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The Odds
After a disastrous evening playing slot machines, Ethan Caustin wonders how he's going to explain his massive loss to his wife and kids. As he tries to find his way out of the casino, sick to his stomach and filled with self-loathing, he's approached by a stranger who offers a solution to his problem. It's a simple game. A 99% chance for him to win ten thousand dollars. In the remote chance that he loses...well, he'll be strapped into a device that shatters his left arm. The odds are very much in his favor. But this is only the first round. As the game goes on, the prizes and penalties keep changing, along with his chances of winning. As the high stakes get out of control and Ethan desperately wants to quit, he'll learn that they've only offered him one means of play the game to the very end... A thrilling novel of suspense from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of PRESSURE and MY PRETTIES.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2020
141 people are currently reading
1468 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
229 books2,210 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
April 29, 2020
GREED
One of the seven deadly sins.
I was going to say it is not a vice of mine. However, when there is one last cupcake left...let's just say, it can get ugly.
This story starts with Ethan Caustin, family man, who has a problem, having an internal battle about the amount of money he has lost. Totally dejected and disgusted with himself, he meets Rick as he tries to make an exit from the casino. It might sound too good to be true, but Ethan had a chance to make $10 000.00, with 99% odds of winning...but if he lost, they will break his arm.
Desperate, Ethan accepts. But that was only the first round. As the money goes up, the odds of him winning goes down.
As Kenny Rogers liked to say:
"...know when to walk away,
know when to run."
Ethan is about to learn that lady luck was not sitting on his shoulder that day, and the only way he can survive and keep his family safe, is to play the game and win.
Well, the concept is not exactly a new one, but Strand pulls it off and keeps it entertaining throughout.
Greed can always be justified by the greedy, even when they know it is wrong, but there is no such thing as a free meal. If something seems to good to be true, it is.
My father always said:
"Mort, never try to piss in a tornado."
It doesn't have anything to do with this story, but it just goes to show how he always gave good advice.
Anyway, he also said:
"Mort, it's a scam. Now get the fuck back to cutting the lawn!"
Maybe it is his advice, maybe it is my cynical nature, maybe it is a combination of both, but I've never been able to convince myself that I'm lucky. Some years ago, I decided to learn how to play poker. Not fucking around, but REALLY play poker.
I watched a few WSOP Main Events, I went to a free site and played a little more than 11 000 hands until I became a pro, and only then did I start to play for money online.
It took me about 8 months to win my first tournament, and I played some higher stakes, and won a few more. Don't get me wrong, I was not playing the big boys yet, I was not close to their level, but my highest win was a little over 700 bucks, so I was not playing for pennies, either.
Then, the government in my country banned online poker for money - I don't know and I don't care - which brought that part of my life to a complete halt.
Now, I learned a lot while I was playing. Poker is a skill game - luck actually plays only a small part in it, WHEN DONE RIGHT - and people actually have 'tells' with online poker as well, even though you can't see them. I never became addicted to it, but I can see how people can get the fever and lose so much more than they actually have.
However, when it comes to playing slot machines, I would never rely on luck to keep feeding that bitch, so in a small way I can blame Ethan (a little) for getting himself into the mess.
Sure, he didn't have much choice after that, and here's where the Strand humor comes in - it actually gets you through the gruesome stuff that happens in his stories.
I laughed, I cringed and I loved every single moment of this book.
Recommended to horror fans who likes to have their funny bones tickled.
One of the seven deadly sins.
I was going to say it is not a vice of mine. However, when there is one last cupcake left...let's just say, it can get ugly.
This story starts with Ethan Caustin, family man, who has a problem, having an internal battle about the amount of money he has lost. Totally dejected and disgusted with himself, he meets Rick as he tries to make an exit from the casino. It might sound too good to be true, but Ethan had a chance to make $10 000.00, with 99% odds of winning...but if he lost, they will break his arm.
Desperate, Ethan accepts. But that was only the first round. As the money goes up, the odds of him winning goes down.
As Kenny Rogers liked to say:
"...know when to walk away,
know when to run."
