Sole Survivor - Dean Koontz

Advantages: Probably Dean Koontz best
Disadvantages: Slow going in the middle

Sole Survivor As a big Stephen King fan a friend persuaded me to read this Koontz Novel. I was assured he was on a par with Mr King but after reading it I think their writing styles are too different to draw comparisons. Without giving the plot away this is a very well researched book that only just steps into the realms of science fiction. Joe, the main character in the book is devastated by a loss and one-year on from the tragedy he finds he is ...
...he draws on all his resources to try and shake what at first he believes are the police following him. It later becomes clear that the people who are following him have almost inexhaustible resources and aren’t afraid to kill to get what they want. The rest of the book centres on his search for the truth, while avoiding detection from the powers at be! Be prepared for some good old car chases, hold your breath when Joe, running only on adrenaline ... Read review

Advantages: Will keep you wondering
Disadvantages: The end is a bit rushed

Koontz is known for his Horror and after being given this book by a friend and reading the other ops on it I picked it up not really knowing what to expect. I have to say that I was surprised. I have enjoyed many of Koontz's books in the past and have always been left on the edge of my seat, this time however was different. For a start I don't really think this was a horror at all really, more of a sci-fi/thriller than anything else but there were ...
...turns in the plot, the conspirosies, the charectors were all classic DK. The book opens with you meeting the hero - a guy dead but alive, devestated beyond life when he lost his wife and two daughters in a plane crash almost a year ago. Like anyone else Joe Carpenter has been hit hard by his loss and for a while as you read on you begin to assoiciate with him and feel for him. Joe cant get over his loss and while sitting on a beach on the anniversary ... Read review

Advantages: One of his best, thought provoking, fast paced
Disadvantages: n/a

...knows about the crash. Sole Survivor unfolds at a heart-stopping pace. It is a desperate chase and a shattering emotional odyssey leading Joe to a truth that will force him to reassess everything he thought he knew about life and death. The truth he uncovers threatens to rock the world and redefine the destiny of humanity I didnt want to say any more about the plot as there are so may twists and turns its only fair you discover them all for yourselves. ...
...selling a 1st edition of sole survivor currently at £4.99. Amazon have new and used copys starting from 40p to £9.99 WhSmiths £6.99 INFO ON THE BOOK First published in paperback in Great Britain in 1997 by HEADLINE BOOK PUBLISHING. 437 PAGES. CRITICAL ACCLAIN FOR DEAN KOONTZ 'Koontz redefines suspense' The Times 'Koontz keeps up a breakneck pace, and provides spectacular set-pieces' Locus 'Koontz's style bleaches out cliches while showing ... Read review

Advantages: A brilliant fast paced read... unputdownable!
Disadvantages: The only disadvantage is that I can't ever read it again for the first time!

...disappointed with Dean Koontz! Sole Survivor is one of the best books I have ever read. I actually even shed a tear at the end! It is a fast read, full of mystery, adventure, hope, loss, human nature and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. I suppose if I had to catergorise it, I would call it a Sci Fi, but it is really much more than that. Whilst reading it, I found myself beleiving every word! Dean Koontz has a talent for making even ...
...anyone. In fact, I even recommended it to my mother (a lifelong Mills and Boon romance reader) and she thouroughly enjoyed it, although she did say " Sometimes it was too scary to put down"! If you like reading for pleasure... you won't be sorry you read Sole Survivor. ... Read review

Advantages: the intro is great
Disadvantages: middle and end a let down

Sole survivor was my last experience with Mr. Koontz work but was not as good as the first.If you believe all things are possible, you can't miss this chilling tale that twists and turns until you're sure the threads can't run together and be tied up at the end. In this novel there are sections that should go down in history as an example of how great fictionary story telling should happen. One section is the description of how the plane went down-Brilliant. ...
...The Heart, and Intensity, this!? Sole Survivor wasn't terrible (if it was someone's debut novel) but it was not his best work and indeed I would probably rate it as his weakest. For various reasons: One, for some horrible reason he seems overcome by the (and this may be the worst insult) John Saul-ian need to kill EVERYBODY for no reason. Even mindless slasher movies and the endless Die Hard-type films kill people for a reason. But I mean, come on: ... Read review