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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
The Watchers was the first book I’d read authored by Dean Koontz. That was over 30 years ago. Because of that book, I’ve since read several other Dean Koontz books. But The Watchers has always remained my favorite. (The fact that our last dog was a Golden surely helped.) I saw that some reviewers complained that Devoted was just a repeat of The Watchers. Well, for me, I’d rather read a new book with a similar storyline than to read the same old book again. And I was happy with that choice.
Like The Watchers, Devoted has a Golder Retriever who is as intelligent as a human (though, without vocal chords, not able to speak). And a strong female protagonist. Devoted also has its share of bad guys in addition to an absolutely horrid guy (who keeps getting even worse with time). The book’s language and imagery impart a sense of impending doom throughout the story. All familiar territory for a Dean Koontz book.
There aren’t a lot of surprises in the storyline as the reader could pretty much anticipate where the story was headed. So Devoted is a fairly light-weight, but still entertaining, read.
Bottom line: A horror story, yet also a heartwarming book for dog lovers.
Like The Watchers, Devoted has a Golder Retriever who is as intelligent as a human (though, without vocal chords, not able to speak). And a strong female protagonist. Devoted also has its share of bad guys in addition to an absolutely horrid guy (who keeps getting even worse with time). The book’s language and imagery impart a sense of impending doom throughout the story. All familiar territory for a Dean Koontz book.
There aren’t a lot of surprises in the storyline as the reader could pretty much anticipate where the story was headed. So Devoted is a fairly light-weight, but still entertaining, read.
Bottom line: A horror story, yet also a heartwarming book for dog lovers.
Typical Koontz: Goldens, perverts, strong womens who need saving, and happy endings. I dont care - I love his stories.
Such a high sci-fi/ fantasy book needs to do a better job grounding itself before introducing such outlandish claims.
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Amazing book! Very reminiscent of his earlier books--dogs, something otherworldly and amazing characters. Highly recommend.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Cannibalism
This is classic Koontz.
A clean cut battle between good and evil. An autistic boy with special abilities, his Mom, corrupt government officials, strangers brought together by fate and something beyond their understanding, technology and power run amok, and a very special golden retriever. These elements exist in every modern Koontz novel - maybe not all at once - but this one has them all - and ends in a perfect optimistic note that we all need right now.
Woody Bookman doesn’t talk. His widowed mother, Megan, has found herself in the crosshairs of Lee Shacket, a former acquaintance, who has just escaped a biological crisis at a major corporation’s laboratory. He’s changing into something different - inhuman - and that’s where our story begins.
We also learn of Kipp, a very special golden retriever, with special abilities - mourning the lost of his dear owner Dorothy - who knows he is meant to meet Woody.
Like I said, all the elements are there (including the intricate names that Koontz always uses) and the asides to random characters who only play minor parts in the narrative - and thus pad the pages a bit. But that is the one criticism I’d levy against his newest novel.
It has story - but lacks a bit in substance. In stories with similar plots in his earlier days of writing, Koontz spends pages telling us about these characters and weaving narratives around each of them. The characters here are multi - layered, but not as substantiative as I’ve come to expect from Koontz. Even with Shackett, a major player, his story seems to get disregarded, at the expense of the introduction of other one dimensional characters - whose stories just end - rather than with a satisfying, intentional conclusion.
But either way, Koontz has always been an optimistic voice - where good always wins. And this books makes you feel good inside because of the hope that comes with it.
A clean cut battle between good and evil. An autistic boy with special abilities, his Mom, corrupt government officials, strangers brought together by fate and something beyond their understanding, technology and power run amok, and a very special golden retriever. These elements exist in every modern Koontz novel - maybe not all at once - but this one has them all - and ends in a perfect optimistic note that we all need right now.
Woody Bookman doesn’t talk. His widowed mother, Megan, has found herself in the crosshairs of Lee Shacket, a former acquaintance, who has just escaped a biological crisis at a major corporation’s laboratory. He’s changing into something different - inhuman - and that’s where our story begins.
We also learn of Kipp, a very special golden retriever, with special abilities - mourning the lost of his dear owner Dorothy - who knows he is meant to meet Woody.
Like I said, all the elements are there (including the intricate names that Koontz always uses) and the asides to random characters who only play minor parts in the narrative - and thus pad the pages a bit. But that is the one criticism I’d levy against his newest novel.
It has story - but lacks a bit in substance. In stories with similar plots in his earlier days of writing, Koontz spends pages telling us about these characters and weaving narratives around each of them. The characters here are multi - layered, but not as substantiative as I’ve come to expect from Koontz. Even with Shackett, a major player, his story seems to get disregarded, at the expense of the introduction of other one dimensional characters - whose stories just end - rather than with a satisfying, intentional conclusion.
But either way, Koontz has always been an optimistic voice - where good always wins. And this books makes you feel good inside because of the hope that comes with it.
This was my first Dean Koontz novel. Perhaps also my last.
*Negatives*
The narrative, which I find unexceptional, is relentlessly interrupted by endless, overindulgent, mundane descriptions which are often repetitive and contribute little (if anything) to the story. I understand that this might a particular trait of Koontz and that a lot of people, apparently, enjoy it. I thought it made the book feel elongated / unedited.
Midway through the book we are suddenly introduced to a host of new characters who become essential to the remainder of the plot. These characters are undeveloped and I found it impossible to connect with any of them, rendering the ending somewhat of an anticlimax.
Telepathic dogs produce memories of "homeward bound" for me. Despite how much I love science fiction, the juxtaposition of talking animals (child-like innocence) with extremely graphic adult content is difficult to accept.
*Positives*
The antagonist has potential to be truly terrifying.
The chapters are short, making it a relatively easy read, despite my reservations.
*Negatives*
The narrative, which I find unexceptional, is relentlessly interrupted by endless, overindulgent, mundane descriptions which are often repetitive and contribute little (if anything) to the story. I understand that this might a particular trait of Koontz and that a lot of people, apparently, enjoy it. I thought it made the book feel elongated / unedited.
Midway through the book we are suddenly introduced to a host of new characters who become essential to the remainder of the plot. These characters are undeveloped and I found it impossible to connect with any of them, rendering the ending somewhat of an anticlimax.
Telepathic dogs produce memories of "homeward bound" for me. Despite how much I love science fiction, the juxtaposition of talking animals (child-like innocence) with extremely graphic adult content is difficult to accept.
*Positives*
The antagonist has potential to be truly terrifying.
The chapters are short, making it a relatively easy read, despite my reservations.
You know it's good if you've forgotten what time it is when you stop reading.
TL; DR: Another Koontz thriller that speaks to both his love of adrenaline and a love of dogs; the never-let-up pace of Devoted keeps you on the edge of your seat with a narrative and story that most everyone can get behind.
I've never been much of a dog person, I like them and love them as I do all God's creatures and they certainly hold a higher place on my list that certain other "companions," but dogs not my own were never really special to me. This worked for me anyway; Koontz has it figured out here and manages to write something simultaneously lovely and horrifying, feel-good and nail-bitingly terrifying. Devoted may have actually overtaken Odd Thomas as my favorite book in his repertoire, something I'd never thought possible. Maybe it's the punchless ending I'd previously complained about or the fact that none of the stories he's concocted for Odd will hold a candle to the narrative and love I hold for the titular character, but that series didn't sit right with me in the end and I was left unsatisfied. Devoted made up for that.
Characters: Everyone here is spectacular; in typical Koontz fashion, the good guys are the good guys and the bad guys are the bad guys, it's never in question. The main protagonists, of which there are a few, are all endearing and a joy to listen to. I've heard complaints that DK often inserts his voice into stories, but none of that could be found here. Each character has their own voice, their own style, and their own heart; the closest I'd say to a Koontz voice was Kipp, but even then it's not even close. Also, I've rarely hated an antagonist this much, we're talking Umbridge levels here. It was fantastic, I despised Lee Shackett with every fiber of my being and loved to hate him. Exceptional characterizations all over.
Setting: Pretty awesome, from the travel between the various houses to the hospital and Castle Wyvern, the world of Devoted sparks out of the page and allows the reader to fall in love with the sketches of the world of Koontz.
Story: Exceptional and made me happy. No spoilers, but I loved the pages I was supposed to, hated the parts I was supposed to hate, and relished in an ending well-written.
Writing: Always good, but here, DK shines. The narrative pacing is incredibly easy to read, the characters make you want to keep reading, either for their happy endings or their comeuppance. The love and joy I have for this magnum opus are great, and it’s all DK’s fault.
I’ve already stated it not even a full sentence ago, but so far this is what I’ll remember for Dean Koontz; Odd Thomas was wonderful and tickled my fancy in just the right way, but fell short when I wanted it to shine. Forest of Lost Souls had heart, but was rather simplistic in its application. Devoted is a masterpiece that made me love it, whether I wanted to or not. Every time I expected disappointment, I didn’t receive it. I loved this book and is one of the few I think I’ll stick on a reread shelf in the near future. Congrats Dean, you magician you.
5 🌟
TL; DR: Another Koontz thriller that speaks to both his love of adrenaline and a love of dogs; the never-let-up pace of Devoted keeps you on the edge of your seat with a narrative and story that most everyone can get behind.
I've never been much of a dog person, I like them and love them as I do all God's creatures and they certainly hold a higher place on my list that certain other "companions," but dogs not my own were never really special to me. This worked for me anyway; Koontz has it figured out here and manages to write something simultaneously lovely and horrifying, feel-good and nail-bitingly terrifying. Devoted may have actually overtaken Odd Thomas as my favorite book in his repertoire, something I'd never thought possible. Maybe it's the punchless ending I'd previously complained about or the fact that none of the stories he's concocted for Odd will hold a candle to the narrative and love I hold for the titular character, but that series didn't sit right with me in the end and I was left unsatisfied. Devoted made up for that.
Characters: Everyone here is spectacular; in typical Koontz fashion, the good guys are the good guys and the bad guys are the bad guys, it's never in question. The main protagonists, of which there are a few, are all endearing and a joy to listen to. I've heard complaints that DK often inserts his voice into stories, but none of that could be found here. Each character has their own voice, their own style, and their own heart; the closest I'd say to a Koontz voice was Kipp, but even then it's not even close. Also, I've rarely hated an antagonist this much, we're talking Umbridge levels here. It was fantastic, I despised Lee Shackett with every fiber of my being and loved to hate him. Exceptional characterizations all over.
Setting: Pretty awesome, from the travel between the various houses to the hospital and Castle Wyvern, the world of Devoted sparks out of the page and allows the reader to fall in love with the sketches of the world of Koontz.
Story: Exceptional and made me happy. No spoilers, but I loved the pages I was supposed to, hated the parts I was supposed to hate, and relished in an ending well-written.
Writing: Always good, but here, DK shines. The narrative pacing is incredibly easy to read, the characters make you want to keep reading, either for their happy endings or their comeuppance. The love and joy I have for this magnum opus are great, and it’s all DK’s fault.
I’ve already stated it not even a full sentence ago, but so far this is what I’ll remember for Dean Koontz; Odd Thomas was wonderful and tickled my fancy in just the right way, but fell short when I wanted it to shine. Forest of Lost Souls had heart, but was rather simplistic in its application. Devoted is a masterpiece that made me love it, whether I wanted to or not. Every time I expected disappointment, I didn’t receive it. I loved this book and is one of the few I think I’ll stick on a reread shelf in the near future. Congrats Dean, you magician you.
5 🌟