I have two middle grade reader daughters so I’ve started to branch out to read some of what’s geared toward them. I found The Gatekeeper of Peericael on NetGalley and it sounded like a fun read.

As I’m writing this review, I’m trying to keep in mind that I’m NOT the target audience, so if you’re considering this book, remember that.

This book was a tough start for me. Immediately thrown into this world so different from our own, I had a hard time wanting to keep reading, but I kept going, and I’m glad I did! After a few chapters, once the adventure began, I found it much easier to read. And I really enjoyed the cousin Ames! (One can never have too many Star Wars references!)

There were a couple of plot points that I felt could’ve been introduced sooner and more seamlessly, but the adventure was fun and there were appropriate plot twists for the target audience to enjoy. The ending came quick and I thought I’d be disappointed, that things would be tied up with a pretty bow, but it wasn’t that easy for Porter!

The writing style was professional and enjoyable, an d if I hadn’t read the back matter of the book I’d never guess this was the authors first book.

I do think young readers will enjoy this story, especially young boys who love magic and adventure. And there is a nice message throughout the story of accepting who you are, and that having someone to open up to can make t things easier.

I really want to like the book and the concept but it just feel flat for me. It's still a pretty decent book so it's a 3 stars!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!

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In Pericael, no one stays out after dark.

Twelve-year-old Porter would much rather spend his weekends playing soccer than channeling spirits in the parallel universe of Pericael. Unfortunately for him, Porter's family has guarded the gate between Earth and monster-filled Pericael for generations, so he's not getting out of Gatekeeper lessons anytime soon.

But some after-school activities are more dangerous than others.

When a soul thief threatens the gate, Porter reluctantly comes to its defense... and gets thrown deep into Pericael's dangerous jungle wilderness. With the help of two fierce native girls, Porter must learn to embrace the creepy spirits and find his way back to the gate. But the soul thief is racing for the gate too, and if he gets there first, Porter won't have a home to go back to.

I was glad to receive a free copy of this book through NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun! I love a good, magical world and an adventure where the protagonist is thrown into the middle of a story much larger than his or herself and has to rise to the occasion. The Gatekeeper of Pericael provides both!

Caught between two worlds and between his desire for a “normal” life and his responsibilities as the gatekeeper between Pericael and Earth, 12 year-old Porter resents a role that alienates him from his peers and traps him in his hometown, even his home for the rest of his life. He fully feels that isolating sense of betweenness and deeply desires a place to belong.

When he and his cousin Ames wind up in the middle of a battle to protect the spirits of Pericael and Earth from the evil shaman Raspurn, Porter has to find his own way forward without the guidance of his mother or the shaman who trains him. With the help of the spirits of Pericael and some new friends along the way, he must overcome his own insecurities and save the worlds!

My greatest criticism is that the magic and spirits in this world were extremely elaborate and sometimes the world-building seemed to struggle to present it effectively. Having finished the book, however, even the confusion I felt early in the story ended up working as it mirrored Porter's own lack of knowledge and frustration with a world and system he was supposed to, but didn't truly understand.

This is a magical coming-of-age story, and I loved it. I can’t wait to share it with my kids!

Porter is twelve years old and loves to play soccer. Porter doesn’t want to become a gatekeeper guarding the gate between Earth and monster-filled Pericael by learning to channel the spirits. Coming from a long line of gatekeepers, he doesn’t have a choice not to be one. He is to be the next “Kotalla Kan. “. Porter’s best friend Ames is also his cousin. A world and soul thief is at the gate. He wants Earth and all its souls. Porter’s mother opens a portal to send the soul thief back from where he came. Sadly, Ames is sucked into the portal so Porter grabs his foot hoping to pull Ames out. When Porter wakes, he finds that he and Ames are in Pericael. Here Porter must get back to the gate with Ames. Will they be able to? They are accompanies by two girls (sisters) where one is more highly trained in use of the spirits. Porter must learn to use the spirits power in this world to survive. Will he be able to? Porter doesn’t have confidence in using the spirits.

The author focuses her writing on the adventures and magic of Porter in Pericael. She manages to write a fantastical world and characters that come alive and was was so realistic, I thought I was with Porter! It’s a fascinating world with the different people we meet and animals. I though the author wrote a great ending.

I was really intrigued when I got the opportunity to review this book. A middle-grade fantasy was something I was looking forward to after completing another MG series.

The idea of spirits was the part that intrigued me the most. However, I did find it a bit confusing when actually reading the book. When you start reading you are immediately thrown into the world of Pericael which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I felt like some aspects weren’t explained thoroughly. I was a bit confused about aspects that had to do with the spirits and don’t remember certain things ever being explained. I was also confused with the world and the mapping. After going back and looking at the map at the beginning (which is drawn by one of the characters so it’s not too detailed) I somewhat comprehended where places were and what they looked like but was still slightly confused. Knowing that this is a MG book makes me think that the people who will be reading this won’t be too concerned with this but I still wanted to voice my thoughts on it.

Another thing that felt off to me was how quick the ending was. After we went on this long trek with Porter and watched him battle different creatures in Pericael, the final battle just felt quick to me. I wish it would've dragged out a bit longer. I was also a little confused as to what happened to the "soul thief" at the end, I'm not sure if I missed that sentence/description or not.

Now let's look at the positives!

I really liked how action-packed the story was. There was always something happening and even though the book is under 200 pages I think there’s a decent amount of detail included.

I found the characters super intriguing! I thought Ames was hilarious and as a Star Wars fan, I enjoyed the references that he continuously made. I think it would be interesting to see the world of Pericael from different POVs. There were several characters who were introduced who have intriguing backstories and if the author ended up writing short stories about their backstory or their own adventures I’d definitely want to read them.

I thought the writing style was great! It was super easy to read and she told the story very well.

I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in middle-grade fantasy. If you like books that involve spirits and casting spells I think this book would really intrigue you!

in this world, porter is a twelve year old boy who loves soccer and worries about science tests. in Pericael, he is a powerful shaman that is able to speak with spirits and ask them to perform magic for him. when an evil force tries to steal one of the most powerful spirits from porter, he must fight his way through a death filled jungle to stop him.

things I enjoyed:
-the characters seemed realistic and relatable to me. porter and his cousin acted how I would expect a couple of teenage boys thrown into a new world and dangerous circumstances to act (for example, porter worrying about his soccer tournament when they are lost in a jungle full of man eating monsters)
-I really liked the plot and the idea of Pericael. a world where magic is tied to spirits is really interesting and something I haven't seen quite like this before

things I didn't enjoy so much:
-I don't feel like the world was fleshed out as much as I wanted. more backstory and detailed descriptions would have helped. it was hard to picture this brand new world because of the lack of details
-I feel like the story was centered a lot on dialogue between characters, which is why I enjoyed the characters so much, but think that it may have contributed to the lack of detail I mentioned

overall, it's a really cool idea for a story. I think that younger children would enjoy this book, but older kids/adults may not be drawn in as easily

For background, I am a high school teacher working with kiddos ranging from a 3rd - 11th grade reading level, so I’m looking at this book through the lens of an educator wanting to recommend books to students that meet their needs/wants.

This book jumps right into the world of Pericael, with different lingo and the reader needs to be able to immerse themself and suspend disbelief--definitely would recommend for fantasy lovers. I appreciated that the magic in this book (creatures, spellbooks, rituals) were described without being overly explanatory for a middle grade audience.

As someone who values a balance between battle scenes, dialogue, and solid character development, I enjoyed the book and its flow between common non-magical reality (primarily at the start and end of the book with one quick snippet in the middle) and magical world. The protagonist, Porter, is likable and relatable to the reader. He feels isolated with his secret responsibilities and power, and is reluctant to take on his role in Pericael. Ultimately he grows alongside his cousin, Ames, and a group of powerful individuals, and comes into his full self.

I would recommend this book to my students, but I would not teach the book necessarily (in Guided Reading), if only because many of the characters' feelings and motivations are directly stated rather than just implied--but it makes for a great bit of light reading!

I was lucky to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was a magic filled ride! I loved it all. The characters, the magical rules, the creatures, and more all kept my attention easily.

Talk about a reluctant hero! Porter wasn’t exactly thrilled about being the next Gatekeeper. All he wanted to do was play soccer and be a normal kid. Spirits completely creeped him out but there was nothing he could do about it. Then a knock came on a door no one should be knocking on. He wasn’t prepared for what would come next but there is no going back now.

Wow! I found myself wrapped into this world not wanting to leave. I am so excited about sharing this book with everyone!

These 2021 authors are killin’ it!

CAWPILE Rating: 10

Free Netgalley book for review! Surprisingly fun, I wasn’t expecting a lot but this book was a one setting read and entertaining—although predictable for me. However, if you enjoy cozy portal fantasies and adventure you’ll probably like this fast paced book.

My main complaints were basically that Ames didn’t have much to do in the book besides quote solely star wars (and one mention of SNL) and act as though he’s about three years younger than Porter. Still, he does manage to keep his spirits up and try to engage with his stick in the mud cousin. I probably would have given up on Porter irl long ago honestly. . . Fortunately Ames isn’t me and Porter manages to grow up a bit by the end of the book. 😉

Younger readers, especially ones with a strong Star Wars love, will probably like this.

