In Odd We Trust Review

In Odd We Trust

Published: 24, June 2008

Author: Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan

Genre: Biographical, Crime Manga, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical, Horror Manga, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Odd Thomas Graphic Novels Book 1

Check the summary of this book here:

In Odd We Trust Summary

The Review

The first graphic novel starring Dean Koontz's character Odd Thomas is In Odd We Trust. Queenie Chan and Koontz wrote it, and Chan illustrated it in a Manga manner. "In Odd We Trust" is an excellent new installment in the Odd Thomas series. For those of you who are new to the series, I can only recommend reading the first four novels. For those of you who have previously read the novels, this is where you should start. This is more of the Odd you're used to, but because it's a graphic book, it's a lot shorter read. As a result, it moves at a much quicker rate. 

The knowledge you already have of Odd and the strange things he knows, does, and thinks helps to compensate for the fast pace and lack of details such as Odd's thoughts to himself. 

This graphic novel comes before Brother Odd. It was a brief story, but it was excellent. I love how they turned this into a graphic novel.

I adore comics and Manga if the author, illustrator, and character are worth my time, and this book was full of perfection for me and I liked it, the only thing that was difficult for my brain to adjust to was Odd Thomas’s character, and that was because of the movie. If you watch the movie, you'll understand what I'm saying.

You may note that I repeat a few sentences in this review, such as it is a graphic novel, a comic, and a Manga. I'm doing it on purpose so that skimmers may read it and realize it's not a regular book, and they won't blame me or the author for not telling them or tricking them into buying a comic instead of a regular book.

Odd Thomas was an excellent first novel, and I was eager to see and read the sequel. The third was likewise snatched up with zeal. I was a little upset by the finish of the first book, but it felt appropriate once I realized what it meant. This comic novel was an excellent method to introduce Odd to a broader audience.

The reason this book did not receive a perfect score is as follows... The drawings are fine, but Dean Koontz has been so masterful at expressing Odd Thomas' actions, ideas, and the amusing ways that he thinks without actually describing him that seeing him portrayed in this work was a minor disappointment. 

Interestingly, it is probable that Dean Koontz, who addresses Odd's representation at the conclusion of this book, never fully pictured Odd, and while he enjoyed the portrayal and believed it was the best that could be done, it fell somewhat short. 

The tale is nice, but it misses Koontz's brilliant comedy since it is a graphic novel rather than a whole book. I enjoy the Odd Thomas series, and although this one was enjoyable, it appeared to forgo information in favor of visual effects. 

The same Odd is present, but Stormy is not how I would have imagined her from the previous books. I've read almost all of them; therefore I obviously like the characters and the majority of the plots. 

Stormy is still a main character in the book, hence it begins before the first strange Thomas novel. It is a short read, and the artwork is excellent for those of us who lack creative skills. 

Because of the animation, I believe it will attract a younger audience to the series. If you've read the Odd Thomas series, you'll enjoy this book, but if you haven't, there are a lot of unsolved issues and gaps in the plot.

Dean Koontz has undergone a significant transformation. I love his Odd stories, and this is simply another interesting and unique way to convey them. 

To truly appreciate the narrative, I believe you must be a fan of Odd Thomas. Dean Koontz comics and graphic novels are required reading for every Dean Koontz fan or collector.

Be mindful of the following before purchasing In Odd We Trust:

A - This isn't an Odd Thomas novel; it's a black-and-white comic book, a graphic novel done in the style of Japanese manga. If you do not love this form of amusement, do not purchase this product.

B - This graphic novel isn't entirely written by Dean Koontz; instead, most of the work is done by Queenie Chan, a well-known Manga writer, and illustrator. 

If you anticipate the literary style to be comparable to that of the Odd Thomas novels, you will be disappointed. However, I feel Chan comes close to capturing each character's soul. Her pictures of Odd Thomas and, in particular, Stormy Llewellyn, were likewise spot on. 

Overall, I believe Chan did an excellent job here, especially considering the likely creative limits she had.

(3) In Odd We Trust is a prequel tale set before the events of the first Odd Thomas novel. As a consequence, I believe it is not the greatest spot to begin Odd's narrative. 

My recommendation is to start with Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas book and then move on to In Odd We Trust. I believe that doing so will increase your pleasure of the graphic book.

In general, I enjoyed In Odd We Trust. It's a great story, and I liked seeing all of the characters from the first Odd Thomas novel again. 

The tale lacks the complexity of Koontz's novels, but I believe this is due to the graphic novel format's limitations (the story, after all, is less than 150 pages long, and took me about half an hour to read). However, if you're a Koontz fan who also appreciates Manga, this is definitely worth your time.

