review 1: What started out as an interesting book with a promising storyline slowly turned into a long-winded novel with a climax so subtle that I was not only left wanting but also confused. I typically don't succumb to novels of mass production or to authors who have regularly scheduled releases. In my eyes, these novels tend to be rushed and underdeveloped with the ultimate goal of simply being published rather than satisfying the reader. I tend to stray from the mainstream as well--I finally got around to reading Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants this month, several years following it's fame and popularity--but I picked this title up after reading the intriguing dust jacket. This novel has all the elements of the potential for being great; a narrator telling his story in the voic... moree of a loveable child, ghosts, hints of voo-doo, music, mystery, and crime. Unfortunately, Koontz misses the mark with all of the unnecessary rambling in between. I feel like he was simply writing just to reach a targeted word count, which is a shame because I think this novel could have really been one of his best. review 2: A gentler read than most of Koontz's usual books, it is still a beautifully written commentary about the world and our larger place in it. I enjoyed it thoroughly and it is rife with Koontz's talent for description and story building. Murder and suspense abound as well as Koontz's trademark flawed hero who triumphs over evil in the end. Just don't read it looking for bodaches or furry aliens with large expressive eyes. less
