King’s choice to set the novel in the middle of COVID works, both to develop his characters and to keep Holly off base, emotionally and professionally. He eschews the supernatural here but finds all the horror possible in the evil that “normal” people may do. Mystery and horror readers will find much to love.
The final part of this trilogy wraps up the intriguing character arc of Gwendy, a character brought to life by Chizmar’s and King’s words, as well as the voice talents of Marin Ireland. Fans of King’s “Dark Tower” series will recognize the occasional nods to the mythos, but readers who have never read the books will still be drawn into this story, where the tension comes from Gwendy trying to stay ahead of those after the box and her own deteriorating condition.
Recommended for King's myriad fans and for those wanting a mystery that's a bit outside the ordinary. ["King's fans may be dispirited by this latest disappointing thriller; however, his name alone will ensure it flies off the shelves": LJ 4/1/18 review of the Scribner hc.]
King's fans may be dispirited by this latest disappointing thriller; however, his name alone will ensure it flies off the shelves. [See Prepub Alert, 12/1/17.]
Let's take a moment to remember that King's massive, genre-bending, eight-book magnum opus featuring the Gunslinger Roland Deschain, is, at its heart, fantasy that harkens to the American Old West...