The Otherwhere Post

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

3.75 stars. I liked the slow burn between Maeve and Tristan/her relationships with her other friends as well as the dark academia vibes but something about the pacing was just off for me. I think maybe because of the way the first half felt like a lot of information and less storytelling.

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