Rating: 
Summary: Jaded readers?
Review: ...if your looking for
that story that sticks to the ribs and really intices (as opposed
to the general "light weight" material that seems to have infected both the music and literary industries in unison in
recent years), then you're in for a real treat.
I will not go into the specifics concerning plot, characters,
or anything in relation to "Cipher".
It is the literary equivalent of hearing Nirvana for the first
time or to seeing the movie "Dead Man"; beautiful,dark,comical,
brutal,and mezmerizing. ------------Enjoy!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: The "Underground" of Horror
Review: An introspective, overwhelming, claustrophobically creepy horror novel in which you're not entirely sure anything has "really happened". A combination of the intricate "other world" detail of the best of 1920's sci-fi horror fiction, with the dark, compulsive nihilism of the best of punk. Along with a really realistic portray of personal relationships. Does all that sound overly pretentious? Well, it is, but the book ISN'T. I picked the book up one morning on the way to work, and didn't do a damn thing until I finished it after lunch.
Rating:
Summary: H.P. Lovecraft meets the Sex Pistols
Review: An introspective, overwhelming, claustrophobically creepy horror novel in which you're not entirely sure anything has "really happened". A combination of the intricate "other world" detail of the best of 1920's sci-fi horror fiction, with the dark, compulsive nihilism of the best of punk. Along with a really realistic portray of personal relationships. Does all that sound overly pretentious? Well, it is, but the book ISN'T. I picked the book up one morning on the way to work, and didn't do a damn thing until I finished it after lunch.
Rating:
Summary: A literary awakening
Review: Kathe Koja is a brilliant writer; reading her stories is a
true experience not only of the mind,but of all the senses.
THE CIPHER is a truly horrific novel,relying not on cheap
shocks,but going for your brain instead,affecting the reader on both visceral and intellectual levels. At a time when I was
looking for unique literary experiences,THE CIPHER was my wake-up
call. Reading Koja's stories makes me want to write. THE CIPHER
is Koja's first novel; the rest of her work(especially
her short stories) is absolutely wondrous and should be sought
out and devoured by bibliophiles.
Rating:
Summary: The "Underground" of Horror
Review: Kathe Koja is almost a phenomenon. Her dazzling prose is so good that she doesn't even need a plot. She can write a 400 page book about a guy walking around his house and it would be good enought for me. This story seemed absurd to me (which I liked). If you boil down to it, it is about some people that are obsessed with sticking things into a hole. But it wasn't an absurd novel. It was deeply psychological and supernatural. The plot is very simple. There aren't too many characters or setting changes or days passing. It is just simple. But this makes room for the her works. excellent language, because she can concentrate on details. Even a paper clip can be criptic or erotic in a Kathe Koja novel. After I read the first paragraph of this book 6 years ago I HAD to go out and buy all of her works. SKIN is another book of hers I recommend. If you haven't read SKIN or THE CIPHER, don't read any others. Start with one of these. Anyway, you'll hate this book if you enjoy "cheap" horror novels about monsters killing people or any of that crap. You'll also hate it if you think Stephen King and Dean R Koontz novels should be put in the "Classics" section of your bookstore. This book is for the artistic-minded, the "Underground" followers, and the punk-poets. If you are looking for psychological/supernatural horror that is truly UNIQUE, that stands out of the slop, then Kathe Koja's THE CIPHER is a book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Awful
Review: Kathe Koja's work was hailed as something new and exciting when this novel first appeared. I believed the hype and ran right out and bought a copy. Ugh. My excitement over this supposedly great new voice carried me through the first twenty or so pages before her ridiculously rendered prose brought me to a halt. I put the book down and gave it another try some hours later, but the attempt to hack through this verbal tripe was useless. However, to give the author a chance to redeem herself, I slogged through the novel bit by bit until I reached the final page. What a monumental waste of time. Since then, I've been able to see her work in promotional and review copies, so I haven't wasted another dime on her name. I don't know who this work appeals to, other than a small clique of circle-back-patters and a couple of editors trying to justify their faith in this stuff. I've since learned not to believe the hype, and just patiently judge the merits of such "great new voices". Unfortunately, Koja's work has no merit.
Rating:
Summary: Simply poor writing, undeveloped story, unfinished concept
Review: The best thing I can say about this book is that I finished it, because I paid for it. It's not even competent writing. The plot was undeveloped (what makes a black hole a "process"? And what does that mean? That's about all you ever get for an explanation of this "Funhole", and nothing more is offered.) Worst of all, nothing dramatic even occurs. Where's the flipping story? The main character -- can't even remember his name -- was one part of this book that did not suck... he was a likable fellow, despite the asinine hole growing in his hand and leaking ectoplasm all over the place, making people flock to him like a Messiah for no real reason. Overall, unredeeming. No fear, even. A simple book like its own black hole -- an inexplicable and contrived miss. I find it most interesting that this book was even published.
Rating:
Summary: Simply poor writing, undeveloped story, unfinished concept
Review: The best thing I can say about this book is that I finished it, because I paid for it. It's not even competent writing. The plot was undeveloped (what makes a black hole a "process"? And what does that mean? That's about all you ever get for an explanation of this "Funhole", and nothing more is offered.) Worst of all, nothing dramatic even occurs. Where's the flipping story? The main character -- can't even remember his name -- was one part of this book that did not suck... he was a likable fellow, despite the asinine hole growing in his hand and leaking ectoplasm all over the place, making people flock to him like a Messiah for no real reason. Overall, unredeeming. No fear, even. A simple book like its own black hole -- an inexplicable and contrived miss. I find it most interesting that this book was even published.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome book!
Review: The Cipher is the first book I've read by Kathe Koja. I have to say, I am ready to try some more of her books! The Cipher was wickedly eery and I really got into the characters. I hated Nakota, felt angry pity for the lead character's way of not standing up for himself. But it was a very good book and worth my time.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED this book!
Review: The person who wrote such an unhappy review is way off! If the book wasn't for them, I can understand, but notice that she(?) read the WHOLE book to decide that it was a waste of time!... makes you wonder... I, myself, fell in love with this, the third Kathe Koja book I read. I even contemplated "losing" the library's copy because it has been so long out of print. But, after announcing it as unavailable for a short time, amazon.com eventually found a beautiful used copy for me that is in VERY good shape!!!! - although I would have accepted anything. They also found Skin, and Bad Brains!! I am so incredibly happy, especially to now have the gorgeous paperback cover artwork of The Cipher in my possession!!! I love it. If you can accept her style of writing, where there is no *traditional*, concrete plot that cleanly ties it all off at the end, you will really enjoy her writing for what it is: a tunnel to a beautiful imagination, the quirkiest and most fascinati! ng characters, psychological horror that connects to your own innermost thoughts and struggles, enchanting words, and sheer heavenly prose. I love her! I'm so glad to have the words of her early out-of-print obscure books for my very own! I can't say enough... Discover this world for yourself! You might just be as hypnotized as I was...
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