Revival by Stephen King

Genre: Horror

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Reviewer: Jag

JAGS: 8

Cliche as it sounds when reviewing any novels by Stephen King, the two words most commonly used, “Classic King” should, at this point be inducted into the lexicon of language. Classic King best describes the theme of most of King’s work, and Revival is no exception.

This is a story about a young boy named Jamie Morton and the new young preacher of Harlow, Maine. What seems like a neighborly visit from the Preacher and his family, sets Jamie and Reverend Charles Jacobs down a path that unfolds over decades.

After a terrible accident that leaves the Reverend Jacobs questioning his faith in God, the Preacher leaves Harlow and Jamie thinks that is that last he will ever see of Charles Jacobs.

Jamie’s interest in the guitar leads him down a path of drug addiction that spans three decades, and his off chance meetings with the Preacher seem more than just coincidences. Fate seems to have a hand in their shared destiny, and with that, a Revival both men do not see coming. A shared secret so deep, it could destroy them both.

Revival is exactly what you can expect from King when you pick up one of his novels. He is a master of storytelling. He can weave the most chilling and compelling story from almost any obscurity, and still, keep you at the edge of your seat. Like almost all Stephen King novels, you are over faster than you realize and are secretly wishing you had at least one more chapter to read.

The Fifth Assassin by Brad Meltzer

Pages: Paper

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Reviewer Virginia Armstrong

JAGS: 6

In The Fifth Assassin, it seems a copycat assassin is on the loose on the streets of Washington D.C. and Beecher White is on the case. Targeting clergy in the area, the killer is imitating the assassinations of former U.S. Presidents to the very last detail. Beecher, a historian working at the National Archives, must now figure out if the original Assassins from history past were working alone, or if a larger conspiracy was involved. He has his work cut out for him as he races to unmask the killer before the fifth assassination can take place.

As figures from his past begin to show up on the scene, and bitter memories rise to the surface of his mind leaving him vulnerable and open to danger, Beecher must determine if one of these former friends is actually the killer.

The Fifth Assassin kept me guessing. My mind was continuously wondering how the puzzle was going to be pieced together. The further I read into the story, the better I got to know and understand the characters and the reasoning behind their actions. At one point, I was torn between the guilt of rooting for the villain and didn’t want to perceive them in a negative light. This latest Brad Meltzer sequel to his earlier work The Inner Circle, takes you on an adventure into the past the details involving the assassination of former U.S. Presidents.

This was a better read than I anticipated.  The ending definitely leaves you wanting more.