Like you, I read NOS4A2 first. I enjoyed both books immensely. The characters in HSB, even in their darkest moments, were very likable. I don't recall being slowed by dull moments, but even more, when the action gets going, it can be fierce.
Read this book several years ago. All I can remember about it is that it was genuinely creepy/unnerving. Might need to read this again. Great review Mike.
You are really blazing through books Mike! It’s beyond inspiring! Had a five day mid term break and I managed to blaze through several of your recommendations from the Wayward Pines to the Hunger and the Girl Next Door! Will be reading Nos4ato and the haunting of hill house next plus some Jack Ketchum books thanks to your recs! Thanks loads!
Judas Coin is one of my favorite characters that Hill has ever written. Another flawed asshole with redeeming qualities who makes strides, but that's where how shmucky his naming groupies based on their state feels true to the character, warts and all. Love the naming of each section after popular songs from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc and the fact that a even back here King was crossing over with his kid (a roadie in the climax of Mr Mercedes is wearing a 'Judas Coin' tour t-shirt) is a lot of fun. Not perfect, but strong and scary with a confirmation of Joe's potential which only continues to hone.
Man, I loved it. Didn't catch that Multiverse Easter egg since I read Mr. Mercedes first. Looking forward to The Fireman this October. Let's see if Hill can keep his perfect streak (Locke & Key, NOS4A2, HSB) going.
This was my second book after 20th Century Ghosts and I also love the dogs and the character development, but it's been a while so I definitely need a re-read of both of them, specially with the adaptation of The Black Phone (from 20th Century Ghosts) coming soon.
Impeccable timing for me on this review. Just randomly started thinking about reading other authors (Been King binging for almost 2 months and read 5 almost 6 now lol) and of course I thought "Why not his son" - I was considering both this and Nos4A2 and I think ill start here. Thanks for the reviews Mike! On point!
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages now and just keep getting distracted by other books. Might have to bump this up! I love some really good character work and tight pacing.
I picked up the book the day i saw your review and i hardly ever read scary stuff ( im a bit of a scaredy cat) it was awesome thanks for helping me branch out
I read Horns first because the library didn’t have Heart Shaped Box, but all four of his novels have been amazing in my opinion. Heart Shaped Box definitely had creepy moments and overall was a lot of fun to read. I do agree the state thing was odd but I have a vague memory that it was addressed in the book but it has been a few years since I read it.
Man, I do wish Hill would come out with another novel. I read the novella collection, it was good, but I'm not into short stories these days. Heart shaped Box was my first Hill read, and I knew right then he was going to be good.
@Mike’sBookReviews I’m really enjoying this book so far, I’m not very far into it, I’ve only read about the first 8 chapters or so but, I’m really interested in this I’ve read a few of his father’s books but none of his therefore, I figured that it’s time to do so particularly when it gets closer to the movie The Black Phone’s release in June to read his short story collection 20th Century Ghosts that has the short story The Black Phone that this is based on and read this one as I’m super excited to check this out.
@Mike’sBookReviews I’m super excited to check out The Black Phone as it’s one of my most anticipated horror movie releases of the year with Ethan Hawke one of my favorite actor’s of all time playing what looks to be one creepy ass villain which, I’m excited to see him play as and let alone, play as in a horror movie as the only other horror movie I’ve seen him in was Sinister which, I know it’s not particularly book related however, if you’ve never seen that horror flick in particular I highly recommend it it’s got some of the most effective scare sequences in modern horror that are connected to a book in my opinion.
I find it ironic how you read and reviewed this book and I’m getting it in a couple of weeks. In fact I decided on getting it a while ago. I’ll be reading it after WoT.
I'm going to have to read NOS4A2 at some point. I have read Heart Shaped Box two thumbs up, 20th Century Ghosts is also a good book to it's short stories.
Hi. I dont know If are going to read this, I just know that you are a big fan of Stephen, and I think that Joe Hill Is a much Berger weiter than Stephen was at his age. Do you agree? Love your UA-cam Chanel :)
Just finished it this morning , unfortunately didn’t click for me. I enjoyed the premise and his writing is good but I just found the middle section a bit of a mess but then the ending wrapped things up well
I want to said that his publisher didn't know that he was Stephen King's son. Joe Hill didn't want to be judged based on his last name Heart Shaped Box was a good book from what I do remember.
