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wickedbastard's review against another edition
- 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
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.)
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
stinkysteps's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child death
maryam16080208's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
coffeebean216's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Suicide
Minor: Addiction and Abortion
skylerraee's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mass/school shootings and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse
dezaray_the_pale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
A bit slow in the third quarter but picked up again.
Spooky small town with death around the corner. Odd conveniently get away with a lot of shady activities because of his sense and relationship with the police chief.
I liked this as a first in series, but probably won't continue.
Moderate: Sexual assault and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
lay_kone's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body horror and Grief
zara89's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
winglesswarrior's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
maggies's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail