Review of Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Favorite Authors

Synopsis: "A half-magic girl learns about heroism and taking action when she and her sister confront a wizard who endangers others for her own gain. 

Even and Odd are sisters who share magic. Lately, though, it seems like that’s the only thing they have in common. Odd doesn’t like magic, and Even practices it every chance she gets, dreaming of the day she’ll be ready to be a hero.

 

When the hidden border between the mundane world the sisters live in and the magical land they were born in shuts abruptly, the girls are trapped, unable to return home. With the help of a unicorn named Jeremy, they discover a wizard is diverting magic from the border to bolster her own power. Families are cut off from each other on both sides of the border, and an ecological disaster is brewing. But the wizard cares nothing for the calamitous effects her appropriation of magic is having. Someone has to do something to stop her, and Even realizes she can no longer wait until she’s ready: she needs to be a hero now."

My Review: I was immediately drawn to this book, not only was it written by one of my favorite fantasy authors but it has a unicorn on the cover. To be honest, I did struggle quite a bit to get into this book, and it was on me, I think Middle Grade Fantasy just isn't for me at this point in my reading life. It was a unique set up with a magical world side by side with the read world and sisters who have to share their magic. It was rather silly with a lot of funny quirks that will have young readers laughing. Durst definitely hit her target audience for this one just right with a lot of characters starting to come into their own personalities, strengths and weaknesses; and learning to work with what they have and maybe not envying other for what they have. I like the way the characters had to work together to problem solve. This was quite the adventure and I do hope there might be more books after this one as I can see it being a world that would be fun for young readers to explore.

My Rating: I really floundered with getting into this one, it took several attempts to get beyond the first couple of chapters (sadly, this has become a struggle with me and middle grade fantasy, time to admit defeat and take a break) but it was more me than the book. I think the target audience will really love the adventures of Even and Odd.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Sarah Beth Durst and her books on her Goodreads Page or Website.

Even and Odd was released earlier this year so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request it at your local bookstore or library.