The Otherwhere Post

Starred review from October 28, 2024
A teen endeavors to exonerate her father in this pulse-pounding fantasy from Taylor (Hotel Magnifique). The fictional worlds of Leyland, Inverly, and Barrow connect via Written Doors, passages made with scriptomancy—the art of using inked words to harness arcane magic. When a poisonous, predatory vine overruns Inverly, 12-year-old Maeve escapes to Leyland before someone burns the Doors to prevent the vines’ spread; her scriptomancer father is killed and posthumously blamed for the infestation, prompting Maeve to assume an alias. The Doors’ destruction limits inter-world communication to correspondence delivered by the backlogged, scriptomancer-staffed Otherwhere Post, which takes seven years to give Maeve—now a teen—an anonymous letter asserting her father’s innocence. Desperate to ID the sender, Maeve steals an apprentice courier’s identity and infiltrates the Post. Complicating matters are a nosy roommate, a handsome mentor who suspects Maeve is hiding something, and an unidentified extortionist who will expose Maeve if she doesn’t quit digging. Avalanching peril keeps the pages turning in Taylor’s intricately plotted, deliberately crafted tale. Inventive worldbuilding adds dimension, while witty banter and reluctant romance among intersectionally diverse, emotionally complex characters inject levity and depth. Ages 12–up. Agents: Hillary Jacobson and Alexandra Machinist, CAA.

Starred review from December 1, 2024
A teenage girl is inadvertently embroiled in a dangerous mystery. "Your father was innocent," the letter reads. Is it the truth? A trap? Either way, 18-year-old Maeve Abenthy is unnerved by this message, signed by an anonymous "old friend" and delivered to her by an otherwhere courier seven years after it was written--and seven years after the Written Doors were destroyed and the citizens of Inverly were lost. These events were all thanks, allegedly, to the evildoing of her father, a once revered scriptomancer. Maeve has since been living under various aliases, terrified that she'll be found out and punished for being an Abenthy. She knows that otherwhere couriers, the only people able to travel between worlds, use the magic of scriptomancy to deliver the post. A courier she questions about discovering the sender's identity reveals information that sets in motion her quest for the truth about that fateful day--and her father's involvement. Bestselling author Taylor's transformative talent as a world builder shines in her sophomore novel, an epic dark fantasy tale of love, justice, the delicate magic of finding connection, and the complex art of scribing. The prose moves quickly while at the same time incorporating great detail. The main characters are layered, their pain and humanity on par with their abilities to tackle the puzzle before them. Redhaired Maeve is light-skinned; her father had "wheat-colored" skin, and there's some diversity in skin tone in the supporting cast. A magically thrilling, gripping, and thoroughly enjoyable read.(Fantasy. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from December 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Maeve Abenthy is used to moving often and hiding behind a fake name. Her father was deemed a murderer years ago, and she wants to distance herself from his infamy. While preparing to take on a new life in a new town, Maeve unexpectedly receives an anonymous letter stating that her father is innocent. Without a second thought, she travels to the Otherwhere Post under the guise of an apprentice to learn more about scriptomancy--magic combined with writing--and uncover who sent the mysterious letter. Her secret investigation allows her to learn more about her father but also invites danger as it's clear that someone doesn't want her poking into the past. Taylor weaves an intricate mystery while creating space for the young outcast to find acceptance. Everything in this sophomore work feels effortless: the slow-burn romance between Maeve and her mentor is satisfying, and the dangerous world of magic and letter writing is alluring. Maeve is a deeply empathetic character, as her initial instinct to run and hide transforms into a brave confidence, and the development of a supportive circle of friends is rewarding. With delicious layers that readers will love unraveling, this fantastical piece will positively whisk you away.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.