Orasul noptii

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein #2

by Dean Koontz

In acest roman detectivii Carson O'Connor si Michael Maddison afla ca Victor Helios, un savant miliardar, este, de fapt, Victor Frankenstein, si ca prima sa creatie, care acum isi spune Deucalion, a venit in oras ca sa salveze lumea. Caci Victor nu a incetat sa creeze oameni noi - infricosatoarea Rasa Noua. El a creat ceea ce a crezut ca e omul perfect... pana cand lucrurile au inceput s-o ia razna.

Orasul noptii reprezinta continuarea primului volum din aceasta serie, Fiul ratacitor.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

350 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

About the author

Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.

Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.

Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com

Reviews

[Paul E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete continuation from Book one.
The Main characters (Michael and Carson the NOLO police detectives), continue to be hunted by the new creatures Frankenstein has/is creating. And the creatures themselves continue to break down and turn on their master.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second volume in Koontz's five-volume re-imagining of Frankenstein. The mad scientist has created his new race and is opposed by two police detectives. The story is set in contemporary (pre-Katrina) New Orleans and picks up just as the first volume has closed. It with another cliffhanger; the first three volumes form a tight trilogy and must be read in order to get a full picture. The first book, Prodigal Son, was initially published as a collaboration with Kevin J. Anderson, and Ed Gorman is listed as a collaborator on my first edition of this one. Subsequent editions are credited solely to Koontz, but I don't know if the novels were rewritten or just repackaged. This one suffers a little from the middle-book-of-a-trilogy syndrome; more characters are introduced, and the mysteries deepen, but there's no satisfying conclusion to the storyline. The characters are quite well done, and you really have to pull for the police. It's a nicely written blend of horror, romance, science fiction, and suspense.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as book one but still a great series so far

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for City of Night: Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein #2 (audiobook) by Dean Koontz and Ed Gorman read by John Bedford Lloyd.

I didn’t find this book as interesting as the first book. Hopefully it is a set up for a great ending. I’m looking forward to listening to the final book on Halloween 🎃.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in a series by Dean Koontz. I love the author but this is not one of my favorites.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well....that was interesting. If I could I'd give this one a 3.5.

It picks up almost at the instant the first book ends and follows the story, the characters. It takes a little while to get back to the, development, at the end of said first book. But...oh my....it spins us some new threads.

My concern here is that Mr. Kontz may spin this one out so that he has too many plot threads. He writes good "serviceable" prose. At times he comes across as gifted but his novels (for me) are a mixed bag. Some are among my favorites some i don't care for at all. Here I'm still interested but the book seems to be verging on the absurd in a few places.

I don't want to give spoilers in the review (as this is a good book) but I think I can say that the developments in the "new species" is taking some odd turns. These are turns that the "creator" of said species never expected.

The book also is blatantly a chapter in a continuing story. The climax...the end of the book ties up a plot point while ending almost in a mid-chapter feeling. This one is a no-nonsense, no hiding it cliffhanger ending leading into the next book.

Okay, pretty good. I'll go 3.5 but round up to 4. Enjoy.

[[Name Redacted] · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marked improvement over the drivel of the first album, marred only by the unfortunate decision to kill off the only character I really liked. The change of co-authors was a huge help; the style of prose has improved; and while Deucalion and the detectives still feel like unfortunately cliched pastiches, the supporting cast (Randal Six, Cyndi & Ben, and Erika Five in particular) really stands out and any of them could have carried a whole novel on their own.

I hated the first book so much (terrible writing, awful characterization, etc.), I wouldn't have read this second novel if I hadn't purchased them both as a package. I'm actually glad I did now, and I hope the upcoming third book sticks to the second's level of quality.

[The Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Dean Koontz has written an imaginative continuation of the story of Frankenstein and his monster. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's such an interesting take on Victor's psychology and ideology and how history has affected his present day work and his monsters life in general. And his plans for mankind...

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good continuation of the first book. Set in New Orleans where the mad Victor continues his experiments to create a new race of slaves to him. He is also slowly taking over New Orleans with replicants and killing the real people. There is also weird things happening at the rubbish dump he disposes of his mistakes. The two detectives Micheal and Carson continue their wise cracking banter while hunting for Victor.

This book introduces a new development with Victors mistakes as well as his creations going a little bonkers. Deucalion plays a relatively minor role in this book with a few to the rescue scenes. The book ends with a cliff hanger. Is a new creature being born?

[Nymphsin · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!
Great Book!
The developing story between Ducalion and his maker keep you turning the page.
The New Race has minions fanned out all over the city in very prestigiuos positions.
The Old Race (human's) seems doomed as many have already died at the hands of Victor Helios's New Race.
The relationship between Micheal and Carson also begins to evolve and one becomes more vocal with their feelings.
Carson's younger and autistic brother (Arnie) befriends Ducalion and their relationship is wonderfully written. I just LOVE how Ducalion can reach the child and Arnie seems to understand and relate to the giant.
Dean Koontz turns up the knotch on just how EVIL Victor Helios aka Frankenstien can really be.
And what a monster he is!
His creations are an abomination and most of them are slaves and were created only to serve Victor's every whim.
His tank born/lab created wife, Erika 5, seems to get the very worst of his punishments.
The end has totally and completly left me wanting more and I hope that Mr. Koontz keeps writing about Ducalion loooong after he releases book three.
He said that book three is suppose to be the conclusion the the Frankenstien series but I hope we get much more Ducalion in the future.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bring on the next book! These are fun!

