"Not in his dad's shadow"
The fact that while the genre tends to be in the same ball field as his dad they tend to be playing diffent games in the metaphorical sense. I love that while some aspect seemed to be taking you along the course you thought you were gonna go, suddenly you go around a corner and whoops we weren't where you thought you were gonna be at all. NOS4A2 had an essence of innocense fractured, lost and refound even if slightly damaged that I found enchanting in a bloody mess sort of way; frankly isn't that the best kind. It is after all the basis of most childhood nightmares. This is those childhood nightmares all dressed up and brought out for the grown folks. After all what is a parents worse fear after all? Not being able to save their child from that monster that wants to take them away never to be seen again. What nightmares erupt from not knowing where those children go? Ok enough kiddies, want more buy it lol.
WOW, really I can't say that I would want to compare it to any other book. It has similar componants to alot of differnt stories in one way or another; but not enough to say it is comparable. Joe Hill has done a wonderful job of putting a story out there that stands alone on it's many little feet.
Vic, I understand that character on alot of levels as I am a mother as well and went through a situation where my child was lost to me for a time. Joe Hill hit that nail on the head far closer than he could ever realize it unless they were unfortunate to have gone through something like that himself.
Vic, Lou, Manx, Bing.............those are probably the 4 most memorable.
Not sure I like the relationship that develops toward the end. Don't want to ruin anything for anyone that may not have read this yet. If you haven't though you really should! Today!
"I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER - I DONT WANNA WAIT!!!!!!!"
This is one of the most exciting series I've run into in quite sometime. It's captured me in a way I was not ready for in the slightest. I am chomping at the bit to get the next installment of this series. I love the twists and turns, especially the ones you don't see coming.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I go between characters at different times. I really like Jardear sometimes, Alisha Paper sometimes, Arlen almost always lol.
I haven't other than this series. I really like listening to him. He does a very good job.
I did on many levels. I've laughed in many places. I find my self talking to the characters and telling them they are silly or what I would have done. I find some of the small victories and larger ones of the characters feeling like victories of people I know. It's a very well written series for that.
Peter needs to hurry up with the next installment. I don't want to wait any longer! If you haven't read this series, do yourself a favor and read it. It is well worth the time the credit and the read. If you don't have a credit, pay for it. You will not regret the cost. I would whole heartedly recommend these books however you have to get them............well short of theft, go to the library instead!
"From out of the blue, I find the warded man."
Exciting, Well written, Priceless
I really liked Arlin and the journey he has to take to become the warded man. I was so sorry to hear this book end. First thing I did was to see if there were more. Luckily there are two more whooohoooo! I love how well this is written, and how ever day it is. I can't wait to hear the other two.
He did a great job of keeping the characters seperate. I found that his narration didn't impede the story. He did a great job!
They are all really memorable. You really start to invest in them and by so doing into the story. You can't do that with a one dimensional characters.
This book is well worth getting and listenting to. It will grab and keep your attention. You find yourself caring about the chacters and what they are going through. Definatly worth trying.
"This caught my attention and held it!"
I got this merely for the genre and the length. I am not typically a huge "vampire" fan. Other medias have worn me out with the same old portrayals and analysis of the legend. But it was days long and I figured I would find at least a couple of stories that would be worth hearing. I usually listen on my way to and from work. I have an hour drive each way. I have a 16 year old son who's very socially active, a 4 year old grandson who keeps me running and a full time job. Those things unfortunatly have robbed me of my much loved reading time. That's when I found audible. While it wasn't reading, it did allow me to listen to books and that was better than nothing. When I started this, I started it with the expectation of the same old vampire steals in sucks girls blood may or may not change and or kill her while people chase him to kill him. I couldn't have been more wrong. There are stories here that captured my attention and held it in a way I would have never expected. Everything from the usual vampire tales straight forward in nature. Then there are stories that you have to remind yourself it's a vampire story. Then there are the ones that are so subtle that you find yourself destracted in a way that you'd never expected. I've found so many authors in this archive that I'd over looked, hadn't heard of or frankly never considered my type of author. LOL I guess that lends to the whole book by the cover thing doens't it lol. If you like a good story, if you like straight in your face or a more subtle nuance in a story; this book is for you.
The uniqueness of the stories. From the bold and expected to the unexpected and subtle stories.
I have and so often the narrotor is judged on the story. This is that way as well. If you like the narrator doing one story you may not care so much for them doing a different one. But you will find something you like.
I loved loved loved Popsy. It's such a simple straight forward story. You find yourself feeling sorry for the child and understanding that in this instance the vampire isn't the "bad guy". The bad guy is the non vampire, the human who would sacrifice a small child for an addiction he can't understand or beat. It moves quite nicely and keeps you interested. There are actually alot of stories like Popsy. It's really hard to say just this one or that one. I think Popsy stands out to me because of the visuals that my mind created with the telling. Plus I have kids and isn't that one of a parents greatest fears?
This book is truly worth the credits and more. It gave me hours and hours of enjoyment. However more importantly it showed me not to judge a book by the cover, the author by a previous story or a narrator by his last job. If you like supernatural stories, rather you prefer hot blood spashed across your face or that tingle at the base of your neck from something you can't see, I promise you will find more and more in this book to like than you ever thought you could. GET IT NOW! :-)
"Koontz strikes again!"
