Rating: Summary: First Koontz experience Review: This is the first book by Dean Koontz that I've read. While it's plain Koontz is not the most talented writer in the world, he knows (at least in this book) how to create a thrilling atmosphere, using ideas from different sets of backgrounds. In "Lightning" we have a thriller mixed with sci-fi and politics. Laura Shane is the main character of the story. Her life is constantly in danger from the moment of her birth; on all dangerous occasions, a misterious guardian appears out of the blue, followed by intense lightning and sounds of thunder, and manages to save her life. This is just an initial outline of the story, but it was this little outline that got me hooked and made me buy the book. Its first half is about Laura's life, until she's over thirty years-old. In the middle of the book, we are told who the guardian really is, and where he comes from. From then on, "Lightning" becomes a pursuit thriller, and that's when we see Koontz's ability to deliver a fast-paced tale. One of the editorial reviews say that once the "mistery" is revealed, the narrative runs out of ideas. I don't think so. In fact, I thought the second half of the book was much better than the first. As many reviewers have stated, the characters in this book are not that well developed, and some of them are really annoying. The lines of Laura's seven-year-old son, for example, are completely absurd for someone that young, and some of the dialogue is too far-fetched. Otherwise, if you don't pay attention to that kind of detail, and if you like fast page-turners, I think there's no way not to like "Lightning". It will not stik to your mind long after you turn the last page, but while you're reading it you'll enjoy. Grade 8.6/10
Rating: Summary: Too good to put down. Review: As a beginning reader of Dean Koontz, it proved to be a lure to the other works of Dean Koontz. Lightning carried his wittiness, his sytle, his voice and is a very nice book for people who are new to him, like myself, and to those who've been fans of his for a while. I strongly recommend this novel to anyone.
Rating: Summary: eh? Review: i no longer remember why i read this. koontz always seem to have a sort of sentimentality which is more likely to touch my stomach than my heart. i actually enjoy sentimentality, but this is way too naive. as a result i was pretty nauseated. the plot seem rather pointless to me. koontz' characters for some reason always disgust me. they are too naive, too kind, too sentimental, too trusting, or whatever. they are always way overdone. why should we believe the ending? and our hero is not really a hero to me. what's up with this annoying dwelling of his? the plot is only believable if you believe that nazi Germany had lots of incredibly stupid leaders.
Rating: Summary: Another Great Koontz Book Review: Although the book is advertised as a horror novel, it is mostly a psychological thriller. The reader follows the life of Laura Shane, a woman who has been involved in her own fair share of tragedies. From her mother dying at birth to her father dying when she was just eight years old, she was probably wondering if she could love anything without it disappearing. The only thing, or person, getting her through it all is what she thinks is her guardian angel. This is actually a man from the future that works for a government agency trying to change certain events in the past to help them control the present. What they don't know is this man, named Stefan, is using it for his own purposes; to help a poor woman live a good life, not the one she was destined to have. Koontz does a great job balancing description with dialogue and suspense, which is great for a long book. I also love how Koontz tries to keep you guessing until the very end. He doesn't reveal too quickly why Stefan wants to help this poor woman, but he tries to give you hints along the way. Is she an important politician? Why is he wasting so much of his time with this woman? I can honestly say that this is a book you won't look through once. I know I have read it at least four times since I bought it and I look forward to reading it again.
Rating: Summary: One of the best time travel stories...ever!!! Review: The story: A storm struck on the day Laura was born, saving her from a botched delivery. The stranger that saved her that day keeps appearing throughout her life. He claims to be her gaurdian angel, but could something more sinister be involved? And why is that he never seems to age? I have read this book many times. It is certainly one of Koontz's best (along with Watchers and Hideaway). It is full of drama, suspense, evil and love. Everytime Laura is in trouble her "stranger" would appear, and save her from harm. I can't really write much about this book without giving anything away. It's great, exciting, and wonderful!!! READ IT!!! JBogue paper-and-lace Specializing in paranormal romance and fiction.
Rating: Summary: Another Great Book! Review: I have always read a lot of Dean Koontz's books, however, this is one that I must have read at least eight times. I've had it for years and it is so well read that I'm afraid it's going to start falling apart. It's a really fun book to read, not quite as nerve racking as some of his others, but has a great rhythm to it. There are wonderful characters in this book and you'll find yourself being drawn farther and farther into the story. I don't want to give anything away, but you have to read this book if you like Koontz at all. ...that easy to read rhythm and trust me, you'll be turning pages all night long.
Rating: Summary: A Fantastic Novel Entwined in Deep Thrills Review: Imagine that you were to die the day you were born. Imagine you were to live you life a paralegic. Imagine you had a guardian who altered you and your life...forever. This is what happened to Laura Shane, a beautiful girl who, as the book progresses, becomes a beautiful woman, strong and independent, yet caring towards all. Fate desperately tries to throw her back into the life she was intended to have. Not if her guardian has anything to say about it. This was the first novel by Koontz that I ever read and I am so glad that I did. I love his style of writing and recommend his book to everyone! You won't be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: Pretty good, not bad...not great Review: Well, LIGHTNING was intriguing and somewhat different for Koontz. I'm glad I read it, and I enjoyed it for the most part, but it felt like something was missing. I don't know what that was, though. However, it was a good, light read. I've read worse, that's for sure.
Rating: Summary: Great book Review: This is a great premise and the story was good. My only beef with it is Laura's son, Chris (who I think is about 9 years old. Apparently admist all of these potential time travel paradoxes, he's able to get them all straight in his head while the adult characters find them confusing. Even for me, I had to stop sometimes in parts of the book and think for awhile whetehr it made sense (It generally did). Also, this book seems to exhibit what I call some of the "Stephen King" diseases whereas the main characters are frequently themselves successful writers. Can't they give their characters more regular occupations?
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: An excellent read! I was enthralled with the characters. This was my second book I ever read by Koontz and is one of my all time favorite books. Koontz's writing really gets you "into" his stories. Highly recommended to anyone.
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