Which might have been fine if I'd enjoyed the characters and/or the getting there, but all of the characters feel one-dimensional and based in stereotypes. it's obvious, isn't it? I didn't really feel like there was much mystery here, and the ending just seemed to peter out under its own predictability. Koontz takes us through several different perspectives and gradually (read: very slowly) uncovers the story about what is going on at Banodyne Labs. Watchers is about Travis (ex-soldier), Nora (damsel), Vince Nasco (hitman) and Einstein (the dog). And isn't it also very convenient that no one in this book has a job to go to because of inheritance, investments, or a mysterious caller who pays you to off people? Even the array of stereotypical characters here felt old-fashioned- ex soldier hero, abused beautiful damsel, cold-blooded psychopath, and a super precocious dog.Īdmittedly, these days you cannot possibly meet a beautiful damsel in a thriller without her being behind it all, but I'd rather that than this sheltered abused beautiful virgin who is oblivious to her beauty and quickly breaks through her abuse trauma to aid Travis. There are definitely aspects that feel dated (I got a bit of shock when I realized how long ago 1987 actually was!).
It could partly be that this particular book doesn't withstand the test of time. Watchers is my first read by Koontz so I have nothing to compare it to, but my first wander into his mind was disappointing. Even the array of stereotypical characters here felt old-fashioned- ex soldier hero, I know this is a classic for many readers but I expected more, honestly. I know this is a classic for many readers but I expected more, honestly. I read this as a buddy read with Delee, Stepheny, 2.0, Ed and Kelly. I wish he had ate perfect Nora and the guy and went on to make sciency babies with the dog, while they watched Mickey Mouse videos. Interupting mom's selfie taking to crawl on her shoulder wanting in the pic? Not really smart but you can't win them all. Because see how smart they are? (Blatant promotion of my own dogs coming here)įaking sleep when tries to be made to go outside and pee in the rain: Smart!īeing Spider-Dog to try and jump in mom's plate of food: Smart! (That's a whole nuther story on that one though.) But chihuahuas would have gotten this book an extra star from me. I have three and then I have the boy child's dog.
I do think Einstein should have been a chihuahua though.Ĭhihuahuas rock. The only ones I liked? The Outsider and the Dog, Einstein. For about five minutes, because once she meets the guy she is the most beautiful woman ever and everyone wants to bang her.Īll these characters are pretty annoying.
She has had really no contact with the outside world and is introverted as all get out. For ex-Delta force I really expected a whole lot more bad-ass than he was.Įnter in Nora, she has lived her whole sheltered life in her mean old aunt's shadow. He was sorta alright but not a character that would stick out in my head. The lab has 'sired' a super smart dog and that other thing. I wanted at least a pretense of explanation. There is a hit man who is offing the scientist so that might be why Koontz doesn't tell us. They never really tell how so don't be getting your sciency on for this one. You have this lab who had been creating super smart critters to fight. Now that I've put that image in your head, I'll ramble some about the book. They are wrong.ĭean Koontz can't even wash his panties in the same room with Stephen King. BUT some of my other buddy readers think differently. I don't think I've missed much after reading this one though. There is a hit man who is off I haven't read Dean Koontz in years. Dean Koontz can't even wash his panties in the same room with Stephen King.