Michelle

I'll have a go this time. Erm.. what am I thinking?

Maureen makes a good point.. When someone reviews this, could you start a new thread please.

Is it a rainbow?

Is it a vase?

I'm not sure, but I'll try... Is it a cat?

Karen, the series has been split, but no-one knows when the second half will be.

I wonder why people trust Goodreads more than Amazon? It's just as easy to abuse over there.

It's hard to work out which threads to merge. I would say, let's keep King vs Konntz type chat in this thread, and general Koontz chat here: http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/13-dean-koontz-good-and-bad/page__hl__koontz

I have a few thoughts: Reviews in general are open to abuse, and this seems to happen a lot on amazon. We're all aware that some authors will get their friends to write glowing reviews, and in fact it's been well publicised recently that some authors have made tons of false accounts, and have not only given themselves 5* reviews, but have also slated their 'rivals' with 1* ones. There are also people who can be paid to write 5* reviews! As a reviewer myself this is making me quite sad. My reviews tend to be positive, because I choose books to review which I think I will enjoy. I have given lower star reviews, but mine are often 4* or 5*. I do wonder though whether people believe what I'm writing, or if they think I've been somehow influenced by the author. Then we have the recent issue, highlighted by the JK Rowling book, where reviews have nothing to do with the book. There are both 5* and 1* reviews listed which have nothing to do with the book, only the price. I've also seen this happen for other things. This is just annoying, and I think it should be better policed by amazon. Finally, there are the reviews which manage to give away the whole plot, including spoilers. I tend to glance at a review, and if I see any details, I immediately move on! Amazon do have a facility to show if you've actually bought a product from them (I think it's listed as a verified purchase). Whilst I appreciate that this may make the review seem more dependable, I don't think the others should be discounted. Amazon is still a place where people go for book reviews, so it should be a good resource. I may buy a book elsewhere, or be sent it by the publisher, but I still like to put my review on amazon for others to read.

They may have been 'invented' for those who can't see, but they're popular now with lots of people.

I'll be back later, but I think there are massive problems with amazon's reviews!

The so-called reviews are a joke. I love the 2 people posting 5* reviews to complain about the 1* ones moaning about the price.. no concept of irony!

I'm going to say Hollow Pike every time!

Four pages of chat before it was even published! So, has anyone rushed to get a copy today? Personally, if it gets really good reviews I might take a look, otherwise I'm not that bothered.

I'm really confused by your post.. this is a book forum, which is full of reviews!

I love the idea of being a comfort buyer, as that's true of me.

is it only available on the .com site? Those not in the US are not able to download from there.

I didn't notice it on mine. How frustrating when I've already bought it! I think it's worth it, I'm really enjoying it.

I did enjoy this week's, but the idea of reviving people that long after a cardiac arrest and them being fine was a bit silly! Next week's looks as if it could be brilliant!

I love this book! It's a red hardback, with a lovely white and silver cover, and it has one of those little ribbon bookmarks attached. There's an introduction from Philip, and he's taken the original Grimm tales and made sure they are told in a simple, readable way. I haven't read any of the original Grimm stories, so it's really interesting to see the differences to the 'disneyfied' versions we're used to.

I'd recommend The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa - my review is here: http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/the-immortal-rules-by-julie-kagawa/

I gave in and bought it, so I can report back soon. It just seemed such a cool idea, and looked so attractive too!

This book looks and sounds rather excellent, published Sept 27th, but seems to be available now. I think I'm off to buy it.. anyone else? Link at Book Depository

I'm on book 4 at the moment (taking a little break) - would you advise The Wind Through The Keyhole next, or at the end of the series?

I think I class The Shining as my favourite King novel, so I was rather surprised to learn today that there will be a sequel next year. Publication date is 24th Sept 2013 - it seems a long wait, but I'll definitely be watching out for it.