Don't worry, this isn't the exact same book with slightly different wording. The plot does differ significantly in many respects. We do see the "return" of some characters from "Desperation", but in true "parallel world" fashion, they aren't exactly the same as the ones seen in the other book.
You might think that this parallel connection would make for an ideal back to back read with its counterpart. Honestly, I'd suggest putting some space between reading the two books. Sure, the nods and parallels are easier to catch, as it's still fresh in your mind, but the aforementioned differences are initially rather discombobulating.
The mirror aspects don't stop there, though. In an oddly meta-sense, the books mirror each other in terms of strengths and weaknesses. This book "addresses" many of the criticisms I had regarding "Desperation". It is scaled back, both in terms of length and scope. Tak is also much more clearly defined, having a clearer objective, modus operandi, and notable personality. Some horror fans might argue that evils like this need to be kept vague so that the reader's imagination can do the work, but I think the more concrete approach worked to the villain's benefit here.
Yet, ultimately, I found this to be the weaker read. It doesn't have the same "unputdownable" quality that "Desperation" had. I chalk this up to the writing style. It's not as smooth, which results in a messier read.
The way the book is structured also leaves quite a bit to be desired. Characters are rarely where you left them, meaning that you have to do a round of mental catch up at the opening of every chapter. Other times, you'll think that a character would be in one location, but than they're somewhere else. It makes it hard to follow. It works in some scenes, such as chaotic shootings; but other times, it just comes off as jumbled.
The characters themselves also get a weaker showing here. The "returning" characters largely run on what the reader knows from the first book. I did like seeing the more heroic Entragian in action. We didn't really get to see him before he got possessed by Tak in the other book, so that was probably the standout reprisal.
As to the new characters, most of them fall flat. It was a strange move, adding several more characters in a book that doesn't have the space that the other book did. It could have worked, but it doesn't here. Never mind how well the characters will hold up in the long run, you'd be hard pressed to remember some of these characters as you're making your way through the book.
Seth, the young boy now taken over by Tak, and his aunt Audrey are probably the two strongest characters in this book overall. Unlike Entragian in "Desperation", we see the inner conflict between the host and possessor. Seth's general goodness gives him a degree of sympathy and connection that Entragian didn't have. Audrey is also put in a tight spot and is put through the ringer, garnering her more than a fair share of sympathy. Odd as it may sound, you probably could have scaled this book down even further and just focused on the family's dealings with the now possessed kid. Though, in fairness, that probably would have just been "The Exorcist".
Honorable mention also goes to "Rooty". The events in this book rely on fictional franchises, as such, parts of the book are script excerpts. You could argue that it's padding and I still maintain that scripts aren't meant to be read in this fashion, but I get why it's there. One such franchise, "Motokops" (which bears some similarities to "Power Rangers" and was alluded to in "Desperation") features a robot sidekick named Rooty, who communicates in beeps. It becomes something of a running gag that whenever Rooty pipes up, all the characters yell at him to shut up. Having grown up with shows that featured annoying comic relief sidekicks, I found it both amusing and cathartic.
I have a feeling many readers are also going to groan when the heroes' plan to defeat Tak starts off. The revelation regarding what keeps Tak out of Seth's body comes out of nowhere, doesn't make any sense, and is rather face palm inducing. Thankfully, the book does subvert it somewhat, but I still think it's safe to say that that plot point was...a load of crap...eh? You're only going to get that if you read the book, but it had to be done.
I wouldn't say that the book is so bad that you have to avoid it altogether. It has its moments, but it isn't an entry that you have to rush out and read immediately either.
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