Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Taking

The Taking
The Taking
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Paperback
curledupwithabook avatar reviewed on + 169 more book reviews


I am a Dean Koontz fan. I feel that he consistently writes great horror stories that tap into everyone's more primal fears. This book is no different in that respect. It had me so scared that I had to keep looking over my shoulder as I read it. In the book, the world is being taken over by an unbeatable "alien" force that is as sadistic as it is purely evil.

I'd heard that, at some point, Mr. Koontz had a deeply religious experience or conversion and that, as a result, his more recent books had a definite religious or spiritual bent to them. I guess it must be true, because this book began to get that "feel" to me about two thirds of the way through and, sure enough, the last chapter confirmed my suspicions. He tied the whole thing up very neatly through biblical references.

I wouldn't let that turn you off of Mr. Koontz, though, if that's not your bag. Believe me, the book was SCARY and the horrible things that happened to people were just as horrible as they were in his "pre-religious experience" books. He's still one of the best in the business as far as I'm concerned and I'll continue to enjoy the chills down my spine that he so wonderfully produces.