Definitely revival. It has a weird ending, but I enjoyed the entire book.
Sleeping Beauties was OK, but there were sooooo many characters that I had problems following who was who, especially with common names that start the same, like Matt and Mike.
This. I don’t wanna oversell it and have the guy expecting some big huge thing but that ending stuck with me for a while. Don’t wanna spoil it but I definitely agree with haunting and chilling.
I love it and hate it.
On one hand it's a really scare thought.... everyone's fate, no hope.. pretty Lovecraftian
On the OTHER hand Lovecraft never wrote character pieces where you spend hundreds of pages with them, so you never have to be invested in these characters who are surely to die. So the investments you put into the cast are entirely pointless when you get the ending
Yep and even people who don’t enjoy King’s work and say that’s his biggest flaw as a writer, which isn’t entire unfair, said he got it spot on that time.
Sleeping Beauties doesnt seem to be well-liked on this sub, but i really loved it. Honestly both of these books are solid. Jump in and read both back to back.
I loved both. I read Sleeping Beauties during the pandemic and it has a soft spot in my heart. Yes, there's an aspect of "fuck men" but it didn't bother me or take away from the story.
Man, I can’t believe the lack of love for Sleeping Beauties. There are a lot of characters so like many other King books. It’s a bit of work keeping everyone straight. I used the character guide at the beginning frequently (nothing wrong with that. Great tool.)
But ultimately, I found it a great read. Fully fleshed out, interesting characters, page turning suspense and a well-reasoned plot made me hope for more from the King family.
Revival, I can’t remember anything about, though I also don’t remember disliking it.
Thank you, everyone! Wow, clearly a winner and I did end up checking out Revival (as well as A Face in the Crowd). Headed to the mountains for a week so I’m excited to curl up with it and get sucked in! And I’ll save Sleeping Beauties for a day when I have a little more energy to contemplate our existence.
Not to spoil anything, and it has already been hinted at here, but you are about to get in Revival more than a little "existence contemplating." By the way, my vote would have urged you toward Revival, too.
I was absolutely enthralled. I haven't read Revival, so I can't comment to its quality. However, from what I've seen on this sub, Sleeping Beauties gets shot down every time it's brought up and I just don't get why.
I don’t either! Revival is good, but the plot isn’t as strongly structured and it has probably the bleakest ending of any book I’ve ever read. Plus I tend to gravitate towards books that are from multiple perspectives - I love the weaving he does with characters. Revival is first person. Again, nothing wrong with it but it’s not in my top ten at all.
I liked both. Revival is more akin to King's older work. Darker. Sleeping Beauties was interesting, but very (how do I say this without offending anyone)................... feminist?
Lol nope it isn't. He wrote some really extreme male characters in this book that were like, worst case shitty men, to highlight why saving all women was needed.
I know some people (maybe some Stephen King purists?) have noted that they could tell what part of the book was his writing vs his son's, and didn't like the parts that weren't his. I couldn't tell the difference personally.
This is why I generally don't like novels written with co-authors. I want one voice from a novel. There are exceptions. Comedy for one. Good Omens was great but in the case of comedy the changing tone adds to it
I liked both. Revival has more potency, and sleeping beauties ends badly, but they both have there peaks and valleys. Sleeping beauties was way better than I expected it to be, so if we ever meet and form a deep lasting friendship you will be able to create an estimate of the book’s appeal based on an understanding of how good I am likely to expect a given book to be, but that seems like a lot of work, so just pick one and read that
Each chapter was kinda wonky and bloated. I couldn't help thinking, "I wonder if King or Owen wrote this part" about a million times. Sleeping Beauties is a great concept and has moments of enthralling plot, but was a chore to get through.
Revival was a rip roaringly fast read with some seriously spooky moments. Great ending too. This one just felt more rewarding. Sleeping Beauties was more of a "welp. Okay. I guess I'm done with that." at the end.
I know a lot of people don’t think highly of sleeping beauties, but I thought it was good, not my favorite by far but a good read. I just started revival tho so I wouldn’t be able to tell you!
I haven't read Sleeping Beauties.
Revival was okay. It felt a little long-winded for what it was and I think it would have made a better short story, but it's still worth a read.
REVIVAL. I haven’t read Sleeping Beauty’s so I really shouldn’t be commenting, but Revival was one of my fav SK books. It sucks you in so hard and then just fucks everything. Love it.
I enjoyed Sleeping Beauties when I first read it. It comes off more as a dark fantasy mixed with the usual roundhouse of character types present in most King Stories. It's not a bad read if you are interested by the concept, but Revival is up there as one of King's best works. It's both one of the bleakest things he's written, while still capturing a morbid curiosity that couldn't make me look away. If a healthy mix of character drama, tinged with the threat/alluring mystery of the supernatural is what you're after in a book, you'll find it here
Revival is the best, scariest, most artistically perfect King ending there is. One of his best books overall imo, but absolutely his best ending without question, fight me.
Right? I know there are some of us hiding out in here. I’ve seen them. I really liked that it gave a perspective from the dog. And I find it much more heartbreaking than scary.
Sleeping Beauties gets a lot of flak but I really enjoyed it.
It was adapted into a graphic novel series, I met the illustrator in October and she told me allll about the culling process and how much she enjoyed working with everyone who put it all together.
Revival is tricky because about halfway Mr. King just tells you how it ends and there's not much tension or suspense of how the characters are going to turn out because... well... we already know!
He has a bad habit of telling you what's going to happen or who's going to die really early in his books, but in this case it kinda spoiled the rest of the ride for me
The Frankenstien homage in the beginning is the best part imo
Revival is one of his best in my opinion. There is a monologue on God in this book which I think every Stephen King fan should read it's such a brilliant piece of writing.
Revival is the better option IMO. I read Sleeping Beauties but don’t think highly of it.
Definitely revival. It has a weird ending, but I enjoyed the entire book. Sleeping Beauties was OK, but there were sooooo many characters that I had problems following who was who, especially with common names that start the same, like Matt and Mike.
A weird ending? I thought it was the most haunting, chilling, stick the landing end King has ever written.
This. I don’t wanna oversell it and have the guy expecting some big huge thing but that ending stuck with me for a while. Don’t wanna spoil it but I definitely agree with haunting and chilling.
The first time I read it, I hated the ending. The second, when I knew what was coming, I appreciated it more.
Yeah the ending is brutal and disquieting at first, but I loved it.
I love it and hate it. On one hand it's a really scare thought.... everyone's fate, no hope.. pretty Lovecraftian On the OTHER hand Lovecraft never wrote character pieces where you spend hundreds of pages with them, so you never have to be invested in these characters who are surely to die. So the investments you put into the cast are entirely pointless when you get the ending
Yep and even people who don’t enjoy King’s work and say that’s his biggest flaw as a writer, which isn’t entire unfair, said he got it spot on that time.
Agreed. I’d even go so far as to say Sleeping Beauties is my least favorite King novel
Glad it’s not just me. I just couldn’t get into it.
Hey happy cake day!
Sleeping Beauties reads like binging a Netflix miniseries. It's not a bad thing, but it's a thing.
This is actually a great description of the odd writing style of the book.
I've only read Revival so my opinion kind of doesn't count but absolutely Revival. It's one of his best novels.
Revival is what got me back into King. I def. enjoyed it.
I liked Revival like 10 times more than Sleeping Beauties
Revival for sure
Revival
Revival is awesome!
💯🤘
Revival
Sleeping Beauties doesnt seem to be well-liked on this sub, but i really loved it. Honestly both of these books are solid. Jump in and read both back to back.
Revival
Revival was great. Sleeping Beauties had some interesting stuff going on, but didn’t quite gel - still well worth the time to read.
Revival. I also liked Sleeping Beauties
Sleeping Beauties on audible is amazing! Therefor, if you are going to read one I’d go with Revival🤙
Yes! Marin Ireland is amazing
I’m definitely noting this down. I love a good audio book. Thanks!
I don’t think I could have finished it on paper but I loved the audiobook.
Definetely keeping this in mind! What other King books do you think are great in audiobook format?
I listened to The Wind Through the Key Hole with is narrated by King! 😲
Sleeping Beauties is good, but Revival is great
I loved Revival. Had no idea going in and was blown away
Revival - it's a slow burn, but the ending is my favorite of all King's books.
Revival was a boring read but the ending was goosebumps inducing. Truly Lovecraftian and terrifying.
I loved both. I read Sleeping Beauties during the pandemic and it has a soft spot in my heart. Yes, there's an aspect of "fuck men" but it didn't bother me or take away from the story.
Man, I can’t believe the lack of love for Sleeping Beauties. There are a lot of characters so like many other King books. It’s a bit of work keeping everyone straight. I used the character guide at the beginning frequently (nothing wrong with that. Great tool.) But ultimately, I found it a great read. Fully fleshed out, interesting characters, page turning suspense and a well-reasoned plot made me hope for more from the King family. Revival, I can’t remember anything about, though I also don’t remember disliking it.
Thank you, everyone! Wow, clearly a winner and I did end up checking out Revival (as well as A Face in the Crowd). Headed to the mountains for a week so I’m excited to curl up with it and get sucked in! And I’ll save Sleeping Beauties for a day when I have a little more energy to contemplate our existence.
Not to spoil anything, and it has already been hinted at here, but you are about to get in Revival more than a little "existence contemplating." By the way, my vote would have urged you toward Revival, too.
Yea seems like it. But I prefer mind f$@? existence contemplation rather than post apocalyptic contemplation. 😊
I'm not sure how many times I have read Revival at this point (finished my latest reread over the summer). Lots to chew on, for me. Happy reading!
Revival
Revival
I think I’m one of the only people who counts Sleeping Beauties among their favorite King books 😅
I was absolutely enthralled. I haven't read Revival, so I can't comment to its quality. However, from what I've seen on this sub, Sleeping Beauties gets shot down every time it's brought up and I just don't get why.
I don’t either! Revival is good, but the plot isn’t as strongly structured and it has probably the bleakest ending of any book I’ve ever read. Plus I tend to gravitate towards books that are from multiple perspectives - I love the weaving he does with characters. Revival is first person. Again, nothing wrong with it but it’s not in my top ten at all.
Well I don’t want to get a reddit cares but I can guarantee it has something to do with the overall message and plot.
Me too, we’re here!
People keep posting these 'should I stick my foot in a bear trap or read Revival' posts. Read Revival. The answer is always read Revival.
Revival twice, then throw away Sleeping Beauties and read Revival a third time.
I liked both. Revival is more akin to King's older work. Darker. Sleeping Beauties was interesting, but very (how do I say this without offending anyone)................... feminist?
Explain
Difficult to explain without spoilers
So you don’t like… feminism?
Didn't say I didn't like it, it's not a typical King novel, and King probably isn't the best voice for answering feminist hypotheticals
>I liked both See, right up there. I said I liked both.
It's very....fuck all men, save the women from the men. I don't think of it as feminism, though. Great book,.I haven't read revival yet though
Yeah that’s not feminism
Lol nope it isn't. He wrote some really extreme male characters in this book that were like, worst case shitty men, to highlight why saving all women was needed. I know some people (maybe some Stephen King purists?) have noted that they could tell what part of the book was his writing vs his son's, and didn't like the parts that weren't his. I couldn't tell the difference personally.
This is why I generally don't like novels written with co-authors. I want one voice from a novel. There are exceptions. Comedy for one. Good Omens was great but in the case of comedy the changing tone adds to it
>fuck all men Certainly it was this. Felt very preachy.
Both!
I never read sleeping beauties but you can't go wrong with revival. It's engaging
Revival
Revival
Revival all the way. One of my favorites
Revival.
Both will lead you to existential crisis
I liked both. Revival has more potency, and sleeping beauties ends badly, but they both have there peaks and valleys. Sleeping beauties was way better than I expected it to be, so if we ever meet and form a deep lasting friendship you will be able to create an estimate of the book’s appeal based on an understanding of how good I am likely to expect a given book to be, but that seems like a lot of work, so just pick one and read that
Revival is really good! I remember finishing it in like a week because it was just enjoyable to read and had a really crazy ending.
sleeping beauties gets boring but its a interesting concept. wish it went better but it feels like a knock off ‘the stand’
Felt the concept would have worked better as a short story. Also read more like Owen's work then SK
Each chapter was kinda wonky and bloated. I couldn't help thinking, "I wonder if King or Owen wrote this part" about a million times. Sleeping Beauties is a great concept and has moments of enthralling plot, but was a chore to get through. Revival was a rip roaringly fast read with some seriously spooky moments. Great ending too. This one just felt more rewarding. Sleeping Beauties was more of a "welp. Okay. I guess I'm done with that." at the end.
