Rating: Summary: Superbly Scary! Review: "Night Chills" is an elaborate novel that is not only terrifying, but peers into the dark side of human nature. An Instant Classic!
Rating: Summary: Disturbing And Haunting...This Will Give You The Chills! Review: (Actual Rating- 4.5 Stars)
Night Chills(1976). A Novel By Suspense/Thriller Writer Dean Koontz.
In the Late-50's, many companies experimented with the use of subliminals to make people go out and buy their products. While a big controversy at the time, the public soon forgot about it, yet, to this day, companies still use subliminal advertising to try and get people to buy their products. Although subliminals aren't visible to your conscious mind, your sub-conscious mind fully comprehends the hidden messages, and almost on instinct, 70% of the time the person will buy that product. Although the ads never technically "forced" anybody to buy the product, Dean Koontz explores in 'Night Chills' the scary possibility that someone could use subliminals to the point of total mind control. Since I was intrigued by the original and disturbing storyline, I decided to pick up 'Night Chills'. So, much like Koontz's other novels, was 'Night Chills' a masterpiece or a sorry state of affairs? Read on to find out!
Plot-
In the peaceful logging town of Black River, population 400, things are about to get out of hand. Scientist Ogden Salsbury, after discovering a drug, that combined with subliminals, can induce total mind control, hurriedly seeks out millionare Leonard Dawson to be his partner in taking over the world. To test the drug, they choose to wreak havoc on the peaceful town of Black River. After putting the *mind-control* drug in the town's water supply and exposing the townspeople to a TV show filled with subliminals, Salsbury goes in to see if he can control the townspeople. With just the mention of the code-phrase "I am the key", he unlocks the townspeople's minds to his every wish, and they can't help but go along. Meanwhile, the Addendale family, which includes 11-year old Rya and 8-year old Mark, not to mention their middle-aged father Paul take their yearly camping trip to Black River, and finds that everybody but them and the Edison family is suffering from night chills. As the Addendales and the Edison's dig deeper into the mass conspiracy that Ogden Salsbury has started, they must find a way to stop it, or else find themselves under Salsbury's control...
Writing/Opinions/Etc.-
'Night Chills', as any Koontz fan will agree too, isn't his best, yet it undoubtedly does what you've come to expect from Koontz: From start to finish, the gripping plotline and intricate plot twists will keep the reader enthralled throughout. Well, to no surprise, that holds true. Koontz divides the chapters between the main characters, so, one moment you'll find yourself reading the adventures of the Addendales and the next you'll find yourself gripped by the demented and disturbing acts of Salsbury and Dawson. I particuarly enjoy this style of writing, and thought it was a great idea on Koontz's part, as the reader gets to know the characters well. Koontz's eerily-possible story about Mind-control and subliminals was a great idea, and he really fleshes out all the details until the reader begins to wonder if this could one day happen to her. Unlike other reviewers have commented, this novel is in no way "very boring" or "drab", as I found myself reading for hours to finish this novel before I died of wondering what would happen! My only complaints, and hence the 4.5 rating, is that Koontz's scenes with Salsbury, which include raping and murdering people, get repetitive, but nevertheless they also hold your attention. Also, the ending, while fulfilling, seemed a tad rushed, and as usual you could have predicted the ending considerably before it happened.
Overall, 'Night Chills' is a great, enthralling, disturbing, and eerie novel that just begs to be read! Although the explicit language and adult content isn't suitable for children, and unless you're a picky adult, you wouldn't be taken aback by this novel. Like I said, when you pick up a Koontz novel, you can expect a first-rate thriller, and once again, he doesn't fail to deliver.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF SUSPENSE NOVELS, THRILLERS, HORROR NOVELS AND DEAN KOONTZ. BORING? I BEG TO DIFFER!
Also Recommended-
Phantoms- Dean Koontz
The Stand- Stephen King
Koko- Peter Straub
Rating: Summary: Koontz is at again! Review: After reading this book , I have to say that Koontz's characters are always, always at their best. This book was no different.I enjoyed reading this book right to the end.The story line always kept me waiting to see what was going to happen next.It's definitely classic Koontz.If you have ever read any of his books, you won't be dissapointed with this one!
Rating: Summary: Wow!! Review: After reading this book, I did some of my own research on the subject. I was completely blown away by what I discovered. Dean Koontz has managed to touch on a subject that should have us concerned. After all, our entire lives are governed by the media. Sorry, I can't say anymore without giving the story away.
Rating: Summary: Somewhat creepy, but not a great read Review: After reading this novel, and visualizing what it would be like if the 'night chills' happened in your community, you don't have pleasant dreams. Yes, the night chills aren't something you want to spread around you, but it's also not the best Koontz book. This novel did have a great potential, but Koontz slams it into the wall with explanations :)
Rating: Summary: Written in the 70's, but still good Review: Although this book was written in the 1970's, and during several parts it's obvious (especially when he says, "it's the 70's..."), however the book still stands up fairly well today.I've read 95% of Koontz's books and have been a huge fan for over 10 years. I tend to enjoy his earlier works more than his later, they're all good, but the earlier books are more of a "fun" read. They're not extremely long and they're really more pure horror. I love it, definitely a guilty pleasure. Nigh Chills is about a scientist that has discovered a way to brainwash people, to open their minds using subliminal ads and then program them to do what you'd like. The concept is chilling. The story is interesting and you're kept on the edge of your seat most of the time. And the characters are enjoyable. If you're a fan of Koontz's earlier works, you'll enjoy this.
Rating: Summary: Written in the 70's, but still good Review: Although this book was written in the 1970's, and during several parts it's obvious (especially when he says, "it's the 70's..."), however the book still stands up fairly well today. I've read 95% of Koontz's books and have been a huge fan for over 10 years. I tend to enjoy his earlier works more than his later, they're all good, but the earlier books are more of a "fun" read. They're not extremely long and they're really more pure horror. I love it, definitely a guilty pleasure. Nigh Chills is about a scientist that has discovered a way to brainwash people, to open their minds using subliminal ads and then program them to do what you'd like. The concept is chilling. The story is interesting and you're kept on the edge of your seat most of the time. And the characters are enjoyable. If you're a fan of Koontz's earlier works, you'll enjoy this.
Rating: Summary: A sobering book that touches the dark side of all humans. Review: As with most of Koontz's books Night Chills has very strong characters that are well contrived. Night Chills is not for the fair at heart because it does dive deep into some of the most horrendous human weaknesses. This book is fast pace and scary. The only disappointment is Koontz should have add 40 to 50 more pages and not had the ending end so abrupt. Even though the ending is not up to Koontz's standards the rest of the book is so good it warrants a 5 start rating. If you like to dive deep into human weakness then Night Chills is for you.
Rating: Summary: Ok I suppose Review: At the time I really enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down. But looking back it really wasn't all that great. The characters were flat beyond belief and the ending rushed in that classic Koontz style. I enjoyed the book due to the theme and general idea of the whole story. A fine idea poorly expressed.
Rating: Summary: It was an excellent book. Review: Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors. Anybody that doesn't like this book needs a brain transplant. Although no author compares with Canadian Michael Slade
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