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating: 3.5

I still have many of the same complaints that I had with the first book, mainly that despite the interesting idea many of the characters and actual plot elements are very paint-by-numbers, but I think I just finally gave in an allowed myself to enjoy it this time around because for some reason these books are just really enjoyable and easy to read. I think it's probably the very short chapters and many character POVs [although honestly sometimes there are a bit TOO many POVs for me personally]. It just makes for a very fast-moving plot and never really allows you to become bored with any one thing. Although I'm still upset by how little Deucalion is actually in this series overall. Maybe it just feels like it because he is my favorite character, but it seems like he doesn't get nearly as much page time as the other mains. Still hoping his presence is increased in the next book!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally awesome!! My wife gave me all 5 books in this series to me for Christmas last year, and now I am wondering why I took so long to start them. Koontz's Frankenstein is so exciting and inventive. These books move like the images on a movie screen in your mind. There's plenty of action, suspense and wicked creatures running around to keep me a prisoner of this terrifying world. I do have to add that these books need to be read in order and are not stand alone books.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A good sequel to Prodigal Son and I thought the story-line improved from the last book. Looking forward to the third book in the series when it is released.

[Lumalcav · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book was a kind of introduction o, better said, a way to understand what the story was about. We knew who Victor Helios was, aka Frankenstein, who Deucalion was, aka “the monster”, and the good team, our detectives Carson O’Connor and Michael Maddison.

From my point of view, this one, the second part, is also a kind of introduction. The supposed flawless army that Victor was creating is not as perfect as he thought, and it is giving problems not only to him but to the humankind. And, between the main chapters, we can read about another secrets, other problem that, I guess, will raise in following books.

What looked like a typical cat and mouse race has grown and it is much bigger with several plots. Not sure now if Victor if the main problem or if we are going to need him to find a solution. Not sure if Deucalion if enough to defeat the new-kind army. Too many doubts…

There is not a cliffhanger, there is an abrupt stop so… let´s keep reading!!!

BTW: still enjoying a lot the Carson and Michael chapters. Great couple!!!

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn't expect this series to be this good. It's just great, and even though these aren't short books, the reading flows so well they become quick reads. It's a great continuation of Frankenstein set in modern times, and there's a lot going on but never gets confusing (much like volume one.)

If you like Frankenstein, you should at least give this a shot.

[Will Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has such a great flow but just like the first one it does not work well as a stand alone story but more like a chapter of a larger story.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael followed the old woman, glanced back at Carson, and said, "Come on, bitch, this'll be fun."
-Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, City of Night, Chapter 22

I am excited to be re-reading this series with other Koontzlanders. In City of Night we learn the great truth of Snuggle, the fabric softener bear :
"Most of the time when he giggled, he covered his mouth with one paw. I always thought he didn't want you to see his teeth."
"Snuggle had bad teeth?" She asked.
"I figured they were rows of tiny vicious fangs he was hiding. When I was maybe four or five, I used to have nightmares where I'd be in bed with a teddy bear, and it was Snuggle, and he was trying to chew open my jugular and suck the lifeblood out of me."

I enjoyed the story and the second time around I noticed a character from Twilight Eyes making an appearance. In 2005, this was one of my first Dean Koontz books. I didn't read Twilight Eyes until 2013. I also noticed some references to Tick Tock and possibly one of those "From the Corner of His Eye" lines - Koontz is always throwing those in his books. There is a good amount of humor in City of Night, which I noticed more on the second and third readings than on the first time around.

My favorite lines:

"Yes! Yes, it is them." Benny was so pleased that they were alive and that he would still have a chance to kill them.
_______

As she had been taught in the tank, the universe is nothing but a sea of chaos in which random chance collides with happenstance and spins shatters of meaningless coincidence like shrapnel through our lives.
______

Yet, though in neither of their hearts did they have room for the concept of transcendence, though they were forbidden superstition and would laugh at the Old Race's perception of holiness behind nature, they knelt among the gone-wrongs, marveling at their twisted and macabre features, tentatively touching their grotesque bodies, and unto them came a kind of animal wonder and a chill of mystery, and a recognition of the unknown.
______

She answered the door with a cat in a hat. She held the cat, and the cat wore a hat. The cat was black, and the hat was a knitted blue beret with a red pompom.
Liane looked lovely, and the cat looked embarrassed, and Michael said, "This explains the mouse we just saw laughing itself to death."

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good second part in the series but it does start to get a little convoluted for me in this and its not quite as strong as the first book in the series.

I like that we learn alot more about Frankenstein/Helios and his slaves / creations...including his Wife Erica. This was a great way to show just how Evil Helios is and his relationship with his creations.

The storyline is fun and exciting and the New Race is out and about causing chaos in New Orleans.

Overall, very fun and fast paced. 3.5 stars.

REREAD 11/21/23- so this wasn't as convoluted as I remembered 15 years ago lol. It definitely isn't as strong as the first one in the series. There are a few subplots going on here.
1) Two New racers are ordered to Kill the two detectives and have been following them for most of the novel
2) Randall 6 is at Carson's house to get the "secret" from Carsons brother.
3) Erica 5 was just "born" and she is learning a lot about her new life as a wife in the Helios/Frankenstein abode.
4) New Racers and Replicants are starting to malfunction and break down all over the city. A preacher , a Helios assistant, and Werner , who is changing into a monstrosity etc etc. We also find something in the landfill the New Racers use to get rid of New Race "mistakes" and Old Race dead bodies and "Harker" is back from the first one looking like a small troll and is on the Helios property.
5) Helios learns of Deucalion's existence.

ill keep this at 3.5 stars.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Dean Koontz over the years. Years back I read Lightning and fell in love, burning through many of the early books with a vengeance. Over the years, though, I found myself frustrated by books that seemed to start out with a great deal of promise only to end in a way that made me want to throw the book against the wall.

Good reviews had me give Koontz’s Frankenstein series a shot. The first book, Prodigal Son was excellent. When I finished the second book, City of Night, I was still happy with how the series was playing out, but there were a few things happening that were beginning to make me nervous that the series was about to go in the direction of some of his other works.

Based on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Koontz has Victor Frankenstein still alive via experiments that have allowed him to extend his life and living in living in modern-day New Orleans, going by the name Victor Helios. He has been continuing his experiments and developing what he considers to be a master race of clones and his own creations that don’t have the problems other humans have. He’s carefully removed certain character traits he’s deemed undesirable and left in place others he considers appropriate.

To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following on from ‘The Prodigal Son’ Koontz takes the original Frankenstein story and creates something wonderful. Taking the idea of the classic story, Koontz places Frankenstein and his monster in the modern world. This story leaves you asking who the real monster is – whether it the grotesque monster happens to be the real monster or whether the creator of such a creature was the real monster.

Following on from the first book, the characters are still dealing with the same problem that they originally were, trying to find a way to stop Frankenstein. With the story unfolding even more, more danger waits around the corner. Still, there are dangers present that not everyone can fully understand making the task even more difficult for the heroes of the story.

It’s a must read for anyone who love Koontz or the classic Frankenstein story.

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's my distracted state of mind but I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as Frankenstein Prodigal Son . I didn't find it very interesting and found my mind drifting away throughout most of it. I think the thing I liked best about the first book in the series was learning more about the monster but in this book he's more of a secondary character in a cast full of secondary characters. Actually, when I think about it, the action seemed to be more of the main focus of the book than any of the characters and thus was the source of many of my issues with the book. I'm not a big all action/all the time type of reader and like a little more character development than I got here.

[Maciek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume two marks an improvement over the first book - the characters are still stiff and the dialogue is as contrived as ever, but the plot is more interesting and the story better paced. This might have to do with the change of the co-writer - Dean Koontz and Ed Gorman are old pals, so work on that book must have been much more pleasant than on the first volume. It even made me curious to read book three, which Koontz wrote alone. I hope it won't blow up like Eyjafjallajökull.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in Koontz's Frankenstein Trilogy, set in New Orleans. This one was written with Ed Gorman. I don't know who did most of the writing, but it certainly read more like Koontz to me. It was really good, a real page turner with the situation escalating dramatically from book 1. It ends on a cliffhanger so you'll probably want to have book 3 around when you finish. I do and will start it immediately.

[Mauoijenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not as good as the first and I will probably stop here with this series. I'm just not that interested in reading more. Koontz is really hit or miss with me for the past 10 years.

[X · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can a book about a modern-day Frankenstein and a city full of monsters bent on destroying the world be dull? This book had such a good premise, but just didn't live up to my expectations.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 audio and story! Awesome series!

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent continuation of the story. Deucalion, Carson & Michael are all that stand between Victor Helios' (formerly Frankenstein) new race and the destruction of humankind. They have two hearts and are nearly impossible to kill, but some are mutating and breaking down. The story follows several different characters including a new race couple assigned to kill Carson & Michael, and Erica 5, Victor's current version of his wife. Victor is haughty and convinced he is brilliant and incapable of making mistakes.

This is another fast-paced book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It ended quite suddenly. It was jarring because I was listening to the audiobook and didn't realize how close I was to the end. Moving on to book 3...

[Pavel Tsekov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again - absolutely stunning and interesting!

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first in this series was "just okay", but good enough to read a little more. This is not good Koontz. But he is giving another author a chance in the publishing world, and there are some pretty cool twists and turns. This material is too violent for me, but now I wanna know what happens to all five Erikas. I think a group of women are going to arise and take a horrific vengeance against the still-alive Victor Frankenstein and these ladies will be joined by the original monster. It might be better than just okay!