Phantoms Review

Phantoms

Published: March 1983

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Contemporary, Crime, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Rural, Science Fiction, Small Town, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

Phantoms Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Phantoms is full of horror suspense. The narrative is based on a now-debunked urban legend of a community unexpectedly disappearing in Angikuni Lake. The plot was brief and mostly well-written. Some of the situations and conversations looked stereotyped. This is without a doubt one of my favorite genres, thus I admit that my opinion is prejudiced. But I did my hardest to remain focused on what is real to me and to be as honest as possible.

Fantastic and delightfully creepy! When debating whether to buy this book, I was first concerned by the synopsis because it looked like such a fascinating concept! This worried me because I was afraid it would be one of those books where the author takes a really great idea with amazing potential, maybe even one with ideas that seem plausible and realistic thus making it even scarier, only to build the suspense, get you completely hooked... then drops you with a bang after 85-90 percent of the book that is done by making some predictable decisions. Thankfully, such was not the case here, and it did not disappoint. It actually grew better with each passing paragraph and page!

This book was deemed a horror novel by Koontz, and it surely featured more unexpected twists and turns than most of his writings. It is, nevertheless, really well written and quick-paced.

This is a what-if book in the best style of horror stories, which I enjoy in general. However, Koontz took care to make the work he was required to write also the novel he desired to write. 

Tightly paced, and, like all of Koontz's writing, loaded with vividly sketched characters, both good and bad, and, above all, brimming with his signature combination of unyielding suspense. 

There is just enough believability to keep the reader engaged, and just enough pauses to keep the reader from becoming bored. Easily one of Koontz's greatest. Definitely one of the greatest of any in this genre.

The novel contains numerous literary nods to H.P Lovecraft's work, such as the suggestion that the novel's Ancient Enemy is H.P Lovecraft's god Nyarlathotep, also known as the Crawling Chaos, and the fact that the air force expert who may come into touch with non-human intelligence is titled Captain Arkham (cf. Lovecraft's invention Arkham). The majority of these Lovecraftian allusions were removed from the 1998 film adaptation of Koontz's novel.

I enjoy Dean Koontz's books and can attest that many non-readers become readers after being introduced to them - especially young men like my brother, who is not into reading but is happy to read Koontz's books and sometimes I make him read Stephen King as well, but only if I tell him it is 100% recommended. 

People are drawn to the conflict between good and evil, as well as the plotline, which suggests a relationship to folk traditions, mystic forces, or government misdeeds. 

His protagonists are easy to identify with and the heroic cause of the conflict seems to be a good mix for the skeptical reader. He appeals to me since I am an animal lover, particularly a dog lover.

In certain situations, teachers may choose to consider this as YA, but only with parental approval. When it comes to reading material, some of my young acquaintances prefer to feel like they are making adult decisions, but their parents are still in the process. For many years, Koontz was my go-to author, and I gave away many copies of his books, receiving comments that it converted some people into readers.

This book's plot is one of the creepiest and most spine-chilling I've ever read. Dean Koontz's works can conjure up some horrific pictures, and this story is a horror classic. The Ancient Enemy is a sentient immortal entity with extraordinary survival and predatory abilities, as well as a hive mind that may be both beneficial and deadly, depending on who owns it.

This is one of my favorite novels, and it's one of the stories that got me even more hooked on Dean Koontz. This is the story for you if you enjoy spooky stories!

In 1998, Phantoms was turned into a film starring Peter O'Toole, Rose McGowan, Liev Schreiber, Ben Affleck (Batman), and Joanna Going. Joe Chappelle directed the film, which was produced by Neo Art & Logic and distributed by Dimension Films. It was shot in Colorado.

The film is prominently mentioned in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, notably by Affleck himself. It was a good movie in my opinion, but it lacked a lot of material from the book, particularly H.P Lovecraft-related material.

When I first heard about the film, the notion of this narrative piqued my interest. I recently returned to it and decided to re-read it (I actually used the audio version this time as I am doing with almost all the revisits to old books). I've been reading Stephen King and H.P Lovecraft for years and have read almost all of their works, including Dean Koontz - I'm a major horror fan—and wanted to broaden my horizons.

I won't go into the description because the synopsis is included with the book. If you've read any of Dean Koontz's books, you'll note that the basic premise is the same: a woman is threatened by a bad guy, and a man with remarkable talents rides to her aid. Not to mention a good boy dog. This one is unique in that the evil guy is a dreadful thing.

Overall, I was always ready to return to it, which makes for an excellent novel.

Final Thoughts

It reads like a movie, with good characters, locations, mystery killings, and so on. You get an idea of what this is all about if you combine Poltergeist with a slasher film and then put in the traditional old-school Star Trek god-like evil entity. 

When describing supernatural or unique species, I normally prefer less explanation to more, but this depiction was at least creative. Be aware that there are scenes of intense gore.

According to one of my friends, it took 200 pages to get to the monster, which is correct, but boy did it really build-up to the monster.

I attempted to conjure up an image of the creature. I was tossed for a spin. It's pretty unique because it connects to the historical realities of mass disappearances. It's one of the most inventive monster conceptions I've ever read, and it definitely has a Lovecraftian vibe to it. In fact, the word "Lovecraftian" appears in the narrative.

If you want a fantastic monster story that seems genuine and might maybe happen in real life... heck, if you enjoy a good scare in general, stop reading my review and go read Phantoms. You will not be sorry.

Synopsis

““Phantoms is gruesome and unrelenting…It’s well realized, intelligent, and humane.”—Stephen King

They found the town silent, apparently abandoned. Then they found the first body, strangely swollen and still warm. One hundred fifty were dead, 350 missing. But the terror had only begun in the tiny mountain town of Snowfield, California.

At first they thought it was the work of a maniac. Or terrorists. Or toxic contamination. Or a bizarre new disease.

But then they found the truth. And they saw it in the flesh. And it was worse than anything any of them had ever imagined...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

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Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Phantoms (1998) (R)

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The House of Thunder Review

The House of Thunder

Published: 1982

Author: Dean Koontz (Written as Leigh Nichols)

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Literature, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

The House of Thunder Summary

The Review

The House of Thunder is a novel written by best-selling novelist Dean Koontz that was first published under the pen name Leigh Nichols. Few authors write as well as Dean Koontz and Stephen King about unexplained supernatural phenomena. These novels are so well-written and convincing that you almost believe there must be some element of reality in what the author wrote, and you wonder whether he has ever encountered similar occurrences in his personal life or the lives of individuals he knows.

I just forgot about it the first time I purchased it, and I've had this book on my shelf for years and hadn't gotten around to reading it until I realized I hadn't. Yes, it may happen to many avid readers who buy books in bulk, and sometimes a book by a renowned author is pushed to the back or overlooked, as happened with this book. But, at the very least, I was gripped from the start and thoroughly loved every minute of this psychological thriller.

There are some passages of this book that will make your mouth dry and your spine coil with anxiety, and these parts are enough to earn this book excellent marks and recommendations. 

A well-executed film can get a large number of admirers, but I found no film adaptation of this book, or I missed it, and I would be grateful if anybody knows and tells me anything about this issue, since there is no film adaptation of this book to my knowledge.

A gripping story with several twists and turns. When the final storyline is revealed, it is far from what was anticipated. To avoid giving away the ending, suffice it to say it is rather shocking. Dean Koontz is at his best, and the reason he is regarded as a great storyteller.

This novel has some surprising twists and turns. I mean, seriously messed up!! You'll notice things that aren't quite right as you read, but you'll never guess who the evil person is.

If you're seeking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and won't let you put it down. That's what it is!

From start to finish, this is a non-stop thriller. Dean Koontz has created another masterpiece.

Even having a juvenile style, the author's work is effective. A fantastic story! Koontz at his very best! The plot flows well and quickly, keeping you flipping pages late into the night! Author's previous tale-telling is exemplified here.

This may be a tremendous delight for Koontz fans and even people who have never heard of him if that's even conceivable. This is one of his older works, which I like; his glory days in tale world were something to savor. 

When things start to emerge in The House of Thunder, I adore how it truly screws with the reader's psyche. I read this story many years ago and it becomes great and spooky and brings in the thrills. I still remember this story warmly, even after so many years, and I just listened to the audio version; perhaps I'll read it again sometime, but not soon.

I've always enjoyed Dean Koontz's books, and it's possible that I've grown accustomed to his wonderful descriptive writing style and riveting "impossible to put down" tension. 

However, I was underwhelmed with The House Of Thunder until I realized that Koontz had initially released it in 1982 under the pen name Leigh Nichols. So, while it is still a decent read for one of his earlier works, I would want to see him rewrite it with his more mature writing style all these years later.

This is a scary narrative, a proper thriller that builds gradually to create suspense and impact. I appreciated how nothing was obvious, even to me as an avid reader; the author kept me wondering until the very end.

Now, I wasn't a big lover of the conclusion, but that's just my opinion and has nothing to do with how the narrative was written or anything. I planned the tale to continue on the same path, but it altered, which some may like and some will dislike. I didn't care for it, but I can understand why others might.

I've always enjoyed stories that are completed with a big 'twist.' This one just blew my mind. I really recommend that everyone read this one.

Final Thoughts

I can't believe I overlooked this earlier Dean Koontz novel! However, it still reads quite nicely. I've revisited a number of his other novels from the 1980s, and they're much more antiquated now that he gets so technical in his writing. This one, on the other hand, had me wondering till the very end! Excellent.

It took a moment to get into the book, and it appears like Koontz had a page restriction or something on this one since he completed it so quickly, despite the fact that it is not a small book, and I remembered The Mask because this book gave me the same feeling when I finished reading it. 

In a nutshell, I thought it was too short. I won't give anything away, but if you've read Koontz's Key to Midnight, you'll notice numerous parallels to this work.

I loved it and would suggest it to lovers of Dean Koontz. This one appealed to me since it is a true story.

This is a sleep dunker, something I read all night and continued reading the next day in a foggy vision because I was exhausted but happy and reworking the tale in my brain. So, if you want to remain up till 3 a.m., go ahead.

You're continuously trying to figure out what's going on and, if she isn't insane, who is behind it. Of course, I'm not going to ruin the surprise by revealing anything. 

That being said, I can honestly say that I did not anticipate the perpetrator to be who he was. I was hesitant at first because the first paragraph directly beneath "Chapter 1" was "The year was 1980 - an ancient period, so long ago and far away...", but I can honestly say that I liked the book and hope that anybody who enjoys thrillers and mysteries does as well!

Would I suggest The House Of Thunder? Yes, but not to introduce you to Koontz. It's an excellent novel with some great scary moments. 

I suggest it to long-time Koontz fans. It was nice to have only one character's point of view and a less detailed description, like in The Voice Of The Night.

Synopsis

“In a cavern called The House of Thunder, Susan Thornton watched in terror as her lover died a brutal death in a college hazing. And in the following four years, the four young men who participated in that grim fraternity rite likewise died violently. Or did they?

Twelve years later, Susan wakes in a hospital bed. Apparently involved in a fatal accident, she is suffering from amnesia. She does't remember who she is or why she is there. All she knows is that her convalescence is unfolding into a fearful nightmare - and that the faces that surround her, pretending loving care, are those of the four men involved in that murder years ago.

Have the dead come back to life? Or has Susan plunged into the abyss of madness? With the help of her neuro-surgeon, Susan desperately clings to her sanity while fighting to uncover who or what could be stalking her.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

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Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Mask Review

The Mask

Published: 1981

Author: Dean Koontz (Written as Owen West)

Genre: American, Family Life, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

The Mask Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's suspense masterpiece The Mask was first published in 1981 under the pen name Owen West. Later, Koontz re-released the work under his own name. It's a fantastic book, a very fascinating Koontz story. My only criticism is the sudden finish. I wish there was a bit more resolution to the plot, but I enjoyed it! As much as I appreciated this narrative, it left me wanting more. It's the third novel I've read by Koontz that has left me wanting more. I believe this is due to the fact that it is one of his earliest works; I know his subsequent books had much better endings. So Koontz, like a fine wine, improves with age! 

I'm a great Dean Koontz fan, and this was yet another one of my faves. It was fantastic, but as I mentioned before, it feels too short, even if it isn't.

The main reason many of my reader friends didn't enjoy this book was the sudden ending and the way it felt a little short even though it wasn't, so it lost a few points. I was left hanging at the conclusion. The ending of this novel both shocked and saddened me. This question keeps circling in my mind. The query is. What transpired? I require a satisfactory response.

The book, on the other hand, was well-written and engaging. I'd even say the book is a page-turner. Perhaps I overlooked an essential topic in the book? But I'm not sure I did. It does not imply that the book or plot is poor; it is simply these sensations that occur when a book is wonderful and you do not want it to end. 

I definitely recommend that you read the work. Perhaps you will have a greater comprehension of the book's finish than I did, and it reminded me of Stephen King since he is another author who creates endings that leave readers wondering what is going on but are nonetheless fantastic in any case.

It was exhilarating. You had no idea what would happen next. It was a story that unfolded throughout the entire story. You were kept on your toes. Koontz pulls you from the first few pages and takes you through every twist and turn!

I don't think I've ever been let down by one of his books, and this one kept me on the tip of my seat. I didn't want it to end!!! 

The plot twists may be seen by experienced and ardent readers from a distance, and you can detect a young writer authoring this book yet a decent narrative than today's page upon page fillers that signify basically nothing and the plot and storylines are just about a page long in reality.

When I first read it when I was very young, I thought it was the best book ever. As an adult, I found it less spectacular, but still pleasant. This is something I've seen in a lot of novels, and it's because maturity alters our way of thinking and how we view or perceive things.

I read this in its first printing, as published under the pen name Owen West; I'm re-reading or listening to the audio of all of Koontz's works as I add them to my electronic collection, and I'm seeing a few differences, but not by much.

Spellbinding and enticing. Character growth is excellent. Some fans may believe it was not written by Dean Koontz, but it was. The only reason it appears different is that it is an early work by him, and you may see the author in it if you read more of his early works. 

The tense sections of the book were very enjoyable to me. Both the pursuit and the hunting scenes were wonderfully done. I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out what happened to the characters. I also liked much of the dialogue, but parts of it felt phony. However, given that the novel was published in 1981, this is reasonable.

I won't go into too much information about the plot because it's a well-written mystery thriller. You should be able to piece together the final conclusion using the clues they offer approximately halfway through. Which you'll probably appreciate if you like supernatural aspects. 

To say the finale is short, fast, and, to be honest, a little weak for some readers. It takes some time to fit the parts together... at least it did for me, which made it even better!

I've read practically all of Dean Koontz's works, and he never runs out of compelling plot lines that are easy to follow. His characters are usually engaging and well-developed to the point that you nearly feel like you know them. 

Many of his remarks are witty social or political observations. The most difficult aspect of this book was putting it down. Thank you again, Mr. Koontz, for making my life a bit brighter.

Final Thoughts

Do not read this one if this is your first time reading Koontz!! You could wind up terminating one of the best writers around! The majority of his novels are amazing! But not this one!!!! But only if it is your first novel by him, so start with another novel or a series that I can recommend to you is the Odd Thomas series, but I am sure it will spoil you and make you want to read every book by him.

Before this, I was already a great admirer of Koontz, and after reading The Mask, I was hooked by his stories and have read practically all of his books, which my friends and I shared. 

I adore the sense of being unable to put the book down, of wanting to know what happens next, and then, at the conclusion, of being disappointed that the book is finished because it was so excellent. That's how I've felt about all of Dean Koontz's works, with the Odd Thomas series being my favorite. He is a fantastic storyteller, and I had a great time re-reading one of the first books of his that I had read years ago. I can't wait to read more!

It maintains your interest and keeps you guessing. The idea had a lot of potentials, and I believe the author was planning a sequel but later decided against it, but that is just my opinion, and I truly wish he had written another one relating to this narrative.

In a nutshell, it was the usual fascinating Dean Koontz novel; full of thrills and twists around every corner, with a surprising ending that may enrage readers or even transform them into professors if they give it more consideration than I did, but I am still not finished with my final decision on this topic.

Simply recommended but not if you are a first time reader of Dean Koontz.

Synopsis

“Jane is a very good girl. But #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz shows that appearances can be deceiving—in a deadly way...

She appears out of nowhere, a beautiful teenage girl in the middle of traffic on a busy day. Paul and Carol Tracy are drawn to her—she's the child they never thought they could have. But then Carol's nightmares begin—the ghastly sounds in the night...the bloody face in the mirror...the razor-sharp ax.

Jane can't remember her past. And as Carol attempts to help her uncover who she was, she has no idea of the horrors that await...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Best Work, Character Development, Ever Read, Favorite Authors, Feel Like, Good Book, Great Read, Koontz Books, Loose Ends, Love Dean, Supernatural Elements

Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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