Fear Nothing (Group Read - December 2012)

[Patrice]

Currently reading this and I find Chris Snow to be kindof mouthy/wordy. I'm only half way through but in the middle of a climatic scene, his thoughts are on to other things and it kinda loses the suspense for me. Even though this gets pretty annoying, I'm still enjoying this read so far.

[Johnny]

Rachel, the long descriptive passages indeed bore me now, like when he's trying to find his way through the rectory's attic. But I still like the book for its plot and ideas.

Here's my official review:

“Fear Nothing” is at the same time similar as and different to other Koontz novels. Opinions are varied, and people tend to either love or hate it completely.

When Chris Snow’s father comes to pass, Chris stumbles onto an elaborate scientific conspiracy too large to be tackled in a single book.

The book is the first of an as yet unfinished trilogy. Of course I didn’t know that when I first read it. As a self-contained story, it’s very open-ended but so are other Koontz books – think of “Mr Murder”, “Dark Rivers of the Heart” or “Sole Survivor”. Another very good example is “Twilight Eyes”, for other reasons as well.

The story is told from a first person perspective, a technique Koontz rarely used in his older work but one he has applied numerous times since the late nineties. It adds a degree of realism, true, but at the same time takes away some of the suspense. You know the main character will get through it all, otherwise how could he be telling the story (if you don’t take into account tales from the afterlife, that is, like Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones”, but there you already know the main character is dead from the start). First person perspective is very limiting as well, but this can also add to the mystery. You only know what goes on in the main character’s head. You only get to know his companions through conversations, and you learn almost nothing about the villains except through personal experience or second-hand stories from other characters.

“Fear Nothing” could be described as a completely redone version of “Midnight”, in a “Twilight Eyes” style. Koontz brings us a very complete world. Even though it’s a fictional town, Moonlight Bay comes over as a very real place with real inhabitants. It’s almost an alternate universe, for which Koontz can remake all the rules. He isn’t tied to the realism of one of L.A.’s suburbs, but neither does he fall in the trap of copying a “Twin Peaks” or even a “Castle Rock” type of environment.

I’m treading on spoiler soil now, so only read the next part if you finished the book: the most remarkable thing about “Fear Nothing” isn’t the fact that it’s the first book where Koontz breaks his old vow of never writing sequels, but that he links it to a novel he wrote ten years earlier! Near the end of the book, the science that went wrong in “Fear Nothing” (a popular Koontz theme) is said to be a continuation of another special project in which dogs were given higher intelligence. Yes, the Francis project from “Watchers” is mentioned by name, and frankly I have seen too little discussion about this.

“Fear Nothing” is an intriguing and very mysterious introductory chapter in which not all that much actually happens, and thus might be disappointing to some readers. Its sequel “Seize the Night” takes things a bit further but right now it’s still waiting for the conclusion of the trilogy if we want to be truly able to judge the value of this part of the story.

[Jen]

I finished this book on Christmas but wrote my comments in the wrong Fear Nothing thread by mistake. Oops!

I really enjoyed Fear Nothing...Great characters and a great story. Chris and Orson are a great team, and having Sasha and Bobby added in made it all the sweeter. I was a little disappointed that Sasha's potential secrets weren't explored, but I'm hoping this will be rectified in book 2. :) I also hope to learn more about Orson. I loved him!

[Danell]

This was my second time reading Fear Nothing and this book is good, just not great for me. Not sure what it is about the book. I loved Orson and Chris and all the characters, the plot was good, but like others found myself rushing through certain parts. I am looking forward to reading "Seize the Night". Maybe I will rethink my opinion on "Fear Nothing".

[Danell]

This was my second time reading Fear Nothing and this book is good, just not great for me. Not sure what it is about the book. I loved Orson and Chris and all the characters, the plot was good, but like others found myself rushing through certain parts. I am looking forward to reading "Seize the Night". Maybe I will rethink my opinion on "Fear Nothing".

[Diane Lynch]

Dean Koontz said in a FB video that he always had every intention of writing all 3 Chris Snow books one after the other. He has a partial third book written. He had a disagreement with people in his professional life so it got put on hold. Now all these years later he says he will get back to it. He never meant for so many years to go by.

[Karen B.]

Well he is worth waiting for. And I respect him as a writer who doesn't just write something to get it published and make money. I think the book has to come to him, it has to "feel" right. Maybe I am wrong. I am so anxious for the next book and actually disappointed if he only plans on one more. I had hoped Chris Snow would become like Odd

[Diane Lynch]

Karen B. wrote: "Well he is worth waiting for. And I respect him as a writer who doesn't just write something to get it published and make money. I think the book has to come to him, it has to "feel" right. Maybe I..."

I was hoping the same thing. A continuing series.

[Tricia]

I liked this book but this is not my favourite Dean Koontz series.

[Barbara]

Well I would be thrilled if he finished Christopher's story. Fingers crossed!!!

[Karen B.]

Barbara we'll cross them together.

[Barbara]

I'm with ya Karen!!

[Diane Lynch]

Mine are crossed too

[Barbara]

Diane we can all send Dean positive vibes to finish the story!!!

[Diane Lynch]

Barbara wrote: "Diane we can all send Dean positive vibes to finish the story!!! "

I'm in. Vibing away!

[Barbara]