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coldnightforalligators 's review for:
Odd Hours
by Dean Koontz
Brother Odd, the third installment of the series (which precedes Odd Hours) was the most compelling and perfect of the series up to that point (imho), meaning the fourth book could either ride that momentum (the way the Harry Potter series just got better and better following its third installment) or, it could fall completely apart and disappoint (the way only something with great potential which it does not live up to can). Many reviewers seem to feel Odd Hours leans more toward the latter scenario, but I enjoyed it just fine. It was not as good as Brother Odd, no. The pacing of this book was rushed in some places, then dragged in others. The mystery and ambiguity surrounding the Annamaria character was exasperating and not at all charming. I continue to be turned off by Odd's (Dean Koontz's?) religiousity and rudimentary views on good vs evil (my only real complaint about the series as a whole). And Odd killed a lot of people in this book, which seems not only against-character to me, but a lazy way of concluding this chapter of Odd's saga. However, for all that is flawed about this, it still has a lot of redeeming quailities--most notably, Odd Thomas is wonderful. I love this character, and (with the exception of Annamaria and one-note bad guy thugs), I am intrigued by the characters Odd falls in with, his team and chosen family in Magic Beach--Hutch, Blossom Rosedale, Birdie Hopkins, Raphael (formerly Murphy), the derpy, grinning golden retriever (which Odd just lowkey stole from a back yard, but okay). Even though these are characters newly introduced in the fourth book of a series and, likely (based on the characters we were introduced to in the third book), will never meet again, I cared about them. I would love to see more of any/all of them in future books and like the idea that perhaps they will reappear at some point, along with other tertiary characters introduced in the monastary and Pico Mundo. I also happen to like the idea of Odd on the road. The topography of California and the Southwest US is so immense and diverse and extra-terrestrial, I would love to see these places through Odd's eyes. Dean Koontz has a gift for describing the physical and cultural aspects of a place, through the eyes and voice of Odd.
In short, Odd Hours will likely be my least favorite of the series, but even so, I still enjoyed my reading experience, overall. What can I say? I adore this character--I feel he lives outside of the book, outside of any mistakes Dean Koontz may make in writing his story. My loyalty to this series is loyalty to this character, and I will gladly continue reading.
In short, Odd Hours will likely be my least favorite of the series, but even so, I still enjoyed my reading experience, overall. What can I say? I adore this character--I feel he lives outside of the book, outside of any mistakes Dean Koontz may make in writing his story. My loyalty to this series is loyalty to this character, and I will gladly continue reading.