A really interesting story. I’ve read books where you opened doors to travel into other worlds, but I’m not sure I’ve read one where you use suitcases. (Though it did have a very familiar feel to it.) With an infinite possibility of worlds, the author has hit on a way to write a very long series. I enjoyed most of the story. Flick is great. Relatable, funny, and brave. I had reservations about John, which were proven by the end of the story, but I’m glad to say they worked out. I plan on reading the next one in the series to find out if they find what they are looking for.

I love a good portal fantasy, and Strangeworlds Travel Agency is a great portal fantasy. The worldbuilding is clever and the characters are richly drawn. I know this is the first in the series and I'm looking forward to more. I liked the trans inclusion, too; it's nice to see stories where trans characters exist as part of the world and they're allowed to go on adventures like anybody.

I want to travel to new worlds via suitcase. It would be so much simpler and fascinating. This was an enjoyable read.

Flick has just moved with her family (mom, dad, annoying baby brother) to a new town. Her parents are very excited, she is less so. On a wander through town, she finds the Strangeworld Travel Agency which doesn't seem very much like any travel agency she's ever been to. It turns out it's a magical travel agency and the method of travel is through schisms, which are contained in old suitcases. The manager of the shop is Jonathan, who is surprised to find that Flick has a lot more magic than one (including Flick) might assume. The two end up on a journey that is filled wonder, peril and some amazing problem solving. This is a very fun and exciting book to read. I know my students are going to love it.

I was really excited to see this as a comp for Nevermoor because I love that series, but this didn't live up to the hype. The conflict isn't introduced until way later in the book, and by then, the plot never picked up enough momentum to suck me in. There's a trans character (that we only recognize because of one sentence) and a very minor character that used they/them pronouns which was nice, but I've seen a lot of people be really excited for this book because of those characters when really that's a tiny part of the book. This had all the elements I like, but I think I'm going to have to read the second book to see if I really like this series.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing & NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows Flick (short for Felicity) as she discovers a mysterious shop run by a guy named Jonathan who turns out to work for a travel agency. Thing is, it's a multiverse travel agency!

I really wasn't feeling this book. Maybe it's the writing? It has all the kind of stuff I like, whimsical magic, fun characters, etc...it just wasn't clicking for me. It's one of those books that really should hook you but I think lacks a heart and soul. Then again, it's just me.

What an incredible journey of magic and whimsy! A fantastic new series that I cannot wait to explore more of. This book is for every child who thinks they’re not special, that they can’t do great things, that the world is too boring and not able to cater to their imagination. This book finds the wonder in the ordinary, and allows magic into the world. It’s rich in wonder and I genuinely can’t wait for more installments. On top of all that, Jonathan existing as a trans man without any fuss or deadnaming or any other cheap tactic, but just being as he is, was so special to see. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Series opener, #2 follows right behind. A magic suitcase ( and there’s plenty more at the travel agency) takes 12 year old Flick from her small English village to another world, which she must prevent from disappearing and causing the collapse of her own world as well. Charming and inventive; rich, descriptive language; eccentric characters. The reader is immediately pulled into the story and held there, spellbound, in the thick of things with the scrappy heroine. A delightful adventure.