Odd & True by Cat Winters

Odd & True

by Cat Winters

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.
 

Reviewed by shannonmiz on

4 of 5 stars

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You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
The beginning started a wee bit slow for my taste, but after that it picks right up and gets so, so good! I actually didn't quite expect it to go in the direction it did, which for me was a huge plus! Let's talk about more positives, shall we?

  • Family was basically the whole plot. Sure, other people are involved obviously, but this is first and foremost a story about Odette and Trudchen, two sisters with a family history of magical intervention. Monster slaying, to be more specific. The rest of the family is also a really big part of the story, which I loved.

  • Not just one history, but two were shown! The story is told in two timelines- Odette's chapters in the past (from when she's a young girl, to before she meets back up with Tru), and Tru's in 1909, which is when the events take place.

  • Each sister was really well fleshed out.  I loved that they each had very discernible personalities, and stories of their own. But at the end of the day, they were absolutely there for each other and their relationship was a thing of beauty. It wasn't always perfect; far from it. But their love for each other was never in doubt.

  • This book had one of the best endings I have read in a long time. I'll say no more, of course, but it only feels right to talk about an epic ending when there's one to be had.


Bottom Line: If you're a fan of historical fiction, this is a must-read. And if you just flat out like reading about sisterly bonds, this is also the book for you! I'll just be over here impatiently waiting for Cat Winters's next release if you need me.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 September, 2017: Finished reading
  • 1 September, 2017: Reviewed