Unfortunately, I'm afraid this book just wasn't for me. their were individual parts and pieces of it that I admired - interesting, complicated characters, fun fantasy world - but it read like a story that had an interesting, intriguing set up, a missing middle and a non-ending. Rosemary is thrust into the strange world of Fern's School for Wayward Fae, which she finds both fascinating and confusing. Readers learn what they can about the school as Rosemary does and are introduced to a colorful and interesting cast of characters. Most of Rosemary's questions (and ours) remain unanswered as the story abruptly jumps ahead several weeks, when her closest friend disappears from the school. Rosemary's convinced her friends is an in danger, and she recruits a few classmates to risk untold dangers to stage a rescue. The group travels through several perilous and fascinating realms in a sequence of the novel which, while episodic, is never dull. The group achieves their goal of rescuing their classmate, who is indeed in peril, and almost home free/back to the school, when Rosemary suddenly winds up in yet another realm that seems to be the most dangerous and sinister...and then the book ends. There is a bookended epilogue (that matches the first chapter introduction of Rosemary) written by "author" Fern Forgettable that teases further adventures in what I gather is planned subsequent books in the series. But I call flag on the play because the book 1 adventure is never really completed, making The Graveyard Gift feel more like a TV series pilot than a legitimate start to a fantasy book series.

I imagine young readers would enjoy these characters and the world(s) they inhabit, but they may be frustrated waiting for subsequent books due to the story's lack of a real, book 1 resolution.

A charming gothic middle grade novel about a young girl who has the ability to see how people will die and is sent to a mysterious demi-fae school. Rosemary is a girl who discovers that she is half fae and just as her mother was about to send her to a mental institution she is rescued and is instead sent to a mysterious school for others like her. There, Rosemary begins to discover her abilities and gifts. When one of the students goes missing, Rosemary helps to try and find them. The story explores Rosemary's gifts and her own family, as well as sets up the potential possibility of a series. It very much feels like the very first chapter in a series and its one I think that younger readers will have a fun time reading.

Release Date: October 8,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This book started out kinda slowly, like it wasn’t really sure where it wanted to go, but knew its ultimate destination. I’d say the first 2/3 kinda meander, just slowly giving you the background and getting you invested in the story. It moves along well enough to keep your interest, but it’s when you get to the last 1/3 of the book that it really ramps up the pace.

The kidnapping of one of Fern’s friends leads her on a dangerous journey, but thankfully she has friends to support her. When they finally find their missing friend, and they are about head home, Fern find her world turned upside down and in a place where she doesn’t know who she can trust. Will she find her way back home? Will her friends be able to rescue her? I guess I’ll have to wait for book 2 for these unanswered questions.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a cute and fun middle grade read, perfect for fans of fae stories like The Spiderwick Chronicles. Having Fern introduce and close the story gave a hint of Lemony Snicketness, though I’d expected the story to be a little darker and creepier given the title and cover. The characters were lovable—I was particularly fond of Rosemary’s banshee roommate, Trym, and her adorable siboo, Wiggles. The pacing was a little slow at the start, though things picked up when they entered the Lost Woods on their rescue mission. And while I enjoyed the world building, I would’ve liked to see more of the classes at Fern's School for Wayward Fae.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

This story is a lot of set up in terms of character and world. It reminds me a bit of the X-men where the crux of the story is on the character drama, watching them bounce off of each other and there interpersonal relationships.

What worked:
The book has a curious structure as the story is written by Fern, a mischievous fairy, but it’s narrated by the author, Piper CJ. Fern is not seen again after the first few chapters. Readers are informed in the opening pages that all humans have magic in them, including readers themselves, although they probably don’t know it. What a way to make young readers feel special! Rosemary is the main character and she has lived with her human mother, in a human world, until she discovers her ability to foresee future death comes from her fae father. She knows nothing about her father so that’s a mystery for readers to consider throughout the story.
There’s an air of mystery when Rosemary first arrives at the school. The school is located between the fairy and human realms to protect wayward fae from both worlds. There’s an underlying conflict where some fae think there shouldn’t be a barrier between fae and humans anymore, magic should be everywhere, while others feel it’s safer to keep fae and humans separate. There’s an unwritten conflict in the school between Seelies and Non-Seelies where the Seelies view themselves as better and more powerful. Rosemary realizes the staff at the school are unhappy about her arrival and something has them spooked. They insist nothing dangerous can reach students in the school even after Rosemary’s best friend Essie disappears.
The author creates an unusual cast of characters as the students have a wide variety of powers. While Rosemary foresees when people die, her roommate Tryst can foresee how they die. Tryst is part banshee and her screaming in the middle of the night killed her previous roommate. She warns Rosemary to wear earplugs when she goes to bed! Another student can use glamour to influence other’s thoughts while Essie is part djinn, or genie. Another student has a connection to the ghost world that may come in handy. Rosemary is determined to find Essie and she’ll need the help of other students’ abilities to do it.
What didn’t work as well:
Readers should expect to read the sequel whenever it’s published. Finding Essie is a conflict for this plot but the overall book feels more like the introduction to a series.
The final verdict:
Rosemary is an intriguing character since she’s not fully aware of her abilities and we don’t know the identity of her father. A little bit of information about her father is shared at the end when Rosemary finds herself in a very unexpected situation. Overall, the book will appeal to lovers of fae and magical abilities and I recommend you give it a shot.

Great middle grade book---How many more will be in the series? Interesting way to combine humans with the fae--book ends in such a way there must be more to come. There were a few places that needed more editing, mainly inconsistancies in the story.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Our main character finds herself at a school for part human, part fae. She has a special gift that allows her to forsee people's deaths. When one of her classmates goes missing, she tries to find the evil forces that caused it.

This book sounded very interesting. I thought the premise was really cool and I was intruged. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. I felt like the world building was just so much and it was really dragging down the story. I also felt like there was a lot of build up and not much happened.

I hope others love this one.

This was such a joy to read from beginning to end. The themes of finding a place where you belong and people who understand you are so universal they will resonate with a wide variety of younger readers. There is a good amount of mystery and action that should keep readers engaged and the pacing keeps things moving along well. I really liked Rosemary and she was the perfect character to lead us into this new fantastical world. Her ability to pretty much go with the flow when it comes to learning about her ability and all the other fae is a good example to younger readers on how to adjust to difficult situations. I also really liked that some of the characters are a little ambiguous when it comes to determining how friendly/trustworthy they really are. I loved the cliffhanger here - it definitely makes you excited for book 2 to find out how Rosemary gets out of the pickle in which she finds herself, what Fern is really up to, and who Rosemary's father is (although I do have a guess on that one). This is definitely a must-have for middle grade libraries!

Rosemary is different from other kids, really different, she can see how people die. After years of this her mother just does not know what to do so she calls in the psychiatric Dr to take her to their asylum. Rosemary knows that is no good so when a strange person seemingly pops in and gives Rosemary a choice to go to a special school or go with the Doctor of course Rosemary picks the school, how bad can that be? Maybe having a banshee for a roommate isn’t the greatest but Rosemary does learn where her special sight comes from, her father she’s never known being Fae. But when one of her only friends goes missing she must rely on others to help her get him back.
This is a great book that shows teamwork, trust, and friendship. This book is also a good beginning book to the world of Fae. The language is still plain (words that are English and not fantasy) that will help neurodivergent readers stay engaged. The characters are so well thought out and bring a lot to the book. There is so much action and suspense it will keep you up past your bedtime to see what happens next. I can’t wait to see (read) the team in action again in the next book.

A wonderful start to an adventure for young readers, I can't believe how long I'll have to wait for book two. This first book did a great job building the world Rosemary resides... or worlds you could say? As someone who is always thinking about death, I can't help but love our main character and her gift. This was an enjoyable read and I'll be waiting impatiently for book two.

A captivating read for fans of dark, whimsical, and mystical tales, particularly those who delight in the eerie and the unknown, as embodied by the beloved characters of Wednesday and the Addams Family.

Fantastic novel at the upper end of middle grade, a mix of Narnia and Seanan McGuire's Home for Wayward Children with touches of Dianna Wynne Jones's style. The age of the main characters (12-15) combined with the slightly more elevated language than most middle grade books--and the length of the book squarely between chapter hooks and the behemoth middle grade books of late--make the book perfect for middle school readers as well as more advanced younger readers. The characters are compelling, the themes relatable and not heavy-handed, and the plot picks up pace after first teasing us with mysterious clues and getting us (and Rosemary) acclimated to the fantasy world.

The Graveyard Gift is a fun middle grade fantasy novel. The characters were fun and easy to root for! I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

Enjoyable middle school fantasy book about a girl, cast out by her own mother and society for being different. She is then taken to a school where she discovers her gift is not a curse, but something more special than she could ever imagine. She meets other kids at the school with gifts different than her. Teachers are on edge though as something strange is going on and she and her friends must discover what it is by using their gifts.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Books for Young Readers through NetGalley.
Readers meet a young girl, Rosemary, who has a rather interesting ability. She can tell people how they will die. When she tries to warn others, they get upset. Even her mother doesn't know what to do so makes arrangements to send her away. Fortunately, a mysterious person rescues her and brings her to a special school. Rosemary discovers she is half human, half fae. She also meets a variety of other children and teens studying their gifts and history. When one of them disappears, Rosemary joins with several others to find them and rescue them. I appreciate the ending and the final reveal in the last chapter and Epilogue. This opens the path to the next book. The author paces the revelations as the story unfolds. Som characters share more about themselves while others keep their secrets safe. Broad hints are provided for how they will behave on future adventures but I wonder if there are more twists coming. A delightful read for middle graders who appreciate magic and fantasy.

Good book, great characters. I enjoyed this story as a reviewer and will definitely purchase. I would also recommend this to patrons and will include in our weekly book talk program.

Even though Rosemary has learned to not blurt out her predictions of death whenever she gets a vision, her mother is still uncomfortable and decides to send her daughter away to a mental institution. But Fern steps in and sends Rose to a school for demi-fae instead. Rosemary tries to fit in, but conflicting political alliances and hurt feelings run much deeper than Rosemary can discover, and it seems that the borders aren't as safe as her teachers would like her to believe.

Well, I love the dedication, I love the characters, I love the lore, and the premise is pretty cool. But this absolutely feels like chapter 1 of a much larger book. The epilogue acknowledges that there are quite a few pieces missing, but I still feel let down. We've solved several mysteries that I didn't care about but none that I do care about. This is the worst kind of cliffhanger ending, and I won't stand for it. But I'll absolutely be reading the sequel. Truly, the characters are very compelling, and I want to spend more time in this playful and dangerous fae world. I'm still baffled why the title is "the Graveyard's Gift" though?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a book that was enjoyable at times. Rosemary Thorpe gives us a neat beginning with a lot of promise - a teen that can predict your death. I can see how this will be a series, plenty of characters and plot building to feed one.

That said, in this book there's some characters we don't spend enough time with and some parts that drag. Also in the beginning it reads very young, like a European style classic children's lit, but then I found out she was in her teens- this was a big surprise as based on the opening I thought she was 10 or 11. (Or, I missed it).

Extra credit for dialogue and neat characters.

Fern is such an interesting character see at the set up of this story. I also found our main character of Rosemary to be such an interesting kid to follow. If you are an adult who loves the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire and looking for something that deals with similar topics and vibes I feel like this is a great option. I also loved the representation of our deaf character and the use of sign through out the book. I also enjoyed that this book explored the differences between the Seelie and Unseelie courts of Fae. If your child is looking for a spooky book this spooky season I would highly recommend this book. I can not wait to see where these characters go from here.