3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Amulet Books (Abrams&Chronicle) in exchange for an honest review.

It’s 1909 and Odette and Trudchen Gray are two sisters who have grown up believing in monsters, and the people who protect the world against them. When Odette comes back after a two-year absence to spirit Tru away on an adventure, they might just meet the monsters they always talked about.

This is a whimsical tale that tells the story of a terrific bond between two sisters, and shows how sometimes believing that something exists makes it true. I really liked how this story was told - in 1909 by Tru, and in their past by Odette. Both sisters had a really lovely voice, and I also though both of them possessed an innocence to them that was really endearing and lovely. I really felt for both of them at different times, and how their family had failed them in different ways but I loved the bond and friendship they shared and hw much they relied on each other.

I thought this story was told in a really great way that almost halfway through I realised that I hadn’t yet seen anything magical or fantastical happen, but everything seemed on the edge of to because of the way Odette talked and how Tru believed her. I love that the reader was kind of left to decipher their own feelings about the sisters’ adventures and belief.

There were some parts that quite annoyed me such as Aunt Vik’s warning to Odette to “not get in the family way,” but then refused to tell her how one would manage to get that way. I did find it odd that Od and Tru apparently had no idea how babies were made as normally you would read and hear people who grew up on farms would know about the general act from seeing animals. But Aunt Vik definitely had e shaking my head in exasperation. Honest and open communication is better for all, no?

I did really love the very last bit with Trudie. I thought it was a really nice, little touch and it was great to see Od and Tru had fulfilled their dreams!