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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
This is a story about Benny, a 23 year old very nice man who loses his job and his girlfriend on the same day. On this day of life changing events, he is bequeathed a mysterious crate from a distant relative.
We quickly discover this crate contains 'Spike', a 7 foot tall, supernatural creature known as a Craggle.
Spike's mission is to keep Benny safe and to discover why he lost his job and his girlfriend. Joining them is Harper Harper, a waitress and trainee private eye, first name Harper, surname Harper.
The story swaps between the present day mission and Benny's formative years, coming from a broken home and being sent to an elitist boarding school where the headmistress has been bitten by an alien and experiments on the students.
Whilst the story certainly sounds interesting, I found the characters to be very one dimensional. The occasional amusing quip but otherwise the dialogue is very 'wordy'. It reminds me of a quote from Harrison Ford discussing his StarWars script with George Lucas - "You can write this sh#t George, but you just can't say it!"
I think my biggest issue with this book is that by having this amazing, amusing, magical creature that can always save the day takes away any sense of jeopardy.
I found myself wanting to know more about Bennys time at school rather than following him into his present day encounters. I felt this was a book Dean Koontz churned out rather than lovingly crafted.
We quickly discover this crate contains 'Spike', a 7 foot tall, supernatural creature known as a Craggle.
Spike's mission is to keep Benny safe and to discover why he lost his job and his girlfriend. Joining them is Harper Harper, a waitress and trainee private eye, first name Harper, surname Harper.
The story swaps between the present day mission and Benny's formative years, coming from a broken home and being sent to an elitist boarding school where the headmistress has been bitten by an alien and experiments on the students.
Whilst the story certainly sounds interesting, I found the characters to be very one dimensional. The occasional amusing quip but otherwise the dialogue is very 'wordy'. It reminds me of a quote from Harrison Ford discussing his StarWars script with George Lucas - "You can write this sh#t George, but you just can't say it!"
I think my biggest issue with this book is that by having this amazing, amusing, magical creature that can always save the day takes away any sense of jeopardy.
I found myself wanting to know more about Bennys time at school rather than following him into his present day encounters. I felt this was a book Dean Koontz churned out rather than lovingly crafted.
This is a children's story and not a particularly good one. I haven't read Koontz in a while but I remember his books typically being in thriller/suspense genre. This book not at all in that genre. Zero suspense, not much plot, tissue paper villains, and the author walks breaks the fourth wall so often it might as well not exist. This is kind of stuff you might recommend to 4th or 5th graders if the protagonist were younger.
I stand by my mid-book thought that the narrator's tone reminds me of Lemony Snicket. This book is being shelved as horror and thriller, but once we get past the initial mystery and uncertainty of who or what the titular "friend" may be and what their intentions are, it moves solidly into black comedy territory.
Also, there's a random giant rabbit that's rescued by the hero and his friends. How could I not enjoy a weird story that features a giant rabbit?
Also, there's a random giant rabbit that's rescued by the hero and his friends. How could I not enjoy a weird story that features a giant rabbit?
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
4.25 stars
I would have never imagined I would read a novel written with these plot elements in 2024, absolutely fabulous.
I would have never imagined I would read a novel written with these plot elements in 2024, absolutely fabulous.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Chaotic nonsense in a most entertaining manner… if you enjoy that sort of writing anyway.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated