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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Seventh and last in the Odd Thomas horror lite series and revolving around an "ordinary" young man with a conscience who can see ghosts.
My Take
I've been impressed with how Koontz makes me see Odd as an upright, idealistic young man, and his odd (unusual) way of looking at the world.
This particular story is well-written and unsatisfying. It ends pretty much the way you expect — and as the title leads you to believe. But I hate being left hanging about who Annamaria was. Yes, she does give Odd an enigmatic explanation at the end about herself and the baby, and it's not enough. Nor is there the usual companion ghost along with Odd. Well, okay, there is Rob Norwich and then at the very end, but it's not the same as when Elvis, Frank Sinatra, or Alfred Hitchcock were hanging about.
Oh, I'm probably whining simply because the series has come to an end. I should be happy for Odd.
I've noted a few bits, and on the plus side, the fortune teller's prognostication foretold in "You Are Destined to Be Together Forever", 0.5, is true, with a twist. There's a bit of promise in this story of Edie's organization continuing on with the good fight. We also get more information on Stormy's horrible childhood and how she chose her name.
As for Odd, he's certainly going out with a bang: he's using guns and killing. It's a stark reminder of the mall shootings and the events of that fateful day that force Odd to realize the truth of today's bombings.
I'm going to miss Odd.
The Story
Two years after the cataclysmic events that sent him journeying into mystery, Odd Thomas, the intrepid fry cook who sees the dead and tries to help them, has traveled full circle, back to his beloved hometown of Pico Mundo and the people he loves. He has come to save them — and perhaps humanity — from the full flowering of evil it is his destiny to confront, as he draws ever closer to the truth of the world and his place in it.
Stronger, wiser than he started, and with the help of the friends he has made along the way, Odd prepares to confront the terrible forces arrayed against him and possibly to journey still farther, to his long-awaited reunion with his lost love, Stormy Llewellyn.
The Characters
Odd Thomas is a fry cook. A very good fry cook who wishes he'd be left alone to keep being a fry cook. Instead he has the ability to see dead people and the need to help them. Pearl Sugars was Odd's poker-playing grandmother. Bronwen "Stormy" Llewellyn is the love of Odd's life. Her uncle, Sean, serves St. Bartholomew's Church as priest and rector.
Friends along the way include…
…Annamaria is the pregnant woman Odd met and befriended in Odd Hours, 4. I think she's been pregnant forever and will never give birth! The nine-year-old Tim is the dead boy they rescued in Odd Apocalypse, 5. Raphael is the golden retriever who joined their troupe in Odd Hours. Blossom Rosedale is the horror, the Happy Monster, who was burned horribly by her father when she was six. They arrive in Pico Mundo with Edie.
Pico Mundo
Ozzie Boone is Odd's very overweight writer friend and surrogate father (to Stormy also) who has encouraged Odd to keep a journal. These journals resulted in this series of books. It's a cute idea. Terrible Chester is Ozzie's feet-peeing cat. Terri Stambaugh owns the Pico Mundo Grille where Odd learned and worked.
Pico Mundo PD
Wyatt Porter is the chief of police in Pico Mundo, and he knows all about Odd's abilities. Karla is the chief's wife, and she adores Odd as well. Officers Sonny Wexler and Billy Mundy are sent to the dam. Taylor Pipes and Nick Korker will guard Woodrow's carnival concessions. Rosalia Sanchez was Odd's landlady and friend.
Blue Sky Ranch had been…
…a quarter-horse operation that fell on hard times and is now owned by Lauren Ainsworth (her husband, Dave, died after they made it a success again). They had twin daughters, Veronica and Victoria. Mugs is their yellow Lab.
Members of Edie's group
Edie Fischer is an old, very rich lady Odd met in Deeply Odd, 6. She's part of a group battling the wicked and has welcomed Odd into the organization. Deacon "Deke" and Maybelle Bullock run a safe house in Pico Mundo where they take Odd in.
The Sombra Brothers Midway Show at the Maravilla County Fairgrounds is…
…where Stormy and Odd received their fortune. Lionel Sombra is one of the brothers. Connie is the young woman who does face painting. She has a brother Ethan. Ollie is the strong man while Lou Donatella is a dwarf with his own psychic ability.
Members of the ancient cult worshipping Meridian
We first meet Wolfgang Schmidt, Jonathan, and Selene (a.k.a., Woodrow Creel and Drs. Jeremy and Sibyl Witzleben) when they're playing nighttime tourist in the mall, relishing the death and mayhem visited upon the victims. Jim Sterling and Bob Cokeberry were the men in the trailer. Emory and Carl are chasing Odd through the orchard.
The Green Moon Mall victims…
…included Stormy and Rob Norwich and his daughter, Emily who were shot down by Simon Varner; Bern Eckles, a former Pico Mundo cop; Gosset; and, Robertson.
The corrupt Mr. and Mrs. Hellborn adopted Stormy after her parents died.
Bodachs are said to be mythical beasts who carry off children. In reality they are harbingers of horrific events. Never speak about them out loud or let them know you know they exist. Contumax is Latin for "defiant" or "disobedient" and is the greeting used by the satanists.
The Cover and Title
The cover is perfect with its hazy, star-filled lilac sky and the cracked ground on which a purple and weary Odd walks toward us, his head down, one hand in his pocket.
The title is how we've always seen Odd: Saint Odd, a man too good for this world.
My Take
I've been impressed with how Koontz makes me see Odd as an upright, idealistic young man, and his odd (unusual) way of looking at the world.
This particular story is well-written and unsatisfying. It ends pretty much the way you expect — and as the title leads you to believe. But I hate being left hanging about who Annamaria was. Yes, she does give Odd an enigmatic explanation at the end about herself and the baby, and it's not enough. Nor is there the usual companion ghost along with Odd. Well, okay, there is Rob Norwich and then at the very end, but it's not the same as when Elvis, Frank Sinatra, or Alfred Hitchcock were hanging about.
Oh, I'm probably whining simply because the series has come to an end. I should be happy for Odd.
I've noted a few bits, and on the plus side, the fortune teller's prognostication foretold in "You Are Destined to Be Together Forever", 0.5, is true, with a twist. There's a bit of promise in this story of Edie's organization continuing on with the good fight. We also get more information on Stormy's horrible childhood and how she chose her name.
As for Odd, he's certainly going out with a bang: he's using guns and killing. It's a stark reminder of the mall shootings and the events of that fateful day that force Odd to realize the truth of today's bombings.
I'm going to miss Odd.
The Story
Two years after the cataclysmic events that sent him journeying into mystery, Odd Thomas, the intrepid fry cook who sees the dead and tries to help them, has traveled full circle, back to his beloved hometown of Pico Mundo and the people he loves. He has come to save them — and perhaps humanity — from the full flowering of evil it is his destiny to confront, as he draws ever closer to the truth of the world and his place in it.
Stronger, wiser than he started, and with the help of the friends he has made along the way, Odd prepares to confront the terrible forces arrayed against him and possibly to journey still farther, to his long-awaited reunion with his lost love, Stormy Llewellyn.
The Characters
Odd Thomas is a fry cook. A very good fry cook who wishes he'd be left alone to keep being a fry cook. Instead he has the ability to see dead people and the need to help them. Pearl Sugars was Odd's poker-playing grandmother. Bronwen "Stormy" Llewellyn is the love of Odd's life. Her uncle, Sean, serves St. Bartholomew's Church as priest and rector.
Friends along the way include…
…Annamaria is the pregnant woman Odd met and befriended in Odd Hours, 4. I think she's been pregnant forever and will never give birth! The nine-year-old Tim is the dead boy they rescued in Odd Apocalypse, 5. Raphael is the golden retriever who joined their troupe in Odd Hours. Blossom Rosedale is the horror, the Happy Monster, who was burned horribly by her father when she was six. They arrive in Pico Mundo with Edie.
Pico Mundo
Ozzie Boone is Odd's very overweight writer friend and surrogate father (to Stormy also) who has encouraged Odd to keep a journal. These journals resulted in this series of books. It's a cute idea. Terrible Chester is Ozzie's feet-peeing cat. Terri Stambaugh owns the Pico Mundo Grille where Odd learned and worked.
