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Book Review of Shadow Fires

Shadow Fires
Shadow Fires
Author: Dean R. Koontz
Genre: Horror
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
LaurieS avatar reviewed on + 504 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


This was one of the earlier Koontz novels that I somehow missed in my youth. It tells the tale of a genetic genius named Eric who after an ugly argument with his soon to be ex-wife Rachel, dies in an accident. But he doesn't stay dead for long. . .

Before long Rachel and her new love interest, Ben, are on the run from a resurrected Eric and men who will do anything to keep Eric's status a secret.

Koontz has always been hit or miss with me and I'm sad to say that book was more of a miss. I'm a big fan of monster books, particularly zombies, but this book focused more on the action (which usually bores me), was filled with mostly unlikable characters and the dialogue was not believable.

Koontz should also stay far away from any attempt at a love scene. When Rachel and Ben finally give in to temptation Koontz describes their happy ending as "Ben emptying copious measures of himself into Rachel". Funny? Yes, but also very creepy when you think about it which I'd rather not!

Anyway, now that I'm completely off track, I'll just end this by saying that I would've enjoyed this more if Koontz had focused more on the changes his "monster" was going through and spent less time on the chase scenes. It would've helped too, if he'd spent less time agonizing about every thought and motivation passing through the dull men's heads (Ben and his nemesis whose name escape me).

I probably would have enjoyed this more when I was a bit younger because now that I'm old and grouchy I don't seem to like much of anything!