Frankenstein: Dead and Alive Review

Frankenstein: Dead And Alive

Published: 2009

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Conspiracy, Dark Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Graphic Novel, Horror, Literary, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 03 of 05: Frankenstein

Check the summary of this book here:

Frankenstein: Dead And Alive Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series continues in Dead and Alive, the third installment of the first series. This entry was supposed to be co-authored by Ed Gorman and Dean Koontz, but Koontz decided to write it alone.

It is Great! What else can I say? Dean Koontz did not let me down. When I was a youngster, I was a huge fan of the Frankenstein myth. This series has elevated the tale to a new level.

I enjoyed this book, although some readers may not make it all the way through. The second book was a direct sequel to the first one, and it even continued off just where the second one left off. 

The plot had kept me engaged, but this nearly put a stop to it. The more I read, the stranger and stranger this narrative becomes. 

Each chapter appeared to move this narrative from a believable notion to pure insanity, and I genuinely believed to myself several times that I was reading Stephen King's work, which is a compliment to this book.

Now, I realize it's fiction and far from possible, but Koontz created the first novel with Victor Frankenstein not only conquering reanimation but also solving the problem of mortality with his great mind. 

This grew so bizarre that I had lost faith in the plot till the very end. The finale was really well written and effectively brought this installment to a close, but don't worry, two more installments are already available and you won't have to wait long to read the next chapter in this series.

Dead and Alive is no exception to Dean Koontz's mastery at constructing a story that thoroughly engulfs the reader. 

I put everything on hold as soon as I received my copy and immersed myself in this horrific narrative. 

Many people think that when man tries to play God, only catastrophic events will occur, but I believe that we may exceed ourselves as humans if we can use our knowledge for the good of mankind rather than allowing any evil-minded individual to use it for wars and other financial gains. 

And I believe that one of the finest things we can do is to defeat death; if we can live longer or achieve immortality, we will be able to maintain all of our knowledge and put it to even greater use for mankind.

The primary characters have some of the greatest sentences I've ever read. It's intellectual, incisive, and amusing, with a wonderfully unique idea that makes me wish there were more than a few novels in the series.

Everyone should have read the first two novels in the series by now: Prodigal Son (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book 1) and Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: City of Night: A Novel. 

This adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic blockbuster Frankenstein has been in the works for years. 

Victor Frankenstein had a devilish plot to create life, an insult to the gods that would have fatal consequences. 

The world had assumed that the events would destroy both the man and the monster, but their expectations and assumptions were incorrect!

Remember, this is the third book in the series, and you won't understand what's going on unless you read the first two novels in the series in order, readers may wish to find out more by reading my reviews of Prodigal Son and City of Night. 

All of the books are a mix of horror and comedy. They believe that Mary Shelley, the original author of Frankenstein, based her novel on historical events but misrepresented the facts. Dr. Frankenstein and his monstrous creation are both still alive.

Anyone who has read the previous two volumes can agree with Mr. Koontz's great additions to this classic, which include exceptionally well-developed characters and an exciting narrative that could only come from the maestro himself.

Let's fast forward to today's New Orleans. Two guys emerge with new identities, but it's difficult to escape old behaviors. The doctor has resumed his heinous experiments in the creation of life. 

Carson O'Connor and Michael Maddison, two detectives, are investigating a serial murderer and are thrown into the center of a mystery that dates back over 200 years. This case has the potential to mean the end of civilization as we know it.

I recommend purchasing the entire series and getting ready to read the new Dean Koontz. Not satisfied with frightening the living daylights out of Orange County and South Los Angeles inhabitants, Koontz has tackled a world-class bad guy, Victor Helios AKA Victor Frankenstein, with a cast of characters you will both love and despise. Koontz writes with the ease of a river flowing over stones, bringing you along.

I found myself laughing out loud every now and then; when was the last time you laughed while reading a Dean Koontz book unless you're genuinely deranged?

Final Thoughts

Dean Koontz's book and series are quite different, although I've been a voracious reader for a long time. I could always tell when someone had a good sense of comedy. 

But look at this series; it's insane, and I believe he went a bit too far. It was quite a bit, in fact, but I adored it. He employed banter instead of focusing all of his sentences on the environment. 

There is no respite. If you're a fan, you should check out one of these series. Mr. Koontz will appear in a totally different light. 

Although you may find yourself skipping a few pages, I recommend that you do not do so unless you are bored with hilarious discourse.

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Dead and Alive: A Novel is a fantastic expansion and continuation that has seen two men trade roles: Deucalion, the monster, is becoming human...and Victor Helios, the doctor, is becoming the monster. 

The novel develops the reader's suspense to the climax and then unleashes them when the creator and created square off in the last showdown (not the final book in this series.)

This is a dual genre novel you don't want to pass up. Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Dead and Alive: A Novel is a must-read for fans of suspense and horror.

Purchase all five and be ready to sit down, turn off the television, and embark on a roller coaster ride that only a great storyteller can deliver. Because if you just buy one at a time, you'll have to wait to find out what the hell else is going on, so get the books right now.

Synopsis

“From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the legend, you know only half the truth. Now the mesmerizing saga concludes. . . .

As a devastating hurricane approaches, as the benighted creations of Victor Helios begin to spin out of control, as New Orleans descends into chaos and the future of humanity hangs in the balance, the only hope rests with Victor’s first, failed attempt to build the perfect human. Deucalion’s centuries-old history began as the original manifestation of a soulless vision–and it is fated to end in the ultimate confrontation between a damned creature and his mad creator. But first they must face a monstrosity not even Victor’s malignant mind could have conceived–an indestructible entity that steps out of humankind’s collective nightmare with powers, and a purpose, beyond imagining.

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Dean Koontz's The City.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Carson And Michael, City Of Night, Frankenstein Series, Koontz Frankenstein, New Orleans, New Race, Odd Thomas, Third Book, Third Installment

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Frankenstein: City of Night Review

Frankenstein: City of Night

Published: 2005

Author: Dean Koontz and Ed Gorman

Genre: Conspiracy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Police Procedurals, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 02 of 05: Frankenstein

Check the summary of this book here:

Frankenstein: City of Night Summary

The Review

The novel City of Night was written by best-selling authors Dean Koontz and Ed Gorman and published in 2005. This book is the second installment in Koontz's Frankenstein series. Dead and Alive, the third book in the series was released in 2009. You continue with O'Connor and Michael's frequently funny conversation, which is quite pleasant in the midst of all the excitement and occurrences. Deucalion seemed to take on a little different position, and he didn't look as frightening as he did in "Prodigal Son." 

I was first disappointed, but it worked perfectly with the flow of the plot. Victor Frankenstein's persona developed more, and you can fully sense his insanity and arrogance in what he does as he grows more and more reckless. 

Overall, the plot appears to be sluggish, but it is actually rapid, and you only realize this when the book is nearly finished or you are on the final page.

This was a fantastic read for me. The brief chapters didn't bother me this time, and I thought they added to the story's appeal. 

The premise was intriguing and grew to intensify as the story progressed. The characters did not change and stayed as they were. 

The tale delves deeper into Helios' life and gives you a better idea of what his inventions are like.

I didn't like how sudden the ending was since I wanted to read and learn more. To me, it appeared as if Mr. Koontz arbitrarily selected a point to finish the City of Night, and by both I mean the City of Night and Dead and Alive, but this was not the case, and it was done on purpose, much like an episode of a TV program is chopped to keep the viewer interested in the future episode.

This is the second book in the series that I enjoy, however it is a little slow-paced and appears to mainly build up the third book. 

This establishes the major narrative and struggle that Victor will confront, and we get to know the characters a little more in this book. 

It appears to be taking an interesting direction and has kept my interest quite well. I wish there was a better finish to this since, as I've stated several times in this review, it simply dropped off. It was as if Koontz wrote one novel and then ripped it in half to make two. But don't worry, the following book, "Dead and Alive," is excellent.

I've never liked a "second part" as much as or more than the first, but this book was out of this world! A "page-turner" in the same vein as book one. 

This novel maintains the wit and comedy of the first. It's nice to see the cops back at work, and there are even more great characters introduced that you'll like.

O'Connor and Maddison's only communication with each other consists entirely of witty banter in which they exchange snappy one-liners back and forth, and I believe some readers will dislike it because it is tiresome and unrealistic for them, but many readers will enjoy it and may laugh out loud on numerous occasions, so just read and decide which one you are.

I once again admire Koontz's ability to lure me into each chapter...and then leave me breathless as he jumps back and forth between the mini-plots of other characters. 

The only dissatisfaction I had during this never-ending sensation of emotional foreplay was my intense need to read more about the often delicate, sad, haunting, and sometimes savage Deucalion, and Koontz's teasing left me unsatisfied in this aspect. 

I anticipated Deucalion would play a larger part in the next book, as he is the Old Race's Champion, and he should be essential and center stage during the impending holocaust. 

I couldn't figure out who wrote what out of the three authors (Dean Koontz, Ed Gorman and Kevin J. Anderson) in this and the prior narrative but I don't think it matters because both novels were fantastic.

Overall, I felt the book was a fantastic read, however as I already stated, it fell short at the end. 

Dean Koontz's whole body of work is in my possession. I purchased it as soon as it was available. Sure enough, he didn't let me down. He can easily keep the reader's attention from page one to the conclusion. He is a real master storyteller. I wholeheartedly suggest all of his books!

Final Thoughts

Let me start by saying that you are lucky in that the third book in this series has already been released and that you can purchase it as soon as you finish the second.

It's a little bland at first as it sets up the remainder of the novel, but it's still amusing. It becomes a true page-turner, twisting and turning with tales merging and getting more thrilling. It's fantastic.

The City of Night picks up immediately where Prodigal Son leaves off. All of the characters have returned, plus a few new ones have been introduced, and Helios' weaknesses are becoming more apparent. 

Carson, Michael, and Deucalion's new goal is to destroy Helios, as Helios continues to strive to take over the globe with his new race.

Fans of the original novel will not be disappointed with this sequel. This book takes off precisely where the last one left off and runs from beginning to end. 

There was a brief review of what had occurred that was interspersed across the first few chapters. This is especially helpful if, like me, you purchased this book as immediately as it was available but never got around to reading it.

This is a novel I wholeheartedly recommend, especially if you loved the first book in the series. 

I chose Book one since I am a major admirer of all things Frankenstein as I mentioned in my previous review. While it's a fresh take on the subject, it's been extremely nice thus far.

In a nutshell, this is what this book is... Fantastic narrative, great characters, loads of tension, and romantic hints. 

According to the previous allusions, I liked this book and despise these novels for their cliffhangers, but in a pleasant manner.

Synopsis

"The Frankenstein story is updated to the 21st century by the great American storyteller Dean Koontz. Now someone new is playing god.

They are stronger, heal better and think faster than any humans ever created – and they must be destroyed. But not even Victor Helios can stop the engineered killers he has set loose on a reign of terror through modern-day New Orleans.

The mad genius had not imagined that his creations would develop minds – and purposes – of their own. And as Deucalion and Detectives O'Connor and Maddison race to uncover an age-old conspiracy, they will discover that Victor's new, improved models have infiltrated every level of New Orleans society … and far beyond.

Dean Koontz, the master storyteller, creates a bold new legend."

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Carson And Michael, Character Development, Frankenstein Series, New Orleans, New Race, Next Book, Odd Thomas, Page Turner, Victor Helios

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Review

Frankenstein: Prodigal Son

Published: 2005

Author: Dean Koontz and Kevin J. Anderson

Genre: Children's Comics, Conspiracy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Horror, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Police Procedurals, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 01 of 05: Frankenstein

Check the summary of this book here:

Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Prodigal Son is a best-selling novel. The novel is the first in a series of five by Dean Koontz named Dean Koontz's Frankenstein. Kevin J. Anderson, another fantastic author, contributed to the book as a co-author. 

I was already planning to buy and read this book because it contained the name Frankenstein, but it became even more necessary after learning about both writers' names.

Koontz is one of my favorite modern fiction writers because of his sense of humor and assimilation of the spiritual component of reality in his work, where the brilliant optimism of good and the horror of evil are eloquently represented and contrasted.

The next few lines are connected to the narrative of this work, however, I am simply posting them since all of this information is already on the back of the book, thus it is not considered a spoiler. 

The basic narrative follows New Orleans detective Carson and her partner Michael as they search for "The Surgeon," a serial killer. 

Deucalion, once known as The Monster, is alarmed by reports of this serial murderer, believing that his old master and creator, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, has returned. 

When Carson meets Deucalion, the investigation takes a darker turn, leading Carson and Michael down the road of a 200-year-old mystery and evil that threatens more than just New Orleans.

The series' idea was based on a script created by Koontz and Anderson for the 2004 USA Network TV movie Frankenstein. 

Due to creative differences with the network, Koontz resigned from the project, and the production went on a new route with identical characters and a different narrative, while Koontz was able to publish his own series.

The production firm 1019 Entertainment announced in October 2012 that they have obtained the whole Koontz Frankenstein novel series. TNT has announced plans to adapt it into a television series, with writer James V. Hart and his son Jake Hart penning the screenplay.

This novel has so many side tales that I was worried about how everything will fit together while I was reading it. 

After a third of the way through the novel, you discover you're following two separate stories: one about Carson and Michael and the New Orleans Homicide Division, and the other about Victor and Deucalion. When the novel's end arrives, everything falls into place.

The number of characters I was following when I initially started reading this story astounded me. 

The narrative began by following four separate characters, each with their own story. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first, but I think it turned out well. 

I was also dissatisfied with the quantity of hopping back and forth between storylines. We seemed to be going to a different individual with each new chapter, which was around three pages long on average. 

With all of the leaping around, I was left wondering how anything could possibly progress. It wasn't long before it became clear that all of the hopping around was leading to one tale.

All of the leaping about bothered me. At the beginning of the novel, I never felt like I got to know the characters. 

I had a solid understanding of the characters at the conclusion of the book, but I lacked any kind of emotional attachment to any of them. 

I also didn't enjoy how none of the characters grew as the tale progressed. Carson was Carson from start to finish; Michael was Michael from start to finish, and so on. 

The lone character that changed significantly during the novel had such a little role in the plot that the alteration was easily unnoticed.

This book is unexpectedly clever, with aspects of both a superb detective story and a science fiction classic. 

The characters are nicely rounded, and the plot is intriguing. I'm presently reading the final book in the series, and it's just as good as the others.

All of the components of an excellent thriller are present. Some verb tense changes looked superfluous. 

If you require closure, the finale leaves a lot of loose ends, so be prepared to read the sequels. 

You may read the book summaries if you want, and I usually put a link to them near the top of the review, but if you are a genuine book lover, I recommend avoiding reading the summaries so you can be shocked by what occurs next.

Finally, Dean Koontz's and Kevin J. Anderson's thriller portrays the true story of Frankenstein's monster. 

It's a fast-paced thrill rush that you won't be able to stop following. Michael Connelly meets Mary Shelly. I am confident that you will not be able to wait and avoid reading the second book in the series.

Final Thoughts

I've always been a fan of vintage horror characters. The Frankenstein monster was one of my favorites since it was a man-made monstrosity that was never given the opportunity to learn and develop, much like my own ideal of defeating death so that we as humans may do more and achieve our full potential with an unlimited life. 

I was fascinated when I learned Dean Koontz had written a Frankenstein book. I had no idea what to expect from this book and was pleasantly pleased to discover that it was set in the modern times. 

This is set about 200 years after its birth, as if the Frankenstein monster still existed and how he would adjust to modern civilization.

I enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down once I started reading it. I enjoyed the unfolding plot and never knew what would come next. 

I always had a pretty decent concept of what was going to happen, but I was never able to get even half of it correct (for example, a killer is discovered, begins to flee, is apprehended, and dies). 

When, in actuality, the perpetrator is apprehended, flees, begins to shift, finds himself in a difficult place, narrowly escapes, is killed, and yet manages to flee at the same time. Isn't it perplexing? Start reading to find out.

Overall, the plot was exciting and fast-paced. I would suggest this book to anybody who likes mysteries, especially those in which the reader is taken in by the mystery and then is left wondering, "What just occurred, I'm blown away?"

Koontz's concept is pretty intriguing, and it leaves you guessing as to how it will all play out. For fans of the Frankenstein narrative, this is a must-read.

Synopsis

“From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the story, you know only half the truth. Get ready for the mystery, the myth, the terror, and the magic of…

Dean Koontz's Prodigal Son

Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion, a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself–and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more—and less—than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’t merely a homicidal maniac—but his deranged maker.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Body Parts, Kevin Anderson, Looking Forward, New Orleans, New Race, Odd Thomas, Serial Killer, Still Alive, Victor Frankenstein, Victor Helios

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Frankenstein-Prodigal-Son-Kindle

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