Throughout the Villains series, the Odd Sisters have meddled in the lives of the Wicked Queen, The Beast, Ursula, Maleficent, and Mother Gothel, changing the course of fate for the greatest villains ever known. Now, it’s time for their reckoning.This latest novel by the author of the wildly popular Villains series goes deeper into the lives of the twisted, diabolical Odd Sisters, finally … finally revealing the dark truth about who they are and where they’re from . The Odd Sisters will appeal to fans who can’t get enough of the mischievous sisters, as well as draw new readers to Serena Valentino’s darkly fascinating take on the Disney Villains.
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This was a great addition to the Villain series that gave us a deeper insight into the history of madness from the three odd sisters whom the entire series seems to revolve around. I don’t want to give too many spoilers because there were definitely some “aha!” moments when reading their history and making. Circe continues to be a great character that drives the series and is the heart and soul of it. She is the best of the odd sisters and continues to undo all their evil doings as she’s done throughout the series. I’m glad this book was positioned where it was in the series, at six instead of being the first one to introduce the odd sisters, because my interest in them was piqued by this point and this book satisfied my curiosity for them. I highly recommend the series and this addition to it. Serena Valentino is a great writer who has found a wonderful balance between fairy tale telling for all ages. It never feels like I’m reading a kids book but there really isn’t much in there that an almost teen or teen couldn’t read either. I love it!
3.5 Stars…
I want to begin by saying the illustrations added to this book were awesome. I LOVED having the visuals at the beginning of each chapter.
That being said, the story was just ok. I’ve never minded the Odd Sisters. I thought they added an interesting and mysterious aspect to each story since they are completely a creation of the author and not part of the Disney Villians that we already know about. Because of this, there were so many cool things the author could do with them.
I do think at times they overtook certain stories (Ursula’s and the Beast come to mind), but I enjoy the level of crazy and unknown they add to each story.
This book is their origin story, and I think it was done well. The reason I’m giving it 3.5 stars is that a LOT is going on here, and I found myself losing focus and forgetting where I left off when I picked the book back up.
Also, the ending is an absolute incomplete cliffhanger. More so than any of the other books. The story just…stops. Right in the middle of some serious action. I did not care for that.
Overall though, I enjoyed this installment. I can’t say I’m super excited about Cruella’s book (Book 7) as I have never been a ‘101 Dalmations’ fan, but I’ll, of course, read it to see what becomes of the Odd Sisters, Circe, Snow and the rest of the gang. Only one month left to wait!
I was blessed with good fortune – by the witches, fairies, tree gods and whatever other magical beings Disney and Serena Valentino rallied in my favor – and today received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of the long-awaited sixth book in the Valentino villains series: The Odd Sisters.
Three things (because all things in Valentinoland happen in threes): Yes, it is the best day ever; yes, I read the book in one sitting (thank you, Mardi Gras holiday); and no, I most certainly am not about to spoil it for you.
Usually I like to sleep on my reviews: give those many ponderings that swirl about the Jess brain time to calm down. But there is no calm today – just excitement to share some abbreviated thoughts with you!
The Odd Sisters arrived on my doorstep at approximately 9:30 a.m. (the book, not the characters themselves, thank goodness) and immediately scooped me into its clutches immediately. The tale of three witches is one giant tea party among many, though I am not sure “party” is the right word. The story transcended my expectations and held my interest right to the very end. It answered many lingering questions and provoked others, stoking my curiosity along the way. Needless to say, my pup sitting beside me witnessed many “ooos” and “ahhhs” as I visited various lands, including Morningstar Kingdom and the Fairylands, over my very own hot cuppa tea this morning.
The format of the Odd Sisters’ story is quite different to its predecessors in only the most positive and inviting way. The reader is roped in to a unique prologue and is later privy to a peculiar list which enhances the reader’s experience and immersion into the story. Just enough of the Odd Sisters and their weird and wonderful ways are exposed – I was originally concerned that the loss of mystery from the sisters’ repertoire would leave me feeling a bit empty. But, most artfully, Valentino delivers a bewitching backstory, carefully balancing the interests and motivations of familiar characters with the protagonists’ plight. Sisters do indeed have secrets, and the secrets uncovered in this book are frightfully satisfying.