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Dean Koontz's Frankenstein #3
Dead and Alive
As a devastating hurricane approaches, as the benighted creations of Victor Helios begin to spin out of control, as New Orleans descends into chaos and the future of humanity hangs in the balance, the only hope rests with Victor's first, failed attempt to build the perfect human. Deucalion's centuries-old history began as the original manifestation of a soulless vision - and it is fated to end in the ultimate confrontation between a damned creature and his mad creator. But first they must face a monstrosity not even Victor's malignant mind could have conceived: an indestructible entity that steps out of humankind's collective nightmare with powers, and a purpose beyond imagining.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Dean Koontz
870 books37.8k followersAcknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 940 reviews
May 22, 2011
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!....Bad Author...Bad Naughty Author...Look what you’ve done on the paper.....you have written a big pile of
Uh.....sorry....no pass for you Koontzie on this piece of shit....You are not some struggling writer who needed to get this book published pronto because of cash problems and thus decided you had to cut a few corners with elements like plot, prose, personality and passion. Nope, no excuse for taking a fun, interesting series and torpedoing it like this...dammit man, think about Deucalion... he's probably sitting there in Storyland all depressed and suicidal because he is now the sympathetic monster main character in a suddenly lame series that "jumped the shark" and landed in a pile of crap.
Oh...the horror. You have wounded me Sir Sucksalot and I feel my rage is both righteous and justified. No, don't say anything, I don't want to hear excuses...Just
I thought the first book in this updated version of the Frankenstein story was a lot of fun to read and had a great back-story. I thought both Deucalion and Victor Helios (aka Dr. Frankenstein) were excellent characters and set up a great “honorable monster vs evil genius” story.
UNFORTUNATELY, Dean, you decided to dial it in from a phone with a bad connection. Either that or you paid some no talent hack fifty cents a page to put this book together and then slapped your name on it. Whatever the circumstances, it resulted in the most inept effort since the BLACK KNIGHT from MONTY PYTHON’S HOLY GRAIL:
Hopefully I am not being wishy-washy on conveying my thoughts on this book or your effort Mr. Koontz.
If I am still not being clear, let me say again to you sir and the piece of shit you slapped your name on:
Now, despite all of that, I would still recommend the first two books in this series despite what happened in this story. They are good reads and interesting stories. As for this one, I will call in an assist from the Dark Lord of the Sith (the cool version and not Darth Assclown from the 3 prequels...which reminds me, oh Mr. Lucas you have a rant coming your way too):
1.0 star. Shame on you.
March 23, 2011
Story moved much quicker than in book 1 and book, which made this seem like a quicker read. Loved the introduction and development of the quirky "troll" character. The unlikely alliance formed between the two officers and the Dumpsters was surprising, somewhat wrong, yet very satisfying. As with the first two, the dialogue between the two officers is comical and sweet. I can usually count on Mr. Koontz to incorporate a dog, and the addition of Duke, the German Shepherd was perfectly timed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to Book 4 of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein.
April 29, 2023
The first three books are all continuations of the same story. Steven King would have made one long book out of these 3. It would not be worth reading any without reading the previous.
Dr. Frankenstein continues into the destruction of the world (starting with New Orleans).
Dr. Frankenstein continues into the destruction of the world (starting with New Orleans).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2023
This book finished in a blur that makes me wonder if a deadline had to be adhered to - many storylines coming together in an anticlimactic way. Oh, well, even Dean Koontz can't win them all.
November 1, 2021
4.25 Stars for Dead and Alive: Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein Series, Book 3 by Dean Koontz read by John Bedford Lloyd.
The story is picking up and getting interesting. Then it kind of came to an end but there is more. There is another book. I wonder where the next story is going to lead.
The story is picking up and getting interesting. Then it kind of came to an end but there is more. There is another book. I wonder where the next story is going to lead.
November 26, 2019
Again, I'm not really sure why I'm so into these books but I've been absolutely tearing through them recently. I think it might have actually even gotten me out of my end of the year slump. Anyway, definitely a good conclusion to the first arc of the series. Usually I don't like books where the series is kind of just one long book stretched out over several books but I definitely feel that way about the first three in this series. It works better than it usually would because there are so many characters and POV though I think.
Loved that Erika had a larger part in this one and I appreciate that we get so much more of her POV than Victor's because it takes what is a dicey situation with the particular abuse she suffers from him and gives her more agency in the narrative. Also a bit more Deucalion in this one so I'm always happy with that! This one definitely got a bit more off-book with the creatures that showed up and had more of a prominent sci-fi feel than the earlier books as well. Wouldn't have thought I would enjoy this series so much but I'm definitely loving it so far.
Loved that Erika had a larger part in this one and I appreciate that we get so much more of her POV than Victor's because it takes what is a dicey situation with the particular abuse she suffers from him and gives her more agency in the narrative. Also a bit more Deucalion in this one so I'm always happy with that! This one definitely got a bit more off-book with the creatures that showed up and had more of a prominent sci-fi feel than the earlier books as well. Wouldn't have thought I would enjoy this series so much but I'm definitely loving it so far.
June 1, 2022
This is the final book of Koontz's original Frankenstein trilogy (though the story continued for two more volumes in Montana), and the first that he did without a collaborator on the first edition. He essentially took Shelley's Doctor and his creation, moved them to contemporary New Orleans, and re-examined the story from the viewpoint of two centuries of social change and scientific advance. This is a fine wrap to the story, with clever writing and good pacing and very likable new characters. It's a fine mix of mystery, romance, intrigue, and suspense with horror and science fiction trappings. I don't think it would be possible to appreciate this one very well without having read the previous two books, Prodigal Son and City of Night, but they're all worthwhile.
December 22, 2022
Wow. This was just full of action and.. I don't even know how to describe it. But it was really really great.
Victor, in all of his arrogance, finds that he's not so perfect..and his plans are breaking down. But, he also has a secret in the end that will take everyone who has worked against him by surprise, I'm sure, in the next book.
I highly recommend reading this. I listened to it via audiobook on audible while I cleaned and drove to work. The story just keeps pulling me in deeper. Read the series!
Victor, in all of his arrogance, finds that he's not so perfect..and his plans are breaking down. But, he also has a secret in the end that will take everyone who has worked against him by surprise, I'm sure, in the next book.
I highly recommend reading this. I listened to it via audiobook on audible while I cleaned and drove to work. The story just keeps pulling me in deeper. Read the series!
August 7, 2012
And then this happened. Well, at least the way I read it (omnibus edition), I didn't have to wait long for it to happen. But happen it did. The conclusion of the first Frankenstein story arc, that is.
So, we're still in New Orleans and it is still sometime between a week and two weeks after the start of the first book where Detective O'Connor busted out some gang street know-how. All told, Carson and Michael have continued to not say they are in love, crack awful jokes, drive recklessly, and subsist on caffeine and delicious Cajun food. Sleep? That will happen when Carson and Michael become human and thus have a need for it, rather than being your typical cop duo fromMiami New Orleans Vice.
Deucalion continues to hold such promise. But that's all he does with his promise: hold it. He also travels rather quickly in between locations, which would be eerily fascinating, except for the fact that Carson drives just as quickly and so Deucalion's amazing lightning understanding of quantum travel just seems ordinary.
I was right: there was a deus ex machina however I was wrong about who that might be. Given how the story played out, why, exactly, did I have to suffer through Carson and Michael? Why? When, in the end, their role was as it was. I feel like the ending would have happened even without crime's most daring duo (of eaters and talkers).
Jocko and the bug provided an amusing little interlude. The slang for the garbage workers to describe their aroused state made my brain vomit a bit. It is bad enough that there is slang in use in modern day, but no need to go and make up new slang, too. Why not use: hot, bothered, aroused, hard, excited, wet? At least those are common.
I like Erika 5's spunk. I like her spirit. I think she'd be a better Carson than Carson. Or perhaps she and Carson would make a better couple than Carson and Michael.
In short: Plot resolution was unique and unexpected. Having to suffer through poorly developed characters with minor roles in the plot resolution annoyed me. Still not sure the purpose of Arnie as it would seem more respectful not to put someone on display just because they are different. A friend of mine who has a child with autism was enraged that Koontz would suggest that autism can just be healed with the laying of hands. Insensitivity all around.
So, we're still in New Orleans and it is still sometime between a week and two weeks after the start of the first book where Detective O'Connor busted out some gang street know-how. All told, Carson and Michael have continued to not say they are in love, crack awful jokes, drive recklessly, and subsist on caffeine and delicious Cajun food. Sleep? That will happen when Carson and Michael become human and thus have a need for it, rather than being your typical cop duo from
Deucalion continues to hold such promise. But that's all he does with his promise: hold it. He also travels rather quickly in between locations, which would be eerily fascinating, except for the fact that Carson drives just as quickly and so Deucalion's amazing lightning understanding of quantum travel just seems ordinary.
I was right: there was a deus ex machina however I was wrong about who that might be. Given how the story played out, why, exactly, did I have to suffer through Carson and Michael? Why? When, in the end, their role was as it was. I feel like the ending would have happened even without crime's most daring duo (of eaters and talkers).
Jocko and the bug provided an amusing little interlude. The slang for the garbage workers to describe their aroused state made my brain vomit a bit. It is bad enough that there is slang in use in modern day, but no need to go and make up new slang, too. Why not use: hot, bothered, aroused, hard, excited, wet? At least those are common.
I like Erika 5's spunk. I like her spirit. I think she'd be a better Carson than Carson. Or perhaps she and Carson would make a better couple than Carson and Michael.
In short: Plot resolution was unique and unexpected. Having to suffer through poorly developed characters with minor roles in the plot resolution annoyed me. Still not sure the purpose of Arnie as it would seem more respectful not to put someone on display just because they are different. A friend of mine who has a child with autism was enraged that Koontz would suggest that autism can just be healed with the laying of hands. Insensitivity all around.
February 18, 2017
a long awaited journey coming to a sense of closure.. i enjoyed reading this suspenseful third book
May 21, 2021
Dean Koontz books are usually a mess there are a lot of plots jumping in different chapters, sometimes touching themselves, sometimes running alone. It is a fact, you may enjoy it or not, but if you read Dean Koontz you probably know that.
From this, there are two options, that this mess it is not helping in the way you enjoy the book (like in “77 Shadow Street” one) or that this mess is a plus like, for me, this book I´m reviewing right now. There are a lot of open fronts, a lot of little plots within the main one, but, finally, all of them are melted in the last chapter, bravo mister!!!
Again, from my point of view, dialogues are the strong point in this book, particularly in this one writing just by Dean Koontz (the two previous were co-written). Carson and Michael are great, their dialogues, their jokes, their complicity are so real, so human, so funny. And also dialogues between new race members keep me laughing, mostly when they are getting weird (or weirder) because something in their program is failing, their code is dropping… in these cases there is a funny nonsense only possible in Koontz´s mind.
Finally, in this book, there is a full stop. Actually for me it has been like a long book divided in three and now it is finished. The story could finish here, although we know it is not happening, everything is almost wrapped, the life goes on but… there is always a but, and this one is waiting us in the next two books… let´s keep reading!!!
From this, there are two options, that this mess it is not helping in the way you enjoy the book (like in “77 Shadow Street” one) or that this mess is a plus like, for me, this book I´m reviewing right now. There are a lot of open fronts, a lot of little plots within the main one, but, finally, all of them are melted in the last chapter, bravo mister!!!
Again, from my point of view, dialogues are the strong point in this book, particularly in this one writing just by Dean Koontz (the two previous were co-written). Carson and Michael are great, their dialogues, their jokes, their complicity are so real, so human, so funny. And also dialogues between new race members keep me laughing, mostly when they are getting weird (or weirder) because something in their program is failing, their code is dropping… in these cases there is a funny nonsense only possible in Koontz´s mind.
Finally, in this book, there is a full stop. Actually for me it has been like a long book divided in three and now it is finished. The story could finish here, although we know it is not happening, everything is almost wrapped, the life goes on but… there is always a but, and this one is waiting us in the next two books… let´s keep reading!!!
June 27, 2010
"Dead and Alive" is the third book in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series, this time written by Koontz alone. You can tell that he wrote the book on his own because the dialogue is even cheesier than in the two preceeding volume (these endless wisecracks! How I missed them!). Our cop duo continue to fight Dr. Helios (ex Frankenstein) aided by Deucalion, Frankenstein's first creation. Deucalion is an awesome hero: Tall as a bulding, knows the quantum structure of the universe - which conveniently allows him to teleport from place to place, you name it - though there' really no need for Deucalion to teleport because he is as strong as a bull, ox and an elephant combined - and since he was sewn together from various pieces the theory might not be as ridiculous as it sounds.
Oh, and there;s a dog ! Though why a dog is there I have no idea, since he doesn't play any part in the story. Still, since it's a Koontz book I guess there just has to be a dog in it.
My complains include the new character, Jocko the troll - who's nothing more than a fusion of both Dobby and Gollum - I guess he was supposed to be comic relief but it didn't really work.
The main problem with the third volume lies in the plot - our cops basically cruise around the town and do nothing. When the ending confrontation becomes inevitable Koontz yet again pulls out a deus ex machina from his hat and voila ! The book is printed and sold.
Still, the series is enjoyable in a TV sort of way - I can see why it was meant to be a TV show. It's up to you if you read it or not - though if you dare to venture into this universe I strongly advise you to leave your brain on the threshold.
Now to find book 4, hum hum hum.
Oh, and there;s a dog ! Though why a dog is there I have no idea, since he doesn't play any part in the story. Still, since it's a Koontz book I guess there just has to be a dog in it.
My complains include the new character, Jocko the troll - who's nothing more than a fusion of both Dobby and Gollum - I guess he was supposed to be comic relief but it didn't really work.
The main problem with the third volume lies in the plot - our cops basically cruise around the town and do nothing. When the ending confrontation becomes inevitable Koontz yet again pulls out a deus ex machina from his hat and voila ! The book is printed and sold.
Still, the series is enjoyable in a TV sort of way - I can see why it was meant to be a TV show. It's up to you if you read it or not - though if you dare to venture into this universe I strongly advise you to leave your brain on the threshold.
Now to find book 4, hum hum hum.
September 28, 2015
Koontz takes the original Frankenstein story and creates something wonderful, continuing with the third instalment. Taking the idea of the classic story, Koontz places Frankenstein and his monster in the modern world. This story leaves you asking who the real monster is – whether it the grotesque monster happens to be the real monster or whether the creator of such a creature was the real monster.
Still the problem of Frankenstein’s most recent creations are causing trouble for the heroic team, although things are certainly heating up. It also seems as though things may be going in the direction that the heroes of the story need them to. Is it possible that things are finally looking up for them? Until Frankenstein is dealt with, however, it seems impossible for anyone to sleep well at night.
It’s a must read for anyone who love Koontz or the classic Frankenstein story.
Still the problem of Frankenstein’s most recent creations are causing trouble for the heroic team, although things are certainly heating up. It also seems as though things may be going in the direction that the heroes of the story need them to. Is it possible that things are finally looking up for them? Until Frankenstein is dealt with, however, it seems impossible for anyone to sleep well at night.
It’s a must read for anyone who love Koontz or the classic Frankenstein story.
July 5, 2024
4.5 Stars
So this is the end of the trilogy, however, the door was left open just a crack and there are two more volumes in the series. It was a fitting end to the series, although the end was a little abrupt. But considering it wasn't really the end, I suppose that may be rectified in the next two volumes.
Jocko was hilarious (you'd have to read it to understand Jocko) but felt just slightly out of place in such a dark story. But it really still worked.
Overall I really enjoyed the Koontz Frankenstein trilogy, but now I'm curious about the last two volumes.
So this is the end of the trilogy, however, the door was left open just a crack and there are two more volumes in the series. It was a fitting end to the series, although the end was a little abrupt. But considering it wasn't really the end, I suppose that may be rectified in the next two volumes.
Jocko was hilarious (you'd have to read it to understand Jocko) but felt just slightly out of place in such a dark story. But it really still worked.
Overall I really enjoyed the Koontz Frankenstein trilogy, but now I'm curious about the last two volumes.
October 7, 2021
The third book is odd. Deucalion in the first started out strong. In this one he is incidental. I enjoyed the inane banter between the police detectives. The new Erika 5 with her small friend was bizarre. Victor getting his just desserts was frankly weird and the Resurrection character seemed a copout. Of course the clone of Victor will mean a return in a new locale as New Orleans would be odd.
Overall disappointing and needed more substance.
Overall disappointing and needed more substance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
I loved the first two Frankenstein books. They came across as tightly formatted and carefully structured, which made me as a reader feel cared for and tended to. You felt the consideration that was put into a well-crafted story, and you were able to enjoy the books greatly because of that. The first two in the series did not have loose ends; every side story was lovingly rendered and came across with a depth, despite or because of their brevity, that was quite enjoyable.
You can imagine my disappointment when some of the side stories become loose threads in the third installment. Conflicting descriptions of the characters bloom in full form, leaving the reader flipping back through the pages of the earlier books in the hopes of having been wrong. Sadly, you'll find you are not. The dialogue, where previously creative and enjoyable, is now tedious and uninspired. Situations are made mention of that never come into the story for resolution. Additionally, the hurricane is mentioned at the very beginning only, which had me wondering 'Why bother with it at all, then?'
He had all the elements, but he did not do with them what he could have. The frustrating thing is you can see the promise in the story beneath the lack of attention.
The entire book shows Koontz simply phoned it in on this one, and I really expected so much more based on the length of time we had to wait for it to come out. He has left me feeling let down, because it lacked consistency and trumpeted the fact that he went this one solo. All this book gave me was closure, because it certainly lacked the heart to give me satisfaction as the previous two had done.
You can imagine my disappointment when some of the side stories become loose threads in the third installment. Conflicting descriptions of the characters bloom in full form, leaving the reader flipping back through the pages of the earlier books in the hopes of having been wrong. Sadly, you'll find you are not. The dialogue, where previously creative and enjoyable, is now tedious and uninspired. Situations are made mention of that never come into the story for resolution. Additionally, the hurricane is mentioned at the very beginning only, which had me wondering 'Why bother with it at all, then?'
He had all the elements, but he did not do with them what he could have. The frustrating thing is you can see the promise in the story beneath the lack of attention.
The entire book shows Koontz simply phoned it in on this one, and I really expected so much more based on the length of time we had to wait for it to come out. He has left me feeling let down, because it lacked consistency and trumpeted the fact that he went this one solo. All this book gave me was closure, because it certainly lacked the heart to give me satisfaction as the previous two had done.
February 16, 2014
Well...I won't go 1 star as one of my friends did. However, this one did jump the shark...twice.
The story went on here but the way it "went", the turns it took, even the dialogue and storytelling jumped way over into the absurd for some reason.
More than anything else as I read this book i kept thinking of that old movie The Re-animator (1985). The thing is that movie was intentionally full of dark humor. This book was unintentionally humorous.
I don't get it but this seems to happen in Mr. Koontz's books now and again. I'm actually pretty much a fan of the writer but just every so often this seems to happen. Was it that he just wanted to finish this installment of the series? I don't know, but it happened.
The conversations here were humorous at first. After a while the attempted banter just got a little old. I was ready for the two detectives we've been with throughout the series to just get what they needed to do done and close this one down. Put it out of it's misery. The two of them were not only absurdly silly they didn't "sound" like themselves.
As for the "monsters"...oh brother.
Nuff' said.
I plan to try one more of these, who knows it might recover? But this one...not great, not even very good. Sorry DK and sorry DK fans. On the bright side most of his stuff is better.
The story went on here but the way it "went", the turns it took, even the dialogue and storytelling jumped way over into the absurd for some reason.
More than anything else as I read this book i kept thinking of that old movie The Re-animator (1985). The thing is that movie was intentionally full of dark humor. This book was unintentionally humorous.
I don't get it but this seems to happen in Mr. Koontz's books now and again. I'm actually pretty much a fan of the writer but just every so often this seems to happen. Was it that he just wanted to finish this installment of the series? I don't know, but it happened.
The conversations here were humorous at first. After a while the attempted banter just got a little old. I was ready for the two detectives we've been with throughout the series to just get what they needed to do done and close this one down. Put it out of it's misery. The two of them were not only absurdly silly they didn't "sound" like themselves.
As for the "monsters"...oh brother.
Nuff' said.
I plan to try one more of these, who knows it might recover? But this one...not great, not even very good. Sorry DK and sorry DK fans. On the bright side most of his stuff is better.
March 9, 2013
Quite a disappointment after the initial build-up of the first 2 books in the series. The final climax was too short and VERY convenient. The original "monster" became a side character in this one. Characterization became pretty thin and the book was very short compared to the first 2.
Koontz had indicated that the delay in the release of this volume was due to the fact that the action took place in New Orleans and he wanted to incorporate the Hurricane into the story. Guess what, the hurricane had NOTHING to do with this story. He mentions the wind blowing the rain around a lot, but nothing else. The main action is over before the hurricane hits. AND in the epilogue, there is no mention of how the aftermath effected the characters.
As I said, big disappointment. Definitely not one of Mr. Koontz' best efforts. He had co-authors on the first 2, maybe he should have had some help on this one.
Koontz had indicated that the delay in the release of this volume was due to the fact that the action took place in New Orleans and he wanted to incorporate the Hurricane into the story. Guess what, the hurricane had NOTHING to do with this story. He mentions the wind blowing the rain around a lot, but nothing else. The main action is over before the hurricane hits. AND in the epilogue, there is no mention of how the aftermath effected the characters.
As I said, big disappointment. Definitely not one of Mr. Koontz' best efforts. He had co-authors on the first 2, maybe he should have had some help on this one.
November 3, 2014
My favorite of the Frankenstein Series. I love Jocko! I love the bravery of Erika 5. I love the humor and the friendships that develop in the story.
A few favorite quotes:
After all, in an infinite universe, anything that could be imagined might somewhere exist.
Of all the cops Carson knew, she and Michael had the deepest respect for individualism, especially when a particular individual was quirky and therefore amusing....
The universe is a sea of chaos in which random chance collides with happenstance and spins shatters of meaningless coincidence like shrapnel through our lives...
A few favorite quotes:
After all, in an infinite universe, anything that could be imagined might somewhere exist.
Of all the cops Carson knew, she and Michael had the deepest respect for individualism, especially when a particular individual was quirky and therefore amusing....
The universe is a sea of chaos in which random chance collides with happenstance and spins shatters of meaningless coincidence like shrapnel through our lives...
August 9, 2017
Fast moving and well written. I liked it. This is the third book in a trilogy and you really do need to read the first 2 to know what is going on. Brings the trilogy to a satisfying conclusion, although, of course, it leaves room for a sequel. I know there have been sequels. I will probably read those too.
February 2, 2011
This book rambles a little. Good Guys, bad guys, monsters, monstrosities and good food in interesting restaurants. At least it wraps up some lose ends and opens the way for the next book to take a different direction, I hope it does, this one was ready for bed.
May 25, 2017
Other than the exquisitely written, sensational literary action set piece involving flopping genitals (a naked man and woman chase a dog down a street because the dog 'knows something') this is TRASH on a level seldom approached in any genre of art. I gave the first two novels in this trilogy two star ratings, only because Koontz allowed, perhaps, newcomers to co-author and get a leg-up in the industry (Cussler and Patterson have been doing this for years). But there is no co-author for this third book in the series: I'd say some unknown author refused to have his/her name associated with this book. Years ago, after reading Stephen King's 'Gerald's Game', I took every King book out of my house and gave them to Goodwill. But with 'Frankenstein 3', I simply put all of Koontz's books in a garbage bag and down the chute they went: I wouldn't want to expose an unsuspecting reader to this trash. And I hope I've sufficiently warned others who haven't read this book: this is TRASH, TRASH, TRASH. This is even worse than Fleming's "The Spy Who Loved Me", which was so bad it was initially published in America in Stag Magazine as "Motel Nymph." Comparatively speaking, "Twilight" should win a Pulitzer. For shame, Koontz. For shame 'Bantam Books Mass Market Original' publishers. I know there are people who have given rave reviews to this book. That's great, I'm glad you loved it! Reading is important! And I have enjoyed a few of Koontz books. But, sadly, Mr. Koontz, we part ways with this one. And to think I paid a whole quarter for this at a used book store!
