One Door Away from Heaven Review

One Door Away from Heaven

Published: 2001

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Action, Adventure, Conspiracy, Fiction, First Contact, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

One Door Away from Heaven Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's work One Door Away From Heaven is a best-selling novel. Koontz has woven the tales of a super-intelligent handicapped girl living with a drug-addicted mother and evil Step Father, a down-on-her-luck woman living next door with her eccentric Aunt Gen, a hardened and grief-stricken PI and his elegant client, and, of course, a shape-shifting Alien hell bent on healing the World.

This tail is woven by Koontz's incomparable descriptive language, which at times resembles poetry. His abiding affection for his late Golden Retriever appears as a reoccurring topic of the spiritual relationship between people and their dogs. Despite being slightly less intelligent than humans, dogs retain an innocence that allows them to sense our Creator's Playful Presence.

All of this sets the stage for a dramatic struggle between Good and Evil. Even though I was reading this work for the second time, I found it just as exciting. I wholeheartedly suggest this for a pleasurable experience.

Even though I am an unflinching admirer of Dean Koontz and everything he has done, one of my all-time favorite Dean Koontz novels is still "Watchers," and another that may be too much for casual readers is "From the Corner of His Eye."

I have digital editions and audio versions of practically all of the books I buy, but I still enjoy turning pages, smelling the paper, and touching a book. When reading in bed, I want to feel the weight of the book, which reminds me to stay alert or the book will smack me in the face. And I know that having the book in hand would make it a lot simpler to revisit certain favorites.

I remembered why it's one of my all-time favorite stories. I fell in love with the main and supporting protagonists once more.

The main character in the narrative is a little child who is endearing from the start. He's in grave danger, and when I reread portions of it, I find myself holding my breath. I still grin and feel hopeful when he presents himself in his natural form.

The issue is that science fiction has always been my favorite reading genre. I took a risk by departing from that genre, and Mr. Koontz guided me. 

Thank goodness he's written so many novels, because I'll never let go, and I've evolved a lot over time, and I adore practically all the types and genres except straight porn or phony filler sequences that are worthless and aren't a real part of a plot.

Wonderful tale. The characters are believable and sympathetic. Leilani, who is nine years old, is extremely powerful and intellectual. Her mother is the vilest slime you can think of. And her stepfather is a psychopath. The folks she meets, Mickey and Geneva, are exceedingly good-hearted and sincere, despite their poverty. 

The alien explains "good" and assists, Leilani. However, there are alien horrors that must be avoided at all costs. Dean Koontz at his finest. The language and descriptions are so beautiful that you can't help but have a revelation.

I thoroughly loved this Koontz thriller. It alternated chapters between four characters: a ten-year-old boy whose mother was murdered and who is now alone and on the run; a nine-or ten-year-old girl with a drug addict mother and an evil stepfather; a young woman determined to save the girl from an evil fate; and a private detective who appears at the beginning and then reappears near the end. I enjoyed the characters, didn't mind the alternative chapters, and thought the action was exciting and well-paced.

I think there was too much unnecessary description, which some readers may simply skim over, but I still enjoyed it and don't think skimming it is necessary, and a lot of amusing and likable comedy, but again, someone with a lot of exposure to this type of writing may find it overdone. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant read.

If I hadn't read this book, I would have assumed that it was bad based on the opinions of my reader friends, but that was not the case, and I recommend that everyone read it. Don't let others discourage you from purchasing and reading this fantastic novel. 

Such endearing characters, and it immediately plunges you into an enormous journey! Curtis at the truck stop counter made me laugh out loud, and it's very difficult to get me to smile, much alone laugh out loud. I've never encountered a Koontz novel that was unreadable.

I'd want to express that I'm not sure what to say about this book! It has left me speechless. It's one of the greatest books I've read in a long time. It was fantastic. It's one of those novels that you don't want to finish and despise when it does. Then you'll go back and read it again. 

The characters are so real that you find yourself identifying with them. Curtis is fleeing from beings bent on destroying our Earth. Curtis has been dispatched to save us, and they are pursuing him throughout the nation. 

The FBI then becomes involved since they are looking for the drug cartels. Curtis must keep moving to avoid being caught. 

The last twenty minutes of this book are like racing down a steep slope with your brake lines severed. You can practically hear the clock ticking, resulting in a whizzing conclusion. Plenty of tension, plenty of intrinsic comedy, maybe a little too descriptive for some readers' liking.

