Stephen King/Dean Koontz

[John]

Dean Koontz Phantoms was a great read. I think it is almost time to read it again.

[Deresh]

I have read many books from both these authors and rate both of them highly. However I think books like IT and the Shawshank Redemption place SK ahead of DK.

[Carl]

Dragons tears and Watchers for Koontz

[Ezra]

Quit reading King after Tommyknockers except for one or two oddballs through the years but prior to that was my favorite. Dean Koontz is absolutely one of my very favorite authors and I loved , and the most. I just read my first Odd Thomas novel. It reminds me what a wonderful job Koontz does creating characters.

[Jeffery]

Koontz—Odd Thomas, the first book is the best though I enjoy the entire series.

I honestly haven't finished any of King's work. I always quit half-way. His world is just too ... icky ... for me, I guess. There isn't a whole lot of faith in mankind or hope for redemption in King's work. And Koontz is all about redemption.

I actually wrote a blog post about the differences between these two authors a while back. If you are interested, you can check it out here: http://blog.jefferymoulton.com/out-fr...

[Aundria]

I'm sorry, but when I see Dean Koontz compared to Stephen King, and vice versa, it makes my blood boil. True Koontz fans know right away how VERY different these two authors actually are. They may share a genre, but they never share the same storytelling angle. To me, you might as well ask what my favorite Dean Koontz novel is, compared to Danielle Steel's. Ugh... Anyway, I have yet to read a Dean Koontz novel I didn't like. Whereas, there are only a few by King that I do....those are Duma Key, From a Buick 8, Cell, Under the Dome, 'Salem's Lot, Lisey's Story, and classics....The Shining and Firestarter. Yep, that's about it. For Dean Koontz, it's easier to say which didn't thrill me. Older novels, like Blaze, show the potential, yet he just wasn't quite there yet. I LOVE Christopher Snow, Odd Thomas.... What the Night Knows, love it. 77 Shadow Street...didn't put it down and was done in ten hours. I love Breathless, Sole Survivor, The Bad Place, From the Corner of His Eye, Door to December and well...nearly all of them! He's awesome.

[Aundria]

Barbara wrote: "Don't read King. Koontz on the other hand is my favorite author. The Watchers was the first book I read by Koontz. I was hooked. Loved the way he usually works animals, kids and others together..."


I absolutely LOVE the way Dean puts animals right into his story plots. So many stories would not have been as wonderful if it weren't for those well-written canines!! Particulary, intelligent retriever breeds :)

[Aundria]

Robert wrote: "I have only read three of Koontz'a books .. what make him better then King is the face his books end well. No matter how much i like a King novel the ending is always lame."

Yeah....especially true in the four hours I wasted reading King's "The Long Walk," I think it was called. Can't find it now...but ughhh....the ending made me want to PUKE! lol

[Aundria]

Kirby wrote: "Nadja wrote: "I much prefer reading Dean Koontz...Stephen King books are too long and drawn out...love the movies made from his books though!"

I think the same thing about a lot of king's stuff......"


Yeah, Cell made my short list of King novels I enjoyed.

[Wendy]

Foul97 wrote: "Koontz The Bad Place"

I enjoyed reading the book as well

[Sally]

Joel R wrote
Koontz is a better writer.
King is a better story teller.
They both are great.

I completely agree.
My favorite Dean Koontz by far is Oddkins
But too many Stephen King books to name. All the Dark Tower books are good, and the way everything ties together is magical. I just love finding clues and Easter eggs in one book that reference back to another. I guess the one I've read the most is Eyes of the Dragon

[Alan]

Watchers was the first book i read by koontz and i was rivited, but for me Lightning is my favourite. I've just finished 11/22/63 and this replaces IT as my favourite King Novel.

[R.A.]

Michael wrote: "I agree with so many that chose The Stand. The scope of the book was breathtaking. For Koontz, the call is closer. Watchers, From the Corner of His Eye, Lightning, Odd Thomas. So many themes are re..."

Everyone HAS to read Life Expectancy. My favorite book of all time, and not just Koontz. It's not as scary as some-it's strength is its wonderful characters and of course suspense. It makes me laugh my head off.

[Dennis]

The Shining for King and Watchers and Intensity for Koontz

[William]

King-The Langoliers
Koontz-The Good Guy.

Both are inconsistent. King, Gerald's game. WTF? Koontz, Odd Thomas series. First book was great but after that it's a crap shoot. He either let's to much of his right wing god stuff in or writes another good one.

That being said both are great. King is more horror and Koontz is better with suspense.

[Raavyn]

My favorite King book to date, is Hearts in Atlantis.

My favorite Koontz book is actually the series, but it is Odd Thomas.

I know they both churn out the books and are some of the most well known writers, but I never did understand the big rivalry between fans.

They both have their strengths and weaknesses as writers and story tellers. They each have their own style and types of stories they create.

They are both very successful for the same reasons though. They both create good stories that are well written. I guess the sheer amount of work created also helps :-) I love them both for different reasons, but if I had to choose which one should keep writing and which one I would have to leave behind, I would definitely choose to read King over Koontz.

Especially lately (this is an old discussion) Koontz has been writing some really interesting stuff, very deep, and some what spiritual. King has been taking the darkness by the horns again.

[David]

I have read more Koontz than King myself; with that said though, I do find Koontz to have more depth in his writing. You can almost feel yourself with the characters by the way he transforms the words from the page to your mind. Where as King I find, is more fast paced with his writing by not bringing that depth. Both are brilliant in their own ways though. My two favourites from King are: 11/22/63 and The Shining. From Koontz I have three: From the Corner of His Eye, Watchers, and Odd Thomas.

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear)]

Koontz' best book is Dark Rivers of the Heart, because it is so scary what the government can do to you. But Lightning is another favorite of mine.
And for me, Carrie is still King's best book.

[Paul]

Favourite King - Dead Zone - story not that amazing but the story telling was so compelling I couldn't stop!
Favourite Koontz - Watchers - purely for the 'character' of Einstein the dog and his twisted opposite, the Enemy.