***Please ensure you are only following official social media accounts for The Redhead Notes. A fake profile has been contacting people on Instagram. Jennie Griffin will never ask you to send money for a book review or to enroll in any programs.

Due to the high volume of requests that have been received, Jennie has temporarily closed submissions. Learn More

Book Review: The Oddities

Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆ 4/5

Title: The Oddities

Author: J.S. Frankel

Publication Date: December 10, 2021

Genre: Young Adult; Science Fiction; Action and Adventure

Cover:

The cover is bright and colorful; however, I didn’t care for the images or how they were pieced together. I think the quality of Frankel’s story surpasses the quality of the cover.

Premise

A young man known as Number Eight escapes from a place known only as the Facility. He remembers very little of his early life but knows he’s different due to his unexplainable physical abilities. When his path collides with a traveling circus, he assumes the name Nick Andimer, and he soon discovers he is not the only one with unusual abilities. Has he finally found his place in the world, or has he invited danger into theirs?

Why I chose this book:

Author J.S. Frankel requested this review. After reading the summary, I was curious since the book was so unlike any of the other submissions I had received.

First Impression:

There are aspects of The Oddities that remind me of Stranger Things, the TV series. For example, the main characters in both are known by a number, and they each have extraordinary abilities. Government agencies are also referenced in the plots. I don’t think I would have drawn the comparison as quickly if the main character hadn’t been given a name with a number.

What I loved:

While the story moved quickly and had several memorable moments, the parts that I enjoyed the most were the book’s themes. Frankel repeatedly referenced how the circus performers felt like outsiders and even “freaks” due to their physical appearances and curious gifts. However, these very aspects allowed them to form a deep bond and become like a family. This beautifully demonstrates how many choose the people they call family rather than simply accept the circumstances they were born into. Also, while the characters were mocked for being different, they soon discovered that these differences actually made them quite valuable to others.

Whether it’s the smells of the carnival and the “pink, overly sweet-smelling and sticky cotton candy” or the sound of a man’s “voice that sounded like the offspring of a rusty saw and sandpaper,” Frankel offers the reader rich descriptions throughout the story. I enjoyed experiencing the story through his senses.

Additional Thoughts:

There were parts of the story that I had questions about. For example, near the end, there was a fight scene. It seemed as if Nick and two other characters could have walked away rather than engaging with something known as the Crippler, especially since Nick’s final goal was to destroy the building it was located in. Even after rereading the section, it still felt like this was a forced confrontation rather than a necessity.

Quotable Quotes:

• Everyone has a place in the world. Now, for Number Eight, a teen with no past, no identity, and little chance of a future, it’s time for him to find his.
• “You’ll have to excuse his attitude,” she continued. “Small’s like an active volcano full of misplaced rage.”
• Society was a confusing sea to navigate, and Nick wasn’t totally sure of how the deeper issues worked, but on the surface, at least between people, it broke very cleanly into two camps – those who were decent and those who weren’t.
• Even worse, every shadow, every corner, every person was a potential threat. Even the highways were dangerous. When one was being hunted, everyone became a predator.

Who might enjoy this book:

The Oddities is ideal for readers who enjoy rooting for the underdog in a fast-paced action-adventure story with science-fiction aspects.

Overall Impression:

Four stars. Frankel presents readers with unique characters caught up in the most unusual of situations. He includes multiple action scenes as well as more sentimental moments that highlight the challenge of being different while searching for a place to belong in this world. Frankel throws in a plot twist at the end of the story to ensure that the characters from The Oddities have the opportunity make an appearance again should he decide to make this into a series.

More Reviews From The Bookshelf

Beautiful Ghost

By Milana Marsenich

★★★★★ 5/5

Beautiful Ghost is ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction highlighting the plight of women in the early 1900s.

Talia: On the Shore of the Sea (Servants of the Moon and Sun Book 2)

By Joel C. Flanagan-Grannemann

★★★★★ 4.5/5

Talia: On the Shore of the Sea (Servants of the Moon and Sun Book 2) is ideal for readers who enjoy whimsical fantasy stories with a darker aspect.

Dancing with Air

By Uvi Poznansky