2008 Book 82: Odd Hours

Book #:	82
Book Title:	Odd Hours
Author:	Dean Koontz
Publisher:	Bantam Dell
Pub. Date:	2008
Pages:	283
Started:	September 21, 2008
Finished:	September 21, 2008
Time to Read:	1 Day
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"The legend began in the obscure little town of Pico Mundo. A fry cook named Odd was rumored to have the extraordinary ability to communicate with the dead. Through tragedy and triumph, exhilaration and heartbreak, word of Odd Thomas's gifts filtered far beyond Pico Mundo, attracting unforgettable new friends - and enemies of implacable evil. With great gifts comes the responsiblity to meet great challenges. But no mere human being was ever meant to face the darkness that now stalks the world - not even one as oddly special as Odd Thomas. After grappling with the very essence of reality itself, after finding the veil separating him from his soul mate, Stormy Llewellyn, tantalizingly thing yet impenetrable, Odd longed only to return to a life of quiet anonymity with his two otherworldly sidekicks - his dog Boo and a new companion, one of the few who might rival his old pal Elvis. Haunted by dreams of an all-encompassing red tide, Odd is pulled inexorably to the sea, to a small California coastal town where nothing is as it seems. Now the forces arrayed against him have both official sanction and an infinitely more sinister authority...and in this dark night of the soul, dawn will come only after the most shatter revelations of all."
Stars:	**
Review:	Ugh. I really hate to tell you, folks, but I'm disappointed in this latest Odd offering from Dean Koontz. I feel like he cranked out this novel - way shorter than the rest, by the way - simply because his fans have come to love Odd Thomas. The novel is also clearly set up to indicate that more are coming - but I think he should have stopped with three. Whereas the prior three lack deep characterization, this book lacks almost all characterization. The folks that Odd surrounds himself with in this improbable tale are flat, flat, flat. Did any of you watch the TV show "Jericho" while it was on? This novel combines elements of Jericho with, well, bizarre paranormal encounters. Now, we all know that Koontz uses the paranormal in nearly all of his writings, but this time around...they were really...out there. If you love Odd Thomas, by all means continue your journey with him by picking up this tome. But be prepared...it doesn't measure up to the rest.

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany