Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

7 reviews

lay_kone's review

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Mass/school shootings, and Gun violence

Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

Minor: Body horror and Grief

zara89's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical trauma, Death, Violence, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Gun violence

winglesswarrior's review

dark funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Mass/school shootings, Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship

maggies's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I read this originally as a teenager, and I remembered it as more enjoyable than I found it this time around. The writing style is a bit self-congratulatory, and I'm not sure I really bought the idea that the book represents Odd's autobiography/memoir. I'm no editor, but I don't think that gimmick was necessary/added value to the plot. There was also lots of exposition repeated throughout, which got bothersome.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Death, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood

kermit_the_wrong's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Child abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Abortion

revengesrose's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book was an enjoyable light read. The character of Odd Thomas is endearingly innocent despite his dark gift. Some might (and have) argue that he is disbelievable as a young man of twenty but I think that the idea is that he has become an old soul because of his ability to see the dead and his "parental" relationships.His friends are also quiet and gentle which actualizes the setting of the sleepy little town. 

The conflict in this novel I found interesting for something with a supernatural theme. Koontz builds the story around a young man who can see the dead and these other creepy ethereal creatures but in the end it's human violence and fanaticism that come to fruition. 

My only complaint, that is not a complaint more of an outraged emotional reaction, is the ending after Odd is released from the hospital. I literally shouted and cried, throwing the book down on the bed. The injustice of the ending was upsetting but honestly excellent and unexpected.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence

msbug18's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Murder, Body horror, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders