Sole Survivor
Published: 1997
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Assassination, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Dean Koontz's best-selling novel Sole Survivor is about a lady named Rose who is being hunted by a firm called Teknologik. It was made into the film Sole Survivor in 2000. But I haven't been able to discover a genuine connection for the movie where the general public can obtain it without delay or any other difficulty, and as soon as I do, I'll share it here. Keep an eye on this post and this section of the post for any updates.
I read this book a long time ago, but apparently only the words. I heard and saw them this time. Dean Koontz is a writer who is as optimistic as they come. I suppose the last time I read it, it was when I was extremely busy and definitely read it before sleeping while in the bed on a wintery chilly night, which is why I was so thrilled to reread it again as a new book because I had no memory of it.
This book did not let me down. I really suggest it. Right up there with "Watchers." I hope you appreciate it as much as I did.
I've read practically every book Dean Koontz has published, and I've observed in recent years that he's abandoned themes centered on paranormal phenomena (Whispers, Strangers, etc.) in favor of a more typical character plot. This book is an interesting combination.
In Sole Survivor, Mr. Koontz has created a well-crafted and written page-turner. A routine airplane crashes in Colorado with no plausible cause. As you look further, you'll discover a government involvement in which evil is aiming to exterminate good.
Because he lost his family in the catastrophe, the protagonist is deeply invested in discovering the truth.
The novel does slow down around halfway through before revving up again. Once it happens, it's a winner all the way to the end.
Just two items that need to be fixed. - One - Airframes are not constructed of steel. – Second - No mention was made of the other accident fatalities in a proper way. However, as a novel, it is excellent, and any tiny errors or inaccuracies may be overlooked because it is fiction, not reality.
I frequently turn to Koontz for a wonderfully crisp, fulfilling book that has mystery, horror, the excitement of a good pursuit, a probable supernatural narrative line, and, of course, fantastic characters, as well as the creature that may die for love and loyalty, the dog.
I like the imaginative analogies and caricatures that Koontz employs in his writings. I adore his depictions of animals in his books since I am an animal lover.
Sole Survivor was intriguing from the start; a father mourning his deceased family embarks on a startling journey for truth as his life takes an unexpected turn.
Joe Carpenter is being followed by individuals who appear to have a bevy of surveillance technology a year after his wife and kids meet an unfortunate end on a trip that should have been a walk of joy.
I was completely caught in once I started reading this, Joe wallowed in pity and agony, sure there was a lot of that, but it made the narrative genuine, it let me feel what he felt, it placed me in his shoes and made the solution that much more vital to get to.
In the end, the narrative descended into the weird, but I loved it; it was interesting, and I appreciated learning the truth behind the tragedy. This was difficult to put down once I started reading it, and I had a fantastic time reading it; another terrific read from Koontz, with plenty more to come.
I prefer a more realistic evil villain than some of his other stories; therefore this one spoke to me. It kept me captivated, but not so compelling that I was frightened to turn out the lights at night. Because while it is not a real horror story, the suspense and action will make you sweat in certain circumstances. It's a page-turner with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you are new to the author or wish to resume reading him after a lengthy break, this book is a fantastic place to start. The action never stopped and had me guessing till the very end.
The only thing that can turn you off is the extra descriptive prose, but I don't believe they're all that horrible if done correctly. Aside from it being a little annoying at times, I truly loved the tale and the characters. It's well worth reading.
Once again, I must say that I actually enjoyed the protagonists and the development of the story with good human insight, and as always, I'm sorry it was over so quickly and left me wanting more.
I wish a sequel would be great, but it's never going to occur like many other great stories by the author, but I still hope he will publish the sequels someday.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite novels of all time, and one of Dean Koontz's greatest. This narrative has a unique blend of horror, science fiction, and spirituality that you won't find in many books.
I liked trying to figure out what was going on, being kept on the edge of my seat throughout the book, the detailed descriptions of the characters' surroundings or thoughts, and simply completely enjoying the "journey" from beginning to conclusion.
I suggest this book to anyone who likes science fiction or horror, as it contains elements of both. In fact, I believe the writers of Stranger Things stole a lot of concepts from this novel. Perhaps this is why I enjoy that series as well.
While hunting for the bizarre, strange, or supernatural I couldn't stop reading since it was so moving and enlightening. Characters are well-developed, believable people with tormented souls. This novel is ideal for Koontz fans and everyone who enjoys a thriller with a supernatural edge.
The plot was interesting and had me turning the pages. The characters are fascinating, and the plot moves quickly without becoming tedious. For a while, I thought the last 50 or so pages were going to let me down, but Dean Koontz pulled it off pretty beautifully. I can't say much more without giving too much away, so I'll just recommend that you read it for yourself.
Synopsis
“A catastrophic, unexplainable plane crash leaves three hundred and thirty dead -- no survivors. Among the victims are the wife and two daughters of Joe Carpenter, a Los Angeles Post crime reporter.
A year after the crash, still gripped by an almost paralyzing grief, Joe encounters a woman named Rose, who claims to have survived the crash. She holds out the possibility of a secret that will bring Joe peace of mind. But before he can ask any questions, she slips away.
Driven now by rage (have the authorities withheld information?) and a hope almost as unbearable as his grief (if there is one survivor, are there others?), Joe sets out to find the mysterious woman. His search immediately leads him into the path of a powerful and shadowy organization hell-bent on stopping Rose before she can reveal what she knows about the crash.
Sole Survivor unfolds at a heart-stopping pace, as a desperate chase and a shattering emotional odyssey lead Joe to a truth that will force him to reassess everything he thought he knew about life and death -- a truth that, given the chance, will rock the world and redefine the destiny of humanity.
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Dean Koontz's The City.
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
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Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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