Seize the Night Review

Seize the Night

Published: 1998

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Conspiracy, Contemporary, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Kidnapping, Literature, Medical, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense, Time Travel, Thriller

Book 2 of 3: Moonlight Bay

Check the summary of this book here:

Seize the Night Summary

The Review

Seize the Night is a novel written by best-selling novelist Dean Koontz. It is the second book of the Moonlight Bay Trilogy, which follows Christopher Snow, who suffers from the uncommon but real-world disease XP (Xeroderma Pigmentosum). Fear Nothing is the first book in the series, and Ride the Storm is the third, with a publishing date yet to be determined.

Cemetery Dance Publications originally offered Seize the Night in two limited edition hardback editions, each with a distinct front cover artwork.

Dean Koontz has his own style, usually substituting tension-filled drama for narrative or character advancement, but his writing is so fascinating that page-turning just takes over.

Dean Koontz's novels are always a safe bet. He employs the most unexpected heroes and makes reading a delight. But still, I'm looking forward to the third chapter of Moonlight Bay.

The following few sentences are about the book, but I also included information on my experience with the audio version because, due to time constraints, I had to listen to it first. 

Dean Koontz's heroes are whole once more - witty, intelligent, and willing to go the extra mile for each other no matter how terrifying it is. The issue is that if you're listening to these books on the audio version, Koontz spends much too much time catching you up on the history from Fear Nothing. 

I fast-forwarded multiple times and screamed several times, "What about Orson!" because he is one of my favourite fictional dogs. But don't worry, everything works out as it should and it's a fantastic story... I want more!

As again, the visuals and Koontz's ability to keep you on the edge of your seat are superb, and the reader Keith Szarabajka, who may not "sound" right at first, is flawless. 

The idea of the novel is original, as it was in the first book in the series, I enjoyed the characters, and the sections that really advance the storyline are excellent. I probably wouldn't have made it to the last 150 pages or so if I hadn't listened to the entire book in the vehicle on Audible.

One of the greatest books I've read by Koontz, and he's one of my favorites as well. This novel, rich in exotic landscapes and thought-provoking conversation, explores what can happen when man progressively interferes with the natural order of existence. Man's inhumanity in the name of science is addressed extensively and provocatively in the Koontz tradition, with underlying humor and forbearance.

This was an excellent read for me. The characters from Fear Nothing return in this novel, along with some new ones. Mungojerrie, the cat from Fear Nothing, plays a greater part in this novel, which pleased me. 

However, I have a word of caution for anyone who is going to read this book. This was supposed to be a trilogy, and as I got to the end of Seize the Night, it was clear that there was more to come. 

The problem is that this was released a long time ago, and Mr. Koontz has yet to write the third book in this series. But, as usual, I am hopeful that he will write it soon, and perhaps if all of the readers let him know that we want the next part, he will do it a little faster.

With Linguistics, his writing sense of humor, and his choice of the phrase It's no wonder that he's one of the most well-known authors in his field. Years ago, I "found" his works with From the Corner of His Eye and subsequently The Watchers, which remain my favorites. 

In Book two of Seize the Night, I saw a reference to The Watchers. Mr. Koontz, we all hope you will continue with additional novels in this series. I'm sure many others share my sentiments, as do many of my friends. Also, as a dog lover, I like the fact that you include dogs in so many of your works.

Final Thoughts

I know everyone likes Odd Thomas, and I do, too, but these two books, Fear Nothing and Seize the Night, are unquestionably among Koontz's greatest. 

I confess that the characters are a touch shaky but in a nice manner. Unlike in much of his work, there is a feeling of optimism and resilience in the face of an inconceivable and terrifying future that shines through and makes you care about these unexpected heroes. 

The Frankenstein component, I believe, is what truly distinguishes it and makes it a terrific read. The bad people are indeed terrible, yet you can't help but pity them and regard them as victims as those they damage.

This novel made me laugh, weep, and want to read more. Yes, the author is unnecessarily detailed at times, and it appears like he is attempting to outdo himself with brilliant or profound life remarks. 

The plot, on the other hand, was a roller coaster that would not let me off. And the finish.... the ending was well worth the wait.

The novel struck me as quite typical of Koontz. I love his writing, sense of humor, and awareness of what is right and wrong. 

As I said in my earlier review of the first part of this book, the character in this novel looks to share many of Odd Thomas' personality characteristics. Koontz is gifted at building likable and compelling characters. That became very evident to me after reading the majority of the other authors.

A good book with an engaging narrative and excellent chapters - a suitable follow-up to Fear Nothing. Some readers may find the explanatory and philosophical verbiage a little too much, but more intellectual readers will undoubtedly appreciate it.

Dean Koontz strikes again. The novel quickly drew my interest. Because it was the second book, it answered some of the questions raised in the first. It's a book that combines a thinking game with a story. I can't wait to read the last installment of this series!

What a wonderful book it is. Similar to the Odd Thomas style, yet distinct enough that you soon warm to the main character - and his extremely intelligent dog! 

Both volumes in this series are fantastic (Fear Nothing and Seize the Night). I only hope Dean Koontz would finish the third book in the series. 

I've heard it's in the works, but there's no word on when it'll be released. And I apologize to the readers for grumbling about the third book not being published over and again, but there is a reason, and once you read both novels, you will understand why I am saying this, and I am sure you will too.

Synopsis

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

There are no rules in the dark, no place to feel safe, no escape from the shadows. But to save the day, you must...Seize the Night.

At no time does Moonlight Bay look more beautiful than at night. Yet it is precisely then that the secluded little town reveals its menace. Now children are disappearing. From their homes. From the streets. And there's nothing their families can do about it. Because in Moonlight Bay, the police work their hardest to conceal crimes and silence victims. No matter what happens in the night, their job is to ensure that nothing disturbs the peace and quiet of Moonlight Bay....

Christopher Snow isn't afraid of the dark. Forced to live in the shadows because of a rare genetic disorder, he knows the night world better than anyone. He believes the lost children are still alive and that their disappearance is connected to the town's most carefully kept, most ominous secret—a secret only he can uncover, a secret that will force him to confront an adversary at one with the most dangerous darkness of all. The darkness inside the human heart.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Christopher Snow, Fort Wyvern, Military Base, Moonlight Bay, Sequel To Fear, Surfer Lingo, Years Ago

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Seize-the-Night-Kindle

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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.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Fear-Nothing-Kindle

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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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