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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
As much character study as anything else. We get a serious look inside Odd as we hurtle towards the finale in this and the final book.
As I’m sure I’ve expressed in past reviews, Koontz is no King when it comes to literary terror. That said, he writes the kind of book that you can read and enjoy in 24 hours. Hist stories are entertaining enough to keep the pages turning, but not so complex that digestion takes longer than a second or two. Quick and easy.
To me, there is honestly nothing better or more relaxing than to get lost in a horrific, ultra complicated, apocalyptic world— Kingian style— for weeks on end, if for no other purpose than to escape the frustrations of my own mundane existence. But every once in a while, literary life calls for an easy day-read reprieve— and Koontz undoubtedly generates wonderful material.
In terms of how Odd Apocalypse compares to the previous Odd Thomas installments (this is the 5th book), though, I have to say that it wasn’t my favorite. I don’t necessarily have a great reason why— maybe I’m simply growing tired of the series. But apparently Odd Thomas’s adventures will continue in another volume, Deeply Odd, so perhaps I pass judgment too soon!
To me, there is honestly nothing better or more relaxing than to get lost in a horrific, ultra complicated, apocalyptic world— Kingian style— for weeks on end, if for no other purpose than to escape the frustrations of my own mundane existence. But every once in a while, literary life calls for an easy day-read reprieve— and Koontz undoubtedly generates wonderful material.
In terms of how Odd Apocalypse compares to the previous Odd Thomas installments (this is the 5th book), though, I have to say that it wasn’t my favorite. I don’t necessarily have a great reason why— maybe I’m simply growing tired of the series. But apparently Odd Thomas’s adventures will continue in another volume, Deeply Odd, so perhaps I pass judgment too soon!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So far...this is not as good as I want it to be. I'm not even 100 pages in, though...please let it get better.
I find that Odd goes off on nonsensical tangents, which, to me as a reader, is annoying. Very annoying. It's mostly about how people doubt his abilities...well...this is book #5...you don't have to convince ME of his abilities!!!! Who cares what those other quacks think?
So, this didn't really get better..but it also didn't get any worse, so that's a small victory. I still love Odd...although in this novel he is much more wordy... (didn't those monks teach him anything?!)
The mystery was okay...the story was okay...it was a bit too involved for me... waaaaaay too much science was involved in the whole time management plot line. And waaaay too much time went into trying to explain this, or explain that, or what that looked like. This book could have probably been about 100 pages of description shorter.
I still give it three stars because I have a special place in my heart for Odd Thomas.
I find that Odd goes off on nonsensical tangents, which, to me as a reader, is annoying. Very annoying. It's mostly about how people doubt his abilities...well...this is book #5...you don't have to convince ME of his abilities!!!! Who cares what those other quacks think?
So, this didn't really get better..but it also didn't get any worse, so that's a small victory. I still love Odd...although in this novel he is much more wordy... (didn't those monks teach him anything?!)
The mystery was okay...the story was okay...it was a bit too involved for me... waaaaaay too much science was involved in the whole time management plot line. And waaaay too much time went into trying to explain this, or explain that, or what that looked like. This book could have probably been about 100 pages of description shorter.
I still give it three stars because I have a special place in my heart for Odd Thomas.
Another stop on the Odd train--and, unfortunately, that's mostly what Odd Apocalypse felt like.
I'll admit to a heavy prejudice. I like dialogue. A lot. I don't want to read paragraph after paragraph where the author attempts to amaze me with turns of phrase. Most of the time that puts me to sleep. Add that to how wonderful I know Koontz can be at writing great dialogue and it added up to disappointment for this story.
The all-too-infrequent times when Odd conversed with those in this story were engaging and interesting. But it just didn't happen often enough. A lot of the plot is Odd attempting to amuse the reader with his folksy dry humor which, to be honest, wears quite thin in heavy helpings.
It's really a shame that the story was slowed so much by block narrative because Koontz had some really creative plot elements. Fascinating. Odd Apocalypse had a few really great moments and I wish those could've been accentuated instead of a parade of gabby jokes that attempt to show how golly-gosh-darn of a great guy the protagonist is.
Koontz is building toward what I hope (and probably will be) a heroic and appropriate ending for an unforgettable character. I think I'd like to catch the express to that.
Lightly recommended for fans of the series only.
I'll admit to a heavy prejudice. I like dialogue. A lot. I don't want to read paragraph after paragraph where the author attempts to amaze me with turns of phrase. Most of the time that puts me to sleep. Add that to how wonderful I know Koontz can be at writing great dialogue and it added up to disappointment for this story.
The all-too-infrequent times when Odd conversed with those in this story were engaging and interesting. But it just didn't happen often enough. A lot of the plot is Odd attempting to amuse the reader with his folksy dry humor which, to be honest, wears quite thin in heavy helpings.
It's really a shame that the story was slowed so much by block narrative because Koontz had some really creative plot elements. Fascinating. Odd Apocalypse had a few really great moments and I wish those could've been accentuated instead of a parade of gabby jokes that attempt to show how golly-gosh-darn of a great guy the protagonist is.
Koontz is building toward what I hope (and probably will be) a heroic and appropriate ending for an unforgettable character. I think I'd like to catch the express to that.
Lightly recommended for fans of the series only.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
We continue Odd's story,he and Annemarie are staying at Riseland estate. A woman on a horse asks him her son, since she is a ghost she can't actually tell him anything of course, but Odd being Odd says he will. So then the hunt for the boy begins, and even for Odd things get really strange.
I had a little trouble getting into this book, the first chapter just didn't peak my interest. And I think that lack of excitement carried through my whole read. I found myself putting off reading, there was laundry or dishes to be done, my book club books were more important, etc. Maybe by taking such a long break between books on the series I lost my momentum, that indicates to me that the series isn't that great after all. There were a few ghosts, but this was more of a supernatural adventure. Koontz's writing was as good as ever, but the storyline just couldn't seem to hold me.
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com
I had a little trouble getting into this book, the first chapter just didn't peak my interest. And I think that lack of excitement carried through my whole read. I found myself putting off reading, there was laundry or dishes to be done, my book club books were more important, etc. Maybe by taking such a long break between books on the series I lost my momentum, that indicates to me that the series isn't that great after all. There were a few ghosts, but this was more of a supernatural adventure. Koontz's writing was as good as ever, but the storyline just couldn't seem to hold me.
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com