Lightning (original 1988; edition 1989)

I read this book many years ago before I really knew who Dean Koontz was. I was explaining this book to a friend of mine because I could not remember the title or the author but could remember the story to minute detail, when he told me it was a Dean Koontz book I was blown away I did not immediately relate this book to Koontzs' style of writing so much so that I had to double check - sorry to doubt you James. I loved this book as a younger woman because it had everything I was looking for in one story - time travel, murder, mystery, intrigue and someone to stick it to the Nazis. ( )

Not one of Koontz's best works. I found myself entirely bored and disappointed that it really had nothing to do with the horror genre. ( )

Amazon description:
"In the midst of a raging blizzard, lightning struck on the night Laura Shane was born. And a mysterious blond-haired stranger showed up just in time to save her from dying.

Years later, in the wake of another storm, Laura will be saved again. For someone is watching over her. But just as lightning illuminates, darkness always follows close behind."

Lightning is a suspense/thriller with a few surprises in it. The story centers on Laura (from childhood through adulthood) who is repeatedly saved by a stranger, who is referred to as her "guardian." However, he's not an angel (as the reader might first suspect) and the story leads to an even more complex plot.

Characters: This book is written in third-person, mostly around Laura. Because of her many horrific events in her life, Laura grows up to be a strong person who is not afraid to fight—especially if it deals with those she loves. Stefan (the Guardian) is another character that the reader follows (more so in the later parts of the book). His love for Laura makes him change everything he can to give her a better life, but he can't protect her from everything. And, he is also risking his life to do. All characters in the book are complex and well written. Thelma is also a character that I enjoyed.

Plot: I admit that the first half of the book (although swiftly moving) was slightly bitter to read. It is obviously needed for the plot and gives more depth to Laura. It is almost depressing that all these terrible things could happen to one person, especially someone so young. The second half of the book really picks up in action and continued to the end. Yes, this is a time travel book, but not as you originally might think. The author really worked out the mechanism within time travel theories and executions. It may be slightly confusing at first, but just go with it.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It's not within my usual reading lists (even though I do like time travel and suspense/thriller novels), but I'm glad I read it. If you like a good thriller with a slight science fiction twist, you might enjoy this story. ( )

This is one of my favorite Dean Koontz books. I was drawn into the MC right away and her tormented savior. I read in one sitting. A book you want to keep turning the page. Some parts drift off in too much detail, scientific dialogue but its necessary for the premise to work. The son seems amazingly astute for his age as well, so a stretch - but the rest works so you want to believe. You can't anticipate what may happen next in every scene but you hope for the end to be full of hope - and it is. Koontz does wonders with his secondary characters as well in a short time frame, like the doctor and father. WE CARE. That is what a writer achieves and Koontz does it here, simply put - we care what happens to the characters. ( )

For the genre, it's a five star book. The best of the dozen or so Koontz I've read. ( )