Brother Odd

Author: Dean Koontz

ISBN: 9780007226580

A leap forward in the Odd Thomas series - a novel perfectly balanced between story and character.

Reviewed by Juan Toosie ( Fats )

This is what I have been waiting for. This is the Odd Thomas novel the reader and Odd deserve.

After the events of Forever Odd, Odd Thomas seeks sanctuary in a monastery where, of course, strange things begin to happen.

I loved this book. Odd is his usual kooky self, and he is provided a foil in the form of a large, glowering and mysterious Russian. Odd's old supernatural enemies are back and this time they are not alone. Strange creatures roam the snowbound and storm lashed mountains of the High Sierra and Odd has got his work cut out for him.

This is the perfect blend of any novel - the characters are strong and the story is well paced and (within reason) believable. Where Odd Thomas fell down was that the story was a bit weak in my opinion. Where Forever Odd collapsed was that the story was tame and the characters (except for Odd who we already know) were bland. In Brother Odd we have strong characters and a very good story.

Dean Koontz lets his Catholic beliefs push through a little in this book, but they do not detract from the story. He does not preach, but he does raise some very interesting questions about the nature of God and the universe. It's worth reading just to hear the philosophy behind the book. If you are not of a philosophical frame of mind, don't panic! This book has action, wit, and heart enough to get you through.

Great stuff. I'm off to order the next book - Odd Hours. More of the same please, Mr. Koontz.

Comments and feedback

1. 
   17/07/2010 MichaelG
   

   Odd Hours has a completely different feel from any of the other books I think. It is very good. It gave me the same feeling of atmosphere as did the seize the night saga. If you haven't read those two books you should give them a go.

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