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Oddity #1
L'étrange voyage de Clover Elkin
États-Unis, XIXe siècle.
Clover Elkin, treize ans, a toujours été fascinée par les "curiosités", ces étranges objets aux propriétés magiques qui peuplent le monde. Sa passion n'est pas du goût de son père, qui les tient pour responsables de la mort de sa femme.
Juste avant de se faire assassiner, pourtant, il avoue à sa fille avoir conservé une curiosité, et l'enjoint de la protéger. Avec pour seul indice les mystérieuses dernières paroles de son père, Clover n'a d'autre choix que de se lancer dans une aventure périlleuse. Sa quête la plongera dans des secrets de famille inavoués et la mettra sur la route d'une terrifiante sorcière. Mais l'aventure qui l'attend pourrait bien bouleverser sa vie autant que le cours de l'Histoire...
Clover Elkin, treize ans, a toujours été fascinée par les "curiosités", ces étranges objets aux propriétés magiques qui peuplent le monde. Sa passion n'est pas du goût de son père, qui les tient pour responsables de la mort de sa femme.
Juste avant de se faire assassiner, pourtant, il avoue à sa fille avoir conservé une curiosité, et l'enjoint de la protéger. Avec pour seul indice les mystérieuses dernières paroles de son père, Clover n'a d'autre choix que de se lancer dans une aventure périlleuse. Sa quête la plongera dans des secrets de famille inavoués et la mettra sur la route d'une terrifiante sorcière. Mais l'aventure qui l'attend pourrait bien bouleverser sa vie autant que le cours de l'Histoire...
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2021
86 people are currently reading
2513 people want to read
About the author
Eli Brown
13 books184 followersEli Brown's middle-grade novel, ODDITY, follows Clover Elkin, the no-nonsense daughter of a frontier surgeon as she tries to protect the secret magical object he's left behind. Booklist called it "...a richly imagined blend of Lloyd Alexander’s The Black Cauldron and Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass."
Brown's culinary pirate novel, CINNAMON AND GUNPOWDER, was a finalist for the California Book Award, a San Francisco Public Library One-City One-Book selection, and an NPR Book Review Staff Pick.
Brown’s first novel, THE GREAT DAYS (Boaz Publications), won the Fabri Prize for Literature. Publishers Weekly called it “…a harrowing, convincing look into the heart of cult life that should linger with readers.”
A Yaddo fellow and featured reader at Litquake, Brown earned his MFA from Mills college. He lives with his family in Northern California where the squirrels bury acorns in his garden and cats bury worse.
Brown's culinary pirate novel, CINNAMON AND GUNPOWDER, was a finalist for the California Book Award, a San Francisco Public Library One-City One-Book selection, and an NPR Book Review Staff Pick.
Brown’s first novel, THE GREAT DAYS (Boaz Publications), won the Fabri Prize for Literature. Publishers Weekly called it “…a harrowing, convincing look into the heart of cult life that should linger with readers.”
A Yaddo fellow and featured reader at Litquake, Brown earned his MFA from Mills college. He lives with his family in Northern California where the squirrels bury acorns in his garden and cats bury worse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
November 26, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Oddity is just as the title states, it is an odd little book. Set in an alternative historical world where the USA and Napoleon France are at war, the book follows teenager Clover Elkin who has been helping her physician father with his patients.
On their return from delivering a baby, the pair are caught off guard by a group of men who want something from Clover’s father. Her father hands her his physician’s bag telling her there is an oddity inside and to get to New Manchester and find a man called Aaron Agate he will protect her and the oddities before pushing her off a bridge into the water below. It is then that she hears a gunshot and sees her father slump.
The men want Clover and try to track her but Clover is a smart and resourceful young woman, but how long can she keep ahead of them and what do they want with her?
This YA book is adventurous and gripping for most of the way through. It is also very strange with a talking Rooster, a witch, a man with bunny ears, and a secret-stealing hat. The title refers to items that are very rare and have special powers such as a teapot that you can pour endless cups of tea from.
The book is told in three parts, there is also a list of the Oddity items at the back of the book. I enjoyed the read. I like books that are different and unusual and this book certainly fits those categories.
Clover is a likeable character, yes sometimes I thought she needed to be a little braver and daring but then I’d remember she is only thirteen, newly alone in the world, just witnessed her father murder in front of her and double-crossed by someone she trusted. She has had it tough and warrants not being brave all the time.
For those that like a magical/fantasy element to their reads, this is the book to pick up. It has a great plot with numerous secondary plots running parallel. It is wacky, surprising, and good fun.
Oddity is just as the title states, it is an odd little book. Set in an alternative historical world where the USA and Napoleon France are at war, the book follows teenager Clover Elkin who has been helping her physician father with his patients.
On their return from delivering a baby, the pair are caught off guard by a group of men who want something from Clover’s father. Her father hands her his physician’s bag telling her there is an oddity inside and to get to New Manchester and find a man called Aaron Agate he will protect her and the oddities before pushing her off a bridge into the water below. It is then that she hears a gunshot and sees her father slump.
The men want Clover and try to track her but Clover is a smart and resourceful young woman, but how long can she keep ahead of them and what do they want with her?
This YA book is adventurous and gripping for most of the way through. It is also very strange with a talking Rooster, a witch, a man with bunny ears, and a secret-stealing hat. The title refers to items that are very rare and have special powers such as a teapot that you can pour endless cups of tea from.
The book is told in three parts, there is also a list of the Oddity items at the back of the book. I enjoyed the read. I like books that are different and unusual and this book certainly fits those categories.
Clover is a likeable character, yes sometimes I thought she needed to be a little braver and daring but then I’d remember she is only thirteen, newly alone in the world, just witnessed her father murder in front of her and double-crossed by someone she trusted. She has had it tough and warrants not being brave all the time.
For those that like a magical/fantasy element to their reads, this is the book to pick up. It has a great plot with numerous secondary plots running parallel. It is wacky, surprising, and good fun.
October 28, 2021
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May 30, 2021
This book is an adventure. There were at least four plot twists I didn't see coming and a beautiful full circle ending. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book - the way it was worded, the characters Clover, Nessa, Susanna and Hannibal, the plot and the magical objects that bring the story to life. It was a brilliant, imaginative, fantastical story that brought me into another world with ease. I look forward to reading more from Eli Brown. Each magical object story was an anecdote for a life lesson. Pure genius. Loved it.
May 9, 2021
⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Walker Books US and YA Books Central for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Oddity is set in nineteenth-century America where ordinary everyday objects have special powers. It follows Clover, a young girl with an unknown oddity that her father left behind. Thrown into a journey on her own, Clover must find the truth about this oddity – and protect it at all costs.
Admittedly, it’s been quite some time since I last read a middle grade novel! And after reading Oddity, I’d definitely like to return to reading them more regularly again. I enjoyed the alternative 1800’s setting combined with magical elements and overall liked the story and Clover’s journey.
This book also comes with several illustrations, and I really loved the pictures throughout. The art style really meshed with the author’s writing style along with the book’s setting.
In particular, I found the concept of oddities really interesting. Throughout the story, we learn more about them and what some of their abilities are. We also get to see the people that want them and why which results in so many more obstacles for Clover along her journey.
However, I didn’t always feel completely immersed throughout Oddity, and I think that had a lot to do with the way the story didn’t break up after significant events. I think certain scenes that would have been best as end-of-chapter material were often lodged in the middle of them with the same tone and diction as less significant events, so more startling scenes didn’t catch my attention as much as they could have.
Regardless, Oddity was a really cool historical fantasy book and I enjoyed the world as well as following Clover’s journey. I’d recommend this book to young readers looking for adventure and a touch of magic in their stories.
CW:
You can find more of my reviews here: julieannasbooks.com 🖤
August 26, 2022
2.5
The premise of strange items with magical properties excited me a lot but I found myself all the time trying to be interested in the story, in the protagonist and in the whole environment that, to be honest, I did not like, something felt very out of place .
It definitely didn't work for me.
The premise of strange items with magical properties excited me a lot but I found myself all the time trying to be interested in the story, in the protagonist and in the whole environment that, to be honest, I did not like, something felt very out of place .
It definitely didn't work for me.
