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Whoami
| Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 1:12 pm
Our family's second all time favorite author (Dean Koontz is #1). My favorites are: Swan Song: Similar to Stephen King's The Stand, but much much better in my opinion. The world disaster is nuclear wipeout. But OMG, the storytelling, the good vs evil, everything about this book is amazing. There is no dull moment in this book, and that says a lot about a very thick book. Swan Song is my #2 all time favorite book (Koontz's Watchers is #1). The final 14 or so pages are such a roller coaster of emotion. I literally closed the book, hugged it close to my chest, and cried for the characters I'd gotten to know, and grieved that the story had ended. Wolf's Hour: A story about a fellow who is a werewolf, and is also a spy for the British. He takes on Nazi's in WWII. The character development of the main character, how he becomes a werewolf, his growing up in that life, etc is creative and just great storytelling. Not a typical werewolf story by any means. Stinger: A great monster story. An underground shapshifter terrorizes a town. Again, imaginative, great storytelling.
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Whoami
| Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 10:29 pm
So, I guess I'm the only McCammon fan here? If you like Koontz, you will also like McCammon, I guarantee it. Actually, when I promo Koontz and McCammon, I say, "If you like King, Koontz is 100 times better. And, McCammon is right up there too." I think Koontz has better ideas, but McCammon's storytelling skills are much better. McCammon can take a plot that makes people think "Oh great, another nuke story," and just blow you away with the storytelling. In Swan Song, he describes one of the characters watching the first missles take off in a remote cornfield. And you could swear you were there. In fact, I've read it at least twice. The first time, I of course got into the plot, and perhaps rushed some areas to find out what happens next. The second time I read it, I knew what was going to happen, so I was able to relax and read it more thoroughly. I was absolutly overwhelmed in how well this man told the story! I hate reruns on TV (I like being "surprised"). And I usually don't read a book more than once. Swan Song, and Watchers (Koontz) are ones I've read at least twice (more like 3 or 4 for Watchers). Both of these authors are worth reading one of their stories over again.
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Cozysnatch
| Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 7:11 am
Hi Who, I've just been checking out the library posts and being a Stephen King fan, came across your post. I can't beleive I have never read any Robert R. McCammon books. I just went searching on the web and found a great site with all the covers of his books. So now I'm sure I have never read any of his books. This is really exciting for me, finding a new author. I can't wait to get to the real library and see what they have. Stephen Kings, The Stand is my all time favourite book, so your comparison to Swan Song has me hooked LOL. Do you suggest a particular order to start reading or can I just jump in at Swan Song?
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Knightpatti
| Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 6:36 pm
I love Watchers!
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Gail
| Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 6:46 pm
Watchers is one of my all time favorites too. I've read it many times. The Stand is also one of my most favorite books - I will have to check out Swan Song - I love those kind of plots.
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Whoami
| Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 7:14 pm
Cozy, Swan Song is by far McCammon's best (IMO). Wolf's Hour is my second favorite of his, followed by Stinger. You should have no problem jumping in on any of his books. They don't follow any particular order that I can remember. I'm excited to see if you and Gail read Swan Song. Please let me know how you like it. Feel free to check in and give me an update as you're reading it if you feel like it (maybe post in my folder with a "spoilers" warning, so you don't ruin it for each other). Anxiously waiting to hear.......
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Gail
| Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 7:28 pm
Whoami, I went out and bought Swan Song Friday afternoon but haven't had a chance to start it yet. I was also going to buy Wolf's Hour (the reviews at Amazon look really good) but it was not in. I'll keep you posted.
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Whoami
| Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 8:25 pm
Awesome Gail! Be glad you aren't too near me. I drove my mom nuts when she was reading it, hanging over her and asking her, "where are you now? What's happening?" I was so eager to discuss the book with her, I couldn't wait to give her the chance to read it. I read Swan Song before I read Watchers. So, at the time Swan Song was the most overwhelmingly best book I had ever read. Then, of course, Watchers came along!
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Aria
| Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 10:26 pm
Hi everyone! I finally made it down to the Library threads and was I surprised to see your post Whoami. I thought I must be the only person on the planet that has read Swan Song! I loved it too. I also read it more than once (something I never do unless I am desparate for something to read). I thought your comparison to The Stand is very accurate. Oddly enough, I just recommended these books to my sister-in-law last week. LOL! Watchers was the first Dean Koontz book I read and I was hooked on his books for a while. I have not read him in a couple of years because I felt his books were becoming too predictable. Gail let us know what you think of the book!
