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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Because I aim for rational, critical thinking in so much of the rest of my life, I enjoy my fiction, my TV and my movies with a strong dose of the impossible. In the case of Dean Koontz, that doesn't mean futuristic sci-fi, but often does mean granting some rule of nature being bent or broken, bringing a bit of the supernatural to otherwise modern stories.
The "Odd" series is one of my favorites (and clearly one that others like too, given the sales figures). The latest isn't quite as enjoyable as the last couple have been, but was still enjoyable, nonetheless. If you haven't read any of this series, featuring Odd Thomas, the fry cook who sees dead people and hangs out with the ghost of Elvis in Pico Mundo, CA, you should definitely read at least the first one.
If you have been following the series, this one follows a similar story to the others, with Odd falling into the middle of a big mess, relying on his supernatural gifts and the guidance of the silent ghost of Frank Sinatra to work things out.
It's also worth noting that the audiobooks in the "Odd" series are particularly well done as well.
The "Odd" series is one of my favorites (and clearly one that others like too, given the sales figures). The latest isn't quite as enjoyable as the last couple have been, but was still enjoyable, nonetheless. If you haven't read any of this series, featuring Odd Thomas, the fry cook who sees dead people and hangs out with the ghost of Elvis in Pico Mundo, CA, you should definitely read at least the first one.
If you have been following the series, this one follows a similar story to the others, with Odd falling into the middle of a big mess, relying on his supernatural gifts and the guidance of the silent ghost of Frank Sinatra to work things out.
It's also worth noting that the audiobooks in the "Odd" series are particularly well done as well.
Wow, the final Odd Thomas book! I wish there were more, but Koontz had the sense not to push beyond the stories he had to tell. Odd comes of age, and gains a new support system. One of my favorite characters in fiction.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The narrator and main character of this book is definately odd.
OK, this was a very weird book. I haven't read any Koontz before, but I have to say that this character, Odd Thomas, has me hooked. He's funny and smart and can see ghosts. Sort of Melinda Gordon without eyelashes and lingerie and oh, the ghosts don't actually speak.
This one was about a group of lunatics buying atomic bombs and how Odd stops their plot.
This one was about a group of lunatics buying atomic bombs and how Odd stops their plot.
I put off reading the fourth and most recent Odd book because I knew I would be sad to say goodbye to him for a while. And I was right. I miss him already. And while this is not my favorite, it is a solid hit. The story is suspenseful and mostly satisfying. But it is Odd that I really love. This is a difficult journey for him because so much violence is necessary at his hand. It is interesting seeing him struggle with perpetuating the greater good through violence. He needs a serious vacation! A couple of times I thought I was reading an episode of 24. There are some situations in this one that aren't fully clarified for me (it was very early in the morning when I finished it and it's possible I missed something!). Just some loose ends that I thought would be explained but that aren't--at least not completely.
Since I met him, I've loved Odd's perspective of his "gift." He recognizes it as a gift even though it is the source of most of his problems. He not only accepts it as part of who he is, but even arranges his life so as to accommodate it. And he doesn't just accommodate it, but feels obligated to honor it.
I also love that Odd doesn't understand everything and doesn't pretend to. But he also accepts that he doesn't understand everything--or accepts that he doesn't need to have to understand everything in order to believe that there are good forces and evil forces and that he is for the good.
Of course it goes without saying that Odd has a little insight into the world of death. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't feel loss and its effects. In Odd Hours he meets Birdie Hopkins. While discussing the loss of her husband and death of a loved one in general he says: "The answer to the mystery of existence is the love you shared sometimes so imperfectly, and when the loss wakes you to the deeper beauty of it, to the sanctity of it, you can't get off your knees for a long time, you're driven to your knees not by the weight of the loss but by gratitude for what preceded the loss. And the ache is always there, but one day not the emptiness, because to nurture the emptiness, to take solace in it, is to disrespect the gift of life." Thank you, Odd.
Since I met him, I've loved Odd's perspective of his "gift." He recognizes it as a gift even though it is the source of most of his problems. He not only accepts it as part of who he is, but even arranges his life so as to accommodate it. And he doesn't just accommodate it, but feels obligated to honor it.
I also love that Odd doesn't understand everything and doesn't pretend to. But he also accepts that he doesn't understand everything--or accepts that he doesn't need to have to understand everything in order to believe that there are good forces and evil forces and that he is for the good.
Of course it goes without saying that Odd has a little insight into the world of death. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't feel loss and its effects. In Odd Hours he meets Birdie Hopkins. While discussing the loss of her husband and death of a loved one in general he says: "The answer to the mystery of existence is the love you shared sometimes so imperfectly, and when the loss wakes you to the deeper beauty of it, to the sanctity of it, you can't get off your knees for a long time, you're driven to your knees not by the weight of the loss but by gratitude for what preceded the loss. And the ache is always there, but one day not the emptiness, because to nurture the emptiness, to take solace in it, is to disrespect the gift of life." Thank you, Odd.
Check out my review http://frominktopaper.com/index.php/2016/04/19/odd-hours-odd-thomas-4/
Normally I love the Odd Thomas books. But this one just dragged on. I was listening to the audio book and a glitch lost my place. I found that I have no desire to try again.
Just as good as the rest of the series. Maybe even better.