Friday, September 1, 2017

Review: Odd and True by Cat Winters

Title: Odd & True
Author: Cat Winters
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Amulet Books (September 12, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Historical/Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
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've always loved Winter's stories. The pure imagination that goes behind them as she merges both a historical feel and a paranormal element to every tale she weaves. Her latest, True and Odd Tales has to be one of my favorites yet.

Told in both Tru and Od's point of view as it weaves both through the past and present tenses, this story magical unfolds as each girl comes to find out not only about herself and their family secrets but about their past as well and what it means to be a Lowenherz  and the legacy that was left for them. 

I love that this story isn't just about hunting monsters, in fact it isn't really about that at all. In truth it is a story about growing up and dealing with the situation and circumstances that both Tru and Od have to go through as they get older, grow up and really learn about their family secrets. It's about Tru dealing with being crippled by Polio and Od's adventures, heartache, and having to deal with being the older sister and everything that comes with a family that isn't all that it seems and has secrets not only from the girls, but from each other as well. 

This was a fabulous coming of age story rip with intrigue and mystery and just enough of a touch of the maybe paranormal to get fans of both genres interested and curious and eagerly turning the pages. 







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

32 comments:

  1. I saw this cover and was so intrigued! I love the sound of it and that it has a lot of elements to it. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Grace, it was definitely an intriguing story.

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  2. I love this cover! Poor Tru. Dealing with a debilitating and painful condition makes me sad. I like the idea of sisters solving the mystery of their past. I do hope they had some magic. Wonderful review! :)

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    1. It was an interesting read and I did like that the MC had a disability but was still strong and determined.

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  3. Oh wow I LOVE this cover and your fantastic review!! Happy Holiday Weekend!!

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    1. It really does have a fantastic cover. ;) Have a great weekend too Debbie!

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  4. I confess that I'm curious about this one. It looks different

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  5. I really like the sound of this one.

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    1. It really was different like most of her reads and of course, fun. ;)

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  6. This sounds like a story I could sink my teeth in. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

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  7. I swear I'm going to read one of her books one day! This does sound intriguing.

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    1. You should, none of her stories are your garden variety anything so I know you would like them.

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  8. I'd seen this book around, but somehow it slipped me by that Cat Winters wrote it. She's so talented. I'll have to give this one a read.

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    1. Definitely read it, it was a fun and different one.

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  9. Can you believe that I've never read a book by Winters before? I know I'm totally missing out! I'm glad to see that you were able to enjoy this one too! Fab review! :)

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    1. You should definitely try her, her stuff is so much fun and always unusual. I think you would like her.

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  10. Glad you liked this one, Ali. I can't wait to read it.

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    1. It was different but really good, I think you will like it.

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  11. An old timey Dean and Sam, how cool!

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    1. Well maybe not as BA as them but in a way, yes!

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  12. this looks super fun. I really need to give Winters a try. I think I have 2 of her books because of you and Heidi :D

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    1. At least you have some so you can try her! She really is a good writer. I can always count on her to deliver something fantastical. ;)

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  13. You had my interest with the author and totally sold me with the review. Oh yea, I love that it has made a bit of a switch up and is more about growing up. I'm adding this one to my wishlist.

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    1. Woo hoo! I really hope you like it, she is a great author, definitely writes stuff that stands out.

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  14. Yeah but hunting monsters sound like more fun to me.

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  15. This sounds really good! I STILL need to read a book by this author; though it's not for lack of wanting too!

    -Lauren

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    1. I understand, I have those authors as well. ;)

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