Does that make everything perfectly clear? I could go on and on about all the horrible tics this author uses, but I'll just stop here. Jun 21, Sean rated it it was amazing. I'm a fan of the author and the series, and this one is off to a great start. May 26, Patrick O'Neil rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Koontz or Odd Thomas Fans. July 4, Date Finished Book: July 9, Before Reading: What do I expect to gain from reading this?
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I am already a fan of the Odd Thomas series; I was looking to continue Odd's adventures. Brief Overall Summary of the Book: Odd has returned from the monastery of Brother Odd, the previous book, and has settled in the little coastal town of Magic Beach. He has a premonition Title: He has a premonition of a large number of deaths, which are somehow related to "The Woman of the Bell," a pregnant woman who he has seen on the pier.
He named her thus because she wears a bell necklace around her neck. Odd goes to the pier, finds the woman, talks to her and finds her to be very nice, but very cryptic, and then meets three thugs. He convinces Annamaria, which is the woman of the bell's first name, to leave the pier and let him handle the thugs. When one of the thugs touches him, Odd and the thug who we later learn is named Utgard the name seems to be related to the Norse giants also experiences the dream.
In the confusion, Odd jumps off of the pier and escapes. Odd uses his "psychic magnetism" power to find Annamaria, who asks him if he will die for her. To his surprise, he says yes and becomes her protector. He takes her to his friend Birdie, and older lady who was deformed by her drunken father as a child. Birdie agrees to watch after her while Odd takes care of saving the world from the death he saw. Odd goes to the house of a man who assaulted him on the beach after he had escaped from the first band of thugs, and finds the man dead in his house, with a woman.
The sprit of the dead man appears, and is very upset. Shortly after appearing, the mirror reaches out and grabs the spirit, and takes him, presumably to hell. Odd very briefly sees a terrible face in the mirror. Odd speculates that spirits that are going to be punished rarely wait around in this world for very long because they owe a debt, and can't escape paying it.
Odd leaves the house quickly through a window as the police arrive. In the backyard he runs into a fence in the dense fog, alerting the police of his presence, and escapes them, with the help of a Golden Retriever he meets along the way. Odd runs to a church. In the church he meets the minister, who counsels him, but the minister calls the police because he recognizes the dog.
The policeman who comes is the chief of police, who is scary, big, and mean. He takes Odd to jail to interrogate him, but not before Odd can hide his wallet and the wallet of the dead man in the church. Odd is being interrogated, and he discovers that Hoss Shakleton, the Police Chief, thinks that he and Annamaria are some secret agents, here to stop his plan to blow up four nuclear bombs in cities in the US. Odd plays along, and even pretends to be interested in helping Shakleton and make a lot of money, but then he escapes with the help of the ghost of Frank Sinatra, who has been following Odd since Elvis left him to move on to the next life.
Odd taunts Sinatra into becoming a poltergeist, and uses this time to escape the Chief and Utgard, who has joined him in the interrogation room. Odd stows aboard the boat going to get the nukes, kills much to his dismay -- he didn't ever want to kill anyone, but had no choice; he feels that he did not murder, he killed for the greater good the thugs on the boat, beaches the boat, and calls the FBI and Homeland Security to take care of the nukes. At the end of the book, he runs into the Chief again when he goes to get his wallet, and narrowly escapes him when he is killed by one of the thugs from the beginning of the book.
The preacher also kills his wife they were also in on the scheme. Odd is also forced to kill the other thug at the church, in order to escape. In and around the church, Odd encounters coyotes for the second time in the book and at first runs from them, but eventually escapes them by telling them to leave, and that they did not belong there, as Annamaria did during the first coyote encounter. This does not work until Odd touches the bell pendant, which Annamaria had given him in the beginning of the book. Annamaria told Odd earlier that the coyotes were what they seemed and more; since we did not see Bodachs in this book, I suspect that the coyotes may have been Bodachs in disguise.
The book ends with Odd leaving with Annamaria who seems to know a lot about Odd's past with his "Lost Girl Stormy," and even calls him "Odd One," as Stormy did in the first book. Birdie says that she will join them later, and they drive away. Odd has a mental breakdown because of all of the killing, and Annamaria reassures him that he has saved entire cities. On the last page of the book is a copy of the card that Odd had gotten from a gypsy fortune teller machine with Stormy in the first book, which reads "You Are Destined to Be Together Forever.
The book is structured like any Odd Thomas book; it is suspenseful. Often times I never saw a surprise coming, but once it came I can't believe I missed it! Coyotes; Odd wanting to see Stormy in the afterlife, but not wanting to die, as he loves life; Hope, and "the lake of abiding hope," where he and Stormy had once gone. What I thought of the book: I can't wait for the next one -- this seems to be setting up apocalyptic adventures to come!
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Apr 04, Maggie K rated it liked it. But this book was soo I don't know the word, but I got the feeling the author sat and wrote it all in one take, probably in one night, and then never looked at it again. First, it all takes place in the space of one night. But incomprehensibly, it deals with an issue of global security. These two things just do not work together!
Second, Odd's gift is psychic magnetism. He is drawn toward people who need him and just c ok, I really like Odd Thomas a lot, I think he is just a beautiful person. He is drawn toward people who need him and just can show up where he needs to be. Sometimes this really really smacks of Deus ex Machina. Here, he had an apocalyptic type dream, and followed his gift to a California coastal town, where he meets a girl he feels he needs to protect. She seems to know all about him and his gifts, but none of that is ever explained. Third, it seems there is so much filler! In one of the scenes at the beginning, he has a feeling some tough guys are after her so he jumps off the pier to distract them.
That's ok, but then there follows chapters and chapters of how he climbed back up the pier and got away from them. It just seemed like so much filling, it was ridiculous! Then, there are pages and pages of Odd's thoughts. This would be okay if he was analyzing the situation at hand, trying to figure out his role in this drama, but it wasn't. It was meandering thoughts about Stormy, and his parents, and Frank Sinatra, and his powers. The thin story line, the flat characterization of the girl, and the obviously overused psychic powers really put a dent in enjoying this novel.
However, Odd's natural sweetness and beautiful character save the book to an acceptable level. Dec 15, Leah Polcar rated it liked it Shelves: So, I needed a break from the awesome City on Fire and this was available from the library for immediate digital download. I am not sure why, probably because it is sort of like mind candy, but I have to say that I do not think I will following up with the rest of the books in the Odd Thomas series.
While I appreciated that Koontz stopped telling us all the details of the earlier books, just in case we were new to the series and fit the backstory tidbits more fluidly into Odd So, I needed a break from the awesome City on Fire and this was available from the library for immediate digital download. While I appreciated that Koontz stopped telling us all the details of the earlier books, just in case we were new to the series and fit the backstory tidbits more fluidly into Odd Hours , I just don't like the direction the series is taking. Instead of a bunch of one-off mysteries, for lack of a better term, it appears we are now gearing up for the apocalypse to come yeah, yeah, I know that one of the books is called Odd Apocalypse so I guess I could have seen this coming.
There is a mysterious organization, an evil Senator, and an enigmatic young woman who will somehow play some part on the side of good, which naturally is represented by our man Odd. Oh, and there will be a posse of other kooky characters backing him up. Odd Hours is the beginning of this journey. I just don't see how the quirky tone Koontz established in the early Odd books is going to work in this new arrangement, but since the novelty of Odd was playing out, I suppose this move may not be the worst idea. I mean how many ridiculous plotlines can one person who sees dead people face?
Full review of the first three Odd Thomas books at my blog: Dec 01, Kirsten rated it liked it Shelves: So due to the newest Odd Thomas book coming out in a month, I decided to buckle down and force myself to read this book. Previously, I had stopped shortly after starting it, frustrated with the story and deciding that there was more I wanted to do with my time than read it. Now that I made myself get past the horrible beginning and onto the tolerable middle and the dragging-on ending, I'm glad I read it.
That being said, this wasn't one of my favorites.
I felt that Koontz whipped this one up on So due to the newest Odd Thomas book coming out in a month, I decided to buckle down and force myself to read this book. I felt that Koontz whipped this one up on a spur of the moment hankering one weekend and didn't bother to give it any depth or life. I still stand by my feelings that the title "Odd Hours" was merely another excuse to have a catchy title rather than a well-written book. Jun 14, Mel Miller rated it really liked it. I really enjoyed this one although as much as I wanted to give it five stars but just couldn't because of a few things.
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The character Annamara bugged me, and I was totally bummed by the ending. Also there was this one scene were OT was stuck under a pier for like 20 pages and I all but literally screamed at the book to just get out from under the pier already. All that being said, I love Koontz books and his writing. I love the way he describes things and the way he writes in general and this for I really enjoyed this one although as much as I wanted to give it five stars but just couldn't because of a few things.
I love the way he describes things and the way he writes in general and this for me was a great story! View all 8 comments. Feb 03, Kristie rated it really liked it Shelves: Koontz has a way of rambling on in some areas and giving a bit too much detail at times, but I just love Odd as a character.
Also, there were a couple of times in this book where I laughed out loud due to the witty dialogue. I do have to admit that I didn't have all of my questions answered in this book, but I'm hoping to figure out what was going on with a couple of things in the next book. I look forward to being in Odd's world again soon. May 09, Winter Sophia Rose rated it it was amazing. Jul 29, Chris Johnson rated it it was amazing. Another great read by Dean Koontz. Aug 17, Josh rated it it was ok Shelves: A mixture of unnecessary dialogue, annoying and over-the-top mannerisms, and a writing style more YA than most YA novels I've read made the 4th installment of the previously enjoyable Odd Thomas series a drab and uneventful affair.
In 'Odd Hours' the former short order cook with a the ability to see the dead finds himself in a seaside town drawn to police corruption which extends as far as placing every resident of America in danger. Odd quickly learns of a smuggling ring involving nukes and one A mixture of unnecessary dialogue, annoying and over-the-top mannerisms, and a writing style more YA than most YA novels I've read made the 4th installment of the previously enjoyable Odd Thomas series a drab and uneventful affair.
Odd quickly learns of a smuggling ring involving nukes and one crazy rich man's plans to shape the world in his image. The only redeeming factor about 'Odd Hours' is that it portrays glimpses of a darker side of Odd. There are moments where he enlists violence with clinical detachment.
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Cold blooded and reactive to immediate threats sees him disburse the bad guys in true run and gun fashion. Aside from the action sequences few and far between , I liked the mysterious introduction of a pregnant young woman with who Odd openly declares his life for despite hardly stringing together more than a few sentences prior.
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Annamaria promises to be a character of interest for further Odd Thomas books - I just would've liked there to have been more rhyme to her reason for being in 'Odd Hours'. I re-read this in readiness for the Odd Interludes and then Odd Apocalypse. Initially I gave 'Odd Hours' 3 stars, this time round it gets the base-grade 2.
Once again Dean Koontz has created something wonderful with this Odd book.
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Odd has moved again, not yet returning to his home. As always Odd steps up to the task in Once again Dean Koontz has created something wonderful with this Odd book. As always Odd steps up to the task in the only way he seems to know how, dealing with yet another evil in the world. Koontz, as always, proves that he can create a loveable character and enough witty dialogue to keep readers engaged in the story.
I enjoyed Odd Hours very much. I'm not sure how I feel about the choices Odd was forced to make during the resolution of this book. No spoilers, but just see if by the end of this book you don't feel something of the innocence that is Odd is lost. I didn't feel much development out of the antagonists, but perhaps this is because Koontz left the ending open Koontz, as always, proves that he can create a loveable character and enough witty dialogue to keep readers engaged in the story.
