twist feels exciting because of it. This is the kind of book you just crawl into and enjoy the journey.
If you're a Stephen King fan this book is a must, and I would still recommend it to anyone that didn't like Stephen King books. because it is just far enough off from his normal style that it wouldn't matter.
kreppen's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
margot23reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A perfect summer read. A 20-something coming of age novel with a mystery plot and a few ghosts in the mix, all set in and around an amusement park. All told in Stephen King's terrific story-telling way. Is it the best novel ever? Who cares, it was a terrific romp.
plasm4_4's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
4.25