January 10, 2021
The story is thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat, the narrator did a fantastic job, and Jocko is hysterical. I loved how the narrator performed the character of Jocko. He made him even funnier than he was originally written. Jocko might be my favorite part of the entire book.
The end wrapped up this part of the story very nicely. I'm looking forward to seeing what the characters encounter in the next book. I loved the way Victor prepared for the chance that something could happen to him.
The end wrapped up this part of the story very nicely. I'm looking forward to seeing what the characters encounter in the next book. I loved the way Victor prepared for the chance that something could happen to him.
March 12, 2023
Popcorn reading
February 24, 2011
While the ending itself is slightly disappointing, at least it never flails around, like many authors tend to do when trying to tie together a story with so many characters and sub-plots.
There is always a clear direction throughout the book and though I disagree with some of the choices Koontz took in his conclusion, I can't fault his style.
As a third book of a trilogy, I found that it to be missing some sort of revelation or twist that made things take an unexpected turn. Aside from the story of how the detectives met the dog, everything was rather straightforward and flowed nicely into the conclusion, with minimal effort required from the reader. Personally, I like to be challenged more than that when nearing the end.
That said, the trilogy as a whole is superb and draws up an extremely interesting, though bleak, picture of what it might be if both Frankenstein and his monster had both survived until the modern day.
Interesting characters and narratives abound and Koontz has a unique gift of describing the most complex, fantastical things in short, succinct language that always keeps it's feet on the ground.
They say a story is only as interesting as it's villain and that's really the biggest shortcoming of the trilogy. As a whole I found Victor Frankenstein to be an extremely uninteresting and one-dimensional character. Driven by a bloody-minded mad ambition that was never explained to be other than for it's own sake, his only characteristics were that, hubris and sadism. He seemed to be merely a plot vehicle to demonstrate all the evil things one could do if one possessed his knowledge.
Fortunately, every other character that appears is unique and interesting, even the janitor that lives through about 10 pages in total, which more than makes up for it.
There is always a clear direction throughout the book and though I disagree with some of the choices Koontz took in his conclusion, I can't fault his style.
As a third book of a trilogy, I found that it to be missing some sort of revelation or twist that made things take an unexpected turn. Aside from the story of how the detectives met the dog, everything was rather straightforward and flowed nicely into the conclusion, with minimal effort required from the reader. Personally, I like to be challenged more than that when nearing the end.
That said, the trilogy as a whole is superb and draws up an extremely interesting, though bleak, picture of what it might be if both Frankenstein and his monster had both survived until the modern day.
Interesting characters and narratives abound and Koontz has a unique gift of describing the most complex, fantastical things in short, succinct language that always keeps it's feet on the ground.
They say a story is only as interesting as it's villain and that's really the biggest shortcoming of the trilogy. As a whole I found Victor Frankenstein to be an extremely uninteresting and one-dimensional character. Driven by a bloody-minded mad ambition that was never explained to be other than for it's own sake, his only characteristics were that, hubris and sadism. He seemed to be merely a plot vehicle to demonstrate all the evil things one could do if one possessed his knowledge.
Fortunately, every other character that appears is unique and interesting, even the janitor that lives through about 10 pages in total, which more than makes up for it.
February 22, 2012
Let me preface this with saying I'm not a big Dean Koontz fan. Usually his characters are pretty shallow and the villains all seem to be carbon copies (<-dates the reviewer) of each other. The killer thinks he is smarter and better than everyone else and he is entitled to kill. It gets old quick.
Now, that said, I'm really enjoying this Frankenstein series. The protagonists are interesting. There are many points of view from a wide variety of characters and they are all well developed and compelling. I'm going to assume readers of this review have read through the first two books. If not, this might be a small spoiler: I have some difficulty with some of the points that require suspending belief in small things like physics. The main protagonist somehow possesses the ability to step through walls and to travel from one continent to another instantaneously. This is the kind of 'trick' used in sci-fi, fantasy, or vampire books. It detracts here where the setting is contemporary New Orleans. Usually if I come across something like this in a story, the book gets tossed in the round file. I'll forgive Koontz on this one because the flow of the story and the characters are compelling. Still going to dock this one and the whole series a star for requiring the reader to suspend belief. got to go now, I'm floating out of my chair and am suspended above the desk.
FINISHED READING: well done. There are five volumes to this saga and everything is pretty much wrapped up in Volume 3. Without doing a spoiler, the story picks up in the fourth volume and is every bit as good. Looking forward to the fifth.
Now, that said, I'm really enjoying this Frankenstein series. The protagonists are interesting. There are many points of view from a wide variety of characters and they are all well developed and compelling. I'm going to assume readers of this review have read through the first two books. If not, this might be a small spoiler: I have some difficulty with some of the points that require suspending belief in small things like physics. The main protagonist somehow possesses the ability to step through walls and to travel from one continent to another instantaneously. This is the kind of 'trick' used in sci-fi, fantasy, or vampire books. It detracts here where the setting is contemporary New Orleans. Usually if I come across something like this in a story, the book gets tossed in the round file. I'll forgive Koontz on this one because the flow of the story and the characters are compelling. Still going to dock this one and the whole series a star for requiring the reader to suspend belief. got to go now, I'm floating out of my chair and am suspended above the desk.
FINISHED READING: well done. There are five volumes to this saga and everything is pretty much wrapped up in Volume 3. Without doing a spoiler, the story picks up in the fourth volume and is every bit as good. Looking forward to the fifth.
August 6, 2012
This. Book. Sucked. So. Hard.
Frankenstein: Dead and Alive was written without a co-author. I’m glad to hear that this is the one of the worst of Dean Koontz’s work because if it was the best I’d never want to read his work again. This book feels like Dean Koontz’s screw you to the fans of the other books.
Honestly, I have almost nothing nice to say about this book. It was a huge let-down. All of the things I loved about the first book (and parts of the second) got shat all over in this book. All the other books were leading up to this epic show-down with Victor Helios-douchemuffin and friends and it didn’t happen.
There were so many plot threads that by the time you got back to one you had forgotten what had happened in the previous bit with that thread. As with the other books, NOT ENOUGH DEUCALION. Even buddy-cops 1 and 2 didn’t appear much, and when they did they were driving to do something. Hmm, why not show the actual thing they were driving to do instead of the drive to do it?!
Other reviewers aren’t fans of Jocko, the weird dwarf-thing. I thought he was kind of cute. The biggest thing I HATED about this book was the ending. It threw in the biggest Deuce Ex Machina I’ve ever seen, and there was no epic battle. There was just knock out Victor and feed him to the embodiment of goodness. And then everyone but a few people died.
The only thing I didn’t want to beat with a stick about this book was the way Mr. Koontz recapped the other books without being boring.
Don’t bother reading this book. It’s a waste of time and money.
Frankenstein: Dead and Alive was written without a co-author. I’m glad to hear that this is the one of the worst of Dean Koontz’s work because if it was the best I’d never want to read his work again. This book feels like Dean Koontz’s screw you to the fans of the other books.
Honestly, I have almost nothing nice to say about this book. It was a huge let-down. All of the things I loved about the first book (and parts of the second) got shat all over in this book. All the other books were leading up to this epic show-down with Victor Helios-douchemuffin and friends and it didn’t happen.
There were so many plot threads that by the time you got back to one you had forgotten what had happened in the previous bit with that thread. As with the other books, NOT ENOUGH DEUCALION. Even buddy-cops 1 and 2 didn’t appear much, and when they did they were driving to do something. Hmm, why not show the actual thing they were driving to do instead of the drive to do it?!
Other reviewers aren’t fans of Jocko, the weird dwarf-thing. I thought he was kind of cute. The biggest thing I HATED about this book was the ending. It threw in the biggest Deuce Ex Machina I’ve ever seen, and there was no epic battle. There was just knock out Victor and feed him to the embodiment of goodness. And then everyone but a few people died.
The only thing I didn’t want to beat with a stick about this book was the way Mr. Koontz recapped the other books without being boring.
Don’t bother reading this book. It’s a waste of time and money.
August 12, 2009
Worst ending to a series, or the start of an even worse continuation of the series?
After 12 or so Koontz books, I don't know why I still pick up a Koontz novel. My first was Intensity which was excellent. If I wasn't a fan of the original Frankenstein, I wouldn't have give Koontz another try, but I did, and probably thanks to co-writers, they did a great job on the first two books of this series.
I thought his delay in the release of book three was because he found a new twist with hurricane Katrina. It is briefly mentioned. Too bad because the fight between good and evil couldn't find a better time and place to end than New Orleans during Katrina.
The book starts off fine where book two left off, but new characters are introduced and the old characters don't seem to be important in the fight against Dr Frankenstein.
The ending is bland. I could almost tell where Koontz would walk away from his computer, walk his dog we hear so much about, then boringly gets back to typing.
This book could have been so much better. I can think of many other ways this book could have ended. With 20 pages left, I knew it was going to be another poorly writen book by Koontz.
If this series continues, I will not be reading it or any other books by this bland author. The only compliment I have for Mr. Koontz is the same as the boorish current John Grisham - I enjoy his style of writting, find his characters very easy to imagine, but then end up disappointed in the end.
After 12 or so Koontz books, I don't know why I still pick up a Koontz novel. My first was Intensity which was excellent. If I wasn't a fan of the original Frankenstein, I wouldn't have give Koontz another try, but I did, and probably thanks to co-writers, they did a great job on the first two books of this series.
I thought his delay in the release of book three was because he found a new twist with hurricane Katrina. It is briefly mentioned. Too bad because the fight between good and evil couldn't find a better time and place to end than New Orleans during Katrina.
The book starts off fine where book two left off, but new characters are introduced and the old characters don't seem to be important in the fight against Dr Frankenstein.