I didn't feel much development out of the antagonists, but perhaps this is because Koontz left the ending open as a setup for a 5th Odd book. Add your rating See all 1 parent review. While his earlier efforts have failed, this time he meets with a compassionate recruiter, Master Sgt. Giving Ned a deck of cards displaying the 52 most wanted Al Qaeda terrorists, he tells the new "Sun Dog" to be on the lookout. It's exactly the assignment Ned has hoped for. It focuses on relationships, compassion, and every individual's right to live a life of purpose. Sun Dogs is gentle, heartfelt, and skilled.
Working with notable actors, she brings nuance and grace to what, in lesser hands, might have been stereotypes of America's struggling working class. Allison Janney , as always, is wonderful; Ed O'Neill in a multidimensional performance has never been better. It's an unlikely, sweet story and the production music, art direction, editing, script are all first-rate.
He brings magic into the lives of everyone around him just as the filmmakers have attempted to bring that magic to the screen, entrusting that their audience will believe in Ned and love him just the way he is. Why is it important for the filmmaking community to take responsibility for honest and accurate portrayals?
Think about the significance of Tally's reading -- both the books and the fact that, despite her circumstances, she kept reading. Why did the creative team include those scenes? What did it tell you about Tally? How did it prepare you for the resolution of Tally's story? Movies often show all sorts of creative "families. Who were its members? In an ever-changing world, why is it often essential for individuals to create their own nontraditional families? How did you feel about the ending of this movie?
Had Ned changed from the beginning of the story? If your answer is yes, how did he change? Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. See how we rate. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate.
Which was a mistake. The dark figure broadsided him from a narrow alley and delivered a knuckle punch to his windpipe. As Brahms gasped for air, his attacker kicked his legs out from under him in a Bokator kick—that brutal martial art in which scythes were trained. Brahms landed on a crate of rotting cabbage left by the side of a market. It burst, spewing forth a thick methane reek. His breath could only come in short gasps, and he could feel warmth spreading throughout his body as his pain nanites released opiates.
I must not be numbed. I need my full faculties to fight this miscreant. But pain nanites were simple missionaries of relief, hearing only the scream of angry nerve endings. They ignored his wishes and deadened his pain. Brahms tried to rise, but slipped as the putrid vegetation crushed beneath him, becoming a slick, unpleasant stew. The figure in black was on top of him now, pinning him to the ground. Brahms tried to reach into his robe for his weapons, but could not. His eyes were intense, and intent on—to use a mortal-age word—murder.
The painkillers that were in his system were dulling his responses. His muscles were weak and useless to him now. He had no choice but to comply. Satisfied, the self-proclaimed young scythe eased the pressure. You have no proof of that! This beast of a boy was threatening him with his own knife. All that he said was true, but Brahms would rather be rendered deadish than admit it to the likes of a failed apprentice. Even one with a knife at his throat. And when I am revived, I will stand as witness against you—and make no mistake, you will be brought to justice! Why do you think that is?
He had assumed if he stalled long enough, and kept this so-called Scythe Lucifer occupied, the Thunderhead would dispatch a full squad to apprehend him. Brahms was surprised it had even gone this far. Such bad behavior among the general population was supposed to be a thing of the past. Why was this being allowed? I burn those I remove from service, leaving nothing but unrevivable ash.
Since last January, nearly a dozen scythes across three Merican regions had been consumed by flames under questionable circumstances. Their deaths were all ruled accidental, but clearly they were not. And because they were burned, their deaths were permanent. Now Brahms knew that the whispered tales of Scythe Lucifer—the outrageous acts of Rowan Damisch, the fallen apprentice—were all true.
Brahms closed his eyes and took in a final breath, trying not to gag on the rancid stench of putrid cabbage.
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But if you continue to serve your own corrupt appetites, then you will be left as ash. His peach velvet robe was stained green and brown, as if covered in mucus. He considered gleaning the couple—for no one should see a scythe so indisposed and live—but instead held out his hand and allowed them to kiss his ring, thereby granting both of them a year of immunity from gleaning. He told them it was a reward for their kindness, but really it was just to make them go away and abandon any questions they might have had. After they left, he brushed himself off and resolved to say nothing to the Irregularity Committee about this, because it would leave him open to far too much ridicule and derision.