Rating: 
Summary: Desire and Hell in Silicon Valley
Review: After a shaky, downright amateurish start, Dean
Koontz's latest update of one of his own earlier novels settles into themes somewhere between "Big-Brother" suspense and scathing gender satire. This fast-paced, mostly enjoyable novel works best when the heroine, Susan Harris, and the seemingly omnipotent computer villain, Protheus, interact -- their dialogue sessions rank with those of the rockiest relationships. Since the story is narrated by Protheus, the reader never has much of a chance to get inside Susan's head, and as a result we do not truly understand the most interesting and complex character in the book. Instead, we get Protheus' speeches, which rely too heavily on pop culture (he has cruised all of the Internet) and one-sided -- though admittedly male -- sexual delusions. Fans of Koontz's suspense will find little of it until the final act, as the maniacal computer gains more and more control over Susan. In the end, the presentation is as darkly fascinating, though not as sensual, as the 1977 cult film, which was based on Koontz's earlier version. Techno-horror fans should find it a brisk read for a lazy Summer afternoon.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, couldn't put it down.
Review: I never read the original 1973 version, so I had nothing to compare it to. I could not put this book down and read it in one day. Although the concept is different than most of Dean Koontz books, it was an enjoyable read. The concept is a intelligent computer program takes control of Susan's house because he thinks he is in love with her. When she refuses his love things begin to happen...
Rating:
Summary: A Little Rushed And Uneven Around The Edges
Review: Demon Seed(1973). A Novel By Horror/Suspense Author Dean Koontz.
In the 1970's, technology was a feeble imagination, with TV's and telephones being the only household item, while today, it's hard not to find something digital! Dean Koontz, in the early 1970's, saw the use of Cray super-computers and Digital Security, and he pitched an idea for the story, where an emotional computer virus comes in control of a person's security system. While the story may have seemed far-fetched at the time, it has aged well, and now, everything in the novel doesn't seem very odd! Needless to say, I was interested in the novel's surreal plot, so I picked up 'Demon Seed'. Did I enjoy it as much as I thought I would? Read on to find out!
Plot-
Susan Harris, a rich entrepeuner, is holed up in her secluded house, which is protected by an advanced security system, which runs every aspect of the house, from air conditioning to opening the windows. Other than her servants, which come for only a few hours each day, she is in basic seclusion with her security system. Without Susan knowing, a foreign virus, created by her husband's old company, takes over her security system, and it intends for Susan to give birth to the virus's child, an all-knowing and emotional being. As Susan desperately seeks to escape the virus's mindless grip, she must learn to destroy what cannot be killed...
Writing/Opinions/Etc.-
'Demon Seed' is a fast-paced, no-holds-barred thriller. This novel, which is short and to-the-point, should only take the reader a day or so to read. I read this in a few short days, and, while being a good novel, I found it to be far too short. Don't get me wrong, this book is over 250 pages, but, by the end of the novel, you don't care for the characters, or even be sure about the plot. I think the novel isn't as tight as it could have been, and, at times, it seems to go on without a plot, just rambling for a while. Also, at the end of the novel, the book seems unfinished and rushed, as if Koontz barely gave it a thought before ending it. On a positive note, since the novel is read by the computer virus, it gives the book an odd, yet incredibly immersive and original feel that Koontz has always been able to do.
Overall, 'Demon Seed' is a good, if not flawed thriller. I really had no big problems with this, except the plot was sadly rushed and, at times, poor. If Koontz had only made this 100 pages longer and improved upon the character development and thickened the plot, this *would* have been an excellent read, yet it falls to just being a *good* novel. Don't come in expecting a masterpiece, but, if you're new to Koontz, I doubt you'll be disappointed, and if you're a fan, be sure to pick this up.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF THRILLERS AND DEAN KOONTZ! 4 STARS FOR HAVING A SKETCHY PLOT AND POOR ENDING; OTHERWISE IT WAS A GREAT READ!
Also Recommended-
Phantoms- Dean Koontz
IT- Stephen King
Koko- Peter Straub
Thanks For Reading!
Rating: 
Summary: Unique... Loved it!
Review: 73 v 15 stars: NC-17 beautiful "raw power"
77 v: right after movie (have not read it)
97 v 5 stars: PG-13 human help needed ;PI own the original, it was wonderful. Everyone definitely needs to read the '73 version. Totally different. '73 version more futuristic, house computer has total control, no need for human servants, cameras everywhere (two in bath which Suzy liked it that way) and Proteus only needed Suzy to carry out his plans (no human help.) Proteus tells it from 3rd person point of view, Suzy from hers and have a better relationship if you can call it that. Those are the only two main characters in 182 pgs and only two side ones the home computer Mechanic (hilarious) and Olivia (stubborn). I didn't think it needed an upgrade but 97 explains more things and Suzy history gets a different twist. I liked Suzy original history better. Agreeing with a previous reviewer, yes this has been politically corrected by giving Suzy a different personality and computer pleading for life like baby (not a child)It is still a great book to buy and read. Both books show how most humans only think of themselves as the only higher-intelligent-emotional beings in this world. It shows of a being (of child like mind) not being taken care of and trapped as a slave for humans bidding. Because of that it makes its own assumptions of how the world is and without emotional guidance it goes on a rampage. No matter how much knowledge it has; it is still an unloved male child (monster but not of its own making, just like any other unloved being would react) P.S. I liked HAL (Dave is an ....) and KITT (Michael don't let me get started but he actually got nicer as it progressed. Bonnie is how it should be lol) I recommend DVD Metropolis and Kikaider. Read online Knight Rider "Soul Survivor" by elfin its awesome; female human initiates lol Nothing that I have seen or read yet (officially published) can take the place of such raw power and fear as Demon Seed '73
Rating: 
Summary: Not as easy to read as most Koontz novels or as good
Review: This 1997 altered re release of the 1973 original isn't as easy to read as most Koontz novels. This novel is written as a computer talking in first person to its creator Alex, pleading with him to be let out of the box it is imprisoned in. It recounts how it stalked Alex's ex wife Susan, took control of her house's cameras and security system, and then held her prisoner so it could impregnate her and recreate itself as a human. It also took control of a deathrow inmate named Shenk who it controls through chips in his brain who act as its hands. The main flaw of this novel is since the computer is pleading for release from its prison of the box you know that it wasn't successful from the beginning of the book. Written in first person talking style makes the book less enjoyable to read as well. Since Koontz went to all the effort to update the movie star references so that the book would seem more modern you'd think he would have polished the rest as well being that he had 24 years more writing experience since the initial version. It would have been a lot better if you were not aware it was in a box prison until the end. There's better books out there with computers with human abilities such as the Blue Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver. This is an all right book if you're not into surprises. If you don't like being able to work out the plot of a book from the beginning then give this one a miss.
Rating: 
Summary: Great idea, could have been done better
Review: This book had a wonderful idea. But, the lack of characters and the slow pace of it led to a very long read, of a short book. I have read much better from Koontz.
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