Intensity

Rating:
Summary: Great Intensifying Read
Review: I must admit to having a slight penchant for Koontz's books, so any review I write on them will probably be biast. However I will try and be objective (honest)

Intensity is a great book (why do you look so suprised!). It is fast, lively and entertaining. That's what I like about Konntz's books, they aren't anything more than what they appear to be. If you want amazing depth, precision and use of the English language pick up a Lawrence or a Hardy. If however you want a good book, that you don't have to use a dictionary to understand, one that keeps you entertained from cover to cover, then, this is the one for you.

It is the story of a young girl, Chyna, that enters a world of nightmares. She witnessess the murder of a friends family and in a pique of insanity decides to chase the killer. Of course he is one huge musclebound, weirdo, psycho, serial killer. Your usual plot! Chuck in a couple more murders, a car chase and a past that comes back to haunt the main character; and Voila, you have got all the ingredients of a good Koontz novel.

I would happily recommend that you read this book, but read it with the mind to enjoy it purely for what it is. Good old escapism.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a real "page-turner"
Review: "Intensity" was my first Koontz book. As an avid reader ofthriller novels, I was mildly amused and entirely not surprised by the ubiquitous bylinewhich invariably appears on all books of this genre: "You will not be able to put this book down". Well, my cynicism proved to be wrong this time. This is truly the first book which I could not put down, from page 1. Regrettably, I started it at 11pm, so obviously I did not get much sleep that night. Koontz uses a simple yet effective method to lure his readers to read on - he doesn't give you a minute to pause and take a breath. Amenities such as taking a break for "nature calls" are out of the question; you'll have to take the book with you. His clever use of different tenses for the two main characters (Chyna-Past;Vess-Present) adds a nice touch, as do the mysterious coastal elks (although it is to be regretted this theme has not been developed further). I agree, it is a predictable book, but then again - aren't almost all thriller novels predictable? What makes "Intensity" better than average is the fulfillment of the "you will not put this book down" promise. Read this book, but don't start it late at night!

Rating:
Summary: I'm in the minority -- I thought it was a big yawn
Review: I thought it was a lousy book. The main character was just another typical cookie-cutter Koontz heroine. They're all the same. I'd swear that the escape from the chains/chair was related in "real time." Did it really have to go on that long? I saw the big "twist" coming a mile away.

Also, the thing that bugged me the most: The killer is, well, killing or something and he thinks, "This was exciting... In fact, it was... INTENSE!" Get it? Because that's the name of the book. The killer loves the feeling of... INTENSITY! So he has to keep repeating the word INTENSE! Usually I pass books on to someone when I'm finished and know I don't want to keep it for myself, but with not the least bit of a feeling of INTENSITY I tossed this one in the trash.

Rating:
Summary: Finally-- one that could happen to anyone
Review: Intensity's strength is that it chronicles a scenario that happens every year in our country. Psychotics who can live an outwardly normal life kidnap victims and hold them captive. This was a refreshing break from Koont's bizzare, outlandish, scientific, supernatural works that most readers probably can't relate to. Overall it is a must read because it shows Koontz down on a human level. I see one and a half problems, however, which keep it from being higher than a 7:

Koontz dove WAY too deep in the mind of Chyna and of Vess. He could have stricken entire pages and groups of pages that were nothing but complex descriptions of the characters psyches. The effect the author was trying to accomplish there could have happened with a lot less description. The half of a problem is that Koontz just barely touched on how Vess chose his victim's house. The novel would have been so much stronger had this been developed and turned into a bigger part of the story.

Also, the references to the elk were distracting and accomplished absolutely nothing. Despite my unforgiving critical eye, I liked the book a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Dean Koontz
Review: Chyna Shepard is going to her friend Laura's house for Thanksgiving. That night Laura and her family are brutally murdered by a crazed killer named Edgeler Vess, who bases his whole life on murdering people, and the intensity that he gets out of it. Chyna manages to remain undetected and make it out of the house. Unfortunately, Vess comes out shortly after which leaves Chyna no time to escape. With no other option, Chyna is forced to secretly hide out in the back of Edgeler's motor home. Chyna wants desperately to escape and leave Vess behind. That is until she learns that Vess is keeping a missing girl named Angel prisoner at his home. Putting her own needs aside, Chyna becomes determined to save Angel and take Vess down.

"Intensity" is the perfect theme for this book, because the suspene that the story brings is INTENSE. The story will keep you on the edge of your seat, because the amount of twists, turns, and close calls will drive you crazy! The ending is especially shocking, and provides for an overall enjoyable experience. Koontz is a master at character development, and uses it to create the best villan that he ever put down on paper in Edgeler Vess. He is pure evil, and sadistic beyond comprehension. But his intelligence, wit, and charm make Vess almost likeable at times. Koontz often makes his villans have likeable traits, which makes you want to root for the bad guy. Chyna is the other half of the outstanding equation. Her selfless actions and determination are really inspiring. I love the fact that she is willing to risk her own life to save a girl that she has never met. "Intensity" is also an outstanding pyshological thriller as well, because of the ongoing battle of wits between Vess and Chyna.

"Intensity" is definately on Koontz's top 10 list. The battle between Vess and Chyna provides for non-stop suspense and an entertaining battle of wits between the two. The unending amount of close calls and the shocking ending will leave you begging for more after you have finished. A truly great book!

Rating:
Summary: INTENSE doesn't even begin to describe it!
Review: It's a rush: a novel set within a 24 hour time span, revolving around one character as she battles one of the most insidious villains in literature.

Chyna Shepherd is visiting her friend Laura's house. She like's Laura's family; it makes her wish she had one like it. Nice parents, a loving brother...it's gonna be a nice visit.

Then someone else shows up. His name: Edgler Foreman Vess. He is not psychotic; he is beyond that. From the letters of his name, he spells: GOD FEARS ME. As well He should.

Hiding in the shadows, Chyna watches as Laura's family is murdered. Then, in a daring attempt at escaping the hell house, she finds herself aboard Vess's trailer...and on a ride that will take her to places (both physical and mental) that she never thought she'd be.

INTENSITY is the thrill-ride of thrill-rides. Dean Koontz proves that he is, after all, the Master of Suspense, as he weaves a tale that will keep you riveted to the edge of your seat. Dean Koontz is driving down the road of mastery; you better hold on.

Rating:
Summary: DISTURBINGLY THOUGHT PROVOKING...
Review: INTENSE and then some!!! This is probably one of the most appropriately titled books I have ever read. "Intensity" pours out of this book at a relentless and sometimes uncomforting pace. Once again, Dean Koontz has managed to craft an engaging and multi-leveled character...Chyna. I found myself really feeling the pain and fear of her past. Ironically enough, that past is probably the only thing that helps her keep hold of her sanity through the whole ordeal. The absolute scariest part of this novel is that Vess is hauntingly familiar in today's twisted and "starving for violence" society. As sick as he is, he is also extremely intelligent and morbidly interesting. He is a real-life monster (with the perfect "window dressing"). You will find yourself hating him but wanting to understand him at the same time. One of the best things about Koontz is that he finds a way to weave important physcological issues into all his books without overwriting the thoughts of the characters - a rare comodity with most of Koontz's competition (S.K. included). And as per usual, the action is of first-rate quality.

Readers beware: This book may cause sweaty hands, rapidly pounding heart action, and sleepless nights (especially when you're alone at night and thinking about the Vesses of the world, out there in the dark shadows casing someone's home...possibly even yours)

Rating:
Summary: Intensity
Review: Chyna Shepherd, at 26, is very much alone in the world. Growing up with a hippie mother, Chyna's bleak childhood was filled with fear and confusion. While visiting the home of her best and only friend Laura, Chyna miraculously survives the brutal and senseless murders of Laura and her entire family. Chyna's nightmare continues when she accidently gets trapped in the killer's mobile home. Although the homicidal Vess functions normally in the everyday world, he is abhorrent and terrifying in the extreme. When Chyna discovers that Vess's next victim is an adolescent girl, she tries to stop him. No longer helpless, Chyna matches wits with the brilliant Vess in a contest for her life and her sanity. Koontz's masterly pen once again builds the suspense to almost unbearable levels and readers will scarcely believe that the story takes place over a 36-hour period. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Dean Koontz--Intensity (1995)
Review: One of the simpler stories conceived by horror-suspense great Dean Koontz, "Intensity" is a rip-roaring, overpowering, do-not-read-alone-during-the-night tale that solidified him as one of the best of his time. Chyna Shepherd is ready to move on with her life, forget the past, and begin anew as a strong, dedication woman. While spending the weekend with her best graduate school friend, Chyna can not sleep and feels as if something is just not right. Past midnight, the family is tormented by an evil killer who proceeds to slay everyone but her.

First driven by absolute fear, Chyna hides inside the maniacal sociopath's trailer--realizing that the only way to survive is to fight back. While hiding from the hideous Edgler Foreman Vess (it even sounds scary!), Chyna learns that her friend's family were not the only victims he planned for the near future, for a young girl is trapped inside a realm of darkness and at the brink of being Vess's prey--brutalized and slaughtered. The tough protagonist searches deep down into her soul for the strength to in hopes defeat this unbearable evil, only to eventually find herself in Vess's home and in a hell that she could never foresee. Chyna Shepherd is arguably his most developed character, weaving her in and out of horrors while brilliantly connecting her troubled past with the dedication and resolve to try and sacrifice herself for the life of someone else.

Edgler Foreman Vess is equally as effective as the enemy as Chyna is the heroine. He is a homicidal adventurist who lives only to satisfy his gruesome needs of intensity, sensation, and death. The moments throughout the novel when the readers learn the thoughts and motives of Vess are truly horrific and disturbing, mainly when Koontz uses innocence as the victim. "Intensity" is perhaps his most authoritative novel, pouncing on the audience within the first few pages, increasing the shockingly readable twists and turns with every chapter. It is a work that is hard to read, even harder to comprehend the iniquity that Chyna is up against; but it is a masterful illustration of perseverence, insistence, and strength. A certain all-nighter of a tale, "Intensity" will rock you.

Rating:
Summary: Goddamnit!!
Review: This book IS intense. I won't go into any details here, hundreds of others have done so, but let me just say, if you don't get pulled into this book by the very first page, well, then you must lead a rather horrifying life!!