Final Thoughts

I enjoy graphic books. I enjoy reading comic books. Anything that tells a good tale appeals to me. Dean Koontz's short tale served as the inspiration for this novel. The short story is supplied so that you can observe whether the images diverge from the plot.

I must say that it was once again extremely pleasant; it was good to see Odd and Stormy together again on another journey, even though this is a precursor.

I expected this to be a fantastic way for the series to become more aesthetically exciting, and I was not disappointed. The Manga style was a bit strange to me, but the tale was compelling. 

I believe a more typical comic book or graphic novel approach, as well as color in the artwork, would have been preferable, but the overall tale was fantastic and in line with Koontz's usual genius in the Odd Thomas world. Congratulations to both Mr. Koontz and Queenie Chan!

Overall, I loved this since it helps to explain Odd and Stormy's connection while also revealing elements of Odd's background that are addressed and hinted at throughout the novels.

If you like the rest of the Odd Series, you should get this as well (you'll be glad you did). If you've read the Odd Thomas novels and liked them but weren't blown away by them, you should definitely go to a bookstore and read them there.

The graphic novel is equally as good as the traditional novel. Those who adore Manga will appreciate its distinct structure and aesthetics. The tale is fantastic, and the artwork is equally so! I adore it!

Synopsis

““Meet a young man named Odd . . . who helps the dead get even."

From the infinite imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes the suspenseful graphic-novel debut of a natural-born hero with a supernatural twist.

Odd Thomas is a regular nineteen-year-old with an unusual gift: the ability to see the lingering spirits of the dead. To Odd, it’s not such a big deal. And most folks in sleepy Pico Mundo, California, are much more interested in the irresistible pancakes Odd whips up at the local diner. Still, communing with the dead can be useful. Because while some spirits only want a little company . . . others want justice.

When the sad specter of a very frightened boy finds its way to him, Odd vows to root out the evil suddenly infecting the sunny streets of Pico Mundo. But even with his exceptional ability–plus the local police and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Stormy, backing him–is Odd any match for a faceless stalker who’s always a step ahead . . . and determined to kill again?”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Artwork, Bad Guy, Black And White, Fry Cook, Graphic Novel, Love The Odd, Odd Thomas Series, Odd We Trust, Pico Mundo, Story Line, Thomas Series

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/In-Odd-We-Trust-Kindle

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Night Chills Review

Night Chills

Published: 1976

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Action, Adventure, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller 

Check the summary of this book here:

Night Chills Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's suspense horror thriller Night Chills is a must-read for fans of the genre. The copyright for an early Dean Koontz piece described as reprinted in the 1980s is really 1976. Going back that far was a lot of fun because I had never read this one till a few years ago. The novel is definitely written in a new, more detailed style, demonstrating his stylistic progression. I miss the more straightforward manner apparent in this book. This one is obviously darker and maybe scarier since the likelihood of it happening is greater than witnessing anything magical or evil bursting out of a wall or another reality similar to what is happening in our world right now.

The premise relies around subliminal mind control, which has already been used. It's never been accomplished this well before.

A word of warning. Throughout, there is explicit violence and offensiveness. If you find it a turnoff, you might want to pass on this; if you don't mind it, the novel is an earlier written winner.

This novel makes you wonder what if...vas in, what if we had total control over other people and could force them to do our bidding, even if it meant they had to die to do so. You'll be on the verge of a nervous breakdown till the very end! Basically, it is the fundamental idea of this story, and I am repeating myself in this review, but that is how it is, and I am not ashamed of it.

I couldn't put this book down! It's filled with tension, drama, mystery, and even actual possibilities! I can nearly connect to that in the way our governments are pushing these Covid 19 immunizations, what if there is a chemical in it that persuaded us! Or a chip that is basically everywhere these days, such as in our phones. 

Actually, there are a plethora of options and things that can be done with it. What I understand about the case is that the immunizations never worked.

They know we all watch a lot of TV, so it would be simple to embed subliminal messages in us if we had some type of controlling agent in our bodies, such as bees and queen bees. And that is what I found in this novel and the message it sent me, but it all depends on how you interpret it. 

One last thing is that we are all capable of deciding for ourselves and doing what is best for us without being forced by anyone who is only trying to make money by weaponizing every new invention that can be used for the good of humanity, or simply reading this kind of book as it is supposed to be and that is just fiction but as always the ultimate choice is yours.

This book was a pleasure to read. It used to be on the list of prohibited books since it was banned a long time ago. A lot of the text is antiquated in some ways due to the year it was written. Nonetheless, I found it really intriguing. 

Some portions may have been uncomfortable, but they were vital to demonstrate to the reader how subliminal messaging can truly affect someone. 

After all, so much is possible, but it forces you to be cautious while watching advertising and not fall for the hype. To cut a long tale short, if you have an open mind and are not afraid to explore controversial concepts, this is a fantastic book to read.

This was a reread for this review, and I felt so good and realized how accurate these authors were when depicting the future or technology because most of it is basically happening in our lifetime. Few authors are worth revisiting, but Dean Koontz is one of them. Thank you for providing us with so many hours of entertainment!

Excellent insight into how power can corrupt and devour even the most upright. Be damned, morals. In the appropriate ways, it's dark and scary.

Dean Koontz at his most terrifying. One thing about Koontz's terrifying is that it is realistic. Except for the human type, there are no monsters. And those are the scariest of all. 

Subliminal messaging and mind control is at the heart of this novel. Is it true, and do they work? The answer, at least in this book and, I believe, in the actual world, is emphatical yes. If the second part of this gets written these days, I believe it will be titled Night Chills 2: Covid 19.

This book is highly worth reading. I adore all of Koontz's books, so I may seem a little prejudiced, but I always give honest evaluations, and this was a really good one. It brought me back in time and made me reconsider. 

How accurate he was about technology becoming a major problem when it wasn't when I was a youngster; I always thought there had to be more out there. It was a very satisfying read; I disliked some of it but enjoyed the majority of it. 

Definitely worth the money. I hope this has helped one of you, readers, decide whether or not to read this. It's just fantastic.

Final Thoughts

After plowing through Koontz's new works, returning to the old was a breath of fresh air. Great storyline and I appreciated how he explained things for simpletons. As with all of his other works, this one is a must-read.

The book seems to corroborate the basic concept of Big Brother interfering with our thoughts and attempting to control the populace by any means necessary. I recall thinking that it was a horror story simply because it seemed plausible.

I recommend this book if you want something frightening but not slasher gruesome monster stuff. Even today, it's uncomfortable, yet it's a great read!

This book, in my opinion, is outstanding. I enjoy books that make me think about real-life issues rather than merely transporting me to a magical world. 

I couldn't put this book down since it was so engrossing. I went to school talking about this book, and many of my classmates knew about it! They even requested to borrow it, but I learned the hard way not to do so and never gave my books away after losing a lot as a child. 

This novel was gory, but it was also intriguing... At the end of the novel, I almost burst into tears (it is a spoiler). 

I must agree that the first few pages were sluggish, but it picked up speed after that. A true recommended treasure that can open our eyes to what is going on around us.

Synopsis

“#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz unleashes a contagion on a small Maine town—one that triggers the darkest desires of the soul.

Designed by top scientists and unleashed in a monstrous conspiracy, night chills are seizing the men and women of Black River—driving them to acts of rape and murder. The nightmare is real. And death is the only cure...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Black River, Character Development, Koontz Books, Mind Control, Ogden Salsbury, Small Town, Stephen King, Subliminal Advertising, Subliminal Messages, Town Of Black

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Night-Chills-Kindle

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Seize the Night Review

Seize the Night

Published: 1998

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Conspiracy, Contemporary, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Kidnapping, Literature, Medical, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense, Time Travel, Thriller

Book 2 of 3: Moonlight Bay

Check the summary of this book here:

Seize the Night Summary

The Review

Seize the Night is a novel written by best-selling novelist Dean Koontz. It is the second book of the Moonlight Bay Trilogy, which follows Christopher Snow, who suffers from the uncommon but real-world disease XP (Xeroderma Pigmentosum). Fear Nothing is the first book in the series, and Ride the Storm is the third, with a publishing date yet to be determined.

Cemetery Dance Publications originally offered Seize the Night in two limited edition hardback editions, each with a distinct front cover artwork.

Dean Koontz has his own style, usually substituting tension-filled drama for narrative or character advancement, but his writing is so fascinating that page-turning just takes over.

Dean Koontz's novels are always a safe bet. He employs the most unexpected heroes and makes reading a delight. But still, I'm looking forward to the third chapter of Moonlight Bay.

The following few sentences are about the book, but I also included information on my experience with the audio version because, due to time constraints, I had to listen to it first. 

Dean Koontz's heroes are whole once more - witty, intelligent, and willing to go the extra mile for each other no matter how terrifying it is. The issue is that if you're listening to these books on the audio version, Koontz spends much too much time catching you up on the history from Fear Nothing. 

I fast-forwarded multiple times and screamed several times, "What about Orson!" because he is one of my favourite fictional dogs. But don't worry, everything works out as it should and it's a fantastic story... I want more!

As again, the visuals and Koontz's ability to keep you on the edge of your seat are superb, and the reader Keith Szarabajka, who may not "sound" right at first, is flawless. 

