Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
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Book Reviews of Odd Thomas
Book Review: New Fan
Summary: 5 Stars
Several years ago I purchased a Dean Koontz book (don't remember which one) because I was a horror fan and also because I had heard so much about the bestselling author and his books. At the time I was a huge fan of Stephen King & more hardcore horror. I read maybe a chapter of the Koontz book and put it aside with disgust. What was all the hoopla about? I wondered. Well, just like food tastes change as we mature, so do our reading tastes. I was looking around in a book store one day soon after this book was published, and I asked the salesperson if he could recommend a good book. He immediately showed me Odd Thomas. I thought, "Oh no, another Koontz fanatic." I perused the book, but didn't purchase it (nope, not gonna be fooled again, not me). Yet, every time I would go to a bookstore after that I found myself drawn to the book. I would look at it, read the back cover, flip through it, put it back on the shelf. Finally, about 2 weeks ago, I was in a used book store & saw the book. I thought, what the heck, how badly could I be stung....the book was only a couple of bucks. Odd Thomas is, without a doubt, one of the best books I've ever read. It is, by turns, spooky, creepy, funny, sad and just plain a delight to read. Odd is a sympathetic character whom I liked & cared about. Since I first wrote this review, I've read Forever Odd and Brother Odd. I read the last book as slowly as I could force myself, because there's no more Odd books currently available. The entire series is an enjoyable, amazing read. Am I now a Koontz freak? Who knows? Am I now an Odd freak? Definitely!Book Review: Another good one from Koontz
Summary: 5 Stars
Once again, Dean Koontz has taken us on a riveting journey. Through scary moments, humor, romance, and violence, he has captivated the reader and keeps the pages turning; a true testament to his easy flowing and enjoyable writing.
Odd Thomas is one of those characters the "everyman" can identify with, although we can not share his special/supernatural abilities. Not unlike the character Forrest Gump, Odd Thomas is humble, vulnerable, comes from a troubled past, and has unwillingly risen to greatness when necessary; all of this despite his reluctance to be the center of attention and fawned upon. Like Jimmy Tock of Life Expectancy, one can't help but root for,and perhaps most importantly, relate to and empathize with Odd Thomas as he describes Stormy, converses with his troubled parents, discusses his "gift" (or perhaps more appropriately, his burden), and ponders the questions that many of us faced when we were twenty and had a dead end job, small apartment, and no car. Through him, we see the optimistic side of life despite being afflicted with what many of us in the real world would consider a curse. Although a flawed and fallible hero, Odd Thomas may well represent the compassion and persevering spirit lacking in many of us.
To date, I have yet to be disappointed with a Koontz book and Odd Thomas is no exception. I hope it is enjoyed by others as much as I have enjoyed it. And to Mr. Koontz: Thank you and please keep up the good work!
Book Review: Novel That Does It All
Summary: 5 Stars
I did not expect much from this book. I did not know much about it, other then the title, and author. I heard some good things so I decided to pick it up. I got much more then I bargained for.
I thought the character's name was Thomas who was just an odd person. I soon learned that this was not the case. Then I found out that he could see dead people, and at once compared it too the movie "The Sixth Sense." It was nowhere near the same.
This novel is about much more the just seeing dead people and the event that he much help stop. Odd Thomas goes through a huge range of emotions and has incredible friends. This book brings youin from the beginning and actually makes you hope that every man could act the way Odd does.
Another part of Odd Thomas was the love story. Stormy and Odd are just an incredible pair. They are so much fun, and you quickly realize that they are soulmates, and you care for both of them a great deal.
Dean Koontz mashes humor, intensity, horror, and saddness in a masterful way in the novel. I felt more emotions in the book then I ever had before. It was the first book that I have ever read that I found myself crying, not a small feat with a book.
This is simply the best book I have read in the last few years, and easily in the top 10 books I have ever read. I recommend this book to anyone is open to emotions, and likes to feel connected deeply to the characters involved.
Book Review: Ghosts and Bodachs Abound in Pico Mundo
Summary: 5 Stars
Short order cook Odd Thomas possesses a strange gift, or the gift possess him, depending on your point of view. He can see spirits and foresee crimes. He uses this gift he for the common good. Only a few people in the small desert town of Pico Mundo know about his ability. One is his girlfriend, Bronwen "Stormy" Llewellyn. Another is the police chief, who sometimes works with Odd to solve crimes.
Odd is also troubled by visions of dark, ill-defined figures he calls bodachs, who flock in packs to scenes of extreme violence, murder and human suffering.
One day a mysterious man named Bob Robertson enters the grill where Odd works. Perversion pours from him like sweat oozing off a thirsty man in the desert, drawing a swarm of bodachs who surround him, slipping and sliding around him as he leaves the diner. Odd dubs him the "Fungus Man."
Odd senses a horrible evil about Robertson and through recurring dreams, foresees a series of killings. Something very bad is brewing in Pico Mundo and it's up to Odd to stop it, despite the forces working against him.
It's hard for me to believe that Mr. Koontz can keep churning out books that captivate me so. A thrill a minute, that's what's in store for you in a Dean Koontz story and this one is no exception. You'll find yourself speeding though this book, but beware, put your seatbelt on, because you don't want to be thrown out of the car when you come to the twist at the end.
Book Review: The book that is Odd in all the right ways.
Summary: 5 Stars
Odd Thomas was a book that was really a great piece of literature. It was unique, interesting, and kept me reading. I liked this book because it had a very strong plot; it was funny at times, but still showed seriousness when needed.
Odd Thomas is a book about a man named Odd Thomas who is, as his name suggests, odd. He works as a short order cook in the small town of Pico Mundo, and has a very special talent. He can see dead people. It may seem like this has been used so many times, but Dean Koontz really makes this theme unique to his book. He is in love with a woman named Bronwen Llywellyn, who prefers to be called Stormy. One day, Odd encounters a man in the restaurant he works in, surrounded by invisible spirit creatures known as bodachs. These creatures signify that something bad is going to happen, and the sheer number of them around this man signifies something horrible. So Odd then tries to find this man, who he nicknames "Fungus Man", and stop the impending doom that he knows is coming. The question is, will he be able to?
This book will catch you even if you are not a big reader. I even just saw it one day and picked it up because of the cover. I am glad I did because it was one of the best books I have ever read. It was exciting, moving, and in the end was a big surprise that I will never forget. I recommend this book to everyone.