"Forever Odd" by Dean Koontz

 “Forever Odd” is even better than the first book! -- 5 stars

I know, I know, it’s been another long dry spell since I’ve written any reviews. I haven’t been reading as much, and so I just fell out of the habit. Again! But now that I’m more or less retired, I hope to return to reading AND to writing book reviews.

For my return, I decided to revisit one of my favorite authors again: Dean R. Koontz. And the book I chose is the next in his “Odd Thomas” series: “Forever Odd”

First, let me say that I thought this book was a step up from the first one. I found myself a lot more charmed by Odd in this installment, drawn to his quirky mannerisms. In “Odd Thomas,” I didn’t always care for his odd (pun intended) sense of humor. But now I love this character! He’s nice, funny, and very genuine.

I thought the plot of this second book was far more engaging, unlike the first book where I sometimes felt that Koontz was “padding the run time.” The settings Koontz established in this one were a significant factor in this.

Odd’s journey begins in the vast, cavernous drainage system beneath Pico Mundo (Koontz’s fictitious town), stretching on for what feels like miles. This environment immediately created a sense of foreboding and anticipation that persisted throughout most of the book. The eerie surroundings were unsettling for both Odd AND the reader, adding to the tension of the story.

Next up was the run down Panamint Resort and Casino, which is essentially a deserted hotel, partially ruined by an earthquake and subsequent fire, but neither restored nor demolished. As soon as Odd began recounting its history, it exuded an eerie vibe. I, personally, have always been captivated by places like this, and whenever I drive past an old abandoned house, barn, or building, I feel a strong urge to go exploring, even if (or especially!) it has an ominous DO NOT ENTER sign hanging outside. This is probably why this setting captivated me so much, and contributed to my enjoyment of the book.

The villain, Datura, was truly wicked and downright malicious, and I definitely wouldn’t want to cross paths with her, EVER. Her madness was compelling to this reader, though, because it seemed so genuine!

Overall, I found “Forever odd” extremely enjoyable, and I’m eager to dive into the next installment of this series, without waiting so long! Hopefully, I’ll keep up the reading, and reviewing, habit this time!