I read The Fireman first after a friend recommended it it was the audiobook so I didn't think anything of it other than it being fantastic so. When it came to this one. I checked out the book saw his picture and smiled big..anyone who watched creepshow would have recognized him as I did.❤❤ I love his writing style
I liked this book but I think it was over hyped for me before I read it. I still very much enjoyed this one but not as much as other people. His writing has certainly improved as his career goes on
Damn you Mike, now I have another two books I have to buy, and from the sounds of it it's the perfect time to grab them! I'm going to read them in publication order just because :-)
@Mike’sBookReviews it’s also great to hear that Georgia has the best developed story arc in the book because I just got through her introduction in the book and my first thought even though I didn’t say it out loud still living with Christian parents struggling to find a job and really get started with my life still at 25 years old. I thought “wow, these two characters so far are pretty much total assholes and why am I even supposed to like them, I like the dogs more.” Being much like you the dogs so far are easily my favorite characters in the book so far, mind you I’m not very far into it yet as I’m only I believe about 4 chapters or so in but I seem to think so far they should just kill Justin and Georgia off soon and make the dogs the main protagonists as to me so far, they’d be much more compelling and likable protagonists than either of these human characters I’m following so far. However, that said it’s good to know that they really experience some major character growth and you begin to like them by the time the climax comes around.
The Nirvana reference at the beginning was so cool 🤘
Like you, I read NOS4A2 first. I enjoyed both books immensely. The characters in HSB, even in their darkest moments, were very likable. I don't recall being slowed by dull moments, but even more, when the action gets going, it can be fierce.
I loved this book, the characters were awesome, including the dogs. It's a page burner. The story progression is great!
Bon & Angus were the best.
This was my first Joe Hill and I loved it! I can still vividly picture some of the scenes, which doesn't often happen for me!
Thank you for finally getting around to doing reviews on Joe Hill.
Loved this book. Especially as a huge fan of heavy metal, dogs and someone who is fascinated by all kinds of morbid things 😅
Read this book several years ago. All I can remember about it is that it was genuinely creepy/unnerving. Might need to read this again. Great review Mike.
This is my favourite ghost story of all time and I wouldn't say it inspired me to write, but it definitely motivated me to write.
You are really blazing through books Mike! It’s beyond inspiring! Had a five day mid term break and I managed to blaze through several of your recommendations from the Wayward Pines to the Hunger and the Girl Next Door! Will be reading Nos4ato and the haunting of hill house next plus some Jack Ketchum books thanks to your recs! Thanks loads!
Judas Coin is one of my favorite characters that Hill has ever written. Another flawed asshole with redeeming qualities who makes strides, but that's where how shmucky his naming groupies based on their state feels true to the character, warts and all. Love the naming of each section after popular songs from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc and the fact that a even back here King was crossing over with his kid (a roadie in the climax of Mr Mercedes is wearing a 'Judas Coin' tour t-shirt) is a lot of fun. Not perfect, but strong and scary with a confirmation of Joe's potential which only continues to hone.
Man, I loved it. Didn't catch that Multiverse Easter egg since I read Mr. Mercedes first. Looking forward to The Fireman this October. Let's see if Hill can keep his perfect streak (Locke & Key, NOS4A2, HSB) going.
I checked the library and they do have heart shaped box at the library I can't wait to read it 📖📚😊
This was my second book after 20th Century Ghosts and I also love the dogs and the character development, but it's been a while so I definitely need a re-read of both of them, specially with the adaptation of The Black Phone (from 20th Century Ghosts) coming soon.
Impeccable timing for me on this review. Just randomly started thinking about reading other authors (Been King binging for almost 2 months and read 5 almost 6 now lol) and of course I thought "Why not his son" - I was considering both this and Nos4A2 and I think ill start here. Thanks for the reviews Mike! On point!
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages now and just keep getting distracted by other books. Might have to bump this up! I love some really good character work and tight pacing.
GREAT book..loved it! May have to re-read it!
I picked up the book the day i saw your review and i hardly ever read scary stuff ( im a bit of a scaredy cat) it was awesome thanks for helping me branch out
I read Horns first because the library didn’t have Heart Shaped Box, but all four of his novels have been amazing in my opinion. Heart Shaped Box definitely had creepy moments and overall was a lot of fun to read. I do agree the state thing was odd but I have a vague memory that it was addressed in the book but it has been a few years since I read it.
Told you so! Really glad you dug it 😊
A new subscriber here … Thoroughly enjoying hearing you talk about books!
Welcome!
really excited to get into this one!
Man, I do wish Hill would come out with another novel. I read the novella collection, it was good, but I'm not into short stories these days.
Heart shaped Box was my first Hill read, and I knew right then he was going to be good.
@Mike’sBookReviews I’m really enjoying this book so far, I’m not very far into it, I’ve only read about the first 8 chapters or so but, I’m really interested in this I’ve read a few of his father’s books but none of his therefore, I figured that it’s time to do so particularly when it gets closer to the movie The Black Phone’s release in June to read his short story collection 20th Century Ghosts that has the short story The Black Phone that this is based on and read this one as I’m super excited to check this out.
That shirt alone earned you a Sub!
What band is it?
@@adamaj74 White Zombie!
@@adamaj74 Wh1Te Zombie
@@PhreakPhantom thanks!
@Mike’sBookReviews I’m super excited to check out The Black Phone as it’s one of my most anticipated horror movie releases of the year with Ethan Hawke one of my favorite actor’s of all time playing what looks to be one creepy ass villain which, I’m excited to see him play as and let alone, play as in a horror movie as the only other horror movie I’ve seen him in was Sinister which, I know it’s not particularly book related however, if you’ve never seen that horror flick in particular I highly recommend it it’s got some of the most effective scare sequences in modern horror that are connected to a book in my opinion.
This book was awesome and it creeped me out! Really stuck with me. Apple didn’t fall far from the family tree!
I find it ironic how you read and reviewed this book and I’m getting it in a couple of weeks. In fact I decided on getting it a while ago. I’ll be reading it after WoT.
The book that got me into Reading
I'm going to have to read NOS4A2 at some point. I have read Heart Shaped Box two thumbs up, 20th Century Ghosts is also a good book to it's short stories.
"He's already better than Frank Herbert's son."
#never4get
Good read . Sooo much like King that was scary as well. 👍👍
Can’t wait to read this one!
I spoke to Dee Snider at a horror con about directing or producing it. And having Robb Flynn from Machine Head or Jensen Ackles playing Judas
Hi. I dont know If are going to read this, I just know that you are a big fan of Stephen, and I think that Joe Hill Is a much Berger weiter than Stephen was at his age. Do you agree? Love your UA-cam Chanel :)
Just finished it this morning , unfortunately didn’t click for me. I enjoyed the premise and his writing is good but I just found the middle section a bit of a mess but then the ending wrapped things up well
This review convinced me to bought the hardcover thanks Mike for this Great Insight about the book
Happy to do so!
@@mikesbookreviews Really enjoyed the channel I discovered new Titles & Authors I Never Heard of more power to you & the channel Salute
I want to said that his publisher didn't know that he was Stephen King's son. Joe Hill didn't want to be judged based on his last name Heart Shaped Box was a good book from what I do remember.
I read The Fireman first after a friend recommended it it was the audiobook so I didn't think anything of it other than it being fantastic so. When it came to this one. I checked out the book saw his picture and smiled big..anyone who watched creepshow would have recognized him as I did.❤❤ I love his writing style
I liked this book but I think it was over hyped for me before I read it. I still very much enjoyed this one but not as much as other people. His writing has certainly improved as his career goes on
Dude you gotta do more berserk
Gotta sing more Mike. Michael Knipp does it lol 😉
Edward Lee scares me
the dogs are killed in the end
What shirt are you wearing? Thanks.
Damn you Mike, now I have another two books I have to buy, and from the sounds of it it's the perfect time to grab them! I'm going to read them in publication order just because :-)
@Mike’sBookReviews it’s also great to hear that Georgia has the best developed story arc in the book because I just got through her introduction in the book and my first thought even though I didn’t say it out loud still living with Christian parents struggling to find a job and really get started with my life still at 25 years old. I thought “wow, these two characters so far are pretty much total assholes and why am I even supposed to like them, I like the dogs more.”
Being much like you the dogs so far are easily my favorite characters in the book so far, mind you I’m not very far into it yet as I’m only I believe about 4 chapters or so in but I seem to think so far they should just kill Justin and Georgia off soon and make the dogs the main protagonists as to me so far, they’d be much more compelling and likable protagonists than either of these human characters I’m following so far.
However, that said it’s good to know that they really experience some major character growth and you begin to like them by the time the climax comes around.
Have you been watching La Brea?!?!
honestly love the slander you give Frank Herberts son😂
Didn’t Nirvana write this?
Judas doesn't call his women by their names only by their states because they're groupies
:D