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ihateprozac's review against another edition
3.0
This was bizarre, and not in an entirely good way.
The first 80% was a torturous fever dream as we're forced to watch this dumb author man obsess over a woman who is clearly Not Quite Right. She could be a serial killer, but he just happily hops into bed with her repeatedly even when he knows she's patently lying about things. There's clearly some fucked up major conspiracy at play but he's just like "yeah come over for a wine, babe"?! Dude, if you took 5 minutes away from being convinced you're the best author/man who ever lived, you'd see that she could very well stab or abduct you in the night.
The Big Dumb Man Brain was REAL with this one.
The final 20% was a wild fucking ride and I desperately wish that had constituted a larger part of the story! It had the atmosphere of Fringe or The X-Files and there was clearly so much lore and back story that could've been explored. I guess it had more in common with Fringe than I thought, because it was suddenly over and the finale left me feeling like it ended mid-sentence.
The first 80% was a torturous fever dream as we're forced to watch this dumb author man obsess over a woman who is clearly Not Quite Right. She could be a serial killer, but he just happily hops into bed with her repeatedly even when he knows she's patently lying about things. There's clearly some fucked up major conspiracy at play but he's just like "yeah come over for a wine, babe"?! Dude, if you took 5 minutes away from being convinced you're the best author/man who ever lived, you'd see that she could very well stab or abduct you in the night.
The Big Dumb Man Brain was REAL with this one.
The final 20% was a wild fucking ride and I desperately wish that had constituted a larger part of the story! It had the atmosphere of Fringe or The X-Files and there was clearly so much lore and back story that could've been explored. I guess it had more in common with Fringe than I thought, because it was suddenly over and the finale left me feeling like it ended mid-sentence.
kevindc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
aliday81's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
4.0
Due to industrial action, I had to take some very long bus journeys (mostly in darkness) to and from work last week. Thank goodness I had The Other Emily to keep me intrigued and entertained.
That’s not to say the book doesn’t have its dull bits. I had to do a lot of skimming through Davey’s musing on his love for both Emily , and the other Emily, who may (or may not) be the same person.
It was obvious early on that there wasn’t going to be a simple, realistic solution to the mystery and that’s okay – cleaned up, it’d make a pretty good double episode of Doctor Who.
That’s not to say the book doesn’t have its dull bits. I had to do a lot of skimming through Davey’s musing on his love for both Emily , and the other Emily, who may (or may not) be the same person.
It was obvious early on that there wasn’t going to be a simple, realistic solution to the mystery and that’s okay – cleaned up, it’d make a pretty good double episode of Doctor Who.
lilbookishdragon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lemonkiwis's review against another edition
3.0
I generally love Koontz, but this one didn't hit the same for me. I listened to the audiobook on Audible, which was well-narrated.
towanda000's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
erinpowell2014's review against another edition
3.0
Okay this was very drawn out. And then the conclusion was very left field. And the main character was very unlikeable. Very whiny and “woe is me.”
In the beginning the mystery was interesting but because it was so drawn out and so much inner dialogue… it got boring. And I’m usually a HUGE fan of Koontz. Not a fan of this one.
In the beginning the mystery was interesting but because it was so drawn out and so much inner dialogue… it got boring. And I’m usually a HUGE fan of Koontz. Not a fan of this one.
lyndsmarie321's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Plot was choppy & main character was oblivious, naive & completely unprepared for a man who is immersed in conflict every page of this book. Ending was abrupt & unimpressive. I was expecting better from Koontz.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder