In one of the most dazzling books of his celebrated career, Dean Koontz delivers a masterwork of page-turning 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 Niel 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 Niel 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, Niel, 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 read 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.
Amanda G. (akgreen) from RUSHVILLE, IN wrote on 6/1/2007...
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
I've read many books by Koontz before, but this was the first one that I just could not quit reading, and the first one that kept me up all night listening for strange noises. Wonderful creepy apocalyptic novel.
Katrina B. (Circe) from SAUGUS, MA wrote on 6/28/2007...
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is amazing, spine-tingling and thought provoking at once. I never wanted it to end & I recommend it to anyone who will listen!
Sharon F. (Cwnnf) from FLEETWOOD, PA wrote on 6/5/2007...
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great SiFi read. Koontz strange as usual. You'll love it. I couldn't put
it down. Read it in two days
Richard M. (richardm) from DEWITT, MI wrote on 6/4/2007...
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
High suspense. Apocalyptic fiction which I enjoy. Good book.
Karen F. (earlsgirl) from GRAND RAPIDS, MI wrote on 6/11/2007...
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
Interesting plot with typical Dean Koontz scare.
Gretchen L. (gooch) from COVINA, CA wrote on 4/2/2007...
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
A real page turner I was having a hard time putting this book down!
Trisha H. (wolfgrrl) from WHITNEY POINT, NY wrote on 3/13/2007...
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found this book to be absolutely chilling. The ending is completely unexpected and I personally loved it! I could NOT put it down and it definitely made me a little uneasy for a few nights!
Nancy T. (SouthernMT) from MINDEN, LA wrote on 4/23/2007...
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a great suspenseful book. So good and a surprising ending. I love Dean Koontz. I had never read his books before, but now I am as big a fan of his as I am of Stephen King. A master storyteller.
Deborah A. from LAKE ELSINORE, CA wrote on 3/25/2007...
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
The beginning hooked me (which is why I bought it). The middle started to confuse me - where is this story going? The ending annoyed me - the author headed in a completely different direction that I am still convinced doesn't fit. The first half is compelling, at any rate.
Liz C. from LEXINGTON, KY wrote on 3/13/2007...
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dean Koontz keeps you on the edge of your seat through the whole book. Love his stuff!!
I picked this book up 6 years ago, started reading it on a rainy night. I stayed up until I had finished the book the next day. Wonderful and scary. I never read much before this book, but now I read everything I can get my hands on. Dean Koontz is amazing!
MARY M. (BUTTONS) from MORSE, LA wrote on 2/26/2007...
I HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK, IT WAS GIVEN TO ME. PLEASE UNDERSTAND I AM A SMOKER, NO DAMAGE TO THE BOOK.
Susan C. (SuzyCee) from ERIE, CO wrote on 2/11/2007...
Creepy
Tammy R. (mommytammy) from SCHWENKSVILLE, PA wrote on 12/4/2006...
didn't even finish this one
Christa B. (romeo) from LAWRENCEVILLE, IL wrote on 11/29/2006...
On the morning that marks the end of the world they have known, Molly and Neil Sloan awaken to the drumbeat of rain on their roof. A luminous silvery downpour is drenching their small California mountain town. It has haunted their sleep, invaded their dreams, and now, in the moody purple dawn, the young couple cannot shake the sense of something terribly wrong. As the hours pass, Molly and Neil listen to disturbing news of extreme weather phenomena across the globe. By nightfall, their little town loses all contact with the outside world. A thick fog transforms the once-friendly village into a ghostly labyrinth. And soon the Sloans and their neighbors will be forced to draw on reserves of courage and humanity they never knew they had. For within the misty gloom they will encounter something that reveals in a shattering instant what is happening to their world...something that is hunting them with ruthless efficiency.
Susan F. from MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA wrote on 11/25/2006...
Amazingly well written!
Marie H. from VAN NUYS, CA wrote on 11/4/2006...
Very good Book I reccomend reading it
Caroline A. (Lilyflower) from CHICAGO HTS, IL wrote on 10/26/2006...
One rainy night, the end of the world began in....The Taking.
Celeste W. (ynggrlinsac) from SACRAMENTO, CA wrote on 10/22/2006...
A bit scary in the beginning.
Linda P. from ONALASKA, WI wrote on 10/15/2006...
Koontz is in top form. Tightly woven, action-packed, and terrifically suspenseful throughout