Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bantam (2011), Edition: Reprint, 416 pages
Description
Two years after they saw him die, the man they knew as Victor Helios lives on. Detectives Carson O'Connor and Michael Maddison; Victor's engineered wife, Erika 5, and her companion Jocko; and the original Victor's first creation, the tormented Deucalion, have all arrived at a small Montana town where their old alliance will be renewed--and tested--by forces from within and without, and where the dangers they face will eclipse any they have yet encountered.
Media reviews
Booklist
Lost Souls continues the saga of the seemingly unkillable Victor Frankenstein, now a megalomaniac bent on—what else?—world domination, via wiping humanity off the globe, from a few years after where the trilogy Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein left it. Since the blowup (literally: Katrina was
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raging) in New Orleans in which Victor and his replicant New Race went down for good, Erika Five, the last and most independent version of Frankenstein’s “wife,” has settled outside a Montana town, happily laying low. Then, shopping in town, she sees what could only be Victor. It is, and it isn’t, as she later figures out. Meanwhile, a new bunch of replicants starts replacing their human prototypes and launches a mass termination of the rest of the populace. Fortunately, Deucalion, as Frankenstein’s original creation is now known, is on to the plot. He brings the detective couple from New Orleans, who are now married, new parents, and PIs in San Francisco, into the action, which races to a climax that doesn’t quite conclude in this book. Obviously enjoying himself, Koontz does his dance of grisly suspense, wry dialogue, sharp characterization, outlandish but charming (and well-integrated) comic relief, and cultural criticism more adroitly than almost ever before. Show Less
Booklist
“Koontz does his dance of . . . suspense, wry dialogue, sharp characterization . . . charming (and well-integrated) comic relief, and cultural criticism more adroitly than almost ever before.”
Publishers Weekly
Set in Rainbow Falls, Mont., Koontz's goofy, grisly fourth riff on the Frankenstein theme (after Dead and Alive) finds Victor--previously presumed dead but apparently as easily resurrected as cinematic incarnations of his monster--perfecting his "New Race" of humanoid replicants. As affectless
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pod-person lookalikes gradually replace the town's citizens, the task of saving humanity from Victor and his megalomaniacal plans to "destroy the soul of the world" fall once again to husband-and-wife detectives Michael and Carson Maddison; Victor's soulsearching original monster, Deucalion; and a host of local yokels who provide both sympathy and comic relief. That the "good guys" are instantly recognizable by their abundant compassion, generosity, and sense of humor and the "bad guys" by their fussbudget fastidiousness and dedication to efficient extermination of inferior humans helps lay the foundation for the humanitarian homilies that punctuate the narrative. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member alexann
You may remember that Viktor Frankenstein created a mechanical monster in which he inserted the spark of life, and that this monster frightened an entire generation of Transylvanians, and that the myth has lived on. Except it is no myth. In fact, Frankenstein created a second monster only a few
This is a delightful read. Well, maybe not that--parts certainly are yucky if not horrific. It's filled with intriguing characters, starting with Carson and Michael, now married, who fear that the birth of their baby daughter may have taken the edge off their work. And then there's Erika Five, the fifth wife that Frankenstein built. And her friend / sidekick / child Jocko, who was a tumor that developed a life of his own. In these characters we often find humor, in spite of the dire straits in which they find themselves.
Never a dull moment It's a fast read, and teens are going to love it. However--although one needn't have read the previous titles to enjoy this one--oh, no!--it's acliffhanger! To be continued in The Dead Town, coming in Spring 2011. Although this ending is not quite as sudden as some, still the reader really wants to know what's going to happen next. Lost Souls stands as a highly entertaining reading experience--we just haven't heard the end of the story yet.
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years ago in New Orleans. Carson and Michael, two members of NOPD, put an end to Viktor then, and saw him meet his death in a New Orleans landfill. But now, rumor has it that Frankenstein is alive again, and plans to take over the world by replicating each person with one of his engineered robo-beings.This is a delightful read. Well, maybe not that--parts certainly are yucky if not horrific. It's filled with intriguing characters, starting with Carson and Michael, now married, who fear that the birth of their baby daughter may have taken the edge off their work. And then there's Erika Five, the fifth wife that Frankenstein built. And her friend / sidekick / child Jocko, who was a tumor that developed a life of his own. In these characters we often find humor, in spite of the dire straits in which they find themselves.
Never a dull moment It's a fast read, and teens are going to love it. However--although one needn't have read the previous titles to enjoy this one--oh, no!--it's acliffhanger! To be continued in The Dead Town, coming in Spring 2011. Although this ending is not quite as sudden as some, still the reader really wants to know what's going to happen next. Lost Souls stands as a highly entertaining reading experience--we just haven't heard the end of the story yet.
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LibraryThing member marysneedle
I'm not sure what to write on this review. I like the premise of the story and it hasn't completely lost me yet but the story is kind of losing it's punch. This book seems to be directly leading into the final battle that will presumably take place in the fifth and last book. I really hope it is
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worth the wait. Show Less
LibraryThing member SonicQuack
At the end of the last Frankenstein book the trilogy wrapped up with the end of the despicable and dastardly Victor Frankstein. There was one outstanding thread which lingered and now that is exploited to offer a new angle. The central characters return and new ones emerge as the first of this
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series launches a fresh attack on humanity. The supreme OCD of the replicants provides plenty of entertainment as they wage a quiet war upon the unsuspecting town of Rainbow Falls. If you enjoyed the previous entries then Lost Souls recreates the same energy and vibe, whilst slowing building a tangled web of characters which must confront evil in its various guises. The only missed opportunity is from its marketing, which never states that it is a part of an ongoing series and as a result the mind keeps projecting potential finales, when there is not one to be read (yet). This is somewhat distracting. Overall though - another recommended read from Koontz. Show Less
LibraryThing member ladybug74
This was my least favorite of the Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series. I loved the other 3 books that came before this one, but this particular one was much less interesting. I also did not like the way I was left hanging at the end with no closure at all. It's obvious there will be at least a 5th
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book to close out the series, if not more. There should have been some type of closure to this book, though. It seemed to me like it just ended with nothing being resolved. I am not sure if I will read any others in this series after the disappointment left by this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member MartinaTravis
I like the Brother Odd books better. Would have been great to know it was a triology before I got to the end. May have just missed that!!
LibraryThing member bohemiangirl35
Lost Souls was not the utter disappointment that I was dreading after the total and absolute let down of Dead and Alive. But it was not the engrossing, can't-put-it-down, what's-going-to-happen-next success of Prodigal Son and City of Night, either. When Koontz decided not to collaborate, the
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series lost something essential for me. I did a lot of fast forwarding on the Playaway. Some of the humor was just dumb. I wish he'd get a partner again and go back to the style of the first two novels. :( Show Less
LibraryThing member ashley1991
i think its a great book so far im really interested in it i just cant wait till the end im really excited to see what happens
LibraryThing member jillstone
Book #4 in the Koontz Frankenstein series and the best one yet. This one is the first to come out in hardcover and it ended way too soon and with nothing resolved. Leading me to look up the date of the next one! This is a fantastic re-imagining of the classic story which starts out for our police
But no -- it continues and has been improved upon. The trademark Koontz mixture of humor with the other worldly lends itself to this story in a way no one else can.
I'm breathlessly awaiting the next installment!
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officer partners in modern day New Orleans. The first 3 books culminated in what appeared to be the end of the series. But no -- it continues and has been improved upon. The trademark Koontz mixture of humor with the other worldly lends itself to this story in a way no one else can.
I'm breathlessly awaiting the next installment!
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LibraryThing member JayInAmes
Interesting followup to the first books. Nice start to another series, but the ending seemed a little rushed.
LibraryThing member caklr650
I can't believe I'm the first one to post a review for this. OK, here goes.
Reading this was like getting to hang out with your really good frieds who you haven't seen in a while. If you liked the characters from the first few books you will love this one: they're all there again plus some really
I started reading him and got hooked on those thick, small typed paperbacks. The Husband felt like some hack wrote it on a cocktail napkin and Koontz signed his name to it. But enough kvetching, this review is about Lost Souls.
It's probably a good idea to have read the previous books in the series to get the most out of this one. Victor is alive! Well sort of. Like the other books this one made me LOL. I love Jocko. And there is a funny new character named Nummy. It's well written but not as descriptive as some of his best stuff. The writing style is much more like vol.3 than vols. 1 and 2.
Spoiler Alert:
The book, like vol. 1 ends at the halfway point. You get the buildup, but no resolution. It's short too, and I kind of felt cheated hence the lest than 5 star rating. Oh well, I'll just have to wait til Spring like everyone else.
Reading this was like getting to hang out with your really good frieds who you haven't seen in a while. If you liked the characters from the first few books you will love this one: they're all there again plus some really
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funny new ones. I have been disappointed with alot of the recent Koontz books because I feel like he's been half assing it and writing just to get a check. Koontz is a great descriptive writer with a wonderful vocabulary and great characterization. But when you compare recent books like The Husband to great Koontz works like The Face you might get the impression that he runs hot or cold. I started reading him and got hooked on those thick, small typed paperbacks. The Husband felt like some hack wrote it on a cocktail napkin and Koontz signed his name to it. But enough kvetching, this review is about Lost Souls.
It's probably a good idea to have read the previous books in the series to get the most out of this one. Victor is alive! Well sort of. Like the other books this one made me LOL. I love Jocko. And there is a funny new character named Nummy. It's well written but not as descriptive as some of his best stuff. The writing style is much more like vol.3 than vols. 1 and 2.
Spoiler Alert:
The book, like vol. 1 ends at the halfway point. You get the buildup, but no resolution. It's short too, and I kind of felt cheated hence the lest than 5 star rating. Oh well, I'll just have to wait til Spring like everyone else.
