Misty (mistysbookspace)

REREAD January 2025

This was my 3rd read of this book, and I loved it just as much as I did the first time I read it. It never fails to suck me in and have me fully invested in all of the characters even though I know what is going to happen. I reread this one in anticipation of the release of Onyx Storm even though I really don't need a reread I just love it so much that I will seize the opportunity to read it again.

I was meant to read this in June as part of the Lost in Romance Book Club that I cohost with my friend Michelle. I ended up going out of town for the last half of the month so I didn't manage to get around to reading this one. I saw that Destiny had started this book but hadn't gotten very far so I asked her if she wanted to buddy read it with me and here we are.

I've been seeing this book making the rounds for a while now and everything I've seen about it has been high praise. I am here to tell you I totally get the hype surrounding this book. I'm always skeptical going into books that are this hyped because I'm afraid that I won't like them. Luckily that was not the case with this book. I loved this book so much. It is hands down my favorite book of the year so far and I honestly don't see it being dethroned.

I listened to the audiobook for this one because I never bought myself a physical copy but you better believe I will get me a copy eventually. I've actually already preordered the second book Iron Flame because I need it ASAP.

Anyways back to my thoughts on this book. I don't want to say to much because I think you should go in knowing as little as possible like I did. I was sucked in from the very beginning. We get the action from the very first chapter. I loved the chronic pain rep. I loved the romance so freaking much and the dragons actually had their own personalities. I actually laughed so much at several of the scenes involving certain riders and their dragons.

There is so much I could say about this book but it would spoil things. You will just have to trust me when I say run don't walk and get you a copy and read this book. It's utter perfection in my opinion.

I've started reading more graphic novels over the past couple of years, so this format is still kind of new to me. I have the same problem with graphic novels that I have with short stories. Sometimes I just feel like I didn't get enough story. I thought this was a cute story and, in my opinion, the representation is done really well. The graphics were amazing and overall, like I said a really cute story, but I feel like I could have been more immersed in the story if it was longer, and we got more detail. I don't necessarily think it needed to be an actual novel because the graphics bring the story to life, but I needed a little something more. 

4.5 stars

If you've been following me for a while you know that I haven't read very many Stephen King books. I've only read 2 not including Misery and those were The Shining and It. Honestly after getting through both of those I was about ready to give up on King books but I am so glad I came across Janel's post about her readalong of this book called #oneweekofmisery on Instagram and decided to join in because I really enjoyed it.

I remember watching the movie for this a long time ago but I couldn't remember exactly what happened so it was like I was experiencing it for the first time.

I will say I still found King to be overly descriptive and I felt like a good bit of stuff could have been left out because to me it felt like a bunch of filler. There was this whole book within a book thing that was annoying to me as well and it would actually take me out of the story a little when I got to those parts but I couldn't bring myself to skim through them because I was afraid I would miss something important. Also there was one aspect of the book that I felt was completely out of place. There were a few instances where King would be explaining something and he would “compare” what ever it was to some sort of sexual reference. Y'all know I am not a prude and I understand he was trying to make a point I totally get that but I felt like the sexual references were totally out of place. It was like he threw in those references just so “sex” could be mentioned.

I know I am making it sound like I didn't like this book but that's not the case at all because I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is my favorite King book which I know isn't saying much since I've only read 3 of his books so far. I was so into it and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. At one point I was apparently making weird faces while I was reading (because it's very graphic and detailed which in this case is a good thing) and my husband happened to look at me and was like what's wrong with you?

I definitely recommend you give this book a go especially if you are struggling to get into Kings books. This book is violent and bloody and will definitely have you on the edge of your seats.

As is the case with every King book that I read I went into this one knowing nothing and with low expectations. This one ended up just being an ok read for me and everyone in the #KeeperofKing group.

This one had a lot of potential but it was way too long and it made it drag so much. I actually considered DNFing it because I was bored but I pushed through. I say I was bored because of how much the story was dragging but at the same time I was invested in the story. I wanted to know what was going to happen. 

The problematic things that we usually notice in Kings books seemed to be worse in this book especially in the first half of the book. This one definitely could have benefited by being a lot shorter. I will be reading the second book so hopefully that one will be better. 

The first King book of 2023 is finished and unfortunately it was just an ok read for me. If you didn't know I have been reading a Stephen King book every month with a group on Instagram for 2+ years now so at this point I have read a lot of his books. He's my most read author but he's not a favorite author of mine. His books are hit or miss for me and there are quite a bit that fall in the middle like this one.

This is a collection of 20 short stories. Some worked for me and some just didn't. Some were too short and ridiculous but there were some that gave me exactly what I want/need for a short story to work for me. A lot of these felt like a young King. By young I don't really mean age wise I mean like it felt like he wrote these when he first started writing. I hope that makes sense. They just didn't feel like the King writing I've come to know over the years. 

I do have to mention there were some problematic things in here as well. There was a story that mentioned hand controls (which if you didn't know hand controls are used by people who can't use there legs to drive a car using pedals.) I myself use hand controls because I am a double amputee. I loved this inclusion but what I didn't love was how it was insinuated that he wasn't a whole man because he had to use a wheelchair for legs. There were a couple different statements that irked me the wrong way when it comes to people who are handicapped but that is by no means the only problematic things. King pretty much always includes racism which is always a topic of discussion in our group when we talk about his books. It would be one thing if these types of things were challenged in the story but they never are and they are never needed for the plot. 

Overall I thought this was an ok read. I'm glad I've read it but it's easily forgettable and I most likely will never read it again. There are some classics in here though like Children of the Corn and Jerusalem's Lot.