Ethan is about to learn that lady luck was not sitting on his shoulder that day, and the only way he can survive and keep his family safe, is to play the game and win.
Well, the concept is not exactly a new one, but Strand pulls it off and keeps it entertaining throughout.
Greed can always be justified by the greedy, even when they know it is wrong, but there is no such thing as a free meal. If something seems to good to be true, it is.
My father always said:
"Mort, never try to piss in a tornado."
It doesn't have anything to do with this story, but it just goes to show how he always gave good advice.
Anyway, he also said:
"Mort, it's a scam. Now get the fuck back to cutting the lawn!"
Maybe it is his advice, maybe it is my cynical nature, maybe it is a combination of both, but I've never been able to convince myself that I'm lucky. Some years ago, I decided to learn how to play poker. Not fucking around, but REALLY play poker.
I watched a few WSOP Main Events, I went to a free site and played a little more than 11 000 hands until I became a pro, and only then did I start to play for money online.
It took me about 8 months to win my first tournament, and I played some higher stakes, and won a few more. Don't get me wrong, I was not playing the big boys yet, I was not close to their level, but my highest win was a little over 700 bucks, so I was not playing for pennies, either.
Then, the government in my country banned online poker for money - I don't know and I don't care - which brought that part of my life to a complete halt.
Now, I learned a lot while I was playing. Poker is a skill game - luck actually plays only a small part in it, WHEN DONE RIGHT - and people actually have 'tells' with online poker as well, even though you can't see them. I never became addicted to it, but I can see how people can get the fever and lose so much more than they actually have.
However, when it comes to playing slot machines, I would never rely on luck to keep feeding that bitch, so in a small way I can blame Ethan (a little) for getting himself into the mess.
Sure, he didn't have much choice after that, and here's where the Strand humor comes in - it actually gets you through the gruesome stuff that happens in his stories.
I laughed, I cringed and I loved every single moment of this book.
Recommended to horror fans who likes to have their funny bones tickled.
July 9, 2022
“The Odds” by Jeff Strand starts out as a thrilling novel that hooks you in immediately. I enjoyed reading the majority of it as the characters are relatable and well, memorable. The pure mystery and intrigue of those running “the game” also added a nice dimension to this novel that kept me wanting to keep on reading because it has similarities to franchises such as SAW, Squid Game, and even The Hunger Games.
The story, plot twists, and pace were all very good. It’s very hard to put this one down as the only thing I didn’t like was that I wish there was more of an explanation as to who ran “the game” and why. I would have loved more of an in-depth look at that aspect, especially with the way this novel ended. I thought the ending was fine but was expecting a bit more as to who was running everything, why, and maybe a crazy reveal or something along those lines.
I give “The Odds” by Jeff Strand a 4/5 as the writing is very good and it’s a fast-paced novel with no fluff at all. I also enjoyed how realistic things felt and how an ordinary person with a gambling problem would naturally react to the ordeal he ended up in because of it.
I’d recommend this to those looking for a suspenseful thriller that will undoubtedly take you on a rollercoaster of a ride for the most part. If the ending revealed more about who truly ran “the game” and the reasons behind it, this easily would have been a 5/5 in my book. It’s okay though, I still genuinely enjoyed it!
The story, plot twists, and pace were all very good. It’s very hard to put this one down as the only thing I didn’t like was that I wish there was more of an explanation as to who ran “the game” and why. I would have loved more of an in-depth look at that aspect, especially with the way this novel ended. I thought the ending was fine but was expecting a bit more as to who was running everything, why, and maybe a crazy reveal or something along those lines.
I give “The Odds” by Jeff Strand a 4/5 as the writing is very good and it’s a fast-paced novel with no fluff at all. I also enjoyed how realistic things felt and how an ordinary person with a gambling problem would naturally react to the ordeal he ended up in because of it.
I’d recommend this to those looking for a suspenseful thriller that will undoubtedly take you on a rollercoaster of a ride for the most part. If the ending revealed more about who truly ran “the game” and the reasons behind it, this easily would have been a 5/5 in my book. It’s okay though, I still genuinely enjoyed it!
May 29, 2020
I'm thinking of a number between 0-9 🤔
This book is about a high stakes game enjoyed by the most 💰 wealthy, where everyday folk are the unwilling and unfortunate players ♟☠
The action comes on fast. The bodies begin to pile up..... then they all go for ice cream 😛 🍦 YUM!.... then it's back to the gory, intense final match. I love a story that has humor while still being horrifying!
BTW I was thinking the number 2. Yay if you guessed right and you might have done better than some of the players in this book!! Unfortunately the game is rigged 🎰
This book is about a high stakes game enjoyed by the most 💰 wealthy, where everyday folk are the unwilling and unfortunate players ♟☠
The action comes on fast. The bodies begin to pile up..... then they all go for ice cream 😛 🍦 YUM!.... then it's back to the gory, intense final match. I love a story that has humor while still being horrifying!
BTW I was thinking the number 2. Yay if you guessed right and you might have done better than some of the players in this book!! Unfortunately the game is rigged 🎰
July 13, 2022
I want to say that the ending was simply incredible but the entire journey has been a heart pounding romp up to that truly explosive finish that physically left my heart pounding.
This story has almost no down time from something twisted escalating into deeper and deeper game where the rewards are almost not worth surviving the game. Strand already showed that with his other works such as the "Pressure" but after reading "The Odds" I had to load my reader with more of his tales... I don't know how he got such deep character development in such a short story but you hated and liked some of the characters at the same time as their fates were quickly becoming more important to the reader and less certain at the same time.
As other reviewers pointed out this also reminds me of Richard Laymon a bit and it makes reading fun again, weird thing to say with such a gory story but heck yes. 6 stars.
K
This story has almost no down time from something twisted escalating into deeper and deeper game where the rewards are almost not worth surviving the game. Strand already showed that with his other works such as the "Pressure" but after reading "The Odds" I had to load my reader with more of his tales... I don't know how he got such deep character development in such a short story but you hated and liked some of the characters at the same time as their fates were quickly becoming more important to the reader and less certain at the same time.
As other reviewers pointed out this also reminds me of Richard Laymon a bit and it makes reading fun again, weird thing to say with such a gory story but heck yes. 6 stars.
K
July 15, 2022
The Odds was a fast paced book with great action moments and characters to hate and cheer for!
I loved the idea of this plot when Ethan Caustin takes a business trip to Las Vegas and heads to a casino. He’s a gambling addict so when he finds himself in debt to the slot machines and tables, he knows he’s in deep trouble with his wife.
A man at the casino notices how miserable and worried Ethan is and makes a deal with him.
It’s a game and if Ethan can get any number except 0 on a wheel, he’ll win thousands and get out of the doghouse. Ethan doesn’t yet know that the start of this game is only the beginning.
Here's the deal. You can’t leave the game even if you do pick the right number and win.
Ethan and his family are put in a nightmare of a situation that has him at the mercy of a phone call and at the whims of an organization that likes to play the game regardless of the stakes.
I would have given this a higher rating if I’d gotten more information on the people running the game.
I thought more could have been added to the overall plot by adding these details on who’s organizing this “game” and if it’s always gambling addicts that are picked to be the next player.
The Odds was entertaining, fast paced and the author Jeff Strand could easily do a sequel to this one.
I’m glad to get to this one and if you like shows like Squid Game, you should pick this one up!
I loved the idea of this plot when Ethan Caustin takes a business trip to Las Vegas and heads to a casino. He’s a gambling addict so when he finds himself in debt to the slot machines and tables, he knows he’s in deep trouble with his wife.
A man at the casino notices how miserable and worried Ethan is and makes a deal with him.
It’s a game and if Ethan can get any number except 0 on a wheel, he’ll win thousands and get out of the doghouse. Ethan doesn’t yet know that the start of this game is only the beginning.
Here's the deal. You can’t leave the game even if you do pick the right number and win.
Ethan and his family are put in a nightmare of a situation that has him at the mercy of a phone call and at the whims of an organization that likes to play the game regardless of the stakes.
I would have given this a higher rating if I’d gotten more information on the people running the game.
I thought more could have been added to the overall plot by adding these details on who’s organizing this “game” and if it’s always gambling addicts that are picked to be the next player.
The Odds was entertaining, fast paced and the author Jeff Strand could easily do a sequel to this one.
I’m glad to get to this one and if you like shows like Squid Game, you should pick this one up!
July 13, 2022
Tightening Tension!
Backstory:
Ethan is a big time gambler but when he spends more than he should have at the slot machines he is given an opportunity to win back his losses - though there is a price for it. Ethan doesn't dare tell his wife Jenny what he has done or he will be in the doghouse forever, so he tries to jump around her questions with lies.
In steps Rick - who is the somebody that can possibly make Ethan's dreams come true with putting money in his pocket and all Ethan has to do is play a game, but not just any game and nothing that has to do with slot machines, but a game that is totally different which can lead to pain.
As much as Ethan wants money to line his pockets he will have to consider the consequences of staying in the game to keep earning money or die trying - whichever comes first!
What is the game? What does Ethan have to do to win the game? How much money will Ethan win?
No spoilers here as you will need to read the book!
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book and right away I was pulled into the storyline as the book kicks off with some intrigue. The more I read the story the deeper I was pulled into the book. There is tons of tension and anxiety associated with this storyline as I wanted to keep reading but also wanted to hide behind my fingers to peek out as I wasn't sure what was going to happen next!
I felt sorry for the character, Ethan as he has to go through some major stuff to keep playing the game and I wanted to see something bad happen to the character Rick as he was a pain in the arse most of the time through the book.
As time goes on though and more stuff happens within the book I just could not put the book down as the story just kept escalating to the point I had read almost 30% in one sitting without moving as the book went into supersonic overdrive!
Another great book by author, Jeff Strand! If you want something that will keep you awake all night with lots of tense moments with breath hitching intrigue then go grab this book as I guarantee you will be up all night reading this story! Giving this book five "Game of Chance Horror" stars!
Backstory:
Ethan is a big time gambler but when he spends more than he should have at the slot machines he is given an opportunity to win back his losses - though there is a price for it. Ethan doesn't dare tell his wife Jenny what he has done or he will be in the doghouse forever, so he tries to jump around her questions with lies.
In steps Rick - who is the somebody that can possibly make Ethan's dreams come true with putting money in his pocket and all Ethan has to do is play a game, but not just any game and nothing that has to do with slot machines, but a game that is totally different which can lead to pain.
As much as Ethan wants money to line his pockets he will have to consider the consequences of staying in the game to keep earning money or die trying - whichever comes first!
What is the game? What does Ethan have to do to win the game? How much money will Ethan win?
No spoilers here as you will need to read the book!
Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book and right away I was pulled into the storyline as the book kicks off with some intrigue. The more I read the story the deeper I was pulled into the book. There is tons of tension and anxiety associated with this storyline as I wanted to keep reading but also wanted to hide behind my fingers to peek out as I wasn't sure what was going to happen next!
I felt sorry for the character, Ethan as he has to go through some major stuff to keep playing the game and I wanted to see something bad happen to the character Rick as he was a pain in the arse most of the time through the book.
As time goes on though and more stuff happens within the book I just could not put the book down as the story just kept escalating to the point I had read almost 30% in one sitting without moving as the book went into supersonic overdrive!
Another great book by author, Jeff Strand! If you want something that will keep you awake all night with lots of tense moments with breath hitching intrigue then go grab this book as I guarantee you will be up all night reading this story! Giving this book five "Game of Chance Horror" stars!
December 15, 2024
Strand is known for these things - one: humor, two: unusual scares of the wide variety, three: a face pace. If you combine those aspects, then fun would be a good one word description. Mind you, this is horror/thriller, so the word “fun” can be taken with a grain of salt. All elements of his novels are here, though The Odds has a little less humor than the other five or so books of his I've read. The humor here comes in the twisted sense of circumstance the main character finds himself in, and his responses. I'd like a little more depth when it comes to the character, but I get why or why not. Too many tangents or background can spoil the pace, and this one has good pace. 3.75 stars
November 17, 2021
This one is definitely in my
Top Five
of Jeff's books. It's so much fun! I sat down to read for ten or fifteen minutes the other night, and ended up reading almost half the book in one sitting! It's addictive. If you like fast-paced, gritty thrillers, you will love this one.
October 12, 2022
Rating: 3.5 stars
You know that old saying that when something's too good to be true, it probably is? Ethan Causin doesn't seem to have learned this. After losing big in a casino, Ethan is approached by a stranger who proposes he play a game that can solve all his money problems. The catch? The consequences of losing could be deadly.
The story starts off slow and it took me a few chapters to get into things. Once I did, this ended up being a quick and compelling read. While not nearly as gory, I was reminded of the SAW movies with the crazy scenarios Ethan has to solve as part of the game. I am disappointed we didn't get more information about the organization behind the game. It ends well enough, all things considered. I'm truly surprised at Ethan by the end and his final actions. Big kudos to his wife Jenny also for being willing to take part if needed. Perhaps some day there will be a sequel.
You know that old saying that when something's too good to be true, it probably is? Ethan Causin doesn't seem to have learned this. After losing big in a casino, Ethan is approached by a stranger who proposes he play a game that can solve all his money problems. The catch? The consequences of losing could be deadly.
The story starts off slow and it took me a few chapters to get into things. Once I did, this ended up being a quick and compelling read. While not nearly as gory, I was reminded of the SAW movies with the crazy scenarios Ethan has to solve as part of the game. I am disappointed we didn't get more information about the organization behind the game. It ends well enough, all things considered. I'm truly surprised at Ethan by the end and his final actions. Big kudos to his wife Jenny also for being willing to take part if needed. Perhaps some day there will be a sequel.
December 17, 2021
I wonder what Jeff Strand thinks of Squid Game?
This book by Strand, released a year before the popular Netflix show, is a cautionary tale following a gambling addict who is presented with a game with odds so good that it would be silly to turn it down. But then as the rounds of the game evolve, the stakes become a lot higher! I‘m starting to think that Strand is incapable of writing a bad story. At the very least they’re all very entertaining and this one is no different. As a matter of fact, this one might be one of his most entertaining as our hero digs himself deeper into the game until we ask ourselves if it’s even possible to win. On paper it works as a great thriller but it’s really all Jeff Strand in all his audacity. The whole background and characters behind the game is so ridiculous but done with such conviction that only Strand is capable of. I finished the book wanting to know more and wishing that it was a hundred pages longer.
This book by Strand, released a year before the popular Netflix show, is a cautionary tale following a gambling addict who is presented with a game with odds so good that it would be silly to turn it down. But then as the rounds of the game evolve, the stakes become a lot higher! I‘m starting to think that Strand is incapable of writing a bad story. At the very least they’re all very entertaining and this one is no different. As a matter of fact, this one might be one of his most entertaining as our hero digs himself deeper into the game until we ask ourselves if it’s even possible to win. On paper it works as a great thriller but it’s really all Jeff Strand in all his audacity. The whole background and characters behind the game is so ridiculous but done with such conviction that only Strand is capable of. I finished the book wanting to know more and wishing that it was a hundred pages longer.
October 21, 2021
This book had a super fun start.
A man loses too much money in a casino, but gets an offer too good to be true.
It was exactly that. Too good to be true. The man gets caught up in a game.
All over money.
It was fun, but some parts were over the top. Dark humor, I guess.
The ending was too much action for my taste, but it was left open for a sequel, which I would probably read if there was one.
A man loses too much money in a casino, but gets an offer too good to be true.
It was exactly that. Too good to be true. The man gets caught up in a game.
All over money.
It was fun, but some parts were over the top. Dark humor, I guess.
The ending was too much action for my taste, but it was left open for a sequel, which I would probably read if there was one.
June 6, 2020
Lady Luck crapped out with this stinker of a book.
I didn't buy the premise at all. Chapter one was ridiculous. I should have stopped there.
This from someone who read a book about a highway in Ohio that led to hell.
Rick, Gavin, Butch and The Claw man? No. No. No. No.
Ethan sent on a scavenger hunt? No.
Ethan digging up a buried woman? No.
Ethan with a meat clever? Absolutely no.
The ending? Hell no.
Skip this and go play poker on Facebook.
I didn't buy the premise at all. Chapter one was ridiculous. I should have stopped there.
This from someone who read a book about a highway in Ohio that led to hell.
Rick, Gavin, Butch and The Claw man? No. No. No. No.
Ethan sent on a scavenger hunt? No.
Ethan digging up a buried woman? No.
Ethan with a meat clever? Absolutely no.
The ending? Hell no.
Skip this and go play poker on Facebook.
September 29, 2024
Captivating!
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
I had a good time with The Odds by Jeff Strand, I couldn’t put it down.
This book could help people who are developing a gambling addiction. The moral of this horror story is that, the risk of gambling definitely doesn’t worth it. Ethan learned the hard way, that when a game is too easy, there’s always a price to pay, and he wasn’t ready for that.
I liked the writing style, the plot, the characters development, the suspense and the morbid atmosphere of this book.
I highly recommend it.
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
I had a good time with The Odds by Jeff Strand, I couldn’t put it down.
This book could help people who are developing a gambling addiction. The moral of this horror story is that, the risk of gambling definitely doesn’t worth it. Ethan learned the hard way, that when a game is too easy, there’s always a price to pay, and he wasn’t ready for that.
I liked the writing style, the plot, the characters development, the suspense and the morbid atmosphere of this book.
I highly recommend it.
May 6, 2020
Jeff, Jeff, Jeff... this was just awesome! I mean, truly!
I loved this story so much. The biggest compliment I can pay you is that I sped read this like I used to with Richard Laymon novels.
You did something magical here. You made reading fun! This is the horror I live for and the type of reading I love to do. This was a blast! I loved it so much that I started to paraphrase the first couple of chapters for my husband, as I worked my way through the book. You know it’s a great story when a NON-reader is so engrossed and can’t wait to hear more. He kept bugging me to tell him the rest of the story. And, it was terrific right until the last page; the way a good story should be!
I think there is great potential for a follow up book to “The Odds”. Just please bring back Ethan and his superb wife, Jenny. I also hope we can have another Rick.
Highly recommend!!!!!
I loved this story so much. The biggest compliment I can pay you is that I sped read this like I used to with Richard Laymon novels.
You did something magical here. You made reading fun! This is the horror I live for and the type of reading I love to do. This was a blast! I loved it so much that I started to paraphrase the first couple of chapters for my husband, as I worked my way through the book. You know it’s a great story when a NON-reader is so engrossed and can’t wait to hear more. He kept bugging me to tell him the rest of the story. And, it was terrific right until the last page; the way a good story should be!
I think there is great potential for a follow up book to “The Odds”. Just please bring back Ethan and his superb wife, Jenny. I also hope we can have another Rick.
Highly recommend!!!!!
June 17, 2021
Another outstanding, page tuner by one of the best suspense writers working today. Strand imbues his characters with enough realism that you can't help but care about them, well most of them anyway. I really love the way the author's signature humor was more polished, seemingly more infused in the narrative than in some others where I spewed soda from my nose dozens of times. The funny is still here, just more subtle. That ending was a classic. Jeff Strand has the distinction of being the rare author both my wife and I read and love. She actually read this one before me, and loved it, so that was totally awesome, too. We usually don't read the same stuff. Five Stars. I haven't rated a book here in a while, and I am not sure if I tapped the little star the correct amount of times to give the highest rating.
July 11, 2022
My mediocre rating for this book reflects my dislike of the storyline and Ethan for the entire first third of the book, where Ethan is a sorry-ass loser of a gambler risking his limb, literally, for another roll of the wheel. In fact, I almost DNFed the book at about this point.
And miracle of miracles, a roll of the dice, a turn of the page, and the story arc expanded! The reader was introduced to the other side of the Game, Rick and the Gang controlling scenarios and scheming the setups. And I was hooked.
So the book for me quickly morphed from 'this is ridiculously stupid' to 'this is ridiculously fun and funny' at the same time. The ending sequences, Ethan's transformation, his wife's new found stamina - it all added up to a nice, good read. Kudos to the author!
And miracle of miracles, a roll of the dice, a turn of the page, and the story arc expanded! The reader was introduced to the other side of the Game, Rick and the Gang controlling scenarios and scheming the setups. And I was hooked.
So the book for me quickly morphed from 'this is ridiculously stupid' to 'this is ridiculously fun and funny' at the same time. The ending sequences, Ethan's transformation, his wife's new found stamina - it all added up to a nice, good read. Kudos to the author!
July 14, 2022
This was a twisted, fast paced, page turning thriller! It was definitely a title I could see turning into a film that would have audiences on the edge of their seats.
July 26, 2023
4.25/5; Fast paced, very suspenseful. Would have gave 5 stars, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending. Overall, I really enjoyed!
April 28, 2020
Another great read from Jeff Strand. You can't go wrong with anything he writes, and The Odds is up there as one of my favourites.
There is some of his trademark humour in here, but it is tonally more along the lines of Dweller or Kutter than the more overtly comedic books like the recent Clowns vs Spiders. I loved the concept of the book (think movies like '13 Sins' or 'Would you Rather') and, while the overall idea is not a new one, Strand does have some unique twists. I particularly liked getting a deeper look into the people running, or involved with the game and not just focusing solely on the player.
My only gripe was that it was over too soon. The ending was great; a nice mix of unexpexted while feeling right for everything that preceded it, but i would have just liked more story (maybe a deeper dive into the character or Rick, or a bit more time with Ethans family). Overall, i highly recommend picking this book up. Fans of Strand won't be disappointed and new readers will enjoy the fast pace, black humour and colourful cast of characters. 4*
There is some of his trademark humour in here, but it is tonally more along the lines of Dweller or Kutter than the more overtly comedic books like the recent Clowns vs Spiders. I loved the concept of the book (think movies like '13 Sins' or 'Would you Rather') and, while the overall idea is not a new one, Strand does have some unique twists. I particularly liked getting a deeper look into the people running, or involved with the game and not just focusing solely on the player.
My only gripe was that it was over too soon. The ending was great; a nice mix of unexpexted while feeling right for everything that preceded it, but i would have just liked more story (maybe a deeper dive into the character or Rick, or a bit more time with Ethans family). Overall, i highly recommend picking this book up. Fans of Strand won't be disappointed and new readers will enjoy the fast pace, black humour and colourful cast of characters. 4*
January 19, 2024
"Bad luck does not alter the rules.". 🎲💀🎲
"He needed to get out of this game before things got even worse."
🎲💀🎲 Genuinely enjoyed this! This hooks you in immediately. It strongly reminds me of the Squid Game. The story, plot twists, and pace were all very good. It’s very hard to put this one down. I just wish there was more of an explanation as to who truly ran “the game” and why. Who is the cold-hearted game master, the kind of sociopath who doesn't care about Ethan’s struggles in keeping this a secret from his family?
I guess there's probably a sequel down the road since it is a pretty interesting plot.
We'll see..🎲💀🎲
E-📖
"He needed to get out of this game before things got even worse."
🎲💀🎲 Genuinely enjoyed this! This hooks you in immediately. It strongly reminds me of the Squid Game. The story, plot twists, and pace were all very good. It’s very hard to put this one down. I just wish there was more of an explanation as to who truly ran “the game” and why. Who is the cold-hearted game master, the kind of sociopath who doesn't care about Ethan’s struggles in keeping this a secret from his family?
I guess there's probably a sequel down the road since it is a pretty interesting plot.
We'll see..🎲💀🎲
E-📖
May 24, 2020
Strand is the master at combining humor and horror into an odd concoction that hits just about every feel-good moment you could hope for in a reading experience. With his latest, "The Odds," he continues along that same vein, delivering a fast-paced novel where the stakes only continue to increase.
I loved the premise of this one, and true to form, Strand brings us right in with the inciting incident as our "hero" Ethan hits a rock bottom moment having fallen victim to his gambling vice. Little does he know, rock bottom has several more levels he's about to explore. The stakes continue to increase with elaborate games only Strand could concoct, and it's impossible not to have fun with this quick read.
