Lightning

Rating:
Summary: In the first three pages, a man is held at gunpoint...
Review: ...and it doesn't stop there! This book is one of the many Koontz books I've read, and it is one of the best. It deals with several issues: time travel, the human emotions, and motivation.

In the midst of it all is an intriguing love-story between a mysterious character--who's always at the right place at the right time!--and the lady who is so innocent of her fate. It is about believing in what can be done, and finding the will to change it, however impossible it may seem.

The book is a success in itself, and luminates many fields of science, too. It demonstrates Koontz's fabulous knack at writing great fiction, even if the book isn't one of his longer novels.

If you don't like this book because you listened to it on audio, wrong choice! You have to read the books. It is completely different in your mind. If you're not a regular Koontz fanatic, try this one on for size, and you'll be hooked.

The characters are excellent, the dialogue is fantastic, and the plot is astounding. It divulges the evils of Man, and what we're capable of.

And about the ending? Well, read it and find out!

Rating:
Summary: This is the best book by Koontz
Review: This was the first book I read of Koontz and I've been hooked on him since. As always, Koontz gets you hooked the first page. He very successfully writes about Laura's life for 35 years without being to lengthy and boring, but still making it seem like she's been a lifelong friend. I loved the Ackerson twins. He made me wish that I was lucky enough to have a Stefan in my life to protect me. He brings scifi, love, and mystery and wraps it all into one wonderful story. Since I bought this book 6 years ago I've read it 14 times and all his other ones at least 3 times. Every time I read Lightning I find it intriguing and a beautiful love story. He's definitely the master at multi-genre stories.

Rating:
Summary: An AWESOME novel
Review: What can I say about this novel that will be any different than the multitudes of others. There is no doubt that this novel reigns as one his best. I don't want to repeat what already has been posted, but it's hard not to praise this book for the unique world it creates, and the pure enjoyment that comes from reading it. You will laugh, cry, and be blown away by the characters and story.

I read this twice over the years, and along with his novel "Midnight", it is my favorite; in fact, it is one of my favorite novels of all time.

Rating:
Summary: A different point of view...
Review: There's nothing I can say in this review that hasn't been said already. Having said that, Dean Koontz has become my favorite author through the years. Lightning was the second book I read of his, but has become my all-time favorite book, period. There is something about the character of Laura Shane that seems to speak to the idea that people really can haul themselves far above their station or circumstances in life to become successful. She learned not to rely on a guardian for protection and figured out how to rely on herself. That she became a writer is not surprising- one of the single most fundamental rules to telling a good story is to write what you know.
The interrelationship between Laura and the Ackerson twins- I've had those exact relationships. It doesn't matter if anyone else finds our little jokes funny- we do, and that's all that counts. The love story is secondary, and serves mostly to explain Krieger's motivations. Those who would complain about the dialogue of a character like Chris need to understand that there are kids out there who develop an avid interest in something that goes way beyond a hobby, even as early as 8, and in doing so learn about aspects or language of their interests that the adults around them would probably have no idea about. (I used to be one of them- I know of which I speak.) Kids understand a lot more than adults ever give them credit for.
What I have loved for years about Koontz's work is that he may be 'rehashing old ideas' but somehow seems to find a new spin that maybe not many people have heard of, especially those like me that get easily lost when a sci-fi/fantasy story has no basis in reality. What makes his writing so compelling is his ability to bring utterly believable characters to life even in implausible situations.
People who have read a lot of his works will note that there is usually a happy ... ending to his stories, but the ride to getting there is always different, often scary ..., and exciting. Predictable endings? Maybe. But that's entertainment. Therein lies the escape from our real lives. Think about it-what's the point of emotionally investing in a character that is irretrievably destroyed at the end of the story or beginning of the sequel? The problem with that is that it just doesn't work, and leaves readers feeling horribly cheated. ... I want to learn for myself what the characters have figured out or resolved at the end of the story.
The bottom line? The characters created here are people I know (yes, I'm probably the biggest geek in the world, but it's okay with me. I've had a long time to get used to it.) and an intriguing plot line that I can guarantee hadn't been done before, and probably nowhere near as well since. I like a good book with extremely well-developed characters, edge of your seat nail-biting-I-can't-put-this-book-down-even-if-I-wanted-to suspense, the sense of 'what if this could really happen to someone- what would i do?' that makes me think. Dean Koontz is amazing, and this is one of his best.

Rating:
Summary: A BOOK THAT CAN'T BE EXPRESSED WITH WORDS
Review: I always tell friends that I started reading Dean Koontz just for curiosity and that he was one of these little miracles that happens during our lives.

