Odd Thomas (Odd Thomas, #1) - Jan 2016

[Janet]

Finished! I started feeling like this book was a 2/5 (it's ok) but by the ending I've come around to a 3.5/5 (but I rounded up to 4).

(view spoiler)[I had a feeling Stormy wasn't going to make it... but then when I read that she made it and they were talking to each other, I didn't connect the pieces yet... So this is what made me like the book a lot more. I enjoy the corners of surprise.

I wouldn't say I really liked it only because as @Lynn said, the way he chose to deal with the body was interesting..

Oh one thing that leaves me wondering.. is his crazy mom, sad she never showed up but I wasn't surprise. I'm just sad the story left her as that. (hide spoiler)]

I'll definitely check out the next one in this series, just hope it doesn't follow the exact same story line.

[ally ¯\(ツ)/¯]

Regarding Odd's family (view spoiler)[ I'm guessing the mom, dad and aunt must have a role in later books. Because if all this jibber jabber about his family is just filler, I'm going to be ticked (hide spoiler)]

[Matthew]

Picked up the Kindle Book through my library today . . . ready to start the Odd Thomas adventure!

[Anima]

I have started reading it, and so far, it is intriguing, can't wait to read all the spoilers here ;)

[RachelvlehcaR]

I just checked out Odd Thomas from my library. I'm going to get started on it.

[RachelvlehcaR]

I'm not a Dean Koontz fan. I've read one book by him when my aunt said it was the best book she's read. This was many years ago and I found the book way too predictable and I wasn't feeling it like she did so I've avoided his books for two decades.

I'm currently at chapter 29. So far I wasn't confused or anything at the beginning or the book. I read a lot Paranormal Fantasy like Harry Dresden, Kate Daniels, and a lot of others along those lines--this is similar to it. It's kind of seeing things that others normally wouldn't see. As of lately, in the last few years it seems every author wants to jump on that paranormal bandwagon. I also read a lot of horror books so I see other elements like John Dies at the End. I might be reaching far on that one because there is no sauce Odd is taking to see what he sees but still it just has a familiar style.

Here are my thoughts so far:
(view spoiler)[
I love the whole style that Odd is able supernatural creatures, the dead or the entities with wolfish heads. It was kind of sappy in how we were told because it was done in the Sixth Sense style of "I See Dead People".

The Elvis ghost is awesome especially since he is a weeping mess. For some reason Bubba Ho-Tep is coming to my mind about this Elvis. It's kind of strange there is so much Elvis in this book. He seems to be always in the car with Odd.

The relationship with Stormy is okay. It isn't full of sappy romance which is nice. I guess it's kind of a break between seeing the supernatural creatures and Odd on his daily tasks.

The Fungus Man has been the most exciting part so far. I'm hoping there is more happening because it seems to have gone stagnate but it could just be there are a lot of themes in the story. I'm hoping that it's just Koontz is trying to find his groove. I'm not loving the book but not hating it either. (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

Finished it and the end really grabbed me, so I sprinted for the next book. Save yourself and don't do that. I'm going to start book #3 because I hear it's better and I have bonded with Odd.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Thanks for the info Judy. I didn't connect too much with Odd Thomas in this one but I feel as we get further in the series Koontz will find his voice in it--then it will get really good. Or at least I hope that is the case.

[Judy]

When I first started reading Koontz described Odd as a giant tool who was totally awkward. This was confusing because the he talks about having a crush on Stormy. So then I thought he was some kind of stalker before I realized it was reciprocal. Once you get passed the confusion it gets a little better. I also found the master theme of the conspiracy a bit hokey. I'm trying to be cryptic so I don't add a spoiler. All in all the ending was redeeming and gave me so much empathy for Odd I was hooked.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Judy, if there is something you'd like to discuss and you think it may be a spoiler, you can use spoiler tags to hide it. Then, only people that click on it can read it. If you don't know how, you just type:

< spoiler > the text you want hidden goes here < /spoiler >

Just remove the extra spaces before and after the < >.

[Judy]

Thanks! Clearly I'm challenged with how to post. Ha ha

[Judy]

Just want to make sure I'm doing it correctly . So I don't spoil it for anyone.

[Judy]

I think I'm still challenged. Lol. It didn't work?

[Judy]

Spoiler>testing(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Judy]

I give up.

[Taylor]

Hahahaha, Judy. :-)

The spoiler tag is pretty confusing the first time you encounter it. Go to this Goodreads Blog post to understand how to insert it into your text correctly. https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...

[Taylor]

Janet wrote: "Finished! I started feeling like this book was a 2/5 (it's ok) but by the ending I've come around to a 3.5/5 (but I rounded up to 4)..."

I enjoyed that little twist as well Janet and ended up rating the book higher after I finished than I thought I would while I was in the middle of it. (view spoiler)[Odd's reaction to Stormy dying by continuing to pretend she was talking to him at the end and then the reader figuring out she really had died, helped me connect with Odd. (hide spoiler)] It created a more powerful ending for the book.

[Judy]

Thanks for the help. I will check it out.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Judy wrote: "Spoiler>testing"

You almost have it!! You missed a < in front of "spoiler".

Try it this way:

<_spoiler> the text you want hidden goes here <_/spoiler>

Ok, now copy and paste the above. Just change "the text you want hidden goes here" to say what you want and remove the two underlines leaving no spaces.

[Judy]

Testing this (view spoiler)[one more time before giving up (hide spoiler)] again.

[Vicki Willis]

Good job... You did it!
Now I am going to go read this book. :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

You did it!! :D

[Judy]

Can't wait to see what you think Vicki. Thanks for the help today.

[ally ¯\(ツ)/¯]

Taylor - your cat is gorgeous! I had siamese cats when I was younger. Every time I see one it makes me smile :)

[Taylor]

ally ¯\(ツ)/¯ wrote: "Taylor - your cat is gorgeous! I had siamese cats when I was younger. Every time I see one it makes me smile :)"

Thanks Ally! His name is Stoli (I got him in college, hence the vodka name). I always wanted a Siamese cat ever since I was little and watched Lady and the Tramp. When this little guy showed up at the shelter I snagged him up quickly. :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Just read through page 220 (chapter 31)...What?! I thought that (view spoiler)[ the Bob Robertson thing and the room were the mystery / thriller part of this book! That certainly took a turn that I wasn't expecting. I'm sure it's someone trying to set up Odd, but I have no idea what is going on. Obviously, there is someone worse out there than creepy Bob. (hide spoiler)]

[Taylor]

Kristie wrote: "Just read through page 220 (chapter 31)...What?! I thought that..."

Haha. Yeah. That's probably the best thing about this book. You get lost in Odd's interpretation of the events and then everything 180s on you. It's what kept me going when Koontz started to ramble and mention unnecessary and unimportant bits of trivia three or four times.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I've only been listening to it in my car, so it's been a bit slow-going. I got home just as that happened! I didn't even have time to stop and listen to any more to see what happens after that. I had to get out of my car a bit stunned. lol

[ally ¯\(ツ)/¯]

That threw me off too!

[Savanes]

Me too!

[Vicki Willis]

I am half way through and I dont know. I like the characters and I am curious about the mystery, but something is lacking for me. Going to push to continue.

[Judy]

I enjoyed the ending, it redeemed the lull for me. Hang in there.

[Anima]

I concure, the ending totally changed my opinion about the whole book, eventhough I really liked Thomas from the beginning, yet the story was a bit slow in the second part, still, it is definitely worth continuing!!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm still working my way through this one. I had to put it aside for a bit to finish a challenge book or I would have finished yesterday. I'm at 82% and I like it. There have been some odd parts and times that I thought what was happening made no sense, such as (view spoiler)[ Odd moving the dead body - touching it at all! Then, removing it from his house and hiding it??? Talk about ruining a crime scene. Yikes. (hide spoiler)] But, overall, I have found it interesting and entertaining. I'm planning to read the next one in March, especially if the ending is that good.

[Judy]

The second book was NOT good. It was like a ridiculous comic book with a villain. I was so disappointed. Book 3 was ok, but not great. I'm hanging in there till I get to Saint Thomas because I enjoyed the first book and now it's a quest! I'm starting book 4 this week or next, depending on how quickly I can read another group read I committed to. I would skip book 2, it has no relevance in book 3.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh, really? That's too bad. I heard book 2 wasn't as good, but it picked up in book 3. Hmmm...I don't know if I can handle skipping it. lol

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kristie wrote: "Oh, really? That's too bad. I heard book 2 wasn't as good, but it picked up in book 3. Hmmm...I don't know if I can handle skipping it. lol"

Nope, skipping it is not an option for me despite the advice lol

[Judy]

LOL. I'm the same way. Let me know what you think of it. Maybe I'm the odd man out. No pun intended.

[Vicki Willis]

Kristie wrote: "Oh, really? That's too bad. I heard book 2 wasn't as good, but it picked up in book 3. Hmmm...I don't know if I can handle skipping it. lol"

Completely agree... Even if I "know" it is ok, I just can't do it.

[Valerie]

Yeah, I can't skip, either. I also wasn't a fan of book 2, but I'll hold off comments until that thread open.

[Judy]

I watched the movie over the weekend. It's no surprise that I didn't care for it. I didn't like the upbeat laissez faire way they approached it. I know the book is riddled with underlying jokes, and maybe I'm off base. I really liked Odd in the first book and took his gift and desire to help seriously.

[Matthew]

I have been waiting for this to blow me away. Odd seems a bit stream of consciousness. I have beem looking more forward to reading War and Peace each day instead of Odd Thomas - which is not what I expected.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Oh Matthew that's horrible. War and Peace. I don't mine the Peace parts but the war parts are so boring, like mind numbing boring that I fizzle out.

I didn't love Odd Thomas and hope that book 2 is better and Koontz finds his voice in it. I'm still not a fan of Koontz but this was only my second book I've read of his.

[ally ¯\(ツ)/¯]

I'm going to read book 2 with an open mind, but I have a feeling I will not make it to

[RachelvlehcaR]

I'm with you ally.

[Judy]

If you read book two, you won't make it. Lol. For me, it's a quest!! I'm sitting here with Odd Hours on my night stand but haven't cracked it yet. Maybe I get series fatigue? I'm stuck on book four of Outlander too.

[Matthew]

War and Peace had been much more readable than expected! *Thank goodness!*

[RachelvlehcaR]

Judy, I've been re-reading the Outlander series. I'm on book 3 but struggling with it from time to time. It's been like that since I picked them up again. My view on it when I was 17 is totally different now.

My mother and I are re-reading the series since we stopped at book 4. We plan to read the entire series. I wonder if I'll make it. It's kind of nice to have my mom push me along, lol.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Matthew wrote: "War and Peace had been much more readable than expected! *Thank goodness!*"

That's good to hear. You are a way better reader than I am. I'm a very moody reader. Too much boring war talk make Rachel a dull girl. :)

[ally ¯\(ツ)/¯]

I made the critical error of reading two non fiction books, plus a text book at the same time... INSTANT SLUMP. Trying to break free!