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LibraryThing member TBones
After book 3 I kept thinking what exactly is Koontz going to do to these characters next? Well,along with changing locations and adding more scenes with a few new characters, he seems bent on putting the lead "good guy" characters through even more craziness. If you enjoyed the first 3 books then
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four is the only direction to go next. Show Less
LibraryThing member Randomcybrarian
Unfortunately, both Lost Souls and Dead Town are actually a bit redundant. After the first three excellent books, originally intended to be a trilogy, Koontz decided to write a second trilogy to continue the adventures of Deucalion and his battle against Victor Frankenstein.
Koontz never made it
Even Koontz himself must've realised that he was copying a great story but that it was the same story he'd already written. The planned sixth book never got written and the series wraps up with Dead Town.
Like i said, it's not that it's a bad story. There's still enough to enjoy but it's not enough to recommend both this book and it's sequel. Read the first three books and then stop. There are lot of better books out there. A lot of those are even written by Koontz, it's just that Lost Souls and Dead Town aren't among those.
Koontz never made it
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that far. Both the fourth and fifth book aren't bad. Actually, they are still enjoyable but the story has lost it's pacing and thrill. A new threat is introduced with the clone of Victor, who continued his plan to wipe out humanity with some minor variations, only to be stopped (again) by Deucalion and the two (now former) homicide detectives Carson and Michael.Even Koontz himself must've realised that he was copying a great story but that it was the same story he'd already written. The planned sixth book never got written and the series wraps up with Dead Town.
Like i said, it's not that it's a bad story. There's still enough to enjoy but it's not enough to recommend both this book and it's sequel. Read the first three books and then stop. There are lot of better books out there. A lot of those are even written by Koontz, it's just that Lost Souls and Dead Town aren't among those.
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LibraryThing member catya77
The war against Victor Frankenstein/Helios' New Race/Community continues...in Montana.
Vivid and lush scenery are depicted throughout this tale allowing immersion into different settings.
Varied and entertaining characters present their own intertwined tales which all potentially will come to a head
The narrative is both mysterious and action packed with humor interspersed.
Overall, a fun read!
Vivid and lush scenery are depicted throughout this tale allowing immersion into different settings.
Varied and entertaining characters present their own intertwined tales which all potentially will come to a head
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and maybe even intersect in the upcoming war. This tale is all about discovery and preparation for the upcoming way. Some are characters from previous tales which we have grown to love and continue to develop, while others are new and intriguing.The narrative is both mysterious and action packed with humor interspersed.
Overall, a fun read!
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LibraryThing member jimocracy
This felt like a completely different story and I really wish the author had stopped with book three. Book four had too many characters to follow and the ones we already knew from the previous books lead totally different lives.
I'm really not wanted to continue with book five but I cannot help
I'm really not wanted to continue with book five but I cannot help
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myself. On some level, I am hoping that the last book redeems the fourth. Otherwise, this rating will likely be (lowered after the fact). It may seem unfair to rate a book by the quality of its sequel but this book cannot carry itself on its own. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChristineEllei
The fourth book in Mr. Koontz’s Frankenstein trilogy. And yes I know what I just wrote. It was my understanding (and it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong) these books were introduced as a trilogy, but it seems it is a series of two trilogies … before Victor and after Victor.
Victor Helios
Question to anyone out there reading this series and particularly this book … is it just my imagination or does Jocko bear a striking resemblence to a certain house elf in the infamous HP series??
Victor Helios
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… aka the clone of Victor Frankenstein is busy carrying out the work of his predecessor, repopulating the world with perfect half flesh/half machine superhumans. Our usual cast of characters are out to stop him. Another good installment for fans of the series.Question to anyone out there reading this series and particularly this book … is it just my imagination or does Jocko bear a striking resemblence to a certain house elf in the infamous HP series??
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LibraryThing member Marlene-NL
I am so glad book 3 ended up not being the last in this series cause i was so disappointed after reading Dead and Alive. In Lost Souls you will be reacquainted with some of the characters of the other books. I love Jocko! and Dean Koontz manages to make me laugh something I do not like when reading
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a thriller or a horror book normally but did not mind this time. I am enjoying the story. Maybe only negative thing is that there are to too many brave people in this book who instead of trying to flee, fight but it makes for a more interesting read I guess. Well now that I've wrote about book 4 guess what I am going to do? Go to bed with book 5! The Dead Town. Show Less
LibraryThing member booklover3258
He really really should've stopped at book 3. I tried and tried to get through this but I couldn't... I know I made it past page 50. Koontz jumped the shark with this book because it went so far off the Frankenstein storyline it's not even funny. So apparently Victor Frankenstein is still alive
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(I'm okay with that), Deucalion cured the boy's autism (I'm kinda okay with that), Erica and the ugly gnome are living together happily (I'm okay with that). What I'm not okay with is a new set of clones and to get rid of the humans they are cloning, a being rips their heads off and sucks their energy to kill them?!?!? LIke wtf. Nope, not finishing it nor am I going to read Book 5. I'm going to pretend it was a trilogy. That is all. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-05
Physical description
416 p.; 4.16 inches
ISBN
0553593676 / 9780553593679