August 29, 2021
4.5 haven’t read anything else like it in YA! Like True Grit in an alternate history with magic
March 9, 2021
Clover mostly enjoys assisting her father as he makes his medical rounds in the foothills of the Centurian Mountains, but what she is especially enamored by are oddities, rare everyday items that behave in peculiar and unique ways. Like the Ice Hook that she's been carrying around in her haversack that can freeze everything it touches. Or perhaps the wineglass that is rumored to be able to fill a lake with an endless supply of wine. Items that if Clover's father knew she possessed, he'd surely force her to get rid of, despite her own mother having collected them as a member of the Society of Scholars. Then one day while Clover and her father were making their way home from one of their medical visits, they encounter a group of men barring their passage across the bridge. Sensing these men plan to do them harm, Clover's father hands her his medical bag, with the cryptic message that it contains a rare oddity that she alone must protect. He also tells her to find Aaron Agate in New Manchester by looking for "the canary among doves," and then throws her off the bridge into the water below. Clover witnesses the bandits murdering her father, before fleeing to safety into the nearby forest. While in the forest, Clover happens upon a rooster fighting off a dog, and is surprised when the rooster begins to speak, introducing himself as Colonel Hannibal Furlong of the Federal Army. Clover has always known about the war between the US and France over the Louisiana Purchase, but to encounter a living oddity such as Colonel Furlong comes as quite a shock. He is only the first of many uncanny allies that will help Clover on her adventure to New Manchester.
Oddity takes place in the early 1800's and presents an alternate history to the Louisiana Purchase. On one side is Napoleon Bonaparte who appears to have the advantage due to his endless supply of soldiers. On the other side is Senator Auburn, who has been purchasing all of the oddities he can find to determine a solution to Bonaparte's advantage. He is assisted by Smalt, a wraith like creature who wears a hat that can purge you of all your secrets and the men who murdered Clover's father. Mixed in with these two sides is the Seamstress, who creates these vermin creatures that sound horrific, reanimated corpses made up of watch springs, steel fillings and held together with parts of the animals skeletal structure and a piece of blue thread. Yep, kinda delightfully creepy. Throughout Clovers adventure, she is beset on all sides by people who want to use her for their own purpose. To gain the oddity her father entrusted in her , to use her as a force against the French, or even to pay off a debt. However, Clover is a resourceful girl and ultimately puzzles out the explanation for how the war began isn't accurate, and that it is just a struggle for power between the two sides. At the same time, she unravels the mystery of her mom's death and is able to bring an end to this unjust war. My favorite oddity was Susanna, the doll with immense strength and an attitude to match.
Oddity takes place in the early 1800's and presents an alternate history to the Louisiana Purchase. On one side is Napoleon Bonaparte who appears to have the advantage due to his endless supply of soldiers. On the other side is Senator Auburn, who has been purchasing all of the oddities he can find to determine a solution to Bonaparte's advantage. He is assisted by Smalt, a wraith like creature who wears a hat that can purge you of all your secrets and the men who murdered Clover's father. Mixed in with these two sides is the Seamstress, who creates these vermin creatures that sound horrific, reanimated corpses made up of watch springs, steel fillings and held together with parts of the animals skeletal structure and a piece of blue thread. Yep, kinda delightfully creepy. Throughout Clovers adventure, she is beset on all sides by people who want to use her for their own purpose. To gain the oddity her father entrusted in her , to use her as a force against the French, or even to pay off a debt. However, Clover is a resourceful girl and ultimately puzzles out the explanation for how the war began isn't accurate, and that it is just a struggle for power between the two sides. At the same time, she unravels the mystery of her mom's death and is able to bring an end to this unjust war. My favorite oddity was Susanna, the doll with immense strength and an attitude to match.
Read
April 23, 2021DNF @ 42%
Oddity is such a cute book and I definitely know some friends who would love it, but it was not the case for me.
What I disliked about this book:
-it felt flat
-some characters were written to be “quirky” but in reality, they were just annoying
-nothing was happening but at the same time everything was happening
-i listened to the audiobook so perhaps if I read it physically I would've enjoyed it more?? I didn't really like the narrator
What I liked about this book:
-the side characters!!! they were really interesting
-the oddities!!!!! such an interesting concept that I would love to see done more
-the feeling that this book gave me(even though it didn't last for long), it's like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day
So, if you like:
-interesting characters with interesting personalities
-wonderful magic system
-cutesy middle grades
Then I recommend picking this book up!
*Many thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for providing me an arc of this book!*
Oddity is such a cute book and I definitely know some friends who would love it, but it was not the case for me.
What I disliked about this book:
-it felt flat
-some characters were written to be “quirky” but in reality, they were just annoying
-nothing was happening but at the same time everything was happening
-i listened to the audiobook so perhaps if I read it physically I would've enjoyed it more?? I didn't really like the narrator
What I liked about this book:
-the side characters!!! they were really interesting
-the oddities!!!!! such an interesting concept that I would love to see done more
-the feeling that this book gave me(even though it didn't last for long), it's like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day
So, if you like:
-interesting characters with interesting personalities
-wonderful magic system
-cutesy middle grades
Then I recommend picking this book up!
*Many thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for providing me an arc of this book!*
October 21, 2022
Todella vauhdikas seikkailu paikoin aika gorella materiaalilla höystettynä. Sopi siis täydellisesti Halloween-lukuhaastekuukauden lukemistoon.
Päähenkilö on 13-vuotias Clover, joka asuu lääkäri-isänsä kansa syrjäseuduilla. Isä kouluttaa tyttärestä seuraajaansa, mutta ei ole ottanut huomioon, kuinka elämä on epävarmaa ja sattumat saattavat muuttaa suunnitelmia. Niinpä Clover päätyy yllättäen vaeltamaan yksin vaarallisten metsien ja vuoriston halki perässään monenmoisia jahtaajia.
Teoksessa on lukuisia esineitä, joilla on outoja voimia. Niistä kirja on saanut nimensäkin, sillä noita esineitä ja muutamia elollisiakin olentoja kutsutaan Kummiksi isoilla alkukirjaimilla. Yksi näistä on esimerkiksi Teekannu, joka tuottaa loputtomasti kamomillateetä. Väärissä käsissä Kummat kuitenkin muuttuvat vaarallisiksi aseiksi.
Päähenkilö on 13-vuotias Clover, joka asuu lääkäri-isänsä kansa syrjäseuduilla. Isä kouluttaa tyttärestä seuraajaansa, mutta ei ole ottanut huomioon, kuinka elämä on epävarmaa ja sattumat saattavat muuttaa suunnitelmia. Niinpä Clover päätyy yllättäen vaeltamaan yksin vaarallisten metsien ja vuoriston halki perässään monenmoisia jahtaajia.
Teoksessa on lukuisia esineitä, joilla on outoja voimia. Niistä kirja on saanut nimensäkin, sillä noita esineitä ja muutamia elollisiakin olentoja kutsutaan Kummiksi isoilla alkukirjaimilla. Yksi näistä on esimerkiksi Teekannu, joka tuottaa loputtomasti kamomillateetä. Väärissä käsissä Kummat kuitenkin muuttuvat vaarallisiksi aseiksi.
August 8, 2022
Olipa hyvä.
Jännitin tähän tarttumista, kun niin moni on tykännyt tästä niiiiin paljon. Entäs, jos en olisi itse tykännyt yhtään?
Tämä vetäisi täysillä mukaansa. Ihmettelin kyllä, miten näin vanhoilla ja tutuilla aineksilla saa näin uuden ja kiehtovan sopan. Ja miten täysillä nautin tarinan imusta, vaikka arvasin juonenkäänteitä yrittämättä. Yhdistymättömät Yhdysvallat oli mielikuvitusta kutitteleva miljöö sopivasti fantastiselle seikkailulle.
Jännitin tähän tarttumista, kun niin moni on tykännyt tästä niiiiin paljon. Entäs, jos en olisi itse tykännyt yhtään?
Tämä vetäisi täysillä mukaansa. Ihmettelin kyllä, miten näin vanhoilla ja tutuilla aineksilla saa näin uuden ja kiehtovan sopan. Ja miten täysillä nautin tarinan imusta, vaikka arvasin juonenkäänteitä yrittämättä. Yhdistymättömät Yhdysvallat oli mielikuvitusta kutitteleva miljöö sopivasti fantastiselle seikkailulle.
March 8, 2021
Sometimes a family is a deadly venomous snake, a grumpy rag doll with super powers, and a girl trying to find out what she is. Thoroughly enjoyed this alternate history tale where the Louisiana Purchase never happened and America and France are fighting with/over objects with magical abilities. Liked Clover’s journey, but Susanna stole my heart.
Thanks to Walker Books for an ARC.
Thanks to Walker Books for an ARC.
December 4, 2023
Y'all this book was so cute! I found the characters lovable and the premise interesting, and even though it is definitely directed for the younger of the young adults, I still enjoyed it quite a bit and felt that the plot was very solid. Everything is wrapped up nicely in the end, and Clover is a lovely main character. Read this book if you enjoy historical fiction with a subtle, magical twist!
February 9, 2023
Never trust a fighting doll.
June 17, 2022
4.5 ⭐
Jään odottelemaan seuraavaa osaa!
Jään odottelemaan seuraavaa osaa!
May 28, 2023
Unexpected friendships, a brave heroine, quirky and genuinely interesting magical items. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Funny, sweet and beautiful descriptions, it didn't try too hard.
May 5, 2025
Surprisingly disturbing at times for a middle-grade novel but very original. Overall pretty good.
April 20, 2021
Thanks to Library Thing for an ARC. I can honestly say that I did not realize from reading the blurb on this book that it was middle school or YA, silly of me yes, but as it happens, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not saying that I would not have enjoyed if I had known, but I might have been less likely to request it, and that would have been my loss. I am not completely sure how best to describe it, but alternate history comes to mind and fantasy of course. The characters were endearing, the plot engaging and the oddities inventive. The world building was thorough and I hope that another adventure will be forthcoming. I loved Susanna the most and I know if I had read this at the same age of the main characters I would have been totally entranced. Librarians, get this one for your shelves!!
January 6, 2021
This review was originally on my blog at https://cassidymgbooks.wordpress.com/...
In a world with magical objects that can do seemingly impossible things, Clover, after the death of her father, sets out to figure out the meaning of her father’s last words.
The Writing
This book had some great twists, and I think it handled them quite well. There was this one (pretty predictable) twist, and I thought that it would drag on for a while, and when it was finally revealed, it would be this huge deal. But it was actually a small deal: a side character, who had known the twist from the beginning, stated it, and the main character actually acknowledged that they had always known, but had not been ready to fully accept it. The story then goes on. I think that this can be appreciated by both people who had predicted and who had not predicted it because it didn’t support the whole book but was also a small revelation. And this book, I think, is full of things like this; turns in the story that were unpredictable because it didn’t follow normal tropes. The end, in my opinion, had one of the biggest twists where it ended on a cliffhanger. And it was also made pretty clear that this was the end of the story, as in there will be no series. Even the main character doesn’t want to look into the cliffhanger because she’s done with being involved with everything. I think this adds to the story, ending it on a more realistic note while also not leaving way too many plot lines unanswered and unfinished.
The Characters
I thought that the characters were all really great. They weren’t as perfect as many other middle grade protagonists. At some points, they were even a little antagonist-y, even getting very close to becoming like one of the antagonists, and it actually felt concerning because the consequences would be great and it pretty close. It was also interesting (and spoilers here) that a side-protagonist did actually go on the main antagonist’s side. And there was never any resolution to that betrayal. Another character I found interesting was an animal similar to daemons (creatures like animals from the His Dark Materials series, by Philip Pullman) in the story, which, while it was pretty similar to daemons, I really like the idea of daemons, so I thought it was a cool addition.
In conclusion, I think that what largely made this book interesting for me was that its many differences to the other books in its genre sets it apart and made it more unpredictable. I liked how cleverly the oddities were incorporated into the plot, and not just being the magical thing that everyone’s trying to get. The detailed wood cuts as illustrations were really interesting and something I have never seen in a book before, and the cover is amazing, with great elements from the story on it. I’m glad that this is my first book of 2021! I would recommend this book for grades four through eight.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Walker Books US for the DRC (Digital Review Copy)
In a world with magical objects that can do seemingly impossible things, Clover, after the death of her father, sets out to figure out the meaning of her father’s last words.
The Writing
This book had some great twists, and I think it handled them quite well. There was this one (pretty predictable) twist, and I thought that it would drag on for a while, and when it was finally revealed, it would be this huge deal. But it was actually a small deal: a side character, who had known the twist from the beginning, stated it, and the main character actually acknowledged that they had always known, but had not been ready to fully accept it. The story then goes on. I think that this can be appreciated by both people who had predicted and who had not predicted it because it didn’t support the whole book but was also a small revelation. And this book, I think, is full of things like this; turns in the story that were unpredictable because it didn’t follow normal tropes. The end, in my opinion, had one of the biggest twists where it ended on a cliffhanger. And it was also made pretty clear that this was the end of the story, as in there will be no series. Even the main character doesn’t want to look into the cliffhanger because she’s done with being involved with everything. I think this adds to the story, ending it on a more realistic note while also not leaving way too many plot lines unanswered and unfinished.
The Characters
I thought that the characters were all really great. They weren’t as perfect as many other middle grade protagonists. At some points, they were even a little antagonist-y, even getting very close to becoming like one of the antagonists, and it actually felt concerning because the consequences would be great and it pretty close. It was also interesting (and spoilers here) that a side-protagonist did actually go on the main antagonist’s side. And there was never any resolution to that betrayal. Another character I found interesting was an animal similar to daemons (creatures like animals from the His Dark Materials series, by Philip Pullman) in the story, which, while it was pretty similar to daemons, I really like the idea of daemons, so I thought it was a cool addition.
In conclusion, I think that what largely made this book interesting for me was that its many differences to the other books in its genre sets it apart and made it more unpredictable. I liked how cleverly the oddities were incorporated into the plot, and not just being the magical thing that everyone’s trying to get. The detailed wood cuts as illustrations were really interesting and something I have never seen in a book before, and the cover is amazing, with great elements from the story on it. I’m glad that this is my first book of 2021! I would recommend this book for grades four through eight.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Walker Books US for the DRC (Digital Review Copy)
March 29, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4 due to strong, female lead.
Well developed and likeable characters. Interesting storyline but sometimes it rambles a bit.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book
Well developed and likeable characters. Interesting storyline but sometimes it rambles a bit.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book
December 12, 2021
Κείμενο στο Smassing Culture
Tα παιδικά όνειρα ως πολεμικό όπλο
Σε μια παράλληλη πραγματικότητα η Αμερική βρίσκεται σε πόλεμο με την Γαλλία και η μόνη ελπίδα για να σωθούν οι Ενοποιημένες Πολιτείες φαίνεται να έχει ένα όνομα Έλκιν. Κλόβερ Έλκιν.
Είμαστε στο 19ο αιώνα, στην Αμερική μιας άλλης παράλληλης πραγματικότητας. Οι Ενοποιημένες Πολιτείες βρίσκονται σε κίνδυνο. Ο πόλεμος με την Γαλλία με αρχηγό τον Βοναπάρτη φαίνεται να ΄χει συντρίψει, σε πρώτη φάση, την άμυνα των Αμερικάνων. Πως θα καταφέρουν να ανατρέψουν το αναπόφευκτο ;
Φαίνεται πως κάπου στην Αμερική βρίσκονται καλά κρυμμένα μυστικά αντικείμενα αλλά και έμψυχα όντα τα οποία οι ντόπιοι τα ονομάζουν ΄΄Αλλόκοτα’’ και όποιος τα κατέχει έχεις ήδη δαφνοστεφανωθεί με την νίκη. Ψέματα και αλήθειες έχουν ανακατευτεί γλυκά πλέκοντας ένα σαγηνευτικό μύθο γύρω από αυτά. Τι είναι αλήθεια και τι ψέμα; Που κρύβονται και ποιος θα καταφέρει πρώτος να τα αποκτήσει;
Η κεντρική πρωταγωνίστρια, η Κλόβερ Έλκιν φαίνεται να γνωρίζει, στην αρχή της περιπέτειας της, ελάχιστα γύρω από αυτά όπως : Οι ιστορίες τους της ασκούν μια περίεργη έλξη πάνω της και πως εκείνα ευθύνονται για τον θάνατο της μητέρας της.
Τι είναι όμως τα Αλλόκοτα ; Συνηθισμένα αντικείμενα με ασυνήθιστες ιδιότητες. Μια τσαγιέρα που παράγει συνέχεια χαμομήλι, ένα κλουβί που σε κάνει να βλέπεις σαν καναρίνι τον κόσμο από ψηλά, ένας γάντζος που ό,τι αγγίζει το κάνει πάγο, ένα κύπελο με ατελείωτο κρασί, μια πάνινη κούκλα που θα τρόμαζε παλαιστή με την υπέρμετρη δύναμη της, ένα πιστόλι που βρίσκει πάντα το στόχο του και άλλα πολλά.
Τα Αλλόκοτα μπορεί να είναι χρήσιμα ή επικίνδυνα ανάλογα σε τι χέρια θα πέσουν και γι αυτό είναι σημαντικό να φυλάσσονται μακριά από τους κακόβουλους όπως π.χ ο Βοναπάρτης ή ο γερουσιαστής Ομπερν ή μήπως και από τους δυο ;
Καθώς διαβάζουμε τις σελίδες του βιβλίου ανακαλύπτουμε μαζί με εκείνη ποια είναι αυτά τα αντικείμενα, πως μπορούν να σώσουν την Αμερική και τι ρόλο θα παίξει εκείνη στο σώσιμο μιας ολόκληρης χώρας;
Μια περιπέτεια που σε ταξιδεύει σε φανταστικά μέρη μιας άλλης Αμερικής γεμάτη απο μαγικά αντικείμενα και ομιλούντα ζώα τα οποία γίνονται κρίκοι σε μια αλυσίδα γεγονότων μέχρι την αποκάλυψη όλων των μυστικών και την τελική νίκη.
Η παρέα της Κλόβερ αποτελείται από ετερόκλητους χαρακτήρες που στην αρχή μπορεί να φαίνονται αδύναμοι, μπροστά στους αιμοδιψείς και άπληστους λαθροθήρες που κυνηγούν με πάθος τα ΄΄Αλλόκοτα’΄ με σκοπό να τα πουλήσουν σε όποια μεριά δώσει τα περισσότερα, αλλά τελικά καταφέρνουν τα αδύνατα.
Πέρα όμως από μια περιπέτεια είναι και ένα βιβλίο για την ανακάλυψη και την αποδοχή του ίδιου μας του εαυτού. Η Κλόβερ ξεκινά σαν μια έφηβη κάτω από τις υπερπροστατευτικές φτερούγες του πατέρας της και μέσω των περιπετειών της ανακαλύπτει την δύναμη της και τον πραγματικό της εαυτό. Καταφέρνει να βρει τα δικά της θέλω και να τα διεκδικήσει σθεναρά έναντι κάθε προσδοκίας ή επιθυμίας τρίτων στην ζωή της.
Μιας ζωής που φαίνεται να έχει προκαθοριστεί από την γέννηση της και όλοι γύρω της επιζητούν από εκείνη να θυσιαστεί για τις δικές τους επιθυμίες. Το σπάσιμο των ‘’δεσμών΄΄ της δεν αποτελεί μόνο την επανάσταση μιας έφηβης αλλά μια διπλή απελευθέρωσης της τόσο από το ΄΄πεπρωμένο ΄΄ της όσο και από την πολεμοχαρή φύση των ανδρών οι οποίοι δεν διστάζουν να χρησιμοποιήσουν κάθε μέσο προκειμένου να νικήσουν αδιαφορώντας για τις συνέπειες που μπορεί να έχει σε έμψυχο και άψυχο υλικό.
Η γραφή του Eli Brown σε βυθίζει μέσα στην ατμόσφαιρα της ιστορίας. Δεν είναι η πρώτη φορά που βλέπουμε σαν κεντρική ηρωίδα ένα κορίτσι και μια ‘’περίεργη ‘’παρέα να τα καταφέρνει ωστόσο η ιστορία του είναι γεμάτη ανατροπές που δεν σε αφήνουν να βαρεθείς, ιδιαίτερα αν ανήκεις στο προεφηβικό και εφηβικό αναγνωστικό κοινό.
Το μόνο ‘’λάθος’’ που έχει επισημανθεί απο το αναγνωστικό κοινό, κυρίως στο διαδίκτ��ο, είναι η σκιαγράφηση των Ινδιάνικων φυλών ως, ιδιαιτέρως, με στερεοτυπικά χαρακτηριστικά σημείο το οποίο δικαιολογείται ‘’ιστορικά’’ εφόσον μιλάμε για την Αμερική του 19ου αιώνα και η επικρατέστερη άποψη που είχαν οι Λευκοί άποικοι για τους Ινδιάνους ήταν πως ήταν άγριοι και εύκολα εξαγοράσιμοι.
Ωστόσο θα μπορούσε σε μια παράλληλη Αμερική τέτοιοι χαρακτηρισμοί να λείπουν…
Δεν θα μπορούσαμε να κλείσουμε το review μας χωρίς αναφορά στην εικονογράφηση της Karin Rytter. Η εικονογράφηση της είναι ασπρόμαυρη και λεπτομερής. Η έλλειψη χρώματος δεν σε ξενίζει καθόλου αντίθετα δένει με την ιστορία και το χρόνο στο οποίο εκείνη εξελίσσεται. Σαν να είσαι αναγνώστης στις αρχές του 19ου αιώνα. Το εξώφυλλο του βιβλίου είναι ίσως από τα ωραιότερα που έχουμε πιάσει στα χέρια μας τελευταία. Ανάγλυφο με καφέ και χρυσό χρώμα, με απαράμιλλη λεπτομέρεια είναι σίγουρο πως το μάτι σου θα πέσει πάνω του και το χέρι σου θα το αναζητά μόνο και μόνο για την αφή του στην βιβλιοθήκη σας.
Tα παιδικά όνειρα ως πολεμικό όπλο
Σε μια παράλληλη πραγματικότητα η Αμερική βρίσκεται σε πόλεμο με την Γαλλία και η μόνη ελπίδα για να σωθούν οι Ενοποιημένες Πολιτείες φαίνεται να έχει ένα όνομα Έλκιν. Κλόβερ Έλκιν.
Είμαστε στο 19ο αιώνα, στην Αμερική μιας άλλης παράλληλης πραγματικότητας. Οι Ενοποιημένες Πολιτείες βρίσκονται σε κίνδυνο. Ο πόλεμος με την Γαλλία με αρχηγό τον Βοναπάρτη φαίνεται να ΄χει συντρίψει, σε πρώτη φάση, την άμυνα των Αμερικάνων. Πως θα καταφέρουν να ανατρέψουν το αναπόφευκτο ;
Φαίνεται πως κάπου στην Αμερική βρίσκονται καλά κρυμμένα μυστικά αντικείμενα αλλά και έμψυχα όντα τα οποία οι ντόπιοι τα ονομάζουν ΄΄Αλλόκοτα’’ και όποιος τα κατέχει έχεις ήδη δαφνοστεφανωθεί με την νίκη. Ψέματα και αλήθειες έχουν ανακατευτεί γλυκά πλέκοντας ένα σαγηνευτικό μύθο γύρω από αυτά. Τι είναι αλήθεια και τι ψέμα; Που κρύβονται και ποιος θα καταφέρει πρώτος να τα αποκτήσει;
Η κεντρική πρωταγωνίστρια, η Κλόβερ Έλκιν φαίνεται να γνωρίζει, στην αρχή της περιπέτειας της, ελάχιστα γύρω από αυτά όπως : Οι ιστορίες τους της ασκούν μια περίεργη έλξη πάνω της και πως εκείνα ευθύνονται για τον θάνατο της μητέρας της.
Τι είναι όμως τα Αλλόκοτα ; Συνηθισμένα αντικείμενα με ασυνήθιστες ιδιότητες. Μια τσαγιέρα που παράγει συνέχεια χαμομήλι, ένα κλουβί που σε κάνει να βλέπεις σαν καναρίνι τον κόσμο από ψηλά, ένας γάντζος που ό,τι αγγίζει το κάνει πάγο, ένα κύπελο με ατελείωτο κρασί, μια πάνινη κούκλα που θα τρόμαζε παλαιστή με την υπέρμετρη δύναμη της, ένα πιστόλι που βρίσκει πάντα το στόχο του και άλλα πολλά.
Τα Αλλόκοτα μπορεί να είναι χρήσιμα ή επικίνδυνα ανάλογα σε τι χέρια θα πέσουν και γι αυτό είναι σημαντικό να φυλάσσονται μακριά από τους κακόβουλους όπως π.χ ο Βοναπάρτης ή ο γερουσιαστής Ομπερν ή μήπως και από τους δυο ;
Καθώς διαβάζουμε τις σελίδες του βιβλίου ανακαλύπτουμε μαζί με εκείνη ποια είναι αυτά τα αντικείμενα, πως μπορούν να σώσουν την Αμερική και τι ρόλο θα παίξει εκείνη στο σώσιμο μιας ολόκληρης χώρας;
Μια περιπέτεια που σε ταξιδεύει σε φανταστικά μέρη μιας άλλης Αμερικής γεμάτη απο μαγικά αντικείμενα και ομιλούντα ζώα τα οποία γίνονται κρίκοι σε μια αλυσίδα γεγονότων μέχρι την αποκάλυψη όλων των μυστικών και την τελική νίκη.
Η παρέα της Κλόβερ αποτελείται από ετερόκλητους χαρακτήρες που στην αρχή μπορεί να φαίνονται αδύναμοι, μπροστά στους αιμοδιψείς και άπληστους λαθροθήρες που κυνηγούν με πάθος τα ΄΄Αλλόκοτα’΄ με σκοπό να τα πουλήσουν σε όποια μεριά δώσει τα περισσότερα, αλλά τελικά καταφέρνουν τα αδύνατα.
Πέρα όμως από μια περιπέτεια είναι και ένα βιβλίο για την ανακάλυψη και την αποδοχή του ίδιου μας του εαυτού. Η Κλόβερ ξεκινά σαν μια έφηβη κάτω από τις υπερπροστατευτικές φτερούγες του πατέρας της και μέσω των περιπετειών της ανακαλύπτει την δύναμη της και τον πραγματικό της εαυτό. Καταφέρνει να βρει τα δικά της θέλω και να τα διεκδικήσει σθεναρά έναντι κάθε προσδοκίας ή επιθυμίας τρίτων στην ζωή της.
Μιας ζωής που φαίνεται να έχει προκαθοριστεί από την γέννηση της και όλοι γύρω της επιζητούν από εκείνη να θυσιαστεί για τις δικές τους επιθυμίες. Το σπάσιμο των ‘’δεσμών΄΄ της δεν αποτελεί μόνο την επανάσταση μιας έφηβης αλλά μια διπλή απελευθέρωσης της τόσο από το ΄΄πεπρωμένο ΄΄ της όσο και από την πολεμοχαρή φύση των ανδρών οι οποίοι δεν διστάζουν να χρησιμοποιήσουν κάθε μέσο προκειμένου να νικήσουν αδιαφορώντας για τις συνέπειες που μπορεί να έχει σε έμψυχο και άψυχο υλικό.
Η γραφή του Eli Brown σε βυθίζει μέσα στην ατμόσφαιρα της ιστορίας. Δεν είναι η πρώτη φορά που βλέπουμε σαν κεντρική ηρωίδα ένα κορίτσι και μια ‘’περίεργη ‘’παρέα να τα καταφέρνει ωστόσο η ιστορία του είναι γεμάτη ανατροπές που δεν σε αφήνουν να βαρεθείς, ιδιαίτερα αν ανήκεις στο προεφηβικό και εφηβικό αναγνωστικό κοινό.
Το μόνο ‘’λάθος’’ που έχει επισημανθεί απο το αναγνωστικό κοινό, κυρίως στο διαδίκτ��ο, είναι η σκιαγράφηση των Ινδιάνικων φυλών ως, ιδιαιτέρως, με στερεοτυπικά χαρακτηριστικά σημείο το οποίο δικαιολογείται ‘’ιστορικά’’ εφόσον μιλάμε για την Αμερική του 19ου αιώνα και η επικρατέστερη άποψη που είχαν οι Λευκοί άποικοι για τους Ινδιάνους ήταν πως ήταν άγριοι και εύκολα εξαγοράσιμοι.
Ωστόσο θα μπορούσε σε μια παράλληλη Αμερική τέτοιοι χαρακτηρισμοί να λείπουν…
Δεν θα μπορούσαμε να κλείσουμε το review μας χωρίς αναφορά στην εικονογράφηση της Karin Rytter. Η εικονογράφηση της είναι ασπρόμαυρη και λεπτομερής. Η έλλειψη χρώματος δεν σε ξενίζει καθόλου αντίθετα δένει με την ιστορία και το χρόνο στο οποίο εκείνη εξελίσσεται. Σαν να είσαι αναγνώστης στις αρχές του 19ου αιώνα. Το εξώφυλλο του βιβλίου είναι ίσως από τα ωραιότερα που έχουμε πιάσει στα χέρια μας τελευταία. Ανάγλυφο με καφέ και χρυσό χρώμα, με απαράμιλλη λεπτομέρεια είναι σίγουρο πως το μάτι σου θα πέσει πάνω του και το χέρι σου θα το αναζητά μόνο και μόνο για την αφή του στην βιβλιοθήκη σας.
November 30, 2025
3.0 stars
I bought this book when I was 14 - or maybe 15 - mostly because I thought the cover was pretty. It sat on my bookshelf for a few years since, always pushed aside as other books seemed more interesting. Now I'm 18, and I can confidently say that this book was the oldest unread one on my shelf. Well, I’m happy to tell you that isn’t the case anymore.
I was a bit skeptical when I finally picked it up, since it had been so long since I bought it. It took me a loooong time to finish (Feb 24th – Nov 30th), because I wasn’t hooked from the start and even forgot about it at one point - letting it gather dust again (sorry ;-;). But eventually I picked it back up and finished it before I had the chance to drop it again.
The story took me by surprise. It’s set in the early 19th century in the so-called “Unified States.” The protagonist, Clover Elkin, is a thirteen-year-old girl who grew up in the countryside, far from the war her country is about to be drawn into. But her father’s murder sets her on a path to find a specific oddity - magical, powerful, and dangerous objects. During her journey she meets a talking rooster, a living doll, makes enemies and friends, and learns more about who she is. She also uncovers secrets never meant for her, and as a result becomes involved in the approaching war.
The story focuses on Clover and her personal journey, but also touches on the political landscape and how these magical objects influence the conflict. I really like the concept of the oddities, and I think the ones in the book are very creative. I also adore the woodcut-style illustrations - they add a certain atmosphere. The writing style is nice and easy to follow, and I enjoyed Clover’s character development: she begins as a scared, uncertain girl, but grows more confident and independent as she learns and travels, driven by anger and grief. By the end, she has accepted what happened to her and starts working through her emotions.
I do think the ending could have been handled better. We learn nothing about how the war concludes, which was probably a deliberate choice by the author, but it still feels like a letdown. The whole story builds toward this complex, oddity-influenced war, only for the book to avoid resolving it by using the main character’s “not wanting to get involved” as an excuse. It almost feels as if the author got bored with the idea halfway through the book, and decided to just end it here. Another disappointment is how Hannibal becomes less and less relevant as the story progresses. It feels like we missed part of his character arc; he doesn’t play a meaningful role in the end, and his story feels unfinished and underdeveloped. A missed opportunity.
I also think that the scene in the cave was a bit strange. We only saw 'the witch' for a very short amount of time, even though she has been haunting the narrative from the very beginning. The backstory about how mother and daughter were separated was good and revealed vital information about multiple (side)characters. I just wish that 'the power of love' was worked out better and not as rushed, or maybe not even used at all and instead that the writer had explored a different approach.
Furthermore, the way that the war near the mines ended was very strange. When would someone walking into a literal warfield yelling 'stop it!' actually work? Clover doesn't have that much aura. It felt very much like one of those y/n 'Guysss stop fighting, this isn't like you! Do it for me, please! *inserts big googely eyes*' moments.
Overall, the book was decent. It never truly hooked me, but it wasn’t bad enough to make me quit. Would I recommend it? Not really. But if you already own it, don’t let it gather (more) dust like I did. Try to read it for a bit of enjoyment and the interesting oddities.
Edit: I just saw that this is book 1 of the oddity series. So the part about Hannibal's character development might not apply. The same goes for the conclusion of the war, as you'll probably read about that in the second part. I will not be starting part two any time soon, maybe even never...
I bought this book when I was 14 - or maybe 15 - mostly because I thought the cover was pretty. It sat on my bookshelf for a few years since, always pushed aside as other books seemed more interesting. Now I'm 18, and I can confidently say that this book was the oldest unread one on my shelf. Well, I’m happy to tell you that isn’t the case anymore.
I was a bit skeptical when I finally picked it up, since it had been so long since I bought it. It took me a loooong time to finish (Feb 24th – Nov 30th), because I wasn’t hooked from the start and even forgot about it at one point - letting it gather dust again (sorry ;-;). But eventually I picked it back up and finished it before I had the chance to drop it again.
The story took me by surprise. It’s set in the early 19th century in the so-called “Unified States.” The protagonist, Clover Elkin, is a thirteen-year-old girl who grew up in the countryside, far from the war her country is about to be drawn into. But her father’s murder sets her on a path to find a specific oddity - magical, powerful, and dangerous objects. During her journey she meets a talking rooster, a living doll, makes enemies and friends, and learns more about who she is. She also uncovers secrets never meant for her, and as a result becomes involved in the approaching war.
The story focuses on Clover and her personal journey, but also touches on the political landscape and how these magical objects influence the conflict. I really like the concept of the oddities, and I think the ones in the book are very creative. I also adore the woodcut-style illustrations - they add a certain atmosphere. The writing style is nice and easy to follow, and I enjoyed Clover’s character development: she begins as a scared, uncertain girl, but grows more confident and independent as she learns and travels, driven by anger and grief. By the end, she has accepted what happened to her and starts working through her emotions.
I do think the ending could have been handled better. We learn nothing about how the war concludes, which was probably a deliberate choice by the author, but it still feels like a letdown. The whole story builds toward this complex, oddity-influenced war, only for the book to avoid resolving it by using the main character’s “not wanting to get involved” as an excuse. It almost feels as if the author got bored with the idea halfway through the book, and decided to just end it here. Another disappointment is how Hannibal becomes less and less relevant as the story progresses. It feels like we missed part of his character arc; he doesn’t play a meaningful role in the end, and his story feels unfinished and underdeveloped. A missed opportunity.
I also think that the scene in the cave was a bit strange. We only saw 'the witch' for a very short amount of time, even though she has been haunting the narrative from the very beginning. The backstory about how mother and daughter were separated was good and revealed vital information about multiple (side)characters. I just wish that 'the power of love' was worked out better and not as rushed, or maybe not even used at all and instead that the writer had explored a different approach.
Furthermore, the way that the war near the mines ended was very strange. When would someone walking into a literal warfield yelling 'stop it!' actually work? Clover doesn't have that much aura. It felt very much like one of those y/n 'Guysss stop fighting, this isn't like you! Do it for me, please! *inserts big googely eyes*' moments.
Overall, the book was decent. It never truly hooked me, but it wasn’t bad enough to make me quit. Would I recommend it? Not really. But if you already own it, don’t let it gather (more) dust like I did. Try to read it for a bit of enjoyment and the interesting oddities.
Edit: I just saw that this is book 1 of the oddity series. So the part about Hannibal's character development might not apply. The same goes for the conclusion of the war, as you'll probably read about that in the second part. I will not be starting part two any time soon, maybe even never...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2020
*I read an advance copy of this book.
In Oddity, his first novel for younger readers, Eli Brown introduces us to Clover Elkin, a smart and spirited 13 year old girl who assists her physician father. We also get to explore the brilliantly crafted setting for Clover’s odyssey, an alternative nineteenth century United States. This fantasy version of the U.S. is bordered by the French and a Native Confederation, on the verge of war, and home to amazing magical objects, Oddities, which seem to be drawn to Clover, with life-or-death consequences. At times tender and terrible, Clover’s coming of age story weaves itself into our hearts and minds with powerful creativity, vivid imagery, and touching emotion. I loved this book, admire Clover, and hope there’s more to come for her, soon.
In proper fairytale fashion, poor Clover is soon orphaned when her father is murdered. This tragedy, and her growing awareness of and connection to Oddities are the catalyst for an action-packed adventure bringing Clover closer to her destiny - and readers closer to Clover - with each page. Clover’s intelligence, resourcefulness and courage endow her with the strength to face a myriad of challenges: dastardly villains, a dangerous witch (and the hellish creatures she patches together from junk and animal corpses), corrupt political powers bent on the destruction of war, and her own human shortcomings. Almost immediately I came to admire Clover’s integrity and spunk. I’d like to be a little more like her.
As the twists and turns of her journey thrust her into increasingly treacherous predicaments, Clover gathers strange and unlikely allies: Hannibal, a talking rooster who commands armies; Susanna, a rag doll with superhuman strength; Sweetwater, a deadly viper who can read Clover’s thoughts; and Nessa, a traveling sales girl with the voice of an angel. Like Frodo and his quest to Mordor, Clover’s deadly journey is sweetened by the friendships that develop between Clover and her allies. These connections, and the ever-surprising magic of the Oddities made this a compelling read.
Brown’s rendering of this world and Clover’s evolution is inspired and beautiful, even in the most brutal scenes. His facility with metaphor and imagery drives a powerful prose, stamping our minds’ eye with scenes both harsh and lovely. The way he handles the various cultures of this alternative history with care and respect makes clear how dangerous it is to trust just one perspective. It’s an important reminder for all of us to consider many sides to each story.
We can all identify with the uncertainty of sudden loss. Clover’s resilience, wit, and compassion are inspirational reminders that even in the worst of times our connections to each other will be how we heal, overcome our challenges, and live more fulfilling lives. Clover Elkin joins an admirable and growing list of bold female characters like Anne of Green Gables, Scout Finch, Pippi Longstocking, Hermione Granger, Paikea Apirana, Katniss Evergreen, Rey Skywalker, Starr Carter - who shatter traditional boundaries and expand all our horizons.
August 23, 2022
Aahhh, that cover, just look at the gorgeousness of it, isn't it beautiful, the colours, the drawings, the details?
Content-wise, it took a while before I really got sucked into the story, over a third of the entire book, I think. At first, everything was just a bit too vague to my liking: the world itself, the oddities and how they work in a general way, Clover herself didn't really appeal to me either, and Hannibal (the Rooster), who is mainly present in that part of the book, was an annoying character. Apart from that final point, however, everything slowly gets better and after some time I did find myself enjoying the story. The world became clearer to me, the oddities were explained a bit better and Clover started to grow on me as well. You get to know her better, and her development - especially regarding all the secrets that surround her and slowly come to light as the novel progresses - interested me as well. The final fifty pages or so are the ones in which I was really rooting for her.
There are quite a few plot twists, especially in the second half of the book. A few of them didn't surprise me very much, but four or five of them sure did! There were some true WTF Moments present, so that's always fun.
As I already said, Hannibal didn't grow on me, on the contrary - he's such an annoying, stuck-up character. Oddity took some time to get used to, but then everything turned out quite alright. Most other characters, however... I dunno. Agate just feels a bit boring, somehow. Nessa does a better job of it, but it feels as if there's still something missing about her, something that makes her whole. Susanna and the snake, however, are some nice additions. And what I do like in general about all characters, is that you never quite know when and where they'll pop up again, because after a while it becomes clear that Clover's story is intertwined with theirs, and every once in a while she'll meet them again.
I couldn't really get a grip on the action in the book at first, mostly because I was still struggling to understand everything that was going on, and maybe also because there are a few chapters - after the initial troubles start - that it all slackens a bit. But then, at some point, it picks up again and you feel yourself sucked into Clover's quest.
A satisfying read, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to keep this book. Definitely worth reading it once, but I'm afraid that this book will just take up more space on my shelf where other, better books could be sitting. Hmm...
7.3/10
Content-wise, it took a while before I really got sucked into the story, over a third of the entire book, I think. At first, everything was just a bit too vague to my liking: the world itself, the oddities and how they work in a general way, Clover herself didn't really appeal to me either, and Hannibal (the Rooster), who is mainly present in that part of the book, was an annoying character. Apart from that final point, however, everything slowly gets better and after some time I did find myself enjoying the story. The world became clearer to me, the oddities were explained a bit better and Clover started to grow on me as well. You get to know her better, and her development - especially regarding all the secrets that surround her and slowly come to light as the novel progresses - interested me as well. The final fifty pages or so are the ones in which I was really rooting for her.
There are quite a few plot twists, especially in the second half of the book. A few of them didn't surprise me very much, but four or five of them sure did! There were some true WTF Moments present, so that's always fun.
