[Prodigal Son]

This, of course, is your opinion. For my money, Barker isn't a horror writer- his work (in my opinion) is more fantasy than horror. Fantasy with strong homosexual undercurrents at that. I never liked Koontz that much. I read the Watchers but couldn't really get into any of his others. I can see where some would prefer those writers to King but I think it's a bit of a stretch to say they put King to shame.

[raybbr]

Have you read Weaveworld by Barker. No homo stuff but pretty intense.

King is overly loaquacious and boring. I have read a couple of his books and guess what? They all take place in Maine. If that isn't boring, what is?

I know it's just my opinion.