Innocence

A Novel

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

He lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from society, which will destroy him if he is ever seen.

She dwells in seclusion, a fugitive from enemies who will do her harm if she is ever found.

But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives. Something more than chance - and nothing less than destiny - has brought them together in a world whose hour of reckoning is fast approaching.

In Innocence, number-one New York Times best-selling author Dean Koontz blends mystery, suspense, and acute insight into the human soul in a masterfully told tale that will resonate with listeners forever.

©2013 Dean Koontz (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Laced with fantastical mysticism, it’s an allegory of nonviolence, acceptance and love in the face of adversity. . . . The narrative is intense, with an old-fashioned ominousness and artistically crafted descriptions. . . . An optimistic and unexpected conclusion [mirrors] his theme. Something different this way comes from Mr. Koontz’s imagination. Enjoy." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Entrancing . . . as speedy a chase-thriller as any Koontz . . . has ever constructed. Written in Koontz’ late mellifluent and reflective manner . . . [ Innocence is] fueled by deep disgust with the world’s evils [and] hope for redemption" ( Booklist, starred review)

"[An] imaginative, mystical thriller from bestseller Koontz . . . This is the most satisfying Koontz standalone in a while" ( Publishers Weekly)

The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul

What an intriguing story.Psychological,paranormal and celestial are my descriptions for this book.Dean is so imaginative,keeps you pondering to the very end.Not typically my Genre,but was an enjoyable change of pace.Narration was great.

unlike others

Sometimes I had trouble following but I caught on after a bit! By the end I was thoroughly enjoying it. Good book.

Good, but not his best.

Review - Innocence by Dean Koontz

Plot summary: This is the story of two main characters with significant physical and social abnormalities. It discusses their attempts to survive in a society where they don't fit-in, in the extreme. The setting is a world where it becomes increasingly clear that something is going incredibly wrong. Are the main character's issues and the changes in the world related? Read and learn.

On a one to five scale:

Violence: three, for infrequent violence and threat of violence with fairly detailed descriptions. Contains threats of sexual violence and crimes that might be disturbing to many readers.

Gore factor: three, for detailed descriptions of illness and injuries.

Language: three, for infrequent, but fairly graphic, use of language to describe sexual violence.

Adult themes (Sexuality, drugs, etc.): Three, for infrequent references to drug use and threats of sexual violence.

Difficulty level: three. An easy read/listen.

Basic premise: The core idea used in this book revolves around the unusual nature of its central characters, which is eventually revealed. Some readers will not like the idea, for personal reasons, and some will be attracted to it for the same reasons. All readers will find it clever and entertaining.

Word-craft: The prose-style of this work reminds me of the charm of the early Odd Thomas novels. It is entertaining, and often humorous. I usually judge word-craft by how emotionally
impacting it is and by my hesitation to interrupt the reading. This one falls somewhere in the middle. It was entertaining without being compelling. I didn't love the protagonists, or even despise the main "evil villain" in the way that I have in some other works. In other words, good writing, but not great.

Presentation: by MacLeod Andrews.
Voices not very distinguishable, but smoothly presented. We all know, that some readers read, and some perform. This felt somewhere in the middle. Good reading, if you don't expect clearly distinct voices.

Excellent story

Once again, Mr. Koontz has not disappointed me. For those who have eyes, will see and for those who have ears, will hear the symbols and messages strewn throughout this story.

wonderful, surprising listenI

It was very long and would have been tedious to read but to listen as I worked, drove or rested proved to be a great experience. I had no idea what to expect of the story. In depth study of good and evil, love and hate, and deep caring for others. The ending could not be anticipated until deep in along the twisting trail of character and story development as various themes came together. Reader was fluent and a perfect fit.

good book most have

love the story and character of the book and even lake the bad guy I think is not like a topical word of Dean koontz love it most have

Typical koontz

A bit of a odd Thomas flair with the typical koontz twists and turns. I would have in the end like a description a bit more but then leaving it to my imagination might be the best.

excellent

loved the book. beautiful and entrapping story. kept me interested and at times had to force myself to stop listening. excellent narrating

New to Koontz Surprising Story, a little...

1)Poetics and sentimentalism dragged initially
2)Heart of the story pleasantly surprised
3)Ending... quick and fantastical

Innocence is enchanting

I find you never know what you might get when you read Koontz and once more I was not disappointed. A fresh look at a dystopian outcome. And of course a twisted end as unexpected as usual.