Odd Is on Our Side Review

Odd Is on Our Side

Published: October 2010

Author: Dean Koontz, Fred Van Lente, Queenie Chan

Genre: Comics, Fiction, Ghost, Graphic Novel, Manga, Mystery

Odd Thomas Graphic Novels Book 2

Check the summary of this book here:

Odd Is on Our Side Summary

The Review

Odd Is on Our Side is Dean Koontz's second graphic novel featuring Odd Thomas. It's written by Fred Van Lente and Koontz, with manga-style artwork by Queenie Chan. The narrative of this book revolves around Odd's premonition that something terrible would occur during his town's Halloween festival. Elvis Presley's spirit wants to help Odd and gestures wildly, but because he can't talk, Odd has difficulties determining what will happen and who is involved.

You must understand that graphic novel means comic book and not a gory or scary book, so it is just a comic and if you buy it, you must understand that it is not a textbook, it has comic book style art that has text with it as a story, so if you buy it, don't blame me or the authors for cheating you into buying it because it clearly says it is a graphic novel! And I am going to remind this to you many times in this review.

I had read all of Odd Thomas books and decided to attempt the graphic novel, which I quite enjoyed. Text that is clean and simple to read. Excellent work of art. The plot is simple to follow. I adore the fact that he can see ghosts and other supernatural beings. Elvis, in particular!

While I appreciate Dean Koontz's novels and the comedy in his Odd Tales, I don't think this story has much depth and the humor is kind of poor. Children, on the other hand, may appreciate the book and be inspired to read his Odd Thomas non-graphic novels, which are a treat.

Dean Koontz wrote several comedic novels about the eccentric yet endearing Odd Thomas, who claims he earned his name Odd because his mother misspelled Todd. However, it is descriptive since Odd is exceedingly intelligent, courteous, and odd; he employs the titles "sir" and "ma'am" even to individuals who are focused on killing him most horrifically. His moniker is also descriptive since, unlike other people, he sees deceased men and women, such as Elvis Presley. The deceased can and frequently do gestures to Odd, but they are unable to talk. Koontz has also collaborated with others on three Odd Thomas graphic books.

Are you new to the franchise? Don't be concerned! This and the other graphic novels will bring you up to speed with the characters without giving too much away about what is to come in the books. 

Odd Is On Our Side is a terrific one-sitting read for younger readers, as well as a must-read for both die-hard Odd fans and newcomers. Examine them out! Without these, your collection is incomplete!

It was an enjoyable read. Of course, it lacks the richness and length of a whole novel, but it is a terrific self-contained narrative worth reading if you like the author and his creation.

I'll say it again: don't buy this if you don't enjoy comic books. I and other comic book fans will be pleased, but if you don't enjoy comics, this might be the worst waste of money for you. 

In the words of a number of my friends, "I had no idea this was even a comic book kind of book. I anticipated a conventional book, like the other weird novels. Was I ever incorrect? I'm not even going to read it since I can't get beyond the 'comic book' element. Those of you who enjoy comic books may be happy with it. I simply wish it said clearly that it is in comic book style." 

Okay time for my reply to these friends... One thing I must clarify is that when you see Graphic Novel printed on a book, it implies it is essentially a Comic Book, thus it was already on the book cover, and it is not the author's responsibility that you are unaware of this.

Odd Thomas is introduced to a new audience of readers. If you're not familiar with "graphic novels," have a look before purchasing this. It's essentially a comic book. However, Manga is much more than a comic book, and if you don't respect that, this is not the book for you.

Queenie Chan, a Hong Kong-born Manga artist living in Australia, drew the book. She is well-known in the Manga community and has a distinct creative flair. She gets interested in Manga projects because she likes the tale and wants to play a part in conveying it. And she demonstrates through her artwork that she likes this book and series, according to her rule of only drawing when she enjoys a story.

As stated before, the narrative was written by Fred Van Lente and Dean Koontz. Soon into the book, the reader will notice Koontz's characters are written by someone else. 

Odd is already recognizable if you've read any of Koontz's Odd novels. Odd is younger in this prequel than he is in the novels. Odd and his lover Stormy Llewellyn are among the well-written characters. There are a number of minor characters who feature in later Odd Thomas works.

The plot is straightforward, including missing children, Halloween, and maybe some poison. Odd is the only one that sees some ghostly characters along the road.

Final Thoughts

This is a traditional Odd Thomas story, and I enjoyed it as always. The art, on the other hand, was not entirely horrible because I like Manga and it was to my liking, but if you don't like Manga, you won't like it as much as I did. 

I thought the artwork had too much Manga in it, especially on the features of the female figures, and you have to see it to realize what I mean.

Odd Thomas's subsequent experiences, or perhaps his former ones, are described in a short, Manga-Esque, graphic novel manner. These volumes are essential reading for lovers of Koontz's main hero, Odd Thomas.

We explore what happened before Odd Thomas in Odd is On Our Side, and we follow Odd and Stormy on their adventures in and around Pico Mundo, California. Look for regulars you've grown to know and love over the course of the Odd Thomas novels.

Once again, all of the Odd novels are fantastic. Good for all ages and any Koontz lover. These are fantastic if you enjoy graphic novels.

This is a classic Koontz novel. It's in a format that most readers aren't used to, or, dare I say, are even interested in. Be cautious before making a purchase! This is a well-written, well-illustrated book for young readers, reluctant readers, anyone with a short attention span, aficionados of the supernatural, or Manga fans.

I read the paperback edition, and the font and images are standard sizes. According to my understanding, the Kindle edition may be more difficult to read. But still, it is worth it if you are into it.

Synopsis

“When things get scary, it’s nice to know that Odd is on our side.

The one and only Odd Thomas is back—in his second edgy and enthralling graphic-novel adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling suspense master Dean Koontz.

It’s Halloween in Pico Mundo, California, and there’s a whiff of something wicked in the autumn air. While the town prepares for its annual festivities, young fry cook Odd Thomas can’t shake the feeling that make-believe goblins and ghouls aren’t the only things on the prowl. And he should know, since he can see what others cannot: the spirits of the restless dead. But even his frequent visitor, the specter of Elvis Presley, can’t seem to point Odd in the right direction.

With the help of his gun-toting girlfriend, Stormy, Odd is out to uncover the terrible truth. Is something sinister afoot in the remote barn guarded by devilish masked men? Has All Hallows Eve mischief taken a malevolent turn? Or is the pleading ghost of a trick-or-treater a frightening omen of doom?”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Comic Books, Dead People, Fred Van, Like A Comic, Pico Mundo, Story Line, Van Lente, Waste Of Money

Rating: 80/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Odd-Is-on-Our-Side-Kindle

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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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