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The I.P.O.
A tragic accident. An opportunistic CEO. A shocking announcement at the opening of a bizarre new stock market.
Seven year-old Ryan Tyler, Jr. has just been adopted. By a corporation.
Ticker symbol RTJ is the initial public offering on James Prescott’s Avillage Exchange, a market that trades in the financial futures of exceptionally gifted orphans.
Before the brilliant first-grader has even had a chance to catch his breath, he is whisked off to live with seemingly perfect new parents he’s not sure he can trust. And he’s got a sinking feeling that the only ally he has from his previous life is somehow conspiring with the corporation.
With Prescott and a board of directors pulling strings behind the scenes, Ryan’s only chance at freeing himself from his shareholders may be to team up with his fellow Avillage orphans: an embittered computer-programming savant, a once-in-a-generation NBA prospect, and a show-stopping Latin American model.
Koontz’s fast-paced yet introspective writing style is sure to keep your mind whirring and the pages turning, right to the explosive final page.
Seven year-old Ryan Tyler, Jr. has just been adopted. By a corporation.
Ticker symbol RTJ is the initial public offering on James Prescott’s Avillage Exchange, a market that trades in the financial futures of exceptionally gifted orphans.
Before the brilliant first-grader has even had a chance to catch his breath, he is whisked off to live with seemingly perfect new parents he’s not sure he can trust. And he’s got a sinking feeling that the only ally he has from his previous life is somehow conspiring with the corporation.
With Prescott and a board of directors pulling strings behind the scenes, Ryan’s only chance at freeing himself from his shareholders may be to team up with his fellow Avillage orphans: an embittered computer-programming savant, a once-in-a-generation NBA prospect, and a show-stopping Latin American model.
Koontz’s fast-paced yet introspective writing style is sure to keep your mind whirring and the pages turning, right to the explosive final page.
344 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
1349 people are currently reading
1230 people want to read
About the author
Dan Koontz
3 books31 followersI'm a neurologist by day, treating patients with neurological diseases. It's a challenging and rewarding job, but medicine is primarily driven by science and data. It doesn't allow for a lot of creativity. (And I'm sure my patients appreciate that!)
I got into writing for one reason. I wanted to tell stories - to come up with an original idea and develop it. To create believable characters, who aren't caricatures of good and evil. To build a plot and see it through to a fitting end.
Yes, I'm an engineering major, who worked briefly in technology consulting with Accenture and then went to medical school, so my writing style may be a little different than someone's who's been classically trained in creative writing. But it has emotion, and it flows. I hope you enjoy it.
I got into writing for one reason. I wanted to tell stories - to come up with an original idea and develop it. To create believable characters, who aren't caricatures of good and evil. To build a plot and see it through to a fitting end.
Yes, I'm an engineering major, who worked briefly in technology consulting with Accenture and then went to medical school, so my writing style may be a little different than someone's who's been classically trained in creative writing. But it has emotion, and it flows. I hope you enjoy it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
November 12, 2013
I got this book free from Firstreads. This is my honest review--
We've all heard the saying-"It takes a village to raise a child." Dan Koontz has created an exceptional and unusual story by taking that thought to the extreme. Happy children raised in happy homes, developing responsible citizens, and improving society may be the ultimate perfection for kids. But what about orphans. Are some orphans more important and valuable than other orphans? Should intelligent, creative, and talented parents be matched up with the cream of the crop orphans? What if there needed to be a little push to be sure that the right children became the right orphans?
Ryan was one such orphan. His parents were killed in a head on collision by a drunk driver. Ryan thus became The First I.P.O (Initial Public Offering) for the "Avillage" Corporation, who found him excellent parents who could develop his intellectual capability to it's fullest. From then on out, a portion of all of Ryan's earnings would be returned to the corporation and it's investors.
Besides being a fast and intriguing read with children's stories and corporate greed, this book would make for an exceptional book group discussion. The characters were so wonderfully developed that I could have picked them out of a crowd. I can see theories, ethics, morals, and individual problem solving for raising orphans being discussed for hours within a group of readers. I actually glossed over the title of this book thinking I was getting a Dean Koontz novel, but by page 20, I was hooked on this new author's book! Sure hope he has a lot more such creative stories in his immagination.
We've all heard the saying-"It takes a village to raise a child." Dan Koontz has created an exceptional and unusual story by taking that thought to the extreme. Happy children raised in happy homes, developing responsible citizens, and improving society may be the ultimate perfection for kids. But what about orphans. Are some orphans more important and valuable than other orphans? Should intelligent, creative, and talented parents be matched up with the cream of the crop orphans? What if there needed to be a little push to be sure that the right children became the right orphans?
Ryan was one such orphan. His parents were killed in a head on collision by a drunk driver. Ryan thus became The First I.P.O (Initial Public Offering) for the "Avillage" Corporation, who found him excellent parents who could develop his intellectual capability to it's fullest. From then on out, a portion of all of Ryan's earnings would be returned to the corporation and it's investors.
Besides being a fast and intriguing read with children's stories and corporate greed, this book would make for an exceptional book group discussion. The characters were so wonderfully developed that I could have picked them out of a crowd. I can see theories, ethics, morals, and individual problem solving for raising orphans being discussed for hours within a group of readers. I actually glossed over the title of this book thinking I was getting a Dean Koontz novel, but by page 20, I was hooked on this new author's book! Sure hope he has a lot more such creative stories in his immagination.
December 10, 2013
Ugh!! This whole concept was disturbing but I had to read it. It was well written and the characters were very believable. I couldn't help drawing the comparison between the book and America in general. None of us or our children are owned by a corporation. Thankfully. But when we depend on others or the government to provide for us, we lose our freedom. We give them unnecessary power over us.
The Directors of Avillage were so greedy and selfish and greedy, greedy, greedy. They stooped to extremely low levels. The children were not people to them. The kids were a means for acquiring more wealth and when they weren't able to do that, they were expendable. Wow!
The Directors of Avillage were so greedy and selfish and greedy, greedy, greedy. They stooped to extremely low levels. The children were not people to them. The kids were a means for acquiring more wealth and when they weren't able to do that, they were expendable. Wow!
December 6, 2020
A question well posed, but left unanswered
Koontz never fails to grab my attention, but several times in this book, I found myself wondering if the core idea might not be a bit too nebulous for my taste. Still, it held me through and finally all summed itself up in a daring question for our times: does the end ever justify the means to achieve it? Much to Koontz' credit, he left the answer up to the reader.
Koontz never fails to grab my attention, but several times in this book, I found myself wondering if the core idea might not be a bit too nebulous for my taste. Still, it held me through and finally all summed itself up in a daring question for our times: does the end ever justify the means to achieve it? Much to Koontz' credit, he left the answer up to the reader.
August 31, 2016
This is a story of patience, of staying the course, of dedication, of focus. It is a story of greed, anger, depression and revenge. It is a story of psychosis sanctioned by societal and political apathy. And it is a story that takes place in our not-to-distant future, approximately the 2030’s.
The protagonist of our story is Ryan Tyler, Jr., the very first child allowed to be legally adopted by a corporation, a corporation that just happens to be called “Avillage.” Ryan is 7 years old, is a recent orphan, and is an intellectual genius. He has perfect photographic and auditory memory and his IQ scores are off the charts. And he is a psychologically well-adjusted child even though he witnessed the death of his parents in a car accident just 3 months before.
By sheer chance Ryan learns that he will be the pilot project for Avillage and that the couple he will live with will not actually be his legal parents. He learns that he will be, basically, an incorporated entity whose future value will be traded on the stock exchange, an IPO. Even as young as he is, he knows to keep what he knows to himself. But he is always listening, watching and researching the holding company of Avillage and the AVEX stock exchange.
Dan Koontz is thorough in creating the plausible backstory for the legally groundbreaking exchange. Avillage is the brainchild of another intellectual genius by the name of James Prescott. For 30 years, since his grad school days at Princeton, Prescott has been developing the idea of turning children with exceptional intellectual, physical or creative talents into financial investments, complete with a board of directors and stockholders. He focuses his efforts on orphaned children in order to gain social and political sympathy. Day by day, year by year, he lobbies the politicians until he is actually able to get the civil rights laws changed to allow the modern day equivalent of indentured servitude.
