Odd Hours (Odd Thomas)

Odd Hours (Odd Thomas)

book data

1318 ratings, 3.71 average rating, 358 reviews (more data...)

edit

published

May 20th 2008 by Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged Lib Ed

binding

Audio CD

isbn

1423356802 (isbn13: 9781423356806)

description

Only a handful of fictional characters are recognized by first name alone. Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas is one such literary hero who has come alive in ...more

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | compare prices ($58.10)…

Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.

new topic
discuss this book

topics	replies	views	last activity
100+ Book Challenge: Anya's 100 in 2008	3	72	10/30/2008 03:44AM
50 Books 2008: Anya's 50+ List for 2008!	3	38	10/30/2008 03:43AM
The End?	9	48	08/29/2008 02:35PM

friend reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists. Add this book to your favorite list »

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 2247)

All ratings | 5 stars (279) | 4 stars (398) | 3 stars (351) | 2 stars (120) | 1 star (29) | avg 3.71

all | this edition

Lori

Lori rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

05/26/08

bookshelves: popular-fiction

Read in May, 2008

Three stars may be the fewest I'd ever give a Dean Koontz book. Koontz fans (of which I am one) love Odd Thomas and his unpredictable supernatural abilities, troubled but simple life, and drive to do good in the world. This installment in the Odd Thomas saga, though, fell a bit short of the mark.

There are wonderful passages - Koontz has an amazing gift for description that is never cliche or vague. But this is one of the books in which the entire story takes place in just one day. I do...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

add a comment

ayrdaomei

ayrdaomei rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

06/05/08

bookshelves: finished

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: only very die-hard Koontz fans

I was excited to see that Koontz had written another Odd Thomas book - I like the character, and I find his paranormal abilities fascinating. But this was by far my least favorite of the OT books. While this one has an interesting premise (Odd is drawn to the small coastal town of Magic Beach, CA by apocalyptic nightmares), I found the execution very lacking.

Again, Koontz really needs to cut down on "witty" dialogue. It just isn't as clever or endearing as he thinks it is. In...more

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

add a comment

Chris

Chris rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

06/07/08

Read in June, 2008

This book was an absolute train wreck. Having been a fan of and read all 3 previous Odd Thomas novels, I was very disappointed with this book.

This novel could have been condensed to about 200 pages. There was way too much "filler information". I became frustrated when the plot would drag, and then as it seemed to be moving along, it would go off track once again. Maybe this was Koontz's intended style, but I found it too much and annoying.

I don't need a biography on Sinat...more

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

2 comments

Patrick

Patrick rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

07/15/08

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: Koontz or Odd Thomas Fans

Title: Odd Hours
Author: Dean Koontz
Fiction/Non-Fiction: Fiction
Genre: Suspense/Horror
Date Started Book: July 4, 2008
Date Finished Book: July 9, 2008

Before Reading:

What do I expect to gain from reading this?
I am already a fan of the Odd Thomas series; I was looking to continue Odd's adventures.

During/After Reading:

Brief Overall Summary of the Book:
Odd has returned from the monastery of Brother Odd, the previous book, and has settled in the little coastal town of Ma...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Echo

Echo rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

05/28/08

Read in May, 2008

Just as fabulous as I expected out of the Odd Thomas series. Koontz even manages to reference another of his novels, not at all related to the world of Odd Thomas, if you catch it. In the beginning Odd is wearing a sweatshirt with the words "Mystery Train" across the front that he got at "a thrift store". Die hard Koontz fans will recognize the Mystery Train from Christopher Snow's world in "Seize the Night". Does this mean Snow and Odd might eventually cross pa...more Just as fabulous as I expected out of the Odd Thomas series. Koontz even manages to reference another of his novels, not at all related to the world of Odd Thomas, if you catch it. In the beginning Odd is wearing a sweatshirt with the words "Mystery Train" across the front that he got at "a thrift store". Die hard Koontz fans will recognize the Mystery Train from Christopher Snow's world in "Seize the Night". Does this mean Snow and Odd might eventually cross paths? There's something I would like to read.

Anyway, trivia aside, Odd continues to hold the heart of his reader with his utter lack of guile & lovely habit of editing the bad languange of everyone around him. Koontz has definitely found us a hero we can love without any reserve.

There is a definite cliff-hanger at the end of this book, promising us that our love-affair with Odd need not end yet. The questions of who exactly is Annamarie, how were those prarie dogs more than what they were, & will Odd ever be reunited with Stormy will keep me in suspense of the next.

The action was a little more fast-paced in this novel than I usually like & there was a real lack of development of any characters other than Odd, which kind of bothered me. I missed Odd's friends in Pico Mundo although I loved the addition of Boo & Frank Sinatra. Although, I have to say I loved Elvis more, but perhaps only because he was so much more developed & involved in Odd's world. Not even Sinatra was able to break through the fast-pace of this book.

Although I loved the book, I think Koontz kind of hurried through writing it & I missed the great characters & deep thought that usually goes into his books. I hope that in the next one Sinatra will develop into someone we can love & Boo (& Raphael) will hold more of a place than getting Odd out of only one mess. It wasn't nearly as good as Brother Odd, but we'll give you one more chance to redeem yourself, Koontz, before we lambast you for just selling the commercial-ness Odd.

Still worth the read, though, Odd lovers....less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Patsy

Patsy rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

05/31/08

Read in May, 2008

I hate giving this book two starts, because I LOVE Odd Thomas. He is one of my favorite fictional characters. This novel was as well written as Koontz novel's usually are, with those wonderful turns of phrase ... it just didn't seem as pulled together. I thought at first it was an exercise in developing Odd's character further. But Odd is what he is. Finally, after completing the novel, I thought that perhaps there is a Part II coming on it's heels, because there was much unfinished business. &q...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Laura

Laura rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

10/12/08

Read in August, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Friend the Girl

Friend the Girl rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

11/20/08

Read in November, 2008

recommends it for: fans of Dean Koontz and suspense

I've been following Dean Koontz since I was fourteen, and a friend lent me a copy of Lightning. That book turned out to be my favourite of all his writings, though there have been brilliant books by him since. The Odd series has its moments of brilliance, but they're more in fits and starts.

I was disappointed by the ending of Brother Odd, a...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Crystal

Crystal rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

06/05/08

bookshelves: odd-thomas

Read in June, 2008

01 June 08
I am disappointed. Very disappointed. I only gave this one two stars because Odd is still a very consistent and famillar character. As for the rest of it....

Government consiiracy of Tom Clancy porportions, international and domestic terrorists, unexplained characters, and unnecessary allusions to the events in his Christopher Snow series all combined to make this a less than satisfactory read.

-----
I really enjoy this series and can't wait to read the new installment.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Diane

Diane rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

06/16/08

I like this book but was a little disapointed. Koontz has really come a long way, I loved the dialog between Odd and his current employer, an aging movie-star. The pace was quick, almost too quick and the ending was a slight let-down. I haven't read any of the previous "Odd" books and only purchased this one last week at a great book store in Shelbyville, IN. I would recommend that you read it, but wait for the paperback or even better check it out from the library. It wasn't worth $27

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Danielle

Danielle rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

10/02/08

bookshelves: audiobooks

Read in October, 2008

This was my favorite Odd Thomas book so far. I loved several of the new characters introduced (especially Hutch) and I found myself chuckling out loud several times at funny sarcastic comments. I love those kind of books!

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

TeraD

TeraD rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

10/12/08

bookshelves: drama, supernatural

I love Odd's gentle manner, but also that he can step up when needed. He is a very selfless hunman being and a great example for us all regardless of his fictional status.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

Graham

Graham rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

09/21/08

To this point, I have read all in the series of Odd Thomas books and this is undoubtedly the best by far.
The story picks up several weeks after the events of Brother Odd, seeing our lovable hero arrive in a small coastal town, whereupon he finds himself plagued by ominous dreams of an impending cataclysm.
Using his unique gifts of psychic magnetism and the ability to see the lingering deceased, Odd begins a journey unlike any he's ever taken before.
Odd uncovers a sinister plot to destroy t...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

J rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

08/08/08

Because I aim for rational, critical thinking in so much of the rest of my life, I enjoy my fiction, my TV and my movies with a strong dose of the impossible. In the case of Dean Koontz, that doesn't mean futuristic sci-fi, but often does mean granting some rule of nature being bent or broken, bringing a bit of the supernatural to otherwise modern stories.

The "Odd" series is one of my favorites (and clearly one that others like too, given the sales figures). The latest isn't quite as...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Jeremy

Jeremy rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

08/01/08

All things considered I have to say that I liked this book. Odd Thomas is one of the most unique heroes I've ever encountered, in large part because of the skill with which Koontz imparts the tale and makes the magic real, but this latest Odd novel is seriously lacking in ways his other books are not.

(spoilers follow)

Terrorism is all over the headlines and cable news, with varying degrees of fear-mongering and hyperbole mixed with grains of fact. One side effect of being bombarded by a...more All things considered I have to say that I liked this book. Odd Thomas is one of the most unique heroes I've ever encountered, in large part because of the skill with which Koontz imparts the tale and makes the magic real, but this latest Odd novel is seriously lacking in ways his other books are not.

(spoilers follow)

Terrorism is all over the headlines and cable news, with varying degrees of fear-mongering and hyperbole mixed with grains of fact. One side effect of being bombarded by all this 'information' is that there seems to be an increasingly acceptable sentiment that if you have access to a terrorist, you can torture him however you like in the name of the greater good, because terrorists are not actually people like you and me.

If that doesn't bother you, fine, great. I believe that in the struggle to save lives, there are certain things you don't do, such as torture, because it robs you of your humanity. I hear people flap their gums all the time about not letting the terrorists win, yet here seems to be the prime example of how their twisted logic has taken root in our national mindset.

And here we come to the first strike against Odd Hours; Odd sells out. Maybe sells out isn't the right word, but faced with the sort of malevolence characters we've come to expect for the fourth time, Koontz makes Odd forgo his efforts to find more creative ways to deal with the criminals in order to make him an action hero. I can't tell if Koontz recently discovered Orson Wells and his tragically magnificent characters, but if you've ever seen The Third Man (or Touch of Evil) you can tell how desperately he wants Odd to be as compelling as Harry Lime, and the work suffers for it. Seriously, how is Odd Thomas going to pistol-whip anyone?

One of the more obvious plot holes for me concerned Odd's calls to the FBI and homeland security. Why doesn't he call them when Birdie gives him the cell phone, instead of when he's already beached the nukes and removed the detonators? Because then Koontz would have to deal with the malevolent presence in the mirror and the precise nature of the gathering evil, instead of just shooting up some badguys. He would also have to figure out what Annamaria's deal is. At first I thought that Odd had found a kindred spirit, and that they were going to work together, but then Odd stows her at his friends' place for the rest of the book? And she accepts this quietly? I don't buy it.

Finally, there's the outright plagiarism of the basic storyline; discerning readers will hear echoes of Jericho throughout the first two hundred pages, then have their suspicions confirmed when Odd confronts Valonia at the helm. A senator, sick of what he perceives as decadence and rot, orchestrates simultaneous nuke detonations in major cities (along with assassinations of major cabinet officials), then grabs power amongst the ensuing chaos.

What's sad was that Odd Hours was written to A) pander to a certain audience, and B) set up the next book. At the end, all you feel is that you're still waiting for the new Odd Thomas book. I know Koontz is better than that. Here's hoping he delivers next time....less

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Dawn

Dawn rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

07/08/08

Read in July, 2008

recommended to Dawn by: Read the first three in the series
recommends it for: Anyone who enjoys a good book

I really enjoyed this book. Loved it even. I am more and more impressed by this character the more I read about him. We have been discussing who would play him should they make a movie about him, and truly, there is no one that could be Odd. He is one of a kind. Maybe that is why Mr. Koontz wrote him that way.

This book is a lot darker than the previous three. And it definitely makes you think A LOT more. And you are taken right along with Odd as he struggles with decisions he has to make an...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Jenn

Jenn rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

07/15/08

Read in July, 2008

I put off reading the fourth and most recent Odd book because I knew I would be sad to say goodbye to him for a while. And I was right. I miss him already. And while this was not my favorite, it was a solid hit. The story was suspenseful and mostly satisfying. But it is Odd that I really love. This was a difficult journey for him because so much violence was necessary at his hand. It was interesting seeing him struggle with perpetuating the greater good through violence. He needs a serio...more I put off reading the fourth and most recent Odd book because I knew I would be sad to say goodbye to him for a while. And I was right. I miss him already. And while this was not my favorite, it was a solid hit. The story was suspenseful and mostly satisfying. But it is Odd that I really love. This was a difficult journey for him because so much violence was necessary at his hand. It was interesting seeing him struggle with perpetuating the greater good through violence. He needs a serious vacation! A couple of times I thought I was reading an episode of 24. There were some situations in this one that weren't fully clarified for me (it was very early in the morning when I finished it and it's possible I missed something!). Just some loose ends that I thought would be explained but that weren't--at least not completely.

Since I met him, I've loved Odd's perspective of his "gift." He recognizes it as a gift even though it is the source of most of his problems. He not only accepts it as part of who he is, but even arranges his life so as to accommodate it. And he doesn't just accommodate it, but feels obligated to honor it.

I also love that Odd doesn't understand everything and doesn't pretend to. But he also accepts that he doesn't understand everything. Or accepts that he doesn't need to have to understand everything in order to believe that there are good forces and evil forces and that he is for the good.

Of course it goes without saying that Odd has a little insight into the world of death. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't feel loss and its effects. In Odd Hours he met Birdie Hopkins. While discussing the loss of her husband and death of a loved one in general he said: "The answer to the mystery of existence is the love you shared sometimes so imperfectly, and when the loss wakes you to the deeper beauty of it, to the sanctity of it, you can't get off your knees for a long time, you're driven to your knees not by the weight of the loss but by gratitude for what preceded the loss. And the ache is always there, but one day not the emptiness, because to nurture the emptiness, to take solace in it, is to disrespect the gift of life." Thank you, Odd....less

Like this review? yes

2 comments

Nikki

Nikki rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

05/29/08

bookshelves: suspense

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: Everyone

New Odd Thomas book!!! Whoo-hoo!!! Didn't realize the fourth book was out until today. SO EXCITED!!! When I saw this book proudly displayed in Barnes & Noble this afternoon, I actually walked up to it and hugged it. I'm more than a little bit in love with Odd Thomas.

Now, after reading Odd Hours, my enthusiasm has not diminished. My only complaint is there is not a fifth book in this series readily available to me. Drat those writers for not being able to spit out books as ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

David

David rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

06/06/08

bookshelves: koontz

Read in June, 2008

The "Odd" series was my introduction to Dean Koontz. This is the latest in the four book series, and it continues the tradition of making me to want more.

The way in which Koontz blends a simple, quiet, gentle soul with all of the most devious and troubling forces can't help but draw you in.

As I've read (or listened to the unabridged audio of) the Koontz novels in my list so far, I am drawn by the mechanics of his style. The way the author uses meter and simple lyrical devices ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

Amanda

Amanda rated it:

(review of isbn 0553807056)

05/23/08

Read in May, 2008

I always look forward to the Odd Thomas books, the first one just blew me away. The ones thereafter, not so much.

Odd Hours is a pretty decent book, although not as emotional as the first one. I don't want to give away any major plot lines so I'll be all nice and vague. Odd Thomas was drawn to Magic Beach after living in the monastery (Brother Odd). Elvis is gone, Frank Sinatra is with him. And Boo, the ghost dog, is still by his side. Odd has taken a job as a cook for an old actor living on ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 112 113 next »

recent status updates | recommend it | blog it

combine
other editions (9)

More editions...

popular shelves

to-read (on 832 people's shelves)
currently-reading (on 155 people's shelves)