Now, I will say, this novel wasn't perfect and there were moments that really pulled me out of the narrative. Far too many times the "narrator" explained that Ethan had no choice but to just continue playing the game, rather than taking the time to actually explore the options he really did have. It cheapened the experience and felt far too much like author intrusion, in my experience at least.
The other piece that I feel could have been improved upon is one inherent with Strand's style. The man has a wicked sense of humor, and it's something I've come to love about his writing. That said, when every character (including minor characters) shares that same style of humor, we lose the individuality of the characters. It felt like the author was speaking through each character rather than allowing the characters to speak for themselves. It's not necessarily a terrible thing, as Strand has a lot to say, but I think this novel could have really been elevated to something more than the final product that was put out.
All in all, a quick and fun read, but one I would have loved for the author to spend more time with in really developing the potential this story had.
I loved the premise of this one, and true to form, Strand brings us right in with the inciting incident as our "hero" Ethan hits a rock bottom moment having fallen victim to his gambling vice. Little does he know, rock bottom has several more levels he's about to explore. The stakes continue to increase with elaborate games only Strand could concoct, and it's impossible not to have fun with this quick read.
Now, I will say, this novel wasn't perfect and there were moments that really pulled me out of the narrative. Far too many times the "narrator" explained that Ethan had no choice but to just continue playing the game, rather than taking the time to actually explore the options he really did have. It cheapened the experience and felt far too much like author intrusion, in my experience at least.
The other piece that I feel could have been improved upon is one inherent with Strand's style. The man has a wicked sense of humor, and it's something I've come to love about his writing. That said, when every character (including minor characters) shares that same style of humor, we lose the individuality of the characters. It felt like the author was speaking through each character rather than allowing the characters to speak for themselves. It's not necessarily a terrible thing, as Strand has a lot to say, but I think this novel could have really been elevated to something more than the final product that was put out.
All in all, a quick and fun read, but one I would have loved for the author to spend more time with in really developing the potential this story had.
April 29, 2020
Fun fun fun. I zipped through this. Highly recommended.
February 14, 2021
Review to come.
August 25, 2024
What a nightmare. There is no escape
July 6, 2022
I liked it decently enough, it knows how to build up suspense and keep it going. Especially when he gambled at the beginning, since I was unsure what was going to happen in the story I was actually anxious. I did not like the ending very much. Without giving many spoilers it just felt like a series of random events took place conveniently without any reason. I also do like how the book did not take itself too seriously, there was a sense of levity throughout that made the story really fun to read, while balancing genuine reactions from the MC as he had to live through the situation he was in.
All in all a pretty decent read.
All in all a pretty decent read.
May 17, 2020
I really liked this. Fantastic job coming up with a fresh take on this scenario.
November 3, 2024
4.5 Stars ⭐
So freaking dark and funny !!
The concept is awesome but the main character, even more. If you have a dark sense of humor this book is definitely for you.
So freaking dark and funny !!
The concept is awesome but the main character, even more. If you have a dark sense of humor this book is definitely for you.
May 12, 2020
This is a very high-anxiety time for many of us who are dealing with shelter-in-place protocols and wearing face masks when we go out in public. Sometimes reading thrillers and suspense novels can help with the anxiety and uncertainty, and sometimes not. I had to stop reading Jeff Strand’s novel The Odds several times because the suspense was getting to me. But I always came back, because Jeff is a damn good storyteller, even with tropes like “a demented sociopath is playing a deadly game” that I’m not really a fan of. There’s a deadly game here, but there are several levels to the game – and to the novel – that keep things interesting. I found myself caring about Ethan, the main character, a self-loathing guy with a gambling problem who gets trapped in a cycle of progressively more deadly “tasks” that a sociopath is driving him to complete. Ethan is not particularly likeable but I found myself rooting for him and for his family, hoping they would find a way out of a seemingly impossible situation. This is a novel that gets progressively more suspenseful and more thrillery (is that a word?) with each chapter. Recommended for fans of thrillers and high-suspense novels.
February 27, 2021
Jeff F'n Strand. Yep.
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