The Otherwhere Post

I have received a digital Advance Reader's Copy of this book through the publisher. This has not affected my rating in any way.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for this ARC. 

I was so excited for this book after loving Hotel Magnifique by this author last year. This book did not disappoint, it was even better. 

I was completely engrossed in this world and I did not want it to end. It was a perfect stand alone fantasy. I loved the adventure, the mystery, and the characters so much. This could have definitely been a series too as there was so much more to explore. 

I loved the dark academia vibes and how much of this book was set in a school. A lot of times books are based in school but not much time is spent in the school, but the majority of the book is here and I loved that. 

Really this was a beautiful adventure and I don't want to spoil anything. If you are a fan of fantasy worlds, magic, and Harry Potter-esque tales. This one is a must read. I don't want to go back to the real world now. 

Thank you Putnam and.Penguin Young Adult Books for the copy that I read.

Book Rating : 3.5 Stars rounded to 4

Reader Age: Appropriate for a Middle Schooler with just a touch of mild realistic and age appropriate cussing, an excellent mystery, and very mild slow burn romance (kissing only)

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor was an original and intriguing Middle School Style Dark Academia / Romantasy read. I was a bit surprised by how slow the beginning of the book was, but with all the world building and the establishment of a very unique magical system with Scriptomancy that is needed, this pace is understandable. In this vivid and detailed book, Taylor needs to establish quite a lot of context and backstory for the reader to understand how Maeve's world operates; however, I would have enjoyed a more of an immersive presentation of all this information and to have this paced out a little more, because at some points this establishing information felt overwhelming and it caused to to break from the story to process it all. At some points, I just needed stop watching Maeve's world be created around me and begin experiencing it for myself. Although I wonder if part of this could have been my age and experience as a fantasy reader which gives me more context than a younger reader would have. However, once I was abput a thrid of th way into the book, and I was instructed into into the of Scriptomancy and the mystery behind Maeve's Father, i was able to see the value of that world building and explore Maeve's story. At that point the character development and the detailed world building came together and the book did draw me in. Again, this was a fun read that my younger self would have adored.

This was an appropriate book for a younger reader and the hints of first love and romance between Maeve and Tristan would be appropriate for that younger reader, something that I did factor into my this review and rating.

A Note About This Review: I understand that book I am reading is an early review copy, and with a little more editing and attention to early pacing, I can easily see this book being the start of an enchanting new Magical World that any reader, adult or young adult will fall into