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Summary: One of the best books Dean Koontz has written.
Review: I just finished Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, and I've come to the conclusion that it is one of the best books that he has written to date. As an avid Koontz reader I anticipate each new book, and buy it the day it is released, knowing that I won't be disappointed. Odd Thomas was in no way a disappointment at all, it was a very heartfelt tale of a young man who has a gift, and must deal with the severe consequences of his actions. Koontz's writing has always been what attracts me to his books, the way he works in his characters' "special" abilities makes it almost normal for one to see the dead, or to do any of the other wondrous things his characters do. Koontz is a master storyteller in both his descriptive form, and his pacing, there is never a dull moment in Odd Thomas, and each environment is so real you almost feel like you are out in the Mohave desert or behind the grille that Odd so adores.Once again this is a "MUST HAVE" book for any fan of Koontz's, or of literature in general.
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Summary: A great story...
Review: ...but maybe not Koont's best (that would be, IMHO, 'The Face' or 'From the Corner of His Eye'). But it is a thrilling, fastpaced tale, with some chilling moments and some plot-twists, and...a happy ending?? I don't know for sure, I was crying through the last five pages - so, sue me for being emotional ;o) All in all, a very worthy read, indeed.
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Summary: The review to read!
Review: I have read every Koontz book out. Gobbled them up in the space of a 8 months a few years back and now buy the hardback the day it comes out. This was a good if not great Koontz story. I found the main character Odd Thomas likeable but not engaging in a throughly deeply satisfying way. The plot is exciting but not thrilling. The best and most compelling part of the story (as is typical in Koontz' books and the reason why they stand well above the rest of the pack) is Odd Thomas' relationships particularly with Stormy - the love of his life - as well as with the rest of the townspeople. The setting of Thomas' strange ability to commune with the dead and the unavoidable sense of impending doom sends the narrative humming along, but ultimately the emotional punch of knowing Odd's loves, losses, friends, enemies, joys and sorrows is what ultimately carries the story. A punch there is, and not one you would expect if you are a regular Koontz reader. In short this is a light story (for Koontz anyway - after all that is Odd's stated goal to keep the story light) that is an easy read and fun if not all you could hope for. For the Koontz regular reader it is of course a must read. For the occasional Koontz reader (especially if you have stayed away from Koontz because he is a "horror" writer - which he is not) I think you will find the story suprisingly enjoyable. For the Koontz newbie you will probably find elements enjoyable, but I would highly recommend beginning one of the following - "By the Light of the Moon", "Seize the Night" and "Fear Nothing" (2 book continuing story), "Twilight Eyes" or "Lighting" all of which are fantastic. Thanks for reading and enjoy Dean Koontz. - Ken
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Summary: Odd Thomas....
Review: I've got to admit, I love Dean Koontz' books. My all-time favorites are "Servants of Twilight" and "Tick Tock". My favorite short story is "The Black Pumpkin" which I love to read to everyone around Halloween. Over the last few years, we hadn't heard alot out of Dean. Although, what we have has been pretty good.
Odd Thomas, is odd but definitely a keeper and one story I recommend all Koontz' fans to check out. It tells the story of Odd Thomas. A fry cook in a small California town who sees and talks with ghosts. One day, he sees a stranger whom he dubs "The Fungus Man" who alerts Odd that trouble is brewing. Upon his investigating this Fungus Man, he soon realizes that the fungus man plans to wreak havoc on this small town and it's up to him to stop that from happening.
Before you dismiss this as an uninteresting story...believe that this is true Dean Koontz style and a definite good read. I agree, I hope we see a continuation to this story or the character, at least. Odd Thomas may be odd but he's definitely an endearing character we'd like to see more of.
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Summary: Burn the Midnight Oil
Review: One of Koontzs better (if not best) books! From page one he plunges you right into the story. Once you start reading it you'll be up most of the night turning page after page.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down..
