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 ...
Read More
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.
Read Less
I loved this book. I started reading it on a very rainy spring night which really added to the mood of the book. I finished reading it that same week and it rained every night and day (we had a flood). The book was hard to put down and I during the times I wasn't reading it I found myself thinking about it, questioning, wondering 'what will happen next?' I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little scare.
ladyinspiration
Jan 9, 2009
Positively A Must Read
This book was exceptional. From the moment I began reading I could not put it down. Every twist and turn in the story keeps you wanting to read on. The storyline keeps the pages turning with only the mystery and suspense that Dean Koontz can provide. If you like the writings of Steven King then I highly recommend this book and others by Dean Koontz.
RedAdept
Sep 13, 2008
Vintage Koontz
This is a great Koontz book. His story telling is detailed, yet not bogged down in them. It rolls along so quickly you will find that you can't put it down.
It has a level of mysticism that could almost be religion, but not quite. It does not require you to believe in God or any other religious figure. It is simply a great story.
Imagine the world ending, but not knowing what caused it. You are just 'left'. That is what this book is about.
My only beef with it is that it was not longer. I wanted more of 'what happened next.'
TammyK
Apr 4, 2007
Intense....
I could not put this book down and read it all weekend long. It was so intense and mysterious with a wholesome ending. Basically, there is something perculiar in the air, something unknown and frighting going on everywhere in the world, children are untouched my the presense yet are still in danger by the adults being affected by the presense. I really like the idea that there were some adults that were attempting to protect the children and because of this those adults also seemed to be untouchable by the presense. This book is reglious in ways, but not according to normal beliefs, but the children and the child protectors were the only ones that could be safe during this horrific event that took place in approx 24 hours. Souls were being captured from a dark force in the unknown. Very intense and suspenseful.