When I started reading his books, I discovered a world unlike any other. By this time, I did knew other famous authors, like Sidney Sheldon or Grisham and even Stephen King. And I enjoyed all of them. But when I started reading LIGHTNING, my concept of real entertainment changed from one day to the other. I suddenly knew that I was missing the best author of this world. And I'm not kidding here.

Dean knows exactly how to make you so jumpy all the time that you almost feel you are there with all the characters. And all this with very powerful phrases that, compared to the writing of the others famous authors, is a triumph. And that's what Dean Koontz works on LIGHTNING: full emotions, horror, adventure, action - mixed in the best way of writing ever: his own. If you haven't read this book, you can't imagine what you're missing. If you already read this book and is here reading this just wondering, you know what I'm talking about and certainly agrees with me. LIGHTNING is one of his best pieces, along with THE SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT and THE BAD PLACE. I can't say nothing else about him. Nothing I can say could describe Dean's writing. Believe me.

Marco Aurelio - feel free to share your toughts with me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: My other favorite Dean Koontz book
Review: Back in high school and early college, I was a ravenous Dean Koontz fan. Two of my all time favorite Koontz books were (and still are) "Night Chills" and "Lightning". I have to say "Lightning" has a slight edge over "Night Chills" but not by much. I first read the book when I checked out from the library and eventually bought my own copy from a used book store. That is how much I loved the book. I'm not particularly a big fan of books that talks about time travel but I thought Dean Koontz made the subject very fascinating in the novel. The story of Laura Shane and her 'guardian' made for compelling reading. The only flaw of the book is that towards halfway through the book it started becoming a cheesy soap opera but I can overlook that. One of my favorite moments in the book was Laura's interaction with the Ackerson twins. I couldn't help but get choked up when death befell Laura unexpectedly. I felt like I was part of Laura's life as she grew up through out the book. I know it sounds corny but it is true. I couldn't stop reading this book when I first read it and I still can't to this very day when I want to take a trip down memory lane.

Rating:
Summary: A Clever Keeper
Review: Dean Koontz has created a gripping novel that keeps the reader guessing. The story opens with the main character Laura Shane's birth, and it follows her throughout her life as she faces peril and rewards. She comes close to death several times and is saved only by a mysterious man who appears soon after lightning flashes. He vanishes from her life as suddenly as he arrives, and Laura refers to him as her "guardian angel." Laura's guardian rescues her from many of her childhood troubles, but armed men are now hunting her and her family for reasons beyond Laura's knowledge.

The story takes the reader from the isolated mountains to the heart of the city and back again as Laura discovers love, copes with loss, and understands herself further through her writing. Despite the deaths of many loved ones, compassion drives Laura on as she battles for victory against merciless killers on a mission.

Lightning is not one of Koontz's usual thrillers about unnatural creatures. It concentrates on the eventful life of one woman and places the element of time travel around her. This novel is compelling and clever, and I feel that anyone who reads it will find it worthwhile. Lightning combines time travel, shoot outs, and government conspiracies with mystery, destined love, triumph, and personal discovery to take the reader on a journey that won't soon be forgotten.

Rating:
Summary: Not Really Great....
Review: The Book was very good in the beginning and then it got boring in the middle. Most of the book was unbelievable, the dialogue was just so fake. It took me forever to read this book because it made me feel tired and I thought this was Dean's weakest book.

Rating:
Summary: An AWESOME novel
Review: What can I say about this novel that will be any different than the multitudes of other reviews. There is no doubt that this novel reigns as one his best. I don't want to repeat what already has been posted, but it's hard not to praise this book for the unique world it creates, and the pure enjoyment that comes from reading it. You will laugh, cry, and be blown away by the characters and story.

I read this twice over the years, and along with his novel "Midnight", it is my favorite; in fact, it is one of my favorite novels of all time.

Rating:
Summary: Utterly Captivating...
Review: I'm not going to sum up the book for you -giving you a synopsis that would not even come close to giving Koontz's story any justice- but I will tell you that I loved this book and the unique story it told. I don't think that there is anything like it, whether it be the basis of the story or the fact that you go through most of it not know exactly whats going on. But thats what i loved most about it. Koontz will keep you on the edge of your seat, not only with the plot and events that trill you but always with the question: What is going on?
Do not be turned off by this, for it is the books most endearing quality. And when you finally do get all the answers you will be drained, pleased and left with the thought that Dean Koontz is an amazing author.
I think from all of that, you understand that I thought this book was amazing and I hope that you pick it up to read too.