FirestarterFirestarter
Score Classic
What it's about
In college, Andy McGee and his future wife took part in a secret government drug experiment that gave them psychic powers. Their daughter Charlie, now eight, was born with a more terrifying gift: she can start fires with her mind. Now the shadowy agency known as the Shop has killed Andy's wife and is hunting father and daughter across the country.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It's a fast chase thriller with one of King's most memorable children.
You'll love it if you liked
The Institute
The Dead Zone
AnnihilationGood to know
There's violence and a creepy assassin who befriends Charlie.
By the numbers
- Readers29 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller60 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #51 of the 86 horror books we rank
- #564 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1951 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Gripping
More by Stephen King
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The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Exorcist
Blood Meridian
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Watchers
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All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Firestarter worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,951 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Firestarter about?
In college, Andy McGee and his future wife took part in a secret government drug experiment that gave them psychic powers. Their daughter Charlie, now eight, was born with a more terrifying gift: she can start fires with her mind. Now the shadowy agency known as the Shop has killed Andy's wife and is hunting father and daughter across the country.
How long does it take to read Firestarter?
About 12 hours (500 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Firestarter?
If you liked it, try The Institute by Stephen King, The Dead Zone by Stephen King or Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer.