Cat Winters certainly has a knack for writing strong female characters who persevere regardless of patriarchal societies, societal norms, and physical and emotional setbacks. I love that! I loved Od and Tru from this novel, I loved their separate points of view which set them apart but somehow made their bonds seem even stronger. Both narrators had a strong voice and strong convictions, I appreciated how they worked together but made each other stronger despite their different personalities. The secondary characters were fascinating as well, I would really enjoy getting some stories from Od & Tru's mother's time as it seems she and her siblings also had strong and magical bonds.

The setting was also so easy to fall into as Winters always knows how to set up her reader to experience the atmosphere right as the characters do. I could smell the grass, feel the steam of the train and almost caught a chill from those frigid walks through the forest.

I will say that Odd & True was not exactly what I was expecting from the blurb, but it was just what I wanted from a Cat Winters novel. It was certainly fantastical and whimsy in a way, but it is definitely a historical fiction novel and not a fantasy novel. I am not disappointed by this, because I was still deeply enthralled by this novel but I will say that I was really hoping for a fantasy and maybe a little bit of a kissing book from Winters. She is one of my favorite authors so of COURSE I want her to write my favorite things. That being said, this is one of my top three favorite novels by Winters being beaten by The Uninvited (so sue me, it has kissing parts) and In the Shadow of Blackbirds.

The conclusion was fitting, and I especially enjoyed the epilogue. Everything really came full circle and I am really enjoying pondering what adventures our narrators got into after the finish of their first adventure hunting the Jersey Devil. This is certainly a novel that I would recommend to any historical fiction fan looking for a little bit of fantasy thrown in to their stories of badass female leads. Cat Winters remains one of my most beloved authors, she again wrote a book that I will read again and again.

I was drawn to this book cover. That's what had me click the book to read the blurb and request it. I have another Cat Winters book in my TBR, but I haven't read it yet, after reading this book, that book is moving up the list, and I'll be reading it soon. 

YA and most other categories and genres don't have a lot of healthy sibling relationships. This book has two sets of siblings that interesting relationships, the two main characters Od and Tru, and their mother and her siblings: Viktoria, Mangus, and Maria. The older set of siblings have a complicated relationship, but there is something to be said about their bond that Aunt Vik took in the girls when their mother flaked and ran off. 

The greatest strength of this book in the relationship between the sisters. Everything that drives Od is about Tru. Although they had Aunt Vik as a motherly figure, Od had always felt as if Tru was hers to take care of. Tru had polio as a child and is crippled. One leg is significantly shorter than the other, and she walks with her leg in a brace and a cane. She uses a wheelchair for long distances. Because of this, Od becomes the protector of her little sister. This isn't over played and feels natural. It feels like how a big sister would take care of a younger sibling. Od doesn't become overly motherly to Tru, they are sisters, and the writing shows this brilliantly.   

One thing I must point out is my very first reactions to the start of this novel. At the beginning of this story, I got a strong vibe of Supernatural, the TV show. Siblings, going creature hunting, one parent appears to be dead, the other is deeply involved in the creatures. I love Supernatural, so this was one more thing about this books that warmed my heart. The story does go in a very different direction than the show, but the opening few chapters feels influenced. I half expected the girls to head to Colorado to take down a Wendigo. 

The story is told in two narratives, which I found very effective. Tru's half was "present day" which is 1909, but when the story is taking place. Od's narrative starts on the day Tru was born and goes up until she climbs through Tru's window on Tru's 15th birthday. I think this technique works really well for this story because Tru doesn't know everything, and Od needs to explain things, but this doesn't read like an info dump. It's Od explaining how they got where they are. It's built in the backstory, and it's executed very well. 

The was mystery and drama mixed in the story of the Leeds Devil more commonly called the Jersey Devil now, was fascinating. I am very into this kind of stuff, I greatly enjoy shows like Supernatural, and shows and podcasts about urban legends and myths. I eat this stuff up. 

I am not going to pretend to know a lot about the turn of the century. However, this book fits into my expectations of what the last 1890's to 1909 would look like. The girls are in dresses that sound like Victorian era, with hats and big hat pins. They ride on trains and horse drawn carts. It felt authentic to me. It read a well researched and well written.

I also loved how Tru's polio was written. Again, I am not an expert or even a novice on polio, but I think that Tru wanting to rest, how she talks about how her leg doesn't work, how other people see her because of her cane and limp, fit. Tru also wasn't written as a character to be pitied. She knew she had a disability, and she knew she has limitations, yet there is nothing she wants to do, that she doesn't do. She doesn't let it stop her. She may go a little bit slower, but she gets there. I thought that part of the story was well done. Her disability wasn't skimmed, and it wasn't used as a plot device. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book to people who, like me, are into urban legends, but also those looking for a book with healthy sibling relationships.

Odd & True will captivate you from page one. Cat Winters has created a surprisingly imaginative story. Prepare yourself for a journey of life, love, horror, and shocking twists.

The Plot: Trudchen has grown up with the stories her sister, Odette, has told her about monsters and hunters. So far, the only monster she has ever met was the one that disabled her as a child, Polio. At the age of fifteen, two years after Od has mysteriously been sent away by their Aunt Viktoria, Tru gets a knock on her window in the middle of the night. Reunited, Od drags Tru on an adventure to hunt the infamous Leeds Devil. But will the sisters discover more horrors than a supposed monster?

This one was quite the unexpected read. It held promises of Supernatural style hunting with historical fiction aspects from Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, but it delivered so much more! It was a medium paced, fantastic, coming of age story with hidden bits of horror, whimsy, and intrigue.

I absolutely loved this book! It gets all the stars from me! I finished it in one day and cannot stop thinking about it. Winters did an exceptional job with creating this story around the sisters, Trudchen and Odette. There is this incredible bond between the two that only true sisters can have! The setting and world building is outstanding and the characters were outstandingly written!

Odette was such an amazing oddity. She had such depth and portrayed a sense of disconnection from reality. She was brave and fragile at the same time. She truly cared about her sister, and had such woeful determination to accomplish her search. She added both gravity and fantasy to the story and helped to shape Trudchen's character.

Trudchen was a fantastic character. As a child, she was innocent, gullible, and curious. She undergoes an incredible transformation and becomes a grounded, skeptical young lady. She doesn't let her disability hold her back and she holds grand morals of knowing right from wrong and showing love for family.

I recommend this book hands down! Odd & True will take you on a journey through the lives of these two sisters and all the bumps in their road. It is full of unexpected twists and has an ending that will both surprise you and leave you wanting for more! This one gets a full 5 stars from me and I am terribly excited to read more from Cat Winters!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amulet Books/Abrams Kids for providing me with this free Advanced Reading E-copy in exchange for my honest review!

Very clever little book. The dual pov, and the different time frames help forward themes of truth, perspective, and storytelling. While there are some parts of the narrative which are easy to see coming, Winters manages to make the reader constantly question whether the monsters are real, or if it's all just a story told by a mentally ill girl. I'm NOT going to tell you by the way.

Things I loved:

A disabled protagonist. Awww, yassssss! Representation matters. Winters did not shy away the truth about how much it impacts Tru's life and choices. It doesn't make her any less smart, or loving, or questioning, but the impact of a long-term illness or disability is huge, and I have a lot of respect that Winters let's it be huge. She doesn't make Tru angelic through suffering like Cousin Helen in What Katy Did. Ugh.
I spent much of the book hoping that if there really did happen to be monsters and magic, Tru wouldn't be magically healed and "made whole"
I also like the hints that the girl's mother has post partum depression. We're seeing it through the eyes of a child, and it wouldn't have been understood at the time. It would have probably also been written off as female hysteria.

Trudy *sob*

Seeing the bedtime story that Od tells Tru unfold in the "real" past narrative. The Evil Magician magically making the Heroic Father disappear, turning into an uncle who is a bit of a man-whore and drinks too much but loves and adores his sister and niece, confronting his brother in law about his shabby treatment of his family.

Tru's hope that the stories are real. In spite of herself, she wants there to be more, and the reader can't help but have the same hope.

Things that I didn't love:

Some parts were pretty predictable. Od being "sent away" after going into service? Hmmmm. I wonder what happened to a flighty, dramatic young woman who wants adventure......

Tru's character is a bit under-written. I know that the blank-slate protagonist can be useful in allowing the reader to almost over-writte the character with them self, but I'd rather have one with layers. It also makes Tru's disability almost her only defining characteristic. Naive, and disabled. Perhaps it was a deliberate choice by Winters to show how much Tru is in her sister's shadow. Oh, well.

All in all, an enjoyable read.

Odette and Trudchen Grey are descended from monster slayers. At least, that’s what Od believes and tells Tru in the tales she spins her at night in bed in the hills of California. As Tru grows older, and Odette goes away, she starts to doubt Od’s stories. Life settles into a peaceful, ordinary routine on the farm with Aunt Vik. But then Od returns on Tru’s 15th birthday and promises to sweep her away on a monster hunting trip to make their name and fortunes. Is Od being serious. Is there really magic in their veins, or are her tales just tales just masquerades for hard truths? Only time and the turning of pages will tell.

I can’t say a whole lot about this without spoiling it. This is a story along the lines of the original Grimm’s fairy tales. It isn’t all happy, it isn’t all straightforward, and it isn’t always pretty but occasionally you will meet characters who stand out for their goodness, kindness, or courage. If you like tales with narrators you aren’t quite sure how much to trust or if you like historical fiction that watches characters work through hard things, this may be for you. My favorite character is Tru, admirable for the way she has persevered through polio and doesn’t let a crippled leg stop her. And it is a heartfelt tribute to sisters who are also best friends. The book did a fantastic job with the time period and keeping me guessing about where it was headed. If the Brontë sisters, the Grimm brothers, and Willa Cather had written a tale about sisters in turn of the century American West together, this might have been it. If you like the work of those three groups, you should give this a try. If you're looking for Buffy the Vampire in the old West, a pseudo supergirl book, or a light, fluffy happy read, this may not be what you're looking for. (I was hoping for the latter and was a little disappointed, but still respect the skill of the way the book was written.)

I was super excited when I was approved to review this book. I had heard nothing but good things about it and it definitely did not disappoint.

I went into this novel not sure of the premise. I love Od and Tru. They are both well developed characters and I found myself rooting for them. They were definitely complex. I loved how the chapters alternated between present and past. The past chapters definitely helped provide more insight in the present chapters for the characters and their flaws.

The myths and lore were also great metaphors. I loved how the myths and the girl's lives came together at the end. I look forward to the next book if there is one.

It's a pretty good sign when a book hasn't even been published yet and I'm hoping for a sequel. I was already a fan of the author and was excited by the premise, which did not disappoint. I loved this world and these characters, and I need Cat Winters to tell me it doesn't end here because I'm too damn invested now. Get a hand mirror and a purple coat and put this on your reading list. Much thanks to Amulet Books and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

This is a wonderful book set in the early twentieth century with two unusual protagonists. I am an absolute sucker for books where the focus is on the relationship between sisters and Winters manages that beautifully here. In fact all the character relationships whether sweet, realistic or down right creepy are well depicted. There's plenty of time appropriate detail and the story is amazingly atmospheric. Odd and Tru are brilliant characters. If you are a bit fed up with cookie cutter YA romance try this. There's no love interest and it's all about the bond between sisters. A dark and atmospheric delight.

So, if I had to compare this to anything it wouldn't actually be a fantasy novel (shock) it would be the science fiction novel published not so long ago The Space Between the Stars because this is another novel that starts you off feeling like it's one thing and leaves you in a puddle of tears on your bedroom floor. Problem with that is, it makes it hard for me to review it without spoiling it for you...

So I'll do my best, but this might not get super specific.

Most important thing in this book? The relationship between the two sisters. If that hadn't been set up well this would have just been a complete mess. Thankfully, the relationship between Od and Tru is simultaneously beautiful and real. It doesn't overwhelm you with unrealistic sibling goals but rather it shows you how powerful those relationships can be!

The story is told through Tru's voice in the present and Od's story through a series of flashbacks both of which are handled well, they aren't particularly distinct voices in my opinion, but you do get the sense of two individuals with different priorities so in my opinion that worked quite well.

It's so annoying not wanting to ruin the story because it means I basically can't say anymore. Suffice to say, do not go in expecting generic fantasy, that isn't what you'll get. Do go in with a couple of tissues nearby because things get a little emotional.

I'm going to stop here because I'm dangerously close to revealing all or crying again. Tweet me if you want to know more (@judithcmoore) and if you've read the book we can natter about it even more!

My rating: 4/5 stars

This book publishes September 12 this year so get your preorder in because I don't think you want to miss this.

By the way, I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really don't know what to say except that this may be the most perfect book I've read this year.

Immersive, beautiful and unique, Odd & True was a delight from start to finish. Author Cat Winters created a dark, multi-faceted beauty of a book, with a lush atmosphere and wonderful heroines, and abound with mystery and fantasy!

This was such a great reaI received an e-copy of this book via NetGalley to review. I loved this book, it was so good! It started off a little slow but it got so interesting and I didn't want to put it down, so I give this book five stars!

Odd and True is out on the 12th of September and I think I will be getting a physical copy of this book also! So this is the first book by Cat Winters that I have read and I think that someday I will give her other books a try. Odd and True is an historical YA fantasy set in the beginning of 1900's.

Odd and True is a book about two sisters, Odette and Trudchen (Od and Tru), Od is the oldest of the two whereas Tru, the youngest, suffered from polio as a child where it ended up almost taking away one of her legs, she has one leg shorter than the other and needs a leg brace to help her walk as well as a cane.

Od and Tru moved to live with their Aunt Vik when they were young when their mother couldn't care for them any longer. When Od is 15 she is sent away and Tru doesn't know where, until Tru's 15th birthday, Od comes back to save her from the 'mosnters' that are coming for her, Od takes her on an adventure across the country to Philadelphia so that they can hunt monsters together. Tru learns the truth behind the stories that Od told her when she was young, finding out what happened with her mother and father. 

This book is done from two points of view, going from the past, Odette's view to the present, which is Trudchen's view, this is how we find out about from the time that Tru was born to what happened to Od when she was 15 and where she's been ever since.

I enjoyed reading this book and I did want to know a bit more once the ending hit and I kept wondering what would happen after everything had wrapped up, it was an interesting book about two sisters and I would defiantly give this another read!d, it wasn't what I expected it to be at all!

While you could read Odd and True as a story of sisterhood and of believing in ourselves, a much more thorough reading would reveal the very origins of fairy tales. And here is where Winters shines. We are treated to a fabulous tale of friendship, of defying the expectations of society, and embracing our hope. Alongside, Winters also probes beneath to the power of fairy tales, to their ability to inspire.

Stories have always been Trudchen’s favorite way of celebrating her birthday, especially the one about her birth in the far off castle, with her monster slaying mother, and the magical disappearance of her father. But now that Odette, her sister, has been away for two years with only letters as correspondence, Tru wonders if these stories her sister told her were merely fairy tales, because her life seems far from a wondrous story. Disabled from her polio, Tru struggles to explore the world and feels like a burden on her aunt. But two years later, Od returns, on the very eve of her birthday saying she returned to protect Tru from her monster slayer awakening. Whisking her away, Od and Tru cross America in search of answers personal to each. One searches for their mother, while the other searches for the next monster to slay now that they are reunited. However, it becomes clearer to Tru as the journey progresses that Od is haunted by something of her own and Tru starts to question everything she knew about her sister, her family, and the journey they are on.

Fairy tales have power. You can feel it in their language, in their purpose, and in their popularity. The language of fairy tales: once upon a time, happily ever after, are pervasive in culture today. They have become legends in and of itself – symbols for a story of love, bravery, and magic. These stories captivate us, entertain us, and educate us. They warn us of the dangers of straying from the path. Warning us of shadows in the night, monsters masquerading as humans, and playing with fire. As cautionary tales, they inspire fear both of the unreal wolves wearing human skin, and of stepping outside the boundary of acceptable society behavior.

Yet what could be more popular than fairy tales? Their popularity encourages movies, retellings, and more all that represent the power that fairy tales have over our mundane everyday life. They also symbolize hope. The idea that someone from the very poorest of classes could rise above and marry a prince, or save a kingdom. Hope is found in these words, the heroines we never thought we could be, and the lives that seem beyond our grasp. But what if it wasn’t?

While I was expecting to love Trudchen, as the narrator of the story, Odette is the one who stole my heart. A fellow bookworm, Od is this complex character who had to grow up too fast, surviving on the stories from her Uncle, and tasked with giving Tru a taste of childhood. Unprepared for the world, Od is thrust into the cold, and she makes mistakes. But she grows up from them, discovers her own power, and bears her share of hardship.

Part of the reason I loved Od so much is the unique way Winters wrote the book – Tru’s narration of her life going forwards, and Od’s memories of the past going backwards. Because of this we glimpse the ‘truth’ behind the stories from Od’s perspective. This felt very much like watching the birth of a legendary story. Witnessing the real facts that became symbols, the men who became monsters, and the women who became heroines.

The entire novel Winters plays with this line between the unreal and the magical. Making us question what is real. This constant jump from back to forth climaxes at the end of the novel as Tru and Od are forced to confront their past, own demons, and the question of their magical powers. The ending, and twist will surprise you and make you appreciate the story once again. It takes the story from an enchanting story to one about the true nature of fairy tales: the ones we inhabit in a world full of whimsy.

Odd and True tells us a story of its own, one with heroines who discover powers, women who become role models, and the legacy of stories we pass onto our children. You’ll love this book not only for its story, but also for how it speaks to our hearts. It confirms the importance of stories to our childhood souls, the power of our origin stories, and the way we are able to cast ourselves in these stories – to find our own monsters, confront our fears, and become our own hero.

Odd & True was my first book by Kat Winters. I’ve read quite positive reviews about her other books and made a mental note to eventually read one of them. So, when I saw this book posted on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to read it. Plus, the badass cover totally caught my eye and the description peaked my interest. While the book wasn’t necessarily what I thought it would be, that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed reading it.

Before I go into why I adored this book, I do want to say that it’s not really about monsters at all. Well, not about mythical monsters like vampires, werewolves, etc. It’s an examination of monsters people face in their everyday lives, hard choices and a tough reality. Sometimes we just need to tell ourselves stories about princesses, monster hunters and castles to take away the pain or to protect others from things that they are not yet ready to face.

The beginning of Odd & True was a bit slow. The first few chapters felt like a chore to get through but then everything changed. I was completely hooked and enchanted by the story’s main characters, Od and Tru. I enjoyed reading a book about a close relationship between sisters. It seems that lately all I’ve read about are relationships of a romantic nature or between friends. While I loved Od for her strength and endurance, Tru really stood out for her empathy, resilience and intense loyalty. Both young women grew so much as the story progressed and I loved how protective they were of each other. We need more relationships like this in YA! The narrator of the chapters alternated between the two sisters and nothing was ever as it seemed. I was never totally sure what was real and what wasn’t...which point of view was reliable?

The writing was fantastic! The descriptions really enhanced the reading experience...it was mysterious, dangerous and full of magic! The locations featured in the story were also a key aspect that really sold the story for me. The beginning takes place in late 1800s California where everything is sunny and bright, while much of the book is set in early 1900s Oregon and the mid-Atlantic states. The contrast between dark and light, good versus evil, the past and the present perfectly set the tone of the book and atmosphere of the book. And the ending...well the ending just floored me. It was perfect in every single way! I do want more from these characters and I have my fingers (and toes) crossed that Ms Winters will write another book or novella. Please?!?!

It was hard to end this book! I sat and stared at the last page for a while and sighed. I read it while waiting for my flight and didn’t realize how quickly I read through it. So, don’t let the slow start turn you off because once things get going, it’s a non-stop adventure. You really need to read this book!

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the copy of this book in return for an honest review*

I do not know how this is my first Cat Winters book. She has been on my radar for awhile and I have only heard amazing things about her books and writing. When I saw this on netgalley I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed. I want to state it at the beginning of my review that what really sold me on this book was the ending.

I loved the time period in which this book took place, it was absolutely perfect for the story and gave something extra to the overall atmosphere of the story. I was also greatly pleased that Winters focused on the relationship between sisters and made that the large focus. So much in YA lately there is such a huge dedication to romance. I believe there is more to life and sometimes more important relationships that should be focused on and spotlighted to let those young adults know it is not all about a love interest. The relationship between the sisters is what really what drove the story and made me love this novel.

At the beginning of the book I felt myself losing interest, it did take a little while to really get the story and characters to grab me, but it was worth it to complete to book. I felt like there was great character growth throughout the book and really enjoyed seeing it slowly take place as the story goes back and forth between present time with Tru and the past with Od. I found that Winters did a fabulous job with incorporating Tru as a disabled character. Winters showed that Tru was able to persevere and not let her limited mobility keep her from going after what she wanted. I thought it was really important that Tru never let it hinder her. It was really inspiring. The sisters were so full of life and imagination.

Overall I found the story to be heart warming and full of whimsy. It had some really important messages that Winters really drove home at the end that many people can find guidance in. Od and Tru are some pretty kickass sisters who never give up. This story was absolutely marvelous and full of monstrous creatures. I will for sure be reading Winters other works and cannot wait for this book to be published.

Loved Odd & True! This beautifully written story combines fascinating characters, history, paranormal, and human nature in a compelling and entertaining way. Can't wait to recommend it to teens, and adults, too!

This ARC from Netgalley sounded perfect, it follows two sisters and they go monster hunting in early 20th century America but it's not quite as supernatural, ghoulish or dark as I thought it would be although it is a YA book. It has themes of family secrets, sisterhood, family legends, teenage pregnancy/adoption and disability, the latter two I haven't experienced so I'm not 100% sure if the representation is accurate.

I like the writing style as it's so quick and easy to read, I like the two main characters although Odette is quite annoying at times and it was enjoyable for what it was. I like the setting and time period as well as the supernatural elements and family secrets but sadly I wasn't wowed by it but I'd still recommend it for a quick, enjoyable read - it is over 350 pages, making it one of the longer books I've read this month but it's an easy read so perfect to read in the garden.

Ever impressive, Winters creates atmosphere like no one's business.

While this one is a bit slow to start and the asynchronous timeline baffles at the beginning, it begins to take shape and pay dividends ultimately demonstrating the power of family: all kinds of family and love and the need to protect.

There is so much going on and so many characters that I needed to stop at several points to understand the relationship between Uncle Magnus and the girls, specifically Odette, but then Aunt Vik and Uncle William and the girls. Maria's motivation for ultimately leaving the girls to her sister and brother-in-law and how they lived for so long in the orchard away from everyone. Yet ultimately it's about Odette and Trudchen's relationship with each other and themselves and the obstacles that they overcome. Such a beautiful message with a creepy underbelly.

This book was very intriguing. I went into it expecting a much different type of story, but I was not disappointed. The relationship between Od and Tru was profound and I enjoyed watching it grow from childhood to the brink of adulthood. The back and forth timeline was not at all confusing and if anything kept me reading to see what would happen next. The book shed light on an interesting time period, as well as several of the issues that faced people, especially young women, of the age.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

Really enjoy this book and the author’s writing. From the blurb, I was expecting this book to be kind of like Supernatural (the tv show) since we have two sisters hunting down evil and demonic creatures. However, Cat Winters really increased this story by creating a whole new magical universe, full of tales and mythical things, plus she’s really good at writing a horror story. I also like the main characters, especially Trudchen, since you can really feel how much she suffers from her condition. Overall, it was good book. Giving it 3 stars rating, just because I found it to be a very slow reading sometimes.