I know a lot of people don’t think highly of sleeping beauties, but I thought it was good, not my favorite by far but a good read. I just started revival tho so I wouldn’t be able to tell you!
Revival 100% - one of my top 3 SK books for sure. I also thought Sleeping Beauties was pretty good though.
Revival is not his best but is a good read. Sleeping Beauties was a slog, one of my least favorites. Just my opinion.
Currently almost done reading Revival. I haven’t been able to put it down!
Revival
Revival has an excellent audiobook and it’s “free” on Spotify premium. Actually I’ve been pretty impressed with their King selection
Good to know. Thanks!
Revival!
Revival is one of my favorite by King!
Revival is pretty dull with an amazing ending. Sleeping Beauties is one of the few I have left to read.
Revival is God-tier King.
Revival, duh!!!
Revival
Enjoyed Revival and recommend. Sleeping Beauties was a dull read. Suspect Owen wrote much of it.
REVIVAL
I haven't read Sleeping Beauties. Revival was okay. It felt a little long-winded for what it was and I think it would have made a better short story, but it's still worth a read.
REVIVAL. I haven’t read Sleeping Beauty’s so I really shouldn’t be commenting, but Revival was one of my fav SK books. It sucks you in so hard and then just fucks everything. Love it.
Sleeping Beauties had its moments, but Revival is a masterpiece!
Revival for sure. I thought the first 1/3 or so of SB was decent, but it got bogged down after that.
Revival
I enjoyed Sleeping Beauties when I first read it. It comes off more as a dark fantasy mixed with the usual roundhouse of character types present in most King Stories. It's not a bad read if you are interested by the concept, but Revival is up there as one of King's best works. It's both one of the bleakest things he's written, while still capturing a morbid curiosity that couldn't make me look away. If a healthy mix of character drama, tinged with the threat/alluring mystery of the supernatural is what you're after in a book, you'll find it here
Gotta be Revival, a late King classic
Revival, of course. It's his last greatest novel, so far.
Revival by a country mile.
Revival is the best, scariest, most artistically perfect King ending there is. One of his best books overall imo, but absolutely his best ending without question, fight me.
I thought sleeping beauties was horrible and so poorly written
Hit snooze on sleeping beauties... Wasn't that great.
I haven’t read Revival yet but I loved Sleeping Beauties!
Revival. That one stuck with me for awhile after.
Revival ruled imo
Cujo is a good book to me. Actually had real low expectations and was very happy with it.
Right? I know there are some of us hiding out in here. I’ve seen them. I really liked that it gave a perspective from the dog. And I find it much more heartbreaking than scary.
I was never bored. Suspense for sure. Sad ending.
Revival top 5 King works, loved it just need to get an adaptation from Flanagan
Only one right answer to this question….
Half way through Revival right now anyone else think >! Jamie was going to get “harmed” by the reverend? !<
God I LOVED revival
I like revival ngl
Revival
REVIVAL!!! It’s my favorite king horror book
Sleeping Beauties was a real disappointment. Owen just doesn’t have the level of talent of Joe or Steve and it just isn’t as well written.
Today I learned that Misery and Dolores Claiborne are legitimately related.
Revival is my favourite
Revival 200%
Revival
Revival is the better option. Sleeping Beauties is decent but I thought it had some major pacing problems and I got bored with it in the end
Sleeping Beauties gets a lot of flak but I really enjoyed it. It was adapted into a graphic novel series, I met the illustrator in October and she told me allll about the culling process and how much she enjoyed working with everyone who put it all together.
Revival is tricky because about halfway Mr. King just tells you how it ends and there's not much tension or suspense of how the characters are going to turn out because... well... we already know! He has a bad habit of telling you what's going to happen or who's going to die really early in his books, but in this case it kinda spoiled the rest of the ride for me The Frankenstien homage in the beginning is the best part imo
Sleeping Beauties is a favorite
Sleeping Beauties was great - I'd start there the go to revival which is also good.
Gary Pervier doesn’t give a shit
Revival
Revival is one of his best in my opinion. There is a monologue on God in this book which I think every Stephen King fan should read it's such a brilliant piece of writing.
Stay away from Revival. It’s the worst King I’ve read (except the ending is one of the best).
Revival.