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Alejandro's Reviews > Phantoms
Phantoms
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by
Alejandro's review
bookshelves: horror, paranormal, favorites, novel
Dec 06, 2007
bookshelves: horror, paranormal, favorites, novel
Read 2 times. Last read February 20, 1992 to March 29, 1992.
It's amusing how I ended reading this novel. And maybe this will be the most humorous review of a truly scary horror novel. If you read it, you'll understant what I mean.
First, I didn't know that it was a novel, a long horror story book, when I bought it. Honestly!
Back then (1992), I was in a local bookstore. I read the title "Phantoms" (well in reality it was "Fantasmas" since I bought in Spanish first the book) and I thought that it was an anthology of ghost stories and that Dean Koontz (I didn't know the author at that moment) was the editor or something of the book.
I started to read the book and honestly I didn't realized that it was a novel until I got to the third chapter! :P In my defense (hehe) each chapter has titles, so I still was thinking that they were horror short stories, but quite odd since they didn't have some climax or good ending (hahaha!) when I started to read the third chapter and I met again the same characters of the first "short story" (hahaha) it was when I realize...
Oh!!! This is a horror novel!!! Hahaha, honestly, this is a true story. I hadn't read any horror novel until that moment. I had read a lot of anthologies of horror short stories with several specific topics and it was like my current reading type of books at that moment. However, I supposed that this book wanted me, and I took the call.
The humorous stops right here... bring on the terror!!!
It was the start of a great reading story of me with Dean Koontz's novels. I love his style of making books, those cool details that they repeat on each book in some way or other.
And maybe because it was the first that I read, but this novel keeps to be my favorite book of Koontz and my favorite horror novel. If you ever had the bad experience of watching the dreadful film based on this book, please, don't let that that keep you away from the wonderful experience of reading this masterpiece of literature on the horror genre.
Snowfield, a typical American town where in one night, everybody just dissapeared, every single person and animal are nowhere to be found, a real "ghost" town that was full of life just one day before. The young Dr. Jenny Paige along with her younger sister, Lisa, will have to explore this deserted town and try to find a clue of what happened.
Welcome to Snowfield. You wouldn't be able to leave!
First, I didn't know that it was a novel, a long horror story book, when I bought it. Honestly!
Back then (1992), I was in a local bookstore. I read the title "Phantoms" (well in reality it was "Fantasmas" since I bought in Spanish first the book) and I thought that it was an anthology of ghost stories and that Dean Koontz (I didn't know the author at that moment) was the editor or something of the book.
I started to read the book and honestly I didn't realized that it was a novel until I got to the third chapter! :P In my defense (hehe) each chapter has titles, so I still was thinking that they were horror short stories, but quite odd since they didn't have some climax or good ending (hahaha!) when I started to read the third chapter and I met again the same characters of the first "short story" (hahaha) it was when I realize...
Oh!!! This is a horror novel!!! Hahaha, honestly, this is a true story. I hadn't read any horror novel until that moment. I had read a lot of anthologies of horror short stories with several specific topics and it was like my current reading type of books at that moment. However, I supposed that this book wanted me, and I took the call.
The humorous stops right here... bring on the terror!!!
It was the start of a great reading story of me with Dean Koontz's novels. I love his style of making books, those cool details that they repeat on each book in some way or other.
And maybe because it was the first that I read, but this novel keeps to be my favorite book of Koontz and my favorite horror novel. If you ever had the bad experience of watching the dreadful film based on this book, please, don't let that that keep you away from the wonderful experience of reading this masterpiece of literature on the horror genre.
Snowfield, a typical American town where in one night, everybody just dissapeared, every single person and animal are nowhere to be found, a real "ghost" town that was full of life just one day before. The young Dr. Jenny Paige along with her younger sister, Lisa, will have to explore this deserted town and try to find a clue of what happened.
Welcome to Snowfield. You wouldn't be able to leave!
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Phantoms.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
February 20, 1992
–
Started Reading
March 29, 1992
–
Finished Reading
December 6, 2007
– Shelved
June 30, 2013
– Shelved as:
horror
July 11, 2013
– Shelved as:
paranormal
July 12, 2013
– Shelved as:
favorites
August 5, 2013
– Shelved as:
novel
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Katy
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Aug 01, 2013 05:13PM
Some of Dean Koontz's books are really good, some not. I've enjoyed most of the ones I've read, though.
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Katy wrote: "Some of Dean Koontz's books are really good, some not. I've enjoyed most of the ones I've read, though."Yes, I was checking some weeks ago about the best books of Koontz and it seems that I've been having good eye since the books that I've read were between the best ones by opinion of several fans :D
I think Koontz's best works were written in the 80s, Phantoms is one of them. Great review!
Apatt wrote: "I think Koontz's best works were written in the 80s, Phantoms is one of them. Great review!"Hi, Apatt. Yes, I think so too ;) And certainly "Phantoms" will be always a special book to me.
It's fun to see a personal story of how someone got hooked on one of his favorite authors!
Jan wrote: "It's fun to see a personal story of how someone got hooked on one of his favorite authors!"Thanks Jan ;) Yes, I thought that more than commenting about the book itself, it was even more amusing how I get the book ;)
I loved your story about how the book wanted you and you took the call! I have never read this particular Koontz story, because I do not appreciate or read horror. However, I have read many, many of his books that may be considered within the same genre, but were not so "horrific", just mysteries. An example is the Odd Thomas books. I have his book The Face: A Novel on my shelf at home because I told someone that I liked Koontz and they gave it to me. I have never been able to bring myself to read it. Maybe I should wrap it up and send it to you. :)
Cherie wrote: "I loved your story about how the book wanted you and you took the call! I have never read this particular Koontz story, because I do not appreciate or read horror. However, I have read many, many..."Yes, sometimes the books look for the reader. ;) Good thing that not all novels by Koontz are horror and in that way he can reach a wider range of readers.