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Lycanthrope
| Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 8:28 pm
Well, I like McCammon also. And Whoami definitely hit the nail on the head with Swan's Song and Wolf's Hour, although I like Wolf's Hour as his #1 book, Swan Song #2. I still don't think Swan Song is as good as The Stand(or any other novel for that matter), but we all have our tastes. I've read most of his other work, and if you haven't read They Thirst, you've got to. I figured it would be funny, but it was quite an action packed vampire book. It just could have used a better title.
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Djgirl5235
| Friday, January 10, 2003 - 11:49 am
Who: I went to the library in my town last night to borrow Swan's Song, (I've been meaning to for quite awhile), and do you know that they DON'T HAVE IT!!!!! I'll be going to Coles or Chapters to find it and buy it new so that I can read it...
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Pixichik
| Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 10:57 am
I don't know if anyone ever reads this thread anymore, but I had to post. After ten long years, McCammon has FINALLY published a new novel! "Speaks the Nightbird" is the title, and, so far, (I'm 2/3s through it,) it is very enjoyable. I guess it would best be described as a legal thriller ...of sorts. Set in colonial America, the main plot follows the "trial" of an accused witch. Even better, the book is 800+ pages, making the wait for it seem slightly more bearable.
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Whoami
| Friday, February 14, 2003 - 9:15 pm
Awesome! Thanks for letting us know Pixi! Wow. I had pretty much given up on him ever writing again. I do remember reading on a message board several years ago that he was working on a new book, but it would be far away from the "horror" genre he'd done in the past. Sounds like this is right up his alley though.
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Emeraldfire
| Monday, June 30, 2003 - 8:45 am
Whoami, If you're out there I wanted to let you know that because of you I just went out and bought "Swan Song" and I'm going to begin to read it tonight! I loved Stephen King's "The Stand" so I'm really looking forward to reading "Swan Song".
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Readonly
| Monday, June 30, 2003 - 11:12 am
Swan Song is a great book. I've read it a couple of times. I know you'll enjoy it. Edited to add: Has anyone read Boy's Life. That's a great book too.
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Emeraldfire
| Monday, June 30, 2003 - 12:53 pm
Thanks Readonly, I'm looking forward to reading it.
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Whoami
| Monday, June 30, 2003 - 1:52 pm
Yay Emeraldfire! Please be sure to report back here and let us know how you like it! Yes, I read Boy's Life too. Wasn't that his last one up until now? It was good too.
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Emeraldfire
| Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 12:56 pm
Okay, I'm walking around today like a 99 year-old woman because I sat in one position too long reading last night and now my back is killing me. I can't seem to put this book down, it's great!
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Whoami
| Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 5:22 pm
Can't have my only cyber-granddaughter in pain!
Take two, and stay up all night reading. So glad you are enjoying it!
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Emeraldfire
| Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 1:32 pm
Thanks Whoami! I'll need it! I can feel an all-nighter coming on tonight. 
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Emeraldfire
| Monday, July 07, 2003 - 3:55 pm
Well I finished "Swan Song" over the weekend. Thanks for recommending it to everyone Whoami! It was a great read. Toward the end I found myself tempted to read ahead to see what was going to happen to my favorite characters which is something that I never do. I totally enjoyed it.
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Whoami
| Monday, July 07, 2003 - 8:41 pm
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I'm gonna have to go back and re-visit all those wonderful characters again. Wouldn't you agree that the last 14 or so pages are such a roller coaster of emotion? What a great movie this would be (except it would likely be butchered). So, better, same, or almost as good as The Stand? Personally, I got much more vested in these characters than in The Stand. I can't even remember any characters names in The Stand. But I'll always remember Swan, Sister, and all the rest. I'll sneak over to your folder to discuss details that could be considered spoilers here....
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Emeraldfire
| Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 10:03 am
Whoami, To say that the last 14 pages are a roller coaster of emotion is right on the money! I was a nervous wreck! You are right about getting more emotionally involved with the characters than with those characters in "The Stand". I loved both books and I would have to say that I feel that "Swan Song" is just as good, if not better than "The Stand". I'll go check my folder now!
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Djgirl5235
| Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 10:27 am
I can't find this book anywhere!!!!! I would buy it from Amazon, but Canada doesn't have the used section, and I hate paying full price for books... anyone have any ideas?? My library doesn't have it either!
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Emeraldfire
| Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 12:05 pm
Would E-Bay sell it? I'll keep thinking Dj.
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