Rating: Summary: Too Much Backstory Review: Winter Moon was an okay, but by no means fantastic, read. The story goes like this: Jack McGarvey is a cop who gets shot up on the job in LA and decides that he just can't take the mean streets anymore. He moves his family out to a Montana ranch inherited from Eduardo Fernandez (his dead partner's father). Before his death, Fernandez discovers a strange 'alien' being of some kind that has no purpose or motivation other than to 'become' and 'hate'. A face to face confrontation with this being is what causes Fernandez'a ultimate demise, from a heart attack. When the McGarveys move to the ranch, they soon discover this being. Before long they find themselves in battle for their very survival.This story would have been much better, except for a couple of problems. 1.Way too much backstory. The whole first half of the book is literally split in two. You go back and forth between Jack's recovery from the shooting in an LA hospital and Fernandez's various encounters with the alien. Because it takes literally half the book for the main plot to get going, you feel like you are reading two different books, and end up unable to fully get involved with the plot of either. Really, DK could have split this up into two books that could have stood on their own. 2.The alien's lack of any motivation that the reader would be able to understand was just unsatisfying. While it might be true that we could never understand something that is truely alien, because of it's very 'alien-ness', it doesn't make for very satisfying story telling. This isn't the worst book I've ever read, but DK can (and has) done a lot better. As long-time fans know, he is a little hit or miss. Newcomers to DK novels should not let this novel put them off of future readings.
Rating: Summary: Mind Control Review: As Jack McGarvey is caught in a shoot out, he second partner within a year is shot and killed. Jack, himself is seriously injured and forced into the hospital and to make a challenging recovory. Little did Jack and his family know that their luck would soon be changing or so they thought it was going to change for the better. After getting out rehab, the McGarvey's received a letter in the mail explaing that they have inherited a ranch in the great lands of Montana. They were so gracious that they would be getting out of the dangerous streets of L.A. Little did they know that it was not any better. As they had entered their new home Heather McGarvey felt very uncomfortable about the surroundings. She was not quite sure what it was, but she knew that there was something lerking around. Toby, their 8 year old son, had become its first victim. Not knowing that he would soon become possessed with the "supernatural." As the McGarvey's soon realized that their son was a victim of this horrible monster. They knew action had to be taken. As they tried to kill this "alien" they found out nothing could slow it down like a shotgun, an uzi or even fire. As the end came near Toby figured out that he could control it with his mind. The boy was amazed that he could control such a powerful and large creature with just his mind. With their lives being threatened the creature was destroyed. Reading this book kept suspense and wonder running through the head. Not knowing what was going to happen next was a great feeling and keeps it interesting. Recommended for those who like suspense and the "aliens."
Rating: Summary: Everything Dean Koontz's "Cold Fire" wasn't.... Review: I am an big Dean Koontz fan and have read about 19 of his books. This is one of my top 5 favorites. An easy read but very entertaining. I think this book has one of the most suspensful scenes in any DK book (...the tapping on the window scene). I still get chills thinking about it. Not a book that draws you in very deep on an emotional level but the story around Heather, Jack, and Toby is a sweet one that makes you want to see good things happen for them. The reason I put the comment about Cold Fire in the title was because in that book I was hoping for a more extraterrestrial villian, (because it seems to be leading there) and was dissapointed with the overall outcome. Everything that wasn't delivered with Cold Fire is delivered in Winter Moon and more.
Rating: Summary: I Peeked at the Ending Review: Koontz is my favorite writer. I found Winter Moon as thrilling (start to finish), as scary (maybe scarier!), and hard to put down as all his others. But, with about one-fifth of the story to go, I began to suspect an ending I wasn't going to like. So I peeked, and there it was. BOOOO!!! Without that ending, this would be 4 or even 5 stars. I'm referring to the terribly disappointing relocation, not the resolution of the plot. Shame on Dean Koontz. Can I demand a rewrite?
Rating: Summary: Actually 3 1/2 stars....A gripping chokehold of a novel Review: A good enjoyable light read from the master of suspense, DEAN KOONTZ!! Jack McGarvey relocates his family to small-town Montana where they live in a ranch, left to them by Jack's murdered partner. Strange things start to happen, raising Jack's LA detective antenna; mutilations. Aliens invade the town and try to kill off "townies." Not his best, but not his worst by a long shot!! Slow start hurts, but the KILLER ending more than makes up for it!! For the most part, Koontz paces it well and his trademark characters are the real reason to purchase this interesting read!! For those of u who didn't like it, TRY WRITING sometime! It isn't as easy as it looks! It takes real talent to consistently churn out novels like DK does! He is one of the few who turn out quality after quality!!
Rating: Summary: NOT UP TO KOONTZ STANDARDS! Review: I have read just about all of Koontz's work and this is his poorest effort. Usually I can't put down reading his novels--but this one was work. Too slow and weak plot. Dean -don't write another one like this!
Rating: Summary: Slow start, quick ending Review: This book reminded me a lot of 'Phantoms'...allthough 1)the first part of the book is very slow, the part of the story that is set in Los Angeles is afwully boring, but the part in Montana is very enjoyable. Nothing horrible happens in the first part, only the ending 2)This part grips you by your throath, and it won't let you go till the end of the book. The style remind me much of Phantoms,the suspense lasts over more than hundred pages. And the monster well, well it has a lot in common with the 'Phantoms' thing. This part is so good that the book deserves four stars. A job properly done!
Rating: Summary: Koontz at his worst Review: I have read numerous, maybe even all of Koontz's books, and this one by far is my least favorite. The characters were all set up well, but the plot went nowhere. It wasn't creepy at all and the ending was a huge let down. Nothing was answered. Not worth the read in my opinion. Very slow moving.
Rating: Summary: Poor imitation of a Lovecraft novel Review: I usually like Koontz, this is by far the worst novel I have read by him. VERY dull throughout and it seems like its going nowhere for a long time. The ending was especially poor. There are a few nice parts however and these are when he almost gets close to Lovecraft's style. My recommendation is to find and H. P. Lovecraft novel and curl up with it instead.
Rating: Summary: PURE GOLD! Review: This was my first book by Dean Koontz that I had read, and I loved it, it is my favorite book that I have ever read. The storyline was just great, the way he set up the characters, perfect! This is a good page-turner, and it is a VERY suspenseful and creepy book! The action in the novel was great, it could not have been better, 5 stars all the way, I loved it from page one! I am defiantly going to read this book again. If your looking for a good read, then pick up Winter Moon.
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