Good YA fantasy that involves scriptomancy, magic invoked through writing: the words you choose, the ink, etc. Love a unique magic system! I also love the trope where everyone tells the MC they can't do something and then they not only do it but excel at it. Good character development and world-building. Plenty of suspense and twists. I also liked the relationships between Maeve and her friends.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

I loved everything about this book and the world it created!

The slight magic with enchanted writing mixed with elements of cobblestones, horses, rains, and gas lamps gave it a classic feel. The dark academia and slow burn romance were tropes that fit the vibe perfectly.

Maeve and Tristan were the perfect duo as the deadly mystery unfolds. Both reluctant to use scriptomancy and share their secrets with each other.

The middle was a little slow for me and the ending felt a little fast. However, everything wraps nicely and my only wish is that I could see the story continue!

“A letter can become an extension of your soul if you will it, a trapped part of you that shakes loose whenever someone reads your words.”

4 🌟

The Otherwhere Post is a young adult dark academia with magic, multiple worlds, mystery, and a touch of slow burn romance. It is told in third person perspective. Our MFC is Mauve, who has been in hiding. Only staying somewhere for several months, before moving, afraid she will be discovered. Her father, Jonathan, who was a powerful scriptomancer capable of enchanting letters, was accused of unleashing Aldervine (a deadly plant) on Inverly 7 years ago. The plant destroyed the world and forced them to burn the Written Doors. Written Doors- were doors people used to travel back and forth between the three known worlds.

MMC- Tristan is a mysterious courier who delivers a letter to Mauve that was written 7 years ago saying her father was innocent. Tristan tells her the only way to track the sender is through the archives, a privilege only couriers have. To solve the mystery, Maeve decides to infiltrate Otherwhere Post. She fakes credentials and steals another applicant’s identity.

Tristan quickly discovers she is faking her identity, but doesn’t turn her in. She has to learn to trust him to help discover the truth about what happened 7 years ago in Inverly. The world building and magical system are well done. There are lots of twists and turns, I couldn’t figure out who did it till it was revealed at the end.

Publication Date: Feb 25, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putman’s Sons Books for Young Readers for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

"The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with this stunning dark academic fantasy full of deadly magic and dangerous secrets, perfect for fans of Divine Rivals and A Study in Drowning.

Seven years ago, Maeve Abenthy lost everything: her world, her father, even her name. Desperate to escape the stain of her father's crimes, she lives under a fake name, never staying in one place long enough to put down roots.

Then she receives a mysterious letter with four impossible words: Your father was innocent.

To uncover the truth, she poses as an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, where she'll be trained in the art of scriptomancy - the dangerous magic that allows couriers to enchant letters and deliver them to other worlds. But looking into her father's past draws more attention than she'd planned.

Her secretive, infuriatingly handsome mentor knows she's lying about her identity, and time is running out to convince him to trust her. Worse, she begins to receive threatening letters, warning her to drop her investigation - or else. For Maeve to unravel the mystery of what happened seven years ago, she may have to forfeit her life."

Sometimes truth is worth every sacrifice.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Otherwhere Post.

This book exceeded all my expectations. It has an academia vibe with a very unique and interesting magic system. The fantasy elements are cool, but easy enough to absorb if that’s not usually your thing. There is a spice-free (it is a young adult book after all) romance plot that was delightful to read. The chemistry was there and the banter was fun! The central focus of the book, however, is a high-stakes mystery that the protagonist, Maeve, has to take many great risks to solve.

I definitely recommend this to mystery/fantasy lovers and especially those who enjoy an academic setting.

This was a such a dreamy and magical, dark academia fantasy. I absolutely loved the world - an Edinburgh-esque setting with three parallel worlds - and the magic system. Our protagonist, Maeve, felt super relatable despite some of her choices driving me absolutely crazy, like doing everything possible to draw attention to herself despite wanting to stay under the radar. This had just the right amount of romance for me (a sprinkle!) actually adding to the story and the relationship was well-developed. This was super fast-paced and engrossing, I was excited to get back into the story every time I picked it up.

Perfect for readers who loved Ink Blood Sister Scribe, are looking for a slightly more lighthearted Babel, or millennials nostalgic for Inkheart (IYKYK).

Sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Emily Taylor does it again! Thanks so much to NetGalley and PRH Audio for the early access to the digital and audio versions of this new book!

I truly love how Taylor weaves together magical worlds—and does so in stand alone novels! There is a lot of magic and world building to accomplish and she does it. There were a few moments where there was a lot of info/things were slightly confusing, but ultimately the amazing characters and their journey help cover and explain away any confusion.

If you want a fun YA magical fantasy read that also includes a great twisty mystery, I highly recommend!

