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Clickers #3

Dagon Rising

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They thought it was over, but the second wave was only the beginning. In the aftermath of the Clickers and Dark Ones' siege and a coup against an insane President, America rebuilds. Change has come, and a better future is promised to all. But promises can be broken and there may be no future at all because deep beneath the ocean, a new terror awaits. Dagon, god of the Dark Ones, is waking up...and if humanity doesn't stop him, then mankind will face extinction. Trapped on a South Pacific Island, the cast of Clickers and Clickers 2: The Next Wave join forces with a mysterious group of occult agents to face off against the Clickers, the Dark Ones, Dagon and an all-new threat-the deadly obsidian Clickers. The stakes have never been higher. Dagon is rising... and humanity will fall. Clickers Dagon Rising-It's more giant monster carnage and B-movie fun as only J. F. Gonzalez and Brian Keene can bring you.

241 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

J.F. Gonzalez

79 books353 followers
Jesus F. Gonzalez was an American author, primarily of horror fiction (writing under the pseudonym J. F. Gonzalez). He has written many notable novels and has done collaborations with Bram Stoker Award winners Mike Oliveri and Brian Keene. His novel Survivor has been optioned for film.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Omar Iquira.
98 reviews10 followers
April 5, 2024
LE DOY UNA ESTRELLA PORQUE ESTA ENTREGA DE LA SAGA SE DESVIA TERRIBLEMENTE DE LA TEMATICA ORIGINAL, INLUYENDO ELEMENTOS QUE NO FAVORECEN A LA HISTORIA, SINO QUE LA CONFUNDEN Y DENIGRAN. Y PORQUE ME DECEPCIONÓ MUCHO.

Este tercer libro de "Clickers" es un ejemplo casi perfecto de lo que NO DEBERÍA HACERSE al escribir la continuación de una saga. Es mas, iría al extremo de decir que es un CASO CLÍNICO DE LO QUE NO DEBE HACER un escritor con su obra. Porque de verdad que me he decepcionado tremendamente al leerla.

¿Por que? La razón es simple. "Clickers" es una saga que dio a conocer la historia sobre una invasión por parte de una especie de crustáceos prehistóricos a un pequeño pueblo en la costa de los Estados Unidos. La segunda entrega lleva las cosas al siguiente nivel, cuando las criaturas lanzan una invasión a gran escala que llega incluso hasta Washington D.C. y pone en jaque a la ya conocida superpotencia. Pero esta entrega es diferente. Esta entrega nos introduce a lo que podríamos llamar "la religión" de las criaturas de las profundidades. Y lo hace presentando a su dios, una especie de ser interdimensional llamado Dagon (si eres fanático de H. P. Lovecraft reconocerás el nombre). Las criaturas buscan abrir un portal entre la dimensión de Dagon y nuestro mundo, realizando un ritual mágico arcano que solo puede realizarse una vez cada no se cuantos miles de años. Osea que si, ahora hay PODERES MAGICOS en la saga.

Y eso no es todo. Una organización secreta del gobierno se alza para evitar que las criaturas despierten a Dagon, y para eso reclutan a algunos de los protagonistas de la anterior entrega. Esta organización emplea a lo que podríamos denominar "Espers" (individuos capaces de usar telepatía u otras habilidades paranormales). Así que si, ahora también tenemos PODERES PSIQUICOS para adornar la fiesta.

Y no solo eso. Aparentemente esta organización ha vislumbrado el despertar de Dagon y otras amenazas sobrenaturales en otras realidades paralelas a nuestro mundo. O sea que el MULTIVERSO ha sido introducido también.
Además de otras "peculiaridades" que ya no quiero ni mencionar porque hasta vergüenza me da.

No se que decir. Con tanto "Maquillaje" todo lo que me gustaba de la saga original a quedado u opacado o denigrado. "Clickers" me gustaba por sus elementos de horror y (admito también) por el gore de sus escenas. Pero en el fondo era la simplicidad de la temática general de la saga, y la manera en la que se presentaban los hechos, lo que hacían estos libros atractivos. Pero todo eso a quedado reducido a un menjunje irreconocible de elementos y factores narrativos que van desde lo ridículo, a lo irrisorio, a lo absurdo.

Algo es seguro. Ya no se si leeré la cuarta y última entrega. Y es una pena, porque había invertido tiempo en los libros, y aunque no eran obras maestras, les había agarrado algo de cariño. Pero si lo hago (y no creo que sea en el futuro inmediato), será solo para sacarme la espina de la curiosidad sobre el final de todo. Y por nada mas.

Mi recomendación. Lean solo los libros 1 y 2. E imaginen que allí acaba todo.
Profile Image for Michael Hicks.
Author 37 books475 followers
July 15, 2017
Authors J.F. Gonzalez and Brian Keene bring their killer crab creature feature trilogy to a close with Clickers III: Dagon Rising.

Rather than trying to turn horror author Rick Sychek into a John McClane sort (always in the wrong place at the right time), stuck in an eternal battle against the Clickers, the co-authors instead bring some of the prior novel's secondary characters a step forward into the limelight. Although Sychek is reduced to a brief cameo and some mention's here and there, his presence is still felt and I appreciated that his past actions had a lasting effect on those returning players who had fought alongside him previously. Stepping up in a big way this time around are ex-hitman Tony Genova and ex-Secret Service agent, Clark Arroyo, on the run after his actions in Clickers II, and marine biologist Jennifer Wasco. I enjoyed each of these three characters in the previous novel, so it was a pleasure seeing more of them.

Although Clickers III is meant to be a finale, it also feels at times like a soft reboot. The main characters of the previous novels are sidelined and reduced to minor namechecks here and there, and the US coastal settings of the prior two books are also absent. Clickers II went into some big places, reading like a disaster epic, and it's a tough book to top. Rather than try to outdo themselves, the authors deliberately set about crafting a smaller, low-key adventure, albeit one that is still rife with action. But in changing things up so much, it feels a touch disconnected from the previous installments. This time around, Gonzalez and Keene channel their inner-Predator and set the action in a tropical jungle on a Pacific Island where the Dark Ones are making one last push to destroy all of humanity.

For the most part, I enjoyed Clickers III, just not quite as much as the previous installment. Clickers II had it all - monsters, mayhem, and a massive scope. Although the threat in Clickers III is enormous, everything about the book feels smaller, and a bit of a step backward. At times it feels more akin to the first book, but it lacks any sense of the unknown, particularly if you know a bit about Lovecraft's mythology, and there's not much in the way of surprises or mystery.

It's not quite the giant conclusion I was hoping for, but it's a decent bit of entertainment. Reading these three books back to back might have been a bit too much, though. I think I was suffering from series fatigue, which probably contributed to some of my disappointment. Still, I liked it well enough overall. This was a fun series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what stories a number of other authors can tell while playing in this world's sandbox for the upcoming Clickers Forever tribute anthology (Sadly, J.F. Gonzalez died in 2014).
Profile Image for Chris.
373 reviews72 followers
August 28, 2019
The third book in the Clickers series, which takes place several years after events in the previous novel, Keene and Gonzalez deftly blending pulp horror with Lovecraftian weird horror. A scientific installation set on the remote South Pacific island of Naranu has been studying the strange artifacts found there, even if the island's inhabitants want them to leave. Then...something emerges from the deep, and bloody carnage ensues. But the true horror is only just beginning...Dagon!

Certain characters from the first two novels play a big part in this one, including rogue Secret Service Agent Clark Arroyo and mobster gone Witness Protection Tony Genova. And longtime Brian Keene fans will enjoy the huge nod to his Labyrinth mythos.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Shawn Deal.
Author 19 books18 followers
February 8, 2017
Just hold on for the ride. This novel, unlike the previous two, really goes into some of the mythos that is found in other works by Brian Keene. It is clear that he had a lot of influence over the plotting of this novel. I did not mind that so much, although others mind it quite a bit. If you are unfamiliar with Brian Keenes work, you will notice much more of a slide towards magical elements in this novel and less science. If you are familiar with his work and our a fan, you might get some extra enjoyment out of this one. If you don't know anything about him, nothing will detract. This is not high fiction, much more a classic 80's creature feature. So just sit back an enjoy it for what it is worth.
Profile Image for Bogdan.
952 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2024
Quite entertaining third volume in the series.

Didn`t expected much from the story, but to tell you the truth, surprise, surprise, it felt kind of fresh after the other two, with some old characters back in the game, but a brand new location and idea for the main event.

I had hoped that the ending will reveal much more, but it still was a good wrapping up.

Overall, I must say that Brian Keene didn`t disappoints!
Profile Image for Jonathan Echevarria.
219 reviews21 followers
November 8, 2014
Holy cow! I had a lot of fun reading this book! I was worried Brian would hold back on his labyrinth mythology, thankfully I was wrong and I got lots of awesome Black Lodge action this time around! If you have read A Gathering of Crows or Tequila's Sunrise then you owe it to yourself to check out this book! This time around we see the ground work that is building toward "The Seven" who are destined to take down the Thirteen entities that predate the creation of the universe. This novel is for dedicated fans who have been piecing together the various connections between Brian Keene's different novels and novellas.


I Think The Black Lodge Are So Cool!!!

If you read Earthworm Gods II: Deluge then you are in for a major treat. This book references some major plot points and actually ties into The Earthworm Gods series very well. While I could understand where some fans would lose that appreciation if they aren't familiar with Brian Keene's Labyrinth mythology, the inclusion of The Black Lodge and Leviathan enhanced the enjoyment for me tenfold. In many ways this book laid down the ground work for the upcoming first Labyrinth book entitled "The Seven" which is due out next year. Some fans have been waiting years piecing the puzzle pieces together and eagerly anticipating this book. Tony Genova is indeed one of the Seven, as well as Teddy Garnett from Earthworm Gods and Frankie from The Rising.

Tequila's Sunrise by Brian Keene Earthworm Gods II Deluge by Brian Keene A Gathering of Crows by Brian Keene

If you are a Clickers purest who doesn't like your "Clickers" mixed in with Brian Keene's mythology then you really should stop reading after the first book. However die hard Labyrinth fanatics like myself are very thankful for this fan service. Keep it coming Brian and I'll keep on supporting your work! I happily give Clickers 3 a five out of five stars!
Profile Image for Kaisersoze.
602 reviews31 followers
April 23, 2014
What started as a collaboration between J F Gonzalez and Mark Williams back in the late 90s has evolved over the last decade and a half (following the latter’s untimely death) into an entirely new beast – courtesy of the addition of one of the heavyweights in today’s horror writing circles, Brian Keene. Fortunately, this new beast remains “pulptastically” entertaining.

The Clickers series is not meant to be high art. It’s meant to entertain. And by this third edition to the series, Gonzalez and Keene have nailed a formula that does exactly that, embracing the initial threat of large crabs invading our coast lines, enhancing it with their intelligent aquatic masters (the Dark Ones), and then layering on an evil God of these mermen that wants to destroy the world. This latter element in particular allows Clickers III to work nicely into Keene’s ever-expanding Labyrinth mythos (which though beyond the scope of this review basically means all of his works link into the same multiverse in one way or another). As such, fans of Keene’s work are likely to get more out of this third novel in the series than straight up Clickers fans, but there’s still plenty of gory, B-movie madness for all to enjoy.

In essence, Clickers III trades the wide-scale mayhem of the second book for a more intimate setting, as a small group of people are recruited/strong-armed by a top-secret, off-the-books organisation to stop the Dark One’s God, Dagon, before it can cross over into our world. Of course, there are Clickers and Dark Ones aplenty that stand in their way …

Keene’s influence feels stronger in this entry – mainly because of the aforementioned God and its efforts to destroy the world – but it would be fascinating to know how these two writers and friends managed to write this book together. Regardless of what they did, it works. The characters are fun (Tony Genova’s reluctant hero is especially memorable), the carnage cartoonishly viscous, and the writing is solid.

