Stinger by Robert McCammon is an absolute delight for horror enthusiasts!

The entire story unfolds over the course of a single night, offering a thrilling snapshot of the horror genre during the 80s.

It tells the tale of a dual alien invasion. One alien, Daufin, crashes on Earth due to a ship malfunction, while the other, Stinger, is a bounty hunter sent to track Daufin down. The setting is the small town of Inferno in west Texas.

The diverse cast of small town characters put aside their differences to unite against Stinger, highlighting the classic theme of good vs. evil. Stinger's shape-shifting abilities add an extra layer of intrigue as it takes over host bodies and bends them to its will.

The narration initially took some getting used to, especially during action-packed scenes. However, as I persevered, I grew accustomed to it and came to thoroughly enjoy it.

This is my third time reading Stinger, and I wouldn't be surprised if I picked it up again in the future. It's filled with 80s pop culture and lingo, which for me, adds to its charm.

I also believe that Stinger has had a significant influence on many authors, perhaps even unconsciously. It's hard not to see a connection to King's Under the Dome.

In conclusion, Stinger is a fun and engaging listen, and Nick Sullivan did a great job of bringing the story to life. If you're in the mood for a long and exciting audiobook filled with alien invasion action, Stinger is definitely worth checking out!

*Thank you to the narrator for the free Audible edition in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*

A small town named Inferno in Texas has been held hostage by an alien bounty hunter. This town was once prosperous due to its copper mines, but as the mines dried up, the population has been dwindling.

The residents of Inferno are already facing numerous problems. Unemployment is skyrocketing, schools are closing, and many people are leaving the town in search of better opportunities. Gang presence has also become a significant issue, adding to the chaos and unrest.

However, the worst is yet to come. An alien renegade has arrived in town, and his presence is unavoidable. The characters in this story are so real that you can almost feel their pain and fear. McCammons' prose flows effortlessly, pulling the reader into a world of edge-of-the-seat tension.

The story is filled with horror and suspense, making it a truly great tale. If you're a fan of science fiction and horror, this is definitely a recommended read. You won't be able to put it down until you reach the very end.

Let's face it. Some people have a great passion for a certain story, while others simply cannot or do not enjoy it. There are indeed a large number of McCammon fans out there. I rate "Wolf's Hour" and "Boy's Life" as superb novels. However, I could not enjoy "Stinger" and had great difficulty in finishing it.

Basically, it is the story of an alien invasion on a small community and the impact this has on the daily life of the residents. I did quite enjoy the first 200 pages (before the villains arrived). I found some likeable characters and looked forward to the development of the plot line.

However, once the invasion occurred, we had the big fight of good versus evil (in the form of a scorpion-like stinger alien!). And this struggle continued for approximately 300+ pages. Frankly, it bored me to death. I really had to fight to finish this story, but somehow managed to hold on until the bitter end (which was no real surprise).

Sorry, it's just not for me. :(

My second ever McCammon book was an absolute delight.

I vividly recall loving every single second of it. The story was so engaging and filled with unique twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Just like all the other McCammon books I have read, this one too left a lasting impression.

His writing style is truly remarkable, with a perfect blend of vivid descriptions and thrilling情节.

I would highly recommend McCammon's books to anyone, especially those who are passionate about science fiction.

Whether you are a seasoned sci-fi lover or new to the genre, you are sure to find something to enjoy in his works.

So, if you haven't already discovered the magic of McCammon's books, I urge you to do so without delay.

You won't be disappointed!

It took me an incredibly long time to truly engage with this book.

I would constantly set it aside to attend to other things.

However, I finally made up my mind and forced myself to finish it.

Once I reached the halfway mark of the book, something changed.

I simply couldn't put it down anymore.

In fact, I managed to read the second half of the book within a single day.

This book is truly a very good story, but it requires you to invest some time and allow the various elements to come together.

It's like a puzzle that gradually reveals its beauty as you piece it together.

So, if you're willing to be patient and give it a chance, you'll be rewarded with an enjoyable reading experience.

4.5

It is a truly great and fast-paced monster story that contains not just a small hint of sci-fi. I have heard that they are planning to turn it into a TV show, and the aspect of the ensemble cast could be really enjoyable! This might potentially be my favorite work by McCammon so far. The characters are well-developed and engaging. Moreover, the portrayal of the small town, although somewhat narrow in its scope, feels extremely authentic. It gives the reader a vivid sense of the setting and the atmosphere. Maybe there could be even more thrilling monster kills to add to the excitement? Hahaah. Overall, it's a captivating story that has left me eagerly anticipating the TV adaptation and looking forward to more of McCammon's works.

Breaking news! In the very center of W Birbowni, an extraordinary event has occurred. A mysterious object that looks like a coconut has landed there. We are now heading to the scene of the incident, where our correspondent Gafeu is joining us.

Since morning, more and more people have been gathering here. No one knows exactly what this object is. One of the witnesses claims that he saw a creature resembling a peacock come out of the object. Allegedly, it was shouting: "Where are my coconuts!" and ran towards the watermelon plantation...

We are returning to another novel by Mr. McCammon. This time, we are being transported to the sweltering city of Inferno and the nearby Bordertown, where life goes on as usual until an unidentified object lands on the outskirts of the city. The mysterious newcomer arouses the interest not only of the local authorities and the military but also of other forms of extraterrestrial life...

It won't be a big spoiler if I reveal that the motif of "first contact" plays a crucial role in this story. McCammon did an excellent job of presenting the alien civilization - he tried to make the actions of the beings consistent and logical in the context of the situation they found themselves in. The same goes for the inhabitants of Inferno. Thanks to the way the author leads the plot, we have the opportunity to get to know the main characters in more detail. And these characters are very well written - I had no doubts about that, especially after McCammon's previous books. He simply knows how to create colorful, interesting characters.

I mentioned the pace of the book, so I would like to add a few words. At the beginning, the action progresses rather slowly, but in the middle of the book, it gains momentum, and at the end, it turns into a real rollercoaster full of action. If I had to compare this novel to something, I would say that its structure and the way events are presented resemble the way a film is made. Only here we have something that resembles a "horror/slasher" where it really gets bloody from the middle of the book.

However, what I was missing was more unexpected plot twists or crazy ideas that McCammon has accustomed me to. This is definitely a very good story with a satisfying ending, but I wouldn't be offended if the plot was a bit more convoluted.

In conclusion, this is still a great book whose style and quality are clearly signed by Robert McCammon. If Vesper decides to publish this novel, I will highly recommend getting to know this story. You will definitely not be bored.

Rating: ★★★★☆

I typically have a penchant for McCammon's works, but this particular horror story was far from being my favorite.

For the initial third of the narrative, I was engaged and had high hopes. However, as the story progressed, it took a turn that I found rather cheesy. I understand that this was written decades ago, and it's not the author's fault per se. But when one finds themselves on the verge of laughing while reading a supposed horror, it becomes evident that the book might not be the right fit.

The first aspect that struck me as humorous was the concept of an evil alien ship landing on Earth and it being revealed as the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas. It wasn't the actual hotel but an enormous black pyramid with a beam of light shooting up from its apex, which closely resembled the Luxor.

The second comical element was the alien being depicted as a giant bug that would hide within a human, much like in the movie Men in Black. Having seen that movie, it was impossible for me to be intimidated by that particular visual.

The final humorous moment came when the alien stole the famous quote from Cool Hand Luke - "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

That was the last straw for me. How could this story instill fear in anyone? I can't blame the author for my reading it years after its publication, but unfortunately, I simply couldn't take it seriously.

This is my second McCammon book, and I still have no regrets.

I truly have a profound love for his writing style. It has this unique charm that seems to be able to draw me in immediately.

Basically, two distinct species of aliens arrive on Earth. One is in pursuit of the other, and unfortunately, the town of Inferno gets directly pulled into this intense cat and mouse game. This forms the foundation of the story. However, McCammon has the remarkable ability to bring this to life. You find yourself completely immersed in the story.

You can understand the various feelings and emotions, and witness how this whole situation affects both the aliens and the people in their own individual ways. There is possession, fear, and total destruction happening right before your very eyes.

I just adore it to such a great extent! The reason I didn't award this book 5 stars is that I am an extremely harsh grader. And for some unknown reason, this story didn't manage to evoke any extremely powerful emotions within me. Nevertheless, I was still completely absorbed in this captivating story.

Inferno, a town with a rather unique name (named after a donkey, no less

Stinger is a science fiction horror story that takes place in a remote town in the USA, located in the desert country. The town, Inferno, is on the verge of dying after the exhaustion of a copper mine. The local youth are divided along race lines, with Caucasians pitted against Hispanics, who are often characterized as Mexicans. There is a significant amount of racist language directed towards the latter group.

Into this toxic atmosphere, two aliens arrive. One is the fleeing leader of a watery race that is being wiped out by the race represented by the second alien. Daufin, as the first alien is named, takes over the body of a little girl, which seems rather manipulative for the supposed "good guy." The other alien then causes chaos as it tries to find her, with the added danger that it will likely report back and initiate an invasion.

The story progresses very slowly, and I found all the teen hoodlum stuff rather boring. Some characters, like Miranda, the sister of the Hispanic gang leader Rick, are simply included as someone to be protected by the teen heroes. None of the characters seemed fully developed to me. The closest was Ed Vance, the sheriff, whose negative traits stem from his being the bullied fat boy at school. Although he becomes sympathetic, he then doesn't play a significant role in the confrontation between the evil alien and the bravest group of townsfolk, which was a letdown.

I also didn't understand why Daufin names her antagonist Stinger. His various manifestations have a swinging tail with a ball studded with spikes on the end. I think it would have been more terrifying if they had possessed a stinging tail. Overall, I rate this story as an okay 2 stars.

A juvenile mashup of the Thing, ET and West Side Story.

This unique combination brings together elements from these well-known works in a fresh and exciting way. The Thing, with its mystery and horror, adds an edge to the story. ET, on the other hand, brings a sense of innocence and wonder. And West Side Story contributes its powerful themes of love and conflict.

Unlike Swan Song, which may have its own distinct charm, this juvenile mashup offers a completely different experience. It caters to a younger audience, appealing to their sense of adventure and imagination.

The characters in this mashup are likely to be a diverse group, each with their own personalities and motives. They will navigate through a world filled with strange creatures, alien encounters, and the challenges of growing up.

Overall, this juvenile mashup has the potential to be a captivating and entertaining piece of work that will leave its audience eager for more.