This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →
Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Very heavy
Extreme mass violence in the opening sequence; sustained horror violence throughout as Clay navigates the transformed world
Language
A lot
Pervasive profanity throughout
Sexual Content
Barely any
Brief sexual content
Substance Use
Barely any
Moderate drinking among the survivors
Emotional Intensity
A lot
Strong psychological content: the horror of civilization's instant collapse, paranoia, and survival's psychological cost
What this book is about
At 1:03 PM on October 1st, a mysterious signal transmitted via cell phones transforms every person who is talking on one into a primitive, violent 'phoner.' Graphic novel artist Clay Riddell must fight his way through a transformed New England landscape to reach his son. King's zombie-adjacent novel opens with one of horror fiction's most extreme and chaotic mass-violence sequences as the initial pulse hits Boston Common.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Extreme mass violence in the opening sequence — one of King's most graphic
Pervasive profanity throughout
Sustained horror violence
Reader Verification
Be the first to verify
this rating
Have you read Cell? Submit a community rating to confirm or correct the AI estimate. Your review helps other readers make an informed choice.
Rate this book →Free · ~5 minutes · No account required
Similar reads
More Fantasy books from the catalog.
Think this AI estimate is off?
Flag an inaccuracy →Where to Buy
Affiliate links — BookLens earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.