Customer Reviews

The Eyes of Darkness

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Dean Koontz is an author of recurring themes: in most of his books, children play a prominent role. The love of a parent for a child is part of this, and The Eyes of Darkness, while flawed, aptly depicts the length a mother will go to find a child. Tina Evans, former Vegas showgirl and now a theatrical producer, lost her son Danny in a auto wreck in the mountains. Although she has put her life back together professionally, she hasn't begun the process of letting go personally - in fact, Danny's room is still as he left it. Tina's decision to rectify that is interrupted by strange phenomena: a chill in the air, messages written on his chalkboard (`NOT DEAD'), and objects moved in his room lead her to investigate exactly what happened during the fateful camping trip that ended in tragedy. However, by reopening old wounds, she also attracts the notice of a secretive government agency (is there any other kind in these stories?) who is determined to hide the truth. There's also a little romance for Tina in the person of Elliot Stryker (what a perfect name for a book like this!), a lawyer who is, of course, well trained in self-defense. One of the nice touches is Tina's former husband, a real jerk who is shallow and self-centered, and, you could argue, gets exactly what's coming to him. The ending is a bit abrupt, and in the Afterward, Koontz relates that this is an early novel, which answers a lot of questions - this story doesn't have the depth of his later work. Still, it is a good summer read, and does hold your interest.

This is the Koontz I love--this is the Koontz that wrote Intensity, not Fear Nothing. Why can't he always right this well? The premise is a staple to Koontz--a government science lab and the results of their expierements. The result is a strong novel of suspense and horror set in vegas and packed with emotion. This is the first "adult horror" novel I ever read and I still think it is a particularly good one. It is the book that helped me bridge the gap between Young Adult and Adult years ago (no, not R.L. Stine... I started reading the better end of YA Fiction early on.) The story opens with a mother still grieving the loss of her son a year ago in a scouting accident; after thinking she sees him in a car, strange things start to happen which point to the possibility that he's still alive.

A good read.

I love a good bone chiller but this certainly was not it. This reminded me of a summer read a young teen would enjoy. The book was actually too easy to read. I guess I like a little bit more of a challenging book that keeps you guessing and makes you think. It starts off as a story of a mother's hope of the possibility of her son being alive then explodes into this action adventure and then science fiction. A lot of it was plain out ridiculous. Especially, when the son is sending his mother messages telepathically.
The end of the book was a simple ending compared to all the action going on. It was almost like the author couldn't make up his mind how he wanted to write his book. The book was a quick read that's what I did like about it but kept hoping it was going to get better. Of course, my favorite read is "Lovely Bones", and so reading this afterwards may have spoiled it for me. This book was not a well written book. I was very disappointed

what a wonderful read.i recommend it to anyone.i could see this as a top box office film. you really like tina evans and feel for her. read it and think is her son really dead

"The Eyes of Darkness", originally written under Koontz' pen name of Leigh Nichols, has been updated and tweaked somewhat to fit a 90's audience. The story remains the same and the plot ("Mother searches relentlessly for son she believes is still alive") is easy to follow. As with most Koontz books, there is the right amount of suspense, romance and humor. He really IS a wonderful storyteller who is adept at creating believeable and likeable characters.

My only criticism is with the plot's dependancy on the paranormal to keep it going. Telekinesis, hypnotism, and permonitions all play major roles in this novel. I guess I would rather have seen a more "reality-based" plot. I think the same story could have basically been told, but in a more believable manner. On the other hand, if you're a true believer in the world of the paranormal, you'll absolutely love "The Eyes of Darkness".

For those of you who are Koontz fans you'll no doubt find this another typical terrific "read". (If nothing else, it's an extremely quick read!) For those of you trying Koontz for the first time, I would recommend some of his later, more polished works. ("Strangers", "Watchers", "Mr. Murder", and "Shattered" are just a few of his absolute best, in my humble opinion!)

Koontz remains one of the most reliable and prolific authors in our country today. You know when you pick up one of his books it will be well-written with great characteriztion and a terrific story. "The Eyes of Darkness" is no exception!

The Eyes of Darkness is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It has something for everyone, including horror, mystery, and romance.

This book keeps you in suspense throughout the entire book. One part of the book has Tina and Elliot (...)

The mystery is all about the government. Does the government really hide things, or is it just in the people's minds. This book was great if you want to read about the government interfering with people's lives.

I wish that everyone would read this book, but if you have young children, I recomend that they don't read this book because of some content.

I have always wanted to read a novel that had it "all". One that is fast passed and exciting, with a hint of romance and mystery. I finally got my wish when I found this book. Koontz did a great job of relaying a very complicated plot. A young boy, Danny, dies in a terrible bus crash. Well, at least that is what everyone thought. A year later, he comes back and tries to let his mom know what she had suspected all along, he wasn't really dead. Using the themes of hope and heart over mind, Knootz instantly makes his readers empathize with the characters. I found myself unable to put the book down because I cared so much about what was going to happen to and with the characters. I definitely urge anyone who can read to do so with this book. It is a must for everyone.

This is one of the author's earlier works, which was originally released under the pen name of Leigh Nichols. I confess that I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller with paranormal overtones. It is definitely a guilty pleasure, and I read it in one sitting. It is a book that definitely keeps the reader turning the pages.

Tina Evans is a former Vegas showgirl, who is now producing extravaganzas for Vegas Hotels. Divorced from her husband, a Vegas casino card dealer, she is still mourning the death of Danny, her twelve year old son who died in a terrible accident while out on a Boy Scout trip in the Sierra Mountains. Apparently, the bus that was transporting the scouts drove off the mountain side. So horrific were Danny's injuries, that she never saw his remains.

Suddenly, just as she thinks that she may be starting to heal from her grief, the wounds are opened again, when she begins to get messages that are appearing seemingly of their own volition, advising that someone is not dead yet and is pleading for help. She eventually comes to believe that it is her son Danny.

When she meets a good looking lawyer by the name of Eric Stryker, she asks him to assist her in getting an exhumation order, as she feels that perhaps if she sees Danny's remains, she may get over the feeling that she has that Danny is alive. Eric agrees, but no sooner does he apply to a judge for such an order, that all hell breaks loose. Suddenly, people are out to kill both Eric and Tina.

Tina is now convinced that Danny is alive and that he is trying to let her know and lead her to him. Despite the odds, Tina and Eric make their way through the High Sierra Mountains to do just that, guided only by a mother's belief that her son is alive.

One gets the feeling the author was rushed, because this tale is awkward and the characters poorly developed. I realize that Mr. Koontz has reworked an earlier book but there are unrealistic turns of events as well as superficial descriptions. At one point, Elliot says to Tina "that's not the Tina I know". Considering that he has only known her for about 24 hours when he makes this statement, it is a ridiculous thing to say. At any rate, if you are looking for a quick and easy read, this book will do the trick.

A grieving Vegas mother Tina Evans, is just starting to come to terms with her young son Danny's death. Someone starts leaving her messages in her son's room and at work saying stuff like Not Dead! She decides to exhume the body of her son which she was too distraught to see before he was buried to put her mind a rest. Elliot her friend and lawyer is visited by two men who want to know why she is doing this and what she knows about their secret organisation. She is also simultaneously visited by a friendly gasman and that is when the fun begins for them both.

This is a pretty good book and I don't want to give anything away by being clearer with my next comment but I do wonder why the writer of the messages to Tina could not be clearer rather than just writing Not Dead and other simple messages when they have such exceptional communication abilities. That is my only question with what is a sensational novel that you will not be able to put down until the final page. This is not a masterpiece like Night Chills, Watchers and Intensity but it is still definitely five stars in literature quality. I highly recommend The Eyes of Darkness to anyone after a good read.