Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Koo
Collection
Publication
Putnam Adult (1988)
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz�??s brilliantly thrilling novel of suspense. In the midst of a raging blizzard, lightning struck on the night Laura Shane was born. And a mysterious blond-haired stranger showed up just in time to save her from dying. Years later, in the wake of another storm, Laura will be saved again. For someone is watching over her. Is he the guardian angel he seems? The devil in disguise? Or the master of a haunting destiny beyond all time and space? �??A gripping novel�?�fast-paced and satisfying.�?��??
Original publication date
1988-05
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User reviews
LibraryThing member marcelrochester
Time Traveler’s Wife-esque plot. This was one of those Koontz books in which it would have been better if he didn’t give balanced points of view; I don’t think any of the scenes from the villain’s POV were necessary. Some of Stefan’s were unneeded. Second half is a pretty standard chase
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thriller, with some boring paradox talk, meta self-indulgence and stock characters. Second quarter has a bit of a dip into that territory, but is relatively readable and there isn’t a forced rushed pace. First quarter is the most real and interesting, with character development and genuinely felt emotion. Laura’s also the most likable and relatable in the first quarter. Show Less
LibraryThing member harpua
It's been awhile since I've read a Koontz book even though I have quite a few on the shelf. This was a pleasant read. I wouldn't really consider this in the horror genre as he's typically grouped, but more of a suspense novel with a touch of sci-fi thrown in for good measure.
Without giving too
I did enjoy this and this just affirms why I enjoy Koontz so much.
Without giving too
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much away, it's basically a time-travel story with good character development. I really felt for the characters and was intrigued how things turned out for them. There was a twist about 2/3 in that I didn't expect though looking back, may have been hinted at and I was just not paying enough attention. This is also not a typical sci-fi time travel novel in that time travel is purely a plot element to move the story forward. So for you hard-core sci-fi readers, nothing new here and in fact there are some inconsistencies in the time-travel that you may pick up on if you pay attention.I did enjoy this and this just affirms why I enjoy Koontz so much.
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LibraryThing member Blazingice0608
A fantastic novel, my first Koontz book and one of my favorates. The last third of the book wasnt quite as good as the rest, got a little too action/shoot em up for me, kind of brought the book down. But overall, a fast paced suspense novel that is impossible to put down.
LibraryThing member thairishgrl
I absolutely loved this book. I also read it when I was 15. I'd be curious to read it again to see if it has the same impact.
LibraryThing member starkravingmad
Interesting thriller about time travel. First half of book was a bit tedious, long in set-up. Second half quickened the pace.
LibraryThing member clark.hallman
Lightning by Dean Koontz is the first Dean Koontz book I have read. I had intended to read one of his books for quite some time and just hadn’t gotten around to it. However, on April 10, 2011 I just happened to see a story about Koontz on CBS Sunday Morning. I already knew he was a very
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successful author, but they reported that he had written more than 100 books, including 13 best sellers. They also advised that he ranks number 6 among the World’s best paid writers. As I watched the story, I realized that I liked the guy. Of course a TV news story on him is not necessarily an accurate depiction of who he really is. However, he seemed to be a likable, reasonable, and normal guy who just happened have a talent for writing that made him extremely successful. Therefore, decided I really did want to read a Dean Koontz book. My wife happened to see a list of time-travel books that are available as eBooks on the Kindle Reader blog. She gave me the list, which contained Lightning by Dean Koontz. I have liked to read time-travel books for many years so I decided to read Lightning. Oh my, I really liked this book! It’s a time-travel book, but it’s also a book about the first thirty years of Laura’s life, which are filled with the sorrow of losing loved ones and many difficult times living in orphanages and foster homes. It’s about Stefan, her mysterious “guardian”, who rescues her when her life is in danger several times during those thirty years. It is about her strong and enduring friendships, and her love for others. It’s about Laura growing into a very strong woman who takes control of her life. It’s also about Stefan’s love for Laura. Yes, Stefan is a time traveler who is in love with Laura and comes to her when she needs his help. That may not be an original idea. However, Koontz’s time traveler comes from a time and place you would never guess, and his agenda involves more than just saving her life. This book is an excellent read with lots of action, suspense, and engaging characters. I believe it is one of the best time-travel books I have read, and I recommend it strongly. Show Less
LibraryThing member busyreadin
This was a reread of one of my favorite Koontz books. It is the story of Laura Shane and the "guardian" that appears out of the blue when she most needs him.
LibraryThing member Tweellow
Laura has a guardian angel who throughout her life helps her through trials & saves her from disaster. Turns out her "angel" is actually a time traveler from 1944 Berlin, Germany. She is an author & writes several books. Her "angel" falls in love with her & tries to save her & her son, Chris, from
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SS/KGB agents trying to kill them. Show Less
LibraryThing member Spiceca
This was a great read. My one beef is the ever tidy ending it had. Things just worked out a little too well. Other than that- I was completely enthralled in the storyline and it kept me up reading a few times because I didn't want to put it down. It is one of Koontz better reads.
LibraryThing member marcejewels
Suspense, Action/Adventure, A must read is what this is. I enjoyed all the characters in this book, they were real, interesting, I wanted to know what was next for them. This is an action packed story of Destiny. A quote from the book ‘Destiny struggles to reassert the pattern that was meant to
Would you like to have a guardian angel watching over you, protecting you, choosing your destiny? This book was jammed packed with greatness, I could easily see this as a series but Dean Koontz gave it all at once.
I liked the fact that we follow Laura’s life from birth onwards. Her life journey seems like she doesn’t get any breaks but she begins to realize 3 things that are consistent, the trouble that follows her, lightning and her guardian angel. All the different emotions she goes through trying to figure out if she really has a guardian angel or has she imagined this savior during her times of being frightened, angry, shocked, confused and dealing with grief. Laura deals with so much in her story but I don’t want to spoil it for you, go out and buy this one if you have never tried a Dean Koontz book. It makes you think why do bad things happen to good people? And you understand how and why her savior loves and wants to protect her.
The only part I didn't enjoy that much was the detail into the guardian angels world, a bit to much history for my liking.
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be.’Would you like to have a guardian angel watching over you, protecting you, choosing your destiny? This book was jammed packed with greatness, I could easily see this as a series but Dean Koontz gave it all at once.
I liked the fact that we follow Laura’s life from birth onwards. Her life journey seems like she doesn’t get any breaks but she begins to realize 3 things that are consistent, the trouble that follows her, lightning and her guardian angel. All the different emotions she goes through trying to figure out if she really has a guardian angel or has she imagined this savior during her times of being frightened, angry, shocked, confused and dealing with grief. Laura deals with so much in her story but I don’t want to spoil it for you, go out and buy this one if you have never tried a Dean Koontz book. It makes you think why do bad things happen to good people? And you understand how and why her savior loves and wants to protect her.
The only part I didn't enjoy that much was the detail into the guardian angels world, a bit to much history for my liking.
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LibraryThing member slarsoncollins
I read this one a while ago. I don't remember much about the plot line, just that I enjoyed the read.
LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
I read Lightning, one of Mr. Koontz's earlier works, as part of a group read, the March 2010 selection. It is hard to say much about the plot without giving away too much. Laura, throughout her life, seems to have a guardian angel, someone who pops up when she is in serious trouble and saves her.
My reviews of Koontz's novels are as formulaic as some of his writing, and this one is not going to be an exception. I enjoyed reading the book and especially enjoyed the Ruth and Thelma characters. This one had the usual good vs. evil but no mind-altering dog encounters. There were animals in the story but we didn't get to know them, probably for the best. For my taste, the book was a little too long for the story it was telling, too many encounters that were too similar and I sometimes felt like I was being bludgeoned with the whole good v evil thing. Despite some shortcomings, it is an entertaining read.
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But bad things still happen to her – is he just a second-rate angel or what?My reviews of Koontz's novels are as formulaic as some of his writing, and this one is not going to be an exception. I enjoyed reading the book and especially enjoyed the Ruth and Thelma characters. This one had the usual good vs. evil but no mind-altering dog encounters. There were animals in the story but we didn't get to know them, probably for the best. For my taste, the book was a little too long for the story it was telling, too many encounters that were too similar and I sometimes felt like I was being bludgeoned with the whole good v evil thing. Despite some shortcomings, it is an entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member UnderMyAppleTree
This was my first Koontz read and by far the best. I couldn't put it down.
Time travel, romance and Nazis plus a well woven plot. A
Time travel, romance and Nazis plus a well woven plot. A
LibraryThing member anwulf
Do mine eyes deceive me? A Dean Koontz novel in trade paperback? Happy birthday to me!
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
Average to good story from Dean Koontz. The time-travelling storyline heads in an unexpected direction, top marks for that, though I found some of the time traveller's actions late on in the story (trying to avoid spoilers here) a bit daft to say the least. And the paradox thing left me a bit cold.
LibraryThing member nakisisa
It has been years since I read this but I remember it as being a great and inovative story. I still talk about it, and would list it among my favorite books.
LibraryThing member karen.tjebben
Lightning was my first Dean Koontz book ever. I loved every minute of it! I love the way Dean Koontz describes the characters in his stories and keeps his readers guessing. I never imagined the ending in Lightning. If you haven't read it, you should. It's a definite must.
LibraryThing member CynDaVaz
Officially my favorite Koontz novel (so far).
LibraryThing member Daniel.Estes
Laura Shane has a guardian angel, and this man's appearance seems to coincide with bone-chilling lightning storms. Of course, it's not coincidental because Laura's protector is a time-traveler.
I consider this story to be one of the more unique takes on the time-travel genre. Time-travel plots by
Additionally, Laura Shane's life is one full of tragedy in spite of her guardian angel's efforts. The book has overtones of helplessness against fate and of living with the sorrows one faces. I found these bits of wisdom relevant in my own life.
I consider this story to be one of the more unique takes on the time-travel genre. Time-travel plots by
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nature are constrained by finely-explained science fiction rules lest the author leave too many gaping plot holes. Lightning by Dean Koontz introduced a new perspective of time travel for me, and although many criticized the story's need for continual explanation, I relished the dialogued because these are the same discussions I have with my friends on occasion.Additionally, Laura Shane's life is one full of tragedy in spite of her guardian angel's efforts. The book has overtones of helplessness against fate and of living with the sorrows one faces. I found these bits of wisdom relevant in my own life.
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LibraryThing member revslick
If you're looking for the mystical, funny, always good for a quick escape from reality writer known as Dean Koontz, do not look for him in this novel. Found here is a writer that returns to his roots (those which lie at the surface still struggling to learn how to craft a novel). Extremely,
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predictable and B or C rated .... like a bad indie scifi film. mystery science 3000 -- take me away! Show Less
LibraryThing member Deejaytee
Koontz + Time Travel = Blowing my mind.
What a great book, very unique when compared to most of his books. Full of action and mystery, great twists and surprises.
Defintely one of my favorite Koontz books.
What a great book, very unique when compared to most of his books. Full of action and mystery, great twists and surprises.
Defintely one of my favorite Koontz books.
LibraryThing member ShaneTierney
For the genre, it's a five star book. The best of the dozen or so Koontz I've read.
LibraryThing member donnagalanti
This is one of my favorite Dean Koontz books. I was drawn into the MC right away and her tormented savior. I read in one sitting. A book you want to keep turning the page. Some parts drift off in too much detail, scientific dialogue but its necessary for the premise to work. The son seems amazingly
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astute for his age as well, so a stretch - but the rest works so you want to believe. You can't anticipate what may happen next in every scene but you hope for the end to be full of hope - and it is. Koontz does wonders with his secondary characters as well in a short time frame, like the doctor and father. WE CARE. That is what a writer achieves and Koontz does it here, simply put - we care what happens to the characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member rsplenda477
Not one of Koontz's best works. I found myself entirely bored and disappointed that it really had nothing to do with the horror genre.
LibraryThing member leehua
Maybe I have very high expectation when I reading the reviews on this book in many website, I was a little disappointed.
The story is all about Laura Shane's Life, coming of age, time travel, Nazi
If someone ask me to recommended for time travel novel I think I don't recommend this, The End Of
The story is all about Laura Shane's Life, coming of age, time travel, Nazi
If someone ask me to recommended for time travel novel I think I don't recommend this, The End Of
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Eternity by Isaac Asimov is very very better than this. Show Less