Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Book Review: Odd & True by Cat Winters

Odd & True 
by Cat Winters
Publication Date:  September 12, 2017 
by Amulet Books
Genre:  Young Adult; Historical Fiction; Supernatural
Pages:  368
Source:  NetGalley ARC
My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 (4.5/5 Stars)



I received the advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small percentage if you make a purchase through one of my links.


Trudchen grew up hearing Odette’s stories of their monster-slaying mother and a magician’s curse. But now that Tru’s older, she’s starting to wonder if her older sister’s tales were just comforting lies, especially because there’s nothing fantastic about her own life—permanently disabled and in constant pain from childhood polio.
In 1909, after a two-year absence, Od reappears with a suitcase supposedly full of weapons and a promise to rescue Tru from the monsters on their way to attack her. But it’s Od who seems haunted by something. And when the sisters’ search for their mother leads them to a face-off with the Leeds Devil, a nightmarish beast that’s wreaking havoc in the Mid-Atlantic states, Tru discovers the peculiar possibility that she and her sister—despite their dark pasts and ordinary appearances—might, indeed, have magic after all.


I am always drawn to supernatural fiction, especially historical supernatural fiction, so I was very eager to read this book.  This is the first book that I've read by Cat Winters and it certainly won't be the last.  I thought this was an intriguing story with compelling characters.  

The story takes place in America, in 1909, and revolves around sisters, Trudchen and Odette, as they seek to find their mother, who left the family back when the sisters were young.  Along the way, the sisters discover more about their family history, while finding the courage to face their mother and the notorious Leeds Devil. The story is told in multiple perspectives, each chapter alternating between Tru and Od's points of view.  

Odd & True is a story that centers on family dynamics and family secrets, with some supernatural elements thrown in, so don't expect an "in your face, monster-slaying adventure" on every page.  There are some supernatural moments (that are scary), but I feel that the story focuses more on the bond between the sisters and their family history.  I found that I really loved reading about the sisters' experience, and I enjoyed the mystery of whether their family members really were monster-slayers.  Was everything they were told a lie, or do the monsters really exist?

I felt that Tru and Od were well-developed characters and I loved their courageous spirit and the strong bond between them.  They have endured a lot, especially since their mother left, but they became determined to find their mother and face their demons.  I fell in love with Cat Winter's beautiful writing, and the way she described the eerie settings gave the novel a gothic vibe that fit well with the story. 

If you're looking for an intriguing, historical fiction read (with paranormal elements), then you should definitely pick up this book. I can't wait to read more from Cat Winters!   

__________________________


Follow Me on Social Media



Subscribe to Tara's Book Addiction for Post Updates

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner


No comments:

Post a Comment