The Taking Review

The Taking

Published: 2004

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, Horror, Occult, Psychological, Romance, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

The Taking Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz wrote the novel The Taking. I was really looking forward to the movie adaptation of this novel, and it was certain to be a fantastic one if the content from the book was included. In 2006, Sam Raimi's Ghost House Productions revealed that they had obtained the rights to this novel and intended to make a miniseries based on it for their new television banner. But sadly, neither the series nor the Ghost House TV unit came to fruition.

I adored this book and the concept that evolved into a suspenseful and mysterious novel. It has become one of my all-time favorites, and I'd like to put it almost on par with The Mist (included in Skeleton Crew) by Stephen King in terms of my personal list of finest stories. 

After reading this book, I will always see rain in a new light and with a remembrance of one of my favorite stories, much as I recall The Mist (included in Skeleton Crew by Stephen King) and The Fog when I am in fog or mist. It's an incredible experience for me, and instead of being afraid, I like it.

From the beginning, Koontz had my whole attention. I had the impression that I was there from beginning to end. I sensed the characters' terror, curiosity, sadness, and all the other feelings they must have felt. With the suspense, worry, and description, it took my thoughts on a wild journey. It was terrifying in and of itself, but towards the conclusion of the novel, I was overcome with emotion.

I'm the sort of person that gets a buzz from having nightmares. I'm pleased when they're finished, but I wouldn't change the dreams I experienced. This was one of those kinds of situations. It was like one of those lengthy, terrifying, end-of-the-world nightmares that is amazing in and of itself. 

Some of my friends did not enjoy this book, and many of them did not complete it. This suggests that the plot's convoluted and unrealistic situation may not pique the interest of all readers. If you enjoy basic one-track books, you might not enjoy this one, but if you want an exciting and otherworldly experience, I definitely suggest it.

Mr. Koontz, like the protagonist in this novel, has decided to create a book about hope. He can scare the bejesus out of us, but he also gives us hope that virtue and love will triumph over evil. And my favorite aspect of his writings is that he always features dogs that represent the finest of our planet.

Even in the midst of the tragedy, I recognized beauty in most of the narrative. I started reading with an open mind, and when I finished it, I felt like a better person. Whether or not Koontz intended it, I felt closer to my own inner self.

I've mentioned The Mist (included in Skeleton Crew by Stephen King) a few times in this review, and I adore that story even more than this one, but I'd want to point out that it's not a full-length book, but rather a novella or a short story.

Now, let's get back to The Taking... This novel contains all the twists and turns of a well-crafted narrative and characters. The ending grows clearer and clearer, and it's very evident around 3/4 of the way through, but it's the subtleties that make it so brilliantly written.

Of course, dogs play an important role in his tales, and these canines have remarkable abilities. So endearing.... Congratulations, Mr. Koontz! Congratulations!

One of Koontz's books you won't be able to put down. It's about bravery and optimism in the face of tragedy and loss. I had a feeling there was more to the extraterrestrial encounter than meets the eye...there are a lot of signs I hope you don't overlook. Once again thank you, Dean Koontz, for writing about the end of the world in such an artful manner.

Final Thoughts

This was fantastic, and I'm afraid I won't be able to give it credit! Dean Koontz has always been a favorite of mine, but he's truly exceeded himself with this one. 

What began as a riveting sci-fi/horror novel quickly morphed into something with such profound meaning that I was left dumbfounded and in awe of Dean Koontz's ability by the time I reached the final page. 

The message of the book had a tremendous impact on me. I arrived expecting a light read and instead received a true gem. Wow is all I have to say.

This is the book for you if you enjoy mysteries, sci-fi, psychological thrills, and feeling chills. This man can tie your mind into knots trying to figure out what's going to happen next, then Bang - he blows your mind again. 

I've been a fan for years, and I once ran out of gas on the road while listening to one of his books. Read Dean Koontz if you want to broaden your horizons!!!

I like this book until the very end, when it evolved into a whole other sort of novel, and that is the only reason I did not give it a full recommendation since I know some readers will not appreciate the conclusion and the changes that occurred to the tale. 

Despite the author's last-minute changing of gears, I rather appreciated this book. It had a lot of suspense and was really creative. I felt it to be a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down novel that was driven by plot rather than character development.

Beginning as an extraterrestrial invasion thriller, the depictions of the world's devastating ecological changes are genuinely terrifying.

For the most part, Koontz is at his best in this disturbing and frightening book, which begins as an extraterrestrial invasion story and progresses into an allegorical age-old narrative of the war between good and evil. 

Though I wish it had been a nice old-fashioned alien invasion thriller, I can't begrudge the author for following his heart. The subjects in the book are ones that have emerged in many of the author's prior novels and are definitely ones that he is passionate about.

Synopsis

The synopsis below is from the mass market paperback edition of this book.

“On the morning that marks the end of the world they have known, Molly and Neil Sloan awaken to the drumbeat of rain on their roof. A luminous silvery downpour is drenching their small California mountain town. It has haunted their sleep, invaded their dreams, and now, in the moody purple dawn, the young couple cannot shake the sense of something terribly wrong.

As the hours pass, Molly and Neil listen to disturbing news of extreme weather phenomena across the globe. By nightfall, their little town loses all contact with the outside world. A thick fog transforms the once-friendly village into a ghostly labyrinth. And soon the Sloans and their neighbors will be forced to draw on reserves of courage and humanity they never knew they had. For within the misty gloom they will encounter something that reveals in a shattering instant what is happening to their world—something that is hunting them with ruthless efficiency.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alien Invasion, Black Lake, Husband Neil, Koontz Books, Left Behind, Molly And Neil, Odd Thomas, Waste Of Time, Years Ago

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/The-Taking-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

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Saint Odd Review

Saint Odd

Published: 13, January 2015

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Literary, Mystery, Paranormal, Psychic, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Urban

Book 7 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Saint Odd Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's Saint Odd is the seventh and final suspense novel in his Odd Thomas series. Bantam Books first published the book on January 13, 2015. In 2015, Saint Odd received the Goodreads Choice Award for Horror. Odd Thomas is without a doubt one of the most charming and enduring characters in the modern horror/thriller/paranormal genre—and Dean Koontz has handled Odd's story as wonderfully in this book as he has in previous novels in the series. I did notice fewer "treasures" in this one—those unexpected tidbits and twists of language that take you off guard when you reach them. There are fewer gems in this book, but those that are there shine even brighter because of their rarity.

This is the seventh book in the Odd Thomas series (eighth if you include Odd interlude as a separate part), and it addresses the same issues that have been discussed throughout the majority of the series: the fight between Good and Evil. Odd Thomas, a former fry cook, is tasked with preventing a satanic sect from carrying out a sinister scheme and must race against time and the forces of evil to do it.

I listed eight books, but it becomes a little more confusing when you include "Odd Thomas: You Are Destined to Be Together Forever," but it's only a 38-page novella, so I'm not considering it among the main novels; nonetheless, I'll review it in a few days.

Then there are three graphic novels that might be added to this list that are all prequels to the main Odd Thomas story, but I'll go into each one separately later.

The novel has a lot of positive things going for it, the primary one being that it eliminates all of the more sophisticated features of the recent books: there is no dimension jumping, no parallel worlds, no horrific monsters, and no alternative demonic Odd Thomas doppelgangers. 

This book's evil is certainly human, which is a nice return to what made this series so fantastic in the first place. 

Odd is also as lovely, humble, and valiant as ever, and it's always a pleasure to read about his exploits. 

Finally, this novel feels like a sort of reunion, with Odd returning to Pico Mundo, Chief Porter, and Ozzie Boone. This adds a nice fullness to the plot.

