“The dead don't talk. I don't know why.” But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as the...
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Jun 23, 2008
Aaron
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I haven't read Dean Koontz in years, and I wanted to see if I'd made a hasty judgment about him being not so good. He wrote a book called "Lightning" that I liked, but others I read were, as they say, "Meh." I picked up this book and the next in the series, "Forever Odd," and thought "sure, why not?"
Let me answer that question for you:
Dean Koontz' 20 year old I-see-dead-people fry cook character reads like a 20 year old written by More...
Let me answer that question for you:
Dean Koontz' 20 year old I-see-dead-people fry cook character reads like a 20 year old written by More...
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Jun 22, 2008
Terry
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"Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz is the first book in his “Odd” series. This novel probably inspired the television series Medium. There are several similarities between them, including the ability of the main character to speak with the dead and use information gleaned to solve crimes. Both also involve lots of action and some romance.
Odd Thomas is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a 20 year old short-order cook at the local grill in a small desert town. He is More...
Odd Thomas is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a 20 year old short-order cook at the local grill in a small desert town. He is More...
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Jun 07, 2008
The Black Pearl
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Best Read of 2004!!! Wow! What a way to start a new year. This is the first book I've read by Dean Koontz and I'm kicking myself in the behind for overlooking the man for some many years! After this review, I will make it a point to get my hands on a copy of everything the man has ever written.
I first mentioned this book to my ex-husband after coming across it in the bookstore early December. Back cover seemed interesting enough but, not being a fan of Koontz, I decided to put it o More...
I first mentioned this book to my ex-husband after coming across it in the bookstore early December. Back cover seemed interesting enough but, not being a fan of Koontz, I decided to put it o More...
Mar 11, 2009
Imogen
rated it:
Isla was going to get this, but she was equivocating, so I knocked her over and took it. I have read a lot of Dean Koontz! Back when he was Dean R. Koontz. According to Wikipedia, in 1992, when I was thirteen, I had read every book he'd published under his own name- which was, what, like, a dozen or so? I used to get them from the library and read them at other kids' little league games... which sounds a little nerdy, in retrospect.
Anyway, I loved 'em! I was More...
Anyway, I loved 'em! I was More...
Mar 19, 2009
This was the first of Koontz's Odd Thomas books that I read, maybe was his first, and I loved it. It's just odd that Odd's girlfriend is as odd as he is and you have to love them both. Though most of Koontz' villains are so vile as to be inhuman these villains are all too real and thus more frightening and make people more dead. Sometimes you can believe Koontz' characters that you fall in love with can not be killed by his supernatural villains, but when you're dealing with real live t
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Jan 31, 2012
Chris
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Caution: comments contain spoilers.
I like Dean Koontz but I am not a big fan. I don't know if the stories seem too generic or the characters are too standard in my view, but he gets me about 60% of the way there most times. I have actually put down a few of his books after about 50 pages because I simply lost interest. I know that he is wildly popular so obviously others don't share this view. Odd Thomas, both the novel and the character, were different for me though. The idea of some More...
I like Dean Koontz but I am not a big fan. I don't know if the stories seem too generic or the characters are too standard in my view, but he gets me about 60% of the way there most times. I have actually put down a few of his books after about 50 pages because I simply lost interest. I know that he is wildly popular so obviously others don't share this view. Odd Thomas, both the novel and the character, were different for me though. The idea of some More...
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Feb 22, 2008
Ian
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This was my first Koontz book, and I read it on the recommendation of a friend. After reaching the last page I have to say that I'm surprised at how good the book ended up being!
For me, the book really took off at the end, and when I reached the more exciting parts I was more accepting of the bulk of the previous parts which set up the big climax. Aside from one single plot point, which I assume is explored more in the later books, everything tied together in an interesting and orig More...
For me, the book really took off at the end, and when I reached the more exciting parts I was more accepting of the bulk of the previous parts which set up the big climax. Aside from one single plot point, which I assume is explored more in the later books, everything tied together in an interesting and orig More...
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Dec 16, 2009
NumberLord
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This is only the second book from Koontz that I've read (the first was "Servants of Twilight"), but wow! A very good book. The protagonist Odd Thomas (yep, that's his real name), much like the characters in "The Sixth Sense" and the Necroscope series, sees dead people. Although, as he says, "I see dead people. But then, by God, I do something about it." Unlike Lumley's Necroscope who could talk to the dead (but didn't really see them), Odd can see the dead but
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Jan 17, 2009
Audrey
rated it:
It's been a really long time -- high school, I think -- since I've read anything by Dean Koontz, but the description of Odd Thomas caught my attention so I grabbed this from the library. I'm so glad I did. Odd Thomas is one of the best characters I've met in a long time. Koontz's writing is sharp and clear and very witty, and he can really amp up the suspense. And the ending -- never saw it coming, though I probably should have. I'm looking forward to reading more books about Odd.
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Sep 06, 2008
Ruth
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I have never read Dean Koontz before, and have never found any real draw to him or his typical genre of writing. However, I've found myself suitably impressed with this first venture into his collection of novels.
The book was written in a fashion that I found very entertaining and engaging, staying light just long enough to knock me a bit off balance when it grew darker. The characters were nicely fleshed out in all their oddness (pun not intended but unavoidable) and were quite en More...
The book was written in a fashion that I found very entertaining and engaging, staying light just long enough to knock me a bit off balance when it grew darker. The characters were nicely fleshed out in all their oddness (pun not intended but unavoidable) and were quite en More...
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Jan 22, 2009
Jensownzoo
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Well, I found the style of writing a little irritating, but the characterizations and story more than made up for it. I loved quirky Odd Thomas and his fairly simple approach to life, despite the possession of a rather extraordinary gift regarding the dead. Also enjoyed the supporting characters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
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Aug 24, 2008
Susan
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Recommended to me from a P.E. coach, I immediately fell in love with Odd Thomas within the first two pages. A small town fry cook, Odd, at 19, lives on his own and has the gift of sight. Although, his sight works with tragedy. His sight allows him to be connected with the world of the wrongfully dead...people who can't pass on without him. Elvis is a grand buddy in this.
It is thrilling, but what I love are the characters of this small town: the sheriff, the mystery writer with th More...
It is thrilling, but what I love are the characters of this small town: the sheriff, the mystery writer with th More...
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Aug 26, 2008
Cheryl
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Book 1 is my favorite Odd Thomas book, to-date. Awesome story with a memorable character. I thought about Odd long after I put the book down, and it definitely made me want to read more. I started on Forever Odd (book 2) the same evening.
Dean Koontz has created a very interesting character and some witty dialogue and humor. While it might not be as dark as most of his other works, Odd Thomas has an eerie foreshadowing that really works. You have to keep reading to find out what happe More...
Dean Koontz has created a very interesting character and some witty dialogue and humor. While it might not be as dark as most of his other works, Odd Thomas has an eerie foreshadowing that really works. You have to keep reading to find out what happe More...
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May 28, 2008
Deb
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This book is about a young man who has been given the gift of being able to see dead people and predict future deaths. It is very, very wordy, and as a person with a somewhat limited vocabulary I found it difficult to get through at times (other average to above average readers probably wouldn't think twice about the overabundance of adjectives). But by the middle of the book (430+ pages), things got so exciting that I was able to forget about the big words and focused only on the plot. It wa
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Nov 21, 2011
Kona
rated it:
I have had this book on my shelves for years. I am so glad I finally made myself pick it up. The writing is spectacular and the story is original. I love Odd and can see why he has so many friends, even if he doesn't realize how popular he is in the story. While the story has a lot of supernatural concepts, it really doesn't come across as unbelievable or hokey. I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series and even trying a couple other books by Dean Koontz that have been sitting
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Dec 03, 2011
Isabel
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Odd Thomas, a 20-year-old grill-chef in the small town of Pico Mundo, can see the dead and although they don’t speak, they are able to let Odd know how to help them with the unfinished tasks that are preventing them from moving on. Only a few of the town's residents know about this talent of his, among them the police chief, who often acts on Odd's tips. But Odd can also see another type of spirit that he calls bodachs, which seem to be vampire-like shadows feeding on death and destruction. Acci
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Aug 06, 2011
Quintin
rated it:
Now this was unexpected. Dean Koontz uses a VERY fair share of humor to lighten the mood of the reader in this book. This is not what I typically consider a Dean Koontz book, but I found myself pleasantly surprised.