Final Thoughts

This is a gorgeous, exhilarating, incredibly incisive picture of the horrifying reality of evil, and frequently a quite hilarious book. 

Those of us who are paralyzed have a special reason to appreciate this book and to thank Mr. Koontz for writing it. It's difficult for me to beat the character of Einstein in "Watchers," but I believe Mr. Koontz almost succeeds with his creation of Leilani. 

I'm not sure I'd want to know somebody who didn't enjoy this book. But don't judge me if I discuss these two characters since they are both amazing to me, even if they aren't the same; I'm simply comparing the writing from both works.

Although this book is a little older than some, it is a fantastic Sci-Fi action drama. There are no spoilers here, so simply pick it up. This book's characters are unrivaled. If you like Dean Koontz, you'll appreciate this. 

In all of his novels, he has a terrific way of uplifting the neglected and forgotten, but he truly outdoes himself here. In our stories, we admire heroic dogs, and no one does it better than Dean Koontz.

I could never give this tale justice since there are so many individuals involved. If you're a Dean Koontz fan and haven't read it, you're losing out on one of his greatest. It gives you a wonderful sensation and offers you hope for the future. 

He's a master of words. I sometimes have to look up the definition; therefore I've enhanced my vocabulary, as practically all of his novels do.

Synopsis

This synopsis is from the Audiobook version

“In a dusty trailer park on the far edge of the California dream, Michelina wants to change the direction of her troubled life but can't find her way. When a new family settles into the rental trailer next door, Micky meets the young girl who will change her forever.

Despite her deformed left leg and withered left hand, nine-year-old Leilani Klonk radiates a buoyant and indomitable spirit that inspires Micky. Beneath Leilani's effervescence, however, Micky comes to sense a quiet desperation that the girl dares not express. Leilani's mother is little more than a child herself, and her stepfather, Preston Maddoc, is educated but threatening. Slowly, ever more troubling details emerge in Leilani's conversations with Micky. Most chilling is Micky's discovery that Leilani had an older brother, also disabled, who vanished after Maddoc took him into the woods one night and is now "gone to the stars".

While the child-protection bureaucracy gives Micky the runaround, the Maddoc family slips away into the night. So Micky sets out across America to find them: for the first time living for something bigger than herself. One Door Away from Heaven is an incandescent mix of suspense and humor, fear and wonder, a story of redemption and timeless wisdom that will have listeners cheering.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Aunt Geneva, Away From Heaven, Corner Of His Eye, Curtis Hammond, Door Away, False Memory, Koontz Books, Leilani Klonk, Old Yeller, Preston Maddoc

Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here
https://rebrand.ly/One-Door-Away-from-Heaven-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial
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Mr. Murder (1998) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/Mr-Murder-1998-R

Hideaway (1995) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/Hideaway-1995-R

Phantoms (1998) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

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Strangers Review

Strangers

Published: 1986

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Conspiracy, Depression, Fiction, First Contact, Horror, Literary, Mental Health, Psychological, Science Fiction, Superhero, Suspense, Teen, Thriller, Young Adult

Check the summary of this book here:

Strangers Summary

The Review

Strangers is a novel written by Dean Koontz that was nominated for a World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (1987). Best Novel nominee for the British Fantasy Award (1987). In 2018, it was revealed that a Strangers adaptation is in the works at Fox for a one-hour drama written by Criminal Minds creator Jeff Davis. Fox and Sony Pictures Television are collaborating on the project. But I'm not sure if it's been made or not; please let me know if it's already on the air.

I read this book for the first time in high school and had no idea who Dean Koontz was, but it had such an impression on me that anytime I thought of this author, this was the first book I remembered and the one of his many that I would label my favorite. It was well-written enough that it stuck with me and took me a long time to read a second time, but I always kept a copy on hand in case I needed to. It's because I'm a voracious reader and try not to sell any of my books unless they're really crap or I'm not interested in them.

I'm still impressed by the amazement, wonder, and hopefulness this book inspires in me, and after reading Koontz's newly added afterword, I understand why: this was his first passion project, and it shows. Dean Koontz is a major favorite of mine, and I've been reading his books for a long time. I was already aware of his concepts after learning that the films Demon Seed and Fun House were partially based on his writings.

