More like 2.5/5
It was okay! The art was cool at times, and I liked the post-apocalyptic setting. It felt like this graphic novel was at times trying to do too much yet not enough at the same time. That dichotomy made the pacing and the sub-plots feel strange. Still, the overall story idea itself is interesting, though I wish there was no “to be continued” and the graphic novel had ended with the kids returning home.

The artwork is stunning and the worldbuilding is pretty developed for such a short graphic novel. In a post-apocalyptic world where an earthquake has destroyed civilization, a seventeen year old girl sets off to find her long lost mother. Eight years ago her mother abandoned Ginny, her two brothers, and her father and hasn't been seen since. When Ginny receives a package in the mail from her mother - it's the first news they've had that she's alive. She sneaks out in the night to try and find her, only to discover that her two younger brothers have tagged along for the journey. They realize how different and unsafe it is the closer they get to the coast. Rival gangs, swindlers, cannibals, and more await them. Exciting and unique. The only thing I didn't love was the ending. Is there going to be more? Is this a series? I need answers!

Thank you Netgalley for approving me for this arc I had enjoyed reading this graphic novel. novel so it's a bit different than the fantasy reads I'm used to. The art really went well with the story I loved the details that went into creating this world and characters. Their were cute moments between the characters especially when they argued because it reminded me how my sisters and I are with each other. It did feel a bit slow at times and it really didn't feel like the characters changed much by the end but I'm really interested in what is next for Ginny and her siblings in the next book so I'll definitely be wanting the sequel.

Overall 3.5 stars for this graphic novel. I liked the idea, but felt like it was overly drawn out. This graphic novel didn’t need to be 382 pages. I like a good quest as much as the next person but it seemed like some wasted space on pages and it made the story drag a bit for me. Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have a huge weakness for post-apocalyptic stories and graphic novels so this one sounded right up my alley. "Odessa" tells the story of 18-year-old Ginny, who's living in a world post-enormous earthquake that ruined the World As She Knew It (or, at least, part of it, as we later find out). She's living with her two younger brothers and her dad, scavenging sites in order to get enough stuff to trade for food. Her mother has left them - or that's the thought until Ginny receives a letter from her mum and decides to set out and try to find her.

I'm at odds about whether I liked the style of this one. I don't think the art itself was entirely my thing - though I did really appreciate the land- and cityscapes. The way people think the world will change and overgrow when humans (have to) stop being involved fascinates me. I did like the use of colour - simple yet really effective.

The sibling dynamics between Ginny, Wes & Harry were great. Very accurate and funny and endearing to see. To see Ginny shift back into more of a sister-role as they go on the road, after having felt like she needed to be their mum at home.

I will say I think the story and the storytelling left me a bit unsatisfied. I didn't feel like I had a great grasp of the characters, and at times they came off a bit flat because I felt like there wasn't a lot of space to really get to know them besides their sort of core-characteristics, which we get to know pretty early on. I'd have liked to see more about their past, or get to know and understand the world they live in currently a bit better. A lot of that was left a bit too vague and distant for my liking, making it difficult to really connect.

I'm curious what the next part will bring, though, and I'm sure I'll get answers to some of my questions when that comes around!

I received a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

The only thing that I didn't like about Odessa was that it ended on a cliffhanger. I didn't know there was going to be another book! Warning!
The characters were interesting and I liked that there was mostly no romance. I think that teens will enjoy the fast pace of the storyline and the danger that the group encounters. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

"Odessa" is the first installment in a series following the adventures of three siblings embarking on a journey to find their estranged mother. Ginny, Wes, and Harry suddenly become aware that their mother is alive and decide to find her and reunite with her after eight years of separation. The catch is they're living in a post-apocalyptic reality, where danger awaits behind every corner. The siblings have to keep together to survive.

First of all, I really enjoyed the setting of the story and the world-building in general. Those post-apocalyptic worlds look amazing in the graphic form. Second, the art style was right up my alley - it reminded me a little bit of the style of the game Don't Starve. The choice of the pink tint of the panels was unexpectedly very fitting.

That being said, I was a little bit disappointed with how stretched out the story was and its open ending. Going in, I didn't know the graphic novel was a start to a series, so naturally, I expected some kind of closure, but there wasn't any. Furthermore, there was no character development among the main team (maybe except Four Dollars). The plot was filled with convenient coincidences that pushed the characters forward in their journey.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the graphic novel enough to be interested in picking up the next volume. Let's hope it will compensate for the imperfect first.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with a copy of the book!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this eARC

I am still new to graphic novels so am getting use to the shortness of them. I found this story to be quite engaging and by the characters. I read this in one sitting and was sad when it finished