Great review! You captured a sentiment that a lot of long-time Stephen King readers share about his 21st-century output. When Doctor Sleep works—like Dan’s battle with alcoholism and the AA mechanics—it feels grounded because King is writing from personal experience. But you nailed it on the youth dialogue; hearing modern teenagers talk in "cool beans" or "awesome sauce" completely shatters the immersion. And when the main threat (the True Knot) gets easily neutralized, it strips away all the suspense that made The Shining so terrifying.
If you’re taking a break from modern King and want to head back to his prime era where he had that lean, hungry edge, here are a few recommendations that deliver fast pacing, genuine tension, and classic horror:
'Salem's Lot (1975): One of King's earliest novels. It’s his take on a modern vampire story set in a small Maine town, but unlike the True Knot, these monsters are genuinely frightening and relentless.
Misery (1987): Lean, claustrophobic, and entirely devoid of bloat or "slop." Just two main characters in a house, incredible psychological tension, and pure storytelling grit.
The Long Walk (1979, written as Richard Bachman): Short, brutal, and relentless. It features a cast of teenagers, but because he wrote it when he was much younger, the dialogue and mindset feel razor-sharp and grounded.
Summer of Night by Dan Simmons (1991): Non-King, but if you want that nostalgic IT or The Body vibe done right with real terror, this is a masterpiece of small-town horror.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (2007): Written by King’s son, Joe Hill. He has his father's storytelling DNA and natural flow, but with a punchier, modern edge that doesn't drag.
Hope you find that spark again when you dive back into his early catalog!