As I already said, Hannibal didn't grow on me, on the contrary - he's such an annoying, stuck-up character. Oddity took some time to get used to, but then everything turned out quite alright. Most other characters, however... I dunno. Agate just feels a bit boring, somehow. Nessa does a better job of it, but it feels as if there's still something missing about her, something that makes her whole. Susanna and the snake, however, are some nice additions. And what I do like in general about all characters, is that you never quite know when and where they'll pop up again, because after a while it becomes clear that Clover's story is intertwined with theirs, and every once in a while she'll meet them again.
I couldn't really get a grip on the action in the book at first, mostly because I was still struggling to understand everything that was going on, and maybe also because there are a few chapters - after the initial troubles start - that it all slackens a bit. But then, at some point, it picks up again and you feel yourself sucked into Clover's quest.
A satisfying read, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to keep this book. Definitely worth reading it once, but I'm afraid that this book will just take up more space on my shelf where other, better books could be sitting. Hmm...
7.3/10
April 21, 2022
TW: parental death
Oddity is not only an apt title, but an apt description of this book. As I was listening to it, talking with a friend, I just kept describing it as odd. Our main character Clover is the daughter of doctor, in a land where the Louisiana Purchase failed. The nation, especially the south are really worried that Napoleon will send his troops over to conquer and take the land that that was up for sale. Napoleon is a constant fear in the back of most people’s minds.
The world is not as we pictured it. There are “oddities” in the world. These are everyday objects that have “power”. For example, the wine glass that is never empty, the ice hook that is always cold, the gun that never misses, and the doll that walks, talks, and creates havoc. This is just a sampling of oddities. There are also vermin – animal parts cobbled together and given new life. Clover’s dad has always warned his daughter to beware of oddities. They may seem great and interesting, but they can cause great damage. However, due to her father’s death, her place in the world, and her heritage, Clover cannot stay away. The “American” troops are on a hunt for an oddity that can stop Napolean, for they fear he has an oddity of his own that ensures he always has troops. so Clover, ever curious, and wanting to help people, is in the middle of it all.
I picked this book up because it was supposed to be a middle grade western. That might be a bit of a stretch. It does feel more western in the second half of the book as Clover heads west on the search for her mother and the oddity to end all oddities. This is historical magical realism that is done so well, the reader is just enveloped in the story and does not want to leave. Saying this book is odd, is a compliment. There is nothing else like it out there, it stands on its own two feet. While the book cover matches the story, I think the book cover is why this title is a sleeper. If it would have had a more modern cover, a cover like Rick Riordian Presents, or more colorful and comic like, I think this would fly off the shelf more. But give it a try. It is entirely worth it. This book was a lot of fun, had a lot of heart, and had an amazing concept. It will live in my mind, and be on my recommendation list for years to come.
Oddity is not only an apt title, but an apt description of this book. As I was listening to it, talking with a friend, I just kept describing it as odd. Our main character Clover is the daughter of doctor, in a land where the Louisiana Purchase failed. The nation, especially the south are really worried that Napoleon will send his troops over to conquer and take the land that that was up for sale. Napoleon is a constant fear in the back of most people’s minds.
The world is not as we pictured it. There are “oddities” in the world. These are everyday objects that have “power”. For example, the wine glass that is never empty, the ice hook that is always cold, the gun that never misses, and the doll that walks, talks, and creates havoc. This is just a sampling of oddities. There are also vermin – animal parts cobbled together and given new life. Clover’s dad has always warned his daughter to beware of oddities. They may seem great and interesting, but they can cause great damage. However, due to her father’s death, her place in the world, and her heritage, Clover cannot stay away. The “American” troops are on a hunt for an oddity that can stop Napolean, for they fear he has an oddity of his own that ensures he always has troops. so Clover, ever curious, and wanting to help people, is in the middle of it all.
I picked this book up because it was supposed to be a middle grade western. That might be a bit of a stretch. It does feel more western in the second half of the book as Clover heads west on the search for her mother and the oddity to end all oddities. This is historical magical realism that is done so well, the reader is just enveloped in the story and does not want to leave. Saying this book is odd, is a compliment. There is nothing else like it out there, it stands on its own two feet. While the book cover matches the story, I think the book cover is why this title is a sleeper. If it would have had a more modern cover, a cover like Rick Riordian Presents, or more colorful and comic like, I think this would fly off the shelf more. But give it a try. It is entirely worth it. This book was a lot of fun, had a lot of heart, and had an amazing concept. It will live in my mind, and be on my recommendation list for years to come.
June 28, 2022
Oikeasti varmaan parempi kuin kaksi tähteä. Minä vain olen tosi kyllästynyt näihin mun nähdäkseni samalla kaavalla eteneviin, suunnilleen varhaisnuorille suunnattuihin seikkailufantasioihin. Kaava päässäni on suunnilleen tällainen: Alussa tapahtuu jotain hurjaa ja traumaattista - esimerkiksi vanhempien/vanhemman kuolema on tosi käytetty. Sitten ollaan hetki peloissaan ja yksin maailmassa, kunnes tavataan uusia ystäviä matkalle. Yleensä nämä ystävät ovat vähän humoristisia persoonia, joista saattaa myös tulla hiukan epäluotettava viba. (Melkein aina yhtenä teemana näissä kirjoissa on, voiko ystäviin luottaa.) Sitten päähenkilön tehtävä alkaa kirkastua. Seuraavaksi siirrytään keskiosaan, jossa yleensä ei tapahdu moneen sataan sivuun YHTÄÄN MITÄÄN. Kirjan päättäviin loppumähinöihin tultaessa olen yleensä jo niin kyllästynyt, että en jaksa kiinnostua siinäkään tapauksessa, jos lopussa tapahtuu jotain oikeasti kekseliästä. Vähän harmittaa tämä oma kyllästymiseni.
Tavallaan Kummien vaihtoehtohistoria ja villi länsi -miljöö ovat ihan jännittäviä, ja uskon että tähän saattaisivat tarttua noin vitos-kutosluokkalaiset. Mietin kuitenkin, että kirjan vaihtoehtohistoriaelementit saattavat vaatia hiukan kypsempää lukijaa. En tosin ole varma, haittaako lukuelämystä, jos nämä puolet kirjasta jäävät lukijalle vieraammiksi. Kirjassa on lisäksi ihan reippaasti inhorealistisia elementtejä ja ihan vain ällöttäviä juttuja, enkä oikein fanita sellaistakaan. Ilmeisesti kirjalle on tulossa myös jatko-osa.
Tavallaan Kummien vaihtoehtohistoria ja villi länsi -miljöö ovat ihan jännittäviä, ja uskon että tähän saattaisivat tarttua noin vitos-kutosluokkalaiset. Mietin kuitenkin, että kirjan vaihtoehtohistoriaelementit saattavat vaatia hiukan kypsempää lukijaa. En tosin ole varma, haittaako lukuelämystä, jos nämä puolet kirjasta jäävät lukijalle vieraammiksi. Kirjassa on lisäksi ihan reippaasti inhorealistisia elementtejä ja ihan vain ällöttäviä juttuja, enkä oikein fanita sellaistakaan. Ilmeisesti kirjalle on tulossa myös jatko-osa.
April 8, 2024
Vaihtoehtohistoriallinen länkkäri tarjoili saastaisia rikollisia, kalkkarokäärmeen, saluunatappelun, ihastuttavia taikaesineitä ja mielenkiintoisia antagonisteja. Ihmeellisiä tapahtumia ja nopeita käänteitä kirjasta ei jäänyt puuttumaan, silti tarinassa oli helppo pysyä kärryillä. Kuvailu (kirjassa oli myös mustavalkopiirroksia) sai kirjan maisemat näyttäytymään mielessäni värikkäinä piirroksina ja välillä länkkärimusiikki soi päässä lukiessani. Tarina oli rakennettu oikeaoppisesti, ja vaikka tiesinkin mitä seuraavaksi tapahtuu, se ei haitannut yhtään. Kirjailijan kirjoitustyyli oli mukavan rupatteleva ja sopi tarinaan kuin nyrkki silmään. Räsynukke Susanna oli maailman sympaattisin hahmo, etenkin kun tälle piti laulaa aina välillä.
Vaikka pidin kirjasta hyvin paljon, joudun tiputtamaan yhden tähden pois seuraavien asioiden takia.
Henkilöhahmoihin ei päässyt syvemmin tutustumaan, sillä luodit viuhuivat välillä vähän liiankin paljon (juu, länkkärihän tämä on!)
Kirjan alussa : Lapsille ja nuorille suunnattuksi kirjaksi, alku oli yllättävänkin karu, kun aikuiset miehet väkivaltaisesti ahdistelivat pientä tyttöä, joka ei voinut puolustaa itseään.
Kirjan puolivälissä/lopussa : Käärmeen mielipiteitä ei kuultu ollenkaan, vaikka päähenkilön elämä oli muka tasaväkisesti sidottu siihen. Päähenkilö käski ja käärme lähinnä toimi kätyrinä. Mikä käärme, joka on ollut turhautuneena jossain lasipurkissa kuka ties vuosia, yhtäkkiä kiertyy kiltisti tuntemattoman ihmisen ympärille ja tottelee vain? Että ei ollut mielestäni tasaväkistä.
Vaikka pidin kirjasta hyvin paljon, joudun tiputtamaan yhden tähden pois seuraavien asioiden takia.
Henkilöhahmoihin ei päässyt syvemmin tutustumaan, sillä luodit viuhuivat välillä vähän liiankin paljon (juu, länkkärihän tämä on!)
Kirjan alussa : Lapsille ja nuorille suunnattuksi kirjaksi, alku oli yllättävänkin karu, kun aikuiset miehet väkivaltaisesti ahdistelivat pientä tyttöä, joka ei voinut puolustaa itseään.
Kirjan puolivälissä/lopussa : Käärmeen mielipiteitä ei kuultu ollenkaan, vaikka päähenkilön elämä oli muka tasaväkisesti sidottu siihen. Päähenkilö käski ja käärme lähinnä toimi kätyrinä. Mikä käärme, joka on ollut turhautuneena jossain lasipurkissa kuka ties vuosia, yhtäkkiä kiertyy kiltisti tuntemattoman ihmisen ympärille ja tottelee vain? Että ei ollut mielestäni tasaväkistä.
September 2, 2021
I honestly grabbed this book for the cover and did not have high hopes, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. It reminded me in some ways of one of my all-time favorites, Erin Bow's beautiful and devastating Plain Kate, with a plucky orphan girl, a road trip with found friends and talking animals, strange magic threatening the orderly but imperfect world, and for most of the book I quite liked it. Brown brings his assorted elements together skillfully and with verve (and how wonderful is it to find an MG novel that is well-written? It's like a four-leaf clover or a double rainbow) ... but then it's like he's not sure what to do with it all. The climax lacked emotional heft, and the denouement felt rushed and flat. I finished the book thinking, "Wait, that's it?"
There is a lot of good here though, especially for younger readers who are not as persnickety as me. The world building is super neat, the characters are charming, and on the technical side the writing is miles better than 90% of the things my son reads. (Although full disclosure my 10-year-old avid reader "couldn't get into" this book, despite the bandits, magical artifacts, and the talking rooster with which it is front-loaded.) It's a bit of a mess, sure, but that's a lot like its heroine, who has a great deal of learning and growing and struggling to do over the course of the book. Despite the rushed ending, I'd still recommend it.
There is a lot of good here though, especially for younger readers who are not as persnickety as me. The world building is super neat, the characters are charming, and on the technical side the writing is miles better than 90% of the things my son reads. (Although full disclosure my 10-year-old avid reader "couldn't get into" this book, despite the bandits, magical artifacts, and the talking rooster with which it is front-loaded.) It's a bit of a mess, sure, but that's a lot like its heroine, who has a great deal of learning and growing and struggling to do over the course of the book. Despite the rushed ending, I'd still recommend it.
August 24, 2023
*2.5 stars
I like the idea of the "oddities" - random objects that have some sort of magical power - and Clover's story had a lot of potential. I quite enjoyed the first 50-70%, there are some quirky side characters, a couple of unexpected twists, but I never really connected with Clover, or cared. It falls a bit flat and I think what didn't help is that Clover has barely any reaction at the beginning (not really a spoiler, it's in the synopsis), so I was not at all compelled to engage with her emotionally from the off, and that aspect didn't improve. I realise it is a middle grade, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a middle grade being lighter in tone or whimsical (even if dark stuff happens), but I also don't think that is any excuse for flattening the emotions to the extent this book does.
Then, the further into the book I got, the more confused I got about the bigger story, I have no idea what was going on with the war and how it connected with Clover, though admittedly I ended up speeding up the last 80% of the audio to x2, a speed I rarely listen at, in order to just get it finished. I personally don't think it needed the bigger war stuff, and if the story had kept more tightly focused on Clover's story (including the twists) and the oddities - plus was more emotionally engaging - it would have worked better for me.
I like the idea of the "oddities" - random objects that have some sort of magical power - and Clover's story had a lot of potential. I quite enjoyed the first 50-70%, there are some quirky side characters, a couple of unexpected twists, but I never really connected with Clover, or cared. It falls a bit flat and I think what didn't help is that Clover has barely any reaction at the beginning (not really a spoiler, it's in the synopsis), so I was not at all compelled to engage with her emotionally from the off, and that aspect didn't improve. I realise it is a middle grade, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a middle grade being lighter in tone or whimsical (even if dark stuff happens), but I also don't think that is any excuse for flattening the emotions to the extent this book does.
Then, the further into the book I got, the more confused I got about the bigger story, I have no idea what was going on with the war and how it connected with Clover, though admittedly I ended up speeding up the last 80% of the audio to x2, a speed I rarely listen at, in order to just get it finished. I personally don't think it needed the bigger war stuff, and if the story had kept more tightly focused on Clover's story (including the twists) and the oddities - plus was more emotionally engaging - it would have worked better for me.
December 20, 2022
first of all i chose this book 90% based on the cool cover so I possibly should have lowered my expectations seeing as I didn't really think about what it was about
the main character, Clover, is one of those twelve-year-old mcs who, when you are any older than twelve, are a bit annoying and seem incapable of making a sensible decision. it was also a bit improbable that, upon arriving in a city she'd never been to before, she finds the guy she's looking for (who's in hiding I might add) based on a cryptic clue about canaries, in the space of one afternoon.
however, the world building was pretty cool. it's set in an alternate-history america where instead of buying half the continent from France, the new usa decides to go to war over it instead. there are also 'Oddities' random objects that have random magic powers, like a teapot that never runs out of tea, and ice hook that freezes everything it touches, but also weirder ones like a really angry really strong living doll, and an ember that becomes a flaming bird, and a never-emptying wineglass that someone dropped and it flooded a plain and became a wine marsh, and a talking rooster who's a respected army general.
some bits were kinda dark/creepy (undead animals, death of parent) but based on Clover's perception of things it's at the lower end of young adult
the main character, Clover, is one of those twelve-year-old mcs who, when you are any older than twelve, are a bit annoying and seem incapable of making a sensible decision. it was also a bit improbable that, upon arriving in a city she'd never been to before, she finds the guy she's looking for (who's in hiding I might add) based on a cryptic clue about canaries, in the space of one afternoon.
however, the world building was pretty cool. it's set in an alternate-history america where instead of buying half the continent from France, the new usa decides to go to war over it instead. there are also 'Oddities' random objects that have random magic powers, like a teapot that never runs out of tea, and ice hook that freezes everything it touches, but also weirder ones like a really angry really strong living doll, and an ember that becomes a flaming bird, and a never-emptying wineglass that someone dropped and it flooded a plain and became a wine marsh, and a talking rooster who's a respected army general.
some bits were kinda dark/creepy (undead animals, death of parent) but based on Clover's perception of things it's at the lower end of young adult
September 20, 2025
More like 3.5 stars. If I had been younger, this would have been one of my favorites. My favorite thing was the world-building and magic system of oddities. The imagination that went into creating all the different oddities really sucked me into the world. Like Clover, I was so intrigued by them (and would also enjoy finding and cataloguing them). The narrator was superb (her singing was actually gorgeous, she must have some level of vocal training), and I enjoyed the animals and minor characters. Clover herself was fine, but I didn't love how much plot armor she had. She went through so many things and survived them when it was her own stupidity a lot of times that gets her into the mess (which I get that she's a kid, so she's bound to make some questionable choices), but she never overly learns from this. Her character arc concerning her parents is fine, but I don't love her own particular character arc trope. Really enjoyed Nessa and how she just kept showing up and disappearing again. Also really enjoyed Susanna and Sweetwater. Honestly, there were so many moments (like the secret hat) that could honestly be close to horror moments--which is interesting how often I'm discovering that happens in middle grade.
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