As an avid reader, in these series, both Bick and Koontz have made me care.
In the first book of Bick's trilogy, Ashes, I read about the main character who is dying and sets out to take her parent's ashes to what was their special place before she herself dies. Alex's journey of teenage angst is real, and so is her reaction to the world before, during and after the Apocalypse occurs. Book two promises more of Alex's struggle to survive in a world "where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters."
Koontz's Odd Thomas' series features a fry cook who is able to see ghosts. Odd Thomas has lost the woman he loved and has faced several natural and supernatural conflicts. Except for his paranormal abilities, he's a regular guy who suffers and still keeps on struggling to survive and to overcome, "as he takes on what may well be the most terrifying challenge yet in his curious career."
Both of these series feature fairly young protagonists (Alex is 17 and Odd is 20). Each are faced with every day, as well as extra-ordinary struggles. Each react in realistic ways to what's going on around them and to adversity.
Bottom line, I care about the characters, their journey, their struggle, their survival, their outcome.
Isn't that what all readers want, for the writer to make us care?
I'm looking forward to reading both books and will post reviews later on.
While I'm reading for enjoyment and entertainment, I will also be working to ferret out: Why do I care? What makes me care?
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