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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I read this story, the beginning was about the spookiest opening I had read in a long while. I thought it was very well done. Whatever you may think, overall, of Koontz's writing, he can start a story off good. Once the characters figured out what was going on, the spooky magic had gone away, replaced with an almost clinical analysis (my opinion, not Koontz' writing). I've always argued that Koontz never lets his monsters just be monsters.
A small isolated town has its people just vanish. We get to see some of the people face the horror at the beginning, but we don't get to see what that horror is (Lovecraft would be smiling at this point). One of the main characters is traveling through the area and discovers that the whole town is deserted. Calls for help go out and a team arrives to investigate. The team experiences some crazy, slightly paranormal-like phenomenon (again Lovecraft smiles), but they eventually uncover what they are up against. No spoilers but suffice to say, Lovecraft, again, would be proud. However, by the end of the story, logic and reason triumph, almost like a Star Trek TNG episode might. Here we would see Lovecraft shake his head, walking away muttering something about "you almost had 'em, kid". All in all, still a really good read.
A small isolated town has its people just vanish. We get to see some of the people face the horror at the beginning, but we don't get to see what that horror is (Lovecraft would be smiling at this point). One of the main characters is traveling through the area and discovers that the whole town is deserted. Calls for help go out and a team arrives to investigate. The team experiences some crazy, slightly paranormal-like phenomenon (again Lovecraft smiles), but they eventually uncover what they are up against. No spoilers but suffice to say, Lovecraft, again, would be proud. However, by the end of the story, logic and reason triumph, almost like a Star Trek TNG episode might. Here we would see Lovecraft shake his head, walking away muttering something about "you almost had 'em, kid". All in all, still a really good read.
Would have been 5 stars if it were like 50 pages shorter. I wasn’t expecting such a horror story. It was graphic and scary.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was intrigued by the premise and wanted to see if Dean Koontz had the sauce. And he kinda did! The beginning hooked me and the long stints of dread broken up by sudden incredible gore was honestly very effective. Unfortunately the prestige didn’t manage to land for me, and ultimately by the end it fizzled. The first 60-70% had its grips in me GOOD though, and for that it does manage to eke 3.5 ⭐️s from me.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
NOT A REVIEW_
Quick thought:
I read this book years ago. I remember being utterly creeped out by the imagery described. If I find it as a free read somewhere. I may pick it up again.
Quick thought:
I read this book years ago. I remember being utterly creeped out by the imagery described. If I find it as a free read somewhere. I may pick it up again.
I love that there was no cellphones in the novel (it was written in the 80's)