I typically love anything written by FT Lukens, but Otherworldly was unfortunately a little underwhelming for me. While I loved the wintery/snowy setting and characters (especially Knox), the overall romantic element between the two kind of flopped for me.

Otherworldly makes my fourth read by F.T. Lukens and I think I can firmly say that they are the master of a low-stakes cozy young adult fantasy. All of the novels have a warm feeling around them and Otherworldly is no different. I enjoyed the found family vibes, the sunshine x grumpy aspects to the main relationship, and the fun of having an immortal obsessed with teen dramas living out his dreams.

Otherworldly touches on things like climate change, skepticism towards religion, found family, and prioritizing your mental health over the needs of others. It doesn't go into them as deeply as other books would, but they are there. There is also some really nice Non-Binary representation in Ellery. They're the grumpy aspect to Knox's golden retriever energy and I think they balance out nicely. I just wish the pacing had been a bit quicker so we could have had more cute moments with the two of them before the plot got in the way.

Overall, I think if you liked Spell Bound, you have a pretty good chance of enjoying this. Ellery and Knox are cute, it’s a fun supernatural world, and there is an Orpheus and Eurydice moment if you’re into that sort of thing. If you’re looking for something more serious and hard-hitting, but still queer, this is not it. This is low-stakes (though it may not always appear that way), warm and fuzzy. You go into this for the cute. Also, the cover is gorgeous. The covers keep pulling me in, however, once I get started I’m usually happy to be there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this novel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for the e-arc.

I think FT Lukens' books just aren't for me, unfortunately. This is the third I've tried, and while they're cute and charming, I always leave feeling that the execution didn't dive as deep as the premise's potential. That being said, I understand why the books have sold well and are popular among readers.

Light-hearted, cozy, and low-stakes with plenty of banter. I'd recommend to fans of Heartstopper looking to expand into fantasy.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. This was my first dive into a F.T. Lukens's book, and I was NOT disappointed! It started out a little slow, but I really fell in love with the characters, and their journey. The romance was incredibly well done, and the entire book had a cozy feeling, which helped make it a quick read. Can't wait to make my way through more of their books, I'm hooked!! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

4.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!

I truly loved this book. Like. It was soft and sweet for the majority of the story with a little adventure and a little danger sprinkled in. I do wish that Ellery hadn't been thrown into the damsel in distress role for a lot of the danger, but I'll forgive Lukens for that. Knox was a pretty great hero.

I also loved the relationship between Ellery, Charley, and Zada. I love that their bond never wavered and not a single thought of "oh they hate me" rolled through their mind. I also love that for their backstory, we were mostly told instead of shown. We don't need to know how they left their family. We just need to know that was their life before and this is their life now.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, & Margaret K. McElderry Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

It pains me to say that my rollercoaster with F.T. Lukens’ novels continues.

I’ve read everything they’ve published so far, with my favorite being So This Is Ever After, which was actually my first 5-star read of 2024, in January! However, with how middling my feelings have been about their previous novels, I tempered my expectations going into this. To be clear: this is a finely written book, with sweet queer/non-binary representation, and is a cozy, fast-paced read for fans of light urban fantasy. This will definitely appeal to some people, but it fell below expectations for me.
I’ve mentioned in previous reviews of Lukens’s books that their style of writing tends to lean “straightforward”; with little to no prose, succinct, and very easy to read. I don’t mind that and appreciate it every so often between denser books. I think their writing style feels very appropriate for the genres and categories they write in. However, for this particular book, it felt much more spoon-fed-y than usual. Very much like: “They went to door. They picked up their keys and left. Then they went to their car, got in, and started up the car.” Which felt very out of the norm for Lukens and was surprised to see that kind of writing quality here. It felt like the type of writing you do when need to meet a word count minimum on an essay, which is something I don’t love to see in the books I read.

In terms of the concept for this novel, I’d say it was a just fine execution of the idea. A skeptic and and a magical familiar make an unlikely duo, creating a bargain in order to figure out the mystery of a five-year frost that has taken over the city their in. Great concept, and a good hook. The prologue and first chapter did such an excellent job of creating the atmosphere. It was magical and mysterious and got me pulled in. Ellery’s introduction in the first chapter was a welcome change of pace from previous characters in Lukens’s novels; Ellery is their most pessimistic by far, in my opinion, and was set up to be a great contrast to Knox. However, after the prologue and first chapter, things start stagnating. The atmosphere Lukens sets up seems to disappear while Knox and Ellery become less compelling. Great setup, with little payoff.

The plot was…confusing? Confusing as in, my expectations were not the reality. I came into this novel expecting to follow a story that was much more high stakes (though, that’s not really Lukens’ MO from what I observed, so I don’t know why I expected that) and this ended up feeling like more of a cozy story. It felt high stakes in the beginning when Knox is in danger, and once the bargain is struck between Knox and Ellery, it’s kinda just us as the readers following them around as check things off the bargain list. Which, yeah, that’s the point, but also, weird to set up high stakes and then forget about them until the end. Which, by the way, we get sort of Eurydice and Orpheus-eqsue towards the end which is random! I did gasp a little bit at that, I won’t lie, but also, very random.

