Cold Fire Review

Cold Fire

Published: 1991

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Psychic, Psychological, Romance, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

Cold Fire Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz wrote the best-selling novel Cold Fire in 1991. Some would argue that the narrative is bad since this is a newer and softer Dean Koontz, but I like him! This is the story of a guy who is compelled to save several people by an unexplainable psychic conversation. He gives up all to follow what he believes are Godly communications. A reporter is interested when he arrives at one of his rescues. She attempts to interview him but receives no substantive responses. She uses her vacation time to look into him and how he knows where to go and who to help. Their lives become intertwined, and she urges him to look into psychic connections and why they choose some individuals over others. Both are taken aback by the answer.

The rich story unravels in delectable tangles of mystery, keeping your interest throughout. No one (that I am aware of) writes a book about strange supernatural phenomena as well as Dean Koontz. 

His writings are so well-written and convincing that you almost believe there must be some aspect of reality in what he wrote, and you wonder whether he has ever encountered similar occurrences in his personal life or the lives of individuals he knows.

Koontz at his finest once more. His stories are a great delight to escape into, juggling suspense, science fiction, romance, and the occult. In his writings, there are no sluggish rides. He manages to seize your throat and hurtle you as quickly as you can flip the pages. I realize some of these things are repeated in one review and virtually all of his book reviews because he is that amazing.

I love good heroes, and this one fits the bill. I liked Jim Ironheart and would want to see a sequel where he and Holly become a powerful team. I saw Jim as a knight in sparkling armor riding on a sleek motorbike rather than a white horse, since he was modern and bright, and he learned all types of martial arts and read books about all faiths throughout the world.

Holly was single and in her thirties, with a straight head on her shoulders and a cool attitude without trying too hard, and even though you know throughout the book that Jim doesn't want any distractions as we read about how he saves some lives, it was obvious that them coming together would make for more interesting reading.

As we meet Jim, we learn that he is haunted by something horrible that haunts his nightmares and warns him of The Enemy's impending arrival. 

When Holly wants to learn everything she can about him, she becomes stuck in his nightmares, forcing her to investigate his odd predictions and terrible dreams in order to rescue both of their lives.

Things go from amazing to bizarre in the middle of the book. You have no idea where the ending will lead you. Personally, I was pleased with the finish; it was wonderful while being out of the norm.

I liked that I didn't know what was going to happen next and that I couldn't predict the finale, which is unusual for me. 

I enjoy it when a writer or actor breaks the boundaries, both in books and in films! For example my favorite Harrison Ford film is the one in which he plays the evil guy! 

I'm not sure why people are so obsessed with deadlines. How much more enjoyable would the experience be if the author, painter, or whatever the case may be, did not have a deadline and could take their time perfecting their work? Consider some of the finest (or at least stunning) works that did not adhere to any timeline. The Sistine Chapel or China's Great Wall? What miracles could some of these great individuals do if they had unlimited resources and no time limitations?

According to Koontz in the afterword to a 2004 paperback reissue, he and an unknown filmmaker independently adapted the book into a screenplay. They then pitched the concept to several studios. Koontz was surprised that every CEO had the same idea: make the fictitious aliens in Ironheart's life story real. The project was never completed because they couldn't find someone who would support the script as-is and not demand revisions. Koontz is absolutely correct in his Afterword; one minor alteration in the screenplay would have given the film a D+ at best! Hopefully, someone out there understands this and steps forward to develop a film based on the book's tale. It was an enjoyable read.

This book was really nicely written in my opinion. It gets going quickly and holds me interested throughout. I've read practically all of Dean Koontz's works, and just a couple have ever disappointed me in technical ways, otherwise, all of them are great. This had several unexpected twists and turns, which I quite loved. 

If you're a Dean Koontz fan or haven't read one of his books yet, this is a terrific introduction to his writing and great works.

Final Thoughts

I don't believe Cold Fire was much better or worse than other Koontz faves like Intensity or Watchers, but it was certainly entertaining! The author is able to blend the realm of reality with pure science fiction while still creating a plausible plot.

I appreciate how Koontz gets you like the characters and builds up the tale so you think you know what's going on, but then he deftly twists it around and nothing is as it appears. Then he makes you fear that the characters you care about won't make it out alive. I can't put it down because I adore it.

As stated in the first paragraph of this review, the novel is about two people: Jim Ironheart, who is mysteriously warned of impending accidents, and Holly Thorne, a reporter who had an experience with him and couldn't get him out of her head.

From the first page, Jim was a strong but brilliant and lovable figure who saved lives and captured female hearts. In a nice sense, it's unsettling. Mental instability is conveyed in a bizarre yet convincing way. A fantastic investigation of the power of the human imagination!

It's a real page-turner. Great idea, plot, suspense, and overall excellence. It's fantastic. I wholeheartedly suggest this book.

Synopsis

“A man on a mission must come to terms with his forgotten past in this gripping thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

In Portland, he saved a young boy from a drunk driver. In Boston, he rescued a child from an underground explosion. In Houston, he disarmed a man who was trying to shoot his own wife. Reporter Holly Thorne was intrigued by this strange quiet savior named Jim Ironheart. She was even falling in love with him. But what power compelled an ordinary man to save twelve lives in three months? What visions haunted his dreams? And why did he whisper in his sleep: There is an Enemy. It is coming. It’ll kill us all...?”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Character Development, Great Read, Highly Recommend, Holly Thorne, Jim And Holly, Jim Ironheart, Koontz Books, Koontz Novels, Odd Thomas, Page Turner, Stephen King

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Phantoms (1998) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

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House of Odd Review

House of Odd

Published: 20, March 2012

Author: Dean Koontz, Landry Q. Walker, Queenie Chan

Genre: Comic, Crime, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Horror, Manga, Mystery, Thriller

Odd Thomas Graphic Novels Book 3

Check the summary of this book here:

House of Odd Summary

The Review

House of Odd is Dean Koontz's third graphic novel featuring Odd Thomas. Landry Walker and Koontz wrote it, while Queenie Chan illustrated it in Manga style. House of Odd is a must-read for fans of Odd Thomas and his admirers, as well as a fantastic introduction for anyone unfamiliar with the series. 

Don't pass it up! This was a delightful and intriguing prequel to the events of Odd Thomas' first novel. These graphic books are an excellent introduction to the character and are lighter in tone and scope than the novels, but they are no less engaging. 

We get a glimpse of what came before and the history of Odd and Stormy in the comic books. House of Odd is a pleasant and easy one-sitting read for those who have followed Odd from the beginning to newcomers who came across the title while browsing graphic novel selections.

It's fantastic as a science fiction/fantasy mash-up. The characters are fantastic, the universe is colorful, and the tale is rich, especially for such a short story.

Time to highlight that this is a comic book and not a novel with only text in it, and the main information that some readers need to understand is that a graphic novel does not mean a scary or violent novel, but rather a comic book, so please do not buy this book or any book in this series if you do not like comics, and do not blame me or the author if you do. 

I know a lot of people who were upset and disappointed when they purchased the book online and then opened it to read it. Because they assumed it was a novel, but when it turned out to be a comic book, they blamed Dean Koontz and gave the book negative ratings and reviews without even reading the material, but in reality, these readers were the ones who made a mistake and had no knowledge that a graphic novel meant a comic.

Once again, Koontz and his comic colleagues provide another fantastic Odd Thomas Manga. As previously stated, I believe you would like them a lot more if you read at least the first novel before diving in, to get a sense of the characters. 

This one takes a somewhat different approach in that it is framed as Odd writing down more of his exploits sometime after Odd Hours—it is still set before the events of the first novel but is told from a later point in time and Odd is dealing with something new.

I absolutely liked this book. The first was excellent, whereas the second was only OK. But this one has truly pushed the boundaries. The artwork is wonderful and properly reflects Odd Thomas' world!

This is what will happen in a few lines... You either like graphic books or you don't, and some readers may not. But having these 'early' stories, with Stormy, and others from the main gang was fantastic for me. You can read them in around ten minutes but feel delighted he did it with the artists.

If you don't mind reading comic books, this is a must-read. Another fantastic addition to the Odd series, and the more you read, the more you want, and I've been waiting a long time for a new book or comic in the Odd saga.

I adored Queenie Chan's artwork, as well as the other two in this series In Odd We Trust and Odd Is on Our Side. She is a fantastic artist, and I believe she has captured Odd precisely. I also bought and read her Manga series 'The Dreaming,' which was inspired by her work on the Odd Thomas series, and I really enjoyed it.

The tale is, as is typical for a graphic book, more of a short story than a novel, but it's far from horrible. I adore receiving these tiny Odd vignettes outside of Koontz's works! In this one, Odd is asked to assist a buddy in determining what is causing workers to flee a construction site and never return.

Odd Thomas is one of the greatest and most distinctive literary characters to appear in a long time, and Queenie Chan's interpretation of the character is excellent. Stormy is alive, well, and kicking behinds in the graphic novels, which are set before the events in the first Odd Thomas novel.

This is the final and, in my opinion, best of the original graphic novels in this series, and I hope there will be more soon.

Even with the occasional Manga eyes in the picture, I really enjoyed this book. Overall, I liked it.

Final Thoughts

This is the third installment of Dean Koontz's graphic novel series. See my previous reviews, where I discuss Dean Koontz's works in general, as well as Odd Thomas and these graphic novels. Landry Q. Walker collaborated with Dean Koontz on the series for the first time. It's a better tale with more humor than the previous two volumes.

Odd Thomas' acquaintance invites him to assist a movie director who has purchased a mansion that appears to be haunted. However, she believes Odd and his pistol-wielding girlfriend Stormy Llewellyn are inexperienced and incapable of assisting her, despite the fact that, as we all know, they are. 

Odd has the gift of seeing the dead. She recruits a squad of three ghost-busters, three imposters who execute absurd deeds that contribute to the story's hilarity. Both adults and children will love this book and, perhaps, be motivated to read more of Koontz's writings.

These Odd Thomas comic books are incredible. And rather fascinating. The artwork is superb. However, I feel that the graphic books are a step down from the regular Odd Thomas tales in that it is not a full-length novel and may be considered a short story or novella if you count the text, but it is still not awful because the art can convey the plot.

A wonderfully enjoyable book that comes highly recommended. Excellent artwork and an entertaining plot in the vein of Koontz's Odd series. I appreciate the concept and would want to see and learn more about it.

Synopsis

“Could there really be such a thing as hell on earth? Odd only knows.

#1 New York Times bestselling maestro of macabre suspense Dean Koontz plunges everyone’s favorite spirit-spotting fry cook into his most frightening encounter yet, in the thrill-packed third Odd Thomas graphic novel.

Transforming a ramshackle mansion into a dream house has become a nightmare for onetime Hollywood producer Nedra Nolan, whose newly purchased fixer-upper in Pico Mundo has sent a string of spooked contractors scurrying off the job, claiming the place is haunted. Who’s she gonna call? Her friend recommends Odd Thomas, the mild-mannered young man with a gift for communing with ghosts who won’t rest in peace. With his soul mate and sidekick, Stormy Llewellyn, in tow, Odd agrees to investigate the eerie incidents. But his spirit-seeking style is cramped by the obnoxious TV ghost hunters Nedra hires to flush out the troublesome phantoms with elaborate gadgets . . . and a psychic cat.

As night falls and a raging storm traps them all in the maze like manse, Odd tries in vain to scare up some lost souls. But instead, something more terrifying than any apparition—something with flesh, blood, and teeth—makes its sinister presence known. And with nowhere to hide, Odd and his fellow hunters suddenly become the prey.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Koontz And The Odd, Like A Comic, Much Better, Odd Books, Odd Series, Regular Books, Thomas Series, Wait For The Next

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Odd Interlude Review

Odd Interlude

Published: 2012

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Murder, Psychic, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

Book 4.1 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Odd Interlude Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Odd Interlude is a suspense thriller. A Special Odd Thomas Adventure is the title of this book. Its primary character defines it as a deviation from his journey's main arc. There are three intertwined storylines, comparable to John Saul's "Blackstone Chronicles." As others have pointed out, there are no earth-shattering revelations, yet the plot reads like an Odd Thomas story. The only significant drawback is that this should not be your first Odd Thomas story. It is necessary to be familiar with the character. In fact, I would recommend reading the previous four standard novels in order before diving into this one. If you're a fan of Odd Thomas, you'll want to add this to your collection.

Dean Koontz's writings, the prolific horror expert that he is, are included independently from the official series about so far seven Odd Thomas books. It was initially released as a three-part series of novellas before being printed in a single paperback volume. 

It was released among both Odd Apocalypse and Deeply Odd. However, it falls between Odd Hours and Odd Apocalypse in canon chronology and on the author's website. Simply said, it may be inserted as a chapter in the fifth Odd Thomas novel, taking place about 24 hours after the events of Odd Hours.

Odd Interlude takes off where Odd Hours left off. Odd and his new companion Annamaria, the golden retriever Raphael, and the white German shepherd ghost dog Boo are traveling on the Pacific Coast Highway from Magic Beach, California to Santa Barbara. 

A powerful pull, however, drives them to Harmony Corner, a little village with a café and homes for rent dating back to the late 1940s and early 1950s. Both Annamaria and Odd have a sneaking suspicion that something dark and wicked is lurking in the shadows of Harmony Corner. Unfortunately, Odd Thomas is likely to be the only one who can cope with it.

This book deviates from the norm in terms of Odd Thomas adventures, owing to its start as an e-book serial. Until recently, Odd's paranormal abilities—seeing dead people, psychic magnetism, the occasional prophetic dream, and so on—were mostly utilized to ward off just mortal creatures. 

His abilities have enabled him to stay alive while eliminating wicked individuals before they can carry out their intentions to bring even more widespread death. 

He foiled a plot to shoot up and bomb a retail mall. He rescued a prisoner from a witch and her kooky followers. He saved a school of monks, nuns, and crippled children from a murderous experiment by a crazy doctor. And he foiled a plot to bomb many American cities and utilize the resulting turmoil to take over the country. 

Though the mysterious power that keeps pulling him from crisis to crisis has been picking up speed and magnitude like an avalanche—though Odd very reasonably suspects that he won't be able to survive much longer—he can take solace in the fact that, aside from his psychic powers, he has only had to deal with normal human wickedness.

As with any Dean Koontz work, the writing is razor-sharp, the conversation is natural, the character development is deep and in-depth, and the plot keeps you wondering until the shocking conclusion. 

However, with Odd Thomas, the author has created a really distinctive character that talks to millions of his admirers and is even the inspiration for an Odd Thomas film. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Odd Thomas is the sort of character you wish you could meet in real life. Forget about his fluffy pancakes; this young man is someone you could sit down with and talk about life and how the very nature of it is amazing and awe-inspiring. That would be a great way to spend the day.

I adore this series, and this was a nice read while readers wait for the final book in the series Saint Odd to be released (it is already released.) 

However, because of the brief length of this novel, there isn't much lead in to develop the other characters; instead, the adventure begins immediately and unravels swiftly. 

Though it was intended to fill in the gaps and offer readers a taste of the popular novels if you're a fan, it's a good read, but it won't make sense if you haven't read the prior books to understand Odd Thomas's backstory.

Final Thoughts

This is a fantastic little interlude between two Odd Thomas books. It's a fun diversion, in my opinion. Odd encounters some strange people. 

One "character" is an artificial intelligence dubbed "Ed," who has a sense of humor. Jolie Harmony, a little girl of 12 with knowledge beyond her years, is by far the most endearing character. 

Odd is once more the "doer of good acts," as the Wizard of Oz would put it. He's been lured to Harmony Corners to assist in ridding the Harmonies of something that has been tormenting them for years.

Odd Interlude, in the Odd Thomas series, did not disappoint. Odd's or Koontz's comedy, in my opinion, is becoming more political and incisive all the time. 

Though he does not explicitly state his political beliefs, there is a distinct DC flavor to his always-entertaining, usually laugh-out-loud amusing narration. 

In this story, though, I felt it was hurried and shortened in an attempt to keep it short while still offering his customary ambiguous finish that leaves his audience thinking about what occurs next. 

Because this story is sandwiched between two previously published Odd Thomas pieces, it was first unsettling, but the adjustment was swift and never proved to be a major distraction. 

Though I think he went a bit too far in explaining why the people from this book aren't mentioned in the novel that follows. That had a rough edge that needed to be sanded down.

Overall, Koontz is still the type of novelist that other writers despise. No one should be that good, but he is. 

A one-off installment in the Odd Thomas series. You never know where a Koontz novel will lead you, as he does with many of his works. 

It begins as a spooky mystery and quickly transitions into Sci-Fi. Koontz is a master of both genres and more. 

This installment into Odd's tale was once only available in digital form, making it easy to overlook. Even if you've finished the rest of the series, this is worth revisiting.

Synopsis

"Odd Interlude, Dean Koontz’s New York Times bestselling three-part digital series—now in one volume for the first time.

THERE’S ROOM AT THE INN. BUT YOU MIGHT NOT GET OUT.

Nestled on a lonely stretch along the Pacific coast, quaint roadside outpost Harmony Corner offers everything a weary traveler needs—a cozy diner, a handy service station, a cluster of cottages . . . and the Harmony family homestead presiding over it all. But when Odd Thomas and company stop to spend the night, they discover that there’s more to this secluded haven than meets the eye—and that between life and death, there is something more frightening than either."

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Another Great, Forward To The Next, Fry Cook, Good Read, Harmony Corner, Looking Forward, Page Turner, Thomas Series

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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You Are Destined to Be Together Forever Review

You Are Destined to Be Together Forever

Published: 9, December 2014

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Murder, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 6.1 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

You Are Destined to Be Together Forever Summary

The Review

Odd Thomas: You Are Destined to Be Together Forever is the second novella and eighth text in Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series. Dean Koontz once again provides a suspenseful story that will keep you riveted to the page. In the conclusion, it's fast-paced and spellbinding. The regular Joe balances out the otherworldly evil. Even though it is only the size of a chapter of a normal-sized book, this one practically begs for a sequel.

You may argue that this modest contribution is unnecessary because Odd and Stormy readers have read about this unique incident in each of the Odd Thomas books, with varying amounts of detail but always the same depth of passion. 

However, being able to share it with them makes it much more special, as if Odd and Stormy intentionally requested us to accompany them as they cement this very important pact between the two of them. 

It's especially satisfying to be present when their destiny is disclosed for the first time since it will sustain us when we miss them, just as it will for Odd in the sequels to come.

I might be a little prejudiced. I've been a long-time admirer of Dean Koontz's stories since I first discovered them half a lifetime ago. 

Anyway, back to Odd Thomas and this fantastic fast read... I absolutely adore this entire series. Koontz didn't write a lot of serial work before this, but these are highly worth reading. But keep in mind that he has a couple more series that I will be reviewing in the near future.

It serves as a recap and prequel to the first Odd Thomas novel. It is a very brief novella intended as a filler to remind readers who may have forgotten how it all began, in preparation for the great conclusion to the series, Saint Odd, which arrived just a few months later. 

Actually, I found it and read it halfway through Saint Odd in an attempt to postpone the inevitable. It has some intriguing nuggets about Odd and Stormy when they were both 16 and went to the carnival where they received the fatal "You are meant to be together forever" fortune, but don't anticipate any huge discoveries or fresh insights.

If you're alright with a Star Wars-style chronology in which you get to the meat and potatoes of a series first, then travel back to learn how it all started, then you won't mind reading this short narrative. 

However, if you like to do things in chronological order from the character's point of view, read this first. Then, Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, Brother Odd, Odd Hours, Odd Interlude, Odd Apocalypse, Deeply Odd, and Saint Odd will follow. There are also several graphic novels that precede Odd Thomas.

These volumes are written in the first person as a memoir of this imaginary character, which is unusual for Koontz and makes for a quick, delightful read. 

Odd is the series' crown gem, but some of his companions along the journey are charming, unexpected, and bizarrely entertaining. They are consistently engaging and difficult to put down. 

Even though this is the beginning of the story for these people, and it is all but the final book in the series with foresight, it was still a gripping read that you should read for yourself.

I read this short story right before reading Saint Odd but stopped and started reading Saint Odd but in the middle I started reading it again. It's heartbreaking to think that I'll be turning the final page of that final book very soon.

Unlike one friend who argued that this short tale was nothing more than an advertisement for the Odd series, I am quite certain that the short appeared before the novels. 

I am also confident that the series does not require any extra promotion beyond Mr. Koontz's reputation and the enjoyment the series has offered to so many people. 

I truly like his thoughts woven together as if they were an expensive and precious tapestry made from the rarest strands and the richest hues.

Mr. Koontz and his books are highly recommended to anybody who can read. The joy of reading surpasses the annoyance of daily life.

This short novella has everything that has made Odd Thomas one of the most beloved fictional heroes since the publication of the first book in the series. 

The fortuneteller's card that guaranteed Odd and Stormy will always be together remained a constant throughout the entire series. Now, Koontz provides Odd lovers with a beautiful narrative that is precisely what it says it is: the happenings of that tragic night.

Odd and Stormy are traveling to the carnival with Elvis Presley's lingering ghost in the backseat when a second lingering spirit disrupts their plans and leads them on an unexpected and perilous detour. 

Odd and Stormy are only teens, but his "quirks" and her harsh upbringing have taught them that "real evil roamed the earth" — Which makes them worry if they can securely sail this treacherous voyage known as life together. This short tale is expertly used by Koontz to build up the events of the last novel Saint Odd in this series.

Final Thoughts

Dean Koontz's short stories are usually entertaining. This is especially true as he's going to deliver the Odd Thomas conclusion and tell us about a narrative that has been hinted at in all the other novels. 

This is a fantastic short for any Odd Thomas fan and should not be missed! It starts with Odd and Stormy on their way to the Pico Mundo carnival. 

Odd, of course, lives up to his name, and they become involved in supernatural happenings that allow Odd and Stormy to join up and remind us delightfully and cruelly of their amazing connection and the depth of its loss.

Dean Koontz is a terrific five-star author, as you undoubtedly already know. This brief prequel about Odd and his girlfriend Stormy will finish before it really begins, at least that's how it appeared to me when I read it. 

In some ways, this short narrative didn't contribute much to what had already been discussed in the majority of the Odd Thomas pieces about the two. 

That's why I only gave this tale ninety points, as if it matter, but it was still a fun new story. However, right at the start of "You Are Destined to Be Together Forever," Koontz throws in a new little adventure that I don't recall seeing in the series previously. 

It's truly exclusively for fans, of which I am one. It was a buck well spent, but I suggest you get Saint Odd as soon as possible. It's fantastic.

Synopsis

The following synopsis is taken from the Audiobook version of this story.

“This exclusive audiobook short story looks back - way back - to where it all began for Odd Thomas and Stormy Llewellyn, two souls who are destined to be together forever.

Amid the dizzying rides, tantalizing games of chance, and fanciful attractions of a state fair, two teenage sweethearts on the cusp of life and love's pleasures find their way to a shadowy carnival tent brimming with curiosities. There, from the bizarre and enthralling Gypsy Mummy, a mechanized merchant of dreams and prognosticator of tomorrows, the young couple learns what fate promises for them. But fate, for Odd Thomas and Stormy Llewellyn, is something altogether different: full of dark corners, sharp edges, and things no seer or soothsayer could ever anticipate.

And for Odd Thomas, a gallant fry cook from a sleepy California desert town, the future beckons - to listen to unquiet spirits, pursue unsettling mysteries, and learn shocking truths...for a purpose far greater than himself.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Destined To Be Together, Final Book, Gypsy Mummy, Last Book, Looking Forward, Odd And Stormy, Quick Read, Short Story, Thomas Series, Together Forever

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Saint Odd Review

Saint Odd

Published: 13, January 2015

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Literary, Mystery, Paranormal, Psychic, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Urban

Book 7 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Saint Odd Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's Saint Odd is the seventh and final suspense novel in his Odd Thomas series. Bantam Books first published the book on January 13, 2015. In 2015, Saint Odd received the Goodreads Choice Award for Horror. Odd Thomas is without a doubt one of the most charming and enduring characters in the modern horror/thriller/paranormal genre—and Dean Koontz has handled Odd's story as wonderfully in this book as he has in previous novels in the series. I did notice fewer "treasures" in this one—those unexpected tidbits and twists of language that take you off guard when you reach them. There are fewer gems in this book, but those that are there shine even brighter because of their rarity.

This is the seventh book in the Odd Thomas series (eighth if you include Odd interlude as a separate part), and it addresses the same issues that have been discussed throughout the majority of the series: the fight between Good and Evil. Odd Thomas, a former fry cook, is tasked with preventing a satanic sect from carrying out a sinister scheme and must race against time and the forces of evil to do it.

I listed eight books, but it becomes a little more confusing when you include "Odd Thomas: You Are Destined to Be Together Forever," but it's only a 38-page novella, so I'm not considering it among the main novels; nonetheless, I'll review it in a few days.

Then there are three graphic novels that might be added to this list that are all prequels to the main Odd Thomas story, but I'll go into each one separately later.

The novel has a lot of positive things going for it, the primary one being that it eliminates all of the more sophisticated features of the recent books: there is no dimension jumping, no parallel worlds, no horrific monsters, and no alternative demonic Odd Thomas doppelgangers. 

This book's evil is certainly human, which is a nice return to what made this series so fantastic in the first place. 

Odd is also as lovely, humble, and valiant as ever, and it's always a pleasure to read about his exploits. 

Finally, this novel feels like a sort of reunion, with Odd returning to Pico Mundo, Chief Porter, and Ozzie Boone. This adds a nice fullness to the plot.

The next few lines may include a few minor spoilers for people who have never read the preceding book in the series, so only read if you are currently on the sixth book. And yes, some of the little details from this book are included as well, so if you don't want to know anything from this volume, simply skip to Final Thoughts.

I believe the book contains certain irritating peculiarities that a frequent reader may notice, although they are not as awful as they sound:

The first one that comes to me is that one of the main draws of the book series is Odd's ability to see the lingering dead, but that component of his character is completely absent from the novel. 

Ghosts emerge, although their appearance is fleeting and irrelevant to the plot, and they may have just gone unnoticed. 

In reality, there is a misuse of psychic magnetism, which serves as a deus ex machina to move the tale along and get Odd where he needs to go, but it is a power he possesses and employs. And I believe it is what he should do whenever he needs it.

The second is that it appears Dean Koontz was unsure what to do with Annamaria, one of the important supporting characters in the previous books, thus she was essentially disregarded for the duration of the book. 

There's no conclusion, no explanation for all of her secrets, why she's always pregnant, or why she opted to join Odd in the first place. There are just confusing faux explanations that don't actually explain anything at all, which is terribly frustrating given that this is the final book of the series, but I still hope it has a purpose and Dean Koontz will someday bring back this series with a bang and give us all the answers.

The third point to make is that, while Odd does manage to resolve the immediate threat he is facing, it doesn't really do anything in the big scheme of things. He doesn't truly deal a fatal blow to the Evil group he's after; he only halts their present strategy. 

Nothing prevents them from trying again next month. Is Odd's final journey truly going to be that? Deeply Odd's events, on the other hand, are perhaps far more upsetting, demonstrating that it was not the series' last novel.

Fourth, the ending is surely kind of disappointing for the final book in the Odd Thomas series. We are told that there is a continuous battle between forces of good and evil, and Odd is only a soldier in this conflict, fighting with numerous other invisible heroes. 

Odd's exploits are finally done, and we know how the conflict will go on without him. In fact, the ending of Odd's tale isn't even really related to the plot of the book; it's as if there was a desire to make this the final book, so a series ending chapter was added, whereas otherwise there would've been an eighth book, which I still believe will happen and we will read the next book someday in the future.

Final Thoughts

Odd Thomas has been a favorite of mine from the first book. If you haven't read any of them yet, do yourself a favor and do it right now.

If you're a fan of Odd, as I and many others are, you'll like this last episode of the series. By the conclusion, you'll both love and despise Dean Koontz. 

I've read practically everything he's written, and this is most likely his masterpiece. It's unusual for me to be sad in the midst of such grief and still be filled with hope and pleasure, but that's exactly what this narrative has done for me. 

And I've been sad, and I'm still sad as I type this. I was overcome with emotion by the beauty of what I read and the way it penetrated my heart and thoughts.

The characters in this novel shimmer and radiate, as they do in all of Koontz's writing. They've matured over the course of the series, and while the finale was fixed in stone on a macro scale, the circumstances around it were fluid enough to allow for some very imaginative details. 

Even though I knew how it would end, I was nearly taken aback when it did. I hoped for something else—something more. I really want to say that I'm not sure what was "missing" from this ending—so it's subtle that I can't even tell you what it was. But I know what it is: the sadness of knowing that I will miss Odd, and the beauty of the finale, which will undoubtedly make many readers cry.

Finally, I wish I could read more of this, and I am confident that all readers who will read this series will feel the same way. Really great and highly recommended novel and series.

Synopsis

The synopsis below is from the audio version of this book.

“From "one of the master storytellers of this or any age" (The Tampa Tribune) comes the stunning final adventure of "one of the most remarkable and appealing characters in current fiction" (The Virginian-Pilot) - as #1 New York Times best-selling author Dean Koontz brings the unforgettable odyssey of Odd Thomas to its dazzling conclusion.

Odd Thomas is back where it all started…because the time has come to finish it. Since he left his simple life in the small town of Pico Mundo, California, his journey has taken him to places strange and wonderful, mysterious and terrifying. Across the land, in the company of mortals and spirits alike, he has known kindness and cruelty, felt love and loss, saved lives and taken them - as he's borne witness to humanity's greatest good and darkest evil. Again and again, he has gone where he must and done what he had to do - for better or worse - with his courage and devotion sorely tested, and his soul forever changed. Every triumph has been hard won. Each sacrifice has taken its toll.

Now, whatever destiny drives him has finally steered his steps home, where those he cares for most surround him, the memory of his tragically lost true love haunts him, and one last challenge - vast and dreadful - awaits him. For Odd Thomas, born to serve a purpose far greater than himself, the wandering is done. Only the reckoning remains.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Final Book, Fitting End, Fry Cook, Great Series, Last Book, Loose Ends, Pico Mundo, Sad To See, See It End, Sorry To See, Thomas Series, Together Forever

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Saint-Odd-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Saint-Odd-Audible

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Deeply Odd Review

Deeply Odd

Published: 2013

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Book 6 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Deeply Odd Summary

The Review

Deeply Odd is the sixth suspense thriller novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. I've been a fan of Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series since the first novel was published many years ago. While much of Mr. Koontz's past work was hit or miss for me in certain aspects but not horrible in any way, the Odd Thomas books have consistently been entertaining, hilarious, and compelling. 

Odd Thomas, whose birth certificate lacked the T from Todd, or Oddie to his friends and fans, is a former fry cook. He produces the world's best, fluffiest pancakes. He is also capable of seeing ghosts. They don't say anything to him, instead gesticulating and pantomiming to imply that something terrible is going to happen and that they are attempting to help. 

Elvis Presley was his former silent companion in the first few books, followed briefly by Frank Sinatra. Alfred Hitchcock is now stalking him.

Odd also possesses a psychic attraction that pulls him irresistibly to locations where he has to be. These are always about preventing someone or people from conducting activities that might or will result in widespread death and/or damage. 

Odd's job in life appears to be to avert as much of this mayhem as he can, until a stray bullet, explosion, or knife in the back catches him and reunites him with his beloved Stormy Llewellyn ("You are destined to be together forever"). '

There's a lot more to Odd's backstory, but you can get a lot of it from this novel, which references many, if not most, of the other works. 

Deeply Odd, like all of the Odd Thomas novels, may be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend going back and reading them all at some time. All of them are small treasures, and the references to earlier events will be apparent, increasing the enjoyment of the newest installment, Deeply Odd.

In Deeply Odd, Odd takes center stage without his friends and companions from earlier novels, having left Annamaria at the ranch when he went for a brief trip into town to purchase some jeans, which is when the adventure began. 

Mrs. Fisher, on the other hand, is a fantastic new character and a perfect counterpart for the clever banter that Odd Thomas fans have come to anticipate. 

We meet a handful of Edie's friends, who seem to know just about everyone everywhere, and who are all exceedingly helpful and adore her.

Odd's internal commentary that all of the books are supposed to be his memoirs, not to be released until he dies is equally amusing, with many of his analogies likely to make the reader laugh out loud.

The finale, which I believe would have worked better as a coda or epilogue, is a bit too amazing, unintelligible, and happily ever after, but this is a minor issue. 

Finally, this reader was left with the impression that Odd Thomas's exploits, which began just 19 months (time passed in the story) ago in Pico Mundo, CA, were coming to a finish, and he was getting closer to his reunion with Stormy. 

This is just an impression, but it has lasted for a week since I finished the novel, and it later came true when I read the seventh book Saint Odd, and I am still hoping for a new book in the series. 

It is true that you can read a few novellas and short stories about Odd from Dean Koontz, but they are just supplements, not actual full-sized books that can move the story forward.

Final Thoughts

This is the sixth novel in the series based on Koontz's unforgettable character. 

Between Odd Hours and Odd Apocalypse, there was also Odd Interlude, a novella that was actually one of the greatest Odd tales.  

The Odd books appeared to be a change from Dean Koontz's customary dark suspense and spooky paranormal fiction. I'll keep reading Koontz until he retires, which I'm sure will be a long time. 

If you like Odd Thomas and are a fan of Koontz, I'm sure you'll appreciate Deeply Odd. But, as a Koontz fan, I'm looking forward to the series' conclusion and then returning to fundamentals. Of course, nothing is simple in Dean Koontz's world.

If you're reading this book for the first time, you'll find Odd's character changes to be appropriate considering the conditions, but those who have been following him since his debut five volumes ago are likely to be more troubled.

He's got more oomph in this than he's ever had before, and for good cause. The pressure on him is greater than in the previous novel, in which he had to avert a nuclear terrorist attack. 

The threat had been much bigger in principle, but the evil forces at work in this narrative went beyond ethereal, where even if not all of them could be seen, they would be felt in the bloodiest and most torturous way - a price paid for innocent children, a dreadful concept in and of itself.

Odd has since arrived at a fork in the road, and while he is unsure of what lies ahead, he is more certain that everything he has experienced up to this point has been leading him back to the beginning, where it all began for him in Pico Mundo. 

The following information confirms this. I'm confident that the guy who welcomes the people who have waited for him will see that Odd is no longer the gun-shy man he was before he went. He has developed a dislike for the new guy he has become, but he recognizes that it is necessary. He's a new Odd, maybe not fully toughened yet, but far away from "just a fry cook."

This novel Odd had reignited my interest in the series, which is a little late given that this is supposed to be the next to the final book, so I might have given it full marks at first (in principle), but the game-changer still came too late in the book for me as if it matters because I am still a fan and love the series and the character of Odd. 

So basically what I just said about the change coming too late was actually said for the readers who are always complaining no matter what.

Another must-read for all Odd Thomas fans, but also a good place to start if you appreciate engaging characters, horror with a sense of humor, and light fantasy of a different kind that can be recommended wholeheartedly.

But, as always, I don't advocate starting with this book and only reading it after you've finished the previous five.

Synopsis

The synopsis below is from the audiobook version of this book.

“The pistol appeared in his hand the way a dove appears in the hand of a good magician, as if it materialized out of thin air. "You think I won’t do it right here in the open. But you’d be surprised.... You’ll drop before you get the breath to scream." The truck driver is decked out like a rhinestone cowboy, only instead of a guitar he’s slinging a gun - and Odd Thomas is on the wrong end of the barrel. Though he narrowly dodges a bullet, Odd can’t outrun the shocking vision burned into his mind...or the destiny that will drive him into a harrowing showdown with absolute evil.

How do you make sure a crime that hasn’t happened yet, never does? That’s the critical question facing Odd Thomas, the young man with a unique ability to commune with restless spirits and help them find justice and peace. But this time, it’s the living who desperately need Odd on their side. Three helpless innocents will be brutally executed unless Odd can intervene in time. Who the potential victims are and where they can be found remain a mystery. The only thing Odd knows for sure is who the killer will be: the homicidal stranger who tried to shoot him dead in a small-town parking lot.

With the ghost of Alfred Hitchcock riding shotgun and a network of unlikely allies providing help along the way, Odd embarks on an interstate game of cat and mouse with his sinister quarry. He will soon learn that his adversary possesses abilities that may surpass his own and operates in service to infinitely more formidable foes, with murder a mere prelude to much deeper designs. Traveling across a landscape haunted by portents of impending catastrophe, Odd will do what he must and go where his path leads him, drawing ever closer to the dark heart of his long journey - and, perhaps, to the bright light beyond.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alfred Hitchcock, Another Great, Forward To The Next, Fry Cook, Looking Forward, Next Book, Pico Mundo, Rhinestone Cowboy, Thomas Series

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Deeply-Odd-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Deeply-Odd-Audible

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