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The Oddmire #3
Deepest, Darkest Lib/E
The third adventure in the beloved fantasy series full of folklore and mayhem, from the creator of Jackaby .
Brothers Cole and Tinn&;one human, one a goblin changeling&;are determined to solve a mystery almost as old as they What happened to their long-missing father?
Joseph Burton vanished without a trace, leaving the baby boys&; mother to raise them alone. Some say he abandoned his family, others that he met foul play looking for a way to get rid of the changeling imposter. Cole is determined to finally push through the rumors and learn his father's fate.
With the help of their friends&;Evie, expert on the creatures of the Wild Wood, and Fable, the indomitable half human, half fairy&;Tinn and Cole set out on a dangerous quest to the deepest, most deadly limits of the Wild Wood. Meanwhile a shudder runs through the forest. Increasingly powerful earthquakes shake the land, sinkholes form, and the spriggans, trolls, and other creatures along their path speak of an ancient evil on the rise . . .
Brothers Cole and Tinn&;one human, one a goblin changeling&;are determined to solve a mystery almost as old as they What happened to their long-missing father?
Joseph Burton vanished without a trace, leaving the baby boys&; mother to raise them alone. Some say he abandoned his family, others that he met foul play looking for a way to get rid of the changeling imposter. Cole is determined to finally push through the rumors and learn his father's fate.
With the help of their friends&;Evie, expert on the creatures of the Wild Wood, and Fable, the indomitable half human, half fairy&;Tinn and Cole set out on a dangerous quest to the deepest, most deadly limits of the Wild Wood. Meanwhile a shudder runs through the forest. Increasingly powerful earthquakes shake the land, sinkholes form, and the spriggans, trolls, and other creatures along their path speak of an ancient evil on the rise . . .
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First published January 1, 2021
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About the author
William Ritter
15 books1,861 followersWILLIAM RITTER is an Oregon educator and author of the New York Times bestselling Jackaby series. He is the proud father of the two bravest boys in the Wild Wood, and husband to the indomitable Queen of the Deep Dark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
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May 30, 2021I am so, so excited! Thank you so much to the publisher for my copy - they've made my month. This series is a true gem in the middle grade space and I can't wait to read this installment.
Thank you to Algonquin for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Algonquin for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2021
This series is excellent overall. I don’t think this novel is as strong as the first two, though - it takes an unexpected turn to become something - more conventional? less of-the-genre? not quite as fitting its established setting?
All of those things, I think. There are some good moments mixed in, and this is enjoyable, but it’s not quite as good.
All of those things, I think. There are some good moments mixed in, and this is enjoyable, but it’s not quite as good.
January 14, 2023
4,5/5
So, here I am, thinking this is a trilogy, but the ending of this book leaves so much open for a 4th book, I wonder if it'll ever come. If not, however, this was still a solid enough ending, though slightly bittersweet.
Impossibly, the stakes were raised even higher in this third/final book, though unsurprisingly they made it through. But unsurprisingly in a good way. It really had me worried for some characters, truth be told, so that was good! It even had some Norse mythology influences which I really enjoyed.
And Evie!
Damn, I love her.
Honestly, I love them all. I really, really do. Supportive family for the win!
If there is ever a 4th book, I'll probably never know about it because I suck at keeping up, but if I were to find it, I'd devour it as soon as I could!
Another huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for accepting my eARC request. It was my honor to read these three books, and I sincerely apologize for the delay.
So, here I am, thinking this is a trilogy, but the ending of this book leaves so much open for a 4th book, I wonder if it'll ever come. If not, however, this was still a solid enough ending, though slightly bittersweet.
Impossibly, the stakes were raised even higher in this third/final book, though unsurprisingly they made it through. But unsurprisingly in a good way. It really had me worried for some characters, truth be told, so that was good! It even had some Norse mythology influences which I really enjoyed.
And Evie!
Damn, I love her.
Honestly, I love them all. I really, really do. Supportive family for the win!
If there is ever a 4th book, I'll probably never know about it because I suck at keeping up, but if I were to find it, I'd devour it as soon as I could!
Another huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for accepting my eARC request. It was my honor to read these three books, and I sincerely apologize for the delay.
May 26, 2021
This one took a little while to get into, but I raced through the last two thirds of the book. Love this series!!
June 30, 2021
Ritter delivers with yet another epic and whimsical adventure.
The plot for this one actually got so stressful I felt like my eyes would be permanently bugged out of my head. I’m in awe of the places this series is going and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Algonquin Young Readers on NetGalley. An honest review was provided
The plot for this one actually got so stressful I felt like my eyes would be permanently bugged out of my head. I’m in awe of the places this series is going and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Algonquin Young Readers on NetGalley. An honest review was provided
October 27, 2020
This book is not coming out until next summer. And yet I could not resist reading it right away, after I got approved for an eARC via Edelweiss. And I do not regret it for one moment. This book was so very perfect. And I loved every moment of it. Five stars for sure. I will do my best to share a mostly spoiler free review.
