Dead and Alive (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein) [ペーパーバック]

Here's the short version of this review: This book was an incredible disappointment. Fans of the series thus far will no doubt be compelled to read this. And WHEN you hate it, please take solace in the fact that you're NOT ALONE.

Like everyone else, I waited patiently for Frankenstein Book 3. When I saw it in the store, I was shocked and overjoyed, as its appearance was completely unexpected. I violated speed laws to drive home, whereupon I immediately dug out books 1 and 2 and began to reread them. Now, I'd read Koontz's "admission of inability to collaborate", and it seemed very... defensive with a belligerent spin. When I saw he'd re-released the originals, sans the co-writers' credits, I was dismayed. Seemed like a real egotistical move. But hey, he's Koontz. I loved the guy. And then I read the first... what was it? 20 pages of the book? Paragraph upon paragraph of "Acclaim for Dean Koontz". The dude actually felt it necessary to reprint every good thing anyone has ever said about him, as if to say "Those co-writers were beneath me, and how DARE you rabble harass me for this book? Well now after 20 pages of accolades, you know with whom you're dealing. So here's your %$#!ing book; I hope you choke on it. Now I can get back to Odd Thomas 6" I felt kinda like an Erika, put in my place and crying on the floor.

Halfway through the book, I realized that the protagonists had spent half the book DRIVING AROUND TOWN. Literally, the fate of the world is ostensibly in their hands, and they're cruising Nawlins in a Honda. They weren't looking for anything or going anywhere in particular... not even evading the assassins who were secretly on their trail. They were just... cruisin'. It seemed as if the Desert Eagles and Urban Snipers received more character development. And Deucalion? He doesn't live up to the dazzling potential we all hoped for. In fact the major accomplishment that he, O'Connor, and Madison contributed was... they watched. Whilst armed with Deagles and Urban Snipers, who also looked on.

Koontz used Hurricane Katrina as an excuse to not write the book. So... he makes it rain in the book. "A storm is brewing", sure. But... I dunno. Sounds very excusey to me.

And JOCKO??? Are your SERIOUS?? Take the homeliness of Gollum, mix in the self esteem issues of Dobby from Harry Potter, and wrap it up in a Jar Jar Binks likeability factor. Horrible. And the Mother of All Deus Ex Machinas? Just... just... COME ON, DEAN?!!?! Really??

Koontz has long been my favorite writer. Lately, quite the opposite. He's churning out SO MANY BOOKS... and none that I've read in the past 10 years or so (save Frankenstein 1 and 2) entertained me in any meaningful way, or better yet, made me THINK like his older books used to. He's begun writing for the sake of writing. Quantity over any semblance of quality. I read one a while back (name escapes me) where they go through this whole hardcover saga, only to find out the Everyman Protagonist is actually an undercover Special Forces dude. it's like he said "Wow... we're at page 462... guess I better start wrapping this up". But I'm getting away from Frankenstein 3. Bitter, bitter disappointment. So incredibly sad and depressing for a lifelong Koontz fan.

I'm a little confused as to why many readers who loved the first 2 books, seem to hate this one. I found it very consistent with the other books in the series. I enjoyed the characters. Enjoyed watching Helios creations slowly self destructing. Even enjoyed Helios hubris refusing to see anything but victory.

I was a little put off at first when Jocko was introduced, but found quickly he grew on me. Reminds me very much of the humor Gene Wolfe injected into Book of the Long Sun with Oreb. Love that dry sense of humor and began to look forward to and expect it in Jocko's scenes.

The dectectives weren't the focus of this story and makes sense to me why they were kept on the sidelines. The story had moved past them as Helios creatures began to take fate into their own hands.

This series was never written as a deep serious drama. It was meant to be light-hearted fare and as that I enjoyed it very much.

I have been an avid reader/fan of Koontz for years. I waited patiently and impatiently for book 3. The first 2 books were brilliant. This 3rd was a total disappointment in the book, the characters and in Koontz. It's clear from reading book 3 that he was irritated at his fans for having to write it- several parts felt just like a slap in the face to his fans. Apparently he intended to slap us in the face and punish us for wanting him to write a book that he didn't want to write. The characters fell apart- they were barely recognizable from the first two books- had they been as shallow in the first two books, he wouldn't have gotten any requests for the third. The only part of the book that tried to come up to par was the mother of all gone wrongs.. that part hinted at koontz.. but he just blew that off in a rush to end the book. In retrospect- he SHOULD have collaborated on this book. When an author gets mad at his fans for wanting more, it's the end of the road. No more Dean Koontz books for me.