I would argue that perhpas only half this book is actually good. While the first half introduces some fantasticaly realised characters, and the plot and setting is both fascinating and horryfying, in its second half, and the advent of a more fantasy focused side of the story, it looses some of its impact, and the end of the book is a large dissapointment (common in King's novels). While it does have its moments, at more than 1400 pages, i'd think twice before purchase.