Fear Nothing Review

Fear Nothing

Published: 1998

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Conspiracy, Contemporary, Espionage, Fiction, Genetic Engineering, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Medical, Occult, Psychological, Rural, Science Fiction, Small Town, Suspense, Technothrillers, Thriller

Book 1 of 3: Moonlight Bay

Check the summary of this book here:

Fear Nothing Summary

The Review

Fear Nothing is a novel written by best-selling novelist Dean Koontz. The book is the first of what is said to be a three-part series of books titled the Moonlight Bay Trilogy, which stars Christopher Snow, who suffers from the uncommon (but genuine) disease XP (Xeroderma Pigmentosum). Seize the Night, the second installment in the trilogy, was released in 1999. The publishing date for the third book, Ride the Storm, has yet to be determined. At the time of writing this review (28, April 2022), there is no information about the third book in this series, but I will alert you as soon as I discover more about the date or the book. Fear Nothing is a spiritual successor to Koontz's 1987 novel Watchers in various aspects.

This book is a hidden gem in Dean Koontz's incredible library. You'll enjoy this if you've read any of the Odd Thomas series. 

Christopher Snow appears to be the template for Odd Thomas - both are seemingly ordinary young men with one distinguishing feature that sets them apart. Both live in tiny towns and have only a few close friends who genuinely understand them. Both are lured into situations over which they have little control and must do whatever it takes to defend themselves and their loved ones.

This is a fantastic novel with a fantastic tale and fantastic characters. Orson deserves special note since he dominates every scene he's in and, in my opinion, is the book's star. 

I must repeat that I have yet to encounter an author who can make a dog such a vital component of a story as Dean Koontz can.

I enjoy novels about strange events and mysteries, and this one had both. It was a little sluggish in places, but once it got going, it kept my attention till the finish. There were many twists and turns, yet it was simple to follow.

I'm disappointed that Mr. Koontz didn't write the third book in this series until now because I adore the characters. It's a fantastic narrative, but more than that, it's a story about characters that, although being fake, seem very, very real. 

Dean Koontz is a genius at building characters who crawl their way into your heart and become a part of it. This novel and its sequel, Seize the Night, are both fantastic. This novel and its sole sequel are highly recommended to everyone who appreciates a nice read and a hot cup of tea on a wet day.

Dean Koontz has always been a fantastic writer, and this novel illustrates his ability to merge authentic physical locations with real occurrences, laying the groundwork for the storyline and making every component feel real and true. 

Then, as the narrative develops, seemingly unbelievable events take on an organic and authentic feel. My only regret was the ending—I need the next book to be finished right away since the state of suspense in which I am currently leaves me desperate for closure! But don't worry, these are my thoughts from the first time I read this book, and the second book is already available for purchase.

This narrative takes hold in Moonlight Bay, California, another little town on the coast rather than the desert-like Pico Mundo. Christopher has a unique skin ailment that only permits him to walk out at night. As a result, he can see in practically complete darkness. But he doesn't have Odd's ability to see the dead.

If you enjoy it, you should buy the sequel, Seize the Night. Frankenstein series which was to be a TV miniseries, so it was apparent there'd be more than one, and Odd Thomas, these are the only books that Koontz connected together. In other words, he made a multi-book series out of these volumes.

Christopher is a gentleman who is a staunch supporter of the good and a despiser of evil. He is bombarded by the latter. It's a science fiction thriller, but it's not too far out there. The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton is a novel that is similar to this one.

Dean Koontz's work is one of my favorites for several reasons, one of which is that he is able to take the technology and science we have right now one step too far to depict what may happen if we allow ourselves to be governed by greed, fear, or warmongers. 

He always manages to instill moral principles and morality in his hero, giving you faith that good will eventually win over evil. And don't forget that the dogs in his novels are great, and I adore them as well.

It's a unique yet interesting story with unusual personalities. Another thing I admire about Koontz is the extent to which he researches his characters. This brings the character to life, and you get the impression that you are hearing the story from the character himself, rather than the author.

Final Thoughts

This novel just blew me away. Christopher Snow, Orson, Sasha, and Bobby are fantastic characters, and I'm re-reading their exploits because I have a feeling the third Christopher Snow novel may be out sooner than we think, and I need to catch up. I sincerely hope that what I just said becomes a reality very soon.

I really like the characters in this one. Although the main character, Christopher Snow, has a similar voice to Odd Thomas, he is still a charming figure. And this one doesn't have your typical, predictable finish. It was fantastic! If you like Koontz, you'll want to grab this one. However, if he isn't, it's a great place to start. Excellent thriller with a sci-fi twist. I've mentioned it several times in this review, and I'll say it again: I love this book; it offered a lot of thought-provoking concepts for me. Friendship is something that we all wish we had with our friends.

This novel has so much intrigue and action that I couldn't put it down! Unfortunately, the finale was a little anticlimactic, and there were a few aspects that weren't thoroughly explored like, what was in the attic? What happened to the briefcase? I was curious. The reference to the novel Watchers was fantastic. Overall, another fantastic Dean Koontz novel!

There aren't many writers that can construct characters or conversation as well as Koontz. Actually, suspense and storyline are nearly the same. Especially in the narrative - Koontz is a master at constructing dangers that are both world-threatening and very intimate. This book is similar, and it's a great read. It works on all levels. It comes highly recommended.

Synopsis

“Fear, compassion, evil, courage, hope, wonder, the exquisite terror of not knowing what will happen on the next page to characters you care about deeply—these are the marvels that Dean Koontz weaves into the unique tapestry of every novel. His storytelling talents have earned him the devotion of fans around the world, making him one of the most popular authors of our time, with more than 200 million copies of his books sold worldwide.

Christopher Snow is different from all the other residents of Moonlight Bay, different from anyone you've ever met. For Christopher Snow has made his peace with a very rare genetic disorder shared by only one thousand other Americans, a disorder that leaves him dangerously vulnerable to light. His life is filled with the fascinating rituals of one who must embrace the dark. He knows the night as no one else ever will, ever can—the mystery, the beauty, the many terrors, and the eerie, silken rhythms of the night—for it is only at night that he is free.

Until the night he witnesses a series of disturbing incidents that sweep him into a violent mystery only he can solve, a mystery that will force him to rise above all fears and confront the many-layered strangeness of Moonlight Bay and its residents.

Once again drawing daringly from several genres, Dean Koontz has created a narrative that is a thriller, a mystery, a wild adventure, a novel of friendship, a rousing story of triumph over severe physical limitations, and a haunting cautionary tale.

This ebook edition contains a special preview of Dean Koontz’s The Silent Corner.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Christopher Snow, Keith Szarabajka, Koontz Books, Moonlight Bay, Page Turner, Stephen King, Takes Place

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Odd Interlude Review

Odd Interlude

Published: 2012

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Murder, Psychic, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

Book 4.1 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Odd Interlude Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Odd Interlude is a suspense thriller. A Special Odd Thomas Adventure is the title of this book. Its primary character defines it as a deviation from his journey's main arc. There are three intertwined storylines, comparable to John Saul's "Blackstone Chronicles." As others have pointed out, there are no earth-shattering revelations, yet the plot reads like an Odd Thomas story. The only significant drawback is that this should not be your first Odd Thomas story. It is necessary to be familiar with the character. In fact, I would recommend reading the previous four standard novels in order before diving into this one. If you're a fan of Odd Thomas, you'll want to add this to your collection.

Dean Koontz's writings, the prolific horror expert that he is, are included independently from the official series about so far seven Odd Thomas books. It was initially released as a three-part series of novellas before being printed in a single paperback volume. 