Pico Mundo PD
Wyatt Porter is the chief of police in Pico Mundo, and he knows all about Odd's abilities. Karla is the chief's wife, and she adores Odd as well. Officers Sonny Wexler and Billy Mundy are sent to the dam. Taylor Pipes and Nick Korker will guard Woodrow's carnival concessions. Rosalia Sanchez was Odd's landlady and friend.
Blue Sky Ranch had been…
…a quarter-horse operation that fell on hard times and is now owned by Lauren Ainsworth (her husband, Dave, died after they made it a success again). They had twin daughters, Veronica and Victoria. Mugs is their yellow Lab.
Members of Edie's group
Edie Fischer is an old, very rich lady Odd met in Deeply Odd, 6. She's part of a group battling the wicked and has welcomed Odd into the organization. Deacon "Deke" and Maybelle Bullock run a safe house in Pico Mundo where they take Odd in.
The Sombra Brothers Midway Show at the Maravilla County Fairgrounds is…
…where Stormy and Odd received their fortune. Lionel Sombra is one of the brothers. Connie is the young woman who does face painting. She has a brother Ethan. Ollie is the strong man while Lou Donatella is a dwarf with his own psychic ability.
Members of the ancient cult worshipping Meridian
We first meet Wolfgang Schmidt, Jonathan, and Selene (a.k.a., Woodrow Creel and Drs. Jeremy and Sibyl Witzleben) when they're playing nighttime tourist in the mall, relishing the death and mayhem visited upon the victims. Jim Sterling and Bob Cokeberry were the men in the trailer. Emory and Carl are chasing Odd through the orchard.
The Green Moon Mall victims…
…included Stormy and Rob Norwich and his daughter, Emily who were shot down by Simon Varner; Bern Eckles, a former Pico Mundo cop; Gosset; and, Robertson.
The corrupt Mr. and Mrs. Hellborn adopted Stormy after her parents died.
Bodachs are said to be mythical beasts who carry off children. In reality they are harbingers of horrific events. Never speak about them out loud or let them know you know they exist. Contumax is Latin for "defiant" or "disobedient" and is the greeting used by the satanists.
The Cover and Title
The cover is perfect with its hazy, star-filled lilac sky and the cracked ground on which a purple and weary Odd walks toward us, his head down, one hand in his pocket.
The title is how we've always seen Odd: Saint Odd, a man too good for this world.
dj68's review
3.0
*May contain minimal spoilers*
The good news is, I didn't hate it.
After the dud that was Deeply Odd, I really didn't expect ANYTHING at all from this book. I'm happy to say, that it was a fast and somewhat amusing read.
There were a few problems, though: too much action, endless pursues and shooting. No bodachs. Very few ghostly apperances. Also, the inclusion of characters I had all but forgotten about (Tim, Blossom Rosedale), though they did not have an impact on the story at all. Too little of known characters: only a few pages of Ozzie, a handful of pages of Edie Fischer and Annamaria only in dreams/flashbacks.
Other than that it seemed that Koontz had become less preachy and less political. Those were two of my main gripes with Deeply Odd, but in this it only slips through in very few instances. And thankfully, there is almost no trace of his trademark "humour". This one is played much more serious and I like it the better for it.
The showdown is not epic in any way and the ending, as others have pointed out, is kinda rushed. I was worried how he would describe the afterlife, but I actually kinda liked his version of it.
Overall, Koontz is not back to his roots, but I must say that I find this the third best installment of the series (After Odd Thomas and Odd Apocalypse). I do understand if someone finds it less than fulfilling, but after finding Deeply Odd and Odd Interlude abysmal beyond hope, I actually enjoyed this.
The good news is, I didn't hate it.
After the dud that was Deeply Odd, I really didn't expect ANYTHING at all from this book. I'm happy to say, that it was a fast and somewhat amusing read.
There were a few problems, though: too much action, endless pursues and shooting. No bodachs. Very few ghostly apperances. Also, the inclusion of characters I had all but forgotten about (Tim, Blossom Rosedale), though they did not have an impact on the story at all. Too little of known characters: only a few pages of Ozzie, a handful of pages of Edie Fischer and Annamaria only in dreams/flashbacks.
Other than that it seemed that Koontz had become less preachy and less political. Those were two of my main gripes with Deeply Odd, but in this it only slips through in very few instances. And thankfully, there is almost no trace of his trademark "humour". This one is played much more serious and I like it the better for it.
The showdown is not epic in any way and the ending, as others have pointed out, is kinda rushed. I was worried how he would describe the afterlife, but I actually kinda liked his version of it.
Overall, Koontz is not back to his roots, but I must say that I find this the third best installment of the series (After Odd Thomas and Odd Apocalypse). I do understand if someone finds it less than fulfilling, but after finding Deeply Odd and Odd Interlude abysmal beyond hope, I actually enjoyed this.
hollyemma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
jbridges99's review against another edition
4.0
Sad to see this series ending but I enjoyed the last book and how it ended.
lauraav's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
I enjoyed this series and loved how it all came together. I am glad we got to learn more about how Bronwen got her name Stormy and learning a little more about her past .Also I will forever love Stormy and Odd their relationship was everything and all their friends to I hate saying goodbye but I love that they got to be together again.Also enjoyed the bonus story Destined to be together forever Odd and Stormy's story.
novabird's review against another edition
4.0
Bit better than a 4 rating-- great imagery immersed me in the book
rlisaacs's review against another edition
5.0
There will be spoilers ahead, so the majority of my review will be hidden this time. You've been warned before you open the spoiler. MAJOR SPOILERS for how this ends. But... I can't not talk about it, hence it being hidden below.
For those who want to avoid that, I understand, and I leave you with this much. I. Love. Odd. Thomas. He is just... the purest soul I think I've ever read in a book. That's not to say he's perfect or anything. He's a character with his flaws, like all great characters are. But his aversion to violence, yet his willingness to resort to it when it is truly necessary to save people? His ability to be terrified of what might come next, yet he's willing to push forward and keep going if it means he can help all the people he possibly can? His love for his friends and his found family. I just... I love this character. And I am so happy to have read this book, and also so sad that this series is over.
Five stars. Five fully smooth and blue stars.
For me to give a book five stars when it made me cry, says a lot about how good it really is. I don't read books to cry. I don't want to read books that I think are going to make me cry. I have been known to do extensive research about a book I'm considering, to ensure that I'm 99% positive it's going to have an HEA, and it's not going to make me cry or break my heart. And yet here I am, at the end of the Odd Thomas road, and I'm crying.
And what's so awesome about that is that it's a mixture of happy tears and sad tears all at once. I was doing so well at one point. I felt them coming near the end, as Odd's final moments are upon us. Here's where the major spoiler comes in, so brace yourself...
Odd dies. Yes. If you've been reading the rest of the books though, you already knew this was where we were heading. We've known that for a while. I have been both dreading and looking forward to it at the same time. Looking forward to it, because we all want to know that the promise that mattered most to him gets kept in the end. "You are destined to be together forever." And it does, it's true! And I'm so freaking happy that it is! But he's also gone now! AH!
This book took me back to the amazing feels of the first ones. The later books dive into exceptionally dark territory, with entities being called upon and strange happenings taking place that I wasn't fully prepared for in these books, but that intrigued me all the same. In this book, we know those things are real in this universe, but we see them less. We more see Odd using his sixth sense to try and thwart yet another, and far more deadly, catastrophe from taking place in his beloved home town, similar to the first book where this all started. But Odd has learned a few things since then. He understands better what holes rest in his own understanding, and he tries harder to accommodate for that, or to try and work around them as best he can. (Which is hard, considering there's still so much he doesn't understand, but gosh-darn-it, our boy tries.)
Still spoiling things, I'm warning you again. Ultimately, through determination, grit, faith, and some luck... Odd manages to be our hero again. A hero who will deny that he really is a hero down to his last breath. And you guys... that is what has ultimately done me in for this book. Our boy dies and gets his promise kept to him, and he's happy in the new reality that has been presented to him in death.
And then the final chapter, which isn't even Odd's. Ozzie, one of his surrogate fathers throughout this series, is the author of that one final chapter. He's also, we come to find out, the person who has provided each of the titles for all of the Odd Thomas manuscripts that Odd entrusted to him to only publish upon his death. And he entitled this final book "Saint Odd" and his description of Odd himself... just... read it...
"I never considered any title but 'Saint Odd'." .... "But what other word so well fits a young man who would give his life to save a friend or even an innocent stranger, and who, in giving it, would think he had not done enough?"
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the exact perfect description of our beloved Odd Thomas. And that is what finally crashed through the dams I'd been trying to hold my tears back with.
This was an amazing ride. I love, love, love Odd Thomas. And I will miss him dearly. (Yes, I'm aware I can reread the books whenever I want, but it will never be the same again.)
For those who want to avoid that, I understand, and I leave you with this much. I. Love. Odd. Thomas. He is just... the purest soul I think I've ever read in a book. That's not to say he's perfect or anything. He's a character with his flaws, like all great characters are. But his aversion to violence, yet his willingness to resort to it when it is truly necessary to save people? His ability to be terrified of what might come next, yet he's willing to push forward and keep going if it means he can help all the people he possibly can? His love for his friends and his found family. I just... I love this character. And I am so happy to have read this book, and also so sad that this series is over.
Five stars. Five fully smooth and blue stars.
Spoiler
To those who have ventured down here... I'm crying.For me to give a book five stars when it made me cry, says a lot about how good it really is. I don't read books to cry. I don't want to read books that I think are going to make me cry. I have been known to do extensive research about a book I'm considering, to ensure that I'm 99% positive it's going to have an HEA, and it's not going to make me cry or break my heart. And yet here I am, at the end of the Odd Thomas road, and I'm crying.
And what's so awesome about that is that it's a mixture of happy tears and sad tears all at once. I was doing so well at one point. I felt them coming near the end, as Odd's final moments are upon us. Here's where the major spoiler comes in, so brace yourself...
Odd dies. Yes. If you've been reading the rest of the books though, you already knew this was where we were heading. We've known that for a while. I have been both dreading and looking forward to it at the same time. Looking forward to it, because we all want to know that the promise that mattered most to him gets kept in the end. "You are destined to be together forever." And it does, it's true! And I'm so freaking happy that it is! But he's also gone now! AH!
This book took me back to the amazing feels of the first ones. The later books dive into exceptionally dark territory, with entities being called upon and strange happenings taking place that I wasn't fully prepared for in these books, but that intrigued me all the same. In this book, we know those things are real in this universe, but we see them less. We more see Odd using his sixth sense to try and thwart yet another, and far more deadly, catastrophe from taking place in his beloved home town, similar to the first book where this all started. But Odd has learned a few things since then. He understands better what holes rest in his own understanding, and he tries harder to accommodate for that, or to try and work around them as best he can. (Which is hard, considering there's still so much he doesn't understand, but gosh-darn-it, our boy tries.)
Still spoiling things, I'm warning you again. Ultimately, through determination, grit, faith, and some luck... Odd manages to be our hero again. A hero who will deny that he really is a hero down to his last breath. And you guys... that is what has ultimately done me in for this book. Our boy dies and gets his promise kept to him, and he's happy in the new reality that has been presented to him in death.
And then the final chapter, which isn't even Odd's. Ozzie, one of his surrogate fathers throughout this series, is the author of that one final chapter. He's also, we come to find out, the person who has provided each of the titles for all of the Odd Thomas manuscripts that Odd entrusted to him to only publish upon his death. And he entitled this final book "Saint Odd" and his description of Odd himself... just... read it...
"I never considered any title but 'Saint Odd'." .... "But what other word so well fits a young man who would give his life to save a friend or even an innocent stranger, and who, in giving it, would think he had not done enough?"
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the exact perfect description of our beloved Odd Thomas. And that is what finally crashed through the dams I'd been trying to hold my tears back with.
This was an amazing ride. I love, love, love Odd Thomas. And I will miss him dearly. (Yes, I'm aware I can reread the books whenever I want, but it will never be the same again.)
jonnyj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is every bit as engaging as usual, and I appreciate the ending, but I would have liked a little more about how everything else resolved.