Book: The Oddmire: Changeling
Author: William Ritter
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers, for providing me with this ARC.

So, William Ritter is a new one for me. This is a middle grade fantasy book. I love how traditional it is in terms of magic: fae, goblins, a mistake, and witches. I also love how most of this takes place in the woods, which always adds an excellent touch to fantasy in my book. I loved the lore and the wonder that William packed into this. I kind of reminded me a lot of the Spiderwick Chronicles and Fablehaven, which are excellent middle grade series that I highly recommend. If you have read those two series, then you know what I’m talking about. It has that in this world touch with a bit of escape into another there. These are the kind of books that will allow kids to leave wondering if there are other worlds out and will get them to pick up another fantasy book.

The characters were well down. The Thing is the prefect middle grade villain. He’s not too scary, but for middle school, you will find yourself hanging on to find out what he is going to do next. I loved the relationship between the two bothers and how each of them thought that they were the changeling. Tinn and Cole have been through a lot together and will probably have a lot more adventures to come. I also loved how the devotion was there from their mother and how she would do anything for her sons.

So, why only three stars? I have read a lot of other middle grade-I teach it. This book did not have the punch that other middle grade books had have for me. Like with young adult, middle grade is getting to be more and more complex. Younger middle grade would really enjoy this, but I can honestly see my seventh and eighth graders kind of bored with it. I guess what I’m getting out whenever I compare this to other middle grade books, this one doesn’t have the same quality. This reads more like a children’s book than middle grade.

Another thing I struggled with was the fact that it jumped around from the different point of views too quickly. Again, as an older reader, this would be fine, but my struggling readers would have a very hard time with this. I just wish that the translations from point of view to point of view were more clearly marked.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes! Will I read the rest of the series? Probably, after all, this is the first book and we all know that series get better as they go on. So, I guess, if you have child interested in Fablehaven and Spiderwick Chronicles, then pick this up for them.

This book comes out July 16, 2019.

This was really fun and cute! I continue to admire Ritter's technique as a writer, though some of that was lost by the formatting not being set right in the e-ARC I read, and I will definitely look for the next Oddmire story! I think I was just a little put off by how MUCH younger this one read than Jackaby. I knew it was for a younger audience, but I didn't expect the gap to be quite so large. Still, a delightfully magical story that I know I will find many readers for!

Magic is fading from the Wild Wood. To renew it, goblins must perform an ancient ritual involving the rarest of their kind—a newborn changeling. But when the fateful night arrives to trade a human baby for a goblin one, something goes terribly wrong.

After laying the changeling in a human infant’s crib, the goblin Kull is briefly distracted from his task. By the time he turns back, the changeling has already perfectly mimicked the human child. Too perfectly: Kull cannot tell them apart. Not knowing which to bring back, he leaves both babies behind.

Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. Then when they are twelve years old, a mysterious message arrives, calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic.

 The boys must leave behind their sleepy town of Endsborough and risk their lives in the Wild Wood, crossing the perilous Oddmire swamp and journeying through the Deep Dark to reach the goblin horde and discover who they truly are.- Goodreads




How freaking perfect was this book?! I probably just start off by saying anything William Ritter writes, I will read it. If you haven’t taken the time to read his Jackaby series, you are missing out. Seriously missing out. But this book review isn’t about Jackaby but about the new series called Oddmire.

As a disclaimer, you need to know that this book is for middle school children; however, there are adult themes that a child may miss but you will not. This book with all its magic and fantasy holds on very tightly to family, different types of family, traditions and most importantly love and its different forms.

The book is told in different point of views; the brothers, Tinn and Cole, the Mother, Annie, Kull and another person that I will not mention at this time. The different perspectives adds this layer that clearly separates the emotions the author wants you to feel. However, one emotion that is not present at all in this book is excitement; specifically Tinn and Cole. They not exactly excited for the adventure and rightfully so. This somber mood does not change at all in this book, however, the really cool thing about it is it doesn’t bring you down. You have that hope that everything is going to be alright when there are moments you strongly believe things won’t be alright.

I wouldn’t say that this was a slow read. It is very detailed without it feeling as if the author is reaching or dragging you along. You are invested because there is something new being added to the story (tastefully being added) and you don’t feel overwhelmed. Everything is connected and the ending although a little lackluster was a pretty decent way into the second book.

Overall, if you like fae, magic, etc but don’t necessarily enjoy the violence or the protagonist trying to fight tradition, this would be a good book for you even if you aren’t a child.

4 Pickles

An old-fashion story that plays to so many of the elements children have loved for ages. The goblin stealing the human baby... the Wild Wood encroaching on the town... and the quest to save earth from the evil horde.

The Oddmire starts with a description of The Thing. A spectral evil being that feeds on all the fear and anxiety of world. It lives deep in the living forrest next to an idyllic hamlet. Magical creatures and human alike stay far away from its brambled den. Even the Witch of the Forrest has no contact with this nether spirit...

The story shifts to the night of the fumble... a goblin named Kull sneaks into a particular house and places a goblin into the crib next to the small sleeping child. Distracted, he loses track of which child is which... Kull panics and leaves both the changeling and the human in the house. He figures he can go back and retrieve the right child as some point. Over twelve years of watching and he still can't tell the difference... until the night of the full moon approaches and he lures them into the forrest on a 'quest.'

Tinn and Cole are mischievous young men... always getting into trouble and a handful for their mother. And scorned by the townsfolk because of the origin, whispers of the The Changeling have plagued their upbringing and each has experienced some of the shunning of the community. They question it themselves... 'Am I bad? Am I a goblin at heart?'

This tale is strong in pacing with quick, engrossing chapters. The human characters are allowed to grow a bit before the magical elements start to be infused into the story. When the twins cross over into the woods, the story changes to one of real evil and poisoning villains. I loved the little girl who appears and helps the pair through some challenges. Also a character of note is the twins' strong mother who stops at nothing to help her sons, not caring if one might be a goblin in disguise.

A middle-grade piece to be read when the sun goes down... The Oddmire promises to be a series that should bring about more stories of the gap between the Earth and the other side of the wall... the protected realm of faeries and other shades.

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley Algonquin Young Readers, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

This book was so much fun! It immediately hooked me and would have hooked my elementary/middle school self even more. I loved the whole finding a magic land with magical creatures thing (still do) and this book just had everything.
It was so much fun not knowing which twin was the changeling and I loved their journey through the forest looking for the goblin horde.
Cole and Tinn were the perfect typical troublesome boys with great hearts. Fable was the most adorable girl. Annie was such an amazing mom, ready to do whatever it took to keep her boys.
The writing style of this book was wonderful, it was written perfectly for middle grade, but it also kept me engaged as an adult.
Everything was wrapped up nicely, but the epilogue set up nicely for a sequel and I can’t wait to read it!

I loved William Ritter's Jackaby series so when I saw this book I couldn't wait to read it and I am so satisfied. Ritter is so good at writing the supernatural and did a great job with it in middle grade as well. I can't wait to tell the students in my library all about it!

There’s something about Changelings that always piques my interest. The idea of goblins swapping human infants for these creepy little terrors than can wreak havoc upon the parents, and sometimes leave them for dead, is utterly chilling.

When I first read the synopsis of Changeling: The Oddmire #1, I was immediately drawn to the idea of changelings in a middle grade setting (I just want to clarify, don’t understand middle grade horror because it is still equaling as chilling). However, this is not your ordinary changeling story. When Kull attempts is in the process of swapping infants, he is interrupted when Annie (the mother) hears his racket and immediately goes to the nursery when her newborn son is fastly asleep. To her surprise, Annie is no longer a mother of one healthy boy. She is now a mother to identical twin boys.

As Tinn and Cole grow older, the townsfolk tend to keep their distance since they know that one of the boys is in fact a changeling. The problem is that even the boys are unaware as to which one of them isn’t entirely human. One day, they receive a mysterious letter that claims that the changeling is to return to Wild Wood or face a most certain death, but the changeling is to go into the woods alone since it is a guaranteed death sentence for a human. Since the boys don’t know which one is the changeling and refuse to leave each other behind, they venture off into the dangerous Wild Wood where they encounter unlikely friends and plenty of foes.

One of my favorite things about this book was how strong the sibling bond between Tinn and Cole was. Even though both boys were aware that one was entirely human, that never affected how much they loved each other. Each of the brothers secretly wished that he was the goblin instead of the other to save his brother from despair. Additionally, I also enjoyed the bond between the boys and their mother Annie, whom they loved unconditionally and vice versa. Even though Annie only gave birth to one son, she made it clear when she ran off in to Wild Wood to find her boys that both sons were in fact hers.

Overall, this is a great story packed with adventure, magical beings, mystery, and most of all, love.

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for the eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

Link to blog post (posted on 03 June 2019); https://thereadingchemist.com/2019/06/03/book-review-changeling-the-oddmire-1-by-william-ritter-earc/

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I was excited to see this book listed on NetGalley as I have been pre-reading books before I have my 10 year old son read them. He isn't into reading really so finding fun, exciting, interesting stories is what I look for in middle grade. This definitely fit the bill! It was interesting, the writing was easy to get through, the characters were fun, and I think it's something that he would love! Will definitely read more from this author in the future!

In Changeling, magic is disappearing from the Wood and in order to save it a goblin takes a changeling baby and plans to switch it with a human baby. Unfortunately things don't go as planned and he ends up leaving both babies there to be raised by their human mother.
The main plot takes up when the boys are almost 13, and the goblin invites them into the Wood, which they've grown up hearing scary stories about, as his last chance to try and save it and the rest of the goblins.

This book was really fun, with a sense of humor that will draw in older readers as well. I loved Fable, the little girl they meet in the woods, who has no sense of human manners. I also liked the twins, and it was great reading them as they developed and grew up in such a short amount of time.

There's also a great hook at the end for a sequel that I am definitely going to read

Recommended for fans of the Serafina series, Mez's Magic, and the Darkdeep

I received an electronic ARC from Algonquin Young Readers through NetGalley.
Ritter spins a tale of fantasy worlds co-existing with earthly life. A changeling exchange goes wrong and the human mother raises both boys. The Goblin who made the errors watches over the boys as well. After many adventures, the two (Tinn and Cole) defeat the major evil and restore the balance to the worlds.
Middle grade readers will enjoy the adventure and hints of danger throughout.
The Epilogue offers hints for the return to Oddmire to come.

So, hey here goes: What an amazing story! I probably broke some kind of reviewer code of conduct by reading most of this aloud and I'm not even sorry. This book is simply delicious, the names and prose roll right off your tongue. People like <br>"The Queen of the Deep Dark" will stay with you long after you finish reading this story.

If you are familiar at all with fairy tales you'll know that a changeling is a goblin left behind by magical folk when they want to steal a human child.

In this book, both the Changeling and the human child are left in the human world after a switch goes wrong and are now both around the age of twelve. Cole and Tinn are inseparable. No one knows which one is the goblin and which is human but everyone in the town knows one of them isn't human.


This story is jam-packed with fun characters, scary creatures in the darkest part of the woods, goblins, witches, shapeshifters and more. The humans are strong and resourceful too. I love when a story doesn't depend on "magic" saving the day.

Without giving too much away, the magic of the goblins will be lost forever unless the Changeling presents himself on the day of his 13th birthday. And so, the boys set out together, following a map that shows the way into Oddmire, a forest where they hope to work out the truth, save magic and each other.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available to purchase on July 16th.

After reading and loving William Ritter’s adult series, the first of which is titled Jackaby, I was desperate to get my hands on this book as soon as possible. And I am so, so glad that I was able to! It’s fantastic. There isn’t a single thing that could possibly have been improved.

I love that the main characters are twins, but each has a very distinct personality. While both boys were great characters, I have a soft spot for Tinn. His sweet, anxious nature reminds me very much of my oldest child. I also loved their mom, who goes charging in to the Oddmire after her boys, exactly as any caring mom would do.


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The main characters are easy to relate to, and the storyline is wonderful. There are fantastical creatures aplenty (Hinkypunks! How cool is that?), danger around every turn, and a subtle, but sweet message about being who you are- no matter what.

I could go into all the reasons a parent or teacher should love this book: it talks about feeling like you don’t belong, conquering your fears, and that those differences are gifts. Each twin sees good things in the other that the other hasn’t realized about himself, which is something that I think a lot of people do; they tend to think everyone else has everything figured out. I could talk about how the book doesn’t talk down to its intended age group, how it showcases the power of love.

Or I could just talk about how amazingly fun this book is! I’ll be buying a copy for my son, and I encourage every child (or child-at-heart) who enjoys a good fantasy to pick this book up.

Received via NetGalley for review.

Unfortunately, this is not the book for me. The premise is great (a human baby and a Changeling mixed up before the switch could occur), but it never grabbed me and I kept getting distracted. I've decided to stop about 1/4 of the way through, after much effort.

This was an interesting novel with a great premise and a twisty tale. It was a little hampered with certain dialogues and audience selection, but held together pretty well.
I definitely liked the idea of a changeling getting left behind with the real child as well. This was a new plot that introduced a new world with common ideas and characters. It is set in a dark wood and contains hinkypunks and goblins. These will be familiar to readers and will allow them to picture the new world while exploring its uniqueness. At times I felt that the book was for older kids (10-12) and at others, felt it was for a younger crowd (7-8). This could provide resistance from either group and makes it hard to recommend to readers.
Tinn and Cole were great characters that reveled in mischief, yet still had a softer side when it came to family. Annie was the perfect blend of caring mother and woman warrior. The queen, Fable, and Candlebeard played good supporting roles and helped enhance. I was a little put off by Kull the goblin. He is necessary to the story as the instigator of the plotline and plays a pivotal role throughout, yet I disliked his character for several reasons. His language was very off putting. I found deciphering his words irritating and think it would be challenging for children. He was also very repetitive in nature, continually bickering with Annie and always claiming the same defense.
Even with a few flaws, I did enjoy the story and look forward to the clan’s next adventure. This was an exciting tale that nudged the boundaries of the fantasy world.

Note: This review will publish online and in print in Mountain Times (Boone, NC) on July 16 web, July 18 print

Hede: The odd thing about this story: It will appeal to young and old alike

Subhede: William Ritter begins wonderful middle grade series with 'The Oddmire, Book 1: Changeling'

Steeped in mythology, fairytale, tradition and folklore, William Ritter’s “The Oddmire, Book 1: Changeling” (Algonquin Young Readers) is a fresh hero’s tale worthy of a readership as vast as the Wild Wood it encapsulates.

More, there is magic here. Much magic.

There is the magic of Ritter’s story.

Few are the reviews you’ll find in these pages which offer full marks for a goblin tale, but this is one. With magic fading from the Wild Wood, goblins must perform an ancient ritual of swapping a newborn changeling for a human baby. Except, on the night of the switch, things go wrong and the goblin responsible for the deed is forced to leave behind both babies to be raised as human twins. Those twins, Tinn and Cole, proceed to grow up in the highly superstitious town of Endsborough knowing that one of them is not like the other. One is, in fact, a goblin in human form.

But which one? The boys can’t tell, although each suspects it is him. So, the story is a mystery.

Years later, a dozen years to be exact, the twins receive a nearly incomprehensible message, forcing them to leave their idyllic hamlet to risk life and everything they’ve known about safety and comfort to enter the Wild Wood, cross the Oddmire swamp, travel through the Deep Dark and find both the goblin horde and the secret of their birth. So, the story is a hero’s journey.

There is the magic of Ritter’s writing. Consider a sample of these beautifully wrought, seemingly throwaway comparisons: “All around it, pools of darkness blossomed as if the entire forest floor were a fresh, clean napkin laid over a seeping ink stain.” “A dense forest known by locals as the Wild Wood curled around the town the way a Great Dane might curl around a terrier puppy.” Or, simply, “the door opened with a mewl like a kitten.” So, the story is an adult literary enchantress masquerading as a middle school tale.

And finally, there is the magic of its truths. Hidden between the lines of the best fairy tales are life lessons and secrets children know but dare not speak aloud, and so it is here. “With love came loss.” “Children were the best at fear.” “I did everything wrong … but it’s never too late to do something right.” So, the story is a morality play.

This story, indeed, is many things. And as such, it offers much to attract and tempt a wide audience. Ritter’s brand of magic here is a gift for all readers of the fantastical — young and old alike.

4.5 stars

I received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

The relationship created between Tinn and Cole was phenomenally created--their twinhood was both realistic in the world as well as what I have seen between twin friends. Annie is a boss mom, as is the Queen. They were amazingly well-written, and it's great to see strong mom characters in a middle grade novel.

Fable is a boss. She punched the universe. How much cooler can you get than that?

A must-read for Jackaby fans and William Ritter fans. Well-developed plot, deep and complex characters, and a thoroughly created new world in the Jackaby universe.

On a scale from one to pomegranate? This book is definitely pomegranate.
The Jackaby series holds such a special place in my heart that when I heard Ritter was writing a new series set in the same world, I was ecstatic.
I really need to reread The Map now so I can catch all the references to the goblins, but the little things connecting it to the world of Jackaby were one of my favorite parts of the book.

That being said though, this book stands on its own. Ritter paints a vividly magical picture as we follow Tinn and Cole on their adventures through the Wild Wood and the Oddmire.
The characters were all very well developed, I immediately fell in love with them. Tinn and Cole's brotherly relationship was so heartwarming and pure, I wanted to hug them both. Ritter is also so good at writing strong female characters, and in this case there were not one but two amazing mothers prominently in the story and that's just not something you see a lot of nowadays.

The humor was great, witty, sarcastic, it's always one of my favorite things in Ritter's books.

Overall my only complaint is that the beginning was a bit slow, but that's to be expected with a first book in a series. The set up for the other books in this series is fascinating and I'm already coming up with theories.

Basically, read William Ritter's books. You won't regret it.

I actually finished this a day ago, but had to give myself enough time to write a review.

So I finished this in two sittings, about 2.5 hours. That is mostly due to the fact that it is a middle-grade book, but also it is definitely a "can't put down; want to know what happens next" type of a book.

This was wonderful. I found it thrilling, cute, exciting, and loved all of the characters and the way they were written. This technically hasn't even been published yet and I am so excited for book 2!

I loved Ritter's Jackaby series and was originally super disappointed when I heard he was writing another book, but it was middle-grade and about twin boys. That disappointment was totally unwarranted, this was just as good as his Jackaby novels.

This terrific middle grade fantasy book is about several different families-a goblin family who leaves their changing with a human family (kind of by accident), a human family that finds an extra baby and just keeps it, a mother and daughter, a father with a missing child, and all the stories come together to save the magic in the forest. It's a really fun adventure with wonderful themes of loyalty, family, and love. This is would be a great addition to any library.

Wonderful start to a new fantasy series.

The characters are well-developed, and hence quirky and easy to like and root for them - or dislike them.

I liked the writing style. Loved the banter between the characters. Strong young characters, both Tinn and Cole are wonderful boys and their inner struggle, who the changeling might be, is described very well. Then there are the strong mothers, Goblin's with foul mouths and a sense of humour, lots of other fairy creatures,...

I truly liked this very much and am not only looking forward to a sequel (which will probably take longer than I like), but am also looking forward to the German translation, so that I can give the book to friends and family members.