I don't normally read a ton of alien stories. In fact, I usually prefer other genres.

However, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was so engaging and full of excitement.

The author, McCammon, has easily become one of my favorite authors. His writing style is captivating and he has a great ability to create a vivid and believable world.

The story was filled with interesting characters and a unique plot that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction or just a good story in general.

I can't wait to read more of McCammon's work and see what other amazing stories he has in store for us.

One Star, but a strong one Star—almost good enough for two.

It’s corny. It’s hokey. It’s syrupy sweet. The story shows a juvenile understanding of human nature, with poorly motivated stereotypes behaving and speaking in ways that seem completely out of character.

Sometimes an author's writing gives the impression that he watches a lot of TV, but doesn't read many books. This is unfortunately one of those cases. His blow-by-blow description of action scenes comes across like a Dungeon Master moderating a combat encounter, and the dialogue is straight out of a low-budget mini-series from the 80s.

The portrayal of the aliens is also quite poor. The Stinger alien seems more like a horde of demons and undead than a star-faring bounty hunter, and the good alien is presented as a naive, eco-angel that is likely to nauseate most readers.

The book attempts to make statements about racism, but the author has a simplistic understanding of what drives racism. Even more simplistic are the portrayals of mental illness, such as the shell-shocked war veteran who is depicted as a lovable simpleton constantly interacting with an imaginary dog.

In conclusion, I really hated this book. It fails to deliver on multiple fronts and leaves a lot to be desired.

There are quite a few absurdities, moments taken straight from lower-class films, and at times my eyes were spinning like a top. However, it also has that which makes McCammon one of the best authors I have had the pleasure of reading. The writing of scenes and moments that can truly capture the heart. Does this book deserve such a high rating? Probably not, but that doesn't really concern me much.

McCammon's work has its own charm and appeal. His ability to create vivid and engaging stories is remarkable. Even though there may be some elements that seem a bit out of place or not up to the highest standards, the overall experience of reading his books is often quite enjoyable.

Maybe it's not a literary masterpiece in the traditional sense, but it still manages to touch something within the reader. It has that certain je ne sais quoi that keeps you turning the pages and eager to see what happens next. And for me, that's what really matters when it comes to reading.

What can I say?

McCammon has once again delivered. It may not have reached the same heights as his masterpieces like Swan Song, Boy's Life, or Usher's Passing, but it was still a remarkable five-star read.

The premise of this excellent B-Movie style sci-fi horror was truly engaging. It set the stage for a story that was not only filled with excitement and thrills but also had a touch of heart.

As I delved into the pages, I was drawn into a world of strange creatures, eerie settings, and unexpected twists. The characters were well-developed, and I found myself rooting for them as they faced the challenges that came their way.

McCammon's writing is as vivid and atmospheric as ever, painting a vivid picture in my mind's eye. I could almost feel the tension and fear as the story unfolded.

In conclusion, while this may not be McCammon's absolute best work, it is still a highly enjoyable and entertaining read that I would highly recommend to fans of sci-fi horror.

Excellent, of course.

It is truly a remarkable piece that seamlessly blends the elements of science fiction and horror.

The story takes the reader on a thrilling journey through a world filled with strange and otherworldly phenomena.

The author has masterfully crafted a narrative that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, constantly wondering what will happen next.

The combination of the two genres creates a unique and captivating atmosphere that is both exciting and chilling.

The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters add depth and authenticity to the story, making it easy for the reader to become fully immersed in the fictional world.

Overall, this is an outstanding example of a sci-fi/horror blend that is sure to satisfy fans of both genres.

**"Stinger: A Mixed Bag of Sci-Fi Horror"**

Robert R McCammon is a favorite author of mine, known for his outstanding works like "Swan Song" and the "Matthew Corbett saga". With high expectations, I delved into his 1988 sci-fi horror blockbuster, "Stinger".

The story, set in the desolate Texas town of Inferno, unfolds over 24 hours. The town is hit hard by the cost of living crisis, leading to a rise in gang warfare among the youth. Things take a wild turn when two alien spacecraft crash land nearby. One carries an escaped prisoner that takes over the body of a 7-year-old girl, while the other is a ruthless bounty hunter.
The writing in "Stinger" has its pros and cons. At nearly 600 pages, the story drags a bit in the beginning due to numerous forced subplots about the gang conflict. However, it picks up at the midpoint, developing a B-movie charm. McCammon's action set pieces are一如既往的精彩, with plenty of violence and carnage to satisfy horror fans. The setting is well-described, creating a sweaty and claustrophobic atmosphere.
One aspect that disappointed me was the lack of McCammon's usual passion in the writing. I usually highlight many passages for his beautiful descriptions and reflections on life, but in this book, I only singled out a few. Additionally, the story's multiple POVs and large cast of exaggerated personalities led to poor character development. The villain, though, was brilliant and scary, with original aspects that reminded me of "The Thing" and "Predator".
Overall, I have mixed feelings about "Stinger". While there were parts I enjoyed, like the action set pieces and the villain, it falls short compared to McCammon's other masterpieces. I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for new readers, but sci-fi and horror fans, as well as McCammon enthusiasts, might still find something to like. I'm curious to see how the upcoming Peacock television series adaptation turns out.

I had read perhaps half of Robert R. McCammon's horror novels in paperback when I happened to begin this one.

Now, don't get me wrong; his books are all good. Boy's Life and Gone South in particular stood out to me at the time, as well as the apocalyptic epic Swan Song. I recall They Thirst being one of the few horror novels that made me jump a few times and actually scared me at others.

And perhaps this shouldn't enter into it, but Mr. McCammon is apparently one hell of a nice human being. I wrote him a letter when I was perhaps 13 and he actually wrote back to me and answered my inane questions. It doesn't get much better than that, folks. Needless to say, the letter is still hanging framed in my bedroom as an adult.

As good as McCammon's work gets in other ways, nothing will prepare you for the adrenaline ride Stinger comprises. It gets going pretty much the same way McCammon's others often do: Introduce a few characters going about their everyday routine, this time in a sunblasted desert town called Inferno. But where so many of his stories then segue into exposition of some kind (perfectly justified in service to the novel), this one explodes instantly with the meteoric arrival of two alien creatures, one after the other. There is a benevolent, gentle creature contained in a metal sphere who takes control of a little girl's body, and then there is the bounty hunter chasing the first. It's the bounty hunter who really takes center stage creatively, since it is nothing like the first and instead throws up a laser net spherically around the town and begins tunneling through the ground and snatching people down to be replaced with evil, hive-minded doppelgangers.

When I think of all the subsequent books and movies which have explored these concepts in detail, I can only hope that someone recalls Robert R. McCammon's unlikeliest kickass book from the mid-80s and gives him his due. A movie was rumored long, long ago but like Frank Darabont's adaptation of Mine, it never seems to come to pass. I hope Robert R. McCammon made a million on Stinger and makes a million more. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy, and the work is more than deserving.

I read Stinger years ago and couldn't remember much about it, so I added it to my list to reread.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that before We went Under the Dome, Mr. McCammon placed a dome over an American town called Inferno.

Stinger is an exciting, violent book well worth the read. The book has a slow build where we learn the personal lives of the players.

There is a building race war brewing between the Gades (the white gang) and the Rattlers, a Mexican - American gang on the other side of the river.

Just when it's starting to look as if the two groups are going to kill each other, the world changes and the two gangs have to work together to save the life--such as it is--that they have grown accustomed to.

There is a lot of racist talk in the book, but this serves to provide realism, and it works to that effect.

Stinger is not just worth the read...it was worth the re - read. It offers a unique and engaging story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns.

Despite the presence of racist talk, the book ultimately shows the power of unity and cooperation in the face of a crisis. It is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that I would highly recommend.

Welcome to Puckal, a small minor town of 2000 souls, located near the Mexican border. Also welcome to Bordertown, the suburb of Puckal, inhabited exclusively by Mexicans, with a population of 500 souls. Heat, dust, and stench - it's horrible. The overcrowded school closes, and people are mass exodus from here - the silver mine that once provided bread for almost the entire town has been exhausted. Suddenly, a crashed cosmic ship falls near the town, and from it comes the good alien Dolphin, which wraps the body of a small girl and tells everyone to run and get out of here because something terrible is about to happen. While they listen and misfortunes occur - right in the town, a bloody battle is being fought between the Renegades (a gang of American boys) and the Rattlers (a bloody enemy, a gang of Mexican boys), and right up to them, in the very center of the town, another ship from space crashes - a black pyramid that shoots an energy beam into the sky and puts a dome over the town, isolating it from the rest of the world. We know where it's from, don't we? From the pyramid comes the monstrous hunter Stinger, a disgusting combination between a giant centipede and a scorpion, an interstellar bounty hunter who, in pursuit of Dolphin, literally tears apart the entire town and destroys you and the people. Action-horror-fantasy, executed in the best traditions of King. Read it.

One of my all-time favourite books is truly a remarkable study in how a horror book should be crafted.

The characters within it are incredibly well-developed, each with their own unique traits and personalities that draw the reader in and make them care about what happens to them.

The setting is simply awesome, creating an atmosphere of dread and unease from the very beginning. Every corner seems to hold a new terror, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the entire story.

And let's not forget the excellent writing. The author's prose is both engaging and descriptive, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and making them feel as if they are right there in the midst of the horror.

Overall, this book is a masterclass in horror writing and one that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves the genre.

The story is filled with non-stop action right from the very beginning.

It has a certain charm that often reminds me of the classic black and white sci-fi movies of the fifties.

Those movies were truly captivating, with their unique special effects and imaginative storylines.

I have always had a great love for them, and this story has managed to evoke the same kind of feeling in me.

It keeps me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next.

The fast-paced nature of the action makes it impossible to put down.

Whether it's the thrilling chases, the intense battles, or the mysterious plot twists, there is always something exciting going on.

I can't wait to see how the story will unfold and what other surprises it has in store for me.

This is definitely a story that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves action-packed sci-fi adventures.

McCammon offers a delightful treat in this late 80s horror/scifi novel. His prose glides along smoothly, and his turns of phrase are always enjoyable, even when presenting some absurd characters from time to time, like Elvis in "Gone South".

The small, declining town of Inferno, Texas, experiences quite a day when an alien ship crash-lands, soon followed by another in hot pursuit. It's challenging to provide a plot summary without spoilers, but essentially, the 'good' alien is fleeing from the 'evil' alien, and the townspeople do their best to assist.

The entire novel unfolds within a single day, with a cast of supporting characters to complement the aliens. The town's inhabitants include typical stereotypes: a drunken/abusive father and his son, an ex-cheerleader now working as a waitress, a cowardly sheriff and his incompetent deputies, and so on. Additionally, there are two rival teenage gangs, one consisting of Mexicans and the other of white trash. McCammon has a talent for fleshing out his characters and moving them beyond the stereotypes, at least to some extent. After a slow beginning, McCammon takes us on a wild adventure here!

If you're a McCammon enthusiast, this is a must-read. I rank it among his better works, such as "Swan Song" or "The Wolf's Hour".