By the Light of the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Mad scientists and more!
Review: Dean Koontz is an expert at blending suspense with humor; some efforts, such as `Tick Tock', are uneven, but in `By the Light of the Moon', Koontz gets it right. The plot is tight and the action starts from the first page: Dylan O'Connor is injected by a truly `mad scientist' with an unknown substance with uncertain effects. Dylan, his autistic brother Shep, and Jillian Jackson, a standup comedian who's also been injected, decide to find out who the scientist was, and what exactly they were injected with. The action takes place within hours, and as the effects of the injections become apparent, they have to outrun some kind of secret organization intent on killing them for what they have become. There is both tension and humor in this book, especially from Jill and her companion, Fred (whose end we never really know). My only quibble with this novel comes toward the end: it seems rushed, as if Koontz simply wants to end the story (and maybe set up a sequel?). However, for the most part, this is a great story, and a good addition to Koontz's other works.

Rating:
Summary: No More Koontz for Me
Review: While searching for new books to read, I picked up about 5 books, 2 of which were from Koontz. I had never read anything from him but I was willing to give it a try since I had read an excerpt from 'Odd Thomas' and it seemed kind of good. I picked up 'By the Light of the Moon' and 'Tic Toc'. The former starts of pretty good and quite intriguing, but as the story unfolds it turns to crap. I'm not going to say what the book's about 'cause quite frankly, it's not memorable and so, I don't remember much.

As for 'Tic Toc', it's far, far worse. Here's the premise: An alien hides in a doll and tries to hunt its master and manages to kill a whole bunch of people in the process, except of course, the master. It's a comedy. I admire the fact that he played with fire trying to mix horror and comedy but I'm sorry, Koontz got toast 'cause it's just not good. I should say though that the main character's mom rocks, but she's barely in it so...

Rating:
Summary: AN ALLNIGHTER
Review: Dean Koontz returns to his old loving formula in this riveting tale of acceptance among marginality. Dylan, Jillian and Shep are three of the strongest (and coolest) characters to come around since, well, the last characters of a DK novel. Again, the author's brillance shines as he gives his trio a unique talent to keep evil at bay. From the tension-built first scene to the suspenseful yet touching finale, BTLOTM is a gripping journey destined to become a one sitting read. Those who yearn to rekindle with the "old" Koontz can finally do so with this one. Enjoy.-----Martin Boucher

Rating:
Summary: Worst book I've ever read
Review: I gave this book one star because Amazon.com didn't give me an option to give less. This one is so bad it actually sucks stars from other books like a black hole.

I've read many Koontz books before and was absolutely shocked at the poor quality of the story. My response after reading this was, "Huh?" I actually threw the book in the trash to prevent others from reading it.

The book takes a long time to get moving after an intitial good start. After pages and pages of mundane reading, it finally evolves into an amaturish chronicle of idealized socialism. We all live happily ever after together in a big house, sharing all our stuff.

Was this really written by Koontz? It seems like a 9th grader's first attempt at writing...excpet that it lasts for several hundred pages.

Skip it for sure.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but a little too Fairy-Taleish
Review: This story starts out great. 3 characters are brought together by chance and circumstance and injected with an evil substance of God knows what by a mad scientist type of man. They have to do research to find out what they've been injected with and also exactly what is at store in their future. They come to learn that each of them has developed some type of supernatural-like abilities which will come in handy later while dodging reckless gunmen. However, later on the story kind of fizzles out because every time the author develops a jam for the characters or a tough situation they just seem to solve it by the snap of their fingers..Kaput..Over. I don't have a problem suspending disbelief but I found the childish solutions and happy-sappy endings to be a little more than I could fathom. There is no doubt that Dean Koontz is a master of suspense and story-telling but I feel some of the scenes should have been condensed to avoid getting glazed-over eyes and that the intensity of the story faded later on in the book. The book would have been far better if the author had cut out some of the more frivolous parts and stuck to the compelling story that started at the beginning of the book.

Rating:
Summary: A decent read but nowhere close to the author's best
Review: This novel may suffer more by comparison to the other works by Koontz than it does on it's own merits. Having read most of Koontz's book this one seems routine and formulaic, as though the author were going through the motions and is somewhat impatient about getting the thing over with. While many of Koontz's book use a very similar formula they nevertheless succeed in maintaining the attention of the reader and creating sympathy with well drawn characters. One character in this novel is a female stand up comedian who drives around a plant that she talks to. She is never quite as endearing as the author intends. There are many tense and amusing moments as there always are in a Koontz novel but overall this is not one of his best.

Rating:
Summary: Really a 4.5 stars
Review: Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: After being injected with the mysterious "stuff", Dylan, Shep and Jillian are on the run from bad guys who will stop at nothing to kill them and on the run to find out about the fantastic transformations they are going through

MY FEEDBACK:

CONTENT - As usual the profanity and sex is left to a minimum or non-existent. But what there is of any of it is handled with deft humor that makes you further appreciate the craftsmanship of Koontz

CHARACTERS - Protagonists are very likeable and you root for them to overcome the obstacles

SETTING - For once a Koontz story that doesn't take place solely in Southern California. The setting adds possibilities for both the good guys and the bad guys and is used to this measure.

PLOT - Lots of twists and turn and not knowing how things will be resolved. My only complaint about the book is that the end was kind of anti-climatic. Like his Tick-Tock book this combines a lot of well handled suspense with good humor, which made the story that much more enjoyable

OVERALL

SPOILER TO FOLLOW . . .



Get it, read it, and . . .


if you liked the concept of M. Knight Shaylaman's UNBREAKABLE, then you'll like this story. If you didn't then you will be disappointed unfortunately