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thecaptainsquarters 's review for:
Phantoms
by Dean Koontz
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
Ahoy there me mateys! In 2024 I reread my favorite book by the author and enjoyed the experience so much that I got a ton of Koontz books on audiobook. Before that, I had last read a book by Dean Koontz in 2011 and in 2018. When I was in middle school, he was one of my favorite authors (introduced to me by my dad) and I read over 60 of his books. He has written at least 120 novels. The “plan” is to slowly reread his books (in no particular order) and maybe some of his newer stuff. At the time, his focus on writing the Odd series is what made me stop reading his new releases. I liked the beginning of the series but it started to grate on me. And I never went back. Until now . . .
phantoms (1983) – spoilers ahead!
This was a favorite back in the day. I also had a fondness for the 1998 movie based on the book even though I now remember nothing about it except for the ending. Apparently I combined the book and movie in my noggin so listening to it was odd given the differences. Though Dean Koontz did adapt the screenplay.
The premise of this one is that the town of Snowfield, California has lost all 500+ of its residents. Some buildings have dead bodies or severed heads. But most people are just outright missing. Where did they go? And who is killing people?
The first part of the book showcases Jenny and her sister, Lisa coming into town and finding one dead body and then another. Then they start searching the town. I would have left and called emergency services on my way out. Jenny doesn’t because she is the local doctor. The book does take a bit to introduce the rest of the characters (around chapter 9) and I wanted there to be a little less searching and a little more action at the beginning.
But once the sheriffs’ office is involved, it moved right along. The creepy monster is creepy. I liked the idea of where it came from and how it manifested throughout history. I loved the idea of how it evolved. Basically any scene it was in was fun. The moth scene in particular was excellent. I am not visual but the description made me almost be able to picture it.
The side characters are fine though I got many of the deputies mixed up. The idea of ancient evil entertains me. The biker gang and the egotistical murder were random at first but are used to good effect at the end. I misremembered the ending but enjoyed it nonetheless. The movie ending is different and I liked how that ended too.
I remember this book as a 4.5 star “really liked it” book and the rating stays the same. Now I want to rewatch the movie. Arrr!
phantoms (1983) – spoilers ahead!
This was a favorite back in the day. I also had a fondness for the 1998 movie based on the book even though I now remember nothing about it except for the ending. Apparently I combined the book and movie in my noggin so listening to it was odd given the differences. Though Dean Koontz did adapt the screenplay.
The premise of this one is that the town of Snowfield, California has lost all 500+ of its residents. Some buildings have dead bodies or severed heads. But most people are just outright missing. Where did they go? And who is killing people?
The first part of the book showcases Jenny and her sister, Lisa coming into town and finding one dead body and then another. Then they start searching the town. I would have left and called emergency services on my way out. Jenny doesn’t because she is the local doctor. The book does take a bit to introduce the rest of the characters (around chapter 9) and I wanted there to be a little less searching and a little more action at the beginning.
But once the sheriffs’ office is involved, it moved right along. The creepy monster is creepy. I liked the idea of where it came from and how it manifested throughout history. I loved the idea of how it evolved. Basically any scene it was in was fun. The moth scene in particular was excellent. I am not visual but the description made me almost be able to picture it.
The side characters are fine though I got many of the deputies mixed up. The idea of ancient evil entertains me. The biker gang and the egotistical murder were random at first but are used to good effect at the end. I misremembered the ending but enjoyed it nonetheless. The movie ending is different and I liked how that ended too.
I remember this book as a 4.5 star “really liked it” book and the rating stays the same. Now I want to rewatch the movie. Arrr!