Average Rating: 
Rating:  - It took a while, but became the Koontz we know and love
The newest series in the new and improved and enlightened Dean Koontz at first disappointed me because it took about one half of the book for the plot to come together and make us feel connected to the characters.
Nanotechnology is the latest and greatest science written by the best writers out there (the best being Prey and The Eighth Day), and Koontz puts his touch in a tale of redemption.
The novel sets itself up for a sequel of two and that will be great - now that a premise is set, let's run from the get-to, please? A definite read - just have a little more patience - this is no From the Corner of His Eye, but to me that is the tops he's done in a long time.
(where is the guy who can only get around in the dark?)what happened to those novels? Any more coming?
Rating: - Classic Koontz is back!
I was disappointed with FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE and ONE DOOR AWAY FROM HEAVEN, but the Dean Koontz I've grown to admire is back with his latest thriller, BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON.You can read any of the other "reviews" here for a plot synopsis, but I'd like to instead commend the book on several notes: he has finally gotten rid of a canine sidekick, which is a nice temporary reprieve. Secondly, the action is fast-paced and he doesn't go on ad nauseum with rambling details as he has been prone to do. I also like the "vague" ending, which leads one to believe that there could be a sequel somewhere along the line, or so I hope. I do see similarities to the movie UNBREAKABLE, where normal people become superheroes of sorts, and Shep's character is somewhat cliche (and gets on the nerves from time to time with his repetitions), but these are easily forgiveable. Let us remember that Koontz has taken a fascinating idea, that of nanotechnology (doing a better job of it than M. Crichton did in his latest, PREY), and also infuses that human emotion, the draw of thriller, an element of psychology, and good ol' fun. I haven't enjoyed a Koontz book this much since FALSE MEMORY. The key to his writing is taking characters we can relate to and putting them in scenarios that are reasonable, but mind-bending at the same time. At no point does he "talk down to the reader," and, what's more, explains things very well, not leaving questions hanging like the aforementioned works at the top of this critique have (at least in my case). Kudos to a job well done, Dean, and I can't wait to read what you come up with next! Don't make me wait too long, or I may have to call up Jilly to ask her what she sees in the future.
Rating: - BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON - Dean Koontz is back in form
As a long time reader of Dean Koontz books, I have been somewhat disappointed with his most recent novels. Although by most standards they are very readable, they lack much of what has made Dean Koontz a solid best-selling author for so many years - strong characters, tight storytelling. I found the author's recent books to be overly descriptive and somewhat flowery (sorry, but it's hard to describe the exact nature of the problem - also note, I still read them all!).
I am very pleased then to say that his most recent novel, By The Light of the Moon is not only his best in recent years but may be his best since Dark Rivers of the Heart.
The characters - Dylan, Shepherd and Jilly - are brought together after they have been injected with nanobots, microscopic biological machines, which bring about unique changes in our characters. Dylan is able to identify events already happened or yet to come in the residue left by a person's touch on various objects. Jilly develops precognition. Shep, Dylan's autistic brother, develops the most exciting ability. He can "fold" from "here" to "there". He seems to be able to grasp the edge of reality where he is and fold it out of the way while folding into another location. While this "folding" can be accomplished in either space or time, the ability to "fold" into other dimensions is hinted at, creating exciting possibilities for these characters in the future. The author describes this process so eloquently that it reminds one of Stephen King and Peter Straub's young Jack Sawyer "Flipping" into the Territories in The Talisman and Dark House.
The author follows these character's actions with little interruption by the band of black Suburbans following them (full of thug golfers (you'll see!)). This is somewhat unusual for Dean Koontz who usually keeps the tension up by moving frequently from one cast of characters to another. Not so in this book. It works very well, however. The action is fast paced and "can't put it down" exciting.
Some might be disappointed by the ending which sets us up for additional stories, but I loved these characters so much that I can't wait for more.
Dean Koontz has with this novel created a new band of superheroes, but done so in a way that we care greatly about them and look forward to getting together with them in the (hopefully, near) future.
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