Any private orphanage or government child welfare agency is allowed to essentially sell a qualified child to Avillage after the child has been legally orphaned for 3 months. Even though minors, they are allowed no guardian ad litem to represent their interests. Their education, their extra-curricular activities, their very will is subverted to the needs of the investors. And the law allows Avillage to adopt one child every month.
The children are bound to the corporation as minors and as adults. All adoptees must forfeit a percentage of their after-tax income yearly to Avillage until they can buy themselves out or they reach the age of 63, whichever comes first. The only other way to be released is to self-destruct the talent, go to jail or die. And the children are not being told any of this. Nor are they being told that the people they think of as their new parents are only carefully selected caretakers.
Now if that little tidbit of insidious social reform is not enough to get you engrossed in the book, the author throws in another twist. Avillage’s Prescott has absolutely no compunction against terminating the parental rights, with prejudice, of any child he wants in his stable.
This book is a very well-written page-turner, one of those that sucks you in and demands that you read into the wee hours of the morning. You just have to know what Ryan is going to do when he turns 18. And you want to know how Ryan, along with Dillon and Annamaria, who are also Avillage orphans, will exact revenge against the people who sold them out.
I personally feel that Dan Koontz has written a novel that should be required reading in every school system in America. It also needs to be part of every sociology curriculum in the country. It’s really not that many steps from the Patriot Act and the Affordable Health Care Act to an Orphan Act.
I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program. That fact did not, in any way, alter my opinion of the book.
The protagonist of our story is Ryan Tyler, Jr., the very first child allowed to be legally adopted by a corporation, a corporation that just happens to be called “Avillage.” Ryan is 7 years old, is a recent orphan, and is an intellectual genius. He has perfect photographic and auditory memory and his IQ scores are off the charts. And he is a psychologically well-adjusted child even though he witnessed the death of his parents in a car accident just 3 months before.
By sheer chance Ryan learns that he will be the pilot project for Avillage and that the couple he will live with will not actually be his legal parents. He learns that he will be, basically, an incorporated entity whose future value will be traded on the stock exchange, an IPO. Even as young as he is, he knows to keep what he knows to himself. But he is always listening, watching and researching the holding company of Avillage and the AVEX stock exchange.
Dan Koontz is thorough in creating the plausible backstory for the legally groundbreaking exchange. Avillage is the brainchild of another intellectual genius by the name of James Prescott. For 30 years, since his grad school days at Princeton, Prescott has been developing the idea of turning children with exceptional intellectual, physical or creative talents into financial investments, complete with a board of directors and stockholders. He focuses his efforts on orphaned children in order to gain social and political sympathy. Day by day, year by year, he lobbies the politicians until he is actually able to get the civil rights laws changed to allow the modern day equivalent of indentured servitude.
Any private orphanage or government child welfare agency is allowed to essentially sell a qualified child to Avillage after the child has been legally orphaned for 3 months. Even though minors, they are allowed no guardian ad litem to represent their interests. Their education, their extra-curricular activities, their very will is subverted to the needs of the investors. And the law allows Avillage to adopt one child every month.
The children are bound to the corporation as minors and as adults. All adoptees must forfeit a percentage of their after-tax income yearly to Avillage until they can buy themselves out or they reach the age of 63, whichever comes first. The only other way to be released is to self-destruct the talent, go to jail or die. And the children are not being told any of this. Nor are they being told that the people they think of as their new parents are only carefully selected caretakers.
Now if that little tidbit of insidious social reform is not enough to get you engrossed in the book, the author throws in another twist. Avillage’s Prescott has absolutely no compunction against terminating the parental rights, with prejudice, of any child he wants in his stable.
This book is a very well-written page-turner, one of those that sucks you in and demands that you read into the wee hours of the morning. You just have to know what Ryan is going to do when he turns 18. And you want to know how Ryan, along with Dillon and Annamaria, who are also Avillage orphans, will exact revenge against the people who sold them out.
I personally feel that Dan Koontz has written a novel that should be required reading in every school system in America. It also needs to be part of every sociology curriculum in the country. It’s really not that many steps from the Patriot Act and the Affordable Health Care Act to an Orphan Act.
I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program. That fact did not, in any way, alter my opinion of the book.
