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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"A hive without its queen was a failed construct without any purpose, its inhabitants left to dwell on the meaninglessness of their existence, to die from anguish and disorder if she did not return."
"This occurred under a Cheshire moon hanging over them like the bright teeth in a cocked sneer, as if the moon knew what horror waited to be revealed and believed they deserved to be terrorized for the rule-breaking hugger-muggery in which they were engaged....The lunar sneer seemed to grow sharper and more contemptuous, but Benny was pretty sure he imagined the moon’s increasing derision."
3.75 stars for this one!
Seeing Dean Koontz on the Kindle First list this month was an immediate purchase for me. While it's been a very long time since I've read Koontz, I feel like he's an author that can appeal to most people and if anything, it will be at least be entertaining. I'm also a big fan of Odd Thomas.
This one was a fun ride! I enjoyed the characters and laughed out loud at the dialogue between them. I think if you're looking for something not super serious and a fairly quick read, give this one a try!
Why didn't I give this 5 stars? I was quickly pulled in to start, and then felt the middle kind of drag, and then pick up again by the end. I was more interested in the present day than Benny's past, which I felt should have tied into the whole story better (although maybe I missed something?) I actually did like the villains being an organization of people who went after those who were "too nice," but with Spike the Craggle, you knew our heroes weren't in any real danger, so it wasn't as suspenseful as I would have liked.
"This occurred under a Cheshire moon hanging over them like the bright teeth in a cocked sneer, as if the moon knew what horror waited to be revealed and believed they deserved to be terrorized for the rule-breaking hugger-muggery in which they were engaged....The lunar sneer seemed to grow sharper and more contemptuous, but Benny was pretty sure he imagined the moon’s increasing derision."
3.75 stars for this one!
Seeing Dean Koontz on the Kindle First list this month was an immediate purchase for me. While it's been a very long time since I've read Koontz, I feel like he's an author that can appeal to most people and if anything, it will be at least be entertaining. I'm also a big fan of Odd Thomas.
This one was a fun ride! I enjoyed the characters and laughed out loud at the dialogue between them. I think if you're looking for something not super serious and a fairly quick read, give this one a try!
Why didn't I give this 5 stars? I was quickly pulled in to start, and then felt the middle kind of drag, and then pick up again by the end. I was more interested in the present day than Benny's past, which I felt should have tied into the whole story better (although maybe I missed something?) I actually did like the villains being an organization of people who went after those who were "too nice," but with Spike the Craggle, you knew our heroes weren't in any real danger, so it wasn't as suspenseful as I would have liked.
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Koontz clearly had fun writing this book featuring the struggle between good and evil, found family, and a supernatural element that is hard to describe without a major spoiler. All of these themes have appeared in other Koontz books, but this time he chose to include some tongue in cheek comments at the end of chapters (adding "suggestions" for books clubs within the text.) This lightened the dark story a bit. Of course, good triumphs because it is a Dean Koontz book. I enjoyed this weird story, and making it available as an Amazon First Read selection allowed me to skip the waiting list at my local library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this weird book, it was a ride that I’m happy I finished through with.