Well, I haven't read that "The Face" book :P So, if you think that you'll never going to read it, I can give it a home in my library hehehe :P
I think your review was looking for me. I've been wanting to read something Koontz-esque lately, and you make this sound so good I may just have to pick it up next time I go to the library if it's available.
Shaun wrote: "I think your review was looking for me. I've been wanting to read something Koontz-esque lately, and you make this sound so good I may just have to pick it up next time I go to the library if it's ..."Excellent news Shaun! :) "Phantoms" is always my first choice to recommend to anyone who wants to read something from Koontz. I hope you'd find it and enjoy it as much as I did :)
My sister-in-law and husband love Dean Koontz, she more than he. My husband talks about "good Dean Koontz" and "bad Dean Koontz," meaning the good novels and the not-so-good novels.My husband loved the first few Odd Thomas novels, but then he thought they kind of got stale.
I've only read one Dean Koontz book, Strange Highways. The next book of his I read (I can't remember the name) was so scary that I only got to page 3 before I was done with it. I've never read another Dean Koontz book. I'm a pretty big chicken!
Hahaha, so that book must be one of the "good Dean Koontz" since with just 3 pages it scared you ;)Oh, yes, like any prolific writer, he can't success in each book, or at least to please to all fans, all the time. Actually, my last two books that I read by him weren't as good as I would expect.
The good thing is that still there are too many books by him that I haven't read yet ;)
I'm not really familiar with this genre Alejandro and I see you really like it, but your reviews make me want to read a book by this author that has long been in my bookcase titled "Odd interlude", have you read it? Maybe will do soon. I enjoy your reviews. :)
Maria wrote: "I'm not really familiar with this genre Alejandro and I see you really like it, but your reviews make me want to read a book by this author that has long been in my bookcase titled "Odd interlude",..."Hi, Maria. Thanks a lot for your kind comments, and quite glad to hear that while horror isn't a genre in your repertoire, my reviews have been of help to make you to consider to try the genre ;)
I haven't read yet any book of the "Odd Thomas" book series by Dean Koontz ( I have read a manga graphic novel but it's very likely that I will have to read it again whenever I'd be able to engage into this book series) but I am aware of it and I can tell you that if "Off Interlude" is the only one that you have, I don't advise you to start to read with that one since it's an "in-between" story after the book 4 and before book 5 in that particular series. It's a series that you should begin with book 1.
If it's the only book by Koontz that you have in your bookcase by now, definitely it's better to choose another novel.
I understand that horror isn't your thing (yet, hehe) but if you tell me other horror novels that you may have in some recondite place of your bookcase, gladly I can tell you which one could be a good option to try the genre.
A very funny anecdote about a book I don't think I'll ever have the courage to read! Great review, Alejandro.
Florencia wrote: "A very funny anecdote about a book I don't think I'll ever have the courage to read! Great review, Alejandro."Thanks so much, Florencia!
Don't worry about not engaging into horror genre. Not all readers read all genres.
I appreciate your comments! :)
Bring on the terror and keep bringing on these great reviews, Alejandro.
sckenda wrote: "Bring on the terror and keep bringing on these great reviews, Alejandro."Hehe! ;) Thank you so much, Sckenda! :D
What a great story Alejandro. Great when reviews reads like we're just having a conversation.
Florence (Lefty) wrote: "What a great story Alejandro. Great when reviews reads like we're just having a conversation."Hi, Florence! I also think that whenever possible, it's always good to find a personal touch on a review to expand the experience about the novel beyond of the reading of it :)
Thanks a lot for your kind comments! :D
I have so much respect for the fact that you read and review in your second language. I'm a native English speaker and have read a handful of novels in Spanish and they took me forever to finish. And I still reviewed them in English. :) It takes a lot of time and talent and you're doing a great job!
Denise wrote: "I have so much respect for the fact that you read and review in your second language. I'm a native English speaker and have read a handful of novels in Spanish and they took me forever to finish. ..."Hi, Denise! It wasn't an easy task nor quick either. I still remember reading my first novel in English from the book series of "Robotech" and I was taking more time on the dictionary than the actual novel, and completing a page was a titanic feat.
I'm happy that I keep on it, since it opened me an unlimited universe of books. Nowadays there are more translated novels in Spanish than when I started to read in a serious way but still there are a lot of novels and series that if I wouldn't learn English, I wouldn't be able to know those wonderful stories.
Truly glad to know that you're native English speaker and even then you read some novels in Spanish. Don't diminish that since it's something remarkable and deserving of respect.
And thanks a lot for your kind words! I appreciate them so much!
It was my first Koontz book and the reason I am an avid reader today.
Brian wrote: "It was my first Koontz book and the reason I am an avid reader today."Awesome, Brian! As you could see in my review, it was my first Koontz book and while I was already an avid reader, I think that it was the reason to expand into long novels :)
Some of knootz books are kindda boring.. but this one is not one of them.. **Recommended for horror funs.**
This is one of my all time favorite books written by Koontz. I highly recommend it. It is one that literally took me back to that feeling of being a scared child. Where you want to hide under your covers. Definitely a page turner.
Damn straight about the shit film. This book is amazing and I'm glad to hear someone else else found Koontz's books with it just like I did!