Little more probably needs to be said. If you’ve read the first two Clickers novels, chances are you’ve already snapped this one up and probably enjoyed it. If you haven’t, this is a great send-off for the series (given Clickers vs Zombies has since been published but it’s not set in the same universe), so check out all three and settle in for some gooey madness.

4 Blood Soaked Tridents for Clickers III: Dagon Rising.

This review and others like it can be found at Horror After Dark.
Profile Image for David Church.
110 reviews43 followers
May 27, 2015
Really enjoyed this, maybe best of the series I cannot decide. I am a sucker for references and characters from other books in books. Stephen King is the master of this…actually he probably does it to much. This book has some nice homage’s and characters from the Brian Keene world & and great nod to the amazing Jeff Strand and a book of his.
As for the story itself, fast paced action packed. Love Tony Genova hope he is in Clickers vs. Zombies! Just like those references I am also a sucker for Cthulhu mythos which makes its way into book 3 of the series. 4.5 Stars (yeah I round up instead of down…..like Tony Genova would say just shoot me!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karl.
3,258 reviews344 followers
Want to read
October 27, 2016
This book is copy 114 of 300 hardcover copies printed signed by Brian Keene.
Profile Image for Da$h.
19 reviews
October 4, 2019
Well this was a disappointment...
Instead of staying true to the roots of the first book, both authors have tried a completely different approach by bringing in Lovecraft/magic/religion and Keen's own mythology to the game. The outcome is a total mess of various ideas and not a very enjoyable read.
It is very hard to recommend this book to anyone, even to people who read and liked Clickers 1+2.

Clickers I: 4/5 - a good, mindless, gory fun
Clickers II: 3/5 - decent sequel, except for the moronic conspiracy subplot
Clickers III: 1/5 - wtf am I reading?
Clickers vs Zombies: 0/5 - why?
Profile Image for Stephen Kozeniewski.
Author 39 books428 followers
August 4, 2017
In the final (main continuity) outing of the Clickers series, Keene and Gonzalez focus, streamline, and amp up the action. The first novel was the story of a single town and its inhabitants coming under attack from the crab-like mutant monstrosities and their reptilian masters The Dark Ones. The second novel was more like a buffet, as the catastrophe went worldwide and while there were a few main focuses, the story also bounced all over the planet. With DAGON RISING, the authors split the difference.

The focus this time is on a single island in the Pacific. It takes a little effort before our characters are all there, but once they are, the action bounces between two parties in the same locale. This time, the Dark Ones aren't looking for mindless slaughter and conquest, they have a specific goal: to free their god Dagon from his extradimensional prison. The stakes, therefore, are a bit higher, and mysticism and magic users that were largely absent from the first two novels are present in spades.

If you liked the previous CLICKERS books, you'll like this one. There's no real departure from the gory, goopy action, while still expanding on some of the mythology (Dark One elders, black Clickers, baby Clickers, Dark One-worshipping humans). A fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
Profile Image for Spencer.
1,452 reviews56 followers
February 25, 2020
The second Clickers book took place on a larger scale than the first, this time the narrative takes another jump into the theological. The Lovecraftian elements are even more obvious and prevalent this time around but it works well with the narrative and the book still manages to stand apart from Lovecraft's mythos and tell it's own tale. Characters return from the previous book and a fast paced story unfolds, there’s also many references to Brian’s labyrinth mythos making this a must for fans of his work. I had a blast reading this and found it to be a fitting and satisfying end to the main Clickers series.
Profile Image for John Beta.
228 reviews10 followers
February 22, 2021
Just a pure fun B-rated ludicrous monstrous fast-paced gorefest that makes the kilometers zoom by on the treadmill. Come on, how can you not enjoy a cast of a mafioso, rogue secret service agent, hot marine biologist, and a team of black ops with mind reading abilities and other talents battling truck-sized crab-scorpion monsters with venomous tails and 10 ft tall lizard men that can disembowel a person with their talons while trying to release a building sized demon from another dimension that will end the world as we know it? Pure senseless fun, right? Thinking not required!
Profile Image for Mike Kazmierczak.
369 reviews14 followers
September 30, 2013
I love that the Clickers series is continuing. It's a fun, nostalgic trip while also being a modern story so it doesn't feel old. I also love that Keene is making the story part of his mythos, guaranteeing that we will see some of the same characters again.

When last we left the clickers, the United States had overthrown the President in order to have the armed forces come together and push back the Dark Ones' attack. Subsequently we find out that raids were made and many clickers and Dark Ones were killed afterwards. And while we also find out that a military-centric government doesn't seem to work as well with no clickers attacking, it is almost immaterial to the heart of this book. The action focuses on Tony Genova and the attempt by the Dark Ones to release Dagon from his watery world. The clicker attacks are limited to a single island which has a gateway to their god's world. Once released, Dagon will flood the Earth and destroy mankind. Trying to stop that is the ultimate in conspiracy theory and Men in Black agencies, the Black Lodge. They need to recruit Tony Genova to come to the island and stop disaster. Fortunately, Tony's love connection Dr. Jennifer Wasco is on the island and in need of being rescued.

The theme of this book has changed from the previous two Clicker novels in that it is more than simply survive and stop a violent attack from the clickers and Dark Ones. But in reality, the style had to change. Repeating the same violence again and again, even while escalating it, runs the risk of being formulaic and boring. Now the story has ultra-secret government agencies, psychic powers, old gods and ancient prophecies thrown into the mix. While taking things to the next level, I thought it fit. But I could also understand if someone wanted a bit more reality to their story. Which is kind of funny when talking about giant lobster-scorpions with poisonous stingers but I digress. I thought the story worked and found it extremely enjoyable. New fans should go back to CLICKERS and start there but current fans should enjoy it immediately.
Profile Image for Taylor.
105 reviews
July 20, 2023
This was once again another thrill ride. As always, I love how the authors introduce something new that humanity has to face. I think this was the most exciting test yet for humanity. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I honestly don't have anything bad to say about this book. I was hooked from the beginning. It picked up right where it left off after all the action in the previous book. Once the Clickers and Dark Ones return, it is just nonstop action after that, and as I mentioned, there is a new twist. I recommend this book to horror fans and people who love reading about mutant creatures. It's a good book, even if you are a sci-fi fan.
Profile Image for Andre.
121 reviews7 followers
April 27, 2015
I really liked this third story with the clickers and dark ones even though it kinda went weird with it's portal to another world and leviathan/kraken sort of God.
I understand that it would probably have been boring to just have more of the same killing and rampaging of the monsters in a third book, so it was ok.
I liked the black lodge guys, they were cool in their way. At the end I found myself wanting to read more about them.
Mister Gonzalez..... give us more black lodge.....
Profile Image for Matthew.
202 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2024
A book created to hate on Religion and talk about politics.

JF Gonzales and Brian Keene probably got together and said…

🤔“Hey want to write a book about our political beliefs and how much we hate religion?”

🙂”Absolutely! But it’s such a shitty ass idea. Who will buy trash like that?”

😄“Well we can just add the Clickers in it and pretend to make a series based on the first Clickers book.”

And so Clickers 2 and 3 were born. Don’t get me wrong, Clickers 2 also sucked ass, but this book took it to a whole new level. The main characters from book 1 are barely in this. Just some more politics. Did I mention that the authors don’t like religion? Oh yeah, they don’t like religion.

