Full Dark, No Stars (Stephen King, 2010)

Stephen King is now on his third quintet of stories yet the major difference between this and his previous efforts (Different Seasons and Four-Past Midnight) is that Full Dark, No Stars is really quite derivative. There's no out-right crackers like The Langoliers or The Breathing Method to be found here. Whilst the stories present are perfectly well written, all feel flat and disappointing. In short, it almost seems like a quick buck rushed out before his next full novel.

Such a shame considering his last two efforts, short story comp Just After Sunset and epic Under The Dome, were almost a return to form.

2.5/5

Intensity (Dean Koontz, 1995)

I've never indulged in the world of Dean Koontz before and after this I don't think I will again. Writing style is fine as well as his characters and the nastiness he delivers. Why didn't I enjoy Intensity then? I just found it thoroughly uninteresting. With the plot it has, you'd think that one would be engaged from the outset (look up the synopsis for French film Haute Tension, they're practically identical), but it never once got me going. Whilst well written, the prose is at times way too flowery when all you want to do is cut to the chase, something of a handicap for a book titled "Intensity".

Just a bit boring. Shame really. Had potential.

2/5

Without Remorse (Tom Clancy, 1993)

Upon reading two Clancy novels back to back, it becomes apparent that his books fit a pattern: he takes his sweet time setting everything up only to round everything up in a hurried fashion. Both Without Remorse and Rainbow Six are thrilling and deeply enthralling, however, Clancy is a man that seems to run out of steam. The climax appears to disinterest him.

That's not to say the journey getting there is bad. Focusing on the early days of Clancy's most interesting character, John Clark, Remorse is a revenge story at it's heart, the plot concerning Clark's (his real name being Kelly) bitter vengeance on the drug lords that brutally tortured and murdered his lover. Concurrently, he's hired by the CIA to help orchestrate the rescue of American POW's held in Hanoi during the Vietnam War. In true Clancy fashion, the plot is dense and talky whilst the action is fast, swift and brutal. He clearly has a love for technology and weaponry, both given plenty of detail during Clark's roaring rampage of revenge.

My major issue though is that, being a more mature man than the last time I attempted Clancy, it becomes apparent that his works are not quite as intelligent as I initially thought. There are elements that seem almost cheesy, childlike even with a whist of immaturity that, whilst retaining a certain boyish charm (the action beats in both this and Rainbow Six read like a set piece from a Hollywood blockbuster), somewhat scuppers the apparent intelligence it strives for.

It is fun though. I enjoyed it immensely and that's all I ask for in a book.

4/5