Lightning

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz’s brilliantly thrilling novel of suspense.

In the midst of a raging blizzard, lightning struck on the night Laura Shane was born. And a mysterious blond-haired stranger showed up just in time to save her from dying.

Years later, in the wake of another storm, Laura will be saved again. For someone is watching over her. Is he the guardian angel he seems? The devil in disguise? Or the master of a haunting destiny beyond all time and space?

“A gripping novel...fast-paced and satisfying.” - People

©1988 by Nkui, Inc. (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"The paradox in time travel's tampering with history provides an interesting twist in this gripping thriller by a popular writer." (Library Journal)

fails to stick to its own rules

I was going to give this book a higher score, really I was, but then the big confrontation scene at the end happened and I had to sigh and lower my grade. It's not that I have anything against time travel, but Koontz apparently forgot his own established rules by the end of the book.

Really, thinking back, I also wish that there had been a bit more plot to the book. For most of the listen it just meanders along and we're not really sure where its going. Exciting things don't really happen until the last say quarter of the book. Then the big confrontation was just full of logistical problems and plot holes.

The narrator was ok, but I found that he had a strange intonation or cadence to his narration for the female character's voices. I thought it was just the one character, but the further the book went on, the more they all sounded like that.

Overall: meh. I had high hopes but it just doesn't quite deliver.

My first Koontz

I had never heard or read a Dean Koontz book, and went on the recommendations of audible listeners for this one. The narration is really excellent, I actually gave an extra star just based on that. The story itself started seemingly without purpose and gave me such a sense of unease and discomfort with the topic that I almost stopped listening--but patience paid off. Though there are some very unbelievable elements to this book, the characters and story are so carefully built up that when you finally realize what is going on, you can believe it is happening (assuming you don't mind a little science-fiction in your repertoire of reading). There were lots of twists and turns to this story, though I found in the end I was pretty sure what would happen. A thoroughly enjoyable listen, and as a friend said "Oh yes! And oldie...but a goodie."

One of My Favorite Books Ever!

What did you love best about Lightning?

I love time-travel books, and this was one of the most enjoyable I have ever read. It did a great job of intertwining the two different time periods, slowly revealing the time-traveler's purpose and the period he came from. It was also neat how the author included significant characters from world history, and how a statement made to one of the historical characters by the time-traveler wound up changing world history.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the main character of the book was strong and had a great relationship with her family through so much adversity, and how she stood up to evil at a great cost. I also liked how the author incorporated a bit of humor in the book from time to time.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Lane’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mr Lane did a masterful job! I will definitely look for more narrations from him.

Great but

Not For faint of heart. The pain was palpable. I don’t want to like it and I’m grateful the ending wasn’t worse.

Brilliant!!

Everything about this audible book was amazing. The narrators voices were captivating. The story was unique with lots of twists .

Fantastic & Wonderful

I listened to this in record time. Loved every thought I had on the prospects of time travel and paradox. Wonderful author and wonderfully narrator!

Good read

Enjoy listening to book makes you think about what it there was was or is time travel and about changing one event of second what would you change in the future

My favorite book of all TIME!

I have read the paper back 5 times. There are notes all over the margins. I have listened to the Audible version once. I adore the plot, characters, all the things. I am grateful to enjoy the wonder of Lightening AGAIN! Deborah Lingle.

Better Koontz

I'm usually either hot or cold about Koontz. Lightning is one of his better works. From concept to characters, this was a real treat.

Engrossing and an easy listen

Nice story, unpredictable and the narration was really good. It kept me wanting to get to the next opportunity to listen....