One Door Away from Heaven

Koontz's imagination was working overtime when he wrote this story! It's creepy, funny, poetic, philosophical, sometimes corny, and heartwarming too. It's a long book so just sit back and enjoy this incredible ride!

Good book. Came quickly. Very used but very readable! The story will keep you guessing!

I hesitate to have a "favorite" Dean Koontz novel. I have read them all and enjoyed some more than others. This is Koontz's first novel since "Fear Nothing" that I felt bonded to the characters. They have become family and I want to follow them further in their lives, and as much as I read this is amazing. Others have written detailed reviews of the story, don't spoil your enjoyment, read and then draw your own conclusions and let the story suprise you page by page. You will care, you will remember, and perhaps look at your companions in a different way. The book is exciting, funny, unique, more than anyone has a right to expect from a novel. I've changed my mind, I will name favorite Koontz books....they are "Watchers", "Fear Nothing" and now "One Door away from Heaven".

For some reason, even though I like Peter Straub and Stepehn King, I have never been able to get into Dean Koontz. Well, this book is so sharp, original, and compelling that I have not been able to put it down! I am happily surprised to find myself becoming a Dean Koontz fan!The characters of the book aren't your usual dime-novel fare; they are very unusual, funny, and intelligent. Yet they are also believable. The plot has many elements of bizzareness and realism mixed together to create a sharp-edged collage. From the first chapter, where we meet two characters that you can't help but care about right away, to the actual unfolding of the plot, there isn't a dull moment. I'm reminded somewhat of "The Talisman" by some parts of this novel, and that's a good thing.Read it -- you'll like it!!!

I must admit that I am somewhat surprised at some of the negative reaction in other reviews of this book. In "One Door Away From Heaven," Koontz has proceeded in crafting a novel that is similar in many ways to previous novels, but is simply better than his prior work. The fact of the matter is that Koontz makes you care greatly about his characters. He creates them with careful detail until we feel as though we have known them our whole lives. As a result, we are drawn into their stories and we turn each page with bated breath. It is no small wonder that so few Koontz novels are made into movies, his characters are too in depth and the plots are too complicated. The person who quit after 250 pages and was complaining about the characters really surprises me. Koontz has always been a strong developer of his characters. However, this latest piece may have his greatest creation ever: a nine year old girl named Leilani Klonk. I have a feeling that those who read this book will not soon forget Leilani. I'll limit my critcism of Koontz to wishing he did not use the word "carapace" in EVERY book. However, he did refrain from "chitinous" so it was not a total loss. Enjoy this book, I have a feeling you will.

I must say after reading "From the Corner of his eye" which was a little slow paced but worth the wait,"One Door Away from Heaven" captured me right from the start and never lost momentum.The story starts with the introduction of Micky Bellsong and Leilani Klonk, whom you immedately feel at home with. The way in wich these two carry on together would make for a good comedy sitcom! The story immedately throws you into a world of a E.T. searching, Phsyco stepdad, doped up mother, and many other wonderfuly interesting characters. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat right up to the last 20 or so pages, Which in my eyes is a big plus!!! I highly recomend this book,Especially if your a die hard Koontz fan!!! Thanks for such a wonderful and thought provoking book Mr. Koontz I am looking for to the next one!!!