For as long as I can remember I have been an avid fan of
Dean Koontz. The past few years have put
me back on reading a number of my favorite authors (for personal reasons only)
but I have been trying to catch up ever since.
When I think of Dean Koontz, I have fond memories of The Bad Place (my all-time Koontz
favorite), Watchers, and Strangers. I have never considered his stories to be
hard core horror but they have always danced on the edge of the unique and the bizarre
with characters I can follow and stories that are intriguing. When I was given the opportunity to read an
advanced copy of his newest novel, The
City, I was beyond excited to get a sneak peek before any of my
friends. Now, 12 days after it’s release
I am sad to say I am finally giving up on trying to finish the book at 60%
done.
From the publisher:
The city changed my life and showed me that the world is deeply mysterious. I need to tell you about her and some terrible things and wonderful things and amazing things that happened . . . and how I am still haunted by them. Including one night when I died and woke and lived again.
Here is the riveting, soul-stirring story of Jonah Kirk, son of an exceptional singer, grandson of a formidable “piano man,” a musical prodigy beginning to explore his own gifts when he crosses a group of extremely dangerous people, with shattering consequences. Set in a more innocent time not so long ago, The City encompasses a lifetime but unfolds over three extraordinary, heart-racing years of tribulation and triumph, in which Jonah first grasps the electrifying power of music and art, of enduring friendship, of everyday heroes.
The unforgettable saga of a young man coming of age within a remarkable family, and a shimmering portrait of the world that shaped him, The City is a novel that speaks to everyone, a dazzling realization of the evergreen dreams we all share. Brilliantly illumined by magic dark and light, it’s a place where enchantment and malice entwine, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart.
I cannot say that I was entirely duped by the tagline from
the publisher. Though the first
paragraph of the description (written by the narrator of the book, Jonah Kirk) tells
of a dark, mysterious journey through the city, the rest of the description is
a bit more accurate. This is a coming of
age book about Jonah Kirk. Plain and
simple. No mystery involved. No deep, dark secrets revealed. No magic besides those imagined by a young
boy growing up without a father. Hence
my let down.
I have no issue with an author changing genres. Dean Koontz has written a fine fiction tale
about a young musical prodigy. In short,
I just do not like to read fiction. For
me, the prose was well written. I can
even deal with the rambling of the narrator.
But the characters just were not interesting enough to hold my interest.
If you have never read a Dean Koontz book and want to read a
coming of age fictional story then this is a book for you. If you are looking for a Dean Koontz starter,
or for a novel of his typical fare that revolves around suspense and the
paranormal, this is not a book for you.
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