destiny ♡ howling libraries's Reviews > You Like It Darker

This collection was phenomenal. I'm so glad that I've decided in recent years to give SK another chance. As a teen, I never could get into his writing, but my tastes have changed and now, I'm able to fully appreciate how solid his character building skills are. This collection worked well for me because I love "sad horror" like this, where the primary theme isn't to frighten or to unsettle as much as it is to create empathetic sorrow. It won't be a hit with everyone, but it definitely was with me.

I enjoyed every story in this collection, with only one lesser favorite: 'Rattlesnakes' was a 3-star piece for me that dragged slightly. Otherwise, I gave each individual piece 4-5 stars, with a few standout favorites: 'Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream', which I've noticed seems to be a popular fan fave (and which genuinely disturbed me — what a horrible position to be in!); 'Red Screen', which hit home as someone who has always been terrified of my loved ones being body-snatched or abruptly changed; 'Laurie', which yanked all of my heartstrings as a dog lover and totally made me cry*; and 'The Dreamers', a cosmic horror piece that in turns nauseated and intrigued me.

* 'Laurie' spoilers about the dog, for anyone who needs them: (view spoiler)[the dog lives! The tears were happy ones. (hide spoiler)]

All in all, this was a bleak, curious collection of stories, some old and some new, that I feel any King lover ought to give a go. We wanted it darker, and King killed the flame. 🖤

✨ Content warnings for: (view spoiler)[racism, xenophobia, ableism, war, trauma, alcoholism, cancer/terminal illness, child death, spouse death, grief, gun violence (hide spoiler)]

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