Saint Odd: Odd Thomas, Book 7

Honestly, I almost didn't write this review because at this point I really don't know what else there is for me to say about this series except it's over - yes!Alright, before you read into the obvious fist pump that went along with that exuberant praise, understand that I actually liked this one and the four-star rating isn't sarcasm. But you have to realize that overall I was never really in love with this series as a whole. I read the very first book and though "meh" but went on to the next because I was interested enough in Odd himself to find out where this sad man's journey would ultimately take him. I enjoyed the second book, Forever Odd, and decided from there to continue this series with caution even though I was past sick of all of the so-called "enigmas" Odd came across. It was like everyone Odd came across tried to one-up him on the "odd" scale. Other than maybe Chief Wyatt Porter, there wasn't a sane or normal person in the bunch. Must everyone be a sideshow, you know? Anyway, everything after the second book in the series, Forever Odd, up until Mr. Koontz upped the ante in the novel before this, Deeply Odd, just went downhill from there and there were many times I just wanted to give up on this series altogether. I'd read Deeply Odd thinking that one had been the last because Saint Odd hadn't come out yet, but when I learned this one was the definitive end to Odd's journey, I said I'd get through it for better or for worse.The joke is on me because it was actually for the better. By this point in the story, Odd's tone is a lot grimmer than it's ever been and even from the story's open he is a man on a mission. There isn't a whole lot of looking backwards, only forward as he attempts to unravel the mysteries of a recurring dream he has of the destruction of his hometown of Pico Mundo. He returns to the place he only left almost two years to the time he lost the woman he loved in a small scale attack on the town's mall infiltrated by the same group he's thwarted in the past. Having come full circle again, Odd is convinced this last act of altruism really will be his last as he's forced to confront a threat bigger than anything he's ever come across before and one that might not effect not just Pico Mundo, but maybe even the world itself if left up to the destructive parties responsible.Other than the fact I'll never have to read another Odd Thomas book again, I enjoyed this for the overall tension. From the opening pages there's an urgency not felt in all but except maybe the last two books in the series. In this one Odd was in imminent danger around every corner and it felt like the least little slip up was going to cost him his life. His efforts seemed almost hopeless at times, that's how outmatched he was in the full-scale of things. But, unless this is your first time reading this (and I strongly hope not because I really can't see anyone picking this series up from here and deriving the same overall satisfaction - or discontent - with it without truly understanding Odd's motivation for coming this far), you should already know that with Odd, when there's a will there's a way. Everyone's favorite fry-cook somehow someway finds help when he needs it, be it from another "spirited" individual or he just has a sudden enlightenment of his own.I always try my best not to give spoilers and I will strive to do so here. With that said, however, I sincerely doubt anyone reading this or wanting to read this doesn't already know the ultimate outcome of this. It's been hinted at as early as the first book and has since become more and more likely reading the other books what the likely outcome of Odd's journey would be. I guess the story is and always has been about just getting there. The end can be taken to be a new beginning to say the least and I think anyone who is truly a fan of Odd's would probably be happy for him.

I had preordered this nearly a year ago, received it upon release, and read only bits of it in the days since. I left chapter 53 until today. I knew once I read chapter 53, it would be over. The end of my journey with the wonderful character that Mr. Koontz has created as a gift to us fans, the endearing, gifted, good-hearted, courageous Odd Thomas, the fry-cook extraordinaire who sees the dead and never gives up when it's on the cause of right and saving those in danger.Note: Do not read this review if you've never read Odd Thomas books. Go back to book one and start there. This won't spoil this book, but may include a phrase or plot point that will spoil previous books for you. You're duly warned.I love Odd. Love him. He's fictional, but he's the kind of person the world needs more of. So, every book was one I waited for eagerly since the debut volume.Here, in the finale all the fans knew had to end the way it ended--had to!--we get our boy back in Pico Mundo. The end of the journey is the beginning of it. Home. Home for Odd. The place where he is loved and missed and the place where he met and fell in love and lost the lovely Stormy, his one true love and soul mate. Destined to be together forever.The terrible, demon-controlled, evil beyond evil cultists that Oddie encountered before and from whom he rescued various children, they're up to more no-good. Pico Mundo is in their sights--again. Oddie is out to thwart them and save lives--again. You follow him in the desert, in a carnival where he again finds that gypsy game that manages to be, yet again, mysterious. You will learn more about Edie and her organizaton. And, wonderfully, you'll learn more about Stormy's past (I always like hearing about her.)More I won't tell. This is a ride you want to experience fresh. The suspense works better that way, right?Know, happily, that you will once more see familiar and (to me) beloved characters with gifts and "oddities"--Annamarie, Blossom, Edie, Ozzie, etc. It's lovely to revisit these folks and I wish, I wish there were more Odd books.The style has a lot of dream sequences--and while I normally detest dream sequences in novels, here, the beautiful language and images that Mr. Koontz offers, as well as knowing this is the end, full of horrors and dreams and desperation and hope and insights, well, I can deal with the dreams. I don't like long blocks of italics, but for Odd, I'll read italics. :)The ending is full of hope and love, as it should be. Fans will sigh and be grateful for the long rides with Oddie and friends.And we will hope, always, that the dark is conquered by the light, that good overcomes evil, that good people get happy endings, and that more people like Odd populate our fiction in years to come. Lovable and lovely-souled "people."I think you will enjoy this. I really do. When you finish it, you might even be a bit "bluer" and "smoother." :DAnd you will totally want to get an exclamation point pint! ................ ! .....................Thank you, Mr. Koontz, for these stories. Thank you, sir.

I started this series almost ten years ago. It's good to get an ending. Like all the Odd books it follows a structure of peril and good guys versus bad guys with some magic thrown in. There is a lot of hope in this series and an enduring love story.You have to read the other books first as this won't make sense otherwise.It's a good series. I believe it's quite different to Dean Koontz's other books - I have only read one or two others but this series has kept me interested for all this time.Politics have obviously played a big part in the background of writing this final book and the despair that this is causing so many Americans. I like how human this series is.This is a must read for any Odd Thomas fan. He is a great character.Enjoy!

Having read all the earlier books I bought this on the first day of publication. The series as a whole is my favourite series of all time so this finale was always going to be a difficult read and expectations were extremely high. Firstly let me say that I have caught Mr Koontz being pedestrian in several other books but I have to say this was the worst one for treading water. The ending was frankly expected even from Book 1, but it was a satisfying end all the same. I agree with other reviewers that there are unanswered questions but I am not sure whether the reader is supposed to have all of these answered or indeed should expect them answered. So in summary a pedestrian but an enjoyable meander until the final few chapters when the whole Odd Thomas series comes to an ultimately satisfying conclusion. A great series by one of the greatest authors. If you have read any of the other books then you have to read this one to see how it all ends.

Really enjoyed the entire series but especially this book. Love Odd with all his sometimes irritating quirks which I am sure are no accident.Yes the end is perhaps a little trite but surely Oddie deserves his happy ending. Mr Koontz I salute you.

Well I just finished the last book in this series, and I can't say much without giving too much away. I have had this book (on Kindle) for quite a while now, loath to start it because (as has happened) I then had to finish it. The story is a normal Dean Koontz one, as in they are all very "notputdownable", and readable as stand alone novels, but I do urge you to - if at all possible - read the rest of the series first.To Mr Koontz himself, thank you for all your amazing stories, and would you consider please doing a spin off story with Annamarie et al?

In this I presume final installment Odd returns to his hometown Pico Mundo cause he feels that his destiny is awaiting there and that he will have a final battle against the evil cult people that crossed his path earlier. Will he finally be together again with his deceased girlfriend Storm?I liked the series a lot but sometimes things were a bit repetitive and Koontz also introduces characters during the writing that are not really involved in the action later on ( Annamaria for example)but fine books and worth reading