The Darkest Evening of the Year

Let me make this perfectly clear. Had THIS Koontz novel been my First novel I had read, it would MOST assuredly would have been my Last! I am not what you call a true blue Koontz fan, but I have definitely read a good share of Dean Koontz. When I read, I liked to be Challenged... at least some, anyway.There was absolutely not a hint of challenge in this novel. It seemed not only written toward a 10-12 year reading capability but in many ways it seemed that I had read the material before. EXTREMELY disappointed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The character development was minimal so it was hard to really care about most of the characters despite the most awful things happening to them. I also felt that the ending was anti-climactic. it was a throw away ending which left me very unsatisfied. Usually love Koontz's novels, but this one just didnt' do it for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I did feel that the level of supernatural involvement required to bring about the conclusion was excessive. But that may be a matter of personal taste. Koontz did build up to it, as the supernatural element escalated steadily throughout the story.

Good story!! Always love Dean Koontz. He's an amazing writer. Very early on he gets you right into the story. This one has a few disturbing scenes but not too bad and the ending of course the bad guys get it!

Wonderful book. My sister had it and I grabbed and read it FAST. Then my husband took it up. She finally got it back and is hiding it from everyone else. As always Koontz did a terrific job. I particularly love his books when there is a golden retriever in them (we have 5 goldens). I also found the supernatural and/or mystical aspects appealing. Thanks for another great read.

Well my favorite author has done it again,this is a wonderful novel. You get to know the characters and feel like you are there with them. Excellent read.I ordered large print by accident and I love it.

As a dog fancier, it was the "golden" that caught my eye, but Koontz, as always catches your attention, and then rarely allows you to catch your breath. Interweaving the dog rescue org. with his characteristic expand your realm of belief and character development makes for a good read.

This book is an incredibly quick read. What is it with dog books this year? Anyway, I liked it and will recommend this to Koontz fans and Goldie fans. Oh also fans of "they had it comin'" and beauty isn't always beautiful fans; oh and the "art through inspiration of angels" fans will LOVE this story. Not your typical Koontz so it's safe if he's scared you off before.

As a dog fancier, it was the "golden" that caught my eye, but Koontz, as always catches your attention, and then rarely allows you to catch your breath. Interweaving the dog rescue org. with his characteristic expand your realm of belief and character development makes for a good read.

This book is an incredibly quick read. What is it with dog books this year? Anyway, I liked it and will recommend this to Koontz fans and Goldie fans. Oh also fans of "they had it comin'" and beauty isn't always beautiful fans; oh and the "art through inspiration of angels" fans will LOVE this story. Not your typical Koontz so it's safe if he's scared you off before.

I love Dean Koontz and love books about dogs. Knowing his love for his Golden, I had the highest expectations and was a bit disappointed. I expected a lot more. Still not bad, but not as good as I thought it would be.

Thank you Dean Koontz for another great read. You always make me cry & think about the great dogs I have known & loved. Especially my red golden Babe & my sweet Smiley who always tenderly carried home orphaned possums.

Okay, so everybody is a critic . . .

First off, I love most of Koontz's work. He's usually original, funny, and exciting. However, this book felt very rushed at the end and that I had just read a book which was a remix of some of his earlier works - especially Intensity.

It was an easy read, enjoyed the all the "dog parts", and felt that Mr. Koontz is a man who can write about abnormal human pyschology like no one else.

Should you buy this book in hardback? Probably not. Not unless you bought it used and at a huge discount. I recommend that you wait for the paperback edition - or get a copy from your local library.

It's not his best work. Readable, but not great.

I would recommend this book to people who see dogs as much more than lap warmers and to people who recognize their responsibility to keep and bear arms. Moongirl and Harrow confused me at the outset, but I had faith that their inclusion would become clear and it did. I can't quit reading Koontz' books even though I try.

For a book that is surrealistic it sure reaches out at the end for some hope which gives it a unsatisfying ending. The book starts off good drags then towards the end get's good again and then a horrible unbelievable ending.

With the loss of his Golden Retreiver, Trixie, it seemed necessary to pay a tribute to her. Koontz true fans loved Trixie and her reviews of his books, as much as they love his books. Although this is not his normal suspense type writing, it is a meaningful story.

I love Dean Koontz's descriptions of scenes and people - he paints pictures in my mind. He sets scenes beautifully and clearly... sometimes his characters are so totally evil it's frightening...but I love the paranormal elements -- and I love Goldens and the way they are portrayed in this book made me happy. Good story - not an epic story of giant proportions but a story about a short period of time when total good and total evil come together and invade two people's lives...