Revival

"This was the first of his works to actually creep me out. "

"Really good. Not typical King, but I read it 1 day."

"Page Turner! The ending is something I will think about for a long time."

"There is a secret power contained in every object. This electricity is hidden but to release it may have unforeseen consequences.<br/><br/>This is one of Stephen King better books. It combines religion, family secrets, and drug abuse - all elements requiring strength and perseverance to overcome something through only blind faith.<br/>"

"Not SK's finest, but not terrible. If you can read through some boring parts there are a few traditional SK gripping moments. "

"3.5 stars<br/><br/><b><i>Lemme see if I can remember how this whoremaster goes.</b></i><br/><br/>Revival is the story of Jamie Morton, and his tumultuous relationship with his former minister turned "fifth business", Charles Daniel Jacobs. Charles Jacobs, along with his wife, Patsy, and their son, Morris, arrive in town during August of 1962, just after Jamie turns 6. They are a young family, and soon the town is captivated with the minister, his lovely wife, and their adorable toddler son. Tragedy strikes the Jacobs family three short years later, leading to the "Terrible Sermon" that results in the firing of Reverend Jacobs and his relocation. <br/><br/><br/><blockquote><i>I think most people who have suffered great losses in their lives - great tragedies - come to a crossroads. Maybe not right then, but when the shock wears off. It may be months later; it may be years. They either expand as a result of their experience, or they contract.</blockquote></i><br/><br/><spoiler>It is then that Reverend Jacobs renounces his faith in God. <br/><blockquote><i>Relgion is the theological equivalent of a quick-insurance scam, where you pay in your premium year after year, and then, when you need the benefits you paid for so--pardon the pun--so religiously, you disp cover that the company that took your money does not, in fact, exist.</blockquote></i></spoiler><br/><br/>The years pass. Jamie goes from a teenager with a guitar to a 36 year old musician with a serious drug habit. One night, while looking to score at a fair in Oklahoma, fate, luck, or a force more sinister, leads him to Charles Jacobs. He is now Dan Jacobs- a carny who has turned his love of electricity into a "Portraits in Lightning" act. It is during this encounter that <b>SOMETHING HAPPENS</b> and Jamie's life will never be the same. <br/><br/><br/>The years pass, and again, Jamie and Jacobs cross paths. This time, Jacobs is calling himself "Reverend Danny" and hosts revivals, where he appears to heal the sick and the lame. Jamie begins to suspect there may be ulterior motives to Reverend Danny's healing, and Jamie begins to gather puzzle pieces it will take him years to collect, and to solve it, he must meet with Jacobs one last time. <br/><br/>I loved the first 75% of this book. It was five stars. I loved Jamie's childhood and adolescence, his relationship with Astrid, and his first encounter with Jacobs. It was when the <spoiler>secret electricity</spoiler> started that I started having some WTF moments, and I really didn't like the ending. I felt confused, and wondered if I missed something. I even went back to read it again, because it seemed very anticlimactic...and just weird. <br/><br/>It seems to be a love/hate thing for the ending, and I was on the hate side. I was so bummed, because I loved the rest of the book. I wanted to like the ending more than I did, which is why I reread it. It just didn't work for me. <br/><br/>There were several very cool references to other King works, and I've listed them below under a spoiler tag (in no particular order) in case you want to find them yourself. I'm not sure if I found them all, honestly. <br/><spoiler><br/>Castle Rock<br/>Joyland<br/>Chrome Roses<br/>Charles Daniel Jacobs - 19 letters (I can't take personal credit for that one, another Goodreads friend found that and I missed it)<br/>The Gunslingers<br/></spoiler><br/><br/>And remember...<b><i>all that **** starts in E.</b></i><br/><br/>"

"Absolute page turner!!! The ending will throw you for a loop and it's so worth it!!!"

"A slow burn but classic King as it hits its stride. A solid 8/10."

"Growing up I enjoyed horror novels for children, then I grew apart from both horror and books themselves. This is my first horror novel in years and it’s admittedly my first King (though I am no stranger to his style..) I loved the way the world has been build up and the suspenseful questions. I find myself thinking about it when I’m not reading. The world perfectly woven, as I reach the part of the roller coaster before the stomach drop. Will update once finished. "

"the suspense in this literally gave me goosebumps ... he's getting more than a tap on the back from me"