I liked how he effectively combined a wide range of character styles. Eventually, he leaves us with the eternal quandary of religious belief against atheism – and here I disagree with a few friend readers. Is there a God who is bigger than we can imagine? Or... does the Universe sort of run itself and there is no such thing as a Creator?

One of my new discoveries in this book was his tributes to fellow writers Tim Powers, James Blalock, and Stephen King. Knowing he is friends with and used to be writing partner with Powers and Blalock makes these tributes to them especially endearing, plus they are all favorites of mine, and I hope that because he mentioned them, more people discovered these other, equally talented writers as well. I will always have a copy of this book in my collection and read it with great pleasure.

I know that some of Koontz's works are not enjoyed by all readers for various reasons, but in my view, it is all about the hype, and even if his books are fantastic, people expect greatness all the time, which is impossible. 

But this novel had me completely engrossed. As is often the case, Koontz begins with amazing speed, great ideas, and likable, well-rounded characters, only to lose momentum and imagination near the end, and it is essentially the same thing that readers are confused about because it is great, but to readers, it feels bad or not good enough because it was this great author who was supposed to give thousand-star story every time. This is without a doubt one of his greatest books. But it is only my view.

The plot was fast-paced and a great page-turner. The characters' backstories were wonderfully fleshed out and made you care about what happened to them. I truly liked this book till the finish.

Colonel Falkirk played the stereotypical nasty guy. He was the book's Snidely Whiplash, all wooden and two-dimensional. He was so ludicrous and out of control that I couldn't imagine anyone would have listened to him or followed him in any manner.

I had the impression that Koontz wrote a lengthy novel and then his editor told him, "It's too long, tie it up." Because the finish seemed a little abrupt for me, but it is something I usually always think of with amazing stories.

For non-readers, the book is rather extensive and begins by explaining the recent back-story of each individual in the book who begins suffering panic episodes, as well as what those terrors are and how they try to deal with them.

The first half of the novel is extremely riveting, with the reader hanging on every "page" to see how the protagonists deal with their life-destroying terrors.

The second part of the novel focuses on the events that surround each character as they are all unconsciously brought together where this trip began, and what occurs as they gradually piece together the circumstances of that incident.

The book is excellent, and it is one of Dean Koontz's finer works.

Final Thoughts

I only had the paperback and hardcover versions of this book, but I now have the kindle and audible versions as well, as I do with all of my favorite novels and writers' works. 

A terrific early fiction from Dean Koontz that has nothing to do with mass murderers or tracking homicides... I get much too much of it by watching television.

This is a really well-written and edited narrative about many strangers who are eventually bonded by the sharing of a life-changing incident... You should read it if you haven't already. If you've already read it, enjoy the pleasure of reliving a terrific narrative.

This was a great case of reading for me. The tension was so intense that I couldn't put the book down. I was wondering how he was going to tie all those ties and people together at the end, but he did.

This is science fiction, which I enjoy when it's excellent. I liked this one because of the happy conclusion. Koontz has a remarkable flair for characterization and writes better than many award winners, but that will never be acknowledged in the realm of high literature!! 

His manner is effortless. And, unlike many of my reading friends, I did not find the book to be overly long. Yes, the author went on and on in certain places, but it was still nice.

It is so brilliantly written, and the characters are so realistic, that I feel as if they are old friends with whom I like spending time now and then! 

I know Mr. Koontz doesn't write sequels unless they are planned from the start, but I would be first in line to buy a Strangers sequel! I'd like to know what happens to Dom and Ginger, Jack, Jorga and Marcie, Brendan and Parker, and so on. What are George and Rita's reactions? 

If the government cooperates in the release of information, or if they continue to try to maintain the secret, (and what is their justification for their treatment of US citizens!) Oh, there's so much I'd like to know!

Synopsis

““The plot twists ingeniously...an engaging, often chilling book.”—The New York Times Book Review

A writer in California. A doctor in Boston. A motel owner and his employee in Nevada. A priest in Chicago. A robber in New York. A little girl in Las Vegas. They’re a handful of people from across the country, living through eerie variations of the same nightmare.

A dark memory is calling out to them. And soon they will be drawn together, deep in the heart of a sprawling desert, where the terrifying truth awaits...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Character Development, Edge Of Your Seat, Ever Read, Hard To Put, Highly Recommend, Koontz Books, Main Characters, Page Turner, Tranquility Motel

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Strangers-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Strangers-Audible

Phantoms (1998) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

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Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

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