wombat_88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
dan80's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
adaxial's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
jennamae's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
This version had a LOT of typos and editorial errors.
The plot itself was very intriguing and i was gripped the entire time. I definitely was not expecting the end plot twist.
The plot itself was very intriguing and i was gripped the entire time. I definitely was not expecting the end plot twist.
saira16_'s review against another edition
mysterious
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
2.0
antidietleah's review against another edition
1.0
90% boring, 10% ridiculous. But somehow I can picture it better as a movie.
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
DNF at about 60%.
I need to remember that I cannot read Koontz's books. Cannot. CAN. NOT.
All of his books have a tendency to get under my skin and really bother me. And this one, with all of the mind games and gaslighting that occur to the protagonist... with my history, I just can't handle it.
Thank goodness I have a husband who agreed that, for me especially, this was a very mindfuckery sort of book and one that I should not push myself to finish.
I did enjoy the 60% or so that I did read. But for someone with a trauma history and other stuff, this is not a book to read. My husband also informed me that out of the Koontz books he's read, this one and Night Terrors are apparently the MOST mindfuckery-ish and the books he'd recommend the most for me to avoid reading. Figures I'd choose one of the two "worst" for me, lol.
And my husband really does know me. I don't usually ever let him dictate my reading, but I was talking about how much this one was getting under my skin and just really fucking with me, and he then shared what I shared above. I can't really give it a trigger warning or anything like that, since I've never met/talked with anyone else who is bothered by Koontz like I am.
TL;DR - Note to self: just stay away from Koontz books. Not because I hate the writing, but because I keep trying to read them and keep getting bothered by them (to the point of having nightmares etc.).
Other folks, go ahead and read it! Like I said, I enjoyed what I did read (if "enjoyed" is the right word). Definitely a quick read compared to some of his other stuff, too.
I need to remember that I cannot read Koontz's books. Cannot. CAN. NOT.
All of his books have a tendency to get under my skin and really bother me. And this one, with all of the mind games and gaslighting that occur to the protagonist... with my history, I just can't handle it.
Thank goodness I have a husband who agreed that, for me especially, this was a very mindfuckery sort of book and one that I should not push myself to finish.
I did enjoy the 60% or so that I did read. But for someone with a trauma history and other stuff, this is not a book to read. My husband also informed me that out of the Koontz books he's read, this one and Night Terrors are apparently the MOST mindfuckery-ish and the books he'd recommend the most for me to avoid reading. Figures I'd choose one of the two "worst" for me, lol.
And my husband really does know me. I don't usually ever let him dictate my reading, but I was talking about how much this one was getting under my skin and just really fucking with me, and he then shared what I shared above. I can't really give it a trigger warning or anything like that, since I've never met/talked with anyone else who is bothered by Koontz like I am.
TL;DR - Note to self: just stay away from Koontz books. Not because I hate the writing, but because I keep trying to read them and keep getting bothered by them (to the point of having nightmares etc.).
Other folks, go ahead and read it! Like I said, I enjoyed what I did read (if "enjoyed" is the right word). Definitely a quick read compared to some of his other stuff, too.
deetjitro's review against another edition
2.0
I was sooo curious with this book on the first parts... when it drew near to the end... and then McGee finally spills the beans to Susan... i was like.... oh God... where have I seen this before? I thought of Salt - The Movie... yeah... a bootcamp for Russian kids to go undercover to the US blah blah blah.... I was disappointed, hoped for the ghosts to be true... I might liked the story better if it focused on the House of Thunder itself. Anywaysss..... i've finished it in two days! very light reading.
khalifanex's review against another edition
2.0
I think if I read this book 30 years ago, I might like it more.
I said “I might”.
The beginning was good, but then it became very repetitive and silly. And the final 50 pages with that stupid silly reveal... UGH.
I don’t recommend it at all!
A good thing to be noted, hence the two stars is:
I read 90% of this book as an audiobook, the experience was really good, as it have a full cast narration which made it very enjoyable and easy to listen to.
I said “I might”.
The beginning was good, but then it became very repetitive and silly. And the final 50 pages with that stupid silly reveal... UGH.
I don’t recommend it at all!
A good thing to be noted, hence the two stars is:
I read 90% of this book as an audiobook, the experience was really good, as it have a full cast narration which made it very enjoyable and easy to listen to.
jadenbru's review against another edition
2.0
Most of this book felt like a ball of confusion. I understand that the character has amnesia and thus the reader isn't supposed to "get" what is going on for the beginning; however I didn't feel like the level of suspense necessary to keep a reader interested in that kind of plot was present in this novel. I love Koontz but I think it's evident that this was one of his earlier books. It wasn't bad, just not outstanding.