I absolutely loved Hotel Magnifique, and when I saw that Emily J. Taylor was releasing a new masterpiece, I couldn’t wait to read it. In her typical fashion, we have a beautifully crafted but easy to follow magical world that has many twists and turns! It’s hard to keep me guessing to the very end, but this book did just that! There were so many parts that left me guessing, but everything came together in a nice neat package by the end. I loved that we also had the murder mystery element with Maeve’s father, and her trying to clear his name. While this book came to a nice close just like Hotel Magnifique, I do wish that we will revisit this world in a sequel!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite character: Tristan
Pacing: Quick and easy to follow
Recommended for readers who loved Divine Rivals

*I was sent this arc in exchange for an honest review.*

Thank you to both the publisher and netgalley for providing access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an anticipated release and oh god did it not disappoint. I think if i hadn't also read the deavabad trilogy this year it might've been my favorite read of the year

The Otherwhere Post is a magical adventure that I loved every minute of. Following Maeve as she tries to clear her father's wrongfully accused name, she enrolls at the mysterious Otherwhere Post and comes under the tutelage of Tristen, the Post Master's son. Together, they uncover a plot they may threaten everything they know.

Both Maeve and Tristen were delightful characters to read about, and their relationship to each other was delicious. The romance! the banter! the yearning! all phenomenal! and when i say yearning i mean Y E A R N I N G. done properly.

While the premise of this book is great, the execution was not so much. Considering how big a part of the story Scriptomacy is in this book, you’d think the author would do a better job of explaining what it actually was. 400+ pages later and I still had no idea what it was or how it worked?? So that was frustrating. Combine that with the barely likeable characters and this book didn’t stand a chance for me.

3.5 stars, rounded up

I enjoyed reading <i>The Otherwhere Post</i>, and I thought that the magic system of scriptomancy was a really cool idea, but a lot of the story also felt incomplete.

For starters, there is a fair amount of world-building within the school itself, but we learn very little of the outside world, which poses many vital questions including some clarity on what the role of couriers and scriptomancy play in the world at large. It was all a little unclear, as was a lot of Maeve's back story, especially when it comes to her late mother and her parent's relationship. If this had been better developed, I think the story would have felt far more impactful. As it was, parts of it were a little confusing and felt unfinished.

The pacing was also really inconsistent- it starts out quickly and hooked me from the start, but then the next 80% of the book drags on with a lot of slow development and repetition (at 85% I had to check to make sure that this wasn't actually Book 1 in a series because it felt like it wasn't going to be able to wrap up everything at that point)...before speeding into an ending that felt rushed, too-basic, and convenient.

It was still an enjoyable read, but it lacked some of the depth I was hoping for, and I would have loved to see even more magic at use, especially when it came to all the different types of scribings.

This is my first Emily J Taylor book, and I think after this she may be an automatic buy. That is right, only one book and I am hooked on her writing style. Before even finishing this e-ARC I had already pre-ordered the book during B&N's 25% off sale, it was that fantastic so far. This world was reminiscent of Divine Rivals BUTTT the FMC, Maeve, was a lot more morally grey, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This book took you on a lot of twists and turns and I could just be stupid, but I did not see the ending coming and who the real villain truly was. The book was medium paced, but I felt that there was enough going on that I was hooked into it. I did not feel that the story was lagging despite the slower pace. It had plenty of tropes I know everyone loves:

-slow burn romance
-deadly mystery
-banter and I MEAN BANTER
-lots and lots and lots of yearning
-dark academia
-morally grey FMC

Maeve was fantastic, I loved her characters and Gibbs from NCIS like rules about what she was allowed to do and not do. I thought her overarching character arc was done very well and her ability to learn how to lean on others was a hard lesson for her to learn but a valuable one. The side characters, Nan & Shea, had to be some of my all-time favorites. They had the wit and charm to really draw you into their side arcs. Ugh then finally Tristan, a new book boyfriend for me. I loved him from the very start and the banter between Maeve and Tristan WAS TOP TIER. I was eating it up and was kicking my legs and giggling. I felt that they truly saw one another and held nothing back which I think for both of them was refreshing and made them bond. I love how Tristan very much had this tortured artist feel to him that I think Maeve fell for instantly.

I loved every moment of this book, and I hope there is more story to come of what else they find in their world. This world building has a lot of potential and I think Taylor is well equipped for the task. 100000/10 recommend this book to everyone!

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I discovered Emily J. Taylor last year after receiving a special edition of her previous smash hit Hotel Magnifique through OwlCrate. I was so mesmerized by the world she created that I looked her up and discovered that The Otherwhere Post was in the making. I requested an ARC of her sophomore novel as soon as it was available on Net Galley and I am so thankful for it! In TOP, Ms. Taylor's takes on Dark Academia specialized in Scriptomancy. We follow Maeve Abenthy who has been hiding her identity for the past 7 years, after her father released the Aldervine and destroyed a whole world. Now she enters this scriptomancy university, hoping to uncover the sender of this mystery letter she received that states that her father is innocent. Maeve goes on this journey to uncover the mystery around her father (and mother), and we are transported in this very unique world that I thoroughly enjoyed living in for several days. All characters had depths - I could picture them in my mind and I felt like I knew them. The MMC was not the typical dark and handsome and muscular stud that we get meet in most fantasy book.. that was refreshing. The magic was quite complex and kept me on my toes. A book you definitely need to put on your radar!

I can honestly say that Emily J. Taylor has become an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange on my honest review.

I hope I never stop living in a world where dark academia gets written. Between the characters and the authors top notch writing this one had me hooked almost immediately. I really enjoyed the light shades or romance and hope they’re more evolved at some point. All in all a lot of fun.

I enjoyed Taylor’s latest novel. I was intrigued from the start with the mystery of a letter. Yes, this book showcases letters and magic in an interesting way. The fantasy element isn’t overbearing and seamless in their society.

There is a part at the end I didn’t understand which I can’t explain without spoiling the book. I felt like the author didn’t really explain what happened to a character. I was left with questions. It ruined the pace.

Overall I still enjoyed this one and I think I’ll pick up her first novel later this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

In a Nutshell: A YA fantasy with dark academia vibes and portal fantasy elements. Intriguing magic, gripping plot and interesting characters. Some shades of romance and mystery as well. A bit repetitive and a tad too convenient in between, but overall, a satisfying read. (Coming from me the YA-phobe, this is a huge compliment.) I’d definitely recommend this book to older YAs.

Plot Preview:
Ever since Maeve’s father was accused of a serious crime seven years ago, Maeve has been living under a false name and constantly shifting places and jobs so that no one can connect her to the past. Now eighteen, Maeve receives a mysterious letter claiming that her father was innocent. To learn the truth, Maeve must take up an apprenticeship at the Otherwhere Post, which trains aspirants in the magical art of scriptomancy, thereby allowing couriers to enchant letters and deliver them across worlds. But Maeve’s challenges only increase with this decision. Her father’s murky past proves tougher to hide than she had expected, her mentor at the institute – a rude courier named Tristan – knows that she’s an imposter, and threatening letters pop up warning Maeve to drop her investigation. Can she find out the truth without endangering herself and her companions?
The story comes to us in Maeve’s third-person perspective.

I am not an avid YA reader. However, I had read this author’s debut work – an interesting YA Dark Fantasy named Hotel Magnifique – a couple of years ago and was quite impressed by her world-building, though the pacing and repetition hadn’t worked too well for me. I was keen to give her sophomore work a go and see if it clicked better and if she has grown as a writer.
It did, and she has!

Bookish Yays:
💌 Maeve: A typical teen representative of her age. Impatient, impulsive, gutsy. Acts first, thinks next. Thus, an apt lead for a YA novel, though some of her actions made me want to shake her. Her character is written well, with no extended rambling or whining that is so common in YA protagonists. I loved the balance between her bravery and her vulnerability.
💌 Tristan: If I were younger, there’s a good chance I would have declared Tristan my new book boyfriend, and no, this isn’t at all because of his looks. He’s not portrayed as a typical hot guy unaware of his charm. Rather, the author gives Tristan a strong and layered personality that has both a grumpy side and a fun side.
💌 An extra Yay not just for making Tristan bespectacled but also for remembering this throughout the book. I appreciate how his spectacles were written as a consistent part of his character instead of being forgotten after the first mention.
💌 Maeve’s roommate Nan is fabulous. (Possibly, my favourite character of this book!) Her personality adds the right amount of lightheartedness to this novel.
💌 The connection between Maeve and Tristan feels a bit too instant, but it doesn’t lead to insta-romance. Rather, the bond grows steadily from reluctant colleagues to friends to potential lovers. A good progression for a cute relationship filled with loads of banter (from Tristan’s side.) Plus points for not letting the romance dominate the core plot.
💌 The darker parts of the fantasy are creepy, with some scenes being quite gruesome.
💌 Maeve’s apprenticeship at the Otherwhere Post adds plenty of dark academia vibes to this story. Her role as a student is properly utilised, with many scenes actually in the classroom and library, unlike some other academia novels where the characters are doing everything but studying.
💌 The pacing is slowburn but never slow. I didn’t lose my interest at any point.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
🔑 The worldbuilding has tremendous potential. The concept of known and unknown worlds accessible through magical doors and the art of scriptomancy allowing the use of words to create magic both are excellent fantastical ideas. The former reminded me of other similar portal fantasy books such as The Ten Thousand Doors of January; regardless, the concept is used well. I also loved the idea of a magical postal system. However, the scriptomancy content is somewhat vague. There is a lot about the whats but not enough of the hows. I am not sure if this is being planned as a series because a lot of foundational content on scriptomancy wasn’t utilised much in this book and there certainly is potential for more exploration.
🔑 For a change, there are a couple of good-hearted adults in this YA work. This adult thanks the author for this courtesy. (I am fed up of seeing idiotic adults in the YA genre.) However, most of the adults’ personalities aren’t sketched strongly. The rationale behind some of their actions stays vague till the end.
🔑The mystery about Maeve’s father and the identity of the writer of the threatening letters is handled decently, with a few nice red herrings and twists along the way. However, I’d have preferred the suspicion to be on multiple characters at once instead of going through them turn by turn.
🔑Given how closeted and grumpy Maeve is at the start, it is a bit difficult to understand why Tristan and Nan go out of their way to assist her. Perhaps they are just good people? Definitely a bit too good to be true!

