This is the first book I decided to review for my blog. I figured since it was published in 1976 it was a good place to start. I'm sure Mr. Koontz has already received all the reviews he could want for this book and for me, well, for me this is good practice. I've don't mostly movie reviews in my career, for websites and print publications (the print ones have mostly been for newsletters at places I worked).
Generally I enjoy the works of Dean Koontz. A lot of his books tend to be more in the vein of science fiction with some horror elements added, and NIGHT CHILLS seemed to follow that pattern. The story is about mind control and how subliminal messages could be used to control people.
Paul Annendale is a father taking his two kids, Rya and Mark, on a nice little vacation. When they arrive in Black River they learn that almost everyone has been ill with a weird flu. The flu only appears at night and and the infected only seem to suffer from nightmares and the chills. Salsbury is a man with a plan and a dream, he wants to rule the world, literally. With the help of a military man and a rich man he sees that his dreams might be fulfilled. In NIGHT CHILLS there is something in the water, and after one drink no one will ever be the same.
I enjoy a good book about mind control and the use of subliminal messages, however after a point I didn't think there was much to the plot. What started out as an interesting class on power and the need for humans to be in control ended up being a book about rape, murder and torture. I honestly don't mind rape, murder and torture, but there was so much that didn't seem to have a point or add to the story. The plot gets watered down by the violence and I lose interest in the characters, especially after the strong women become weak and whiny. I'd like a book where a woman isn't destroyed by rape or a beating and who can continue to take care of herself (without the help of a man) after the bad things have happened.
Generally I enjoy the works of Dean Koontz. A lot of his books tend to be more in the vein of science fiction with some horror elements added, and NIGHT CHILLS seemed to follow that pattern. The story is about mind control and how subliminal messages could be used to control people.
Paul Annendale is a father taking his two kids, Rya and Mark, on a nice little vacation. When they arrive in Black River they learn that almost everyone has been ill with a weird flu. The flu only appears at night and and the infected only seem to suffer from nightmares and the chills. Salsbury is a man with a plan and a dream, he wants to rule the world, literally. With the help of a military man and a rich man he sees that his dreams might be fulfilled. In NIGHT CHILLS there is something in the water, and after one drink no one will ever be the same.
I enjoy a good book about mind control and the use of subliminal messages, however after a point I didn't think there was much to the plot. What started out as an interesting class on power and the need for humans to be in control ended up being a book about rape, murder and torture. I honestly don't mind rape, murder and torture, but there was so much that didn't seem to have a point or add to the story. The plot gets watered down by the violence and I lose interest in the characters, especially after the strong women become weak and whiny. I'd like a book where a woman isn't destroyed by rape or a beating and who can continue to take care of herself (without the help of a man) after the bad things have happened.
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