My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OMG. I absolutely loved this book. I just finished reading it, and I have to admit that it made me cry. :(
I'm a huge Stephen King fan, so I couldn't wait to read this book. Still, I took my time with it because every single page was fascinating. This story is full of heart and soul, there's also a spooky angle, heartbreak, true friendship, kindness, heroism, and the backdrop of an amusement park.
Devin Jones is a 21-year-old college student who takes a job in an amusement park during the summer of 1973. In Joyland he meets some lifelong friends--Tom and Erin--and becomes fascinated by the murder of a young woman in the Horror House ride. She apparently haunts the ride, and he's interested in seeing her. But that's not how things turn out.
It's also a time of self-discovery and heartbreak, because he's getting over being dumped by his girlfriend. Something he's convinced he'll never get over. But he's wrong because the job, his kind landlady, and meeting Annie and Mike Ross (and Milo!) not only help him get back on track, but they all become a very important part of his life. Not to mention that he's trying to figure out who murdered that poor girl and winds up becoming the target of a ruthless killer.
I found myself getting swept up in the friendship he starts with the sick, wheelchair-bound boy and his mother. Each of them affects him in a different, very touching way. My emotions got a beating whenever Mike made an appearance--he's such a great character with a special gift. I absolutely adored the scene where they go to Joyland together and have the park to themselves. Brilliant!
Like I said, I loved every moment I spent reading this book. Devin's voice hooked me in right away, and his life in '73 turned out to be quite a ride in its own right.
I loved it so darn much! Another FANTASTIC King story that will forever stay on my Keeper Shelf!
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