Icebound
Published: 1995
Author: Dean Koontz (Written as David Axton)
Genre: Adventure, American, Assassination, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Psychological, Science Fiction, Suspense, Teen, Terrorism, Thriller, Young Adult
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Dean Koontz is the author of the best-selling novel Icebound. The novel was first published in 1976 under the alias David Axton by Koontz, and then was rewritten and re-released in 1995 as Icebound. Definitely not you’re typical Dean Koontz, but what an amazing, emotionally evocative read! Believe me, you will feel chilled while reading it. Trapped, freezing, on the point of calamity, with a psychopath in your midst—it doesn't get any more gripping than this. I ended up eating it in a few days without realizing it. Thank you for republishing these novels and sharing them with us, Mr. Koontz!
Icebound is a well-written, captivating thriller that is considerably different from Koontz's other writings. A murder mystery, sort of, although the suspense is the main focus of this novel.
Will they all escape alive? There are no paranormal or supernatural aspects in this book, so if you're expecting them because it's a Koontz novel, you'll be disappointed. However, it remains a fascinating narrative. It's well worth reading.
It is not a horror novel, but you will be terrified. It's an action-packed, dramatic thriller about a group of scientists who become stranded on a drifting iceberg. A massive winter blizzard prohibits ship or plane rescue, and of course, one of the scientists is a crazy killer, but which one? Very engaging book with a thrilling conclusion that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The men's stories, particularly the submarine captain's, make you care about the conclusion. Although Koontz is humble enough in his Afterword to downplay his technological detail in comparison to a Tom Clancy, I felt like I was there! I enjoy underwater experiences, and this is among the greatest.
The vivid description of what it must be like to labor in such a harsh environment is noteworthy. The descriptions of the arctic and the weather are fantastic. Even the death sequence in which one man drowns is so realistic that I could vividly understand what it was like to die this way.
In addition to the inherent dangers they encounter, there is one warped mind among them who is hell-bent on murder. This part of the narrative is also really nicely done.
In summary, I should have mentioned it earlier! I have nothing negative to say about this narrative or writing style. Because it was so captivating, I read it at breakneck speed. I wholeheartedly suggest this book to everyone who appreciates a technothriller, not only Koontz aficionados.
If you're solely searching for a supernatural horror narrative, this isn't it. But if you like Koontz's enormous creativity and want to read an intriguing thriller go ahead and read it!
In many cases, I decide not to read books that show you the idea that someone is trapped on a cliff, a ship, or any other plot device that feels like it will be in one room or a small space but don't be fooled because some of the greatest stories that I read were kind of like this, and I am fortunate that I read this and those stories even if I don't want to read this kind of story.
I recall a game that has nothing to do with this book or narrative but serves as an illustration of what I mean.
My brother bought me The Room, a game from the Silent Hill game universe, and at first, I thought it was just a game where you are stuck in a room, but once I started playing it, I realized it is basically a whole city that is connected with the room and you travel around it, and I fell in love with it in a matter of hours.
The same thing happened to me when reading this book, as well as many others with the similar backdrop of a concept being too little or not extensible in our thoughts. However, it is enormous in actuality.
The reason for this is because we, as readers, think with our own brains and decide not to read the book, but in actuality, the author constructed a vast world in that short space, which we never read and therefore miss out on wonderful and amazing time that we might spend reading that book.
This book's suspense will keep your heart pounding! The twists, turns, and perils that these people face will leave you breathless!
If you didn't read Dean Koontz's Icebound when it first came out, you're losing out on a fantastic read! Suspense!! Good old-fashioned, nail-biting, page-turning, heart-pounding suspense!!
I enjoyed every minute of it. So much suspense, and just when I thought I figured out who the evil guy was, I was proven wrong. I'm generally correct. However, I thoroughly loved this. Excellent work.
There are no extremely scientific topics in this work. There are no monsters. There is no hulking psychopath on the loose. However, it was a fantastic novel. I had a great time. I, for one, dislike reading the same type of book again and again. Anyone who is on the verge of reading this should do so. You will not be let down.
Final Thoughts
I was a Stephen King fan and was always concerned about what I would do if I ran out of his novels, but I got lucky and discovered Dean Koontz. The good news is that they write similarly, with minor differences in style and genre, so I have twice as many books to read, which is a fantastic find for me. I discovered a few more writers, although they are not the same as these two, but I appreciate them as well.
As with practically all of his works, I'm on my second or third reading of this one and it's even better the second time around!! So different from his earlier novels, yet so similar in suspense, wording, and readability!!!
Even for one of his early initial reads, this is incredible. He is a fantastic writer who draws you into the tale quickly and creates characters you like straight away!
Koontz is an exceptional writer, and this early novel, revised by the author, exemplifies his incredible talent. Few writers are capable of combining thrilling adventure and narrative with superb characterization. This is what Koontz excels at.
This is a pure technothriller. There is never a boring time in the action, and it is all extremely well done. I might add that it's a very plausible situation.
Once again, a terrific thriller in which, unlike most of Dean Koontz's other works, there are no boogeymen or otherworldly elements. It's a survival thriller that won't let up. Whether you enjoy Koontz's previous works or not, this one is not to be missed. It comes highly recommended.
Synopsis
“The arctic night is endless. The fear is numbing. Screams freeze in the throat. Death arrives in shades of white. And cold-blooded murder seems right at home.
Conducting a strange and urgent experiment on the Arctic icefield, a team of scientists has planted sixty powerful explosive charges that will detonate at midnight. Before they can withdraw to the safety of their base camp, a shattering tidal wave breaks loose the ice on which they are working. Now they are hopelessly marooned on an iceberg during a violent winter storm. The bombs beneath them are buried irretrievably deep . . . and ticking. And they discover that one of them is an assassin with a mission of his own.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
David Axton, Edge Of Your Seat, Even Though, Fast Paced, Group Of Scientists, Harry And Rita, Koontz Books, Russian Submarine, Stranded On An Iceberg, Tom Clancy, Well Written
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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