I will be including a few important plot pieces, but nothing that really spoils what happens. Just, gosh. This third book was so very good. As I knew it would. I'm so in love with The Oddmire series. There must be more books. It could have ended with this one, but I do not think so. Still much more that needs to be told.
The writing was perfect, as with the other books too. I had no problem at all with connecting to the story and the characters. I decided to not re-read the first two books before I started this, as I did that this summer. So not too far ago. And although I wish I had re-read them, I did not need to. I remembered almost every detail, and this book was good at reminders too. There is just so much to love about this story. I do not know where to begin. Will not write too much about this book. Only sharing a little about what I loved about it. Which might be way too much, ha. These books seem to get darker and darker for each book. All of them are dark. But this one the most. Sad at times. But hopeful and happy too. But it did break my heart a few times. Very rude.
This is still the story about Tinn and Cole. And their friends, Fable and Evie. Their mother too. This time they are searching for their missing dad. Whom the twins have never known, as he went missing when they were babies. Cole wants to find him so badly. Tinn does too. But he is more nervous, so worried that their father will not want him. I understood so well why he was worried about finding him. But gosh, it was sad to read about too. I just wanted to hug this poor boy. He was so different from them. Still their family.
The book starts a little slow, with the boys searching for clues about how to find their dad underground. Then they learn more. And learn how they might be able to find him, if he is still alive. Which is how this next adventure begins. They all go underground. Deep, deep under their town. The twins and their mom, Fable and her mom, and Evie with old Jim too. They all wish to find the missing dad. But this was not a safe journey to take. And it very much does not go as they planned. Which was fully amazing, honestly.
There was so much going on in this third book. We get to see The Thing again. Which was both creepy and so awesome. We get to see so much underground. It was fully interesting and exciting. Things go badly for them all. There are falls and danger and pain. There are evil creatures underneath the earth. And getting to know more about them all was so great. I did not like them one bit, ha. But it was so good to read about. There is a great sleeping thing underneath the magma. Reading about that was the best.
The Oddmire: Deepest, Darkest was everything I wanted it to be. Fully perfect and so fun. Completely evil and heartbreaking at times. So dark yet full of hope. These stories about Tinn and Cole are the very best. I love these twin boys the most. Fable and Evie are both perfect too. And I just love their friendships so much. I will not say more about this book. Just that I loved it so very much and cannot wait for more. You must read them too. Thank you very much Algonquin Young Readers for the approval to read this early.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2020...
I will be including a few important plot pieces, but nothing that really spoils what happens. Just, gosh. This third book was so very good. As I knew it would. I'm so in love with The Oddmire series. There must be more books. It could have ended with this one, but I do not think so. Still much more that needs to be told.
The writing was perfect, as with the other books too. I had no problem at all with connecting to the story and the characters. I decided to not re-read the first two books before I started this, as I did that this summer. So not too far ago. And although I wish I had re-read them, I did not need to. I remembered almost every detail, and this book was good at reminders too. There is just so much to love about this story. I do not know where to begin. Will not write too much about this book. Only sharing a little about what I loved about it. Which might be way too much, ha. These books seem to get darker and darker for each book. All of them are dark. But this one the most. Sad at times. But hopeful and happy too. But it did break my heart a few times. Very rude.
This is still the story about Tinn and Cole. And their friends, Fable and Evie. Their mother too. This time they are searching for their missing dad. Whom the twins have never known, as he went missing when they were babies. Cole wants to find him so badly. Tinn does too. But he is more nervous, so worried that their father will not want him. I understood so well why he was worried about finding him. But gosh, it was sad to read about too. I just wanted to hug this poor boy. He was so different from them. Still their family.
The book starts a little slow, with the boys searching for clues about how to find their dad underground. Then they learn more. And learn how they might be able to find him, if he is still alive. Which is how this next adventure begins. They all go underground. Deep, deep under their town. The twins and their mom, Fable and her mom, and Evie with old Jim too. They all wish to find the missing dad. But this was not a safe journey to take. And it very much does not go as they planned. Which was fully amazing, honestly.
There was so much going on in this third book. We get to see The Thing again. Which was both creepy and so awesome. We get to see so much underground. It was fully interesting and exciting. Things go badly for them all. There are falls and danger and pain. There are evil creatures underneath the earth. And getting to know more about them all was so great. I did not like them one bit, ha. But it was so good to read about. There is a great sleeping thing underneath the magma. Reading about that was the best.
The Oddmire: Deepest, Darkest was everything I wanted it to be. Fully perfect and so fun. Completely evil and heartbreaking at times. So dark yet full of hope. These stories about Tinn and Cole are the very best. I love these twin boys the most. Fable and Evie are both perfect too. And I just love their friendships so much. I will not say more about this book. Just that I loved it so very much and cannot wait for more. You must read them too. Thank you very much Algonquin Young Readers for the approval to read this early.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2020...
July 7, 2021
i really like these series and these characters. this was not my favorite and yet i liked that they were growing into their own. the fantasy, magical part was a little unmagical, kind of more action-y. looking forward to the next adventure!
January 29, 2021
I would say, for me, this may have been the weakest book of the series. The plot felt fairly formulaic compared to the other two books. The boys get mixed up in something, peril and mayhem ensues, they fight a fight or there is a form of conflict, and the boys come out at the end.
That being said, I still enjoyed this book. There were a lot of loose ends from the previous books that got tied up in this one. There were several characters that got more page time than before, and it was nice to see their perspectives (though more Evie please, we can always use a lot more Evie. She is the best.)
I found the plot to be interesting, though it did feel like there were some parts left open ended or dropped entirely and I was still asking questions about them through the end of the book because I felt like it never got resolved--these would be more random little comments or plot threads.
But I trust Ritter and I feel confident those plot threads will be dealt with in a later installment, because this book did leave enough stuff open-ended to allow for easily two more books. I'm not sure how I feel 100% about that since, as much as I like the series, too much of a good thing can ruin a good story.
So, if you've made it this far, read this book. It's excellent. It's a fun romp, and seeing the characters is always a thrill.
That being said, I still enjoyed this book. There were a lot of loose ends from the previous books that got tied up in this one. There were several characters that got more page time than before, and it was nice to see their perspectives (though more Evie please, we can always use a lot more Evie. She is the best.)
I found the plot to be interesting, though it did feel like there were some parts left open ended or dropped entirely and I was still asking questions about them through the end of the book because I felt like it never got resolved--these would be more random little comments or plot threads.
But I trust Ritter and I feel confident those plot threads will be dealt with in a later installment, because this book did leave enough stuff open-ended to allow for easily two more books. I'm not sure how I feel 100% about that since, as much as I like the series, too much of a good thing can ruin a good story.
So, if you've made it this far, read this book. It's excellent. It's a fun romp, and seeing the characters is always a thrill.
September 12, 2021
First of all I want to thank Algonquin Young Readers for sending this arc my way for an honest review. It took a bit for me to finish, not because the book wasn't amazing, but because I've been really busy. I have read this series out loud to my children and they have loved every book. 5 stars!
If you are unfamiliar with this middle grade series, it's about two brothers Tinn and Cole. One of them was born a changeling and was supposed to be switched at birth. However, before the deed could be completed, the boys mother Annie, came into nursery to check on her son. What she discovered was that she had two sons. Identical boys that she ended up raising as her own. The entire town knows of the Wild Wood, the Witch and the creatures that live there. Everyone knows one of Annie's boys is a Goblin.
One day a Kull the goblin who tried to swap babies decides that he can no longer keep the secret and tells the boys which one is the changeling. After that one of the boys learns about goblins and magic inside him and the other brother supports him.
I have to say all of these books made me cry a bit. They were all so good and heartfelt and wholesome and family oriented and I am pretty sure there is going to be a fourth book. At least I really hope there is going to be a fourth book.
If I were to describe this story without spoilers I would say that Tinn and Cole along with their mom Annie, and friends go looking in the mines for their long lost father. This adventure is dangerous and they meet a lot of creatures along the way like Kobolds and the women in gray. Fable calls her Madam Root. We also learn about the delvers and the ancient one and a prophecy that has been in the works for hundreds of years.
I love all the characters and their back stories. I love that they are all fully fleshed out and that every creature and character has personal growth. I love that there is always a talk at the end with the boys and their mom and how she makes them realize what is important. Because it's that what mom's do? We are there to protect and to guide and Annie is so good at that. I love that she would do anything for her boys, even if their ideas are crazy and far fetched and dangerous. Lastly I love that not everyone is what they seem. Never judge a book by its cover. Someone who seems to want to help could be insidious and someone who seems to be angry and mean could be helpful and kind.
If you haven't picked up this series yet, what are you waiting for? William Ritter is an amazing author and I can bet you will fall in love with this series too.
If you are unfamiliar with this middle grade series, it's about two brothers Tinn and Cole. One of them was born a changeling and was supposed to be switched at birth. However, before the deed could be completed, the boys mother Annie, came into nursery to check on her son. What she discovered was that she had two sons. Identical boys that she ended up raising as her own. The entire town knows of the Wild Wood, the Witch and the creatures that live there. Everyone knows one of Annie's boys is a Goblin.
One day a Kull the goblin who tried to swap babies decides that he can no longer keep the secret and tells the boys which one is the changeling. After that one of the boys learns about goblins and magic inside him and the other brother supports him.
I have to say all of these books made me cry a bit. They were all so good and heartfelt and wholesome and family oriented and I am pretty sure there is going to be a fourth book. At least I really hope there is going to be a fourth book.
If I were to describe this story without spoilers I would say that Tinn and Cole along with their mom Annie, and friends go looking in the mines for their long lost father. This adventure is dangerous and they meet a lot of creatures along the way like Kobolds and the women in gray. Fable calls her Madam Root. We also learn about the delvers and the ancient one and a prophecy that has been in the works for hundreds of years.
I love all the characters and their back stories. I love that they are all fully fleshed out and that every creature and character has personal growth. I love that there is always a talk at the end with the boys and their mom and how she makes them realize what is important. Because it's that what mom's do? We are there to protect and to guide and Annie is so good at that. I love that she would do anything for her boys, even if their ideas are crazy and far fetched and dangerous. Lastly I love that not everyone is what they seem. Never judge a book by its cover. Someone who seems to want to help could be insidious and someone who seems to be angry and mean could be helpful and kind.
If you haven't picked up this series yet, what are you waiting for? William Ritter is an amazing author and I can bet you will fall in love with this series too.
June 23, 2021
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Deepest, Darkest is available now.
There will be some spoilers for book one, but I’ll try to keep them to a minimum. I’ve loved the first two books in the Oddmire series, as well as William Ritter’s Jackaby series, so I was beyond excited to read book 3.
Deepest, Darkest was a fantastic continuation of the story that started in Changeling. Cole and his changeling brother Tinn have found a new adventure: they’re going to solve the mystery of what happened to their dad. He’s been missing since they were babies, but they’ve found clues that lead them on an unforgettable journey for answers.
One of the many things I love about the Oddmire series is that the parents are involved and they have loving relationships with their kids. Often children in middle-grade books are orphaned, or their parents are completely uninvolved. Not so with this series. The brothers’ mom, who I absolutely love, goes searching right along with them. They are accompanied by Fable, the “Little Queen of the Wild Wood” and her mama bear (quite literally sometimes); their friend Evie, and Evie’s great uncle. While the children were still the main characters and took center stage, it was great seeing the relationships with their parents.
As always, my favorite character was Tinn. He has grown into himself a little more and is feeling a bit more confident in who he is. However, he isn’t quite sure he wants to find his father, since he’s been told that his father left because one of his children wasn’t human. That’s a complicated box of emotions to unpack, to say the least. Tinn’s a wonderful combination of heart, anxiety, and scrappiness. I’ve said this before, but he really does remind me of my oldest. All of the characters are great, though. Fable makes me smile, and the boys’ mom, Annie, is one of my favorite moms in fantasy.
The story was so much fun! And the creatures! Tommyknockers! Kobolds! Spriggans! I love the sheer variety of critters found in the Oddmire series. The world is rich and full of mysteries to solve, secrets to uncover, and magic to experience. This is a fantasy world that I love to disappear into. My oldest, who is in the targeted age range, loves the series as well. It’s awesome to be able to rave about a book with your child!
Deepest, Darkest is filled with adventure and heart. This is a series that fans of magical worlds and mysterious doings will love.
There will be some spoilers for book one, but I’ll try to keep them to a minimum. I’ve loved the first two books in the Oddmire series, as well as William Ritter’s Jackaby series, so I was beyond excited to read book 3.
Deepest, Darkest was a fantastic continuation of the story that started in Changeling. Cole and his changeling brother Tinn have found a new adventure: they’re going to solve the mystery of what happened to their dad. He’s been missing since they were babies, but they’ve found clues that lead them on an unforgettable journey for answers.
One of the many things I love about the Oddmire series is that the parents are involved and they have loving relationships with their kids. Often children in middle-grade books are orphaned, or their parents are completely uninvolved. Not so with this series. The brothers’ mom, who I absolutely love, goes searching right along with them. They are accompanied by Fable, the “Little Queen of the Wild Wood” and her mama bear (quite literally sometimes); their friend Evie, and Evie’s great uncle. While the children were still the main characters and took center stage, it was great seeing the relationships with their parents.
