Odessa: A Novel

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.

“A triumph ... Count me in for whatever Sher writes next.” ―Nat Cassidy, author of Mary and When the Wolf Comes Home

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, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction, Gothic, Adult

Audible Audio

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!

[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.

[Lorin (paperbackbish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Little, Brown and Co. for my free ARC of Odessa by Gabrielle Sher — available Apr 21! This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year, and it fully surpassed my expectations.

» READ IF YOU «
🪆 can't resist folklore horror
👊 want to hate men (extra) for a bit
🩸 have ever wanted to rip someone's throat out

» SYNOPSIS «
In early 20th-century Russia, a family will do anything to hold on to the daughter they've lost to violence. But back from the dead, Yetta is no longer the same girl she was. Is it the magic that's changed her, or is it the pain she's endured at the hands of the men who are now relying on her help?

» REVIEW «
Do you...want to feel...pure feminine rage? Well then babe, buckle the f*ck up. I am still, personally, reeling over how fantastic this book is. And it's a debut?! Gabrielle Sher has me as a reader for life. AND THAT COVER?! Alright, back to business.

This is a spectacular tale of a young woman and her quest for just a single frickin' SPECK of agency. The men in her life, unsurprisingly, refuse to allow her any. Set in pogrom-era Russia, there is a constant sense of tension and dread that gets into your bones as you read this, and you can almost feel what Yetta is enduring.

I am, unabashedly, a sucker for Slavic horror, and so the folklore elements and characters in here were just perfection for me. Sher's writing is ultra-immersive, and the narrator for my audio copy did an incredible job with accents, tones, and specific voices for each character. The story itself is violent and gruesome, sure, but what will really stick with me is the struggle of a young girl to have just the slightest notion of autonomy, even in death.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[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.

[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

[Lana C · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Listened to through NetGalley*

This book has so many layers that are all so beautifully addressed and a lot of the content is still relevant to today's world even tho it is a historical horror fantasy.

The historical aspects touched on are a Jewish Russian family in the early 1900s who are attacked by gentile Russians in their town and the turmoil and fear that their community has to go through solely based on their religion. You get to see the extent to which, mainly the men, will go to keep their community where they are even if that means sacrificing their own.

Then you get a look into how the women are reacting. They are still being told to be quiet and take care of the home even though their homes are being destroyed just as much as the men's are. A scene that really touched me was when Yetta was screaming and her mother made a comment about how she couldn't remember the last time she could be that loud. Seeing the parallels of how the two genders are told to behave adds such an interesting dynamic and another whole level of commentary to the story.

Now let's get into the folklore! I'm not very knowledgeable about Jewish or Eastern European folklore but this story was still so easy to understand and appreciate. The way Yetta as a golem is described is really eerie and the way she interacts with the "other" adds that extra level of horror.

This book is such a great combination of historical events, religion, folklore, gender roles, and grief all wrapped up in a horrifically sad but beautiful story.

The narrator also does an amazing job of adding so much emotion to each character and really helps build the world more!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but *violently points fingers* LOOK AT IT!!

This read like a dark fairytale that blended horrific history and Jewish folklore really well. It was brutal, bloody, angry and bone achingly sad. A reflection on how far one will go for love. I personally liked the pace of this and how introspective it could be at times. I do wish maybe it had been a little longer to explore certain themes and aspects of the story, but overall it was an amazing and compelling read.

It's such a STUNNING debut!! Like, wow. Gabrielle Sher doesn't waste any ink, and I can't wait to see what's next her.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc!

[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.

[AlyciaRunsandReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well damn that was good.

In this Historical Slavic Horror a Jewish family is fighting for the right to exist in a world of gentiles that hate them. Yetta a teenage girl trying to stretch her wings in a world in which safety requires them to stay bound, her mother who just wants better for her children and a father who wants to stay and fight to protect his way of life. When the worst happens Yetta is killed. Reeling and with the use of ancient Jewish magics she is brought back. Now all must grapple with what this means for the future of their family, their village, and their souls.

This novel gripped me right away. Immediately the stakes are high and the characters feel real. I have not read much Slavic horror and I need to be on the lookout for more after reading this. With themes of consent and autonomy, family, tradition and faith this one really packed a punch for me. You could really feel the internal struggles the characters were grappling with and I found myself empathizing with all of them even as I questioned their choices. Simply but beautifully written, heartbreaking and bloody this is one book that lived up to its amazing cover! And I mean look at that cover. I want it on my wall!

I look forward to seeing what Gabrielle Sher writes next!

Releasing April 21, 2026

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc of this book. I am writing this review voluntarily and honestly.

[Samantha (Reading_Against_Noise) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good. I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook and the narrators did an incredible job bringing this story to life.

This was such a great blend of historical fiction, horror, and folklore. It was also much darker than I expected and there were a few scenes that will absolutely haunt me.

Yetta is such a complex character and her family’s resilience really stood out. They will do anything to protect each other, even when the cost is unimaginable. You can truly feel her father’s grief pouring off the page. The horrors they witness and the hurdles they endure are brutal.

The ending was beautifully done and I can't wait to read whatever Sher writes next.

[Azhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

immersive, gothic, beautiful in the way that it explores grief. i thoroughly enjoyed my listening experience of this audiobook.


thanking netgalley & the publishers for the audiobook!!

[Audri Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Mulholland Books and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Lisa Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odessa is a haunting, grief soaked novel that blends historical fiction with folklore horror. Set against the brutal backdrop of pogrom-era Russia, the story that feels both heartbreaking and mythic, where fear seeps into every corner of a tightly bound community.

The protagonist is Yetta, a restless, questioning girl suffocated by the panic of her family and the ever present threat surrounding them. It feels full of tension and when something terrible happens, it is swift and devastating, and the book pivots into something darker.

Yetta’s return through a folkloric ritual is disturbing and well written. This initially feels like a triumphant moment, but her resurrection brings a slow unravelling, as both Yetta and her family are forced to confront the cost of defying death. The horror here isn’t just in the creature stalking a family but in the grief and desperation that created it.

The writing is lyrical without being too much, and the historical setting adds weight to the story, grounding its supernatural elements in something that feels real. At times, the pacing was a little slow, but it ultimately added to the creeping dread.

This is a story about love twisted by loss, about the danger of wanting too much, and about the things that should never be brought back. Devastating and eerie, Odessa is perfect if you love folklore horror grounded in history.

[Anne H · Rating 3 out of 5]

If what grabbed you about this book was the cover, pile me in the boat because WOW what a cover. 10/10 for cover vibes.

Or if what grabbed you about this book was the plot, yes, absolutely, systematic revenge on murderous men by a female golem?? 10/10 on plot.

The writing itself, I have to say, read a little YA & predictable and I wish this wasn’t the case because I wanted to love this book. But if you’re looking for a dark revenge horror, this isn’t the place for you. I feel like this book is more appropriate for fans of YA historical fiction with a dash of the supernatural?? Maybe just a marketing problem tbh, but the characters all had a sense of sameness and when the language veered into the metaphorical, it felt really overused (reading a face like a map, for ex). I was never surprised by the plot, the language, or the characters.

The narrator of the audiobook did a stellar job with this one & gave a dynamic, well-paced reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette for the audio alc!

[Kendall Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odessa was a gorgeously written novel. Completely unique setting, characters, and plot overall. It is actually very surprising (in a good way) that this is Gabrielle Sher's first novel, which gets me extremely excited to read more from her! As for the story and my personal reading experience, I did have a hard time keeping myself immersed in the story and the characters. I found myself mixing up characters, which confused me with what was going on in the story, which honestly is a me problem, I assume. This book had some deep Jewish mythology that didn't totally land for me, which again is a me issue, and I think the accents in the audio took me out a bit.

Overall, I think Odessa is a gorgeous book and an incredible debut. It had some really phenomenal horror elements with a very thorough story that I think a ton of people, especially those who enjoy folk horror/mythology, will totally love even though it was a bit middle of the road for me. Also, I must mention that the cover of Odessa might be one of my favorite covers I've seen in a while!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for this eALC!

[Horror.Hussy]

A tale that reminds us that there are reasons men should not meddle in the creation of life, and that women no matter the background are the keepers and defenders of culture.

Truly this book was a masterpiece, Mary Shelly would be proud. The blending of Jewish Lore, horror and the enduring power of hope and resilience, told through the violence of men and the toll it takes on all women whether directly or indirectly touched by it, was honestly done so perfectly.

