Firestarter

First of all, if you're going to get a copy of this novel and can't afford or don't want to bother to find a classic pressing from the 80s, THIS is the version to get. It's not the strongest one in the Scribner Vintage line, but it's very well manufactured, holds up against wear and is just the right size physically. The cover is a hair silly, but at least it has personality and a charmingly vintage/retro vibe and some work was put into it, which is way more than I can say for the majority of laugh-out-loud hideous graphic designs for most Stephen King books on the market today. Beyond all that, Firestarter itself is actually a surprisingly excellent Stephen King novel -- it flew right past my highest expectations for it. It's a really solid, well-imagined piece of fiction with good characters, and memorable villain, and some really inspired bits of psionic tomfoolery in it. Worth your time.

My daughter loved it

Firestarter is a gripping blend of science fiction, suspense, and heartfelt emotion that showcases Stephen King’s talent for building tension and creating memorable characters. The story follows Charlie McGee, a young girl with extraordinary pyrokinetic abilities, and her father Andy as they are hunted by a secret government agency intent on controlling her power. From the opening chapter, the pacing pulls you right in, alternating between frantic escapes and quieter moments that let you connect deeply with the characters. One of the strongest aspects of the book is the relationship between Charlie and Andy. King writes their bond with genuine tenderness, which makes the danger they face feel all the more urgent. Charlie’s struggle to control her power is both fascinating and heartbreaking, and Andy’s determination to protect her gives the story its emotional core. The antagonists, particularly the agents of The Shop, are unsettling in their calm cruelty, and one character in particular stands out as a complex and chilling figure. The middle portion of the book slows down compared to the fast-paced beginning and end, which is the main reason I would not give it a full five stars. While these slower sections allow for deeper character development, they can feel like they drag in places. That said, King’s descriptive writing and ability to create a sense of creeping dread kept me engaged throughout. The climax delivers on the tension built over the course of the novel, and the ending is both explosive and bittersweet. Firestarter is not just about supernatural powers, but about love, trust, and the lengths a parent will go to for their child. It is a compelling and emotionally resonant read that fans of King and newcomers alike will appreciate.

Firestarter begins with a man and his young daughter on the run from relentless pursuers. We soon learn that Andy McGee and his daughter Charlene, "Charlie," have mental powers that a government agency known as The Shop wants to study. Andy has the ability to "push" others and dominate their minds but can only use it periodically. Charlie has various abilities but the most powerful is to generate intense heat with her mind, heat intense enough to set virtually anything on fire. The Shop agents consistently show themselves to be as reprehensible as they are persistent and have already killed Charlie's mother. Stephen King often creates interesting characters and Firestarter is no exception. Charlie is quite a remarkable little girl and I liked her quite a bit by the end of the story. Her part is small in the beginning but she starts coming into her own about half way through and just gets better and better from there. Andy is a genuinely good guy, he obviously loves Charlie and desperately wants to protect her. As his history is revealed, it also becomes obvious that he has consistently used his powers to the benefit of others, while most of us would probably be very tempted to use them more selfishly. The villains are no less interesting, and John Rainbird is especially chilling. I don't want to give away any major plot developments but the relationship between he and Charlie is riveting. Firestarter is a pleasure to read. At just over 400 pages, it's taut and the story moves along at a good pace. It's almost impossible not to root for Charlie and Andy even as it gets harder and harder to see how they can end up with a happy ending. I found it more and more of a page-turner as the story progressed. As with most of King's early work, Firestarter takes a simple, but strong, idea and spins it into a great novel. I recommend it to anyone looking for a suspenseful story with good characters, whether they are established Stephen King fans or first time readers.

I try to savor reading works by Stephen King because I know he is the only writer capable scratching my literary itch. If fiction is a drug, King manufactures it in the purest and most inimitable form. Firestarter is no exception. Andy and Charlie are some of his most realistic characters, and their harrowing journey is as captivating as it is heartbreaking. John Rainbird is an epic villain, who stands out as one of the most evil characters I’ve ever encountered in a King story. I highly recommend this book.

I wasn’t terribly excited to read this book, but I’m slowly trying to read my way through all of Stephen King’s publications. I ended up really enjoying it. King has a way of giving you just the right amount of detail to be able to fully picture everything that’s happening. I haven’t seen the movie and I’m not sure I want to because of the poor ratings but I would definitely be interested in a remake if King got in on it. I know a lot of people hate the endings in many of King’s novels but this one was perfectly satisfying. A quick read, no real horror compared to his other novels, and I’d say a good book for teens who are interested in reading King. Very minimal sexual content and little swearing for anyone who’s concerned about that. Start here if you want to read King but aren’t a fan of horror.

Firestarter est un King de jeunesse intéressant et bien mené (mais j'ai du mal à être critique avec S King...) On y suit les aventures de Charlie et de son père Andrew, tous deux possesseurs de talents psychiques (Andrew peut "pousser" les gens, à savoir les forcer à prendre telle ou telle décision, Charlie possède des dons de pyrokinésie) et poursuivis par le gouvernement qui voudraient bien récupérer ces deux prodiges. Un livre plaisant à lire où la tension monte en puissance. On commence par une traque haletante, une pause assez longue, et un déchaînement final qui monte petit à petit, faisant tourner les pages de plus en plus vite. Peut-être pas le meilleur de King mais un bon King avec une relation père/fille intéressante et un Rainbird (intéressant ce nom!) qui fait froid dans le dos.

Einfach ein Klassiker. Nachdem ich "Das Institut" gelesen hatte, wollte ich es mit Firestarter nochmal verschen, da ja doch klare Parallelen da sind, aber am Ende sind es doch ganz unterschiedliche Bücher.

they sent the books in great packaging , ! They absolutely took good care of the books ! Thank you so much ! Just perfect!

Adrenalina pura. Spedito velocemente. Ottimo.

Le pongo 3*** porque llegó bastante tarde con respecto al resto del pedido que hice ese día en Amazon. Por lo demás todo OK