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katsbolan's review against another edition
I just still couldn't get behind the plot.
purplesky02's review against another edition
2.0
The thing with this book is that it could have been SO MUCH better. The premise of it is amazing. A device that allows you to port between alternate universes? So cool! I couldn't wait to read it.
Then I read it. The characters were not well developed. I was so annoyed by Amity's constantly reminding us that "she's not like other girls," that it got to be eye rolling. You want to demonstrate a character is unique from the typical damsel in distress trope? Show us. Don't constantly have her telling herself she's Not Like Other Girls. On a related note, there is nothing wrong with being like those other girls. I found that characteristic frustrating.
The villain was so cartoonishly evil that it almost made me laugh at times. He was so one dimensional, just a bad guy who does nothing but horrible things.
SPOILERS
Another thing I found frustrating was the fact that Jeffy and Amity, who we are told are smart and intelligent make such incredibly stupid decisions. The one I thought was the worst was the first time they ported to an alternate universe. They are in a world that is clearly different from our own. They witness totalitarian behavior in various places, seeing that this world exists in some kind of police state with a creepy youth army. They for some reason decide to go visit this version of Amity's mother, who ran out on them seven years ago? Why would that possibly be a good idea? I get that it moved the plot forward by bringing back the ape-human, but it was just so stupid that I couldn't believe that characters who were supposed to be smart would do something so stupid.
The plot never goes too deep. The characters are in search of another version of the mom/wife who ran out on them, which of course they find. It just felt like the plot never went beyond that.
There were so many possibilities of where the plot could've gone and nothing much happened. This one just fell flat for me. I hadn't read a Dean Koontz book in forever, and the plot description. intrigued me. I wish this had been a better book.
Then I read it. The characters were not well developed. I was so annoyed by Amity's constantly reminding us that "she's not like other girls," that it got to be eye rolling. You want to demonstrate a character is unique from the typical damsel in distress trope? Show us. Don't constantly have her telling herself she's Not Like Other Girls. On a related note, there is nothing wrong with being like those other girls. I found that characteristic frustrating.
The villain was so cartoonishly evil that it almost made me laugh at times. He was so one dimensional, just a bad guy who does nothing but horrible things.
SPOILERS
Another thing I found frustrating was the fact that Jeffy and Amity, who we are told are smart and intelligent make such incredibly stupid decisions. The one I thought was the worst was the first time they ported to an alternate universe. They are in a world that is clearly different from our own. They witness totalitarian behavior in various places, seeing that this world exists in some kind of police state with a creepy youth army. They for some reason decide to go visit this version of Amity's mother, who ran out on them seven years ago? Why would that possibly be a good idea? I get that it moved the plot forward by bringing back the ape-human, but it was just so stupid that I couldn't believe that characters who were supposed to be smart would do something so stupid.
The plot never goes too deep. The characters are in search of another version of the mom/wife who ran out on them, which of course they find. It just felt like the plot never went beyond that.
There were so many possibilities of where the plot could've gone and nothing much happened. This one just fell flat for me. I hadn't read a Dean Koontz book in forever, and the plot description. intrigued me. I wish this had been a better book.
melg's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
sherrylee's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favourite read.
I am a huge Dean Koontz fan, but this book was just not it. I found the plot uninteresting and draggy.
I only finished the book because of it being Dean Koontz.
Oh Well, that’s a few hours of my life I won’t get back….
I am a huge Dean Koontz fan, but this book was just not it. I found the plot uninteresting and draggy.
I only finished the book because of it being Dean Koontz.
Oh Well, that’s a few hours of my life I won’t get back….
muretski's review against another edition
5.0
Superb! I really enjoyed the book as if Im watching a very exciting movie :)
jdsutter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Heads-up: lots of strong language. But this was a pretty fascinating take on the multiverse theory that I quite enjoyed. It's full of literature references because the father/daughter MC duo are big readers, which I appreciated.
welpidk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
3.0
mimsterzoo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
I found this suspenseful, tense and compelling. I see a lot of mentions regarding tropes in this book, but I was here for the suspense and sci-fi fantasy and it delivered. It was akin to watching a movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Animal death, and Gaslighting
The possibilities of hellscape vibe are well drawn as the story moves along. I wish I’d seen this book in 2020, but maybe now is a better time to consider its implications.