Rating:  Summary: Surreal is the Rule Review: The plot, though not original, was captivating and straightforward. Re-inventing an old tale, the author impresses the story with his special touch and fascinates the reader into wanting to know more - needing to know more. Now let me warn you, if you are one those readers who likes a neat and happy ending, do not read this book. The ending is both shocking and traumatic, delivering a climax that no one can see coming. The pace in the book is tense, amplifying the danger and suspense. You speed through this book knowing that a race is on and hold out in the hope that Odd will be declared the winner. The atmosphere is weighed down with anxiety and comfort. Here is where Koontz struggled and lost. Trying to create an air of pressure while maintaining an almost Norman Rockwell picturesque town, I found it difficult - if not downright distracting - to integrate myself into the setting. Also, I understand the temperature can escalate to an ungodly height in California; there was no need to report the weather in every chapter. Koontz's style of writing is bold and vivid. Narrating the booking in the first person, you begin to understand and bond with the main character. With an even blend of description and dialogue, he pulls you into his strange but enticing world where anything is possible.The characters are colorful, intelligent and realistic. Breathing air into his characters, Koontz grants his players a sense of humor, a well of emotions and most importantly, vitality. Here, he delivers us a cast with a past, with flaws, with weaknesses. They become memorable and will remain close friends even after the book is closed. My rating? I give it a 5 . Koontz releases us into a world where the surreal is the rule, frailty is all to common and evil hovers just around the corner.
Rating:  Summary: Review from Jamian Snow, author of SHROUDED INSANITY Review: Odd Thomas is classic Koontz. The story chills , thrills, scares, and even grabs at your heart-strings. The story is definitely odd, but the writing and concept is undenyably Dean Koontz's. His unique style has been a great influence on my own writing style. This novel is a real treat for all.
Rating:  Summary: A MASTER RETURNS Review: Dean Koontz has certainly been one of our most prolific "horror" writers. When he's at his best, he's awesome; when he's not, he's sadly mundane. ODD THOMAS is perhaps the best book Koontz has written since "Dragon Tears" and "Hideaway." In fact, it may be his best yet. In his past half dozen books or so, Koontz has tended to become metaphorical, bombastic, preachy and mundane. However, in ODD THOMAS, the narrative voice that has chilled his fans for years (and I'm one of them) returns with superior focus. Dean has learned how to add humor to his works, and the humor in this one is right on target. The relationship between Odd and Stormy is so richly realized, so simple in its true evocation of love, that you want the best for them no matter what. The inclusion of Elvis' presence could have been a cheap ploy in some author's hands, but the way Koontz integrates the king of rock and roll into the story is sublimely touching. There is so much "heart" in this book, it's hard to remember you're reading a novel about a demonic serial killer, and Odd works hard to save those souls he can. This book has moments of chilling suspense; touching humanity; crisp and believable dialogue; and an ending that will surprise many. Koontz is in his finest form in this novel; I highly recommend it to those who have felt cheated by Koontz's latest novels, and to those who have yet to discover the voice of a man who is an artist, and who has regained his pictorial genius.
Rating:  Summary: Odd Thomas Review: Odd Thomas is the first book I have read by Dean Koontz and I really did enjoy it. Odd himself was an absolute wonderful character. He is a simple guy with simple dreams, but a 6th sense that gets him into all sorts of trouble. This story keeps you on your toes and in the end has a twist that I never would have suspected. I would definitely recommend this book and will be checking out some of Koontz's other books as well.
Rating:  Summary: What Sixth Sense Should Have Been Review: Sometimes I come across a book I CANNOT put down. The kind of book that I read within one day only stopping for bathroom breaks and to replenish my drink. The kind of book I can't stop talking about that I fall in love with. That I dream about casting a movie and directing the adaptation. Odd Thomas by Koontz is that kind of book. Odd Thomas is everything The Sixth Sense promised but unlike Sixth Sense, Odd Thomas delivers! Actually when I got done with it I realized even more how unfullfilling and horrid Sixth Sense plot wise was. Odd Thomas is about a 20 year old boy named in the title. He sees dead people and tries to help them move on in their journey. He helps not out of attention or glory but out of decency. Koontz skillfully makes the reader get to know Odd and what makes him tick. Odd doesn't see himself as special. Actually he thinks he is rather ordinary with ordinary dreams (never wanting to leave his town, wanting to marry his highschool sweetheart and maybe if he is lucky become a tire salesman) and that he just happens to have one gift. He is surrounded by a great cast of secondary characters that Koontz may only describe in a few words but in those few words the reader gets to know them as well as Odd does. I won't go into the plot much because I'm afraid to ruin the joy of discovering it yourself. As for the ending it is bittersweet, so be forewarned. If you like 100% good endings you may want to pass on it. Odd Thomas is the best horror novel I've read so far this year and I read a ton of books.
Rating:  Summary: When a good author recommends it go for it!! Review: This book was terrific!! When I saw that Jamian Snow, the author of Shrouded Insanity(which I just read and loved) recommended this book, I just had to read it. He's right. This novel kept me wanting more. I am now a Dean Koontz fan as well as a Jamian Snow fan. I don't know who to thank, Jamian or Dean. In any case, Odd Thomas is a book that all should read.
Rating:  Summary: Review by Jamian Snow, author of SHROUDED INSANITY Review: Odd Thomas is classic Koontz. The story chills , thrills, scares, and even grabs at your heart-strings. Odd Thomas is definitely odd, but the writing and concept is undenyably Dean Koontz's. His unique style has been a great influence on my own writing style. This novel is a real treat for all.
Rating:  Summary: New to Koontz Review: I loved it! I just completed Odd Thomas and I am sad it is over. I was glued to the book and had a tough time putting it down. This is the first Koontz novel I have read and I am simply captivated by him. I love how he almost over illustrates things like the sky in the Valley. It seems so vivid. I'm hooked; the only problem is now which book to read next.
Rating:  Summary: Not a Koontz fan, but loved this book! Review: Oddly enough (no pun intended), I have never read a Koontz book, but I was told about this book and LOVED it! It wasnt anything that I expected from this writer. Its an original idea and everything about the book is great.
Rating:  Summary: Anything New Review: I have been a big fan of Koontz over the years, and have gotten use to his afflictions with Nanotechnology, Dogs, and overdescribing every piece of information. He does have any uncanny way of looking at a familiar storyline, and attempting to strech it into something else. There are no new ideas in this book that haven't been covered by some author, at a different time. The "dead people" thing has been done, recanting the story after the fact including the "dead people" has been done. The Bodach's seem to be characters that live on a different plain of consciousness....done before. The ending is predictable. Good overall read, but don't expect any surprises.
|