Odessa is haunting, brutal, bleak and yet still the beauty shines through

What an absolutely gutting and triumphant debut Novel

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, provocative book about desperate people fighting back. The Jewish residents of Russia live in shtetls, poor villages that are frequently raided by paramilitary groups of Gentiles. On one such raid (aka pogrom), a young woman is killed. Her father consults ancient Hebrew texts and manages to bring his daughter back to life at the same time he raises a Golem to help the Jews fight off the next pogrom. But which is which? And what is the future for the girl, the golem, the shtetl residents?
The story is interesting, and the audiobook is well-narrated.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HachetteAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the thought-provoking audiobook #Odessa for review purposes. Publication date: 21 April 2026.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Fantastic writing and storytelling.

[Pat - BigPoppaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Tsarist Russia at the turn of the 20th Century, Odessa follows a Jewish family whose lives are torn apart and upended by the Imperialists. With themes of horror, political and cultural violence, antisemitism, Jewish folklore, and magic realism, this harrowing tale of a father’s attempt to bring his daughter back from the dead is tense and gripping from the first page.

Gabrielle Sher’s debut novel promises a tense and enthralling read. Her prose is beautiful, and the narrator of the audiobook was fantastic. Odessa was simply resplendent and captivating. If you don’t have Jewish gothic horror novel on your 2026 bingo card, now’s your time to pick a better card.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Hatchette Audio for the ARC copy of this wonderful debut novel by Gabrielle Sher!

[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:-)

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odessa wounded me. This beautiful, sad story, although largely fantastical in nature, deals with a heartbreaking reality that’s painful to consider. While Mordecai’s choice wasn’t a wise one, what parent cannot comprehend the agony that drove that choice? While this book might gut you, it’s an important story that is worth the internal damage.

I am immensely grateful to NetGalley, Hatchette Audio, and Little Brown & Company for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[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.

[Kelsey Zukowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a rather impressive debut novel, Gabrielle Sher has crafted a haunting tale on grief, racism, and personal identity in Odessa. The novel offers a rare and refreshing representation of Jewish folklore and dark history within a harrowing gothic horror story centered around targeted devastation and death- and the price of defying it.

This is a slow burn story, taking time to establish dynamics and layers of the world before escalating into the horror that serves as a turning point for everything. I appreciate it took its time and let both the yearnings and rot that touched our key characters manifest.

My favorite element was the exploration of Jewish identity, particularly in the heavy history one must carry with them and the pride of being a part of a legacy of survival while still having to forge your own way. I also appreciated its nuanced representation of its “monster”, acknowledging the changed nature, but not immediately condemning it, allowing it to be wild and wicked, but also free and autonomous.

Beautiful and devastating, Odessa tells a story that is both familiar and feels wildly distinctive. It is beautifully written, capturing the balance of pitch black, harrowing fairy tale and something tragically grounded in reality. It is intriguing throughout, both as you anticipate what’s to come and then are side by side with the characters trying to cope with the consequences of the dark magic they have dabbled with.

While I appreciate the dynamic layers present, there is a lot going on, with different characters, events, and stories happening, at times pulling you away from one to revisit another. This prevented me from feeling as connected and able to settle in and get to know our key characters as deeply as I would have liked to. It’s largely an atmospheric and thematic-fueled book, more so than a character-fueled one. The exploration it offers among the tragedy is compelling and important, but I would have liked it to allow more time in some cases, breathing into those depths and letting the reflection radiate from within.

Additionally, the golem and Jewish magical lore was compelling but was left simply as a catalyst for the “rebirth” kept at what felt to be fairly surface level. I would have loved for it to go further into the origins and intricate nature behind the golem and the connected folk horror magical elements. Even within this, it is a compelling and powerful read, that’s just more personal preference to what would have made me that much more enamored.

The narration by Gilli Messer was incredible, adding great poeticism, authenticity, and riveting emotion that immersed me further into this story and world, even being one far outside of my own.

I would recommend Odessa to those who appreciate gothic, folk horror mixed with dark history re-imaginings among thematic exploration of familial, religious, and personal identity and the nightmarish reality of grappling with mortality and grief.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hatchette Audio, and Little, Brown & Company for the Advanced Reader Copy audiobook for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all are driven by our internal passions. But it is the downfall of Humanity when these passions are driven by hate.

Gabrielle Sher introduces us to her debut novel with a cover depicting fear, anxiety, and profound terror in double time. Odessa will not be for everyone. Know that going in. Sher reaches back in history to the violent pogroms in 1905 in Russia when Jews were hunted down and murdered for just being Jews. Hatred still wedges into history and sits on a throne man-made.

Frida and Miriam bathe in the spring-fed waters in the early morning hours. It is a cleansing of the spirit as well as the cleansing of the body. They hurry back to their homes with heads down. Women were limited in their taking to the streets. Possibly for safety and possibly for the lowly positions that women held. But something is brewing in the chatter on those streets. Something deadly.

Frida's husband, Mordecai, works as a furniture maker by day. At night he visits with the other men and the rabbi to provide a plan for the next attack by the Cossack gentiles. And soon, what was just talk becomes reality. The Cossacks swoop down on the Jewish community leaving death and destruction behind. Broken bodies and broken spirits. The Jews barricade the entrance into the village. But it's just a matter of time.

Mordecai searches the streets for his teenage daughter, Yetta. He finds her broken body on the steps leading to gentile section. Filled with profound grief, Mordecai carries his daughter to the home of the rabbi. Together, they reach for the ancient volume that Mordecai carries in his pocket. And with these archaic words, they will bring Yetta back to life. But as in all things, be careful what you wish for.

Odessa is a very graphic depiction of the pogroms during this time period. How can it be otherwise? Gabrielle Sher reaches back and brings forward the folklore that was passed down from Jewish parent to child for generations. She speaks of the golem, a mythical being created from mud or clay as a protector for the Jewish people. It is the words of the rabbi that bring life to this being.

Yetta is at the core of Odessa. She will search for the seed of her prior self in a ruthless manner. Her newly shaped presence will bring short-lived joy and long-term sorrow. Sher unveils Man's efforts to overstep Supreme creation with that within human hands. And the results may bring doom throughout generations. And that doom drives Odessa into a breathless page turner. Odessa is an emotionally driven novel that Gabrielle Sher has crafted brilliantly. We'll visit horror after horror. And yet, there are the threads of deep familial love and the rigid breath of survival. Bravo, just bravo, Gabrielle Sher.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to the talented Gabrielle Sher for the opportunity.

[JemeryInPrint · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Odessa by Gabrielle Sher is a stunning, immersive novel. From the very first pages, there’s a quiet intensity to Sher’s writing that builds into something deeply affecting, blending atmosphere, character, and emotion with remarkable control.

What stood out most to me was the sense of place. Set in a version of Tsarist Russia in the early 20th century amid organized massacres of Jewish communities, the novel feels vivid and alive. The setting is not just as a backdrop, but a force that actively shapes the characters and their choices. Sher writes with textured precision, making every scene feel tangible while maintaining a constant, looming sense of dread.

The premise itself is both haunting and compelling: after Yetta is violently killed, her father turns to ancient Jewish texts and old magic to bring her back. From there, the story unfolds into something far deeper than its supernatural hook, evolving into a meditation on grief, identity, and the consequences of trying to undo loss.

This is not an easy read emotionally. Sher does not shy away from heavy themes, antisemitism, persecution, violence, and grief are central to the narrative, and they’re handled with unflinching honesty. The historical grounding adds weight to the story, while the elements of magical realism enhance its gothic, almost horror-like atmosphere.

The novel is so deeply rooted in Jewish history, folklore, and religious tradition with holidays, rituals, and mystical concepts woven throughout. Personally, I found this aspect incredibly enriching as it adds authenticity and depth, and makes the story feel even more lived-in.

The character work is equally strong. There’s a rawness to Sher’s exploration of longing, memory, and identity that feels deeply human. The protagonist, in particular, is rendered with nuance, as a flawed, searching, and emotionally complex character. Their internal struggles carry as much weight as the external plot, and the balance between the two is handled beautifully.

There’s also a lingering emotional resonance that stays long after the final page. Sher allows the story to breathe, to ache, and to unfold at its own pace. That said, the deliberate pacing won’t work for everyone. There are stretches, particularly in the middle, where the narrative slows and could have benefited from a bit more momentum.

Still, Odessa is a darkly poetic, historically rich debut that blends Jewish folklore, gothic horror, and emotional depth into something truly memorable. It’s the kind of novel that prioritizes feeling over plot, inviting you to sit with its weight rather than rush through it. This is a beautifully written and haunting read.

Thank you Gabrielle Sher, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown & Company, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.