The main character is a 'simple' guy called Odd and covers the strange story that leads to the emotional 'twisty' end, and also fills a lot of the gaps about the character's life during the telling of this tale.
The superior writing style of this top author is still very prominen More...
The main character is a 'simple' guy called Odd and covers the strange story that leads to the emotional 'twisty' end, and also fills a lot of the gaps about the character's life during the telling of this tale.
The superior writing style of this top author is still very prominen More...
Feb 28, 2010
Matt
rated it:
This was the first part of a (so-far) two part series dealing with Odd Thomas. Unfortunately, we didn't know about this book first, so we had already read the second book. This book did not disappoint at all. It was a fantastic read from beginning to end.
Publisher's Summary
The dead don't talk. I don't know why. But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Odd Thomas thinks of himself as an ordinary guy, if possessed of a More...
Publisher's Summary
The dead don't talk. I don't know why. But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Odd Thomas thinks of himself as an ordinary guy, if possessed of a More...
Jan 09, 2009
Shannon
rated it:
Ok - I saw the cover of Brother Odd in the bookstore and really wanted to read it, but I knew it was a sequel and I didn't want to start in the middle of something. Am I glad I did start at the beginning!
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. First of all, I have never read anything else by the author, but this character was too much to pass up. Odd is just about perfect. He is a wonderful, somewhat tragic boy. And funny as hell to boot. I don't usually read books More...
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. First of all, I have never read anything else by the author, but this character was too much to pass up. Odd is just about perfect. He is a wonderful, somewhat tragic boy. And funny as hell to boot. I don't usually read books More...
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Feb 04, 2012
maerhys
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This earned an extra star from me due to the ending - it was very unexpected (to me, considering I know how Koontz feels about true love and happy endings) and well done, and little bold for the ending of a first book in a series. I expected to find this as an inferior retelling of the Snow series, but I actually enjoyed Odd Thomas more than both of the Snow books. It was slightly slow in parts and the final showdown requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but other than those two issues, I
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Jan 23, 2012
Frank
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This is one of the best books I have ever read! It is also the first Dean Koontz novel I have ever read. This story sends electricity surging down your spine from the very first page. Odd Thomas is an ordinary fry cook at the Pico Mundo grill, who's main ambition is to become a tire salesman at the local tire store.
Odd see's the dead. He claims the dead don't talk, but they sure did to me in this electrifying story. The spirits of the lingering dead seek Odd's assistance to cross over into More...
Odd see's the dead. He claims the dead don't talk, but they sure did to me in this electrifying story. The spirits of the lingering dead seek Odd's assistance to cross over into More...
Jan 19, 2012
Martip
rated it:
Alright. I didn't know this until after reading about them today, but there are at least four more books in this series. GREAT! I liked the "get to know you" feel of this book. It's like back in highschool, early college when you start getting to know people and see worlds beyond your own small life. Odd, the main character's life is that of a short order cook in a small, California desert town named Pico Mundo. We live Odd's life with him for a short period of time. We meet his friend
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Dec 06, 2011
Nic
rated it:
It was the first book that I picked up to read for pleasure in a long long while. I was out of high school and depressed and decided to get back into reading again. This randomaly pickked off the shelf book made me remember why I love to read.
I'll start out by saying I'm not much of a Koontz fan. After reading this book, I looked into some of his other stuff but none of it really lived up to the experience I had with this one. Plus his writing style varies incredibly from older works More...
I'll start out by saying I'm not much of a Koontz fan. After reading this book, I looked into some of his other stuff but none of it really lived up to the experience I had with this one. Plus his writing style varies incredibly from older works More...
Dec 06, 2011
Bobbieherrera
rated it:
I started reading Koontz when I was 12. He was a constant companion growing up. This book reminded me why I enjoyed him so much back in the day and how his writing had influenced my own. This book was recommended by a friend and coworker a few years ago, I'm sorry it took me this long to get to it.
Odd Thomas is a refreshing character full of quirks, which I adore. I enjoyed the first person POV and the other 'oddly' interesting characters that make up the relationships in Odd's life. It's More...
Odd Thomas is a refreshing character full of quirks, which I adore. I enjoyed the first person POV and the other 'oddly' interesting characters that make up the relationships in Odd's life. It's More...
Aug 06, 2011
Justin
rated it:
Not to try and purposely lace this review with any sort of profanity but this was 1 hell of a book!! I totally give it like 4 or 5 thumbs up. At first u aren't sure what to think because Odd Thomas starts out by saying that he is being forced to narrate and write about is life and what have u by his larger then life friend...litterally....Ozzie. If you can get through that with no problem like i did, then its totally worth reading through the entire thing. I loved how Odd down played his gift/ta
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Aug 04, 2011
Bridget
rated it:
I'm a big fan of Koontz's and picked up this book a couple of years ago simply because it was the next one that he wrote. Since, I have made sure to read each of the Odd series books. It's hard to categorize this book - kind of sci-fi, psycho-thriller, suspense would be the closest I can come.
Odd is an average young man with an ability to see the dead. This gift gets him into strange and sometimes dangerous situations because the dead show or "tell" him things that are going to happen, More...
Odd is an average young man with an ability to see the dead. This gift gets him into strange and sometimes dangerous situations because the dead show or "tell" him things that are going to happen, More...
Aug 01, 2011
I read this on recommendation from my husband. He's a big fan of Koontz, and this is the first bit I've ever read. I loved the book up till the very end, when the story ended very abruptly and in a way that felt wrong.
Odd Thomas, the main character (yes, that's actually his name) is a young man with psychic abilities. He can communicate with the restless dead and can see bodachs, creatures that are attracted to death and violence. He uses these powers to aid local law enforcement (secretly More...
Odd Thomas, the main character (yes, that's actually his name) is a young man with psychic abilities. He can communicate with the restless dead and can see bodachs, creatures that are attracted to death and violence. He uses these powers to aid local law enforcement (secretly More...
Jul 03, 2011
Alexandra
rated it:
A fast moving thriller with an engaging plot and well-constructed characters. Koontz, though writing a dark thriller, manages to add some humor to his novel, which is almost scary considering the content of the book.
Odd Thomas (yes, his name is Odd; it's on his birth certificate) has a unique gift-he can see ghosts. People who have not moved on after their deaths. Some ghosts want him to avenge their deaths, some hang around looking for comfort, some simply want things to be put right. Plea More...
Odd Thomas (yes, his name is Odd; it's on his birth certificate) has a unique gift-he can see ghosts. People who have not moved on after their deaths. Some ghosts want him to avenge their deaths, some hang around looking for comfort, some simply want things to be put right. Plea More...
May 19, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
Odd Thomas can see the dead. He sees those who have died but not yet moved on to the afterlife. Some of them come to him to find justice, many of them don't ever reveal why they have not yet moved on. They communicate with him sometimes, but they never talk. A strange man comes to town, followed by figures who seek out instances of terrible violence and cruel death. Odd tries to learn what horrors are going to happen so he can stop them. The premise is similar to that of The Sixth Sense; t
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Apr 29, 2011
Ensiform
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