By the Light of the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat formulaic, but still pretty good
Review: (3 & 1/2 stars) I definitely enjoyed this new Koontzbook, but not quite as much as his last one, One Door Away From Heaven. The plot unfolds in a manner very familiar to the author's regular readership. Three people are thrown together by mysterious circumstances, and then they're on the run, fleeing from a faceless and vaguely menacing enemy. As in nearly all of Koontz's novels, there is an unknown phenomenon at work, something that is not really explained until the book is at least two-thirds complete. When it is finally explained, I was dismayed to find out that the secret involves the same theme as Michael Crichton's latest book, Prey. Having just read that one a couple of weeks ago, it was frustrating to see that the two writers based their stories on the same idea.

Despite the bestseller redundancy, though, By The Light does have several positive aspects that kept me reading it. The "powers" developed by the three characters are intriguing to think about (although Jilly's power is poorly established in the first half of the book). The relationships between the characters are generally gratifying to experience as they are happening. There is genuine suspense and excitement along the way. All in all, this is not one of Mr. Koontz's best novels, but still decent enough.

One final thing that I pondered while reading this book.... Dean Koontz creates these (usually) likeable characters in his books, but then we never see them again once the particular book is finished (with a couple of exceptions). It would nice if he would bring some of the best ones back again in future stories.

Rating:
Summary: Cold as Ice
Review: Dean Koontz has been a favorite of mine since the late seventies. Quite truthfully, I find his books to be highly entertaining. By the Light of the Moon is frankly one of his best works to date. The only disappointment I felt after the last page was that the book had ended.

Dean Koontz does take a different strategy with his tapestry of plot. Instead of weaving back and forth with various strands of his plot as he did with Strangers and Mr. Murder, Koontz basically stays with his three main characters once they are introduced. As has been usual with Koontz as of late, his new novel only spans a few days.

Koontz starts his novel with a true North by Northwest feel in that he appears to place his characters in the wrong place at the wrong time. An unusual plot twist in the novel's last pages takes a surprise turn that will take most readers totally unaware, and Koontz shreds the wrong place at the wrong time into something else entirely.

Dylan O'Conner, an artist on his way to an arts festival, and his autistic brother Shep are ensconced in a hotel room. Nearby, Jillian Jackson is a comedian on her way to her next gig. Those three find a trip to get fast food and root beer to be a suddenly dangerous proposition. Attacked by an amok scientist, Dylan and Jillian are forcibly given injections that may-or may not-have positive consequences.

To compound matters, there is a goon squad that wants to kill the amok scientist and anyone with whom he may have had contact. Jillian, Dylan, and the synonym spouting Shep find themselves on the run and that strange things are beginning to happen within their bodies.

The next few days in the three character's lives are a wild non-stop roller coaster ride that is virtually a thrill a minute. Koontz has a unique way of peppering his suspense-filled pages with humor, especially in the personage of Shep O'Conner. One can easily compare the unusual character that is Shep with Tom (M-O-O-N spells Tom) from King's The Stand. Both characters are immensely charming and quite more than they appear to be.

Easily, these three characters rank as some of the most charming and unique personages found in the Koontz universe. Koontz somehow finds a way to allow the characters to grow and become three-dimensional during the book's non-stop action and brevity of time that makes up the story's setting.

This is also one of the few Koontz books that does not feature a loveable animal. The goon squad that chases Shep, Dylan, and Jillian never develop as characters because they remain a constant background threat. Normally, Koontz loves to get into his evil characters' heads and reveal their sickness. He pretty much avoids doing that with the exception of the chilling Dr. Frankenstein. (For those who have read the book, the pun with chilling was intended. Sorry.)

Those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing the Koontz universe could not hope for a better introduction. By the Light of the Moon is a master at work and is a wonderful weaving of suspense and comic relief.

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: 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: Simply Amazing!!!
Review: I am at awe of Dean Koontz. His stories never cease to continually meet and surpass my expectations. The beauty of his written word is awe-inspiring. "The expired day lay buried in the earth, in the asphalt. Unseen but felt, its ghost haunted the Arizona night..."
As with his last novel "One Door Away From Heaven," Koontz has taken us on a spiritual journey wrapped inside a fast paced, page turner that leaves you with hope for the human race. It introduces us to three unlikely travelers. Dillon O'Connor, an artist who believes there is beauty in everything; his autistic brother, Shepard, who loves puzzles and Charles Dickens; and, Jillian Jackson, a struggling stand-up comedian who believed hope and hard work could win everything she wanted.

The trio are thrown together by a set of circumstances that are as terrifying as they are bizarre. They are all infected with an unknown substance that leaves then struggling to understand new and often times scary "powers." Now they must out run a group of highly trained and deadly assailants as they search for the nature and creator of the unknown substance ruling their lives.

I wish that I had Mr. Koontz's talent with the written word so that I can convey the impact his novels have on me. I think that the new direction his stories are taking is a breath of fresh air.

I hope you too, will love "By The Light Of The Moon." I certainly did!!

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: The Old Formula
Review: I have read Koontz's books and for a hile had been a little disappointed, however By the light of the Moon lives up to all my expectations of a Dean Koontz novel :) I really enjoyed the fast (which is reminent of Dark Rivers of the Heart)pace and the awesome technology (Nanobots, which make all Koontz novels just that bit more believable? who knows what will happen in the future). However the ending was very superhero-ish and made me think of Mutant X (TV Show) with all their special powers and wanting to use them for good. Koontz hasn't done very many sequels, but this has a feel of part 2 coming up. I really enjoyed the characters in this novel and how they jelled together. Koontz often writes to a loose "formula" and this fits right in to it. Man, Woman and Dog (This case autistic brother)find trouble with new technology and must keep one step ahead at all times. Shep (autistic brother) brings a lot of light humour to the novel which breaks up the intencity of the action, just at the right moments. I laughed a lot during this novel. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: No more Dean Koontz for me
Review: I tolerated Odd Thomas, and I made it through that book. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for By the Light of the Moon.

Someone gave this book to me for Christmas; otherwise I wouldn't have even picked it up. I attempted to read it, and was completely bored. Fact it - it's dull.

There are a lot of Dean Koontz fans out there, but I am not one of them. I won't be making the mistake of reading another one.

If I could have given this book 0 stars, I would have done that.

Rating:
Summary: Very plainly..........
Review: In my humble opinion, it is the worst, or should I write least favorite book I've ever read. Shep this, and Shep that. The novel was extremely irritating to the point I just wanted to pull out the pages and sling it across the room. This is my second Koontz book I've read. The first was "From the Corner of His Eye", which was wonderful. It is on my list of top novels. This book, by my opinion, is garbage. Find out for yourself if you like it or not. I would strongly recommend getting and reading "From the Corner of His Eye" though.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended story!!!
Review: One of the best things about this book is that it's fairly short by Dean Koontz standards - approximately 400 pages - and it goes right to the point from the first sentence. The action practically begins in the first chapter and doesn't stop all the way to the end. If you've got a free weekend and you want some good entertainment through books, I highly recommend that you pick this one up.

Also, this is not the usual trend of gory fiction you would normally get from this genre, which is good. This story doesn't just focus on the suspense of the plot. It also focuses on the characters. The relationship between Dylan and Sheperd is poignant and touching. Dylan plays the role of the brother/father and Sheperd is the younger brother with a mental disability. Throughout the story Dean Koontz presents a quasi--3D portrayal of these two characters. I could almost feel them in real life. That's how solid Mr. Koontz' writing is in this particular story. I won't say much more because I'd be giving away the plot. All I can say is please read this book. You won't regret it. I promise.