review by Ed Wetterman
Dean Koontz scores big with his newest novel that revitalizes the Frankenstein monster in the 21 st century. To quote another reviewer, “Koontz has a knack for making the bizarre and uncanny seem as commonplace as a sunrise.” (People). I really enjoyed this novel and see it as having a goldmine of gaming ideas within it. The back cover teaser states:

Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion, a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’ Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself—and that just may where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more-and-less than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’t merely a homicidal maniac- but his deranged maker.

Writing: 5 Stars

What can one say regarding such a prolific and fine writer? I’ve enjoyed many of his books over the years and this one is one of his best. While I’m not crazy about the name the Frankenstein monster has chosen for himself—Deucalion—I do understand why he chose it. For pure reading enjoyment of sci-fi, horror, and modern suspense, this book is terrific.

Plot: 4 Stars

The plot moves very well, and Koontz interweaves the various story threads very well. The only reason I give him a 4, rather than a 5, is that the book ends on a cliffhanger, and truly in the middle of the story. Now I have to wait till this summer to get the next one. ARRGGHHH! Koontz originally plotted this story for a sixty-minute pilot for USA Network. After a director and a “wonderful” cast was assembled, the script was lengthened to a two hour version. But then, as with many great shows, the Hollywood establishment decided to make radical changes to Koontz’s vision and the deal fell through. Koontz decided to tell the story in novel form, and was joined in this endeavor by Kevin J. Anderson.

Now I must be honest here. I really do not like Kevin J. Anderson’s writings. I hated the Star Wars novels he penned, as I thought he had the characters doing things that didn’t support what we knew about them. I have purchased at least five Anderson novels, and the last one, I quit reading after about fifty pages. IMHO he is the worst prolific writer out there. I know he has his fans, and if you’re one of them we must simply agree to disagree. All that being said, don’t let his participation in the novel prevent you from getting it.

Gaming Uses: 5 Stars

This book is full of gaming uses. Dr. Frankenstein has found ways to extend his life, as well as to create better constructs for many different purposes in his ultimate plan at world domination. He leads a major corporation, and is a powerful, rich personality. Like the original Frankenstein monster, the new creations are flawed in that they recognize how monstrous they truly are, and this flaw makes them all too human. The various creations have different abilities and skills, and would make for a great ongoing Modern Horror/Suspense game. The original Frankenstein monster has also matured, spending the past century studying the nature of man, and attempting to understand his own macabre place in the world.

Final Points: 4.75 (Extra points given for enjoyment!)

I really loved this novel, and highly recommend it to all Modern Horror gamers everywhere. In fact, check out our April Issue of Modern Dispatch, as I’m taking a new gaming look at the Frankenstein legend.