Cold Fire
Published: 1991
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Psychic, Psychological, Romance, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Dean Koontz wrote the best-selling novel Cold Fire in 1991. Some would argue that the narrative is bad since this is a newer and softer Dean Koontz, but I like him! This is the story of a guy who is compelled to save several people by an unexplainable psychic conversation. He gives up all to follow what he believes are Godly communications. A reporter is interested when he arrives at one of his rescues. She attempts to interview him but receives no substantive responses. She uses her vacation time to look into him and how he knows where to go and who to help. Their lives become intertwined, and she urges him to look into psychic connections and why they choose some individuals over others. Both are taken aback by the answer.
The rich story unravels in delectable tangles of mystery, keeping your interest throughout. No one (that I am aware of) writes a book about strange supernatural phenomena as well as Dean Koontz.
His writings are so well-written and convincing that you almost believe there must be some aspect of reality in what he wrote, and you wonder whether he has ever encountered similar occurrences in his personal life or the lives of individuals he knows.
Koontz at his finest once more. His stories are a great delight to escape into, juggling suspense, science fiction, romance, and the occult. In his writings, there are no sluggish rides. He manages to seize your throat and hurtle you as quickly as you can flip the pages. I realize some of these things are repeated in one review and virtually all of his book reviews because he is that amazing.
I love good heroes, and this one fits the bill. I liked Jim Ironheart and would want to see a sequel where he and Holly become a powerful team. I saw Jim as a knight in sparkling armor riding on a sleek motorbike rather than a white horse, since he was modern and bright, and he learned all types of martial arts and read books about all faiths throughout the world.
Holly was single and in her thirties, with a straight head on her shoulders and a cool attitude without trying too hard, and even though you know throughout the book that Jim doesn't want any distractions as we read about how he saves some lives, it was obvious that them coming together would make for more interesting reading.
As we meet Jim, we learn that he is haunted by something horrible that haunts his nightmares and warns him of The Enemy's impending arrival.
When Holly wants to learn everything she can about him, she becomes stuck in his nightmares, forcing her to investigate his odd predictions and terrible dreams in order to rescue both of their lives.
Things go from amazing to bizarre in the middle of the book. You have no idea where the ending will lead you. Personally, I was pleased with the finish; it was wonderful while being out of the norm.
I liked that I didn't know what was going to happen next and that I couldn't predict the finale, which is unusual for me.
I enjoy it when a writer or actor breaks the boundaries, both in books and in films! For example my favorite Harrison Ford film is the one in which he plays the evil guy!
I'm not sure why people are so obsessed with deadlines. How much more enjoyable would the experience be if the author, painter, or whatever the case may be, did not have a deadline and could take their time perfecting their work? Consider some of the finest (or at least stunning) works that did not adhere to any timeline. The Sistine Chapel or China's Great Wall? What miracles could some of these great individuals do if they had unlimited resources and no time limitations?
According to Koontz in the afterword to a 2004 paperback reissue, he and an unknown filmmaker independently adapted the book into a screenplay. They then pitched the concept to several studios. Koontz was surprised that every CEO had the same idea: make the fictitious aliens in Ironheart's life story real. The project was never completed because they couldn't find someone who would support the script as-is and not demand revisions. Koontz is absolutely correct in his Afterword; one minor alteration in the screenplay would have given the film a D+ at best! Hopefully, someone out there understands this and steps forward to develop a film based on the book's tale. It was an enjoyable read.
This book was really nicely written in my opinion. It gets going quickly and holds me interested throughout. I've read practically all of Dean Koontz's works, and just a couple have ever disappointed me in technical ways, otherwise, all of them are great. This had several unexpected twists and turns, which I quite loved.
If you're a Dean Koontz fan or haven't read one of his books yet, this is a terrific introduction to his writing and great works.
Final Thoughts
I don't believe Cold Fire was much better or worse than other Koontz faves like Intensity or Watchers, but it was certainly entertaining! The author is able to blend the realm of reality with pure science fiction while still creating a plausible plot.
I appreciate how Koontz gets you like the characters and builds up the tale so you think you know what's going on, but then he deftly twists it around and nothing is as it appears. Then he makes you fear that the characters you care about won't make it out alive. I can't put it down because I adore it.
As stated in the first paragraph of this review, the novel is about two people: Jim Ironheart, who is mysteriously warned of impending accidents, and Holly Thorne, a reporter who had an experience with him and couldn't get him out of her head.
From the first page, Jim was a strong but brilliant and lovable figure who saved lives and captured female hearts. In a nice sense, it's unsettling. Mental instability is conveyed in a bizarre yet convincing way. A fantastic investigation of the power of the human imagination!
It's a real page-turner. Great idea, plot, suspense, and overall excellence. It's fantastic. I wholeheartedly suggest this book.
Synopsis
“A man on a mission must come to terms with his forgotten past in this gripping thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.
In Portland, he saved a young boy from a drunk driver. In Boston, he rescued a child from an underground explosion. In Houston, he disarmed a man who was trying to shoot his own wife. Reporter Holly Thorne was intrigued by this strange quiet savior named Jim Ironheart. She was even falling in love with him. But what power compelled an ordinary man to save twelve lives in three months? What visions haunted his dreams? And why did he whisper in his sleep: There is an Enemy. It is coming. It’ll kill us all...?”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Character Development, Great Read, Highly Recommend, Holly Thorne, Jim And Holly, Jim Ironheart, Koontz Books, Koontz Novels, Odd Thomas, Page Turner, Stephen King
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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