Stephen KIng Or Dean Koontz

Hi AquaBlue - where are you up to with the Dark Tower series? Or have you read them all? Because I'm (fairly) old, I read the first one about 16 years ago, then the second and third, but then had to wait impatiently for each subsequent one. Very frustrating. People beginning now have the whole story in front of them...

I am midway through DTVII.

Want me to tell you how it ends? Seriously, do you mean Dark Tower Volume II or Dark Tower VII? Just being nosy. I actually didn't intend to read this series (the Gunslinger subtitle put me off) but then that book dealer friend recommended it and the first one just grabbed my attention. My all-time favourite book of the genre, though (much though I've loved King and Koontz) is Swan Song by Richard McCammon.

I'm at the part were . I can't wait to read what happens next.

Try Desperation or The Bachman Books. If your into fantasy at all try The Talisman. I like both authors about equally. Koontz seems to be great or absolutely awful. His Frankenstein series is great. Most of his are good but God he has some stinkers. King has only gotten bad recently.

The Cell starts off great but goes downhill about halfway through. I couldn't have been more excited when I heard King was doing a zombie book. I'll try it again soon. Maybe I just expected too much.

The Hitcher said:

Try Desperation or The Bachman Books. If your into fantasy at all try The Talisman. .

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The Dark Tower Series as well.

I think most King readers would vouch for The Stand as one of his best. That is a great book to start with (although it is really long), because it typifies his writing style and is a fantastic read. Even people who don't like King generally enjoy this book, and it is definitely among my faves as well.

Personally, The Talisman is my favorite (although he co-wrote that one with Peter Straub), followed by The Dark Tower series, and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. His short story collections are also really good, with Four Past Midnight and Different Seasons at the top of that list.

Personally, I generally don't enjoy Koontz's books. From the Corner of His Eye was good, as was The Watchers, but I think his books are much more formulaic than King's. Also, they both write about very weird topics or events, but because King puts so much effort into character development and focuses on how "the weirdness" affects the characters vs. "the weirdness" itself, the stories become much more personal and believable, IMO. I feel like I'm not explaining this clearly so I hope it makes sense, but the bottom line for me is this: Koontz has written a few books I like, but King has only written a few books I don't like.

That's just my opinion though!

I prefer dean koontz. king is just too detailed and it just drags on, i mean, who needs a full page description of a tree, for real. I know I probably offended someone, and I'm sorry, I just can't read Stephen King anymore.

P.S. Stephen King audio is even worse.

I'm not really a fan of either Stephen or Dean thriller novels.

I find that Stephen has great ideas for stories, but can't seem to go on with it too far. I get the feeling at some stage that the story is good than it kinda stops and fails to go on right throughout the whole book.

My favourite thriller writer would definately have to be James Herbert. Every one of his novels I've read have had me captivated right till the end of the last page. For me, that is what all thriller novels should do.

Stephen King for me is better, and yes, The Dark Tower kicks too much ass for words (har har). I honestly found "old-school," Stephen King to be a bit boring, and I like his newer ideas; but his pacing is a little "eh," now.

Pacing wise, if you want two good thriller writers, there's Alex Garland (I believe he only has three books out, but I've read them and they were all amazing), and Ted Dekker.

Choc said:

I'm not really a fan of either Stephen or Dean thriller novels.

I find that Stephen has great ideas for stories, but can't seem to go on with it too far. I get the feeling at some stage that the story is good than it kinda stops and fails to go on right throughout the whole book.

My favourite thriller writer would definately have to be James Herbert. Every one of his novels I've read have had me captivated right till the end of the last page. For me, that is what all thriller novels should do.

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Domain is excellent

Yes, I've heard that it is very good. I haven't got to it yet though. But I endeavor to read all Herbert's novels, so it will comein the near future....

Thanx for the tip

In comparing the two, which one has the scarier books? Other than Intensity, Koontz's don't measure up. You have The Stand, It, and some others from King that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, wondering if he isn't himself climbing up your leg with a knife in his mouth. Heck, he even looks creepy. King wins hands down IMHO.

SFG75 said:

In comparing the two, which one has the scarier books? Other than Intensity, Koontz's don't measure up. You have The Stand, It, and some others from King that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, wondering if he isn't himself climbing up your leg with a knife in his mouth. Heck, he even looks creepy. King wins hands down IMHO.

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This is pretty hard to argue with.

Stephen Kings 'IT' was a great read but i also agree that 'Night Shift' would make a good choice