City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2)
by Dean Koontz
HarperCollins UK 2010
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.4 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include serial violence and moral corruption
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Genre
Themes
- playing God and the ethics of creation
- biotechnology and transhumanism
- creator vs. creation
- identity and free will
- good vs. evil
- dehumanization and control
- serial violence and moral corruption
- partnership and loyalty
- hubris and its consequences
About this book
Book 2 of Dean Koontz’s modern Frankenstein saga returns to a shadowy, contemporary New Orleans where Detectives Carson O’Connor and Michael Maddison, aided by the enigmatic Deucalion, confront Victor Helios (Frankenstein) and his engineered New Race—beings designed to be perfect who are beginning to fail in terrifying, violent ways. As bodies mount and the city descends into night, the hunters close in on a creator playing God, even as his creations spiral toward chaos.
Setting: Contemporary New Orleans, largely at night across streets, labs, and hideouts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2) right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2). The reading level is AR 5.4, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include playing God and the ethics of creation, biotechnology and transhumanism, creator vs. creation.
How long does it take to read City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2)?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2) takes around 12h to finish. The book has 118,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2) have an AR quiz?
Yes — City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2) has an AR quiz available, worth 17 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2)?
City of Night (Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Book 2) has an AR reading level of 5.4, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.