As always, my favorite character was Tinn. He has grown into himself a little more and is feeling a bit more confident in who he is. However, he isn’t quite sure he wants to find his father, since he’s been told that his father left because one of his children wasn’t human. That’s a complicated box of emotions to unpack, to say the least. Tinn’s a wonderful combination of heart, anxiety, and scrappiness. I’ve said this before, but he really does remind me of my oldest. All of the characters are great, though. Fable makes me smile, and the boys’ mom, Annie, is one of my favorite moms in fantasy.
The story was so much fun! And the creatures! Tommyknockers! Kobolds! Spriggans! I love the sheer variety of critters found in the Oddmire series. The world is rich and full of mysteries to solve, secrets to uncover, and magic to experience. This is a fantasy world that I love to disappear into. My oldest, who is in the targeted age range, loves the series as well. It’s awesome to be able to rave about a book with your child!
Deepest, Darkest is filled with adventure and heart. This is a series that fans of magical worlds and mysterious doings will love.
March 24, 2022
Though Annie and most of the village have given up hope that her husband, Joseph Burton, will ever return. But as earthquakes increasingly shake the Oddmire, Cole is sure that his father is still out there, or at the very least, he wants to figure out what happened to him. Tinn is not so sure about finding the man he knows was looking to get rid of him, but he cares deeply for Cole and Annie so he joins in Cole's hunt. Annie knows her boys, so she quickly figures out what they are up to and declares she is also joining their quest. Their friends can't let the family go on a quest without them, so soon the Burtons, Fable and the Queen of the Wildwood, Evie and Uncle Jim are venturing in the mysterious depths where unbeknownst to them forces are at work trying to unleash an ancient creature who is prophesied to bring about the end of the world.
I really love Tinn's ability to break through to creatures and people with unexpected and often really undeserved grace and kindness. And he totally learned that from his awesome mom, Annie. Those two, the heart conveyed through these stories, and the imaginative world building are why I absolutely love this series. I liked that the kids don't go on their adventure alone in this one, but the adults who love them recognize they need to do this so they go with them. How amazing and unconventional is that for the world of kids lit!?! I listened to the audiobook for part of this, and I was stunned by the range of voice the narrator was able to pull off. It is an excellent production. And I absolutely love his voice for Fable. She and Kull provide the comic relief in what could otherwise be a more tense adventure. Listening to Kull's parts might be easier for some readers since he is written in vernacular that does really work to convey that he is from somewhere else, but may be hard for some readers to decode. (Though I remember the first time I came across vernacular spellings in a book and being thrilled by it because it felt like I was figuring out a puzzle. So puzzle lovers may love reading his parts.) Overall, an excellent fantasy adventure series that pulls some unexpected twists and turns and has great messages.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations, and it is mentioned a group making offerings of living creatures to something (talked about but not shown) but burns and bumps and scratches are the worst thing on page.
I really love Tinn's ability to break through to creatures and people with unexpected and often really undeserved grace and kindness. And he totally learned that from his awesome mom, Annie. Those two, the heart conveyed through these stories, and the imaginative world building are why I absolutely love this series. I liked that the kids don't go on their adventure alone in this one, but the adults who love them recognize they need to do this so they go with them. How amazing and unconventional is that for the world of kids lit!?! I listened to the audiobook for part of this, and I was stunned by the range of voice the narrator was able to pull off. It is an excellent production. And I absolutely love his voice for Fable. She and Kull provide the comic relief in what could otherwise be a more tense adventure. Listening to Kull's parts might be easier for some readers since he is written in vernacular that does really work to convey that he is from somewhere else, but may be hard for some readers to decode. (Though I remember the first time I came across vernacular spellings in a book and being thrilled by it because it felt like I was figuring out a puzzle. So puzzle lovers may love reading his parts.) Overall, an excellent fantasy adventure series that pulls some unexpected twists and turns and has great messages.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations, and it is mentioned a group making offerings of living creatures to something (talked about but not shown) but burns and bumps and scratches are the worst thing on page.
June 8, 2021
Thank you to Algonquin for an advanced copy of this book!
This series is so cute and so much fun! Yet another great adventure for Tinn, Cole, Fable and Evie. The gang is all back together in this book and Cole is determined to find his dad alive and well after being missing for 13 years. They end up going down into the mining tunnels and find a whole group of underground creatures with an evil plot.
I really loved how different Cole and Tinn were despite being twins (and Tinn being a changeling). Tinn just really wanted to belong in the human world where he had lived his whole life, but he also really wanted to integrate into the goblin world too and I really admired that. Cole's determination to find his dad even though no one else thought he was still alive was really something younger kids that read this book can look up to. And while Cole wanted to find his dad, Tinn almost didn't because he was convinced that his dad had gone missing trying to find a way to get rid of him because he was a changeling and that had really hurt him. Fable was yet again adorable in this one, she was so strong and such a firecracker. I still love Annie's relationship with her boys and how she loves them differently, how each of them needs to be loved. She's a great mother figure when parents are so absent in a lot of books nowadays.
Going down into the mines to looks for Joseph Burton was such an exciting plot. We start out not really knowing where to look for him, but find clues all throughout the beginning of the book. Then when Tinn and Cole decide to go deep into the mines, even deeper than the miners, they accumulate a big group to go with them. Annie, Fable, her mom Raina, Evie and her Uncle Jim. Despite having adults go with them, it really is the kids who end up needing to save the day and I thought that was a really fun thing for younger readers. The Thing is back from the first book and plays a large role in this book. I loved that the evil from the first book was brought back into this one.
I'm not sure if this is the last book, but there is a hint to what a next book could be about and I really hope that this isn't the last book in this series!
This series is so cute and so much fun! Yet another great adventure for Tinn, Cole, Fable and Evie. The gang is all back together in this book and Cole is determined to find his dad alive and well after being missing for 13 years. They end up going down into the mining tunnels and find a whole group of underground creatures with an evil plot.
I really loved how different Cole and Tinn were despite being twins (and Tinn being a changeling). Tinn just really wanted to belong in the human world where he had lived his whole life, but he also really wanted to integrate into the goblin world too and I really admired that. Cole's determination to find his dad even though no one else thought he was still alive was really something younger kids that read this book can look up to. And while Cole wanted to find his dad, Tinn almost didn't because he was convinced that his dad had gone missing trying to find a way to get rid of him because he was a changeling and that had really hurt him. Fable was yet again adorable in this one, she was so strong and such a firecracker. I still love Annie's relationship with her boys and how she loves them differently, how each of them needs to be loved. She's a great mother figure when parents are so absent in a lot of books nowadays.
Going down into the mines to looks for Joseph Burton was such an exciting plot. We start out not really knowing where to look for him, but find clues all throughout the beginning of the book. Then when Tinn and Cole decide to go deep into the mines, even deeper than the miners, they accumulate a big group to go with them. Annie, Fable, her mom Raina, Evie and her Uncle Jim. Despite having adults go with them, it really is the kids who end up needing to save the day and I thought that was a really fun thing for younger readers. The Thing is back from the first book and plays a large role in this book. I loved that the evil from the first book was brought back into this one.
I'm not sure if this is the last book, but there is a hint to what a next book could be about and I really hope that this isn't the last book in this series!
July 31, 2021
Book Three in William Ritter's Oddmire series does not disappoint. The "twin" brothers Tinn and Cole go in search of Cole's missing father who disappeared when they were both babies. They enlist help from their two best friends, Evie who knows all about strange creatures and Fable, destined to become the next Queen of the Wild Wood.
Going underground in search of their father worries Tinn. He's afraid if they do find him alive, his dad won't accept him as the goblin he truly is. The character of Tinn is so lovable, readers will want to hug him and comfort him in his pain.
The boys' mother Annie travels with them and their friends. She has hope to see her husband alive again, but there is ancient evil building and they will have to work quickly to complete their mission.
Ritter has a knack for creating magical, whimsical creatures, and Deepest, Darkest is full of trolls, spriggans, elves, nymphs, goblins and more.
Readers will be on the edge of their seats with the pages turning at a fierce pace. Don't start this book at bedtime because you'll be up all night finishing it. It's that great!
Highly recommended for fans and readers of the first two books, and if you've not read The Oddmire series, what are you waiting for?
A must have for all middle school libraries and readers.
Going underground in search of their father worries Tinn. He's afraid if they do find him alive, his dad won't accept him as the goblin he truly is. The character of Tinn is so lovable, readers will want to hug him and comfort him in his pain.
The boys' mother Annie travels with them and their friends. She has hope to see her husband alive again, but there is ancient evil building and they will have to work quickly to complete their mission.
Ritter has a knack for creating magical, whimsical creatures, and Deepest, Darkest is full of trolls, spriggans, elves, nymphs, goblins and more.
Readers will be on the edge of their seats with the pages turning at a fierce pace. Don't start this book at bedtime because you'll be up all night finishing it. It's that great!
Highly recommended for fans and readers of the first two books, and if you've not read The Oddmire series, what are you waiting for?
A must have for all middle school libraries and readers.
June 10, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Algonquin Young Readers through NetGalley.
Book three turns slightly darker than the first two but continues the story of Cole and Timm's adventures. Each learns more about each other and themselves as they actively search for Cole's dad. The entire group heads down into the tunnels and discovers a completely different world where a generations old prophecy is about to unfold and destroy the entire world. Timm actively uses both sides of his heritage to show the ancient serpent a better solution and saves those he cares about as well as the rest of the species.
The story flows smoothly and middle grade readers will be delighted to see how the various characters put differences aside and work together to first locate the boys' father and then to save each other and the rest of the prisoners of this dark underground kingdom. I like that the older generation plays an active role in this quest and readers see further development for the secondary characters as well as Cole and Timm. The ending sets up continued adventures in coming volumes.
Book three turns slightly darker than the first two but continues the story of Cole and Timm's adventures. Each learns more about each other and themselves as they actively search for Cole's dad. The entire group heads down into the tunnels and discovers a completely different world where a generations old prophecy is about to unfold and destroy the entire world. Timm actively uses both sides of his heritage to show the ancient serpent a better solution and saves those he cares about as well as the rest of the species.
The story flows smoothly and middle grade readers will be delighted to see how the various characters put differences aside and work together to first locate the boys' father and then to save each other and the rest of the prisoners of this dark underground kingdom. I like that the older generation plays an active role in this quest and readers see further development for the secondary characters as well as Cole and Timm. The ending sets up continued adventures in coming volumes.
November 18, 2022
4.5 stars.
I didn't love the whole "apocalyptic cult" plot (I dunno, just seems weird for fantasy creatures, and we're never really shown why they think ending the world is a good idea—Ritter's attempt to sum it up with one line of wisdom just makes me want). That said, I loved the climax, where (a role I thought would go to Evie, but whatever). All the kids got a cool moment (without Fable's being too OP), and I really like the complicated family dynamic and Tinn's theme about seeing from all sorts of creatures' perspectives—which, now that I think of it, is pretty fitting for a shapeshifer.
I do question why Old Jim went along when he didn't get to do anything, though. Annie and Raina are more forgivable, since we've seen them do plenty in the other books.
Anyway, the ending seems to be setting up a fourth book, which looks to shake up the status quo even more, so I'm looking forward to it.
I didn't love the whole "apocalyptic cult" plot (I dunno, just seems weird for fantasy creatures, and we're never really shown why they think ending the world is a good idea—Ritter's attempt to sum it up with one line of wisdom just makes me want). That said, I loved the climax, where (a role I thought would go to Evie, but whatever). All the kids got a cool moment (without Fable's being too OP), and I really like the complicated family dynamic and Tinn's theme about seeing from all sorts of creatures' perspectives—which, now that I think of it, is pretty fitting for a shapeshifer.
I do question why Old Jim went along when he didn't get to do anything, though. Annie and Raina are more forgivable, since we've seen them do plenty in the other books.
Anyway, the ending seems to be setting up a fourth book, which looks to shake up the status quo even more, so I'm looking forward to it.
July 2, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Deepest, Darkest
Author: William Ritter
Book Series: The Oddmire Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle Graders, adventure
Publication Date: June 22, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (adventure, violence, war, scary moments, )
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Pages: 320
Synopsis:
Review: This was an enjoyable book! I really liked story, even more than I did in the first book, and I liked that this book was darker than the others. I loved the character development and the book also did great with the world building yet again. I also really liked the writing.
My only complaint about the novel is, again, the pacing in some places.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: Deepest, Darkest
Author: William Ritter
Book Series: The Oddmire Book 3
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Middle Graders, adventure
Publication Date: June 22, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (adventure, violence, war, scary moments, )
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Pages: 320
Synopsis:
Review: This was an enjoyable book! I really liked story, even more than I did in the first book, and I liked that this book was darker than the others. I loved the character development and the book also did great with the world building yet again. I also really liked the writing.
My only complaint about the novel is, again, the pacing in some places.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
July 5, 2022
Super satisfying ending to the series (which was all good). It's kid friendly but still contains plenty of excitement and things to keep track of. Good job tying book 3 to the 1st 2 books.
Over time Mom learns to love the changeling boy as a son. He (Tin) learns that his dad - who disappeared - did love him. He learned that the poem his dad copied about Tin and Cole, which are the twins' names, he did in order to learn a lullaby.
The story has subtle humor, lots of bravery, and strong friendships.
The author does have a habit of saving "fair enough," but I suppo0se that's fair enough. ha
One of my favorite quotes: "Fear is a power of a sort." page 147
I recommend the entire series.
Over time Mom learns to love the changeling boy as a son. He (Tin) learns that his dad - who disappeared - did love him. He learned that the poem his dad copied about Tin and Cole, which are the twins' names, he did in order to learn a lullaby.
The story has subtle humor, lots of bravery, and strong friendships.
The author does have a habit of saving "fair enough," but I suppo0se that's fair enough. ha
One of my favorite quotes: "Fear is a power of a sort." page 147
I recommend the entire series.
January 28, 2025
and Annie got her cup of tea...that part made me hug the book with joy, you won't understand if you didn't read the three books back to back as I did. and I am so glad that I did, as usually I like to go in circles not finishing the series and read books in-between. though I liked the first two, but I LOVED absolutely loved this one,
it was full of thrill, and warmth and Tinn, that kid have a heart of gold.
an adorable adventurous fairy tale from beginning to end, you cant but frown with worry for the characters and smile with relief when the worry cloud goes away.
I finished this one and was checking if there is a fourth book, cos it ended in a way that gives the chance for it, alas, nothing so far, but it is NEVER too late. I will be waiting for it.
it was full of thrill, and warmth and Tinn, that kid have a heart of gold.
an adorable adventurous fairy tale from beginning to end, you cant but frown with worry for the characters and smile with relief when the worry cloud goes away.
I finished this one and was checking if there is a fourth book, cos it ended in a way that gives the chance for it, alas, nothing so far, but it is NEVER too late. I will be waiting for it.
September 28, 2025
I lovedddd this one, read it all in a day. If I had any critiques its that I feel Cole falls more to the sidelines than his heroic brother. But I love that Cole and tinn are still foils of eachother, that Cole feels rejected by the goblins and tinn feels rejected by their father. But both kull and joseph want to be there for both of the boys.
Id really love to see more of kull and Cole bonding and likewise for tinn and joseph. And joseph and kull, im soooo curious about what their strange family dynamic will look like once it gets more blended.
Great book, once again the overall message is beautiful, it was funny, the familial relationships are wonderful, found family galore. I just fucking love every new book in this series I really hope there's going to be a next one.
Id really love to see more of kull and Cole bonding and likewise for tinn and joseph. And joseph and kull, im soooo curious about what their strange family dynamic will look like once it gets more blended.
Great book, once again the overall message is beautiful, it was funny, the familial relationships are wonderful, found family galore. I just fucking love every new book in this series I really hope there's going to be a next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
Tinn and Cole have found a clue that their long-lost father may still be alive, trapped underground at the Island of Bones. Annie, Evie and her dad, Fable, and Raina go on a Dungeons and Dragons style quest where they meet a bunch of new fairy creatures, including Raina’s equivalent, the Lady of the Rock. The pacing in the first third was terrible, there were a couple of weird anachronisms (like Coney Island, elevators, and the Grand Canyon) that felt out of place, and I’m wondering what the slaves ate for 13 years. Despite the flaws, I liked the world building and how the kids did their best to save the innocent and believe the best of “monsters”.
April 9, 2024
Usually this series and other series authored by William Ritter have me hooked from the moment that I pick up the book all the way to the end. For this book, I didn't really start getting invested in the story until almost the middle. I also felt a bit let down by the ending, though that may change if another book in the series is released that deals with some of the conflicts that this book leaves in what feels like limbo.
Overall it was another good young reader adventure story and I thought that the twists in the middle to ending of the book were done well.
Overall it was another good young reader adventure story and I thought that the twists in the middle to ending of the book were done well.
January 28, 2021
I got this book as an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm a little bias because I just really like this series. I have recommended it for many 3-6th graders. There is a bit of jumping around because the characters are all split up which made it a little confusing while reading it as an ARC. I'm sure the finished product will be cleaner/clearer. Fable and the her mother are 2 of my favorite more recent book characters.
July 6, 2021
I love this series! I also love that this book picks up where book 2 left off, so if you read them back to back the story just continues; if you had to wait a year to read the next installment it doesn't take long for you to remember where Ritter left off.
I hope this series keeps going for at least a book or two, because I cannot wait to see what adventures Tinn and Cole embark on next.
I hope this series keeps going for at least a book or two, because I cannot wait to see what adventures Tinn and Cole embark on next.
December 15, 2023
3.5 stars
Excellent prose. Really appreciated the journeys that both of the boys are on, as well as Fable. They find the boys' father and reunite the family, avert the end of the world, and find an unlikely ally. Such a good series.
Excellent prose. Really appreciated the journeys that both of the boys are on, as well as Fable. They find the boys' father and reunite the family, avert the end of the world, and find an unlikely ally. Such a good series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2021
RTC on blog.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.
July 27, 2021
a really enjoyable read
October 25, 2021
This was my least favorite book in the trilogy but all in all I liked the series and love this author.
December 31, 2021
Read- December 2021
- This isn't one of my favourite series of all time but I have enjoyed every book in it so far.
- This isn't one of my favourite series of all time but I have enjoyed every book in it so far.
January 28, 2022
Good book!!!
February 27, 2023
Better than book two for sure. Not as good as book one.
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