This book was such a great mix of history, heart and grief. I loved Odette and was happy to watch her grow as a human being. From living small life devoid of love and joy, to making a family with the ones she loves. I can’t wait to see what Julianna Edwards will write next!

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with this E-Arc

I loved this book. The characters were so strongly written and real that I actually found myself getting angry and frustrated with them, to the point that I had to put the book down for two days because I was so mad at some choices made by Odette. The plot was interesting and rich. At times I felt that the author packed in too many challenges and obstacles, but, ultimately, I liked how those events moved the story along. And the writing was beautiful. The author captured so many real, raw emotions: grief and loss, shame, despair, hope, friendship, love. This deeply-damaged character's growth arc was real and her strength was well-earned. I look forward to recommending Odette Rising to my friends.

Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards

Thank you Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

The young Odette, just twenty-one years old and entirely walled off from society, has spent the bulk of her life in isolation. After the death of her father, a man who was more a stranger than a parent, she takes the first step in her journey to finding her footing in turn-of-the-century France: leaving the comfort of her home. Odette’s lifelong struggle with self love accompanies a slew of new hardships as she takes on responsibilities that even society deems unfathomable, like taking over her father’s hosiery factory as a woman. Throughout the story, she slowly and courageously branches out, making new friends (and enemies), all while discovering where she fits.

Edwards manages to hone in on the lives of a multitude of characters, not just our protagonist, giving readers a necessary glimpse into the motivations behind their actions and a wide breadth to the overall story. It is a strong utilization of third person. Because of how much Edwards delves into other characters, readers also better understand how Odette is being received as both she and the story progress. We witness change in some of the most raw ways, especially for people who were living in a time period in which the year itself was so much an obstacle that people–women–never thought able to challenge it.

I found Odette’s view of society particularly enthralling, as she thought it was almost shameful, something not to care about at all. Rather than succumbing to the world that shunned her and kept her locked away, Odette manages to challenge society while simultaneously overcoming its stone-set limitations. She incurs a plethora of unique perspectives that stem from her upbringing–wealthy, but ostracized due primarily to her weight. It makes for a gripping story. With surprising turns and a brilliant conclusion, Odette Rising will linger, a reminder that everyone is capable of bravery and self love. This story is Odette’s, and it is one worth reading.

Beautiful lyrical writing style 🩷

Great strong characters like Odette (love her name )

Odette was a strong easy to relate to character

The story was beautiful,detailed and unique

Julianne Edwards writing style completely pulled me In. It is so unique and descriptive that I genuinely felt like I was there with the characters the entire time. The world felt vivid, immersive, and easy to get lost in. I found myself fully invested in Odettes journey from the get go, so much so that I was eager to keep reading every night. The book was full of awkward moments and I found myself genuinely feeling for Odette. I will be looking forward to more works from Edwards.

Thank you NetGalley and Viking Penguin for a chance to review Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Odette Rising* earned every hour I gave it. Edwards writes characters with such precision and weight that I found myself genuinely furious with Odette's choices — put the book down for two days, that kind of furious. The plot is rich, occasionally overstuffed, but the obstacles accumulate with purpose and the story earns its momentum. What stays with me is how honestly Edwards renders grief, shame, despair, hope — the full emotional register, nothing softened. Odette's transformation never feels granted. Her strength is excavated slowly, from damage, and that makes it land. A book I'll be pressing into hands. Highly recommended.

“Odette Rising” by Julianne Edwards is a beautifully written novel set in Sevre’s France in the late 1800’s. The characters experience pressure from society and from their perception of themselves. Odette is in her early 20’s and has lived as a shut in for many years. She is lonely, disconnected, and filled with shame. She had no real interaction with anyone beyond her father and the staff and has no knowledge of the world outside her room. For years, her world has been limited to food and books. When her father dies at the beginning of the book, she forces herself to leave the house to attend his funeral. This is the beginning of her being propelled into the world. After the funeral, her father’s lawyer comes to inform Odette that she has inherited both a fortune and a stocking factory. She has no need, nor desire, for either. However, she has experienced a breath of air and a view of a larger world and she wants more. Now, with the reading of her father’s will, she has been handed a responsibility and must rise to the challenge.

This is the story of how Odette learns to accept herself and move in the world. It is a story of growth and friendship. Odette faces many difficulties, both from within and from the society in which she lives. She often doesn’t know what to do and she doesn’t always rise to the occasion or make the best choices. This makes her relatable and human. Odette lacks social graces, yet she possesses an artistic bent and an ability to see others with kindness and clarity. She also has tremendous courage. She is repeatedly forced to make decisions and keep on trying, even when faced with unpleasant consequences and no idea how to handle the situations facing her.

The novel is subtle and I enjoyed that the issues were interwoven and multi-layered. The book held me and I found it difficult to put down. While many of the issues in the novel were quite specific to the historical time and the situation of the heroine, the underlying themes of empowerment, self-acceptance, and connection continue to be relevant today.

This is a strong debut. It is well-written and literary, subtle in its characterizations and references, yet clear in its storyline and historical setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for access to this ARC. This is my honest review.