However, one thing I really appreciated this time around with F.T. Lukens is that their side characters were much more distinct and present in this book! I’ve struggled to connect to some of their side characters, and a lot of them have been wildly underdeveloped (I’m looking at you, random babysitter from the last 30% of Spell Bound. I don’t even remember your name.) But! I could very clearly see who Charley, Zada, Lorelai, Bram, and even Hale were! They brought color and life to the world, and that was great to see.

Ultimately, while this has some excellent improvements from previous novels F.T. Lukens has written, it fell short for me in so many ways, especially in their writing. This is certainly an anomaly for me, and I hope their future books resonate with me more. Again: if you want a lighthearted, romance-focused urban fantasy, with queer/non-binary representation, this will probably work better for you.

This just wasn't for me, Very slow in my opinion. Thank you net gallery and the publisher for letting me read this.
Had to dnf.

This definitely a solid for 4 star book, I think that the romance was nicely done. I really did enjoy Knox’s character a lot even though I did find his love interest, Ellery to be too pessimistic at time which is why I think it took me a bit to get into the story since it did have dual POVs. I liked how the ending of the story was paced out nicely so it did not feel rushed at all. I do which we had gotten to explore more of the Other World, but overall this was a nice fantasy love story and I loved the representation.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review,

F.T. Lukens is such a good writer. To take ordinary people and put them in this magnificent circumstances and watch them stumble and thrive is a feat. This one was such a fun read with high stakes in a campy environment that made it feel like fun. It's not a middle grade story, but it has some of the vibes of those books or adventure and a journey full of twists and tricks.

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Ellery is a non-believer in a region where people swear the supernatural is real. Sure, they’ve been stuck in a five-year winter, but there’s got to be a scientific explanation. If goddesses were real, they wouldn’t abandon their charges like this, leaving farmers like Ellery’s family to scrape by.
Knox is a familiar from the Other World, a magical assistant sent to help humans who have made crossroads bargains. But it’s been years since he heard from his queen, and Knox is getting nervous about what he might find once he returns home. When the crossroads demons come to collect Knox, he panics and runs. A chance encounter down an alley finds Ellery coming to Knox’s rescue, successfully fending off his would-be abductors.
Ellery can’t quite believe what they’ve seen. And they definitely don’t believe the nonsense this unnervingly attractive guy spews about his paranormal origins. But Knox needs to make a deal with a human who can tether him to this realm, and Ellery needs to figure out how to stop this winter to help their family. Once their bargain is struck, there’s no backing out, and the growing connection between the two might just change everything.

Got an arc from netgalley and i was to review it honestly. Fun as alwaye from F T Lukens, loved reading about knox and Ellery and their little adventures (ALSO finding love i think love is neat)
Honestly it's still missing something in deeper waters had and for that i gave it 3 stars but it's still an enjoyable medium paced story with beautiful worlds(yay!) and wording<3

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books, for the chance of reading this book in exchange of an honest review.

Ellery is a seventeen years old and they are a skeptic in a place where everyone believes in gods and goddesses. Living in a city cursed five year winter, they are sure there must be a scientific explanation, or the supernatural abandoned them to scrap by, like Ellery's family and farm, forcing him to move to the city in order to help it.
Knox is a familiar and he lives in the Other World. He has to assist humans who made crossroad bargains, but when his charge is murdered at the end of one, he escapes in order to live his own life in the outside world. Without any news from his queen, fearing his coming back home, Knox is determined to live a bit, before facing the consequence of his actions, hiding from the demons bent of catching him, he meets Ellery. Ellery's world and beliefs are turned upside down when they meets Knox, saving him from supernatural being bent of kidnapping him and in order to tether him to the earth realm, they make a deal. Ellery will help him experience humans things and Knox will find a way to stop the winter in the region and help Ellery's family and farm.
But the growing connection between them will change everything.

Otherworldly is a lovely supernatural romantic story between a skeptic and a supernatural being and I loved every single page of it. The story is told by Ellery's and Know's POVs and I was so in love with everything. F.T. Lukens wrote a story set in a place cursed by a supernatural winter and a young Ellery, forced to move to the city in order to help their family's farm and their being cautious, skeptic and struggling with thoughts, anxiety and duty. Everything is changed when they meets a supernatural entity, Knox and the whole world of beliefs is turned upside down.
I loved how the author was able to describe Ellery's sense of duty, their rage and vulnerability, their feeling trapped and too responsible for their own age. feeling to be too much, too of a burden to their cousin and her girlfriend and their, slowly, realizing how much they are loved and cared for.
Knox, on the other hand, comes from a place of duty and rules and his desire to experience human things, things he learned from TV movies or series, brings him to be more and more confident in himself and in what he deserves.
F.T. Lukens wrote a romantic story about two young people falling in love, growing up and their psycological journey is mixed with a physical ones and I truly loved how the supernatural is mixed with the "normal" life.
A wonderful and brilliant story!

To say that I'm obsessed with F.T. Lukens is putting it lightly. I have almost every book of theirs and the fact that I got the arc for this one made me screeeaam. I loved this! I'm not huge on sci-fi but Lukens does a great job making it feel less complicated. I loved the romance and it was just a pleasant read all around. I enjoyed it.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Knox and Ellery. The golden retriever and black cat fit so well! Loved there connections and their interactions.
I loved the magic in the book and how the plot was written and developed. Author did an amazing job keeping my attention and making this book captivating!

F.T. Lukens does it again: found family, a sweet romance, and a fascinating magical world. I really love the themes of belief and trust that were explored.

Otherwordly was a delightful read. I found the dynamic between Knox and Ellery especially enjoyable (fans of black cat/golden retriever relationship tropes will too). Knox's charisma enthralled me from the start, and Ellery's grumpiness quickly became endearing. The pair's budding connection also balances well with the larger plot of fixing an endless winter. The story is neither low nor high stakes, managing to be that middle ground of cozy yet gripping.

I liked the magic of the world and all the weird creatures within. I'm a sucker for a good found family story, and Otherwordly certainly delivered. Some beats of the romance were fairly quick moving, and I wanted the climax to run a little longer before its resolution, but neither broke the immersion of the story. Love happens fast sometimes! If you're looking for a read that isn't too complicated, this book is great. If you come expecting a lot of depth, you might be disappointed. Personally, I had a great time.

Also, shout out for excellent use of they/them pronouns throughout the book. I adore the nonbinary rep!

If cozy and urban fantasy had a meet-cute and fell in love this novel would be the product and what an absolute joy it was!

Ellery, a supernatural skeptic struggling to support their family in the face of a 5 year long winter, unintentionally entangles themselves with Knox, a magical familiar from the Other World fleeing his demons (literally), in F.T. Luken’s newest release.

The found family trope is always executed to perfection in Lukens work and "Otherwordly" is no different. Of course the romance between Knox and Ellery is achingly adorable, but it is the deep bond formed from choosing your family and the willingness to fight for them that stands out. The whole cast of characters are interesting and their relationships among their group are both deeply comforting and laugh out loud funny to read (Charley is the comedic back bone of this family dynamic and I would die for her in an instant).

I love characters that leave my heart warm after I put down the book and "Otherworldy" did just that! Highly recommend this read if you want a good found family YA with some magic!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing me with this arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily!

The line between cozy romance and high-stakes urban fantasy is difficult to walk, but Otherworldly does it well. From the very first page (after the prologue, which as always is unnecessary), I was drawn into this world of eternal winter. As they grapple with their own personal struggles and desires, they are forced to confront the realities of their respective worlds and the consequences of their actions. I love that F.T. Lukens always includes queer rep without making a big deal of anything, which is refreshing.

I absolutely adored this book.
Set in the fifth year of winter, the plot follows Ellery, a non-believer in a world full of the supernatural. After a long day at work, they help out Knox, the cute boy they occasionally check out, who isn't all he appears to be.
The relationship between Knox and Ellery flourishes naturally and is a joy to read.
Lukens also fills the world with a cast of characters who are all incredibly fleshed out and hilarious to read. The world they live in is mysterious and exciting - similar to our own but with dashes of the supernatural sprinkled through, as well as being queer-norm.
Lukens has quickly become an immediate-buy for me, and Otherworldly has only cemented this fact. i'm going to be recommending it to everyone!

Otherworldly was a compelling and sweet teenage romance. We meet Ellery, a non binary high schooler who has left the farm they were raised on in order to get a job in the city. The world has been trapped in a ceaseless winter for five long years and the farm can't support itself any longer. When Ellery meets "weird hot guy" Knox who turns out to be a magical liminal person, they can't help but get attached to him. But Knox has a secret and if Ellery knows his truth it might ruin the magic that's happening between them.

Otherworldly was a quick and easy read. It felt a little bit sugary at times, there was some sort of insta-love which I'm not a huge fan of. I did like the magical creatures and the way that magical world merged with the human world. Supportive characters Charlie and Zada were a big highlight. The romance was extremely tame, there was a brief make out session and that was it.

Magical side characters were excellent. I wanted to read more about Lorelei and Bram! They were tantalizing and we only got short glimpses of them. Overall verdict, quite readable, but not very deep. A good companion for a stressful day or heavier reads.

Ellery (and all the people of the region) are stuck in a perpetual winter. A winter that has Ellery disbelieving in the goddess who seemingly abandoned the people. Because of this they also see anything supernatural as unreal.

Knox is a familiar, someone from the Other World contracted with a human to assist them on their task. He's been back and forth between the worlds several times and each time his memory is erased so he no longer remembers the people he met or what he did in the human world.

When Knox's contractor completes her task and her soul is taken in bargain, he runs from the shades who come to take him because he cannot sense his goddess. In fleeing, he bumps into Ellery who has all their disbeliefs challenged.

Ellery and Knox strike their own bargain so Knox can experience the human world and Ellery can figure out how to stop the winter, but along the way they both get more than they bargained for.

This was a fun read, pretty light and fluffy considered demons and the after life are involved, but it's also not one that will stick with me.