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adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love this book! Tense, yet had some funny moments. A bit sad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so excited when I saw this book come across an auction for $1 that I jumped on it right away. I wasn't aware that the movie was based off a book, and since I love the movie I knew I had to read this. Then I discovered there's a series! But alas, I didn't love the book quite as much and had a hard time reading it. I think the reason for this is that I know the plot from watching it. And the book follows the plot, EXACTLY. Really, the movie follows the book exactly, but since I watched it first I think that ruined the book for me. Nevertheless, I will give an honest review on the plot. It's not Koontz fault that I watched the movie first. This book is written in first person as a memoir of sorts, with Odd looking back on an event. The actual plot is pretty cool, and the way Odd tells his story is entertaining. If you haven't heard of Odd Thomas, I recommend this book wholeheartedly. But if you've seen the movie, just know the book and movie are exactly the same. Nothing from the book was left out of the movie, no emotions that weren't portrayed, no missing characters. So if you've seen the movie, this book might be a let down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Mental illness, Suicide
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was my first Dean Koontz novel and, naturally, my introduction to the Odd Thomas series. I was expecting something similar to a Stephen King novel and BY GOD their styles could not be more different. Sure, they both write horror or horror-adjacent dark fiction, but that's where the similarities end -- their styles and tones are completely different. But the only Koontz I've read is this one, so let's rein it in, shall we?
Odd Thomas has an overwhelming So-Cal feel that would have driven me batshit if it wasn't so well written. Still, it sure is freaking weird. The novel reads like a dark comedy about a Mojave-dwelling psychic who has to tolerate all the regular So-Cal weirdos, and also the dead (whom he can see). In this book, Odd Thomas (Odd being his first name, yes really) discovers that a mass-murder is planned for his small desert town of Pico Mundo (literally "Small World"). Odd races to uncover the details of the plot and prevent it from happening, saving the lives of his hometown residents who are none the wiser.
To be honest, there's a LOT you can poke fun at with Odd Thomas; Koontz makes that an easy task. But that's not to say there's nothing worthwhile here; quite the contrary. In this slow-burn supernatural mystery thriller, Koontz introduces us to a cast of characters -- an entire town actually -- that is bizarre to beat the devil but so endearing that it warms your heart. If it weren't for one small detail (minor spoiler below) I'd have given it a 4.0 star rating, my sign that I feel comfortable recommending it as generally-good reading for anyone. Unfortunately, this falls juuuuust below that, but I still found it an enjoyable read, and I encourage you to see if it might be your jam. (That's the best I can do with 3.5 stars.)
Gripe, and minor spoiler: Despite being published in 2003, Odd Thomas has the distinct feel of a 90s novel, and sometimes feels a full decade older. A big part of that is Koontz's obsession with Satanists as his murderous antagonists. His depiction of their "religion" is cartoonish, reductive, and so hilariously removed from "real Satanism" that you really have to wonder if Koontz did any research at all about this so-called "evil." ("real Satanism" is in quotes because so-called "Satanists" are almost universally Atheists and don't believe in Satan, let alone worship or murder for him. "Satanists" in real life preach "Seven Tenets" promoting things like compassion, justice, freedom, scientific reason, and atonement of wrongs.)
Odd Thomas has an overwhelming So-Cal feel that would have driven me batshit if it wasn't so well written. Still, it sure is freaking weird. The novel reads like a dark comedy about a Mojave-dwelling psychic who has to tolerate all the regular So-Cal weirdos, and also the dead (whom he can see). In this book, Odd Thomas (Odd being his first name, yes really) discovers that a mass-murder is planned for his small desert town of Pico Mundo (literally "Small World"). Odd races to uncover the details of the plot and prevent it from happening, saving the lives of his hometown residents who are none the wiser.
To be honest, there's a LOT you can poke fun at with Odd Thomas; Koontz makes that an easy task. But that's not to say there's nothing worthwhile here; quite the contrary. In this slow-burn supernatural mystery thriller, Koontz introduces us to a cast of characters -- an entire town actually -- that is bizarre to beat the devil but so endearing that it warms your heart. If it weren't for one small detail (minor spoiler below) I'd have given it a 4.0 star rating, my sign that I feel comfortable recommending it as generally-good reading for anyone. Unfortunately, this falls juuuuust below that, but I still found it an enjoyable read, and I encourage you to see if it might be your jam. (That's the best I can do with 3.5 stars.)
Gripe, and minor spoiler: Despite being published in 2003, Odd Thomas has the distinct feel of a 90s novel, and sometimes feels a full decade older. A big part of that is Koontz's obsession with Satanists as his murderous antagonists. His depiction of their "religion" is cartoonish, reductive, and so hilariously removed from "real Satanism" that you really have to wonder if Koontz did any research at all about this so-called "evil." ("real Satanism" is in quotes because so-called "Satanists" are almost universally Atheists and don't believe in Satan, let alone worship or murder for him. "Satanists" in real life preach "Seven Tenets" promoting things like compassion, justice, freedom, scientific reason, and atonement of wrongs.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Suicide attempt
Minor: Body horror, Grief
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this originally as a teenager, and I remembered it as more enjoyable than I found it this time around. The writing style is a bit self-congratulatory, and I'm not sure I really bought the idea that the book represents Odd's autobiography/memoir. I'm no editor, but I don't think that gimmick was necessary/added value to the plot. There was also lots of exposition repeated throughout, which got bothersome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia
Minor: Abortion
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was an enjoyable light read. The character of Odd Thomas is endearingly innocent despite his dark gift. Some might (and have) argue that he is disbelievable as a young man of twenty but I think that the idea is that he has become an old soul because of his ability to see the dead and his "parental" relationships.His friends are also quiet and gentle which actualizes the setting of the sleepy little town.
The conflict in this novel I found interesting for something with a supernatural theme. Koontz builds the story around a young man who can see the dead and these other creepy ethereal creatures but in the end it's human violence and fanaticism that come to fruition.
My only complaint, that is not a complaint more of an outraged emotional reaction, is the ending after Odd is released from the hospital. I literally shouted and cried, throwing the book down on the bed. The injustice of the ending was upsetting but honestly excellent and unexpected.
The conflict in this novel I found interesting for something with a supernatural theme. Koontz builds the story around a young man who can see the dead and these other creepy ethereal creatures but in the end it's human violence and fanaticism that come to fruition.
My only complaint, that is not a complaint more of an outraged emotional reaction, is the ending after Odd is released from the hospital. I literally shouted and cried, throwing the book down on the bed. The injustice of the ending was upsetting but honestly excellent and unexpected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder