***** 5 out of 5 stars
2015 TOP PICK
Review by: Stacy Palm

It is often the case that my most treasured reads are the absolute most difficult to review. For one, I want you to be able to experience the book as I did with as little knowledge as possible about what transpires on the pages within. Second, there is no way the words I write about the book will ever do it justice, as I'm simply not that talented of a writer as my favorite authors. So I'm left with this exasperating need to just beg you to go get the book and read it for yourself.

Ashley Bell was one of the most enthralling stories I've read this year, and I've read nearly a hundred books this year. I'm going to give very little of the actual story to you because reading this is a journey with the destination best left unknown. I will tell you that this is the story of Bibi Blair. "Wait, not Ashley Bell?" you say. Yes, that was my initial reaction as well, but Ashley comes later. Bibi has to be one of my top five leading female characters OF ALL TIME. Seriously, she is up there with Jane Eyre; she simply ROCKS. She is creative and intelligent both of which make her a badass bookish heroine, and she really loves her dog. The story jumps around a bit from the present where Bibi is in her early twenties to her childhood. Very early on something catastrophic happens to Bibi and so begins the adventure that leads Bibi around California in search of a girl by the name of Ashley Bell.

Bibi as a character is easily the center of attention, but some of the other characters are just as stellar. Pax, Bibi's fiance is honestly not in the story that much, but the pages he is on bring to light a dynamic, captivating, and thoroughly intriguing gentleman, who also happens to be a Navy SEAL. Pogo, the brother from another mother, is a great example of a kind and honest friend. I truly loved that this book was filled with so many people who seem genuinely good-natured. Often I find that books are required to have an overload of turmoil between various characters, and it was nice to see a book where all the family and friends where pulling together and had respect for each other.

At about 70% through the book, a mind-blowing development is made, and the talent with which Dean Koontz writes becomes crystal clear. This author not only manages to keep a pivotal aspect of the story secret, he does it with such finesse that I was not even suspect of the situation. This is one of the very few books where I had not perceived the turning point that would occur, and I'm a smart reader. It is mind-boggling to me how talented Mr. Koontz is in creating tension and wonder during the story without "turning on the lights" until the exact right moment. I will be honest, I've not read many Dean Koontz books, nor have I ever considered myself a fan. After reading Ashley Bell, that has all changed. I will be seeking further books and anticipating new novels with delight.

As I stated from the beginning, I beg you to go get this book.

Full reviews available at: http://www.thebookendfamily.weebly.co...

I have been a Koontz fan since childhood and while this book was creative, it ran to bizarre. His mind is still so vivid with his characters but the storyline took such a sharp dive into fantasy that I'm not sure where it went wrong. I'm not going to spoil this for anyone but the last few chapters to me didn't really make much sense. I loved the odd Thomas books but this book was too far out into fantasyland that eventually I found myself becoming bored. I still don't understand that ending. So it's a fence book. Not sure where to go.