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Summary: Stephen King has out done himself once again
Review: The Regulators is a spine-tingling tale of a street full of ordinary citizens suddenly thrown into a bizzare supernatural situation. Stephen King has taken horror and suspense to a whole new level with this tale. You will not be able to put this book down once you get started.
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Summary: Good book but what have you done to "Desparation", Mr. King!
Review: I strongly urge anybody deciding between this and its companion "Desperation" to read "Desperation" first. It is a much better novel, much scarier, much more harrowing and exciting, and the characters are given much better roles in it. "The Regulators" is like its snotty-nosed runt of a little brother; occasionally amusing, sometimes really grabbing your attention, but most frequently does really stupid things which you'd just as soon throttle him for. It's no wonder King used a pseudonym after what he's done to the fantastic cast of "Desparation"! This is still quite a gripping read, though, and as every one of his fans know, King writes a good 'shoot-out' scene--well this book is like one long shoot out, with an evil demon controlling characters thrown in to boot. Read both siblings, but make sure you read "Desperation" first!
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Summary: Unspoken rules broken
Review: In areas such as film making and novel writing there are certain unspoken rules that one must abide by. For example, how many times do you see a leading female character, or a kid, or a dog meet a violent death in a movie. The answer is: hardly ever (and that's if the answer is not: never). Bachman breaks these rules and because of it, you never know what is going to happen next or who (if anyone) will make it to the end, and the suspense is at its fullest. Just try to imagine yourself in situation like this one. Where people, be they innocent young children, rowdy teenagers, or cheating wives, are being killed all around you by beings without mercy or conscience. Kinda scary, don't you think?
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Summary: Book OK; but excellent as a companion piece to "Desperation"
Review: My title says it all. The book was mildly scary, though perfect Bachman/King. However, it's true creepiness came from reading it immediately following it's doppelganger piece, DESPERATION, (by Stephen King), which I consider one of his true works of genius in dealing with good and evil. The parallels gave me the chills after reading the first chapter.
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Summary: Very ordinary
Review: I've just finished The Regulators and just starting Desperation. If it weren't for the great reviews of Desperation I would have got something else - but I thought the story was reasonable, just badly constructed.The idea that the whole thing (430 pages) takes place in a few houses in the one street in one afternoon/night reminds me of Geralds Game, and that was fairly poor also. The main story (people hiding from maniacs in vans) is very boring. However it is the 'underlying' story of a force that has become part of and taken over a young autistic child that kept me going - even this was boring at times. If you want horror read Salems Lot or The Shining, if you want a brilliant story read It or The Stand or The Green Mile. I just hope Desperation is better.
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Summary: A Superb book; Much better than Desperation
Review: Have you ever imagined your quiet suburban neighborhood turning into the most violent place on earth? This is exactly what happens in this book because of an evil parasite known as "Tak" that takes over the body of an autistic little boy. As residents of the block fight the evil and try to survive, they are confronted with their own demons. Racism, lust, cowardness are just some of the issues that come to surface. The characters are excellent.
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Summary: Don't bother
Review: IMO (and I'm a dyed-in-the-wool King fan), pass this one up. It's as bad as it's twin sister "Desperation" is good. Sometimes interesting characters can lift a mediocre plot, but this storyline is beyond help (although the characters do deserve better). Read "The Green Mile" instead for a gripping storyline AND excellent characters.
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Summary: Incredible social commentary
Review: Mr. Bachman is surely turning in his grave. When he wrote this novel 15+ years ago he could see the danger of our sick popular culture. Now, in 1999, when everyone gets their kicks from senseless murder, maybe people will open their eyes. This is so much more than a fun action-horror novel!
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Summary: Desperation Redux
Review: To be able to write two books based on the same charaters is a luxury only the most popular authors can get away with. (OK Romance novelists make a career out of it)Too bad Desperation was the good book and The Regulators is an example of idea that should have stayeds in the notebook. I wish Steve would get tired of the evil unknowable force that does bad things because it feels like it. It reads more like Clive Barker than vintage King.
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Summary: It was one of my favotite books
Review: I've only read a couple of Stephen King books but this is one of the best books I've ever read. I also read Desperation which was great too but I really liked the Regulators better. Once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to everyone.
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