Forever Odd: An Odd Thomas Novel

This is another of a continuation of Odd Thomas books. I can hardly wait to start the next one. It will no doubt kit will be hard to put down as well!

This is a very good continuation of the series and I am looking forward to reading all the sequels. The plot mechanics (always a Koontz strong suit) are fine and the characterizations vivid and well-drawn. Koontz knows how to shape dramatic and dangerous situations into a page turner. However, the Odd Thomas series depends almost entirely on how you feel about the main character and whether he is appealing and consistent. For the most part, this second book of the series does this very well and I have no qualms about recommending this book, and the series as a whole.There is, however, throughout this book a typical Koontz literary tic that has always annoyed me and is present in this novel, to its detriment. It is the sarcastic aside, the mean-spirited generalization, and the snide politically tinged remark.Normally, I just shrug at these things because it's up to the author whether a protagonist has the particular worldview that despises the "politically correct" culture around him. It never ruins the book for me, but does signal to me that author has Opinions.But the Odd Thomas books purport to be manuscripts entirely written by Odd Thomas himself and these sorts of remarks do not at all work for his character. Odd Thomas -knows- that the afterlife exists and accepts his role in easing the dead to peace. No other human being can possibly comprehend the depth with which he knows the human condition and his compassion and empathy for people who are not evil, but perhaps misguided or flawed. He forgives and does not insult the dead by complaining about their thoughts on popular culture. -That- is the essence of who he is. He is humble, self-deprecating, and deeply committed to this work which he -knows- will conclude when he reunites with Stormy. The opinions of the dead are not his business, only peace for their immortal souls. It is what makes him so compelling and endearing. But when he offers snarky observations about Indian casinos, the naming of sports teams and the supposed vapid inner life of anchorwomen, it instantly takes me out of the story. Odd would -never- be so ungenerous. Not to mention, he is -not- a media consumer, or creature. He often remarks about how detached he is from the culture around him. So, why would he have opinions about such trivial matters?Koontz has obviously taken to heart some of the criticisms of his work, including his heroes' facility with guns and violence, the hyperintelligent dogs, and the ever lurking danger of global government conspiracies. I would be glad if he would also jettison the sarcasms. They do not respect Odd Thomas. They make him seem like a jerk.That said, I will read all of these books. Odd's journey is one of tragedy and poignancy. I long for the last book and his final reward - to be of service with his beloved Stormy.Addendum: I forgot to add one last note that I regard as an oversight by the author. There should have been a line or two about Odd visiting the sisters of Maryanne, from the casino. They needed solace (one of them desperately needs law enforcement help) and Odd needed to do that for them and Maryanne, especially to honor her sacrifice, since she was so instrumental in a particularly important plot point and suffered so terribly at that moment.

Odd is so likable and we so want him to be able to overcome and be happy. But life is here to throw more wrenches in his way.Some spoilers if you haven't read Book One, Odd Thomas, which you should before reading this one.This is a good, if quieter and slower-paced read than ODD THOMAS. We still have Odd with his dead-seeing power and his good heart that wants to help, even if it puts him at risk. This time, rather than major bodach-thrilling carnage, we have someone Odd cares about deeply in trouble--kidnapped by one whack Voodoo-ish skanky beauty. Odd, we know (as the series continues) will overcome, but as in all things, it's the how, the pace, the suspense, the characters, the why that makes stuff interesting. Koontz can write, so that's not even an issue. Koontz can plot, so we know it will have escalating danger and a ticking clock.However, Mr. Koontz seemed a bit too enamored of his research material, and I found some of the detail overwhelming. It's like I wanted to say, "Enough about the tunnel already, or the hotel, or the this or the that." The amount of setting descriptive detail, while understandably some being needed for placing the reader in the situation, did feel excessive. I skimmed A LOT in spots.One quibble: If this Danny was such a dear, close, valuable friend, how come he was, like, not around in the first book? I know, I know, authorial license to add and enrich a character who continues in a successful series, but I had a hard time accepting this guy was like "a brother" when he's dumped on us out of the blue.In a novel that leaves us with an Odd with lots of time to reflect (as we read endlessly about some setting details), what shone for me in his ponderings was the seriousness of Odd asking some cosmic questions. Questions that evil makes us ask. I really thought Koontz did a great job of anchoring the metaphysical with the physical. He's great at metaphors, so no surprise. Anyway, by the end of this part of his story, Odd comes to some serious cosmic recognitions. As his writer pal says: He already knows. He must just recognize. After facing another example of human evil, Odd faces the truths he already knew. And that many of us readers know, too.By the end, he's ready for a different phase of life, a change, and so we'll go on with Odd to his next place and quest. He's a terrific character, one we can love and root for and one we wish to continue to learn about.This is a good read. This has some thrilling moments. This has some scary moments. This has some heartwarming moments. But the book is not as page-turningly paced as the first, and for those of us who really like to whip the pages...like me...one star off.

