Too many times I hear people complain that an author they are reading needs to stop doing the same thing again and again. Then, I will read reviews where someone tried something new, and too many people complain that they should stick with what they are good at.

I have only read one author so far where almost every story is not only similar, but the same basic storyline with different characters. All authors will have similarities between their books, otherwise we would have no way to choose a favorite author.

"Dragon Tears" is the best example I've found of how this can really work for the better. If you have ever read "Darkfall" and enjoyed some aspects but felt it could have been much better, this is a must. Two of the primary characters are very similar, and the antagonists also have similarities. However, everything I did not like in "Darkfall" is taken out, and the best aspects are made even better.

The part of "Dragon Tears" that stands out from most of the other Koontz novels I have read so far is that it has more too it than just a fun story, or interesting characters. It has a great way of making its statement, and showing how we have the wrong perspective so embedded in our minds.

The end of Koontz's novels (the earlier ones in particular) are ones that I often feel are a little too cheesy in how they try to be more pleasant. This one has a clever way of making us used to a cheesy perspective that takes a little bit of that away from the ending.

In my opinion, from what I've read, this is a much more well done book than the usual "fun read" that Koontz wrote earlier on.