Seize The Night

Dean Koontz's novel follows the life of Christopher Snow, a young man who suffers from a rare disease that makes any kind of light, real or artificial, deadly to him. Despite his inability to function in daylight, Snow has gathered a small group of close friends, a lover, and a preternaturally intelligent dog. Keith Szarabajka gets so excited narrating this story about Snow's search for a kidnapped child that the emotion is infectious. He'll get your heart pumping as he describes Snow running from killer monkeys and various slithering things. But once again, Koontz is guilty of gilding the lily. He stuffs the book with so much description you'd think he was getting paid by the word. The abridged version may prove more satisfying. M.S. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

May 1, 2007
Seize the Night is the story of Christopher Snow, who suffers from the genetic condition XP (xeroderma pigmentosum), which makes him a night owl, fatally vulnerable to strong light. He and his band of likable and quirky friends (including a highly intelligent doga Koontz trademark) investigate sinister events in their hometown of Moonlight Bay, CA. The group is convinced that the kidnapping of several of the town's children is related to the disastrous genetic experiments that drove the plot of the first Christopher Snow novel, Fear Nothing . The unfolding events also reveal large-scale time-travel experimentation and the machinations of a serial killer. True to form, what may sound wildly implausible is easily pulled by Koontz into a cohesive and engaging story. Character actor Keith Szarabajka returns with another great narrative performance. Although fans of Koontz won't want to miss the Christopher Snow novels, the author's more recent offerings may be in greater demand. Still, this is recommended.Kristen L. Smith, Loras Coll. Lib., Dubuque, IA

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.