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tjanz1418's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
erat's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The sentence that kept running through my head as I read this book: "MAKE BETTER CHOICES, PEOPLE!"
I get it. The book wouldn't be suspenseful if the characters always did the right thing. Still...GAAAAHHH.
I did like the story. It's a fine summer read, and lucky me, I read it in winter. Maybe I'll re-read it in a few months.
The ending, like so many endings nowadays, felt rushed. Are authors being told to keep their books short? Is there a reason why so many books are magically only 300-350ish pages long? Let the stories be told, publishers. Sheesh.
I won't hold it against DK. This book kept me entertained. That's all I ask for.
I get it. The book wouldn't be suspenseful if the characters always did the right thing. Still...GAAAAHHH.
I did like the story. It's a fine summer read, and lucky me, I read it in winter. Maybe I'll re-read it in a few months.
The ending, like so many endings nowadays, felt rushed. Are authors being told to keep their books short? Is there a reason why so many books are magically only 300-350ish pages long? Let the stories be told, publishers. Sheesh.
I won't hold it against DK. This book kept me entertained. That's all I ask for.
blovessummer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
I like alternate universe books. The fact that the alternate universe angle was not the main feature of the book was interesting. I liked the interplay of the characters. I liked the ways Koontz had them bounce off of each other (metaphorically). Lots of tense action and suspense in this book.
allisonlessard's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Murder, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
mnyberg's review
3.0
I liked the interplay between the father and daughter characters and the first half of the book was really good. Problem for me became the lack of visits to the multiverse. The discovery and creativeness of those worlds in the beginning was cool. The end of the book became predictable and the additional characters just blah.
nickmasters's review
4.0
I’ll be honest, I battle with books about time travel and multiple realities, but at the same time I am ironically drawn to them and generally tend to enjoy them if the author can do a good enough job of drawing me into the impossible. In Dean Koontz’s ‘Elsewhere’ I can attest to enjoying his portrayal of parallel universes. The narrative is simple, fast paced, and entertaining.
Let’s face it, the plot is a little absurd, with the characters actually continually compare their unfolding reality to fantasy novels (and perhaps these tongue in cheek references become a little too frequent). But it is well written, the characters are great, and the pages practically turn themselves.
“People in stories were always preparing themselves for the worst, which rarely happened”
The relationship between Jeffy and Amity is really amazing. And in particular the portrayal of Amity’s wise for her age character is fun, tough, but most of all endearing (Duke’s use of kickass is pretty fitting).
“Our burdens made our spirits stronger and therefore were blessings”
At its core, this is fun enjoyable read. Maybe not quite enough for die hard Dean Koontz fans, but it does the trick.
Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a Review Copy.
Let’s face it, the plot is a little absurd, with the characters actually continually compare their unfolding reality to fantasy novels (and perhaps these tongue in cheek references become a little too frequent). But it is well written, the characters are great, and the pages practically turn themselves.
“People in stories were always preparing themselves for the worst, which rarely happened”
The relationship between Jeffy and Amity is really amazing. And in particular the portrayal of Amity’s wise for her age character is fun, tough, but most of all endearing (Duke’s use of kickass is pretty fitting).
“Our burdens made our spirits stronger and therefore were blessings”
At its core, this is fun enjoyable read. Maybe not quite enough for die hard Dean Koontz fans, but it does the trick.
Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a Review Copy.
erinremen's review
5.0
A fantastical read
A fantastical new read by Dean Koontz that dazzled me and took me on a journey through horrifying and magical worlds, full of wonder and awe as well as terror and evil. Mind blowing as always!
A fantastical new read by Dean Koontz that dazzled me and took me on a journey through horrifying and magical worlds, full of wonder and awe as well as terror and evil. Mind blowing as always!