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!

"In the world of grown-ups, you see, practical thinking is king; dreamers are fools and madmen. How ridiculous that is. I've decided I'd rather be foolish than ordinary."

I think a lot of you guys know that Cat Winters is one of my all time favorite authors. I adored each and every one of her books and I frequently gush about what an amazing writer she is. So, imagine my pleasure when I was approved for Odd & True on Netgalley. I was literally jumping around the house in excitement, eagerly waiting for a time when I could sit down for a few hours and savor Cat Winters's newest masterpiece in one seat.

However, I was also a tad bit scared. Odd & True seemed fairly different from anything she has ever done before, and I wasn't quite sure if it would live up to my grand expectations. I should not have worried. Cat Winters didn't simply live up to said expectations, but exceeded them, as well.

Odd & True is narrated by the two sisters mentioned in the blurb. Od tells us about the past, including their childhood and the years that were spent without each other, while Tru narrates the present.

This type of narration allowed for the readers to be sort of left in the dark for a time, trying to guess what the hell the mysterious Od was up to, and if magic was real or not. Now, obviously, I'm not going to spoil any of this, because I want you all to experience the complexity of the story for yourselves and be as mesmerized by the build-up as I was, but rest assured, Cat Winters does this kind of narration in a fantastic way. The past/present jumps never feel awkward, while the different voices of the sisters spice up the story considerably.

Speaking of the sisters, they were both incredibly complex and well-developed. I rooted for them through everything, and whenever something devastating happened to one or both of them, I was on the verge of tears. They deserve all the love and puppies in the world, I tell you.

I was a bit scared one of them would take on the leading role on her own, but thankfully, Winters refrained from making either of them more important than the other. It was just so natural to see them being equally involved in the story, always sharing the leading role, even when one of them didn't have much of a role in the other's chapter.

Their voices were so refreshingly different. Od was this lively girl who was never too tired to tell magical, lovely stories to her little sister just to cheer her up. She was a huge dreamer, someone who went through awful things, yet survived and came out stronger than ever, full of resolve, always hoping for a better future.

"Endings are beginning in disguise, dear Tru. They signify one door closing and another one opening. They mark the point where the heroine transforms from a person who's been beaten and badgered and bolstered by life into someone who's about to shed her past and metamorphose into an entirely new creature."

Tru was more stoic, someone who lived a more secluded life, a realist with both feet on the ground... at least, that is what she seemed like at first glance. Soon, it became obvious that she was just as resilient as her sister, with a brave heart that was so ready for adventure, and with willingness to believe in magic. Due to a childhood illness she was disabled, having to use a leg brace and a cane or a wheelchair to get around, but that in no way made her a less capable adventurer. She was both emotionally and physically strong and whoever doubted her soon learnt that she was a force to be reckoned with, as was her sister.

"No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side. I promise you, Od. I'll be here."

Something the sisters had in common was their unconditional love for each other - it was so darn beautiful to read about how even in the worst of times they never ever forgot about each other and were yearning for a future where they could be together again. I'd say this is one of the most gorgeously written sibling relationships I've ever read about.

I was a happy ball of sunshine when I realized Cat Winters decided to concentrate on other aspects of the story instead of adding an unnecessary romantic angle. Yep, you read that right, Odd & True is completely devoid of romance. Well, there is a romantic relationship of Od that is brought up, because it needs a proper closure, but the relationship itself took place in the past, taking up only a couple of pages, while the sole purpose of it surfacing in the present is for Od to have her closure.

As per usual, the writing was absolutely gorgeous, it drew me into the story, and made me incapable of putting aside Odd & True even for a few minutes. The description was so on point, I felt as if I had been there with the characters, living their life alongside them.

The pacing was fantastic - slow, but very steady. There was not one part where I was bored or wanted to skim a few paragraphs, instead I was intrigued all through. I'm not sure why many people seem to think slower books are a bad thing? But they definitely aren't, especially when the story and the characters are as well-developed as in Odd & True.

Odd & True isn't like Cat Winters's other works, no. But it's just as perfect as those are, featuring complex characters, strong family-bonds and adventures that are both magical and exciting. 1000% recommended, as is each and every book by the author.

The story idea: 5/5
The realization of the story: 5/5
The characters: 5/5
The cover: 5/5
Enjoy factor: 5/5
Final rating: 5/5

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.

Od and Tru are sisters separated the mundane difficulties in life but forever linked by their fantastic childhood stories. They are reunited on Tru's fifteenth birthday and go on an adventure to track down lost loved ones and destroy a terrible creature that is haunting the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Excellent story, contains themes of sisterhood, family and the importance of believing in a little magic. Will recommend this book to my more mature student readers.

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!

I'm conflicted about this one. I did enjoy it, but I was disappointed that it wasn't a tale of magic and monster hunting like the synopsis like me to believe.

Odd & True was more about the love between sisters, and the pain and heartbreak that comes with life. There are powerful family issues that take place within the story.

There are alternating POVs in the story from Odd (Odette) and True (Trudchen). Odd's POV speaks about their past life and what happened in it, and True's POV speaks about what is going on in the present. Both were easy enough to follow, and were vital to understand everything that was going on.

The magic aspect comes into play because Odd told her sister that her family came from monster hunters, and that their mother had the magical ability to keep them away. She would tell True the story of her birth every year, but each year True would start to question if there really was any magic or if they were just pretty lies her sister told her to keep happy.

"Once upon a time..." she would always say in the beginning, "on a cold January morning in the year 1894, a girl named Trudchen Maria Grey came into the world in a castle built to resemble a stone Scottish fortress called Dunnottar..."

It is said that on their 15th birthday, monsters will come for them. So on True's 15th birthday, Odd shows up and wants her to come with her right away. Based on the knowledge that their Aunt sent True away two years earlier, we know that something happened, but we do not find out until much later. It has to do with the 15th birthday aspect, but not in the way that you would think.

The absolute best part of Odd & True is the relationship between both sisters. You can tell that their love is deep seeded into each other, because even after two years apart, they are still as close as ever with an exception. Odd has been through something mysterious, and True will do whatever she can to get her sister to tell the truth. I loved how Odd would take care of True growing up. True's Polio illness leaves her with only one working leg, but Odd never lets her believe that she is weak.

Technically there are monsters in this story, but I can't say much more without giving it away. There is one monster hunt with the Leeds Devil, but that is about it. If you go into this expecting lots of magic and monster hunting, you will be disappointed. But if you go in with an open mind, you might enjoy this complex story.

My only issues aside from the lack of magic and monsters would be the disappearance of Aunt Victoria and Uncle Magnus. Both are pretty important characters to the story, especially Magnus, but after Odd's last POV with him in the past, we do not hear about him again. It would have been nice to have a wrap up about those two characters.

While Odd & True was meant to be a story about two sisters, it also shed some light about issues that women of that time period faced. There are other issues such as infidelity, alcoholism, prostitution, sex, and an insinuation about romance between siblings. For these reasons, I think Odd & True will appeal to more adult readers, and mature teens.

Nevertheless, Cat Winters knows how to write a story that will draw you in and leave you wanting more.

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.

Cat Winters is one of those authors that when you hear she has a book coming out you mark your calendar to be prepared since she knows how to entertain. This latest offering on the YA alter only adds to that ideal.

She has this way of writing so descriptively the world is painted before your eyes pulling you into the story and keeping you on your toes with twists and turns coming at you throughout her plot but with only enough to keep you guessing as to where she could be taking you. Just when you think you’ve one upped her and figure it all out she throws something else at you to keep you off balance.

This story wasn’t as quick paced right away as some of her others but it didn’t take long to reach the level needed to hit all the emotional sweet spots. I loved how she developed the relationship between Od and Tru and showcased their complex family history. Through their stories you’re often left wondering who to believe as their lives seemed so very different but Winters doesn’t force you to take sides as ultimately this is a journey about them both. She’ll have you emotionally invested in the characters so be prepared because this is one hell of an adventurous ride which ends perfectly and leaves you wishing there could be more adventures with Od & Tru.

Thank you very much for the advanced copy.
This book is not what it seems. When looking at the cover, it feels like it may be a Holly Black type title, a modern fairytale. However, there are two storylines running parallel. One is, in fact, a fairy tale of two very brave sister's of monster-crushing heritage with a magical bag on the hunt to fulfil their destiny. It's an exciting, even if by the numbers, hero (ine) quest. Great story.
What makes this book special is the hard-hitting family saga lying beneath the surface of that magic. There's infidelity and sex and illness and financial commentary dealing with the role of women at the turn of the century. Od's tale of woe and redemption is heartwrenching bit also uplifting.
I only have three stars because I am not sure to whom I should recommend this book. The cover feels like it's teen or YAD however it would be possibly more interesting to adults given the depth of the layers. It's uncertain bit, whoever picks it up and gives it a go will be in for a treat.

This book took me by surprise. I thought it was going to be a let's-go-hunt-monsters type of story but it's more focused on the character development of both main characters and the change from chilhood to adulthood.
There is a great sister relationship that I adored reading and one of my favourite parts is how it's got no romance at all but it's more focused on how they take care of each other despite having gone through a lot (especially Odette).
The beginning was a bit slow and it took me a bit more to get into the story, and I have to say I started enjoying it more once we reached the second half of the book.
It still had some things I didn't expected and I really liked the ending.

The book was very well written, and I really loved the atmosphere throughout. I just wanted a little more from the storyline itself, but overall a good read.