Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

A solid little story about magic and sparkle and kids saving the world, at least for a little while. Overall, the story was charming enough, but it lacked the depth that I was hoping for. I read a lot of middle reader and YA, and I have fairly high standards. This was just enough to be a fun read, but not enough to really resonate. If you have a reader who likes fairy stories and young people doing brave things, they should try this. If you are looking for a story that will resonate long past your childhood, this probably isn't the one.

Are fairies real?
Cara and Bri's dad always told his daughters that they had fairy magic and suddenly now he has gone missing. the loss has caused Bri to stop talking. Cara,' the protaganist believed that she made her father go missing shortly after they had a disagreement. The Formors, who came to "Ireland from the underworld and they brought darkness with them."The Formors were considered the divine race that inhaited ancient Ireland, and they "gain power by spreading darkness." I found the Irish folklore interesting and educational. How can you not love a story about fairies? However, the novel was not all fairies and happines, there were plenty of darkness and danger, which Cara, Connor, and Bri"s encounter while searching for the girl's fathe. Along with fairies, there are Druids that perform dark magic and there was Pooka, a shape-shfting goblin, who could take the form of a dog, that can also change into anything that a person fears. Pooka, the goblin, can also attract the darkness within people.
The Otherworld is a Middle Grade book and I found the novel to be an exciting novel and the book kept my attention from beginning to end. Victoria Harris did a nice job forming the character in the novel. I would recommend the novel for any age and I think this would be a great novel to read aloud witha younger reader. My copy was an ARC from NetGalley, Victoria Harris, and the publisher and in return, I posted an honest review. The Otherworld is the frirst book in a series and I look foward to the next book in the series. The novel was a pleasure to read and I gave the novel a five out of five stars.

I am having a hard time rating this book- I really enjoyed the first half with it's intrigue and Irish folklore, but the second half lost me. It felt rushed, disjointed, and just too sad for me personally. I also thought that the book was wrapped up pretty well, and I wish it was a stand alone. With all of that being said, I do believe there will be middle grade students who will love this story!

Ireland is full of magic. Bri and Cara are shipped away to a small island with their grandmother after the mysterious disappearance of their father. Bri hasn’t spoke a word since that day and Cara knows the truth. It was her fault. She wished for him to be gone and then, he was. But strange things are brewing. Talking hedgehogs, faerie magic, and a quest to find their father.

This was a delightful, magical tale. I adored the setting of Ireland and the folklore woven into this book. It was a little fast paced at times and I wish it had slowed down a bit and fleshed out the characters more, but this was a middle grade fantasy and length had to be kept in mind. I’d love to see this adapted as a young adult with Cara as a high schooler. The author, Dr. Victoria Harris, incorporates her own knowledge about grief and anxiety, weaving in coping skills for emotional regulation, anxiety, grief, and negative thoughts. The parts of the story about losing ones “sparkle” and regaining it, hold a valuable lesson for young readers. The writing was a little lacking at times, but overall the concept will keep kids reading to find out what happens. This is a great middle grade for fans of the fantastical, but also those dealing with their own darkness.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel. The free copy did not influence my review.

Cara never believed her dad when he said that she had fairy magic. Neither did her sister, Bri. However, she starts to believe that he wasn't joking when a few days before he disappears, her sister goes silent, as if she knew what was going to happen. She starts to dig deeper into the past, and finds out some secrets that send her on a quest to defeat the evil trying to take away the light.

This was a good book that a young girl would like. It did feel a bit rushed and more mystery than fantasy, but I do not think that lower middle grade readers would care. Overall, a decent novel, but I was not in the target audience.

Ages 8+

The Otherworld Book 1: Wish is a middle grade fantasy in which 12 year old Cara sets off on a journey to find her missing father. Along the way she learns that fairy magic is real and her family is under a dark curse. With the help of her sister, cousin, and friends she discovers her own power and battles the spreading darkness.

The author, Dr. Victoria Harris, incorporates techniques for managing emotional regulation, anxiety, grief, and negative thoughts into a story rich in fairy folklore. This would be a wonderful story for young children to read with parents to discuss their emotions and how they can release their own “sparkle” into the world to overcome darkness.

There was a great deal of buildup to bring our heroine to the final battle, and if I had one critique, I would say that I wish the ending was less abrupt and further developed. This book is set up to be a series, so perhaps there will be greater advancement of the fantasy elements in additional books.

Overall, this was an entertaining middle grade read that had some lovely fantasy elements. I feel like there are some underlying heavy topics (such as loss of a parent) and may help children address their own big feelings such as grief, loss, and anxiety.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the digital ARC. I would also like to thank Smith Publicity for a physical ARC copy as well.

I will post to my social media on Pub date of Oct 5.

2,5/5⭐️ Good idea, (very) bad execution.

A story about an Irish girl in a “normal” world, grown up with stories of the Fae and with a dad who believed every word of the stories he told her. But when she’s twelve he disappears. (Climbing a mountain apparently.)

Okay to start of, this is a pretty original book. I don’t know how much of it is based on other Fae stories, but to me—somebody who never reads fae stories—it all sounded very original. I enjoyed the idea... But that’s also kinda it.

(Real quote from the book) ”Thanks,” I said gratefully.

Well, duh! We’re really not that stupid—even children, who this book is marketed to.

The writing style was bad, very bad. Besides the horrible use of adjectives and the thousand ways “says” is rewritten, it also doesn’t help that Cara is supposed to be 12. Trust me, a 12 year old doesn’t think/talk the way the book is portraying.

It’s disappointing because the story overall was really interesting! That’s the only reason this book didn’t end up being an did-not-finish.

Characters: 2/5
Originality: 4/5
Writing: 1/5
Story/plot: 4/5

(Full review on Goodreads.)

[ Thank you so much again to Netgalley for giving me a copy of the book for an honest and unbiased review!!]

Strong sister bond. Fae stories and fae adventures. Doing everything one can to save a small town. A wonderful, whimsical adventure. What more could you want?

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book.

Wish is about a young girl named Cara and her sister Bri, who grew up hearing stories about magic and Fae from their father. Until one day shortly after their brother is born, and their dad doesn't come home. Cara and Bri are sent to live with their grandmother while their mom struggles with a newborn and a missing husband. Together, the two sisters discover that maybe the stories they grew up with are actually real and set out together on a quest to save the small town.

I wish that I could give this a 4.5 star rating because that's definitely what it deserves. It was a wonderful, fast paced story about Fae, adventure, family, dealing with difficult situations and coping with grief.

I loved every second of this story and can't wait to see what takes place in the next book and follow Cara on her next adventure.

Someone tell me where I can order my copy because I can't find it anywhere and I NEED it.