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a_beautiful_soup's review against another edition
funny
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
3.5
nvillanuevadrv's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
fellrnr's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
It's the second time I've read this book, and loved it the second time. Even knowing there's still only two books in the trilogy didn't dampen my enjoyment.
cindylchap's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
cjgmiranda220's review
3.0
The science fiction was good, but the jokes were lame. Overall, this story was enjoyable.
eternity21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
megantravis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
aemesserlie's review
3.0
Overall, I though this was one of Dean Koontz's more successful ventures. The writing was poetic, the characters were likeable, and the general story was interesting. However, I do have some big issues that keep me from giving this book higher than three stars.
***Spoiler Alert***
My first big issue is with "the troop". This roving band of angry monkeys that follows and harasses the main characters lends a bit of tension to the story. However, at times, there is no sense to it's existence. There is no explanation regarding as to why they are stalking the main character's friend, Bobby. There is also little discernible reason for them to want anyone dead, let alone the main character and his friends.
Also, the changes that the characters go through are just nonsensical. Suspending disbelief makes the personality changes of the characters skin crawling, but there is no scientific basis for any of this making any sort of sense. It would have been nice if a little more effort had been put into the scientific aspects of the story; if an author is going to try to take liberties with scientific information, they really need to make their changes believable and well explained.
Finally, the ending seemed super rushed. The inevitable spread of the retrovirus through America seemed tacked on and forced. And the shift in tone didn't mesh well with the rest of the book; it felt very clunky.
Overall, this is one of my favorite Dean Koontz books that I have read, but it does have a lot of flaws that keep if far from being perfect.
***Spoiler Alert***
My first big issue is with "the troop". This roving band of angry monkeys that follows and harasses the main characters lends a bit of tension to the story. However, at times, there is no sense to it's existence. There is no explanation regarding as to why they are stalking the main character's friend, Bobby. There is also little discernible reason for them to want anyone dead, let alone the main character and his friends.
Also, the changes that the characters go through are just nonsensical. Suspending disbelief makes the personality changes of the characters skin crawling, but there is no scientific basis for any of this making any sort of sense. It would have been nice if a little more effort had been put into the scientific aspects of the story; if an author is going to try to take liberties with scientific information, they really need to make their changes believable and well explained.
Finally, the ending seemed super rushed. The inevitable spread of the retrovirus through America seemed tacked on and forced. And the shift in tone didn't mesh well with the rest of the book; it felt very clunky.
Overall, this is one of my favorite Dean Koontz books that I have read, but it does have a lot of flaws that keep if far from being perfect.
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
3.0
Koontz frequently writes animals with human-like (or even more) intelligence. As a pet owner, I of course leap at the idea that my little kitty could understand me when I speak to her.
This book is the same--dogs, and for the first time, cats who are extremely intelligence.
There were parts of this book that were so dang scary I read them in broad daylight, but was so scared, I couldn't stand to keep reading OR put the book down.
However, past this (happening in the first hundred pages or so), I was let down that the rest of the book did not hold the same on-the-edge-of-my-seat reading. Hence, the earning of 3 stars. If it had kept the fast pace , it would easily have been four or maybe five stars.
This book is the same--dogs, and for the first time, cats who are extremely intelligence.
There were parts of this book that were so dang scary I read them in broad daylight, but was so scared, I couldn't stand to keep reading OR put the book down.
However, past this (happening in the first hundred pages or so), I was let down that the rest of the book did not hold the same on-the-edge-of-my-seat reading. Hence, the earning of 3 stars. If it had kept the fast pace , it would easily have been four or maybe five stars.