February 23, 2024
This book came up in my Goodreads recommendations. I was intrigued. While I have read many of the famous "Koontz" author, I had never heard of Dan Koontz. This author is a neurologist so obviously high on the intelligence scale. I am happy to have found this book. I listened to the audio book (not listed here on Goodreads) and I really enjoyed it! It's a concept that was a bit hard to swallow in the beginning but the way it all developed pulled me in. While these orphans were given a better childhood and better life, there were some ethical issues as well. Then it takes a darker turn as we find sinister and nefarious things are happening behind the scenes. This was quite compelling and I loved the ending. I will be seeking more by this new to me author.
February 23, 2018
Wow
Amazing plot and concept. Grabs your attention and keeps it. Highly recommend for all who read and think. Do not start if you do not want to prioritize your time for reading.
Amazing plot and concept. Grabs your attention and keeps it. Highly recommend for all who read and think. Do not start if you do not want to prioritize your time for reading.
January 6, 2014
This is fairly disturbing story that immediately hooked me with its unique plot to save very talented and promising, yet significantly disadvantaged children.
March 29, 2021
Very interesting premise, but
I personally did not believe that which was being asked of me. There are many historical contexts in which I would have believed the story. But simply introducing indentured servitude, superimposing really, into an otherwise true to life America, does not work. If there had been enough changes to the world so that it was a bit fantastic, maybe. A period piece, YES! Near future even. But handing me my own society, then saying everything is normal apart from the corporate slaves who attend Harvard, did not. That being the lone difference in the worlds caused it to stick out in a distracting way to me. If you add that the whole story builds up in a rather dramatic way, only to only to end abruptly, I would warn you off. There is no closure. Period! The characters were merely devices. Although there were numerous opportunities, there was almost no dynamic relationship on a personal level. Overlapping only in a superficial way, each character has their own narrative. Not a single one of the narratives offered closure. Perhaps I am a touch harsh because I just finished it. I could not believe that I spent all that time on a story with no ending. I was still looking for the good part. Perhaps there was a sudden house 🔥and he had to find his cat...
I personally did not believe that which was being asked of me. There are many historical contexts in which I would have believed the story. But simply introducing indentured servitude, superimposing really, into an otherwise true to life America, does not work. If there had been enough changes to the world so that it was a bit fantastic, maybe. A period piece, YES! Near future even. But handing me my own society, then saying everything is normal apart from the corporate slaves who attend Harvard, did not. That being the lone difference in the worlds caused it to stick out in a distracting way to me. If you add that the whole story builds up in a rather dramatic way, only to only to end abruptly, I would warn you off. There is no closure. Period! The characters were merely devices. Although there were numerous opportunities, there was almost no dynamic relationship on a personal level. Overlapping only in a superficial way, each character has their own narrative. Not a single one of the narratives offered closure. Perhaps I am a touch harsh because I just finished it. I could not believe that I spent all that time on a story with no ending. I was still looking for the good part. Perhaps there was a sudden house 🔥and he had to find his cat...
January 2, 2018
Finally a new idea. A company is designed to identify highly gifted individuals, give them all the resources they need to become successful, and take a share of their future production. This is the same as a capital investment firm, but rather than companies, it depends upon individuals. I totally agree with the premise that the actual chthonic changes in society are not made by masses or even leaders, but a small amount of seriously gifted individuals. Thus it behooves us to invest in such individuals which ends up benefiting us all. Of course, in order to make this a story and not a prospectus, the author had to introduce dirty dealing, etc.
I found this story to come close but not attain a thrilling page turner. The story does not offer fast action, nor does it fully encompass conflict. The concept is fleshed out, but once this is understood it simply does not flow. The entire storyline was easily predictable from the first chapter and nothing was unforeseen.
I think that Koontz, due to his profligacy, has reached a point where it is tough to come up with new concepts and ideas for a book, and even if he does, it is still tough to flesh it out in a compelling page turner.
I found this story to come close but not attain a thrilling page turner. The story does not offer fast action, nor does it fully encompass conflict. The concept is fleshed out, but once this is understood it simply does not flow. The entire storyline was easily predictable from the first chapter and nothing was unforeseen.
I think that Koontz, due to his profligacy, has reached a point where it is tough to come up with new concepts and ideas for a book, and even if he does, it is still tough to flesh it out in a compelling page turner.
May 14, 2021
Someone please teach Koontz computers aren’t magic
I still don’t know how you smile at a person and that emasculates them, but I feel I have to learn.
It’s just... not a very good story. It’s a “technology = magic” sort of narrative which might work if you were only mildly technologically literate (if you’re more than mildly the descriptions and use of computers is probably going to drive some deep sighs, it’s like how your dad imagines computers working).
Also, I’m not saying the US refrains from sterilizing immigrants, but you’d know when you didn’t get your period and you weren’t on the pill SOMETHING is wrong. Moreover, if you do that to a teen girl it’s likely going to cause a whole host of other issues, like bone density. Last thing I’m going to say on Annmarie; have you heard of sperm banks? Cause NY does in fact have them.
It’s clear the story intended the audience to fear corporations, but honestly even if you go along with the premise there’s a lot strain on the bridge of disbelief, throw in the understanding of technology and women’s bodies, by the time you get to the downer ending you’ll also be wishing you’d read anything else, like a directory.
I still don’t know how you smile at a person and that emasculates them, but I feel I have to learn.
It’s just... not a very good story. It’s a “technology = magic” sort of narrative which might work if you were only mildly technologically literate (if you’re more than mildly the descriptions and use of computers is probably going to drive some deep sighs, it’s like how your dad imagines computers working).
Also, I’m not saying the US refrains from sterilizing immigrants, but you’d know when you didn’t get your period and you weren’t on the pill SOMETHING is wrong. Moreover, if you do that to a teen girl it’s likely going to cause a whole host of other issues, like bone density. Last thing I’m going to say on Annmarie; have you heard of sperm banks? Cause NY does in fact have them.
It’s clear the story intended the audience to fear corporations, but honestly even if you go along with the premise there’s a lot strain on the bridge of disbelief, throw in the understanding of technology and women’s bodies, by the time you get to the downer ending you’ll also be wishing you’d read anything else, like a directory.
July 9, 2021
Koontz never fails to impress, immerse and entertain the reader.
I have enjoyed every book I have ever read by Koontz and I have read almost all of them. I have loved most of them. He works a kind of magic on the reader, giving them characters to care about and truly makes them live and breathe. I.P.O. was no exception despite the rather uninspiring name. I'm again amazed and delighted to be transported into another story that is unique and original where this author illustrates the best and the worst of the human heart in his distinctive way. The deepest darkest depravity of human nature depicted along side of the best mankind has to offer in the possibly flawed but upstanding in unquestionable integrity.
This story grabs you from the beginning and ensures the readers compassion for the characters and their struggles and brings them to life. This is Koontz at his best, I'm not going to summarize or describe the plot because that is readily available for any who seek it out. What I will say is this story holds up it's end of being everything I have come to expect in a Dean Koontz novel and I wish there was a sequel.
I have enjoyed every book I have ever read by Koontz and I have read almost all of them. I have loved most of them. He works a kind of magic on the reader, giving them characters to care about and truly makes them live and breathe. I.P.O. was no exception despite the rather uninspiring name. I'm again amazed and delighted to be transported into another story that is unique and original where this author illustrates the best and the worst of the human heart in his distinctive way. The deepest darkest depravity of human nature depicted along side of the best mankind has to offer in the possibly flawed but upstanding in unquestionable integrity.
This story grabs you from the beginning and ensures the readers compassion for the characters and their struggles and brings them to life. This is Koontz at his best, I'm not going to summarize or describe the plot because that is readily available for any who seek it out. What I will say is this story holds up it's end of being everything I have come to expect in a Dean Koontz novel and I wish there was a sequel.
January 19, 2018
Unique
I thought the concept was great. The book explores the idea of a corporation owning children that are considered exceptional. People then buy stocks of the children, enabling the children to have everything they need to become super successful adults. Unfortunately, the corporation also makes all the decisions regarding what the children are, or are not, allowed to participate in. Because the corporation has so much power, they can take liberties that shouldn't necessarily be taken. Also, consider how all these exceptional children might end up being orphans available for purchase.
I loved this story. It really held my attention. It only got 4 stars, instead of 5, because I thought the ending could have been better.
I did find this offering when I searched for Dean Koontz, and saw that the author was Dan Koontz, but decided it might be an interesting read. I was definitely not disappointed.
I thought the concept was great. The book explores the idea of a corporation owning children that are considered exceptional. People then buy stocks of the children, enabling the children to have everything they need to become super successful adults. Unfortunately, the corporation also makes all the decisions regarding what the children are, or are not, allowed to participate in. Because the corporation has so much power, they can take liberties that shouldn't necessarily be taken. Also, consider how all these exceptional children might end up being orphans available for purchase.
I loved this story. It really held my attention. It only got 4 stars, instead of 5, because I thought the ending could have been better.
I did find this offering when I searched for Dean Koontz, and saw that the author was Dan Koontz, but decided it might be an interesting read. I was definitely not disappointed.
March 28, 2018
Solid Koontz
Koontz has been my top favorite author since the age of 14- when I discovered a book titled Intensity in my group home. Throughout my time in foster care my one constant was library access, and therefore the ability to live a thousand lives and ignore the lonely solitude of my own.
The fact that this book touches on the lives of orphans and the devastation caused by being forced into a world of strangers and loss, well it connected with me on a deeper level than many other Koontz novels.
Always one to surprise me with twists and turns, this author never fails to bring his characters and story to fruition, except , maybe in this book.
Maybe it is the orphan in me- yearning answers and a happy ending for my own story, and subsequently preventing satisfaction at the end of this book. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, bringing the journey to an abrupt end. Truthfully, I'm not sure if that disappointment is from within my self or the book. 💖
Koontz has been my top favorite author since the age of 14- when I discovered a book titled Intensity in my group home. Throughout my time in foster care my one constant was library access, and therefore the ability to live a thousand lives and ignore the lonely solitude of my own.
The fact that this book touches on the lives of orphans and the devastation caused by being forced into a world of strangers and loss, well it connected with me on a deeper level than many other Koontz novels.
Always one to surprise me with twists and turns, this author never fails to bring his characters and story to fruition, except , maybe in this book.
Maybe it is the orphan in me- yearning answers and a happy ending for my own story, and subsequently preventing satisfaction at the end of this book. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, bringing the journey to an abrupt end. Truthfully, I'm not sure if that disappointment is from within my self or the book. 💖
December 9, 2022
The concept is bold but dangerous, capable of being administered benignly or tyrannically. The author demonstrates this danger and illustrates how even from evil good can arise. He invites the reader to pass final moral judgment, as Robert Penn Warren does in ALL THE KING'S MEN. But how could a publisher allow a good book to go forth without proper copy-editing? The author is young and evidently inexperienced. He appears not to know that "may" has a past tense ("might"), and he thinks that "disinterested" (i.e., impartial, without selfish interest) means uninterested. He indents the greeting of a letter and uses "impactful" six or more times (not "awesome," however, thank goodness). But multitudes of other errors may be the fault of the compositor: Here/hear; parent's/parents'; omitted words or syllables ("wants us stay," "hasn't adopt me"); and allowing the word processor to turn initial apostrophes into opening curly quotes. Such errors make the reading experience unpleasant.
April 11, 2021
An Excellent Read by “the other D Koontz”
As an avid reader, books are suggested to me by multiple sources quite frequently. When I saw the description for “The IPO”, I confess, I thought it was a “Dean Koontz” novel. Only at the very end, when I saw the authors photo, did I realize my mistake. This was an amazing book-held me captive and I so thoroughly enjoyed the concept! Not often do I read a story that strikes me as “Groundbreaking” and “truly original”. The character development was excellent, with characters staying true to themselves, and plot twists well timed. I highly recommend this novel!
As an avid reader, books are suggested to me by multiple sources quite frequently. When I saw the description for “The IPO”, I confess, I thought it was a “Dean Koontz” novel. Only at the very end, when I saw the authors photo, did I realize my mistake. This was an amazing book-held me captive and I so thoroughly enjoyed the concept! Not often do I read a story that strikes me as “Groundbreaking” and “truly original”. The character development was excellent, with characters staying true to themselves, and plot twists well timed. I highly recommend this novel!
May 22, 2021
I loved the book. The handling of orphans in and outside Avillage was disturbing. The twist of the Avillage approach to helping and growing, and making money off of the most talented was well written, characterized, and interesting. I really didn't want to put this book down. The book was well written minus a few instances some editing errors. Some of the characters were exaggerated, but that made the book more exciting. I loved the twist in the story, the developing relationships between the orphans, the evolving investigation of crimes, the struggle between revenge and forgiveness, and the sinister characterization of the bad guys.