It was released among both Odd Apocalypse and Deeply Odd. However, it falls between Odd Hours and Odd Apocalypse in canon chronology and on the author's website. Simply said, it may be inserted as a chapter in the fifth Odd Thomas novel, taking place about 24 hours after the events of Odd Hours.

Odd Interlude takes off where Odd Hours left off. Odd and his new companion Annamaria, the golden retriever Raphael, and the white German shepherd ghost dog Boo are traveling on the Pacific Coast Highway from Magic Beach, California to Santa Barbara. 

A powerful pull, however, drives them to Harmony Corner, a little village with a café and homes for rent dating back to the late 1940s and early 1950s. Both Annamaria and Odd have a sneaking suspicion that something dark and wicked is lurking in the shadows of Harmony Corner. Unfortunately, Odd Thomas is likely to be the only one who can cope with it.

This book deviates from the norm in terms of Odd Thomas adventures, owing to its start as an e-book serial. Until recently, Odd's paranormal abilities—seeing dead people, psychic magnetism, the occasional prophetic dream, and so on—were mostly utilized to ward off just mortal creatures. 

His abilities have enabled him to stay alive while eliminating wicked individuals before they can carry out their intentions to bring even more widespread death. 

He foiled a plot to shoot up and bomb a retail mall. He rescued a prisoner from a witch and her kooky followers. He saved a school of monks, nuns, and crippled children from a murderous experiment by a crazy doctor. And he foiled a plot to bomb many American cities and utilize the resulting turmoil to take over the country. 

Though the mysterious power that keeps pulling him from crisis to crisis has been picking up speed and magnitude like an avalanche—though Odd very reasonably suspects that he won't be able to survive much longer—he can take solace in the fact that, aside from his psychic powers, he has only had to deal with normal human wickedness.

As with any Dean Koontz work, the writing is razor-sharp, the conversation is natural, the character development is deep and in-depth, and the plot keeps you wondering until the shocking conclusion. 

However, with Odd Thomas, the author has created a really distinctive character that talks to millions of his admirers and is even the inspiration for an Odd Thomas film. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Odd Thomas is the sort of character you wish you could meet in real life. Forget about his fluffy pancakes; this young man is someone you could sit down with and talk about life and how the very nature of it is amazing and awe-inspiring. That would be a great way to spend the day.

I adore this series, and this was a nice read while readers wait for the final book in the series Saint Odd to be released (it is already released.) 

However, because of the brief length of this novel, there isn't much lead in to develop the other characters; instead, the adventure begins immediately and unravels swiftly. 

Though it was intended to fill in the gaps and offer readers a taste of the popular novels if you're a fan, it's a good read, but it won't make sense if you haven't read the prior books to understand Odd Thomas's backstory.

Final Thoughts

This is a fantastic little interlude between two Odd Thomas books. It's a fun diversion, in my opinion. Odd encounters some strange people. 

One "character" is an artificial intelligence dubbed "Ed," who has a sense of humor. Jolie Harmony, a little girl of 12 with knowledge beyond her years, is by far the most endearing character. 

Odd is once more the "doer of good acts," as the Wizard of Oz would put it. He's been lured to Harmony Corners to assist in ridding the Harmonies of something that has been tormenting them for years.

Odd Interlude, in the Odd Thomas series, did not disappoint. Odd's or Koontz's comedy, in my opinion, is becoming more political and incisive all the time. 

Though he does not explicitly state his political beliefs, there is a distinct DC flavor to his always-entertaining, usually laugh-out-loud amusing narration. 

In this story, though, I felt it was hurried and shortened in an attempt to keep it short while still offering his customary ambiguous finish that leaves his audience thinking about what occurs next. 

Because this story is sandwiched between two previously published Odd Thomas pieces, it was first unsettling, but the adjustment was swift and never proved to be a major distraction. 

Though I think he went a bit too far in explaining why the people from this book aren't mentioned in the novel that follows. That had a rough edge that needed to be sanded down.

Overall, Koontz is still the type of novelist that other writers despise. No one should be that good, but he is. 

A one-off installment in the Odd Thomas series. You never know where a Koontz novel will lead you, as he does with many of his works. 

It begins as a spooky mystery and quickly transitions into Sci-Fi. Koontz is a master of both genres and more. 

This installment into Odd's tale was once only available in digital form, making it easy to overlook. Even if you've finished the rest of the series, this is worth revisiting.

Synopsis

"Odd Interlude, Dean Koontz’s New York Times bestselling three-part digital series—now in one volume for the first time.

THERE’S ROOM AT THE INN. BUT YOU MIGHT NOT GET OUT.

Nestled on a lonely stretch along the Pacific coast, quaint roadside outpost Harmony Corner offers everything a weary traveler needs—a cozy diner, a handy service station, a cluster of cottages . . . and the Harmony family homestead presiding over it all. But when Odd Thomas and company stop to spend the night, they discover that there’s more to this secluded haven than meets the eye—and that between life and death, there is something more frightening than either."

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Another Great, Forward To The Next, Fry Cook, Good Read, Harmony Corner, Looking Forward, Page Turner, Thomas Series

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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

Free With Free Audible Trial

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

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You Are Destined to Be Together Forever Review

You Are Destined to Be Together Forever

Published: 9, December 2014

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Murder, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 6.1 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

You Are Destined to Be Together Forever Summary

The Review

Odd Thomas: You Are Destined to Be Together Forever is the second novella and eighth text in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series. Dean Koontz once again provides a suspenseful story that will keep you riveted to the page. In the conclusion, it's fast-paced and spellbinding. The regular Joe balances out the otherworldly evil. Even though it is only the size of a chapter of a normal-sized book, this one practically begs for a sequel.

You may argue that this modest contribution is unnecessary because Odd and Stormy readers have read about this unique incident in each of the Odd Thomas books, with varying amounts of detail but always the same depth of passion. 

However, being able to share it with them makes it much more special, as if Odd and Stormy intentionally requested us to accompany them as they cement this very important pact between the two of them. 

It's especially satisfying to be present when their destiny is disclosed for the first time since it will sustain us when we miss them, just as it will for Odd in the sequels to come.

I might be a little prejudiced. I've been a long-time admirer of Dean Koontz's stories since I first discovered them half a lifetime ago. 

Anyway, back to Odd Thomas and this fantastic fast read... I absolutely adore this entire series. Koontz didn't write a lot of serial work before this, but these are highly worth reading. But keep in mind that he has a couple more series that I will be reviewing in the near future.

It serves as a recap and prequel to the first Odd Thomas novel. It is a very brief novella intended as a filler to remind readers who may have forgotten how it all began, in preparation for the great conclusion to the series, Saint Odd, which arrived just a few months later. 

Actually, I found it and read it halfway through Saint Odd in an attempt to postpone the inevitable. It has some intriguing nuggets about Odd and Stormy when they were both 16 and went to the carnival where they received the fatal "You are meant to be together forever" fortune, but don't anticipate any huge discoveries or fresh insights.

If you're alright with a Star Wars-style chronology in which you get to the meat and potatoes of a series first, then travel back to learn how it all started, then you won't mind reading this short narrative. 

However, if you like to do things in chronological order from the character's point of view, read this first. Then, Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, Brother Odd, Odd Hours, Odd Interlude, Odd Apocalypse, Deeply Odd, and Saint Odd will follow. There are also several graphic novels that precede Odd Thomas.

These volumes are written in the first person as a memoir of this imaginary character, which is unusual for Koontz and makes for a quick, delightful read. 

Odd is the series' crown gem, but some of his companions along the journey are charming, unexpected, and bizarrely entertaining. They are consistently engaging and difficult to put down. 

Even though this is the beginning of the story for these people, and it is all but the final book in the series with foresight, it was still a gripping read that you should read for yourself.

I read this short story right before reading Saint Odd but stopped and started reading Saint Odd but in the middle I started reading it again. It's heartbreaking to think that I'll be turning the final page of that final book very soon.

Unlike one friend who argued that this short tale was nothing more than an advertisement for the Odd series, I am quite certain that the short appeared before the novels. 

I am also confident that the series does not require any extra promotion beyond Mr. Koontz's reputation and the enjoyment the series has offered to so many people. 

I truly like his thoughts woven together as if they were an expensive and precious tapestry made from the rarest strands and the richest hues.

Mr. Koontz and his books are highly recommended to anybody who can read. The joy of reading surpasses the annoyance of daily life.

This short novella has everything that has made Odd Thomas one of the most beloved fictional heroes since the publication of the first book in the series. 

The fortuneteller's card that guaranteed Odd and Stormy will always be together remained a constant throughout the entire series. Now, Koontz provides Odd lovers with a beautiful narrative that is precisely what it says it is: the happenings of that tragic night.

Odd and Stormy are traveling to the carnival with Elvis Presley's lingering ghost in the backseat when a second lingering spirit disrupts their plans and leads them on an unexpected and perilous detour. 

Odd and Stormy are only teens, but his "quirks" and her harsh upbringing have taught them that "real evil roamed the earth" — Which makes them worry if they can securely sail this treacherous voyage known as life together. This short tale is expertly used by Koontz to build up the events of the last novel Saint Odd in this series.

Final Thoughts

Dean Koontz's short stories are usually entertaining. This is especially true as he's going to deliver the Odd Thomas conclusion and tell us about a narrative that has been hinted at in all the other novels. 

This is a fantastic short for any Odd Thomas fan and should not be missed! It starts with Odd and Stormy on their way to the Pico Mundo carnival. 

Odd, of course, lives up to his name, and they become involved in supernatural happenings that allow Odd and Stormy to join up and remind us delightfully and cruelly of their amazing connection and the depth of its loss.

Dean Koontz is a terrific five-star author, as you undoubtedly already know. This brief prequel about Odd and his girlfriend Stormy will finish before it really begins, at least that's how it appeared to me when I read it. 

In some ways, this short narrative didn't contribute much to what had already been discussed in the majority of the Odd Thomas pieces about the two. 

That's why I only gave this tale ninety points, as if it matter, but it was still a fun new story. However, right at the start of "You Are Destined to Be Together Forever," Koontz throws in a new little adventure that I don't recall seeing in the series previously. 

It's truly exclusively for fans, of which I am one. It was a buck well spent, but I suggest you get Saint Odd as soon as possible. It's fantastic.

Synopsis

The following synopsis is taken from the Audiobook version of this story.

“This exclusive audiobook short story looks back - way back - to where it all began for Odd Thomas and Stormy Llewellyn, two souls who are destined to be together forever.

Amid the dizzying rides, tantalizing games of chance, and fanciful attractions of a state fair, two teenage sweethearts on the cusp of life and love's pleasures find their way to a shadowy carnival tent brimming with curiosities. There, from the bizarre and enthralling Gypsy Mummy, a mechanized merchant of dreams and prognosticator of tomorrows, the young couple learns what fate promises for them. But fate, for Odd Thomas and Stormy Llewellyn, is something altogether different: full of dark corners, sharp edges, and things no seer or soothsayer could ever anticipate.

And for Odd Thomas, a gallant fry cook from a sleepy California desert town, the future beckons - to listen to unquiet spirits, pursue unsettling mysteries, and learn shocking truths...for a purpose far greater than himself.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Destined To Be Together, Final Book, Gypsy Mummy, Last Book, Looking Forward, Odd And Stormy, Quick Read, Short Story, Thomas Series, Together Forever

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/You-Are-Destined-to-Be-Together-Forever-Kindle

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