Up next on Clickers 4: The Clickers go on a quest to join the BLM movement, March in LGBT rallies, create safe spaces for their peers, and more! BUT THERE’S A PROBLEM! The Dark Ones are BACK, and they have converted to Christianity and are now Republican 😱😱😱! Join Brian Keene and JF Gonzales on this wild tale to see if the Clickers and survivors from the first book can help stop the Dark Ones from making the Republican Party the majority. Stay tuned… for another cluster fuck!
Profile Image for Mr Chuck.
255 reviews7 followers
May 24, 2022
From monster maina to Lovecraft weirdness.

Carrying on from the second book, years have gone by, the world has gotten back to normal and, everyone has moved on with all the characters from the previous book finding new paths.

Then the old click clicks return with the dark bastards in their backs to bring their god to our plane of existence and finally rid this world of pesty humans.
Add some familiar faces and some secret service secrets and you have a monster book that's now a Lovecraft-inspired story.

I enjoyed this book but it felt very different from the previous two due to the heavily added other worlds, gods, and X-Files to the mix which felt a little off.

Book two is still the best and this isn't a weak finish just not what I was wanting. It didn't feel complete.
Profile Image for Brennan LaFaro.
Author 22 books144 followers
April 17, 2022
The third and final book in the trilogy (that takes place in this universe anyway) moves the action from U.S. eastern seaboard to a remote island, giving this book a different feel than previous entries. The focus shifts from Rick Sychek to several of the bit players from the second book, as well as an increased role for Black Lodge. The irony is that Clickers 3 arguably introduces the largest threat ever, and yet feels smaller in scope; a smart decision following the colossal scale of book two. As ever, the book is fun and grotesque at the right times, but ultimately feels short on surprises.
Profile Image for Jill Franklin.
43 reviews5 followers
October 15, 2017
This 3rd installment in the series focuses on some of the secondary characters we've met in prior installments. While it was a totally enjoyable read and a great addition to the series, I can't say I liked it as much as the last book.

One aspect that I did really appreciate was the introduction of the black lodge agents. This made this feel very much like a Keene book and brought it right into the universe that all of his books are set in.

I'm off to read about the next round of clickers induced carnage :)
Profile Image for Jarrod Scarbrough.
Author 1 book15 followers
May 6, 2019
Just when I thought this series couldn't possibly get any better, along came this book! The clickers and Dark Ones are back, this time all of their efforts are concentrated to a small island in the South Pacific. The time has come to wake their god, the great Dagon from the underground city of R'lyeh. Yes, that's right, we suspected it in the first two books, but the third brings it all together, Clickers are Cthulhu stories! I love the liberties the authors took with the mythos, and must say that the book was chock full of some really cool Easter Eggs! Can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for DJMikeG.
468 reviews38 followers
April 6, 2023
Not nearly as fun as Clickers 2, this one still had some incredible moments and kick ass ending. I left the book feeling good about it and I really liked the way Keene and Gonzalez wrapped it up. In places, this book was a little trying to get through. Alot, ALOT of conversations, and alot of world building for Keene's Labyrinth mythos. Paced very different than Clickers 1 and 2, which were both Whiz Bang paced, and to call them that is an understatement. That said, I loved the ending and the conclusion felt like a perfect close to the first 3 books.
May 29, 2020
It was well written but lacking something that the first two had: that sense of intense urgency and tension. This one just seemed thrown together. I did appreciate the connection to Earthworm Gods but not enough questions were answered.
Profile Image for MajorEpic.
51 reviews
August 7, 2022
2.5 stars
It seems like each subsequent book in this series gets just a little bit worse. I enjoyed listening to it, the descriptions and setting is just as good as the last two but the story just wasn’t as great. I thought the ending was a little underwhelming and could’ve been much better.
Profile Image for Thomas Hobbs.
706 reviews6 followers
June 5, 2021
This book was just as good as the first 2. Blood, gore, new characters, as well as older characters and even Levithan himself Dagon. I was actually hoping Dagon would've crossed over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for SmarkDent.
270 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2021
The worst of the Clickers series so far unfortunately. A promising start, but ultimately too slow paced and Lovecraft worshipping.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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