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The Taking

By Dean R. Koontz

(35)

| Hardcover | 9780553802504

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Book Description

In one of the most dazzling books of his celebrated career, Dean Koontz delivers a masterwork of page-turning suspense that surpasses even his own inimitable reputation as a chronicler of our worst fears—and best dreams. In The Taking he tells the story of a community cut off from a world undeContinue

In one of the most dazzling books of his celebrated career, Dean Koontz delivers a masterwork of page-turning suspense that surpasses even his own inimitable reputation as a chronicler of our worst fears—and best dreams. In The Taking he tells the story of a community cut off from a world under siege, and the terrifying battle for survival waged by a young couple and their neighbors as familiar streets become fog-shrouded death traps. Gripping, heartbreaking, and triumphant in the face of mankind’s darkest hour, here is a small-town slice-of-doomsday thriller that strikes to the core of each of us to ask: What would you do in the midst of The Taking.

On the morning that will mark the end of the world they have known, Molly and Niel Sloan awaken to the drumbeat of rain on their roof. It has haunted their sleep, invaded their dreams, and now they rise to find a luminous silvery downpour drenching their small California mountain town. A strange scent hangs faintly in the air, and the young couple cannot shake the sense of something wrong.

As hours pass and the rain continues to fall, Molly and Niel listen to disturbing news of extreme weather phenomena across the globe. Before evening, their little town loses television and radio reception. Then telephone and the Internet are gone. With the ceaseless rain now comes an obscuring fog that transforms the once-friendly village into a ghostly labyrinth. By nightfall the Sloans have gathered with some of their neighbors to deal with community damage...but also because they feel the need to band together against some unknown threat, some enemy they cannot identify or even imagine.

In the night, strange noises arise, and at a distance, in the rain and the mist, mysterious lights are seen drifting among the trees. The rain diminishes with the dawn, but a moody gray-purple twilight prevails. Soon Molly, Niel, and their small band of friends will be forced to draw on reserves of strength, courage, and humanity they never knew they had. For within the misty gloom they will encounter something that reveals in a terrifying instant what is happening to their world—something that is hunting them with ruthless efficiency. Epic in scope, searingly intimate and immediate in perspective, The Taking is an adventure story like no other, a relentless roller-coaster read that brings apocalypse to Main Street and showcases the talents of one of our most original and mesmerizing novelists at the pinnacle of his powers.

4 Reviews

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  • *** This comment contains spoilers! ***

    Yimaman see noygel, see refacull, see nod a bah, see naytoss, retee fo sellos.

    We know that in the past, when superstition ruled, things that were too technologically advanced would be considered "magic". But what about a supernatural event of worldwide proportions occurring in the scientifical modern day? Wouldn't we consider it coming from some uncanny and incredibly advance ... (continue)

    We know that in the past, when superstition ruled, things that were too technologically advanced would be considered "magic". But what about a supernatural event of worldwide proportions occurring in the scientifical modern day? Wouldn't we consider it coming from some uncanny and incredibly advanced technology?

    This is the premise of this Koontz's book, from 2004. Altought not as good as Phantoms (the only other Koontz book I read and to which shares some similarities), this is still a very good read. Genuinely chilling at times, like when the two protagonists listen to the radio transmission from the space station and when they witness the doll speech in the tavern.

    Some would argue that in the end this is a very moralistic book, with Christian values well in mind, but that Koontz is a Christian is a well documented fact, so you know what you should expect. And this said, The Taking is still a damn good read. Maybe the end is a bit rushed in and disppointing, but when the good has kept me glued to it from page 1 to page 300+, who cares if the end isn't spectacular? I enjoyed it nonetheless.

    Shame that, despite being an end-of-the-world story, some people, in fact, survive.

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    Luciferasi said on Feb 15, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Though a decent read he failed to keep me captivated, he is a good but slow writer some details don't always need to be in print, though now I would have to read again to remind myself it's been so long.

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    sati1028 said on Apr 18, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • *** This comment contains spoilers! ***

    To quote an age old football cliche... "A book of two halves!"

    First 200 pages; superb. Chilling, eerie with a sort of claustrophobic feel. Last 200; dire, Koontz seemed to have lost it halfway through, spinning a yarn about face-stealing aliens and saving children which just didn't fit in wit ... (continue)

    To quote an age old football cliche... "A book of two halves!"

    First 200 pages; superb. Chilling, eerie with a sort of claustrophobic feel. Last 200; dire, Koontz seemed to have lost it halfway through, spinning a yarn about face-stealing aliens and saving children which just didn't fit in with the first half of the book.

    Had I stopped reading halfway through, I'd probably be calling it the best book I've ever read.

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    SUFC_Rick said on Dec 19, 2007 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

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