Lightning

One should always take a book along, my very own motto! Once I finish a book, I immediately select the next book to read. Several years ago, I started out the door and realized I did not have a book with me to replace the one I finished the evening before. Very near the front door bookcase was a mass market paperback of Dean Koontz "Phantoms" so I grabbed it with the thought that I could change it out that evening if I did not like the book.Well. I have no idea where I had pickuped up that paperback but boy am I ever grateful it was there. Except for all the lost sleep from reading his marvelous books, I have forever more been grateful for that book. It is the most interesting and most different "good vs evil" book I had ever read. After that I filled my bookcases and now my reader with his books including the entire Odd Thomas set. I chose "Lightning" to review at this time since I believe it to be a perfect book. It covers history, time travel, spookiness, evil, humor and lots of love. Others have summarized the story, I just want to put in a vote for how wonderful this book is.How to chose one Dean Koontz over another: Odd Thomas, Watchers, Whispers, Intensity, the Nameless series, Innocence; I could go on and on but suffice it to say, Dean Koontz books will someday be considered with the same admiration as Dickens is now. Mr. Koontz not only tells a darn good story, but his stories question or should I say point out the follies of the human condition. He describes surroundings so well one can smell the flowers or feel the fleeting breeze flowing through the leaves of a tree. All this adds reality, complexity and depth to his stories. He also provides background true to the time period i.e. a quiz show or a particular model car or computer, etc.I will conclude by questioning how having to categorize an author into a genre got started. Or, if one book is a success, why does the next book have to be similar? That type repetition creates mediocrity. With such questions in mind this might be a good time to thank Mr. Koontz for fighting battles to keep his voice intact in his books. It is my opinion that Mr. Koontz books cross many genres so they are each and every one unique. If you have not tried him yet start with Watchers or Odd Thomas and you will doubtless be impressed. Make sure to read Lightning too as I truly loved this book and all of Dean Koontz's books!

Lightning is a great book. I read it over 20 years ago for the first time and was surprised how much I remembered on the reread I completed today - that's a sign that an author has something special. The story centers on the life of Laura Shane, from her beginnings as a young girl, a teenager in the foster system and finally her life as a successful author with her husband and son. Throughout her life, a mysterious man shows up and intervenes several times in bad situations that could result in her death, only to save her and vanish just as quickly. She comes to think of him as her guardian angel and this forms the crux of the story.The characters here are top notch. Laura and her family are easy to root for. Thelma is one of the funniest characters I've read in some time and Stefan is brilliant as a man trying to atone for his past mistakes. Although the revelation of his origins is a little far fetched, it worked for me. If you've never read Koontz before, this is a great example of his talents. Give it a shot!

You never know what to expect from Dean Koontz novels and this is no exception. I thought it was a good story with surprises, action and drama.

There were a few parts that I wish read faster,overall I enjoyed it. The actual story line is intriguing. I highly recommend

Lightning is the first Dean Koontz book I have read. I had intended to read one of his books for quite some time and just hadn't gotten around to it. However, on April 10, 2011 I just happened to see a story about Koontz on CBS Sunday Morning. I already knew he was a very successful author, but they reported that he had written more than 100 books, including 13 best sellers. They also advised that he ranks number 6 among the World's best paid writers. As I watched the story, I realized that I liked the guy. Of course a TV news story on him is not necessarily an accurate depiction of who he really is. However, he seemed to be a likable, reasonable, and normal guy who just happened have a talent for writing that made him extremely successful. Therefore, decided I really did want to read a Dean Koontz book. My wife happened to see a list of time-travel books that are available as eBooks on the Kindle Reader blog. She gave me the list, which contained Lightning by Dean Koontz. I have liked to read time-travel books for many years so I decided to read Lightning. Oh my, I really liked this book! It's a time-travel book, but it's also a book about the first thirty years of Laura's life, which are filled with the sorrow of losing loved ones and many difficult times living in orphanages and foster homes. It's about Stefan, her mysterious "guardian", who rescues her when her life is in danger several times during those thirty years. It is about her strong and enduring friendships, and her love for others. It's about Laura growing into a very strong woman who takes control of her life. It's also about Stefan's love for Laura. Yes, Stefan is a time traveler who is in love with Laura and comes to her when she needs his help. That may not be an original idea. However, Koontz's time traveler comes from a time and place you would never guess, and his agenda involves more than just saving her life. This book is an excellent read with lots of action, suspense, and engaging characters. I believe it is one of the best time-travel books I have read, and I recommend it strongly.

I loved this book from start to finish. I hated to put it down but didn't want to finish it either because it would have been a closed book to me, which made me sad but also wishing it was written longer to make me happy as well. You do not get too many books that make you feel that way, but this book is just like that and then some.

Definitely one of my new favourite Koontz books. Couldn't put it down. Its extremely clever with many unexpected little turns.

Great story

The story is taking, often I found it a bit blow by blow. The time travelling intrigue is somehow surprising, perhaps because the book was writen in the 80's. The book is a good red, I liked the very end.

I thought I was done with Dean when everyone praised Phantoms but I failed to appreciate it for what it was(is). But I have one writer friend whom I admire and he insists Koontz is one of the greatest. So I tried again. This title was cheap and an easy download from Amazon. And. I. Freaking. Loved. It. From the beginning to the afterward, it was smoothly prosed, intriguing, and well-planned and plotted. It went from YA to historical science fiction with lots of action and a little comedy. So what's next, Dean?