Reviews

Lightning by Dean Koontz

sortabadass's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

lpayn3's review against another edition

3.75

This was a great read to help me out of my reading slump! I liked the story (despite some corniness towards the end) and its excellent pacing, although there were several too-perfect characters and outcomes. (Everybody grows up and becomes rich and famous, huh?)

Despite that, this book made me really care about Laura - I love how the book covers practically her entire life, and that the first quarter is centered solely on her tumultuous childhood and adolescence. It makes the stakes that much higher when shit goes down during the climax. Also, Thelma was a delight - everybody needs a Thelma in their life. I want to be a Thelma. 

konsgard's review against another edition

The plot is fantastic. The writing started to feel like all tell, no show. I DNF'd before even getting to what sound like the most interesting parts of the book, but I just couldn't stand the writing. 

lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition

4.0

Time travel + WWII Historical fiction + Action = I really enjoyed it! I thought it started kinda slow and was a bit disjointed as we first are introduced to our protagonist’s unusual birth and early childhood. But once the plot settled in 1989, the story clicked and the book sucked me in. I wonder if Koontz watched the Terminator movies to inspire him somehow? I mean the main character is named Laura, the year is 1989, and there’s a time traveling guardian popping up from a war ravaged alternative time? It’s not copycat fiction though; there’s plenty of uniqueness here to make it an entertaining read.

vasucrews's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

aimoss's review against another edition

5.0

Love this book so much - its the only book I have finished and gone back to the beginning and started again! Have read this multiple times and would highly recommend!

kmac23's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Its a funny book, I enjoyed reading it and didn't. It did keep me hooked but can't put my finger on what I didn't enjoy 

bibliokatie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-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 have loved this book since the first time I read it which was so long ago I don’t even remember when it happened. The language is a bit dated due to the book having been originally published in 1988, but the story stands up to the test of time. It’s a very quick read and even faster listen. Stefan Krieger is an OG book boyfriend of mine and this probably won’t be my last read of this book. 

ormrsb's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The idea behind the story is intriguing, but overall it’s slow paced. Had me curious, but not one I’d be desperate to recommend to someone. 

thedeathmaven's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

4.0