The Talisman

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I couldn't put this book down. Jack (Jason) Sawyer is not only a worthy and believable hero, the supporting characters had a substance beyond those of other novels. I giggled, I cried, but most of all I fell in love with the honest and shy 12 year-old who's simple, mystical goal, that of saving his dying Queen Mother, made his horrific journey an intense and emotional quest that could only end with a genuine, heart-felt cheer. I wanted to crawl into the book and hug Jack Sawyer. I hated to see it end.

Rating:
Summary: The Best King Book Ever
Review: This is quite possibly the best king book ever.I have read this book 7 or 8 times and never get tired of it. Thisstory makes one long to go to the Territories. To smell its sweet air,to meet its strange and wonderful people(perhaps even Jason Sawtelle),and to fear Osmond and Morgan of Orris. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Hit and miss
Review: The premise was good, sort of. The story was all right, sort of. The conflicts and danger were mildly scary, sort of. I enjoyed some of the story, but it all passed in a dull haze for me. "This happened, this happened, this other thing happened.." Nothing real. No emotion. Nothing made me care for the characters or identify with what was happening. Does anyone think a mother is going to just let her 13-year-old son hitch across the country all by himself? "Mom, I have to go to California." "Ok, well be careful." This is what the whole book is like. I didn't feel a thing about anyone or anything that happened. There's supposedly a sequel coming (around 2002, last I heard), but I won't be getting too excited about it.

Rating:
Summary: King of King's
Review: I think this is his best simply because it is totally engaging in story. Well crafted and completely entertaining, I ripped through this one in a matter of days because I couldn't tear myself away from it. If you've read King, and haven't touched this yet...make this the next even though it has been on the shelves a long time.

Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time favorites!
Review: I had to write a review for this book because I have never seen or heard any promotion for it, and it's just such a great book. I was not really a Stephen King fan when I first read The Talisman, and it proved to me how versatile an author he is. Anyway, the point is, you must read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Brilliant
Review: J.R.R. Tolkien once said, "Write of Earth, but not Earth," That is exactly what King has created for the reader. I originally wasn't going to write a review, but after reading many of the others i felt that i should at least give my opinion even if it isn't heeded. To begin with, Jack Sawyer begins on his quest to save his mother's life. I have read the book twice, fearing Morgan Sloat, hating Osmond, crying for Wolf, and losing control of the hinge in my jaw for Jack's final victory with the Talisman. And both times, it has been one of the best books I have ever read. Some say King focuses too much on detail, but it is that detail that makes him great, that makes every action of every character sing with joy and cringe in agony. Some have also said that the ending was "obvious" and "lavish". My response to that would be that all stories that portray good and evil and human nature caught between the two have obvious endings. Good always wins, and if you are waiting for evil to triumph in one of King's novels then maybe you had better find another author to read. The book, in fact, is a bit lengthy, but with the imagery and breadth of emotion and toil, it suits its purpose just fine for me. Grade: A+

Rating:
Summary: Unquestionably King and Straub's best.
Review: My main problem with King novels has always been his ineptness with action sequences. They just never seemed very entertaining. But with Straub on board and a massive amount of pages, he finally hits his stride, and has never been better.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I am a huge fan of Stephen King and Peter Straub's and I think it was excellent that they worked together on this amazing novel! It ties fantasy, science fiction, and horror all together - a great combination! This is the fastest that I have ever read a book in my life and I have read it so many times. I got it as a gift from my father who is also an adoring Stephen King fan and told me that it was one of the best that SK has ever worked on and even better because he worked with Straub. It is simply amazing and I couldn't make myself stop reading it! Also, every time I read it, it just gets better and better! It is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: I loved the book... right here and now...
Review: As with many of the other people here, I also loved this book. I am a big Stephen King and Peter Straub fan, and this book brought the best of their 2 worlds together for a wonderful journey that I was sorry to see end. It is hard for me to put into words how this book changed me and moved me. I also agree that it would make a wonderful movie... if made correctly. Unfortunately, too many books are made into poor movies. It is such a complete and wonderful story, isn't it... the story of a boy and his mother and his dear friends facing danger and overcoming great hardships for the best prize of all... love. I found it to be both an adventure story and a love story of the best kind. I would love to hear from other fans as well. My e-mail address should be easy to remember. :-)

Rating:
Summary: * Keeps you wanting to read more,a bizzare story.
Review: Jack, a young boy, has to travel across America and its parralel world "The Territories" to save his mother and the queen of the Territories from dying. He meets many bizzare creatures through out his journey in search of the Talisman. I believe this is a one of a kind novel and Peter Straub and Stephan King work wonderfully together. It will keep you in suspense. Its bone chilling!