Odom, Mel 1957-

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Odom, Mel 1957-

PERSONAL:

Born 1957, in CA; divorced; children: five. Education: Earned a B.A.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Moore, OK. Agent—Ethan Ellenberg, 548 Broadway, Ste. 5E, New York, NY 10012.

CAREER:

Writer and novelist.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Alex Award.

WRITINGS:

Dreamer: Drawings, introduction by Edmund White, Penguin (New York, NY), 1984.

(With Warren Norwood) Stranded, Lynx Omeiga Books (New York, NY), 1989.

Freelancers, TSR (Lake Geneva, WI), 1995.

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream: The Official Guide, preface by Harlan Ellison, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1995.

Angel Devoid: Face of the Enemy, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1996.

F.R.E.E. Fall, TSR (Lake Geneva, WI), 1996.

Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1996.

Oddworld Abe's Oddysee: Unlock the Official Secrets, GW Press (Auburn, CA), 1997.

Redneck Rampage—in Your Face! Unlock the Secrets, GW Press (Auburn, CA), 1997.

Shadow Warrior: The Unauthorized Game Secrets, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1997.

Zork Grand Inquisitor: Unauthorized Game Secrets, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1997.

(With Michael Brown) A, D, and D Descent to Undermountain: Unlock the Secrets, GW Press (Auburn, CA), 1997.

(With Ted Chapman) Blood: The Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1997.

Duke Nukem Sixty-four, GW Press (Auburn, CA), 1997.

Duke Nukem PSX: Unlock the Secrets, GW Press (Auburn, CA), 1997.

Ecstatica II: The Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1997.

The Lost Library of Cormanthyr, TSR (Lake Geneva, WI), 1997.

Nightmare Creatures: The Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1997.

Black Dahlia: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1998.

Glover: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1998.

Nightmare Creatures Sixty-four: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1998.

Space Station Silicon Valley: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1998.

Rayman Two, the Great Escape: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1999.

Rising Tide, TSR (Renton, WA), 1999.

Under the Fallen Stars, TSR (Renton, WA), 1999.

Xena, Warrior Princess, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1999.

Young Hercules (based on the teleplay by Andrew Dettman and Daniel Truly), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Blaine Dee Pardoe) My Blood Betrayed, New American Library (New York, NY), 1999.

Croc Two: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1999.

Draconus: Cult of the Wyrm, Prima Publishers (Roseville, CA), 1999.

Hybrid Heaven: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1999.

(With Donato Tica and Jeff Barton) Jet Force Gemini, Prima Publishers (Rocklin, CA), 1999.

Legacy, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1999.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, Prima Publishers (Roseville, CA), 1999.

Silent Scope: Prima's Official Guide, Prima Publishers (Roseville, CA), 2000.

Snowday, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Realms of the Deep, Wizards of the Coast (Renton, WA), 2000.

Die Hard Trilogy Two: Viva Las Vegas, Prima Publishers (Roseville, CA), 2000.

Mummy Dearest! Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Redemption, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, Prima Publishers (Roseville, CA), 2000.

The Sea Devil's Eye, Wizards of the Coast (Renton, WA), 2000.

(With Michael A. Sommers) Gene Marshall: Girl Star, Hyperion (New York, NY), 2000.

Bruja, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Pirate Pandemonium, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Revenant, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2001.

The Rover, Tor (New York, NY), 2001.

The Sea of Mist, HarperEntertainment (New York, NY), 2001.

The Black Road, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2002.

The Jewel of Turmish, Wizards of the Coast (Renton, WA), 2002.

Hunters of the Dark Sea, Tor (New York, NY), 2003.

The Destruction of the Books, Tor (New York, NY), 2004.

A Conspiracy Revealed, Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2005.

Lord of the Libraries, Tor (New York, NY), 2005.

The Mystery Unravels, Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2005.

The Secret Explodes, Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2005.

His Legacy Avenged, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2006.

Paid in Blood, Tyndale House Publishers (Carol Stream, IL), 2006.

Blood Evidence, Tyndale House Publishers (Carol Stream, IL), 2007.

The Quest for the Trilogy: A Rover Novel of Three Adventures, Tor (New York, NY), 2007.

Hellgate: London: Exodus, Pocket Star (New York, NY), 2007.

Contributor to periodicals, including Today's Christian Woman.

NOVELIZATIONS

Sabrina Goes to Rome (based on the teleplay by Daniel Berendsen), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Vertical Limit (based on the screenplay by Robert King and Terry Hayes), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Tomb Raider (based on the screenplay by Patrick Massett, John Zinman, and Simon West), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Tom Clancy's Net Force: High Wire (based on characters created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik), Berkley Jam Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Crossings (based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2002.

Image (based on Angel), Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2002.

Shades (based on Roswell), Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2002.

Tiger Tale (based on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch), Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2002.

Cursed (based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2003.

"LEFT BEHIND" SERIES

Apocalypse Dawn, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2003.

Apocalypse Burning, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2004.

Apocalypse Crucible, Tyndale House (Wheaton, IL), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS:

Writer Mel Odom is the author of numerous books, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and young adult novels, many of them linked in some manner to computer games, television, or film.

Among Odom's novels are several fantasies for young readers involving librarian Edgewick Lamplighter. The Rover tracks the adventures of Lamplighter as he follows a messenger who is sent to deliver a package to the Yonderling Docks and is shanghaied by pirates. School Library Journal reviewer Linda G. Sinclair remarked that readers will like the "wealth of creatures in this tale." Sally Estes, in a review for Booklist, called the book a "surefire page-turner."

With The Destruction of the Books, Odom returns to the world of Edgewick Lamplighter. One hundred years have passed since the events of The Rover, and Wick is now a grandmagister in charge of a secret collection of books. Estes, in another review for Booklist, remarked that "plenty of humor tempers the wild action." A contributor to Kirkus Reviews opined that The Destruction of the Books is a "bouncy, funny, cliff-hanger adventure." A reviewer for Publishers Weekly stated: "The narrative moves along at a snappy pace." Harriet Klausner, in a review for Allscifi.com, called The Destruction of the Books an "engaging epic fantasy."

Odom continues the saga of The Rover and The Destruction of the Books with 2005's Lord of the Libraries. In this novel, protagonist Juhg is still reeling from the horrifying events of the previous novel: the Vault of All Known Knowledge being almost destroyed and Juhg's mentor, Wick Lamplighter, kidnapped. While Juhg wants to rescue Lamplighter, he instead reluctantly sets forth to find the four hidden sections of The Book of Time and preserve them from evil forces. Accompanied by the wizard Craugh and others, Juhg finds danger around every turn as they search far and wide for the Book. Juhg also discovers that Lamplighter's abandoned diary holds clues to the locations of the Book's sections. As with Odom's other novels, critics and readers responded positively to Lord of the Libraries overall. Many enjoyed the author's sense of humor and the playfulness that is evident throughout the book. Lord of the Libraries is "charming and coyly amusing," wrote one Kirkus Reviews contributor. Others pointed to the book's adventurous tale and fast pace: it is a "hard-to-put-down page-turner," noted Estes in a review for Booklist.

In 2007's The Quest for the Trilogy: A Rover Novel of Three Adventures, Odom returns again to his librarian hero grandmagister Juhg, who is out promoting schools to other parts of the world. Suddenly the wizard Craugh pays him a visit to ask Juhg to track down three books penned by Juhg's predecessor, Wick Lamplighter. Juhg is told that the books may reveal a way to demolish a weapon that has the power to destroy the world. The Quest for the Trilogy is itself a trio of adventurous tales tied together in one novel. Again, critics lauded Odom for his strong writing and plot development, finding the novel a satisfying follow-up to his previous books about the same characters. "The characterizations sparkle," observed Booklist contributor Estes. In fact, many observers thought that Odom's characters in The Quest for the Trilogy keep getting stronger and more captivating. "Juhg is a resourceful, appealing hero," wrote Jackie Cassada in a review for the Library Journal.

Odom also has written several volumes of the popular "Left Behind" series, including Apocalypse Burning and Apocalypse Crucible. These books are based on biblical teachings having to do with the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ. In an essay for Today's Christian Woman, Odom stated: "Overcoming the evil that will be loosed on the world will come from what God has already taught so many people." Odom addresses these themes from various angles, having also written several novelizations based on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, both of which deal with fighting evil.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Advocate, November 21, 2000, Matthew Link, review of Gene Marshall: Girl Star, p. 66.

Booklist, July, 2001, Sally Estes, review of The Rover, p. 1992; January 1, 2002, review of The Rover, p. 764; April 15, 2002, Ray Olson, review of The Rover, p. 1387; August, 2003, Michael Gannon, review of Hunters of the Dark Sea, p. 1957; July, 2004, Sally Estes, review of The Destruction of the Books, p. 1829; May 15, 2005, Sally Estes, review of Lord of the Libraries, p. 1644; March 15, 2007, Sally Estes, review of The Quest for the Trilogy: A Rover Novel of Three Adventures, p. 33.

Chronicle, April, 2004, "Mortal Fear," p. 37; July, 2005, Don D'Ammassa, review of Lord of the Libraries, p. 20.

Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2004, review of The Destruction of the Books, p. 478; June 1, 2005, review of Lord of the Libraries, p. 617.

Kliatt, January, 2005, Claire Rosser, review of A Conspiracy Revealed, p. 16.

Library Journal, May 1, 1996, review of I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream: The Official Guide, p. 124; August, 2001, Jackie Cassada, review of The Rover, p. 171; June 15, 2004, Jackie Cassada, review of The Destruction of the Books, p. 62; July 1, 2005, Jackie Cassada, review of Lord of the Libraries, p. 73; March 15, 2007, Jackie Cassada, review of The Quest for the Trilogy, p. 65.

Publishers Weekly, January 25, 1999, review of Rising Tide, p. 93; September 25, 2000, review of Gene Marshall, p. 49; April 2, 2001, Karen Raugust, review of Gene Marshall, p. 24; June 18, 2001, review of The Rover, p. 63; June 28, 2004, review of The Destruction of the Books, p. 36; May 2, 2005, review of Lord of the Libraries, p. 181; January 29, 2007, review of The Quest for the Trilogy, p. 46.

School Library Journal, January, 2002, Linda G. Sinclair, review of The Rover, p. 171; May, 2005, Mara Alpert, review of A Conspiracy Revealed, p. 134; October, 2005, Julie Webb, review of The Mystery Unravels, p. 170.

Today's Christian Woman, November-December, 2003, Mel Odom, "An Author Speaks," p. 20; March-April, 2004, review of Apocalypse Crucible, p. 8; May-June, 2004, "An Author Speaks," p. 18.

Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2005, review of Lord of the Libraries, p. 326.