The next few lines may include a few minor spoilers for people who have never read the preceding book in the series, so only read if you are currently on the sixth book. And yes, some of the little details from this book are included as well, so if you don't want to know anything from this volume, simply skip to Final Thoughts.

I believe the book contains certain irritating peculiarities that a frequent reader may notice, although they are not as awful as they sound:

The first one that comes to me is that one of the main draws of the book series is Odd's ability to see the lingering dead, but that component of his character is completely absent from the novel. 

Ghosts emerge, although their appearance is fleeting and irrelevant to the plot, and they may have just gone unnoticed. 

In reality, there is a misuse of psychic magnetism, which serves as a deus ex machina to move the tale along and get Odd where he needs to go, but it is a power he possesses and employs. And I believe it is what he should do whenever he needs it.

The second is that it appears Dean Koontz was unsure what to do with Annamaria, one of the important supporting characters in the previous books, thus she was essentially disregarded for the duration of the book. 

There's no conclusion, no explanation for all of her secrets, why she's always pregnant, or why she opted to join Odd in the first place. There are just confusing faux explanations that don't actually explain anything at all, which is terribly frustrating given that this is the final book of the series, but I still hope it has a purpose and Dean Koontz will someday bring back this series with a bang and give us all the answers.

The third point to make is that, while Odd does manage to resolve the immediate threat he is facing, it doesn't really do anything in the big scheme of things. He doesn't truly deal a fatal blow to the Evil group he's after; he only halts their present strategy. 

Nothing prevents them from trying again next month. Is Odd's final journey truly going to be that? Deeply Odd's events, on the other hand, are perhaps far more upsetting, demonstrating that it was not the series' last novel.

Fourth, the ending is surely kind of disappointing for the final book in the Odd Thomas series. We are told that there is a continuous battle between forces of good and evil, and Odd is only a soldier in this conflict, fighting with numerous other invisible heroes. 

Odd's exploits are finally done, and we know how the conflict will go on without him. In fact, the ending of Odd's tale isn't even really related to the plot of the book; it's as if there was a desire to make this the final book, so a series ending chapter was added, whereas otherwise there would've been an eighth book, which I still believe will happen and we will read the next book someday in the future.

Final Thoughts

Odd Thomas has been a favorite of mine from the first book. If you haven't read any of them yet, do yourself a favor and do it right now.

If you're a fan of Odd, as I and many others are, you'll like this last episode of the series. By the conclusion, you'll both love and despise Dean Koontz. 

I've read practically everything he's written, and this is most likely his masterpiece. It's unusual for me to be sad in the midst of such grief and still be filled with hope and pleasure, but that's exactly what this narrative has done for me. 

And I've been sad, and I'm still sad as I type this. I was overcome with emotion by the beauty of what I read and the way it penetrated my heart and thoughts.

The characters in this novel shimmer and radiate, as they do in all of Koontz's writing. They've matured over the course of the series, and while the finale was fixed in stone on a macro scale, the circumstances around it were fluid enough to allow for some very imaginative details. 

Even though I knew how it would end, I was nearly taken aback when it did. I hoped for something else—something more. I really want to say that I'm not sure what was "missing" from this ending—so it's subtle that I can't even tell you what it was. But I know what it is: the sadness of knowing that I will miss Odd, and the beauty of the finale, which will undoubtedly make many readers cry.

Finally, I wish I could read more of this, and I am confident that all readers who will read this series will feel the same way. Really great and highly recommended novel and series.

Synopsis

The synopsis below is from the audio version of this book.

“From "one of the master storytellers of this or any age" (The Tampa Tribune) comes the stunning final adventure of "one of the most remarkable and appealing characters in current fiction" (The Virginian-Pilot) - as #1 New York Times best-selling author Dean Koontz brings the unforgettable odyssey of Odd Thomas to its dazzling conclusion.