I would highly recommend this book.
I would highly recommend this book.
January 7, 2022
The best yet! Do not skip to the end!
Avillage? Reminded me of Hillary Clinton’s famous saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Ugh! I was almost put off to the point where I thought I would just discard this read and move on. Thankfully I did not!
Had I done so I would have missed so much of the real development of a child who was the initial IPO, and adoptee, of Avillage, and who despite a desperately avaricious head manager who lost his moral compass, brought light to Avillage’s CEO, and made winner’s of all of us in the end. And remember my admonition at the beginning, do not skip to the end!
Avillage? Reminded me of Hillary Clinton’s famous saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Ugh! I was almost put off to the point where I thought I would just discard this read and move on. Thankfully I did not!
Had I done so I would have missed so much of the real development of a child who was the initial IPO, and adoptee, of Avillage, and who despite a desperately avaricious head manager who lost his moral compass, brought light to Avillage’s CEO, and made winner’s of all of us in the end. And remember my admonition at the beginning, do not skip to the end!
August 4, 2024
This story was utterly horrifying to me
I guess the author accomplished what needed to be done by bringing me to that level of emotion. I actually read the rest of the book (after chapter 5) outloud to a friend who enjoyed it much more than I did. She was of the option a sequal is needed and all that I was outraged and upset about would be resolved. Although this was speculative fiction, this was dystopian for me and I just couldn't abide the lack of justice except for 1 instance-- that was carried through the book and definitely carried on to the end. I hope nothing like this ever happens in the real word.
I guess the author accomplished what needed to be done by bringing me to that level of emotion. I actually read the rest of the book (after chapter 5) outloud to a friend who enjoyed it much more than I did. She was of the option a sequal is needed and all that I was outraged and upset about would be resolved. Although this was speculative fiction, this was dystopian for me and I just couldn't abide the lack of justice except for 1 instance-- that was carried through the book and definitely carried on to the end. I hope nothing like this ever happens in the real word.
November 20, 2023
Surprisingly Good: THE I.P.O.
I selected this title on my Kindle Unlimited account mistakenly thinking it was a novel by Dean Koontz only to discover upon reading the cover page, etc., that the first name was different. I briefly considered *not* reading the book but figured "Got to give young Authors a chance..."
And---I was glad that I did: this is a great book with an interesting story arc but especially, extremely well-fleshed, well-developed characters.
Will definitely keep reading future works by this Author.
I selected this title on my Kindle Unlimited account mistakenly thinking it was a novel by Dean Koontz only to discover upon reading the cover page, etc., that the first name was different. I briefly considered *not* reading the book but figured "Got to give young Authors a chance..."
And---I was glad that I did: this is a great book with an interesting story arc but especially, extremely well-fleshed, well-developed characters.
Will definitely keep reading future works by this Author.
March 2, 2018
Surprised
Okay, I bought this book because I saw the name Koontz. Then I saw it was some guy named Dan. Someone must have left out the 'e'. I decided to read it anyway, and was I surprised.
Dan Koontz creates some very
believable characters. They make flawed decisions, some selfish some altruistic,some both. In the end the story ends in a believable place but not a predictable one. I will be following this writer.
Okay, I bought this book because I saw the name Koontz. Then I saw it was some guy named Dan. Someone must have left out the 'e'. I decided to read it anyway, and was I surprised.
Dan Koontz creates some very
believable characters. They make flawed decisions, some selfish some altruistic,some both. In the end the story ends in a believable place but not a predictable one. I will be following this writer.
July 9, 2020
Very disappointed
I m not going to tell you not to read a free book. We are all bored and tired of this pandemic. However, this started out as a possible great book then towards the last third it became so unrealistic I could hardly finish. Even if you're at your wits end SEARCH for a better free read or mot. I think so many of us are into pandemic reading! Might as well enjoy it.
I m not going to tell you not to read a free book. We are all bored and tired of this pandemic. However, this started out as a possible great book then towards the last third it became so unrealistic I could hardly finish. Even if you're at your wits end SEARCH for a better free read or mot. I think so many of us are into pandemic reading! Might as well enjoy it.
May 2, 2021
Creative and thought-provoking
Honestly, I'm glad I mistook the name, or I may not have read this book. (And I thought the style wasn't right as I was reading!) The premise of the book is one of the most creative I've come across in quite some time. Admittedly, it's a bit slow in spots and could use direction in others, but it kept my attention enough to read it in one sitting. I'd love to see the author revisit this title at some point so we can see what Ryan does next!
Honestly, I'm glad I mistook the name, or I may not have read this book. (And I thought the style wasn't right as I was reading!) The premise of the book is one of the most creative I've come across in quite some time. Admittedly, it's a bit slow in spots and could use direction in others, but it kept my attention enough to read it in one sitting. I'd love to see the author revisit this title at some point so we can see what Ryan does next!
July 10, 2021
Another great Koontz
I enjoyed this story and the writing that conveys it. Like that other Koontz, this new guy spins and supports a highly imaginative tale, even plausible. Also like Dean, Dan's I.P.O. story gets a little complicated, leaving me trying to sort through some of the different characters, flipping back through pages to straighten myself out on the important details of the story line. Perhaps this inconvenience is the price of following the imagineer.
I enjoyed this story and the writing that conveys it. Like that other Koontz, this new guy spins and supports a highly imaginative tale, even plausible. Also like Dean, Dan's I.P.O. story gets a little complicated, leaving me trying to sort through some of the different characters, flipping back through pages to straighten myself out on the important details of the story line. Perhaps this inconvenience is the price of following the imagineer.
May 20, 2017
This book was interesting in a disturbing way. The premise seems at first altruistic; taking orphans and matching them with hand picked parents. However, it is much darker than that. I read this book pretty quickly. I also found myself wondering if something like this could be happening in the world right now.
December 3, 2018
This ending up being a good book. I felt the beginning dragged and was not very interesting but towards the middle of the book it began picking up. The ending was kind of sad but at the same time a good closure to the book. I could easily see a second book coming say aging to say 10 years in the future to know how the kids turned out.
September 14, 2019
IPO grabbed me from page one. I mistakenly thought the author was Dean Koontz instead of Dan Koontz. However, this author certainly held his own. His characters are relatable — his villains are heinous and his victims are worthy of sympathy. Sadly, I believe IPO could only be written in today’s society due to our incessant greed and lack of humanity.
January 15, 2020
Unique and Provocative
Not another tired old story revamped with modern influences. This book takes into the hearts and minds of orphans and corporate espionage at ita finest. Well written with a strong plot and characters for which you feel affinity. Kudos and I look forward to other works by same author!
Not another tired old story revamped with modern influences. This book takes into the hearts and minds of orphans and corporate espionage at ita finest. Well written with a strong plot and characters for which you feel affinity. Kudos and I look forward to other works by same author!
June 5, 2020
A world where the ends justify the means.
A well told story with twists and turns within twists and turns right down to the final scene. A story of corporate ambition unhindered by moral concerns up to and including murder. A world of orphaned children where the right orphans are sought even if it means that inconvenient parents must be eliminated.
A well told story with twists and turns within twists and turns right down to the final scene. A story of corporate ambition unhindered by moral concerns up to and including murder. A world of orphaned children where the right orphans are sought even if it means that inconvenient parents must be eliminated.
August 22, 2020
Loved it.
What can I say to this story. For once I say a story, rather then a book. I thought Dan Koontz was Dean Koontz, which is what made me read this book. I can truthfully say Dan, that Dean has nothing on YOU. Fantastic story, well written and well thought out, from beginning to the end. I'll just leave it at that, while I go in search of other books by Dan Koontz.
What can I say to this story. For once I say a story, rather then a book. I thought Dan Koontz was Dean Koontz, which is what made me read this book. I can truthfully say Dan, that Dean has nothing on YOU. Fantastic story, well written and well thought out, from beginning to the end. I'll just leave it at that, while I go in search of other books by Dan Koontz.
February 7, 2021
I enjoyed this story right up until the end where it felt like the author just threw in the towel and decided to submit. The conclusion was not much of a conclusion. You could say the author was just leaving it up to the reader (or a sequel) as to what happens next, but given the deeds done, the general acceptance of it seems far fetched.
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