Stephen King for a nearly 13 yr old?

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

DD has just expressed an interest in reading a Stephen King book, I remember reading both him and James Herbert avidly from about 13, but he has written a few more since then. Which would be the best one to start with or wait a bit

I'd start him on one of the collections of short stories, maybe Four Past Midnight or the Bachman Books, and see what he thinks of them.

Stephen King deals with some pretty adult themes, and some of the psychological and sexual elements of his novels might be challenging to a 12 year old, never mind the more graphic horror elements.

My instinct would be to wait a bit.

Forgot about Richard Bachman. Maybe something like The Running Man might be suitable?

I think he's a bit young for most of them tbh, but The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Cycle of the Werewolf or Eyes of the Dragon should be fine.

The Girl who loves Tom Gordon would be a good one to start with I think.

I read Gerald's Game at that age and would not recommend do an under 16😮. Pet Semetary also freaked me out as a teenager.

I read Misery when young and really enjoyed it. The Long Walk could also work. I remember reading The Dark Half and Needful Things when young, they scared me but not too much- I enjoyed them.

Or The Long Walk but it is very depressing!

If you want ones that are not that scary, I suggest 11/22/63 and The Eyes of the Dragon.
I really enjoyed those. I read lots of Stephen King in my teens/20's but just googled all his books and there are loads more I have put read! Have read those 2 in more recent years and think they may be a good place to start(especially the Dragon one)

just make sure you avoid 'It'. There is a deeply odd scene in that book which is basically a pre-teen gangbang.
Insomnia is a good one to start with.

I agree, The girl who loved Tom Gordon is good too.

I think Stephen King is far tamer than James Herbert, except Fluke, that's a favourite of mine :)

Insomnia followed by the Dark Tower books are a good starting point. Although my DD (12) has just finished Carrie and loved it.

Eyes of The Dragon is one of my favourites as is the Long Walk

I haven't read The Girl who lLoved Tom Gordon so may look at that one, if not Stephen King, any one else to read who is similar but a tamer introduction? DD has ASD and massively into Manga graphic novels so the fact that she wants to read a more written text is great.

@FiveGoMadInDorset what appeals to him? Some of the Dean Koontz books may fit the bill

She likes, fantasy/sci if, loved Hitchikers guide to the Galaxy, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rimgs, I never read Dean Koontz, so will investigate him further.

The other Douglas Adams books He didn't only write H2G2.

Terry Pratchett?

She has the rest of the trilogy plus there some more lying around the house and will put a few Pratchetts in her room, what are thOught in Jasper Fforde?

The Terry Pratchett Tiffany Aching books would be a great starting point. Main character is a teenage girl

I read all the James Herbert books when I was 13-15. Also books like The Day of the Triffids.

Keep forgetting Day of the Triffids and I guess the Midwich Cuckoos as well

She likes, fantasy/sci if, loved Hitchikers guide to the Galaxy, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rimgs, I never read Dean Koontz, so will investigate him further.

Sorry thought you were talking about a son, but that's what happens when I don't read properly whilst walking the dog!

Have a look at the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas triology (there may well be more than 3 now). DK is quite variable, some are sci-fi/fantasy, some are more horror but there's usually a bit of a mystery theme in most. They aren't too heavy going buy are definitely aimed at adults and generally don't have the more graphic sex scenes that crop up in Stephen King and James Herbert books.

Under the dome? More sci fi than anything else

I would recommend the dark tower books.... More fantasy than horror. There's a bit of sex and stuff but I don't think anything too graphic or out there.

His short story collections would also be a good introduction - I like Skeleton Crew the best.

The Bill Hodges triology are also more crime than horror, but are still quite dark, although I'm not sure the protagonist of the first books relationship with his mother is necessarily something I'd want to expose a youngster to.

I think It and Pet Semetary are the scariest Stephen King books so would probably avoid them for now.

Dean Koontz is I think a bit tamer. Although I've gone off him after he got weirdly obsessed with magic golden retrievers.

What about some more classic horror? The Haunting of Hill House is probably the most unsettling book I've ever read, and it has no gore or shagging.

Avoid Shaun Hutson. Horrifically graphic gore fests with bland characters.

Thank you, have just binged watched The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix, didn't realise it was a book so one for me and then her

As far as I am aware The Eye of the Dragon was written for teens/ young adults.

What about something retro (and safe) like Point Horror. When I was 12 I started Needful Things and never finished it, I didn’t have the attention span - although I did read Cujo at that age! I don’t think there is really a “too young”, it’s all about the child.

Insomnia and Under the Dome are good (but relatively tame) Stephen King. Totally avoid Desperation - that’s the nastiest of his I read and I wish I could go back and unread it! Maybe even the Dead Zone would be good - one of my favourites :)

The Odd series by Kootz is good.