*I received a free Advanced Review Copy. This review is entirely my own and represents my honest opinions.*

‘He was the Kotalla Kan. A child of two worlds that no one could really comprehend, and everyone was depending on him.’

Twelve-year-old Porter wants nothing more than to be a normal boy - to focus on soccer practice, video games, and science tests – nothing more. Unfortunately, he’s anything but normal. His family are descended from a line of Gatekeepers…and it’s his destiny to take over the role and protect the magical world of Pericael from harm. But when the door to Pericael calls unexpectedly Porter, with help from his fiercely optimistic cousin Ames, will have to learn fast if he wants to make it out alive.
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Hayley Reese Chow masterfully paints the world of Pericael in a bright yet dangerous light, highlighting the true cost of adventure.

Where many other middle-grade fantasy novels tend to gloss over the threats that accompany adventure, Hayley Reese Chow revels in it. Reese Chow creates a world that is both inviting and dangerous, with the narrative exploring the intricacies of the powerful spirits that inhabit Pericael and the deep threat from those who would seek to control them. From page one, the tension steadily increases until it reaches boiling point with the villainous Raspurn closing in on the Gate. If it’s a fast paced book you’re after, this is the one for you!

Porter and his cousin, Ames, battle hungry beasts and possessed vessels of stolen children enslaved by the Raspurn, a powerful entity set on bending the spirits' to his will. With help from sisters’ Conri and Fira, Porter delves deeper into the world of magic and spirits. Together with Porter’s reluctant heroism and Ames’ unwavering optimism (and countless Star Wars references) the group race to save their joining worlds – Pericael and Earth. Thrown together, the unlikely group navigate the unknown, bickering all the way. An unsteady partnership at first, the tension between them is perfectly accompanied by underlying affection that is reminiscent of most familial relationships, as well as many friendships.

All-in-all, despite being only 168 pages long, ‘The Gatekeeper of Pericael’ is a magnificent read that boasts fully fleshed out characters, an immersive world filled with wonder, and an adventure that will keep you gripped right up until the end.

The Gatekeeper of Pericael is stand-alone novel in the upper Middle Grade level. While this is not the typical level that I review, it was worth the read. Hayley combines just the right level of creepy dark elements with fun banter. Although, I do not have the amount of knowledge to truly appreciate the amount of Star Wars references throw throughout.

Porter is our main character and the book is told exclusively through his POV. Saddled with the family secret and responsibility, he is like any other pre-teen boy, upset about his lot in life. Training to use the magic of Pericael, protecting the doorway to the human world and keeping it a secret from humans all weigh heavily on him. When Pericael needs his help, he steps up and this starts his journey into accepting his responsibility and understanding what it means to be the Gatekeeper of Pericael. Ames, Porter's cousin, is a great comic relief and source of light in this novel. He is always talking, always positive and believes in Porter even when Porter doesn't believe in himself. Fira is a hurricane throughout the novel. She does what she wants and does what she thinks is best for the situation, including copying spells that she should not be using according to the laws of Pericael. Conri is my favourite character. She is strong, and intelligent, despite her visual impairment. She is sure of herself and the spirits that guide her. The characters in the beginning do not get along as you can imagine. But the relationships between the grow and strengthen by the end.

The world building and explanations of the magic system is excellent. The pacing of the novel (taking place through a time span of about 8-9 days) is good. The events flow nicely together and are detailed throughly it feels like you are there. The imagery use and world choice is perfect for the desired reader age group. Overall, The Gatekeeper of Pericael is a great book for ages 10-13 and is worth the read for older lovers of fantasy who are looking for a quick afternoon read.

"To have courage is to step forward in the face of fear."

The Gatekeeper of Pericael is a fun fantasy adventure with a believable magic system and solid characters who grow and are challenged. The world-building is vivid and I found myself easily swept up in the action. The magic was consistent and intricately woven into the story to further the character growth for Porter, the main character, rather than being a crutch for the story in itself.

Porter starts out as the reluctant hero who has inherited a huge responsibility that he doesn't want, but he's thrust into an adventure with world-ending stakes and he fights for what he believes is right, even against great odds. Raspurn is one freaky villain. Porter's friend Ames gets swept up in the adventure too. He provides some comic relief and serves as a foil with a different perspective due to his unflappable spirit and endearing belief in Porter.

Yes, there are loads of action and battle scenes, with creatures and with enemies, but what really solidified the _story_ was Porter’s evolution, his coming into his own skin with who he is and his responsibility. But I liked that he also remained a kid. Having Ames to share his secret with rang true.

I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced action fantasy with imaginative world-building, vivid prose, and a satisfying character arc.