The ending is bland. I could almost tell where Koontz would walk away from his computer, walk his dog we hear so much about, then boringly gets back to typing.
This book could have been so much better. I can think of many other ways this book could have ended. With 20 pages left, I knew it was going to be another poorly writen book by Koontz.
If this series continues, I will not be reading it or any other books by this bland author. The only compliment I have for Mr. Koontz is the same as the boorish current John Grisham - I enjoy his style of writting, find his characters very easy to imagine, but then end up disappointed in the end.
November 26, 2023
For me this is where the series started to decline. I enjoyed the first 2 books and even enjoyed the next two however the story and plot really takes a nose dive during and after this one.
It is still entertaining and definitely and interesting spin on the Frankenstein legend and lore and mythology. Very quick reads so its always worth a read for entertainment value.
11/26/23- RE READ.
I will stick with 3 stars on this. I believe this 5 book series started out as a trilogy, and this book feels rushed and it feels like it tried to tie everything into a clean ending, even with a Helios cliffhanger at the end.
I did enjoy the Jocko troll and Erica 5 relationship and her struggles to defy Victor. I also enjoyed the ongoing romantic banter of Carson and Maddison as they deal with the chaos around them.
It was cool to see how Victor's world is falling apart. New Race programming is dropping with more frequency, a monster Warner is wreaking havoc in the soon to be destroyed Mercy hospital, A monster names Chameleon escapes, and a new Monster is discovered in the landfills that helps wrap up the trilogy quicker and cleaner than anticipated.
Overall, the series is fun and entertaining. Characters arent amazing but fun enough to want to see where they end up. The lore of Shelley's Frankenstein is explored enough to give horror fans a reason to read this.
This book is 3 stars. SO far the series overall is 3.5 Stars.
It is still entertaining and definitely and interesting spin on the Frankenstein legend and lore and mythology. Very quick reads so its always worth a read for entertainment value.
11/26/23- RE READ.
I will stick with 3 stars on this. I believe this 5 book series started out as a trilogy, and this book feels rushed and it feels like it tried to tie everything into a clean ending, even with a Helios cliffhanger at the end.
I did enjoy the Jocko troll and Erica 5 relationship and her struggles to defy Victor. I also enjoyed the ongoing romantic banter of Carson and Maddison as they deal with the chaos around them.
It was cool to see how Victor's world is falling apart. New Race programming is dropping with more frequency, a monster Warner is wreaking havoc in the soon to be destroyed Mercy hospital, A monster names Chameleon escapes, and a new Monster is discovered in the landfills that helps wrap up the trilogy quicker and cleaner than anticipated.
Overall, the series is fun and entertaining. Characters arent amazing but fun enough to want to see where they end up. The lore of Shelley's Frankenstein is explored enough to give horror fans a reason to read this.
This book is 3 stars. SO far the series overall is 3.5 Stars.
June 29, 2011
1 AND 1/2 STARS
I'm not sure how to explain the drastic change in quality from the previous two books to this one. Perhaps Koontz's partnership with co-writers Kevin Anderson and Ed Gorman were inspired collaborations and when faced with finishing the series alone with this third book, Koontz simply had no one to bounce ideas off of. Maybe he let Anderson and Gorman write the bulk of the first two and was not very familiar with the chararacters. Whatever unfortunate circumstances occurred, it was a grand failure, the likes of which I've rarely experienced with an author of such prominence.
The lead detectives and Deucalion from the previous books are barely in the story and many of the character traits of the others feel very different, as if Koontz had not reviewed the prior books when sitting down to write this. Jocko's character was reduced to absurd comic relief and Helios a vein, whinny spoiled brat -- both very annoying to read. Any suspense, atmosphere, or real danger that was built up in the first two books completely dissipated with this entry. I'm not accusing Koontz of using a ghostwriter, but if this was really his work, he better get his act together if he wants to keep any sort of fan base. He'll need to do something quite remarkable if he wants to make up for this atrocity.
I'm not sure how to explain the drastic change in quality from the previous two books to this one. Perhaps Koontz's partnership with co-writers Kevin Anderson and Ed Gorman were inspired collaborations and when faced with finishing the series alone with this third book, Koontz simply had no one to bounce ideas off of. Maybe he let Anderson and Gorman write the bulk of the first two and was not very familiar with the chararacters. Whatever unfortunate circumstances occurred, it was a grand failure, the likes of which I've rarely experienced with an author of such prominence.
The lead detectives and Deucalion from the previous books are barely in the story and many of the character traits of the others feel very different, as if Koontz had not reviewed the prior books when sitting down to write this. Jocko's character was reduced to absurd comic relief and Helios a vein, whinny spoiled brat -- both very annoying to read. Any suspense, atmosphere, or real danger that was built up in the first two books completely dissipated with this entry. I'm not accusing Koontz of using a ghostwriter, but if this was really his work, he better get his act together if he wants to keep any sort of fan base. He'll need to do something quite remarkable if he wants to make up for this atrocity.
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