The Taking

A Novel

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Ari Meyers

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In one of the most dazzling books of his celebrated career, Dean Koontz delivers a masterwork of suspense that surpasses even his own inimitable reputation as a chronicler of our worst fears - and best dreams. In The Taking, he tells the story of a community cut off from a world under siege and the terrifying battle for survival waged by a young couple and their neighbors as familiar streets become fog-shrouded death traps. Gripping, heartbreaking, and triumphant in the face of mankind’s darkest hour, here is a small-town slice-of-doomsday thriller that strikes to the core of each of us to ask: What would you do in the midst of the Taking?

On the morning that will mark the end of the world they have known, Molly and Neil Sloan awaken to the drumbeat of rain on their roof. It has haunted their sleep, invaded their dreams, and now they rise to find a luminous silvery downpour drenching their small California mountain town. A strange scent hangs faintly in the air, and the young couple cannot shake the sense of something wrong.

As hours pass and the rain continues to fall, Molly and Neil listen to disturbing news of extreme weather phenomena across the globe. Before evening, their little town loses television and radio reception. Then telephone and the Internet are gone. With the ceaseless rain now comes an obscuring fog that transforms the once-friendly village into a ghostly labyrinth. By nightfall the Sloans have gathered with some of their neighbors to deal with community damage...but also because they feel the need to band together against some unknown threat, some enemy they cannot identify or even imagine.

In the night, strange noises arise, and at a distance, in the rain and the mist, mysterious lights are seen drifting among the trees. The rain diminishes with the dawn, but a moody gray-purple twilight prevails. Soon Molly, Neil, and their small band of friends will be forced to draw on reserves of strength, courage, and humanity they never knew they had. For within the misty gloom they will encounter something that reveals in a terrifying instant what is happening to their world - something that is hunting them with ruthless efficiency.

Epic in scope, searingly intimate, and immediate in perspective, The Taking is an adventure story like no other, a relentless roller-coaster that brings apocalypse to Main Street and showcases the talents of one of our most original and mesmerizing novelists at the pinnacle of his powers.

©2004 Dean Koontz (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Torn Between Finishing or Giving up

I struggled to finish this but I kept thinking about. It was a bit slow.

chills even a 2nd time

I read the hard copy years ago and came back for a second round. I love this book.

Incredibly creepy and well written!

This book takes me to a place that only Stephen King's "The Mist" could take me. Its a total end of the world scenario that is cloaked in fog and hidden creatures. I did not sleep well the night i finishied listening. I felt like the room was going to come alive. You need patience and love of detail to get through it though. If you want your book handed to you with nothing to think about then don't read this. As for the ending...someone said it jsut ended? But that is far from the case. There is 45 minutes left after the climax that leads toward the end of the story. It was wrapped up quite well.

Love this story!

I am a Dean Koontz fan, some of his stories I love far more than others...this would rank among my top 5. He is artful, talented, and creative. I love the parellel concepts and tragic happy ending. Amazing story.

Love this story but...

I’m not a fan of this narrator’s voice. It’s kinda like a human trying to sound like a robot or something. Probably just me but I find it distracting. The story is great though.

Interesting story line

I really enjoyed this book. Not the ending I was expecting... actually really liked the ending. Little food for thought.

A bit slow

I had a hard time not falling asleep with this one. Still a good story and narrator was good.

Amazing

Great reading of one of my favorite books! I think the characterization was a great listen!

Great book, don't rely on the chapter length

The story is great and the performance is very good, especially when she had to voice the creepier parts. The only gripe I have is the chapter labels aren't accurate at all. I like to plan what I'm doing based on chapter length and you cannot rely on what is printed. There are over 60 chapters in 8 parts and the parts don't coincide with the "chapters" that are written in audible.

Aliens Done Right

I've read this book three times, and listened to it once. The evil and unknown impending cosmic doom are reminiscent of Lovecraftian horror. I haven't heard nor seen an alien invasion story like this one, and it remains my favorite among the genre. The audio narrator is good, especially with children (and dolls') voices, but it took a few chapters to get over the sometimes monotone nature of her voice. Overall highly recommend this book and/or audiobook to anyone with a love of horror and science fiction.