Demon Seed: A Thriller

by Dean Koontz

Book Overview

Smart home devices provide unprecedented convenience, but one woman is about to discover the horrifying dangers of putting her trust in an artificially intelligent machine in this thriller that delves into the darkest fears of our digital age... Susan Harris lived in self-imposed seclusion, in a mansion featuring numerous automated systems controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Every comfort was provided. Her security was absolute. But now Susan's...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425228967
• ISBN13: 9780425228968
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 307 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Attack of the evil AI

Well written and good to read

Better than I thought!

At first I had serious doubts when I read the synopsis... I mean how well can a novel be about an AI gone mad? It seemed to be a script for a Japanese animation series, instead of a thrilling novel by Koontz... even as a long time fan, I say again, I had serious doubts...I can't believe how many hours I stayed up on the first sitting! The story ran smoother than silk, and every time I put the book down to help my kids; I could only think of what was going to happen next.This novel (when reading at 3am, no-moon night, everyone else asleep)planted just the right amount of 'what ifs' in the mind... especially when your computer is 3feet away from you.If you're a Koontz fan, another great read... if you haven't made up your mind about his works... let this one help!

Disturbing Look At Computers--And Men

As Dean Koontz put it, "[Demon Seed] was more of a clever idea than a novel." And he's right. There's not enough in this story to really make a 400-page novel--but it's still very good. Maybe the best part of it is that I can boast about reading a Dean Koontz book in one day. I mean, it's 150 pages. Most anyone can do the same.The basic idea of the book is a computer with a God complex holds a young woman (Susan Harris) captive in her own home by controlling her computer system that runs throughout her house. He then plans to use Susan as a "host" so he can be born into human form. The whole idea is disturbing and mesmerizing. Perhaps that's why I liked "Demon Seed" so much.After being made into a movie in 1977 (which I haven't seen, but plan to), "Demon Seed" was revised into the current edition you're looking at right now. I never read the original version, but in the afterwards of this book, Dean Koontz claimed it was so bad that it caused him to "develop the squint-eyed look of Clint Eastwood" from wincing so much. Well, I can't say the book is that bad now--although it's still not one of his best books. But if you're a Koontz fan, then you should definitely give this one a try.

Classics

Now here are three of Dean Koontz's greatest works, the best of the bunch being Watchers. Watchers features all the classic elements of a Koontz book, including a favorite addition of fans: the intelligent dog. The story is written in such a masterful way that you're caught up in the story, even the sub-stories, featuring both killers of the book, are incredibly captivating, and the premise of the story is never overdone to the point of being ludicrous. A must read. The second book is Whispers, which is a disturbing tale, delving into the human psyche and playing on your worst fears. This a less fantastical tale dealing with a duo of murderers and the unfortunate woman they set their sights on. The book keeps you going, and is very hard to put down after getting through several of the plot twists. The final, is Demon Seed... surely the most bizzarre of Koontz's works, features an intelligent computer that takes hostage a woman in her own house. The story is difficult to explain without giving much away, but does include the topic of impregnation of the woman by the computer...and well...it IS a very odd story. All in all, three of Dean Koontz's most original and well-done stories...all are a must-read.

Excellent

This book was excellent. I don't read books often, actually I don't unless I have to, but this book was just so good I couldn't stop reading it. I actually finished the book in a week (that is so good for me) I usually never finish a book.

Couldn't put it down.

I'm not one for books so a story has to interest me alot for me to actually read the whole book. I haven't read much of Koontz to compare it to his others, but this book was awesome. The ending was, contrary to some other reviews above, a great ending. Buy it, read it, enjoy it.