Bookish Nays:
🚪 The second half has some overly convenient coincidences and timely character appearances at strategic plot points. I can ignore this issue if it happens only rarely, but it popped up a little too frequently when Maeve’s investigation was reaching its culmination.
🚪 Infodump ending. Never a fan of this!

All in all, this was quite a good read for me, which is even more surprising if you remember how I keep cribbing about the YA genre. I liked Maeve with all her flaws as she made for a realistic teen protagonist. Tristan and Nan were the perfect accompaniments. There are a few components that could have added more value to this book, but even as is, it is quite entertaining.
Definitely recommended. As an adult, I would have found this a good one-time read, but I've a strong feeling it will be fabulous for older YAs. (15+, because there are some intimacies mentioned.) As always, better if read without over-analysing.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group for providing the DRC of “The Otherwhere Post” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor is a third person-POV YA fantasy mystery with scriptomancy. Since she was twelve, Maeve has hidden her identity to protect herself after her father became an infamous murderer, unleashing an ancient magic that left her an orphan and killed so many. When Maeve receives a letter saying that her father is innocent, she heads to the Otherwise Post to perhaps finally clear her father’s name.

The magic system is very cool. I loved the little details about mixing ink together, the various ways that ink and scribing are used, and the post system being magical. It takes something mundane, writing a letter, and makes it fantastical while keeping the darker tone with names like ‘Raven’s Tears’ and ‘Oxblood’ for the names of ink colors. The coolest thing was that scribing is a skill that so many have to hone over extended periods of time, including Maeve, who grew up knowing so much about how the system works. I feel like, often, the main character just has innate talent whereas Maeve has knowledge, but isn’t wildly talented in the way that her love interest, Tristan, is.

Tristan and Maeve’s relationship goes through a lot of struggles because of Maeve’s constant deception. To protect herself and her mission, she can’t tell him her real name or why she’s studying scriptomancy and he trusts her anyways (as much as he can). Maeve does feel worse and worse about this over time, particularly as her romantic feelings for him grow stronger, but also as she realizes how much he has helped her. This is more of a subplot, so I wouldn’t call the book a romantic fantasy or fantasy romance, but it is a fun romance with great dialogue and enjoyable dynamic.

The overarching mystery is who sent Maeve the letter and whether or not she really can clear her father’s name, and, if he is indeed innocent, who is responsible? To me, because these are the central themes of the plot and everything is pushed forward by Maeve’s investigations and what she finds out, I would mark this as a fantasy mystery. I’m trying to get more into the mystery genre, but I’m not as familiar with it as I am the romance and fantasy genres, so if there are specific beats that a more knowledgeable reader needs to classify something a fantasy mystery, I am not aware of them. But I found the mystery to be intriguing and I did want to see the solution.

I would recommend this to fans of darker YA fantasies, YA readers looking for a fantasy mystery, and those looking for fantasies exploring complex relationships between orphans and their deceased parents and their legacies

This was so fucking magical! Eccentric dark academia vibes, twisty mysteries and a slow burn romance! This was such a wonderful experience all around.

A blank page and a single word.
~
I have been waiting YEARS for another Emily J. Taylor book, and this was exactly what I needed right now. I could not have been more excited to pick up a book about writing being magical and a girl hunting for the truth about why her father murdered so many people, gaining found family and truths along the way. Maeve was a super fun character to follow, even if I wanted to shake her sometimes for some of the decisions she made. Tristan was such a great character development as he went on the journey with Maeve, trying to find out who exactly she was and then everything that came after. Nan, and even Shea, we’re the best side characters and I adored them. And the twists! I could not keep straight who I thought the big bad was in this one and I was truly shocked when I found out at the very end. Not only did this wrap up wonderfully but it did so in such a way that has me thinking about the book and what could happen in the future, and I love that about this world! Do yourself a favor and grab this book so you can explore Leyland and Barrow, too!

this was fun! the magic system was kind of confusing at first but once i understood the story got a lot more interesting. i loved the relationships between each of the characters, particularly with maeve's relationship with nan. overall a decent fantasy read with a unique magic system and a mystery that kept me guessing.