Forever Odd is the second book in the Odd Thomas series, the first being...Odd Thomas. This series is my first experience with Dean Koontz and I found the initial book to be a nice surprise full of unique, and often funny characters as well as some touching moments. Forever Odd isn't quite as good as it's predecessor to me but is still an enjoyable book with some great ideas.Set not long after the first book Odd is still reeling from events but trying to get on as best he knows how. Woken up in the middle of the night by his doctor, now a ghost, Odd follows him to find he had been brutally murdered and his son Danny, a close friend of Odd, is missing. Using his supernatral abilities Odd gives chase after the villains of which the lady is an amusing yet sinister basket full of crazy.The basic story is good as are the locations Odd travels through and I rather liked the main villain. The conversations between characters are still witty and often funny but the problem is there isn't enough of that. Odd spends an awful lot of his time in this book alone and the pace feels pretty slow in the middle as he tracks the culprits who have taken Danny. The end sequence is all pretty interesting, it just takes it's time getting there.All in all it was still a pretty good novel i'm glad I read, and if you liked Odd Thomas than it is worth reading on to Forever Odd even if it isn't quite as good.+ Nice plot premise.+ Crazy villain.+ Odd is a great character.- Awfully slow in the middle.

Koontz's novel "Odd Thomas" was clearly a bigger hit than anticipated, because his publishers have urged him to continue the story of the twenty-something fry cook who sees dead people. The result is "Forever Odd", which sees Odd left deflated and dispirited (not literally - he still communicates with ghosts) after the soul-shattering conclusion to his previous misadventure. Now that his desert town of Pico Mundo has returned to its state of relative calm, Odd wonders if he'll have time to rest and repair himself. Unfortunately, fate has something else in store for him. A young and very twisted lady has taken interest in the man with the unwanted gift, and has abducted a young and vulnerable friend of Odd's in order to get his attention.Through his character, Koontz made it clear in the first novel that he intended to keep the tone light and the story swift-paced. He kept his promise for "Odd Thomas", and has done the same for the sequel. Every page in this novel feels relevant and un-belaboured, making this every bit the page-turner that the cover says.The light tone occasionally feels forced, however, with Odd spinning out weak jokes and sometimes excruciatingly unfunny extended similes. Odd's young friend Danny, who Odd claims has a rapier wit and unparalleled sense of self-deprecating humour, is even worse, making the reader wish that Koontz just hadn't bothered.Aside from that, the story is solid and still often amusing, and very occasionally emotional and chilling when intended. The conclusion and its admittedly minor revelation about the villains of the piece manages to shed a whole new layer to the narrative the reader has just finished, making up for minor niggles with a suitably uneasy conclusion.The third and fourth books are already out as I write this, and I'll definitely be getting the next in the series at least; it looks like the overall story is strengthening significantly with each instalment.6/10

After finishing Odd Thomas, I was really looking forward to cracking open the pages to Forever Odd - the second instalment of Koontz' Odd Thomas books. If you've read Odd Thomas, then you're probably looking into buying this second book, and firstly, let me say, that you should go and buy it - especially if you loved the first one. However,(and here are my negative points) the book takes a completely different turn to the first.Odd spends little to no time in Pico Mundo, instead getting dragged out into the desert to crack on with a new mystery; ok, great, a change of scenery is always good. But, for me, it just didn't work and I didn't enjoy the book as much as the first. I felt it was a little 'too over the top' compared to the first, where the storyline, whilst being 'out there' ran linearly and just worked. I don't think this was necessarily a bad storyline, but I did not enjoy it nearly as much as the first book. However, that being said, once you get back into the world of Odd, you start to pick up on the little quips and the bursts of wisdom and you once again feel the connection; towards the end, you do get a real insight into Odd, and it does open him up a great deal, which is good, and is also the highlight of this rather disappointing book.Like I said - if your a fan of Odd, buy this book so you can continue reading the series, because the third book (after this) is a lot better, and rivals the first.3 stars from me.

One of the best series I’ve read. Can’t wait to read the next one.Melancholy in places but also heartwarming. His character development is excellent.

Koontz is a genius , apparently he put the book down he was writing and just started writing the " Odd " series in long hand . A tragic tale spanning 8 books yet full of wonderful dark adventures with strange side kicks and super bad villains and yet very funny as well ( love the Frank Sinatra versus Rod Stewart !)