The City’s Back-of-the-book Description:

Dean Koontz is at the peak of his acclaimed powers with this major new novel.

A young boy, a musical prodigy, discovering life’s wonders—and mortal dangers.
His best friend, also a gifted musician, who will share his journey into destiny.
His remarkable family, tested by the extremes of evil and bound by the depths of love . . . on a collision course with a band of killers about to unleash anarchy.
And two unlikely allies, an everyday hero tempered by the past and a woman of mystery who holds the key to the future.

 

These are the people of The City, a place where enchantment and malice entwine, courage and honor are found in the most unexpected quarters, and the way forward lies buried deep inside the heart. Brilliantly illumined by magic dark and light, their unforgettable story is a riveting, soul-stirring saga that speaks to everyone, a major milestone in the celebrated career of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz and a dazzling realization of the evergreen dreams we all share.

My Thoughts

I am a huge Dean Koontz fan! I can clearly remember when I picked up my first Koontz book and how I just immediately fell in love with the way he put words together! So descriptive, and completely absorbing – I proceeded to tear through that book, and many, many of his others.

So when I saw that he had written a new one I asked for it for Christmas – duh – and was lucky enough to receive it. Right away I noticed that The City seemed a little longer than most of his others. And then I noticed the beginning was a little slow to get in to… It just wasn’t quite as gripping in the beginning as some of his others are.

But! His beautiful writing and story telling was still there, if only a little different. This story takes place (in what I assume is New York) in the 60s, and involves a little boy and some of the people in his life. And while there is a lot of back story, and ‘scene setting’ taking place, there’s not as much action and mystery as some of his other books.

However, there were a whole lot of relevant issues being discussed. Even though it takes place in the past, there were several things that seem appropriate for now – the subject of immigration, race, being disabled, etc.

I loved the way the main characters became friends, and the interesting interactions between all the characters was really intriguing. And of course there were some suspenseful parts, and a few “oh my gosh what’s going to happen next” parts towards the middle and end.

And I loved the way music was such a big part of the story! The way the main character describes his feelings toward music, and the reactions of people listening to him play… it was beautiful.

Oh and the words! Oh my gosh there were some really good lines in The City. Almost too many to include here, especially since Koontz can get awfully wordy – his quotes are longer than your average writers’.

Favorite Quotes From The Book:

“In the beginning was the word. Before all else, the word. So we speak as if words matter, because they do.”  

 

“The news isn’t all the news, Jonah. Not by a long shot. It’s just what reporters want to tell you about. Riots come and go, wars come and go, but under the tumult, day after day, century after century, millions of people are doing nice things for one another, making sacrifices, mostly small things, but it’s all those little kindnesses that hold civilization together, all those people who live quiet lives and never make the news.”  

 

*and then later..

“The news wasn’t all the news, she’d said, and what held the world together was the way all those people who never made the news were inclined to live their lives.”

 

“I understood for the first time why music matters so much, how it reminds us of who we are and where we came from, of all the good times and the sadness, too.”  

 

“Trouble was coming, sure, but it’s always coming, and meanwhile it’s best to live with a smile.”  

In Conclusion

Overall, I would give The City  3.75 stars. Not my favorite Koontz book, but it was still beautifully written and worth your time. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys just a touch of the supernatural, mixed with stunning prose.

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