Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)
by Dean Koontz
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.36 You Save: $6.63 (83%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)
Book Review: Running out of ideas?
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read the following novels* by Dean Koontz:
1. FEAR NOTHING
2. SEIZE THE NIGHT
3. BROTHER ODD
4. FALSE MEMORY
5. ICEBOUND
6. DRAGON TEARS
7. BAD PLACE
8. INTENSITY
9. STRANGERS
10. MIDNIGHT
11. HIDEAWAY
12. STRANGE HIGHWAYS
13. SOLE SURVIVOR
14. FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE
I have also read LIFE IS GOOD: LESSONS IN JOYFUL LIVING by his dog, Trixie. I enjoyed reading all of them but particularly enjoyed the Christopher Snow series. In fact, I promised myself NOT to read any Dean Koontz novels until after he completes the Christopher Snow series (FEAR NOTHING and SEIZE THE NIGHT). I am still waiting for the 3rd novel.
Although Koontz remains a vivid writer, I think he is running out of creative ideas and storylines. For example, as I was reading the description of Brother Odd's confrontation with the hangman, I thought it was reminiscent of Dickens's description of the spirit of Christmas past. In the next sentence, Brother Odd reports that this hangman reminds him of the spirit of Christmas past. Most reading will pick up the similarity of the hangman and the spirit of Christmas past before Brother Odd notes the similarity. Another example is the somewhat surprising storyline. Clearly, the central storyline is found elsewhere. Thus, anyone who has read Brown's ANGELS AND DEMONS will be able to predict the catalyst for the adventure. I suspect that those who haven't read ANGELS AND DEMONS will be more surprised.
As for me, Koontz gets 5 stars for vivid writing and 2 stars for creativity.
*Ranked in the order of my liking.
Book Review: A great continuation of Odd's Story
Summary: 4 Stars
As a long time Dean Koontz fan, I can honestly say that his character of Odd Thomas is probably his best creation. I loved the original novel and the quirky sense of humor it introduced. "Brother Odd" takes up right where "Forever Odd" left off. Odd has taken up residence in a monastary to try and sort things out after the events of the last couple novels. Of course, Odd won't get the rest he needs as something is drawing the evil seeking "bodachs" to the school for the special needs kids attached to the monastary. And when the number of the pain loving bodachs increase, it's up to Odd to figure out what disaster is threatening the children, monks & nuns in this wintry and isolated setting.
Koontz introduces some fantastic characters in this novel, Brother Knuckles, a former mob heavy turned Monk is a stand-out favorite of mine. I found quite a few elements of Koontz earlier novels in "Brother Odd", and eagerly went back to re-read such novels as "The Bad Place" & "Dragon Tears" because of similar plot elements. That is not to say "Odd Thomas" is just a rehashing of those things, just that certain elements from earlier novels influenced the action in "Brother Odd".
This is a very quick read as well, perfect for the beach, or for long plane ride. The story and characters are fun, and you will find yourself unable to put the novel down at the end of a chapter. Koontz has a way of filling the novel with multiple cliff-hanger like chapter endings, and you feel compelled to continue reading just to see the outcome. I'm looking forward to the next Odd Thomas book, and hope this series continues to thrive.
Book Review: A nice Odd Thomas Sequel
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a long awaited purchase... and it did not disappoint. I love the odd thomas character, and his adventures in the monestary did not disappoint. The novel has its high points, and was a very fast read. I read the entire thing in less than eight hours, divided over two days. The isolated abbey in the snowstorm gave a little of "the shining" feel to the book, especially when the koontz-standard wierd creatures began showing up.
I felt a little cheated with the whole "quantum physics energy-to matter" device. In "timeline", by Michael Crighton...at least he tried harder to educate about quantum physics, and elaborate on the machine itself. I know Odd Thomas books are written from the point of view of the character, and Odd Thomas himself obviously doesnt know much about the subject, but the NSA guys could have brought a little more to bear on the workings of the project....or thomas could have wandered farther into johns mew to examine "stuff". The final fight in the mew is anticlimactic... and when the govt. agent turns off "john", you can give yourself a homer simpsonesque slap to the forehead, with the accompanying "d'oh" for good measure.
Overall a good read, with the expected Dean Koontz WTF??? twists, but with an ending lacking....something. The Dog thing totally threw me, and I was sad to see the King part company with Odd. His new partner in music hopefully will prove just as fun.
Book Review: Odd Politics
Summary: 2 Stars
Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)
I love Odd Thomas, Dean Koontz I can take or leave. In his old age, the author is crow baring his wacky right wing politics into the inner voice of a 21 year old. A 21 year old who could not possibly share his conservative views based on the characters life history (and death history). The low point (spoilers ahead) was after a harrowing encounter with an unknown creature that nearly ends in Odds demise, Koontz decides to regale us with a tale of the big bad ACLU and they're determination to undermine social works in our cities tough neighborhoods by insisting on enforcing that Pesky separation of Church and State clause. OoooKay? My favorite, however, was the moment that the "Good Guys" were preparing to battle the "Bad Guys" and it is speculated that Islamo-Facists or Athiest may be behind the plan to murder the nuns, priests and children. Wow, who knew, it was the atheists responsible for all those Holy war / crusades that ended in the deaths of millions over the millennia. Oh, wait.
Koontz is a beautiful writer, and I can forgive the occasional attemp at indoctrination now and again. But this was too much. Give me the story of Odd, leave the politics to the politicians.
I will not be reading any more Odd novels. I already miss him.
Book Review: A little wierd even for Koontz and Odd
Summary: 4 Stars
Koontz is a great writer and the Odd Thomas series entertains me as much as any of his books. Odd Thomas is such a unique character and just reading his observations and thoughts is somewhat stimulating. I think Brother Odd is a star below the prior two Odd books. Some of his stream of consciousness gets long-winded and begins to seem like fluff. The supporting cast in this book does not come through for Koontz as the cast in the prior books did. I don't think we learn enough about any of them the way we knew Stormy or a couple others. We just barely get to know some of the nuns and monks Odd meets and there is one interesting Russian character that exchanges some witty conversation with Odd.
The plot in this one is very sci-fi as compared to more realistic crises that one might be better able to imagine.
As usual Koontz employs some splendid writing that will be preserved in my book of quotes along with many other Koontz quotes. Fans of Odd Thomas will enjoy this one but may be left wanting for more and a more serious plot. This one ended with the prospects of more to come. I hope so.
Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays