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jhulme's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining to listen to the audiobook on a road trip, but the story is SUPER trope-y.
handmedownmithril's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Rather formulaic but a decent little horror story nonetheless; possesses all the makings of a teen slasher movie - which I did not realise it was also adapted into until reading Koontz's afterword, so I will absolutely be checking that out.
The afterword also provides some transparency regarding the authors motivation for writing this novel and, unfortunately, The Funhouse mostly being written for the paycheck is rather telling; the plot is pretty hollow and built entirely upon the vengeful but longwinded motives of the antagonist.
I believe this is the second book by Koontz that I've read and though I do enjoy his writing, much like with Phantoms, once I had a strong idea of where things were headed I didn't care very much about the goings-on in-between.
2.5 stars. It was fine but Koontz believes to have put his extensive research on carnival life to better use in his later book, Twilight Eyes ,so I think I'll check that one out at some point...
The afterword also provides some transparency regarding the authors motivation for writing this novel and, unfortunately, The Funhouse mostly being written for the paycheck is rather telling; the plot is pretty hollow and built entirely upon the vengeful but longwinded motives of the antagonist.
I believe this is the second book by Koontz that I've read and though I do enjoy his writing, much like with Phantoms, once I had a strong idea of where things were headed I didn't care very much about the goings-on in-between.
2.5 stars. It was fine but Koontz believes to have put his extensive research on carnival life to better use in his later book, Twilight Eyes ,so I think I'll check that one out at some point...
constant_reader_19's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay…this book is conflicting. On one hand, super creepy and interesting. On the other, lacking in details and the end was anticlimactic. Overall, just alright.
12546darcy7890's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Abortion, and Murder
cececervantez's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I understand this was written in the 80s so some of the references to women may be a little 🤔.. but what got me was the end of the book. It felt like there should’ve been a little more explanation in the end. And the way the antagonist die is just kind of easy and dumb.
lissydizzy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nytr's review against another edition
2.75
It was an easy read as far as the writing went. But it also just felt like a bunch of terrible things happening for the sake of pushing a religious agenda.🤷🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, and Abortion
jbrownleo's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely not one of my favorites. It was a somewhat interesting storyline yet not too terribly unique. And for the most part it was more suspenseful and scary, which I don’t usually mind from Koontz but usually when he’s not scary he’s at least funny and this really wasn’t funny either. He does mention in the Afterward that he wrote this book based on a screenplay which explains why it isn’t great. Overall not a complete waste of time just definitely not his best.
shelbymgarrett94's review against another edition
2.0
I tried. I tried to get into it but I just couldn’t. To me there was too much description about things that didn’t need to be described so much to the reader. Maybe Dean Koontz just isn’t my style and that’s okay too. I’m sure I’ll give him another try, but not this book.
historyteacher's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite koontz book. Passably scary, with some characters too superficial to be effective. Can't figure out why the bad guy died without making his situation known. 3 stars