Odessa

by Gabrielle Sher

In a powerfully imagined Russia at the height of the pogroms, a grief-stricken family turn to ancient magic to bring their daughter back from the grave.

Yetta is a bright, quick teenage girl with a wild, searching spirit. Stifled by her mother's anxiety, her father’s rules, and the path that’s been laid out for her, she craves the kind of freedom she doesn’t know the edges of. But her family has reason to be cautious and restrictive. Fear has wrapped itself around their shtetl. Jews are mysteriously disappearing, and there are whispers of an impending Gentile attack. When violence comes to their door, Yetta is killed.

Her father, in his grief, fumbles through his nascent knowledge of ancient texts and old magic to bring her back. By some miracle, Yetta is returned—but although she looks the same, Yetta is not the girl she once was. She knows there is a secret her family is keeping from her. The answer resides, in part, in the monstruous being stalking the villagers and their enemies, lurking in the woods beyond the shtetl, something that may be of her father’s making, and a being which has plans of its own.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Adult, Gothic

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm honestly kind of speechless after finishing this. Odessa is a harrowing and intense read, as you can imagine from the premise. Even right from the first few pages, it felt like the book locked me in its grasp and never let go. It's deeply sad, but there's strength, hope, endurance, and love bubbling beneath the surface. Plus, it features one of my absolute favorite folkloric beings and has an absolutely stunning cover. Seriously, I'd love a poster version of the cover to put on my wall.

Highly, highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the review copy!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing melding of historical fiction, gothic horror and Jewish folklore, Odessa weaves the tale of a father who attempts to bring his daughter back to life when she's brutally murdered in the Russian pogroms of the 1800s. Using ancient knowledge and a book of magic to create a golem, he soon finds that he cannot control his creation. Ultimately Odessa is a tale of grief and the real life horrors of history.

I received an advanced reading copy from Hachette in exchange for a review.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel is set in a version of Tsarist Russia in the early 20th century amid an organized massacre of the Jews. Yetta is violently killed but her father uses his knowledge of ancient Jewish texts and old magic to bring her back to life. But these things never goes as planned. Instead of his daughter returning he gets a golem, a mythological creature from Jewish folklore.

This story deals with some heavy themes such as antisemitism, persecution, violence and grief so it will evoke strong emotions in the reader. The author gives the reader a vivid historical setting with a looming threat of violence and an atmosphere of overall dread. This reads like a historical fiction with elements of magical realism that aides in the horror or gothic tone and feel.

Because the supernatural and horror elements are layered into a deep historical Jewish experience and folklore some who are not familiar with Jewish folklore or customs may need to look some things up. Concepts related to Jewish holidays, life-cycle events, weekly observances as well the mystical aspects of Judaism are regularly referenced. As a Jew myself, I enjoyed the folklore aspects of the story immensely.

Overall Odessa is a darkly poetic, historically magical debut that blends Jewish folklore, grief, and gothic horror. A story that transforms from historical horror to a psychological haunting that evokes emotion.

[Kiki Marksohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book I’ve read this year! i still can’t believe this is a debut!!! i’ve never read anything quite like it. it’s so creatively written, and i never knew what to expect next. I cried at the end

[mimmoe]

i am always surprised by how stupid people we live on this planet, who also call themselves authors (which in some sense, in my eyes, adds to the mental abilities and ability to study the topics that the book will be about), because it took a lot of effort in my opinion to make a book about a russian family (i d o n o t c a r e if it fictional or not), but to name this book after a Ukrainian city Odesa (Odessa is an russified name of the city) that russia has been actively trying to destroy for the last 12 years (the first mention of which in the original title dates back to 1415).

i hope you only get the worst in life, because why should I have any respect for someone who has the empathy of a stone?

goodreads, you can block our rating all you want before this piece of shit is even out, but I’ll come back and make damn sure it still gets one star from me

[Mattie B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly emotional, dark tale of grief and survival. In times of desperation, what will a man do to protect his family and his people? In times of grief, what would a man do to keep his children alive? This was harrowing, yet so beautifully written. I am impressed by Gabrielle Sher’s luscious writing and how she was able to depict such dark story in such a beautiful way. There were so many spine-tingling scenes; scenes that were violently gruesome that I couldn’t help but get emotional over. This isn’t just a tale of monsters, it’s a story of survival. This was incredible and I can’t wait for the book’s release so I can have a copy of my own. Highly recommend this one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a magical blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and horror. Set during the pogroms of 1800s Russia, it weaves together folklore and the haunting reality of persecution. When a grieving father brings his daughter back from the grave, she must unravel a dark secret of his own making. A compelling and chilling tale of grief, family, and trauma.

[Shea Lawlis Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Publisher for this Arc. Publishing date is April 21, 2026

I loved this book! I really enjoyed how it was horror and historical fiction in one.

This book follows a Jewish Russian family in the early 1900’s who are attacked by gentile Russians in their town. After Yetta, the oldest child of the family is killed, her grieving father uses a ritual to bring her back to life…but the Yetta brought back, is not the Yetta from before.

I think this book really captures the love that parents have for their children. You could see how desperately Mordachai wanted his daughter back, and how Freida was willing to accept Yetta in whatever form she came in.

My favorite quote from this book was when Freida said to Yetta: “Just know you can tell me anything. Anything at all, and I will not blink.” I feel like that captures a mothers love 100%

[Natasha]

people annoy the shit outta me. this book isn't even out yet, and it is the authors first book. why are there so many 1 star 'reviews'? clearly malicious.

[Emma Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I was tentative to approach a darker work of speculative literature, I was immediately drawn to the rich symbolism and prose of the description itself—“wild, searching spirit,” “a freedom whose edges she doesn't know.” The first few pages of Odessa by Gabrielle Sher were like a bow being drawn across a violoncello, beginning to play Max Bruch's Kol Nidre. The author has a spectacular ability to establish a cadence of astounding power and sensitivity from the very first word.

Further into the book, it was more like the fourth movement of Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1, bright with undercurrents of darkness. Then, an abrupt shattering of glass with the horrors of violence and death, progressing into the pounding out of unrelenting tension until collapsing into despair. The author does not shy away from using her brilliant wielding of speculative storytelling to elucidate the horrific nature of pogroms and the stark reality of the discontinued potential blossoming of all the lives lost. The parts that brought tears to my eyes were the slices of life, of family and faith, of meals and quotidian moments that quickly become jewels of immense value when engulfed with fear, grief, and terror.

The author’s exceptional writing ability and understanding of human psychology makes it all more unnerving. From my writing and reading groups, I know there are readers of horror who are not easily dissuaded from books like this. I’ve loved mythology since I was little and am currently in a group of writers specializing in mythology. It was fascinating to read about golem and dybbuk. Odessa is a horror symphony of broken flesh and bones and spirits, the rending pain of loss and grief, the desperation to hold on and let go, and overall a beautiful danse macabre.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was first introduced to this book I knew it was about Jewish history and folklore. Odessa is so much more than that. It explores what a monster is. It gets to the root of how each member of this family thinks and feels about their place of belonging and safety. It is about love and family and how far they are willing to go in a beautiful, bone chilling, and tear jerking story. I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to see what Gabrielle Sher writes next.

[Allison Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads, the author, and publisher for the free print ARC of this book. Hauntingly sad, at times creepy enough for me to feel chills. Started to write that I know so little of Jewish history. But that may not be true. As a Christian I grew up learning the stories of the old testament. Many of the same stories Jewish people have learned for centuries. The whole golem and dybbuk story was so interesting to me. Solid 4.5 stars. Great book:-)

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story takes place in 1905 Russia amidst a pogrom of the Jewish community. Mordechai and Freida's teenage daughter, Yetta, is brutally killed during a massacre, leaving the family reeling. Mordechai, along with the local Rabbi, decide to use ancient Kabbalistic magic to revive Yetta, turning her into a golem that will fight the Russian cossacks that keep attacking the village. The story deals with themes of grief, persecution, antisemitism, family, the harm of the patriarchy, and ultimately hope and new beginnings.

I was hooked the second I started reading. The story alternated between Mordechai, Frieda, and Yetta's point of view, and each character was so multifaceted, interesting, and well-drawn. The action kept moving the entire time, but not at the expense of introspective and evocative prose. The development of the characters was just as engaging as the action, something I rarely find in a book of this genre. The writing was harrowing at times, but ultimately I found the growing strength and trust between the female characters to be hopeful and rewarding.

Definitely recommend for anyone interested in books on female rage, Jewish folklore, or subtle horror.

[Madeline Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odessa was a novel unlike anything I have ever come across before. I am in awe that this is Gabrielle Sher's debut novel because the originality is insane.

Gabrielle Sher created this story that did not feel like it was similar to any other work of literature. It was unique in so many different ways. Mostly, I do not think I have ever read a book that meshed the genres that Odessa did. It combines horror, historical fiction, and fantasy.

The author's writing style was easy to follow and engaging. The way she told the story was done well and thoroughly, even though there are a lot of working parts. I like how the author distributed different parts of this story.

The concept itself is very interesting at its core. A family from Russia decides they are going to resort to magic to bring their daughter back from the dead. This sets up the story for a very intriguing plot.

I am sad because I personally could not get into the story. I will say that as it went on, my attention was caught more. Therefore, Part One was my least favorite, and it continued to go up. I think that even though I did not end up loving this novel, it will be a favorite for many.

Thank you NetGalley, Mulholland Books, and Gabrielle Sher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Odessa is released on April 21, 2026!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love books rooted in folklore, and so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read this supernatural horror novel. In this story, a young woman named Yetta finds her Jewish community in the city of Odessa under siege from the Cossacks again. She tragically dies protecting her family but then finds herself violently hurtled back to life when her father invokes ancient magic to transform into a golem. Golems are traditionally male, so this was a very interesting look at what it means to be a powerful supernatural being but under the total command of a man, her creator, just as she had been in life. I need to find the author’s scholarly work on monsters now because this novel was very very well done—what makes us monsters? That is one of the primary questions it addresses.