I'm not sure if I would say it's better or worse. It's certainly an easier method for my busy life. I like being able to keep up on my reading even when I find time is scarce. This allows me to do that.
In this book..............Probably Odd. He is such a mixture of dark and light. Of doom and hope. I love how this character is protrayed.
No, and I must say I am looking forward to hearing more from him.
It did make me laugh. This book is Odd Thomas growing up for me. All of the books are full of contradictions of one thing or another and this one is no different. However the tone of it is more in depth. I loved the way pop culture was used throughout the book. So many of these were the flavor that added depth of feel to it. For anyone who feels like Dean Koontz can't right a book to keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure things out. You need to read this one. I can't wait for the next Odd Thomas book!
"Oddly thought provoking"
This is hard, three words.......I guess I'd have to stay with the headline. Oddly Thought Provoking!
I liked the huge variations that always end up bringing you to the same place.
I was prepared for grossness, I was prepared for vileness to an extent that I had never seen before (yep I read the reviews lol). I wasn't prepared however for the thought provoking nature of some of the stories. It does have some elements of disgustingness, There are some stories that made me quite uncomfortable at times. I had to shake my head at some of the things that were going on. However at the end of the day what I walked away with was thoughful reflection. Partly because some of the stuff is so out there that you have to wonder if there are people like that in the world. You always come around to yes unfortunatly.....at least I did. Partly because the stories, make you think about the depth of people's hate for themselves, for each other and society. You almost find yourself hoping that you can find some redeeming factor in these people and their stories. I found myself asking.......Did they get what they deserved? Or is it a case of these people were so mentally unstable and desprately looking for something they were willing to accept anything. If you don't mind being uncomfortable and a little grossed out and alot stunned at the depths of depravity these characters show you will enjoy this book. If you prefer something a little lighter for an afternoon of quiet then you probably won't. I do not agree that this book is not for people who read Koontz and Patterson as one review read. I read both of those authors as well as this one. I do think it's important that you keep it in perspective for what it is. Take it out for a spin, do some thinking on it. I am sure that you'll walk away with a different perspective than you started with.
"Tears, curses and hope"
I really liked the story. It's got everything in it. Passion, Fear, Joy, Hope, Wonder, Excitement. There is no emotion that you won't experience reading this story.
Ahhhhhhhhh there are so many. I think for my minds eye, one of the most memorable is toward the end of the book when Jack is standing on the beach staring out across the vast expanse of ocean. I can see that so clearly rather I was reading this book or listening to it.
Mostly, I have to admit that I found Frank Muller a little creepy sounding at first. Later he seemed to sound better to me. More fluid and into the story instead of creepy.
Wolf............I love/loved this character. I think it was his child like innocence at first. His out of placeness in this world. His commitment and loyalty to Jack. The lengths he went to and was willing to go to in the name of honor and love.
I read this book in print and loved it enough to listen to it years later in audio version. I can't wait until Black House is added so I can listen to it as well.
"Twists and Turns abound in this thriller"
Yes I would recommend it. It is a well written story but a great author. This would be a good starter book for people just finding Koontz. It has great twists and turns to the plot. Just when you're sure you know where it's going bam, you're left guessing again.
Mostly it did. There are some parts that seem to drag out longer than necessary. Some sections felt more like filler than an actual important plot point to the characters or storyline.
Dick Hill does a great job on the narration of this novel. However I can't really say that this method of delivery offers anything that you wouldn't get reading it. Unless you count convenience. I don't have alot of free time. This unfortunatly cut deeply into my reading time. I missed it greatly, but just couldn't cut out the time I normally had for reading. This format allows me at least two hours a day that I can listen to a book. One hour on the way into work and one on the way home from work. I get the same relaxation and find myself gripped just as tightly by a good story as when I read it. Although there is something about cuddling up with a good book in hand that can never be replaced in my opinion.
No, I think to add another book to this would just be over kill. There were sections that the story didn't hold up. Other than to see where they ended up I can't really see a reason to continue this story.
This is a good starter book for new Koontz fans. It is also a good introduction to the world of audible books.
"No one talks like this anymore :-("
I haven't had the pleasure of reading the print version. Although I may do so now. I was a little intimidated by the language. As no one speaks like this anymore; although that did add to the charm of it.
Once I figured out where everything was headed it was quite a suprise and very enjoyable.
I think he lends credence to the language. If I had just read this story, I would have been more compelled to stop and fixate on the language. As it's read you can't really fixate on the old fashioned verbage as much; which leaves you free to enjoy the story.
I don't think I would rename it. The name fits for more then one reason. I don't want to go into those as I think it would spoil the over all tone of the book.
This was quite interesting; I would be very interested in hearing more stories of this type. It's well worth getting.
"The chills you've come to expect."
It's probably in the top 10. Mile 81 was a good story that is very well written. Basically what we've come to expect from King. However with that being said it may have been a little too pat. There wasn't alot of "shock or suprise" for me. However with that being said I loved the surprise story at the end. It was full of surprise and was really worth waiting for.
The interaction of the children with the "horse lady" and the "state police officer". It gave it an extra quality that made the characters feel more three dimensional.
No; however I look forward to hearing them more.
I like Mile 81, I am not sure I would change it. It's vague enough to make you wonder but yet tells you where you're at as well.
While I enjoyed Mile 81 the real gem for me is the suprise story at the end. It is a great peice that makes you think you know where you're going only to slap you in the face for your arrogance. Really a great peice.