I actually read this book shortly after I received it, forgot to review it and now don't really recall it. I went back to read the first few pages and none of it sound familiar, but I know for sure that I read it. Definitely going to re-read it because I know I enjoyed it, but sadly nothing really stuck with me from it. (This is a common problem for me - remembering if I liked or disliked a book, but not why - so don't blame it on the book. I'm still intrigued by the premise though and I'm looking forward to reading it again and actually writing down my thoughts afterwards.

Creating an alternate timeline along with populating it with apparently magical items is an ambitious undertaking. To sell it, the characters need to feel natural — like they belong in their world. Clover understandably spends much of her time after her father's death thinking about him. That leaves her traveling companions, a snake oil saleswoman and a talking rooster who unfortunately brings to mind Chicken Run, to fill in the world of the oddities. They don't beyond one quick tale of a wine goblet making a marsh after spilling and getting lost in the process.
It's just not holding my attention beyond reminding me of other books I've read and would rather re-read. ( )

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. ( )

Loved Cinnamon and Gunpowder, but I couldn't finish this one. The world building was quite odd. The French are real but the Native tribes are fake; odd. I found it so distracting, like halfway between historical fiction and fantasy.

Very similar to Garth Nix writing in that its a fantasy with twists and turns that the reader doesn't see coming. The Oddities are various objects with magical properties like a wine glass that never empties and a match that once struck, can stop time until it burns down. Set in the Southern States of the US in an alternative historical time after the Louisiana Wars were fought between the southern states, the French and a combined force of Native Americans, an uneasy truce has settled over the land. Clover Elkin follows her Doctor father as he tends the pioneers in a southern backwater. It seems her father is keeping secrets - like what happened to Clover's mother and why won't he ever leave the area where they appear to be hiding from someone? Clover herself is fascinated by the rumoured existence of Oddities and yet her father refuses to talk to her about them.
Then one day they are ambushed by a gang of lawless men and before he is shot, Clover's father thrusts his medicine bag into her hands and pushes her off a bridge into a fast flowing river telling her to protect the oddity he has been protecting himself. Clover then finds herself travelling across the state to discover answers to her questions and escape the outlaws chasing her. At one stage she teams up with a Talking rooster ( himself an Oddity) called Hannibal and a travelling charlatan potion seller called Nessa. But are Nessa and Hannibal on Clover's side and what about the new oddity called Susanna - a doll with superhuman strength - is she a friend or a foe?
Excellent alternate history fantasy story with magic and twisted characters galore! Clover herself is an interesting main character and the more she discovers about her past and the world around her, the more complex she is shown to be. This might be the first in a series but stands alone with no real cliff hangers at the end. SPOILER ALERT : Don't get too attached to Hannibal. ( )