Odessa is a stunning novel about how women cope with trauma and violence. Both Yetta’s and her mother’s stories are so thoughtfully written that even though this book was heart-pounding as a horror novel, it was also heart-rending as it bore witness to the ways in which Jewish women have borne pain and violence across centuries. The epilogue was so hard to read, especially knowing something of the author’s personal family history. What a beautiful book and homage to the women of strength who have lived through so much violence and antisemitism.

[Judith Lindbergh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooted in Jewish folklore, Odessa dwells in the complex middle between righteousness and evil. Amid the oppression and violence of pogroms against the Jews of 1900s Odessa, then part of Russia, a Jewish father is propelled to make a rash and desperate choice. When his daughter Yetta falls victim to the horrific violence, he uses sacred wisdom to bring her back to life as a golem, life created from death intent to protect the Jewish people in times of extreme need. But her soul has been severed from her new form, split in two and haunted by a dybbuk, the demon other and parallel consequence of going against nature and God.

Vividly rendered with elements of horror and magic realism, Yetta’s story reflects the consequences of betraying life's natural cycle cast against the threat of extermination that has plagued the Jewish people throughout history.

Odessa is a cautionary tale of how fear, oppression, and vengeance can go terribly wrong and how the innocents are forever the victims.

[Candice Daquin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. I admire the effort of the author in reclaiming the Golem mythos for modern readers and through a female lens. When you read a lot of books for work and you see the quality of those books then it leaves you wondering when an author is published by a large publisher but the work is no more remarkable than other books that never get a larger publisher - this is what I felt after reading Odessa. I can't highly recommend it, it is not bad and there is effort put into the story but ultimately it wasn't as strong as I'd hoped for. A good effort and definitely worthwhile for Jews or those who are interested in the Golem mythology or Monster mythology - the feminist element was there but not explored as thoroughly as I'd have liked.

[Allison Willey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book up I was not expecting it to be the emotional powerhouse that it was. There was historical fiction, horror, and heartbreak in spades in this novel; written with enough care and consideration for plot and characters that I'm shocked this is a debut. I was very impressed with how Gabrielle Sher weaves real history and historical events into a horror plot in a way that honors Jewish beliefs and traditions without making any of it seem hokey or mechanical. She also depicts grief in very different ways, which to me, lent authenticity and believability into what I was reading. All in all, this was really excellent storytelling.

[Brittany R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odessa is a captivating novel in which Gabrielle intricately weaves together themes of Jewish history, survival, identity, folklore, and resilience, creating a tapestry that is both haunting and rich in meaning. At a time when it matters more than ever to hear Jewish stories, ones told fully, unapologetically, and with emotional honesty, this book paves a new pathway to the necessity of such storytelling. Not only did Odessa hold my attention from beginning to end, but it also left me deeply changed. It is the kind of story that lingers, one I will carry with me for a long time, as I know many others will.

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could write essay upon essay about this book. It is a golem waiting to be awoken. I got spooked, I sobbed… I basically tumbled through every emotion while reading this. Odessa is literary but gripping and fast-paced. There is so much love poured into this book. The underlying themes remind me a bit of the recent movie Sinners; Who made us monsters? Monsters. It’s so fascinating how the author chose to focus on how violence turns in on itself—how it turns us against ourselves—instead of focusing on the enemy. Also, women are so strong and their love is fierce. I’m a blubbering mess❤️

[K. M · Rating 3 out of 5]

:: Thank you Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for a honest review ::

I liked it but didn’t love it, and I’m not sure why. I enjoyed the Jewish mythology, Yetta’s conflicting attraction towards Alexei (the want to spare him and her deep need for revenge). The writing was quick and easy. The pacing was almost perfect, and for the most part, the characters were approachable, and you could sympathize, but there was just something that was holding me back and I’m not sure why, I just couldn’t immerse myself into it. It felt too far away.

[Sarah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique and interesting story. I learned some things about Jewish history and folklore that I was completely unfamiliar with. This book also had a few scenes that I found legitimately frightening, which can be hard to come by for me! This is an excellent debut novel and I absolutely recommend picking it up when it comes out.

Thanks to Mulholland Books and NetGalley for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Emma June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infusing horror, folklore and historical fiction, this is a perfect novel for fans of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
Following a young Jewish woman trapped under the restraints of both her family and the persecution she would face outside of home, Yetta just wants to be free. Free to make her own way through the world, to walk the streets at night without fear, to make no use of the hidden compartment in the walls of her family home.
However, the world is cruel, and she is murdered during a raid on the shtelt. Little does she or anyone else know, however, that her father is making a weapon. And she will be the one to unleash it.
This is a novel full of hope, even if it is found in the darkest corners, in the darkest rooms. It is also a novel of vengeance, in every way that matters. Accompanied by lush writing and painful historical accuracy, this is a tale unlike many in the horror genre today.

[Ronnica Fatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical horror with deep roots in Jewish folklore. I appreciate the attention to European antisemitism pre-Holocaust. An exploration of feminine identity and freedom in a patriarchal culture. Thank you Mulholland Books for the review copy.

[Reader]

Odessa is Ukraine

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for review in Library Journal. Note that the book takes place during Tsarist, Imperial Russia and Odessa was part of the Russian empire at that time.