This book just was not for me and I really struggled trying to make it through the first hundred pages. I am not interesting in writing a full review seeing as if I DNF'D it.

This wasn't necessarily a bad book. It was just poorly executed. It could have taken a little bit more editing, working on the pacing of the story and forging of the main characters. As it is, I was somehow bored, frustrated, just begging for the end to come already. It felt dragged out. Trudchen was uninteresting, flat character. I really wanted to love thin, unfortunately, I didn't.

Loved how devoted these sisters were, and their dynamic and faithfulness was wonderful. 
Overall, it was an intriguing read that grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I would have liked just a bit more at the end but the epilogue was very helpful!

Once again, Cat Winters doesn't disappoint! I was so excited to get this ARC because I'm a huge fan of Cat Winters, and I'm really mad at myself for not getting to this earlier. But I got to it now, and it was really, really good! Od and Tru's relationship was very interesting, and the fact that we got to see things from both sisters' perspectives was a nice surprise. I love having alternating past and present chapters, and I thought that that added a lot to the story. I also really liked the disability and chronic pain representation - as someone who occasionally walks with a cane, though not for the same reason as Tru, there were a few parts I thought it should have been brought up and wasn't, but overall it was done very well and I'm so thrilled to have a character like that. And not only that, but a character who's seen with her cane on the cover of the book! (I'll admit that I thought it was another weapon at first, but I think I just wasn't looking closely enough.) And that ending! Major spoilers, so I won't say anything, but it was perfect.

I found this book to be interesting with the flashbacks and the different point of views.

As children, two young women are sent to live with their aunt while their mother is out hunting monsters. When the elder is sent off as a teen and then reappears months later, the two run off on their own to follow their heritage, starting with the Jersey Devil. A cross between horror, fantasy and historical fiction, this story will pull in readers of tall tales and Supernatural fans.

I LOVE CAT WINTERS. I know I’ve mentioned that before, but every book I read by her is amazing! I love how she creates the perfect spooky atmosphere without being too scary. She creates these likable, strong, and independent female characters who are also flawed and vulnerable. Her stories always leave you guessing about what’s real and what’s simply in a character’s head. Also, she does an AMAZING job of putting you in the historical time that the book is set in. Every book of hers is another glimpse at an older America that I feel like we don’t get to see very often and this book is no exception. I really appreciated that this book is about SISTERS and even though there’s a little romance, it doesn’t really play into it.

Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have tried many times to continue this book. I just don't think this book and I were meant to be. I will not leave a review for a book that I did not finish. 
 3/5 - I liked the concept of the story. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Trudchen grew up hearing stories, from her older sister Odette, about her monster-slayer mother and a curse that was placed upon the family. Tru is older now, and Odette has been absent for a year, seemingly sent away by her aunt. Tru doesn’t know whether she should believe in the stories her sister told her, unsure whether they were just lies used to comfort her. Until one day, Od reappears with an old suitcase that supposedly has a magical weapon in. She promises to battle the monsters on the way to attack Tru. The sisters’ start search for their mother which leads them to a face-off with the Leeds Devil. Tru then starts to believe that perhaps monsters do exist, and she might, in fact, have magic. 

I’ve read most of Cat Winter’s books, and I am a huge fan. Her books are magical, haunting, and atmospheric. So, I had high expectations for Odd & True and it did not disappoint. What I usually love about Cat Winters books is the subtlety of the paranormal aspect, and Odd & True was no different, yet had a little twist to it.

The synopsis is a little misleading as this isn’t necessarily a book about hunting monsters. At the centre of Odd & True is a story of family, sisterhood, and secrets, which made this a charming and captivating read. This book was very character driven compared to the rest of Cat Winters’ books but I loved it nonetheless. Od was a very fierce and likeable character. She was, at heart, a storyteller but also a protector and I loved her fiercely. Tru was just as fierce but she was full of scepticism. I loved their relationship and how it developed throughout the book.

Tru was also disabled, she has to wear and brace and/or use crutches due to having polio as a child, but I can’t speak for the representation. Odd & True was written in alternative POVs. Odette’s chapters were set in the past, and Tru’s were set in the present, which was seamlessly done and I loved how the mystery of Odette’s past was slowly revealed into the present day plot.

Overall, Odd & True was an immersive, magical, and atmospheric read with fierce sisters at the centre of the story.

This was a tale that took me by surprise. When I read the blurb I had a very distinct idea of what this book would be like, and be about. It was completely not what I was expecting, and if anything it was even better. It crept up on me - it was unique and fascinating, unusual (or shall I say, odd!), emotional and empowering, atmospheric, beautiful and stunningly written. It was a slow burn, but worth every moment. In the end, it has left a mark with me, and I am so glad I read this novel!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Odd & True by Cat Winters is not at all what I expected it to be, and yet it was so much more. The blurb delivers a fantastical tale about monster hunters, and while this is semi-true, the real truth behind their adventures will leave you breathless. Told in alternating perspectives and time periods, each sister has a different truth that will set you on edge and break your heart.

Odette Grey is the eldest sister who has spent her life spinning stories to her younger sister Trudchen. Od believes in the paranormal, that her mother is a monster hunter and they are descendant from a great German monster hunter. After being gone for nearly two years, she suddenly returns one night to whisk Tru away on a monster-seeking adventure. But she isn’t the same girl that left. The whimsy has left her, there’s a hardness in her eyes and a sadness that can’t be masked. My heart goes out to this young woman who at 19 has already seen too much how the world works.

Trudchen Grey enters the story on the eve of her 15th birthday. She knows one thing and it’s that she misses her sister. So she makes a wish that Od would return and wouldn’t you know it, just after midnight on her actual birthday it comes true. As a child, Tru believed all of Od’s stories about being monster hunters, her their mother was out there protecting them, and how one day she would return and heal her lame leg (an unfortunate side effect of Polio at age 2). Yet now, she’s grown up and no longer believes the monster stories of her youth. Most can be explained away, except for the divination that Tru seems adept at. Tru is a young girl on the cusp of adulthood. She wants to believe and follow her sister everywhere, and yet she’s skeptical and knows that the real truth is still being hidden from her.

Set around the turn of the 20th century, Od’s circumstances and Tru’s naivety fits. I was easily drawn into their world, the present 1909 told by Tru and the past leading up to the present as told by Od. As Tru confronts certain stories, the real truth behind them is revealed by Od’s past. It’s heart-wrenching, especially when the tagline of the book keeps a running theme in your head: “Not all monsters have fangs and claws.” I loved the period of their youth when they were the happiest. Their Uncle Magnus and their absentee father played a large role. Magnus is probably my favorite of the side characters, truly loving his girls and sacrificing what he can for them. In the present, Od and Tru travel to Philadelphia to hunt the Leeds Devil (or the New Jersey Devil). This became an interesting concept to the story, and I enjoyed the paranormal that was thrown in.

Overall while I enjoyed the story, I couldn’t reconcile with the slow pace. I loved the writing style, I loved the characters and their story, but the pace dragged. I dare say that at parts it was just down right boring. I wound up once I hit the 60% mark skimming to the end. I wanted to know what happened, I wanted the details and I wanted to know the truth Tru sought from Od. It is a beautifully woven tale, but it just moved too slowly for me. If you enjoy historical fiction (because there is a lot of historical fact to this novel), a heart-breaking paranormal tale that isn’t as paranormal as you might think, and a story about the true meaning of family, I highly recommend you grab a copy of the book. Despite it’s slow pace, it is well worth the read.

What are your overall thoughts?

This is my first Cat Winters book so I had no idea what to expect when I requested Odd and True to review. The cover is what immediately drew my attention, it put to mind some well-mannered ladies who are just as comfortable taking tea as they are kicking arse, a kind of 1900’s Buffy.

What I got was a much subtler, but no less enjoyable, character driven story of two sisters reconnecting after a period of enforced separation, untangling the threads of truth from their fantastical childhood recollections of their shared past and the more recent experience of their separation.

I enjoyed the shared storytelling. Truncheon’s provides the first person present tense observations, while her elder sister Odette gradually reveals the sisters shared history, from childhood through to present day 1909. I found myself as equally invested in each narrative and would get to the end of each chapter, not wishing for that perspective to change only to be quickly absorbed in the story of the other sister.

What was your favorite aspect of the book?
I really enjoyed the inclusion of a diverse character in a historically set novel, I this incidence it was the inclusion of Trudchen’s disability. I loved that Trudchen was the heroine of her own story, not in spite of her physical limitations, or by overcoming them, but because of her strength of character, the culmination of her life experiences and empathetic personality.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tue- Despite being physically less able than her order, self appointed protector sister, she brings her own strengths to the partnership- strength of character, a strong moral center and bloody minded determination- all of which stand her in good stead when she travels across the country with her sister searching for strange beasts, finds herself fighting for the under dog and in a position to be a positive role model for a vulnerable young girl.

Would you recommend this book?
Yes, I would recommend it for people that like slow building character driven novels about female familial relationships and the many different strengths of young women.

Verdict: Sisters seeking the supernatural armed with a suitcase full of shared history find themselves and each other.

Initially, I was on the fence about this book. As I read, though, my appreciation increased. I started out certain that their link to the supernatural was pure fiction, the product of covering up their pain. As the plot progressed, though that certainty was weakened. And that's the brilliance of this novel. Winters is quite skilled at making us question everything that the characters experience. While the closing chapters were a touch tidier than I generally prefer, the bulk of the novel was thrilling and well paced, exploring the influence of both the supernatural and the mundane on the lives of two sisters.

Odd and True is completely different than what I was expecting, in the best way possible!

I was expecting a world of magic. monsters and adventure, and got that and more albeit in a somewhat different way.

Family drama is a big aspect of Odd and True and at times the story breaks your heart just as much as it lifts you. Odd and True are great main characters and once you learn their back story you really feel for them.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking anything that will take them unexpectedly.

*Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for giving me an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review*

Two alternating perspectives from two very different sisters, this supernatural historical fiction keeps readers guessing whether or not the "monsters" are real, only to realize that whether or not the monsters are real is a secondary point. The novel is about the bond between the sisters, and the monsters are just set decoration. 

I found I enjoyed the chapters set in the past, but felt that Tru's chapters (set in the present) were dull and lifeless in comparison. I appreciated that Tru, who is mostly wheelchair-bound, isn't ever reduced to "the cripple" archetype, but her chapters are bland and her character development remains pretty flat throughout.

If you know me you'll know how much I love Cat Winters' novels. So it's pretty obvious that this was one of my most anticipated reads of the entire year and I was very excited when I got approved for it on Netgalley. And it did not disappoint at all. If anything this was more impressive than I had even expected.

Od and Tru were two of the most wonderful characters I have ever read. They were very different from each other - Od was the more obviously outgoing one but she had a lot of trauma to work through as well. Which means that, as a reader, you are constantly doubting her sanity and how much of what she says actually happened. Tru on the other hand was initially more sheltered but was so, so strong and independent and I absolutely adored her. She had an inherent goodness to her that never waned no matter what happened and I really admire that.

Their relationship was one of the strongest parts of the story. Sister relationships will always intrigue me because I have such an amazing sister. And I loved how utterly devoted to each other Od and Tru were whilst also arguing and disagreeing a lot. It felt very realistic and natural and so I was rooting for both of them more than ever. I not only wanted them to come through individually but also to have a strengthened relationship. Which definitely happened - with a lot of obstacles on the way!

The monster hunting/psychological element of the book was my absolute favourite though. Never before have I read a book that so skilfully played with my sanity. I jumped back and forth between "its all real" and "its all make believe" so many times and I had no idea how it would end up. I do think the ending was the best possible ending, I was very happy with how everything was resolved and wrapped up. And the epilogue was very special and precious.

I know this is a book I'll be re-reading often - especially now I've got myself a finished copy as well! It may even be my favourite Cat Winters book so far. And it makes me incredibly excited for whatever she may write next. It may not fit every Cat Winters fan because it is very different from her other novels in a lot of ways - but it is still her wonderful writing and evocative storytelling, gorgeous scene setting and of course amazing characters.

2.5-3/5 STARS

Unfortunately, I have come to the decision to DNF this book at 35%.
I have been trying to read this book for over two months and I just can’t bring myself to try anymore. I’ve picked it up, put it down, picked it up, put it down. I would read a chapter or two or a couple pages and then I would put it down and wouldn’t be fussed about picking it up again.
I really liked the premise this book had and was so excited to read it, but I just can’t continue on with it anymore.

I believe I set my expectations too high which is why I feel a little dismayed that it wasn’t having the effect I thought it would have on me. 

I didn’t really enjoy the bouncing back and forth between past and present. To me it was quite disorientating at times. Don’t get me wrong, it was really good to read the past and how they came to be where they are now etc. but it was too long. I honestly just wanted to read what Od and Tru were up to now over the past flashbacks.  
I was having a hard time grasping the plot of the novel as well, which isn’t a great thing. 

I did love the relationship the sisters had with each other and that they were strong female characters.
I also enjoyed the actual writing in itself, it was quite magical, you could visualise what was actually happening in the novel and that is when you know the writing is good. 

Maybe one day I will come back to this novel and try again.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me an e-ARC of this novel through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this well written book about two sisters. This book really pulled me in and I never wanted to put it down; I was constantly wondering if monsters exist or not. Well done!

A book with an intriguing concept which sadly falls flat as it focuses too much on the girls trials and tribulations rather than the actual selling point -monster hunting. Despite this, the story is engaging but I would have like to read more about the Sister's monster hunting escapades.

I have been eager to read a Cat Winters book for ages. Each one sounds so interesting--historical YA fiction set in the Pacific Northwest! Diverse characters and fantasy elements! But the pile gets bigger and best laid plans and so on. When Odd and True showed up on Netgalley though--sisters fighting monsters!--I figured, here's my chance.

My expectations based on the cover copy were of a bit of a rip-roaring adventure, but the book was actually very much about the relationship between the sisters and how two different people can live in the same family and have completely different experiences.  It's also about the stories we tell ourselves and the power they have over us.

The story is told from two points of view, in two timelines.  Tru's story begins on her fifteenth birthday in 1909, when her sister, who has been gone for two years, climbs through her window and asks her to run away with her. Tru isn't sure why their aunt sent Od away, but she's sent letters from the circus, and she tells Tru now that she's been making a living as a monster hunter, just as their mother and grandmother had done in all the tales Od told her sister through the years.

She begs Tru to run away with her, but Tru is doubtful. Because of childhood polio, she walks with a brace and a heavy limp; making her way in the world promises to be hard. But the tea leaves her sister taught her to read years ago have been showing her monsters--maybe it's her duty to fight them?

Odette's story starts in childhood, on the night her sister Trudchen is born.  We see all the stories that she's told her sister, but we see them as they really happened, with the drama and flourishes stripped away--living with their mother in a remote California canyon, visited occasionally by a charming but absent father and their loving uncle Magnus.

Tru is never quite sure whether Od's stories are true or invented, or whether Od herself believes them or not, is the core mystery of the novel, and I found myself wavering back and forth.  Even as I learned more and more of Od's own story, and as Tru tries to get more information out of her sister, my guess--is Od making this up? is she imagining things?--kept changing.

Tru is such a lovely character. She's practical and realistic, and combined with her physical limitations--she can't walk fast or for very long and is in pain most of the time--this makes her very doubtful of Od's plans.  But Tru is so brave and determined that nothing stops her.

And the loyalty of these sisters, in the face of what seem like insurmountable odds--natural and supernatural--is absolutely the core of what made this book such a pleasure.  It's what I always hoped I'd find when I finally picked up a Cat Winters book. Time to go start another one!