Customer Reviews

Beastchild

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When this books was republished in 1992. Dean Koontz wrote an introduction as to what was happening in the world in 1969 when he was writing this story. Many of the fears and concerns he had about the world in general are similar to what some of the characters are feeling. This book is pure science fiction, but shows the action and suspense that Dean Koontz is famous for today. In the story, Earth has been overtaken by a race of aliens called the naoli, lizard-like creatures. Most humans have been killed in the war, but some are alive in hiding. The naoli believe that the humans must all be exterminated and any humans that are discovered are instantly killed. Hulaan is a naoli archeologist. While sifting through the catacombs of a Boston library, he is saved by a human boy. The boy Leo is wounded from a recent skirmish and unable to flee. Reluctantly, Hulaan leaves the boy alive. Soon another naoli discovers Hulaan's secret and labels him a traitor. Hulaan flees, taking the boy with him. As they run for their lives, they discover that the war was based on a terrible misunderstanding. Desparately, they try to inform others while they fight for their lives. Even if you are not a fan of science fiction, you will appreciate the writing style and the character development that Dean Koontz is known for.

In this early novel, Koontz describes a world which has been conquered by an alien race, the naoli. The differences between the two races erupted into war after they met in space and found they were unable to communicate effectively.

As the story begins, Hulann, a naoli, is digging through the ruins of an American city when he discovers a man child hiding in the basement of a building. The boy saves his life and Hulann tells him to run away and he won't turn him in. The boy won't go; he's been injured and can't go very far. A friendship develops, as surprising to both of them as it is dangerous.

Published in 1970, Koontz's future as a best selling author is foreshadowed. The premise is interesting and the story stirring. Fans of Koontz will enjoy this hard to find science fiction story.

Any Koontz reader should know: According to The Dean Koontz Companion it is one of the best of the author's straight science fiction novels - written when he was 23&24. It is set after an alien invasion that wiped out all but a handful of human beings. Was re-issued in 1992 by Charnel House. The author will heavily revise the novel changing ...... and hopes to re-issue in paperback approx 1996/97.