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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
(spoiler alert)
So-So could have been so much better had he explored demons and Satan.
So-So could have been so much better had he explored demons and Satan.
dark
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The thing about Koontz is that his books aren't books that I would read over and over. I'm usually disappointed by the endings. But every single one that I've ever picked up has hooked me from the beginning. They're entertaining enough to read non-stop til I've finished them. This one made me feel the same. Entertaining, interesting, good premise... but once it's over, I only feel slightly satisfied.
4.5 ⭐️
This is a reread for me. It’s actually the first horror novel I ever read back in 2013. It scared the crap out of me and it’s what got me hooked on horror.
Upon a second reading ten years later, I’m not as amazed or affected as I was back then. Hence why I’ve bumped it down to 4.5 stars. But I can’t deny that this is a really strong horror with a great premise. The 500 residents of Snowfield are either dead or missing. What could possibly have done this?
I will admit that I still got a bit freaked out reading this late at night, so to me that means it’s held up.
This is a reread for me. It’s actually the first horror novel I ever read back in 2013. It scared the crap out of me and it’s what got me hooked on horror.
Upon a second reading ten years later, I’m not as amazed or affected as I was back then. Hence why I’ve bumped it down to 4.5 stars. But I can’t deny that this is a really strong horror with a great premise. The 500 residents of Snowfield are either dead or missing. What could possibly have done this?
I will admit that I still got a bit freaked out reading this late at night, so to me that means it’s held up.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
- the characters were so human, it was really nice. Not only did their reactions to all the shit that was happening believable and relatable, they actually took the time to question their own morality, which is something i personally never saw before in a horror book. Huge plus point!
- i absolutely, 100% blame Stephen King for this one, but the fact that Lisa (and any other character, for that matter) wasn't sexualized was such a pleasant surprise :) The way those inappropriate comments were depicted and handled in here was super nice. (Though i do wonder why a teenager had to be involved in the first place but that may just be a me problem)
- the mystery of what exactly is responsible for all this was wonderfully set up and carried throughout the entire book, even after we started learning about its nature.
- Going off the last point: I loved reading about the scientific theories they discussed. And i really appreciate how thorough they were with them. They really left no stone unturned!
- at first i thought the whole Kale thing was a little unnecessary but it actually ended up adding a very cool aspect. The question whether it really is as powerful as it seems to be added so much more suspense.
- Flytes theory that it only gained its consciousness from the humans it consumed was also sUPER interesting, since it sort of implies that they really did fight the incarnation of humanities own darkness and evil. Very thought-provoking!
- i absolutely, 100% blame Stephen King for this one, but the fact that Lisa (and any other character, for that matter) wasn't sexualized was such a pleasant surprise :) The way those inappropriate comments were depicted and handled in here was super nice. (Though i do wonder why a teenager had to be involved in the first place but that may just be a me problem)
- the mystery of what exactly is responsible for all this was wonderfully set up and carried throughout the entire book, even after we started learning about its nature.
- Going off the last point: I loved reading about the scientific theories they discussed. And i really appreciate how thorough they were with them. They really left no stone unturned!
- Flytes theory that it only gained its consciousness from the humans it consumed was also sUPER interesting, since it sort of implies that they really did fight the incarnation of humanities own darkness and evil. Very thought-provoking!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Pedophilia, Suicide, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief
There are some biblical themes here, talk about the Devil and its depiction in various believe systems.
It is implied that the 'monster' is the Devil or at least believes that it is, though it is never explicitly stated if that is true or not.
Hey look, a Dean Koontz book that doesn't suck! This is actually a pretty solid take on the classic Lovecraftian/Primordial entity genre. A little too much law enforcement hero worship and a completely unnecessary psychopath side plot weigh it down, but when we're talking about the same dude who wrote some of the worst "horror" books* I've read, it could be worse.
*cough Twilight Eyes cough*
*cough Twilight Eyes cough*