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Reviews tagging 'Death'

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

15 reviews

cdeaton119's review against another edition

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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

3.5

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.
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wickedbastard's review against another edition

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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

3.5

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.)
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coffeebean216's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

2.0

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maxa_mill's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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felicia923's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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lay_kone's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.25

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zara89's review against another edition

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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

1.0

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winglesswarrior's review against another edition

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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

4.0

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maggies's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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.
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quasinaut's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

My coworker recommended this book when I asked for something outside my standard fare (mostly romance novels of late), and I'm glad I went in without knowing too much. I adored experiencing Odd's perspective as he travels through life. 

Fascinatingly written, with touches of foreshadowing throughout. I tend to turn off the predict-what-happens part of my brain while reading and just let the story wash over me, but there were a few times when I put the book down for a day or two because I feared what might happen to Odd and his friends, his chosen family. While there were some tense moments and devastating consequences, I'm glad I kept reading.
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