Reviews

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

blesstanie's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mickeymole's review against another edition

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5.0

The best of the Odd Thomas books. What a fun ride.

rlisaacs's review against another edition

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5.0

I love Odd Thomas. I don't think I can ever say it enough to fully encompass how much I love this dear, sweet, good-hearted young man. He is always trying to do the right thing, even when he would also give anything to just live a simple or even semi-normal life.

What I love about him most (it's so hard to pick, really!) is how he interacts with everyone. Maybe it's just how I read it, but Odd always seems to somehow have a cool and calm head about him. He has a quick wit that doesn't come across as rude or even insincere. His jokes are delivered (again, this is how I'm reading it in my head) with a sort of straightforward, directness that has me rolling. Even at the ones that aren't really that funny. It's just the tone of voice he has when he says things. (I say one more time, this could just be me and how I'm hearing Odd in my head. But I love it!)

And how he interacts with the children! All these beautiful children at the abbey with him! Children are precious, I have always believed this. They are gifts that we need to treasure, and Odd does treasure them. He cares so much that at one point, even though it would be easier to save everyone if he could use one of them to connect with a spirit, he won't do it, because he cares so much about how that might adversely affect the child. I'd like to think we would all be that considerate and make that same decision, but who knows what the rest of us would do if push was coming to shove. But, I suppose that's why Odd is the one with his extraordinary gifts, and not us.

And the sisters and brothers at this abbey. Oh my goodness. There was just so much to love about them too. From how welcoming they were of Odd, to how understanding they were of his gift and talent when that was revealed to them in time. And especially when it comes to how much they care about the children entrusted to them. (Not gonna lie, I almost cried at one point. Odd sums up the love that these sisters and brothers have for the children so beautifully in my opinion that I felt my eyes welling up and I had to look away for a minute.)

I love this series. I, once again, can't believe it took me this long to discover it. And I can't wait to dive into the next one.

starryeved's review against another edition

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2.0

That is the best of all things we can do for one another: Make the dark small.

Preface: Boo is the best.

Though the suspense ultimately ramped up to an anticlimactic conclusion and several important underlying subplots - such as
SpoilerStormy's communicating from the other side
and more - were tossed aside in favor of Odd's rambling inner monologue, what truly stood out about Brother Odd was its side characters. Boo, for one. Brother Knuckles, Elvis, even Rodion - all of whom were more intriguing to me than was Odd. What does that say?

Overall, a passable read in a conceptually interesting (but execution-wise? shaky) series.

rickipickles's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

jaded_angel's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

machapma's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this odd book but prefer listening to them as an audiobook.

awitham4077's review against another edition

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4.0

 
Spoiler This book takes on more of a supernatural twist with the bone creatures. LOVED Boo, he makes the perfect companion for Odd. 
 

ritaholliman's review against another edition

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4.0

Poor Odd! He has an unusual gift that really makes his life difficult. So much so that he moves to a monastery to regroup. It didn't work for him! though, because his unusual problems find him there.

I love the dialogs in the Odd Thomas books. It takes a talented writer to make someone laugh while reading this sort of book, but Koontz does just that. It is full of dry humor mixed in with the horror. I will definitely read more of this series.

tbrwarriors_87's review against another edition

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5.0

Truly enjoyed this one. Probably one of my favorite books in the series.