Odd Thomas is back where it all started…because the time has come to finish it. Since he left his simple life in the small town of Pico Mundo, California, his journey has taken him to places strange and wonderful, mysterious and terrifying. Across the land, in the company of mortals and spirits alike, he has known kindness and cruelty, felt love and loss, saved lives and taken them - as he's borne witness to humanity's greatest good and darkest evil. Again and again, he has gone where he must and done what he had to do - for better or worse - with his courage and devotion sorely tested, and his soul forever changed. Every triumph has been hard won. Each sacrifice has taken its toll.

Now, whatever destiny drives him has finally steered his steps home, where those he cares for most surround him, the memory of his tragically lost true love haunts him, and one last challenge - vast and dreadful - awaits him. For Odd Thomas, born to serve a purpose far greater than himself, the wandering is done. Only the reckoning remains.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Final Book, Fitting End, Fry Cook, Great Series, Last Book, Loose Ends, Pico Mundo, Sad To See, See It End, Sorry To See, Thomas Series, Together Forever

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Saint-Odd-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Saint-Odd-Audible

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Deeply Odd Review

Deeply Odd

Published: 2013

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 6 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Deeply Odd Summary

The Review

Deeply Odd is the sixth suspense thriller novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. I've been a fan of Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series since the first novel was published many years ago. While much of Mr. Koontz's past work was hit or miss for me in certain aspects but not horrible in any way, the Odd Thomas books have consistently been entertaining, hilarious, and compelling. 

Odd Thomas, whose birth certificate lacked the T from Todd, or Oddie to his friends and fans, is a former fry cook. He produces the world's best, fluffiest pancakes. He is also capable of seeing ghosts. They don't say anything to him, instead gesticulating and pantomiming to imply that something terrible is going to happen and that they are attempting to help. 

Elvis Presley was his former silent companion in the first few books, followed briefly by Frank Sinatra. Alfred Hitchcock is now stalking him.

Odd also possesses a psychic attraction that pulls him irresistibly to locations where he has to be. These are always about preventing someone or people from conducting activities that might or will result in widespread death and/or damage. 

Odd's job in life appears to be to avert as much of this mayhem as he can, until a stray bullet, explosion, or knife in the back catches him and reunites him with his beloved Stormy Llewellyn ("You are destined to be together forever"). '

There's a lot more to Odd's backstory, but you can get a lot of it from this novel, which references many, if not most, of the other works. 

Deeply Odd, like all of the Odd Thomas novels, may be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend going back and reading them all at some time. All of them are small treasures, and the references to earlier events will be apparent, increasing the enjoyment of the newest installment, Deeply Odd.

In Deeply Odd, Odd takes center stage without his friends and companions from earlier novels, having left Annamaria at the ranch when he went for a brief trip into town to purchase some jeans, which is when the adventure began. 

Mrs. Fisher, on the other hand, is a fantastic new character and a perfect counterpart for the clever banter that Odd Thomas fans have come to anticipate. 

We meet a handful of Edie's friends, who seem to know just about everyone everywhere, and who are all exceedingly helpful and adore her.

Odd's internal commentary that all of the books are supposed to be his memoirs, not to be released until he dies is equally amusing, with many of his analogies likely to make the reader laugh out loud.

The finale, which I believe would have worked better as a coda or epilogue, is a bit too amazing, unintelligible, and happily ever after, but this is a minor issue. 

Finally, this reader was left with the impression that Odd Thomas's exploits, which began just 19 months (time passed in the story) ago in Pico Mundo, CA, were coming to a finish, and he was getting closer to his reunion with Stormy. 

This is just an impression, but it has lasted for a week since I finished the novel, and it later came true when I read the seventh book Saint Odd, and I am still hoping for a new book in the series. 

It is true that you can read a few novellas and short stories about Odd from Dean Koontz, but they are just supplements, not actual full-sized books that can move the story forward.

Final Thoughts

This is the sixth novel in the series based on Koontz's unforgettable character. 

Between Odd Hours and Odd Apocalypse, there was also Odd Interlude, a novella that was actually one of the greatest Odd tales.  

The Odd books appeared to be a change from Dean Koontz's customary dark suspense and spooky paranormal fiction. I'll keep reading Koontz until he retires, which I'm sure will be a long time. 

If you like Odd Thomas and are a fan of Koontz, I'm sure you'll appreciate Deeply Odd. But, as a Koontz fan, I'm looking forward to the series' conclusion and then returning to fundamentals. Of course, nothing is simple in Dean Koontz's world.

If you're reading this book for the first time, you'll find Odd's character changes to be appropriate considering the conditions, but those who have been following him since his debut five volumes ago are likely to be more troubled.

He's got more oomph in this than he's ever had before, and for good cause. The pressure on him is greater than in the previous novel, in which he had to avert a nuclear terrorist attack. 

The threat had been much bigger in principle, but the evil forces at work in this narrative went beyond ethereal, where even if not all of them could be seen, they would be felt in the bloodiest and most torturous way - a price paid for innocent children, a dreadful concept in and of itself.

Odd has since arrived at a fork in the road, and while he is unsure of what lies ahead, he is more certain that everything he has experienced up to this point has been leading him back to the beginning, where it all began for him in Pico Mundo. 

The following information confirms this. I'm confident that the guy who welcomes the people who have waited for him will see that Odd is no longer the gun-shy man he was before he went. He has developed a dislike for the new guy he has become, but he recognizes that it is necessary. He's a new Odd, maybe not fully toughened yet, but far away from "just a fry cook."

This novel Odd had reignited my interest in the series, which is a little late given that this is supposed to be the next to the final book, so I might have given it full marks at first (in principle), but the game-changer still came too late in the book for me as if it matters because I am still a fan and love the series and the character of Odd. 

So basically what I just said about the change coming too late was actually said for the readers who are always complaining no matter what.

Another must-read for all Odd Thomas fans, but also a good place to start if you appreciate engaging characters, horror with a sense of humor, and light fantasy of a different kind that can be recommended wholeheartedly.

But, as always, I don't advocate starting with this book and only reading it after you've finished the previous five.

Synopsis

The synopsis below is from the audiobook version of this book.

“The pistol appeared in his hand the way a dove appears in the hand of a good magician, as if it materialized out of thin air. "You think I won’t do it right here in the open. But you’d be surprised.... You’ll drop before you get the breath to scream." The truck driver is decked out like a rhinestone cowboy, only instead of a guitar he’s slinging a gun - and Odd Thomas is on the wrong end of the barrel. Though he narrowly dodges a bullet, Odd can’t outrun the shocking vision burned into his mind...or the destiny that will drive him into a harrowing showdown with absolute evil.

How do you make sure a crime that hasn’t happened yet, never does? That’s the critical question facing Odd Thomas, the young man with a unique ability to commune with restless spirits and help them find justice and peace. But this time, it’s the living who desperately need Odd on their side. Three helpless innocents will be brutally executed unless Odd can intervene in time. Who the potential victims are and where they can be found remain a mystery. The only thing Odd knows for sure is who the killer will be: the homicidal stranger who tried to shoot him dead in a small-town parking lot.

With the ghost of Alfred Hitchcock riding shotgun and a network of unlikely allies providing help along the way, Odd embarks on an interstate game of cat and mouse with his sinister quarry. He will soon learn that his adversary possesses abilities that may surpass his own and operates in service to infinitely more formidable foes, with murder a mere prelude to much deeper designs. Traveling across a landscape haunted by portents of impending catastrophe, Odd will do what he must and go where his path leads him, drawing ever closer to the dark heart of his long journey - and, perhaps, to the bright light beyond.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alfred Hitchcock, Another Great, Forward To The Next, Fry Cook, Looking Forward, Next Book, Pico Mundo, Rhinestone Cowboy, Thomas Series

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Deeply-Odd-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Deeply-Odd-Audible

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