Saint Odd
Ratings28
Average rating4
I am still struggling with how I feel about the end of Odd's story. Especially the end.
I loved that he returned to Pico Mundo. I loved revisiting the characters I fell in love with in Odd Thomas. I loved the magic and the mystery, but I was sad it was finally done.
And that ending....
SPOILERS FOLLOW:
I've been an Odd Thomas fan since I read the first in the series. I can honestly say that I never expected the series to end this way. Based on Odd's narrative, I always had the impression that he was going to have to wait a long time before he would be together again with Stormy, so when I started this book and he immediately began predicting his own death I was very disappointed. That being said, I enjoyed this book, and felt that the ending was fitting.
I do feel, however, that the climax and completion happened all to quickly. The story kept building, and then just sort of ended. Many author's take the build up too far, and the climax too long, but this felt the opposite. But, again, I did really enjoy the book, and would recommend it to others.
May contain minimal spoilers
The good news is, I didn't hate it.
After the dud that was Deeply Odd, I really didn't expect ANYTHING at all from this book. I'm happy to say, that it was a fast and somewhat amusing read.
There were a few problems, though: too much action, endless pursues and shooting. No bodachs. Very few ghostly apperances. Also, the inclusion of characters I had all but forgotten about (Tim, Blossom Rosedale), though they did not have an impact on the story at all. Too little of known characters: only a few pages of Ozzie, a handful of pages of Edie Fischer and Annamaria only in dreams/flashbacks.
Other than that it seemed that Koontz had become less preachy and less political. Those were two of my main gripes with Deeply Odd, but in this it only slips through in very few instances. And thankfully, there is almost no trace of his trademark “humour”. This one is played much more serious and I like it the better for it.
The showdown is not epic in any way and the ending, as others have pointed out, is kinda rushed. I was worried how he would describe the afterlife, but I actually kinda liked his version of it.
Overall, Koontz is not back to his roots, but I must say that I find this the third best installment of the series (After Odd Thomas and Odd Apocalypse). I do understand if someone finds it less than fulfilling, but after finding Deeply Odd and Odd Interlude abysmal beyond hope, I actually enjoyed this.
Oh Odd I'm a little sad these books are all over. Some of the best Dean Koontz's books in my opinion. I do admit to finding 5 and 6 in this series lacking for me personally, but I thik Koontz finished the series well and I enjoyed it.
A pretty mixed bag for me on this one - on an emotional level, it was satisfying, and I did cry for the last 15 pages or so. It's been a long investment in this character, and saying goodbye was bittersweet. As far as plot goes, however, the whole novel felt convoluted and rushed - there seemed to be a lack of motive, a lot of confusing detail, and a general sense that the actual story of the novel wasn't the author's top priority. It made me feel sad, a bit, because the characters that Koontz has created over the course of the series really deserved a better send-off. I would say if you are not already invested in Odd, I would probably pass on this novel.
