Stephen King Fans discussion

Discuss The Regulators here. Please mark all spoilers for those reading along.

Same here. Read it once many years ago and enjoyed it. Looking forward to a re-read.

Nick wrote: "Same here. Read it once many years ago and enjoyed it. Looking forward to a re-read."

Interesting... you like this one but not Desperation.

I just jump in this group and I am 38 books behind 😂 will pick up this one. Read it when I was about 16 years. So a refresh is a welcome gift.

Derrick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Same here. Read it once many years ago and enjoyed it. Looking forward to a re-read."

Interesting... you like this one but not Desperation."

IMHO it's a better book than Desperation, though still not one of King's best. Of course, I only read it once, a damn long time ago.

This book was not scheduled to be read. It was a surprise to me when I saw that it will be read in this month.

Derrick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Same here. Read it once many years ago and enjoyed it. Looking forward to a re-read."

Interesting... you like this one but not Desperation."

I didn't care for Desperation when I first read it, but loved this one the first time. I've since come to appreciate Desperation, but prefer The Regulators.

Cynthia is a badass in this one just like in Desperation.

I am having trouble with this book. All these known characters don't allow me to read it. I am always bringing back memories of them and we don't need to do this because they are not the same people, only superficially. At least is how I see them.

Still early on in this book, but I love the style... quick paced, sarcastic commentary. And lots of wild action. A great read so far.

Nick wrote: "Still early on in this book, but I love the style... quick paced, sarcastic commentary. And lots of wild action. A great read so far."

The way he gets into the mind of Seth is masterful. I think that's the real genius of this book and all the rest, including the action, is window dressing to highlight that feat.

Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "Still early on in this book, but I love the style... quick paced, sarcastic commentary. And lots of wild action. A great read so far."

The way he gets into the mind of Seth is masterf..."

Just starting to get into that... and YES!

I'm about half way through and really enjoying the book. True there are tons of characters, but Kandice is right, what goes on in Seth's mind ((view spoiler)[a little boy trying to protect his mom from the monster who is possessing him -- without letting the monster know what's happening (hide spoiler)])is amazingly well portrayed and the heart of it all. Also, loving the fact that the weapons, many of the vehicles, and the places are all as drawn by a little boy. For me at least, this is way better than Desperation.

When I read Desperation and The Regulators many years ago, I read Desperation first and then The Regulators. Now I'm wondering how different the experience would have been if I had read The Regulators first. Probably wouldn't hurt to reread both anyway.

A lot of the narrative in The Regulators refers to things that happened in DESPERATION. So, I'm thinking it is much better to read them in the order you did. Desperation and then the Regulators. It would have worked either way, but now I'm wishing I'd read desperation for the 3rd time just to be clear on some of the events referred to in the later book.

Michael wrote: "Derrick wrote: ". . . I read Desperation first and then The Regulators. Now I'm wondering how different the experience would have been if I had read The Regulators first. Probably wouldn't hurt to ..."

It's funny because the list of books I've never read is so long and constantly growing, I really should have no business rereading anything lol but these King books are all so great, how can one not read them again and again....

I ave the same problem. There are so many books... so many recommendations and yet I've read all of KIng's books over and over.

Michael wrote: "I'm a victim, too. I see so many good recommendations in the thread here about what you all are reading, but, nope, can't get to those 'cause I'm reading King. Again.

After I finish this round of Stephen, I'm thinking about binge-reading Tabitha King., ..."

I'm doing that now, but having a hard time getting them all! Her writing is exquisite, and I outraged that many of her books are out of print so only available as retired library books.

Kandice wrote: "Michael wrote: "I'm a victim, too. I see so many good recommendations in the thread here about what you all are reading, but, nope, can't get to those 'cause I'm reading King. Again.

After I finis..."

I tried reading Tabitha once many years ago and didn't get very far. Which of her books do you recommend, Kandice?

Nick wrote: "I tried reading Tabitha once many years ago and didn't get very far. Which of her books do you recommend, Kandice?..."

I just read One on One, and here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I think it's YA, though, and I'm not sure if that's your thing. Not YA because it's written for a young audience, but because it's primarily about teenagers.

I'm currently reading The Book of Reuben, which is also about a very young man so far, but I have the feeling it will follow his life into adulthood. Her writing is just exquisite!

Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "I tried reading Tabitha once many years ago and didn't get very far. Which of her books do you recommend, Kandice?..."

I just read One on One, and here's my review: http..."

Thanks for the input... loved your (angry) review of the book. I'll get a copy. Actually, John and I do write YA. I thought I sent you our latest, THE PROMISE OF THE GATEWAY. Derrick read it and gave it a very positive review. I'll send you a copy if you want... or anyone else who wants one. Just send me a message. https://www.amazon.com/Promise-Gatewa...

Nick wrote: "Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "I tried reading Tabitha once many years ago and didn't get very far. Which of her books do you recommend, Kandice?..."

I just read One on One, and here's..."

Yes! I really enjoyed that one. Kandice, here's the link to my spoiler free review of it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nick wrote: "I thought I sent you our latest, THE PROMISE OF THE GATEWAY. Derrick read it and gave it a very positive review. I'll send you a copy if you want... or anyone else who wants one. Just send me a message...."

I'm always happy to receive one of your books! I still have one more of yours to read and review. I had no idea you also wrote YA!

Derrick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "I tried reading Tabitha once many years ago and didn't get very far. Which of her books do you recommend, Kandice?..."

I just read [book:One on One|490136..."

Thanks, Derrick.

Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "I thought I sent you our latest, THE PROMISE OF THE GATEWAY. Derrick read it and gave it a very positive review. I'll send you a copy if you want... or anyone else who wants one. Just ..."

Yep.

I didn't know you are an author Nick. That's great.

Jumping into this book for the first time. Is this the first book in the series? Do I need to read the ones before this to understand the plot?

Kandice wrote: ". . . many of her books are out of print so only available as retired library books"

Yeah, that's how I picked them up (with the help of Amazon). I'm disappointed that only Candles Burning is available as an ebook.

Zobad wrote: "Jumping into this book for the fStephen Kingirst time. Is this the first book in the series? Do I need to read the ones before this to understand the plot?"

It is not a series. The gimmick of the book(s) is that this was published as a Richard Bachman by Dutton at the same time Desperation, a Stephen King book, was published by Viking. The two covers form a mural when laid side by side, and there are many character names that are present in both books. You do not need to read one to enjoy the other, and they certainly don't preface each other, but reading both, at least in short succession, is a pretty unique experience.

Linda wrote: "I didn't know you are an author Nick. That's great."

I am. I'll send you a message.

Kandice wrote: "Zobad wrote: "Jumping into this book for the fStephen Kingirst time. Is this the first book in the series? Do I need to read the ones before this to understand the plot?"

It is not a..."

This is great info Kandice. I guess I was wrong about thinking that you had to read Desperation first. I thought it was kind of implied in all the references in The Regulators to the events that happened in the town of Desperation. But in the last half of the the Regulators all of that is explained very well in the notes of the guy who worked at the mine.

Nick wrote: "This is great info Kandice. I guess I was wrong about thinking that you had to read Desperation first. I thought it was kind of implied in all the references in The Regulators to the events that happened in the town of Desperation...."

Wait! Was there anything I typed that you didn't already know??? In this group, unless someone just hasn't read a particular book, I always think we all know everything about King, since we are all fanatics fans to varying degrees.

:-D

I didn't know any of it. I didn't start reading King until 2005. I was writing my witch book and studying with Bill Idelson (who wrote for the Dick Van Dyke Show, and the Twilight Zone.) He didn't like a chapter I wrote and said, Go out and buy three books by Stephen King, read them and do what he does even if you have to copy it word for word. I went out and got the shining and read it that day, and just kept reading all the while I was writing. When I was done with the book, I'd read everything he wrote... but not in any kind of order. Just whatever caught my attention as I looked at the rack in the bookstore.

Nick wrote: "I didn't know any of it. I didn't start reading King until 2005. I was writing my witch book and studying with Bill Idelson (who wrote for the Dick Van Dyke Show, and the Twilight Zone.) He didn't ..."

I love this about you! Just as an FYI, I can probably answer any question you may have. I am an absolutely fanatic and have been for over 40 years.

Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "I didn't know any of it. I didn't start reading King until 2005. I was writing my witch book and studying with Bill Idelson (who wrote for the Dick Van Dyke Show, and the Twilight Zone..."

Great... no questions right now. But standby. :-)

Nick, are you going to read Wizard and Glass with the group in July?

Yes... it's my favorite king book, and it's been a while.

Nick wrote: "Yes... it's my favorite king book, and it's been a while."

Yes! It just might be my favorite King book as well....

I found it hard to get through. I think I prefer Desperation