Odessa, written and illustrated by Jonathan Hill, tells the story of three siblings who set off on a quest to find their mother, who after being absent for years, has suddenly set a letter. The story is set in a post-apocalyptical setting, in a world where a giant earthquake has ravaged the United States, leaving people desperate and scavenging.

What drew me to Odessa initially was the use of color on the cover. The whole book is drawn exclusively in black, white, and pink, and it makes for an interesting overall look. The drawings themselves are a little cartoony for such a dark story, but they work fine overall.

The story itself follows in much the same vein -- fine, sort of. It isn't a particularly innovative idea, nor is it done with any new twists. It's a pretty solid, if somewhat tired, dystopian survival story. Having younger kids in the story, rather than just teenagers and adults, adds a little interest, but it is overall surprisingly bland considering it is full of chase scenes and dramatic reveals.

The book leaves off right in the middle, so do not expect a finished story -- this is only part one. If I was handed the next in the series, I might read it, but I can't imagine going out of my way to find out what happens next, even with most of the mystery still unsolved.

Trigger/content warnings: parented/mother abandonment, death by hanging.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC!