Helpful Score: 3
I have always been a fan of Koontz. I have read all of his books to date and look forward to every new one published. This one grabbed me from the start and I enjoyed the characters and the seemingly supernatural elements. There were some intensely creepy parts along the way, so I mostly enjoyed the experience. However, the surfing references were somewhat annoying to me, but a part of the characters, I suppose. But the explanations and the conclusion I found to be disappointing and over the top, so not believable. That is a letdown in the end.
I've been reading Koontz for years dating back to the 90s when I read a lot of his earlier novels like Watchers and Shadowfires. Although I usually enjoy his books, some of them for me were real misses like the dreadful The Taking and others. Thankfully, I thought Ashley Bell was a gripping page-turner that I would recommend.
It's the story of Bibi Blair who is diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and only has a year to live. But then she has an astonishing recovery and based on a divination by an enigmatic woman discovers that she escaped death so she can save a life...the titular Ashley Bell. But what is she supposed to save her from? And who is Ashley Bell? Then Bibi gets drawn into a fast-paced track to try to rescue Ashley from a Hitler-like cult leader.
This novel contains many of Koontz' themes from prior novels including good versus evil and the powers of the imagination. Bibi has learned a trick from her grandfather, a former marine, on how to forget bad experiences and part of her journey is trying to rediscover what she has forgotten. Events in her past become important to her future and to helping her in quest to find Ashley Bell.
As I've said, the action in this novel moves at a very fast pace, as Bibi tries to rescue Ashley Bell. Then about 3/4 into the book, there comes a twist that I wasn't expecting and the novel moves into a very unexpected direction. Another Koontz novel that I would recommend.
It's the story of Bibi Blair who is diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and only has a year to live. But then she has an astonishing recovery and based on a divination by an enigmatic woman discovers that she escaped death so she can save a life...the titular Ashley Bell. But what is she supposed to save her from? And who is Ashley Bell? Then Bibi gets drawn into a fast-paced track to try to rescue Ashley from a Hitler-like cult leader.
This novel contains many of Koontz' themes from prior novels including good versus evil and the powers of the imagination. Bibi has learned a trick from her grandfather, a former marine, on how to forget bad experiences and part of her journey is trying to rediscover what she has forgotten. Events in her past become important to her future and to helping her in quest to find Ashley Bell.
As I've said, the action in this novel moves at a very fast pace, as Bibi tries to rescue Ashley Bell. Then about 3/4 into the book, there comes a twist that I wasn't expecting and the novel moves into a very unexpected direction. Another Koontz novel that I would recommend.
This book has a odd twist in the middle and one at the end. I loved this book and as always could not put it down until I was done. If you love Dean Koontz books this is a must read. If you have never read one this is a great one to start with.