Review: I've read most of Dean Koontz, and some are better than others. Odd Thomas was fast pace and full of suspence. I don't alwats go through books quickly but I finished this in a matter of hours. Odd Thomas is a memorable character, much like Cole in the "Sixth Sense" but older and more in tune with his abilities. I would recommend this to any Dean Koontz fan and just hope there will be a Part 2...
Rating: 
Summary: Unsatisfying
Review: Since we are told that the book we are reading was written by Odd, perhaps he should get the blame for what to me was an unsatisfying read, especially since I have enjoyed many of Koontz's other works. The writing seems flat and lacking any real emotion. There are interesting characters, but there just isn't enough plot to stretch over so many pages. I found myself rapidly reading the second half of the book just to get to see what happens at the end, not out of any excitement or horror at what was being revealed.
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Summary: hack job
Review: I have read every Dean Koontz book available and have loved every one. That is until this one. The writing was okay and being able to see dead people is a little spooky, but at least try and challenge the reader. The surprise ending, if you can call it that, was terrible. The author has you spend well over half the book following around one guy and then throws a conspiracy theory and a develish cult that just so happens to have occured under his nose, even though he has supernatural gifts to spot these thigns. I did think that the intro of the evil spirits called Bodachs was nice and Elvis was a great addition, but thses two plot lines went nowhere, especially the Elvis thing. His only purpose in the novle was to cry his eyes out evey two pages adn then dissapear for the rest of the book. With about 60 pages left Koontz introduces Odd's parents to us and expects some type of attachment to these scenes because of repetative and rather boring flashbacks. It seemed to me as if the author was just trying to fill up space. If you are going to reveal the main characters parents by showing flashbacks of Odds troubled past then at least have some type of resolution, which the book does not. It seems as a rather tired diversion from the shaky plot. I understand that Odd is supposed to be odd, but he never reacts to his environment or the situations, he merely tells the reader. Descriptions of events are pasted out of a book of overdone cliches and as a reader you never get a sense that something really terrible and scary is going to happen, becasue Odd acts so casualy. You could read this book by skipping 5 pages at a time and not miss a thing. If this novel did not have Koontz name attached to it, it would never haver been published.
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Summary: THIS IS A GOOD ONE
Review: This story about a short order cook who sees things that others do not is a smooth, suspenseful story. It has a likable main character, some very likable secondary characters, and a villain it is almost fun to fear and despise. Koontz handles the supernatural/horror angle of the story with a light hand. The story is driven by the characters, not weird stuff or strange beings, although the weird stuff and strange beings are definitely around. Placing this story in a small, rather isolated town in southern California was a masterstroke. It gives the story that old fashioned feel of a few lonely people facing tremendous mystery and danger, sort of like the book/movie "The Body Snatchers". If you have become wary of Koontz's books lately, relax and give this one a try. He doesn't preach at the reader in this one. He tells the story tightly and quickly. In short, it's the kind of book you know you should put down for the night and go to bed, but you don't. It's just too interesting, and besides, a quiet house in which everyone but you is asleep is the perfect setting for reading this story.
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Summary: Nothing "Odd" about this read
Review: For the first time in a long time Dean Koontz has written a book that delivers on any level you can name. Odd Thomas is a suspenseful, powerful, imaginative, and entertaining story. The characters are believable and seem to leap off the page at the reader. Of course, I like all of Koontz's works, the early stuff and his later, more spiritual works. Odd Thomas is a short order hash slinger in a small out of the way town of Pico Mundo. Besides being a talented writer, Odd sees and communicates with ghosts. Not just any ghosts mind you, but all types of ghosts. One type that is especially bad are the "bodachs" a particularly malevolent spirit that is attracted to and seem to feed off of violence. These spirits are in town and associated with a character Odd names "Fungus Man." As you read you realize that Fungus Man is much, much more than he appears on the surface to be. This is an unsettling read. Koontz manages to keep the reader slightly off balance. This causes a little disorientation and some readers may be critical on this aspect of the novel. However, when you reach the end of the book you'll be glad that you hung around to the end. Koontz is a talented writer. His books are meant for intelligent readers. Odd Thomas will not disappoint.
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