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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
This book was a wild ride for me and a reminder that I will always love Dean Koontz.
Really just kind of 'meh' throughout. It starts way too quickly by diving straight into the deep end of what remains an entirely unconvincing plot and characters, leaving little time for readers to even accustom themselves to the book. Plenty of action keeps things somewhat interesting but it's all show and no go - you never feel fulfilled by any of the developments.
What a fun ride. Classic Koontz and I didn’t figure most of the twists and turns . Maybe more of a 4.5 but I rounded up
This was a SBBS Mystery Book Club Read set for 19 May 2022. This book had some interesting themes - love, loss, despair, technology, etc. It's a fast, casual read. The author snuck in his viewpoints about California, technology, and other issues in a very overt way. I like when author's use satire, humor, irony, and other methods to show their viewpoints - I think those would be more effective. The author's writing style adds a lot of flourish, but I think it's extra and there could be simplification or reduction from an editor's perspective.
Overall - this was a super fast read (500 pages <24 hours) but the themes didn't quite "stick" with me like they could in others' works (ie - Vonnegut, Bradbury). I did like the author's use of love / loss language as I did feel. I'd be interested if someone made a movie / show out of this, as I think this is better suited for a film medium than a book.
Overall - this was a super fast read (500 pages <24 hours) but the themes didn't quite "stick" with me like they could in others' works (ie - Vonnegut, Bradbury). I did like the author's use of love / loss language as I did feel. I'd be interested if someone made a movie / show out of this, as I think this is better suited for a film medium than a book.
This was a story that was more about personal struggle and had a surprise sci-fi ending. I don't want to spoil it. This was worth the read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 stars. *spoilers* I only feel called to write a review because I absolutely adore Dean Koontz and this book was just… off… for me. He’s one of the few authors I can always pick up a book from and most certainly enjoy it. I’m not generally into sci-fi, but his books always have an amazing way of weaving mystery, psychological suspense, and fantasy together, so I don’t mind when sci-fi finds its way in. But, The Other Emily, I think I went in with hopes of something more like his book, Intensity. With the disappearance and serial killer plot themes. However, this book was no such thing. And. It was So. Drawn. Out. So much filler and repetitive thoughts and statements. I found myself skimming just to get through it. The very end of the book finally accelerates, but it ends in such an out-there way. I appreciated the theme/political statement he was trying to make about the path the world is on and how advances not made thoughtfully and to scale can lead to tragedy, but it was so rushed and came together in such an outlandish manner, I couldn’t get behind it. Super let down by this one!!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can’t believe all that build up for everything to just be oh it was the fucking aliens.
Also i knew he’d cheat on her jfc
Also i knew he’d cheat on her jfc
Second Koontz in a row and also the second 3 star rating. I didn’t love this book but I think that was just my failure to connect with David, the main character. The story would have been better if I could have understood or liked David more, I honestly didn’t care what happened to him…