The idea of the novel is original, as it was in the first book in the series, I enjoyed the characters, and the sections that really advance the storyline are excellent. I probably wouldn't have made it to the last 150 pages or so if I hadn't listened to the entire book in the vehicle on Audible.

One of the greatest books I've read by Koontz, and he's one of my favorites as well. This novel, rich in exotic landscapes and thought-provoking conversation, explores what can happen when man progressively interferes with the natural order of existence. Man's inhumanity in the name of science is addressed extensively and provocatively in the Koontz tradition, with underlying humor and forbearance.

This was an excellent read for me. The characters from Fear Nothing return in this novel, along with some new ones. Mungojerrie, the cat from Fear Nothing, plays a greater part in this novel, which pleased me. 

However, I have a word of caution for anyone who is going to read this book. This was supposed to be a trilogy, and as I got to the end of Seize the Night, it was clear that there was more to come. 

The problem is that this was released a long time ago, and Mr. Koontz has yet to write the third book in this series. But, as usual, I am hopeful that he will write it soon, and perhaps if all of the readers let him know that we want the next part, he will do it a little faster.

With Linguistics, his writing sense of humor, and his choice of the phrase It's no wonder that he's one of the most well-known authors in his field. Years ago, I "found" his works with From the Corner of His Eye and subsequently The Watchers, which remain my favorites. 

In Book two of Seize the Night, I saw a reference to The Watchers. Mr. Koontz, we all hope you will continue with additional novels in this series. I'm sure many others share my sentiments, as do many of my friends. Also, as a dog lover, I like the fact that you include dogs in so many of your works.

Final Thoughts

I know everyone likes Odd Thomas, and I do, too, but these two books, Fear Nothing and Seize the Night, are unquestionably among Koontz's greatest. 

I confess that the characters are a touch shaky but in a nice manner. Unlike in much of his work, there is a feeling of optimism and resilience in the face of an inconceivable and terrifying future that shines through and makes you care about these unexpected heroes. 

The Frankenstein component, I believe, is what truly distinguishes it and makes it a terrific read. The bad people are indeed terrible, yet you can't help but pity them and regard them as victims as those they damage.

This novel made me laugh, weep, and want to read more. Yes, the author is unnecessarily detailed at times, and it appears like he is attempting to outdo himself with brilliant or profound life remarks. 

The plot, on the other hand, was a roller coaster that would not let me off. And the finish.... the ending was well worth the wait.

The novel struck me as quite typical of Koontz. I love his writing, sense of humor, and awareness of what is right and wrong. 

As I said in my earlier review of the first part of this book, the character in this novel looks to share many of Odd Thomas' personality characteristics. Koontz is gifted at building likable and compelling characters. That became very evident to me after reading the majority of the other authors.

A good book with an engaging narrative and excellent chapters - a suitable follow-up to Fear Nothing. Some readers may find the explanatory and philosophical verbiage a little too much, but more intellectual readers will undoubtedly appreciate it.

Dean Koontz strikes again. The novel quickly drew my interest. Because it was the second book, it answered some of the questions raised in the first. It's a book that combines a thinking game with a story. I can't wait to read the last installment of this series!

What a wonderful book it is. Similar to the Odd Thomas style, yet distinct enough that you soon warm to the main character - and his extremely intelligent dog! 

Both volumes in this series are fantastic (Fear Nothing and Seize the Night). I only hope Dean Koontz would finish the third book in the series. 

I've heard it's in the works, but there's no word on when it'll be released. And I apologize to the readers for grumbling about the third book not being published over and again, but there is a reason, and once you read both novels, you will understand why I am saying this, and I am sure you will too.

Synopsis

“BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Dean Koontz's The City.

There are no rules in the dark, no place to feel safe, no escape from the shadows. But to save the day, you must...Seize the Night.

At no time does Moonlight Bay look more beautiful than at night. Yet it is precisely then that the secluded little town reveals its menace. Now children are disappearing. From their homes. From the streets. And there's nothing their families can do about it. Because in Moonlight Bay, the police work their hardest to conceal crimes and silence victims. No matter what happens in the night, their job is to ensure that nothing disturbs the peace and quiet of Moonlight Bay....

Christopher Snow isn't afraid of the dark. Forced to live in the shadows because of a rare genetic disorder, he knows the night world better than anyone. He believes the lost children are still alive and that their disappearance is connected to the town's most carefully kept, most ominous secret—a secret only he can uncover, a secret that will force him to confront an adversary at one with the most dangerous darkness of all. The darkness inside the human heart.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Christopher Snow, Fort Wyvern, Military Base, Moonlight Bay, Sequel To Fear, Surfer Lingo, Years Ago

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Seize-the-Night-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Seize-the-Night-Audible

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