Rating: Summary: A classic made even better! Review: Icebound is one of the most interesting books from Koontz that doesn't include a carnival! The suspense and action mixed with the interplay of the characters make this book impossible to put down. Only, it perhaps would have been better to leave the psychotic killer out of the story all together. I felt that the main plot, being stranded on an iceburg that is about to blow up, was more than enough to hold my attention. Overall, this book is a must read, a fine example of Koontz's ability to use different styles and not be locked into a common theme
Rating: Summary: Dean Koontz--Icebound (1995) Review: Swaying from his usual out-of-this-world original style that consumes readers with his unnerving wit and suspense, "Icebound" is a Koontz piece that is certainly attempting to shade the likes of Clancy, Crichton, and even King. With this said, the novel does not possess the uncanny qualities that he often uses to grip his readers and the premise of an arctic team stranded in the ice-pierced habitat falls through the cracks.Harry and Rita Carpenter are part of a team of scientists who are studying how they can use age-old icebergs in order to save a planet that is thirsting for water after ill-advised societies whiped out almost all traces of the essential lifeline. Just before they are about to leave their mission as a success, the team is terrorized by a murderous maniac and is keeping them from leaving the shivering area. As Harry and Rita try to figure out who the mysterious killer is, they also have to keep the team together before the suspicions, delusions, and fears corrupt the expedition and cause them even more harm. Only a half-way enjoyable story, "Icebound" is a fast-paced read that unfolds to reveal nothing special--the characters are not well-developed and are a part of a drawn-out cliche of a novel. Seems like a rushed effort by Koontz after such incredibly satisfying works such as "Intensity" and "Dark Rivers of the Heart". A major disappointment.
Rating: Summary: Not One of His Best Review: The book is about a team of scientists trapped on a floating Iceberg and their attempt to get off before it explodes. I found the book for the most part to be boring, with most of the action surrounding the rescue attempts. For the most parts the final rescue attempt is kind of elaborate. There were times in the book where I thought why don't they just do this, instead of that to get off the iceberg. But anyway since this is a reissue of one of his earlier books, I won't be as critical. Thank goodness his later books are much better.
Rating: Summary: worst koontz book Review: I have read several Koontz novels and have enjoyed them.
This book was just plain awful.
Rating: Summary: A different kind of Koontz book Review: While I noticed many reviews on this book were negative, I have to say, I enjoyed the book. I am a long-time Koontz fan and have read all but 5 of his books, so I'm a good judge, I think. While Icebound is quite different than most Koontz books, I found this to be a refreshing change. I thoroughly enjoyed the action and suspense. The whole plot of being trapped on a huge iceberg in the middle of the Artic with bombs set to detinate in 12 hours and you're awaiting rescue...how much more thrilling can it get? The description of things around these 8 people, the cold, the ice, the water, the wind, really made me feel like I was there too. I thought the book flowed smoothly- not too fast or too slow. While at times it was hard to keep the characters straight and their development was not the best, I still enjoyed some of the central characters. Koontz did fill us in on some of their pasts as well, which I enjoyed- almost as subplots, something to take us away from the story at hand and engage the reader. I'd recommend this book to fans of suspenseful or action packed books. It's not an average horror/scary Koontz book, but I think if you know that going in, Koontz fans will also enjoy this book.
Rating: Summary: Boring Review: I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz and have loved every book I've read by him (about 15) EXCEPT Icebound. The story is boring and the characters are bland. I found myself never really caring if they ever got off the stupid iceberg and even hoping it would blow them all up. The action doesn't start for about 3/4 of the way into the book. My advice is pass this one up for a more exciting book.
Rating: Summary: Wow--what a surprise! Review: First of all, I'm a great Koontz fan. He is a superlative writer, and this early book--updated by the author--is an example of his extraordinary talent. FEW writers can combine great adventure and plot WITH excellent characterization. Koontz is a master of doing just this. Icebound is a departure from Koontz's horror genre. This is strictly a techno-thriller. The action is nonstop--never a dull moment, and all very, very well done. It is about a group of scientists who are carrying out an assignment in the arctic...very believable scenario, I might add. As a result of severe weather storm conditions and sub-oceanic quakes, a large chunk of ice breaks off and they find themselves stranded on an iceberg upon which they had implanted explosives scheduled to go off in 12 hours. There are no American ships that can rescue them because of their distance and the severe weather. Only a Russian sub on a clandestine mission is close enough and has the ability to possibly rescue the team of scientists. The stories of the men, especially the submarine captain, make you really care about the outcome. Although Koontz, in his afterword, is humble enough to diminish his technological detail as compared with a Tom Clancy, I found the whole thing so real that I was there! I love submarine adventures and to me, this numbers with the best of them. Noteworthy is the graphic detail of what it must be like to work in such an extreme environment. The descriptions of the arctic and the weather conditions are awesome. Even the death scene where one man dies through drowning is so realistic I could imagine vividly what it felt like to die this way. On top of the natural perils they face, there is a one twisted mind with them who is obsessively determined to commit murder. This portion of the story is also very well executed. In short (I should have said this some paragraphs back!), I can find nothing negative to say about this story or writing style. I read it at breakneck speed because it was so riveting. I heartily recommend this book to not only Koontz fans but to anyone who enjoys a techno-thriller. If you're looking only for a supernatural horror story, this is not the ticket. But...if you love Koontz's immense talent and want to read an exciting thriller, have at it!
Rating: Summary: Okay . . . but not great Review: First of all I'd like to quote from a previous reviewer: "(1 star) = Unbelievable!, April 7, 2000 Reviewer: A reader In reading the reviews of this so-called, awful novel, I don't see where these people get off stating that it was a good book. I could'nt even get past the 2nd chapter, cause I did not understand the message Koontz was getting at. Very, very confusing" There is absolutly nothing confusing about this book, that review must have been 9 years old. And reviewing it after not getting to the 2nd chapter is pathetic. Now, my side of the story. This book is very well written, however . . . the plot is rather predictiable, zero horror, and at times you will want to stop at every perspective change, tiime change, and/or chapter. I really don't suggest reading this apposed to other Koontz books, but for any hardcore Koontz fan this is a must read (if not just for the cover alone :)
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