• @TheOgreChef
    link
    48
    edit-2
    9 months ago

    Dean Koontz is kind of like the RC Cola of horror/suspense novelists:

    • See RC Cola in the store
    • “Hmmmm, it’s been a while, but I THINK I liked RC the last time I got it”
    • Purchase and consume RC Cola
    • “I kind of wish this was a Coke, but it’s not that bad, might as well finish”
    • Several years pass, go back to step 1

    As a side note, I LOVED Dean Koontz books back in the 80’s/90’s. They were fun and quick reads that are in the “high floor, low ceiling” realm of books.

      • @TheOgreChef
        link
        269 months ago

        Think of it on a scale of 1-10. High floor means it’s not a stinker, so worst ranking would be in the 4/10 - 5.5/10 range. Low ceiling means it’s not going to be an all-timer, so the best ranking would be in the 6/10 - 7.5/10 range. Basically you’ll never HATE it, but you’re also never going to LOVE it.

          • @nomous
            link
            119 months ago

            It could be, all his stuff is extremely similar. He reuses character archetypes and narrative shifts throughout most of his stories.

            Early on in his career it wasn’t as bad but he’s been churning them out for awhile.

            • @Sanity_in_Moderation
              link
              2
              edit-2
              9 months ago

              I’ve never read any of his books. Top 3? Just the titles. I’ll go in blind.

              • @TheRedSpade
                link
                1
                edit-2
                9 months ago

                I’ve only read two of his series but enjoyed both a good deal.

                Odd Thomas (first book shares title with the series)
                Frankenstein (first book is Prodigal Son)

      • @MJKee9
        link
        99 months ago

        Reliably entertaining, but will never be considered a masterpiece.

    • @banneryear1868
      link
      139 months ago

      Basically moved on from youth novels with both Dean Koontz and Stephen King. The Odd Thomas series was a fun read at that age.

      • @mihnt
        link
        English
        109 months ago

        Dr. Pepper > Cherry RC > Cherry Coke > Cherry Pepsi.

        I like cherries.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          79 months ago

          Faygo Red Pop. It’s not really strawberry, it’s not really cherry, it’s not really anything. It tastes generically red. It’s also cheap and delicious.

          • @mihnt
            link
            English
            59 months ago

            I tried, yo. I really tried to like it. When I first moved to Michigan everyone was trying to give it to me all the time saying it’s the best, but I just can’t. Now, their Cherry Soda? Yum.

            • PopShark
              link
              39 months ago

              Rock n Rye is great too!

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          2
          edit-2
          9 months ago

          But where is Cheerwine?

          If there’s one reason to go to the Carolinas…Cheerwine.

          I went for a Solar Eclipse but that won’t happen there for a while.

          • @TheRedSpade
            link
            19 months ago

            Don’t need to go to the Carolinas for Cheerwine. I live in Indiana and got it in my grocery order a few weeks ago. I had never had it before. It was listed as “Cherry Soda”. Imagine my disappointment when it turned out to be cherry cola. Gross.

              • @TheRedSpade
                link
                19 months ago

                I’ve never had Jones, but “straight cherry flavor” sounds like exactly what I was looking for. I’ve never been a fan of cola.

                On that note, while I agree with Dr Pepper being better than all the others listed, it doesn’t even belong on the list as it doesn’t have the slightest hint of cola flavor.