I really loved IT, especially for how much of the horror is psychological rather than just straight up monster stuff. Pennywise is creepy, but what stuck with me more was how personal the fear feels. Everyone’s terror comes from something already inside them, and that made the scary moments hit harder than most horror novels.
One of my favorite parts of the book is Derry itself. The town feels wrong in a quiet, unsettling way, like it is actively choosing to ignore the bad things happening around it. I liked how Derry represents buried trauma and denial, both on a personal level and as a community. It made the story feel like it was about more than just kids fighting a monster.
The Losers’ Club was easily the heart of the story for me. Their friendship felt real, awkward, and emotional in a way that reminded me of what growing up actually feels like. The humor, loyalty, and shared fear made their bond believable, and I cared about them more than anything else in the book.
I’m giving IT four stars because while it is long and a little messy at times, the characters, atmosphere, and psychological horror made it worth reading.