4.75 ⭐️
I absolutely loved this book! The plot and the magic system were both super unique and interesting. The world building was done super well; easy to understand and follow along. I was hooked from pretty much the first chapter. The characters were all fun and all their interactions were great. It’s been a while since I read a book and didn’t want it to end, but that’s exactly how I felt with this one. In fact my only issue with this book is that I wouldn’t have minded it being split into two so some plot points could’ve been expanded on. I thought the book was well paced, but quite a lot happens in a short period towards the end, and I would’ve enjoyed it stretched out even more. I have a feeling this book will be very popular (similarly to divine rivals; very different plots, but similar whimsical fantasy vibes). I truly had such a fun time reading this and can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you NetGalley, Putnam and.Penguin Young Adult Books for the copy that I read.

Book Rating : 3.5 Stars rounded to 4
Reader Age: Appropriate for a Middle Schooler with just a touch of mild realistic and age appropriate cussing, an excellent mystery, and very mild slow burn romance (kissing only)

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor was an original and intriguing Middle School Style Dark Academia / Romantasy read. I was a bit surprised by how slow the beginning of the book was, but with all the world building and the establishment of a very unique magical system with Scriptomancy that is needed, this pace is understandable. In this vivid and detailed book, Taylor needs to establish quite a lot of context and backstory for the reader to understand how Maeve's world operates; however, I would have enjoyed a more of an immersive presentation of all this information and to have this paced out a little more, because at some points this establishing information felt overwhelming and it caused to to break from the story to process it all. At some points, I just needed stop watching Maeve's world be created around me and begin experiencing it for myself. Although I wonder if part of this could have been my age and experience as a fantasy reader which gives me more context than a younger reader would have. However, once I was abput a thrid of th way into the book, and I was instructed into into the of Scriptomancy and the mystery behind Maeve's Father, i was able to see the value of that world building and explore Maeve's story. At that point the character development and the detailed world building came together and the book did draw me in. Again, this was a fun read that my younger self would have adored.

This was an appropriate book for a younger reader and the hints of first love and romance between Maeve and Tristan would be appropriate for that younger reader, something that I did factor into my this review and rating.

A Note About This Review: I understand that book I am reading is an early review copy, and with a little more editing and attention to early pacing, I can easily see this book being the start of an enchanting new Magical World that any reader, adult or young adult will fall into

I finished this book in 2 days because I loved it from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. Safe to say I would recommend this to any YA or adult reader who wants a dark academia/whimsy story with lovable characters.

I’m excited for this book to be released so I can discuss it with others and recommend it. Definitely a great little fantasy from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this amazing eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Emily J Taylor for allowing me to read this ARC.
The otherwhere post was a great read. I didn’t know what I was expecting but it exceeded it. The world building was great, the FMC was feisty and independent. There were definitely parts of this book that I didn’t see coming. I would definitely read the second book if there was to be one!

⭐️ 4.5
⚔️ 2 (1 or 2 🩸 descriptions)
🌶️ 0
😘 1.5-2
🤬 1 (little to none)

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

In true Emily J. Taylor fashion this book takes you on a wild ride! This starts off at a brisk pace and only speeds up! So, if you like fast paced you’ll LOVE this!

Side note: If you read Hotel Magnific and wanted more out of the love subplot have no fear for this book satisfies that craving!!

Let me tell you I was OBSESSED with the dark academia vibes in this book!! From the descriptions of the college to how Tristan dressed 🤭.

The one thing that really hooked me was how unique this book is. Learning about scriptomancy and the otherwhere post it gave me a little bit of Harry Potter vibes!

The only thing that keeps me from 5 staring this book…

I know this author is great at stand alones, but I really wish this was 2 books and we had a little more time in the college and understanding the world. The world building is done quickly, but efficiently so it’s not a negative thing. I just really enjoyed learning about the inner workings!!

My best description of this book is a high stakes adventure with a fresh setting and twisty turning plot that keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat!!!

Thank you NetGalley! Give me dark academia, family secrets any day!!!!! I will be honest in that I did not like this as much as Hotel Magnifique. I enjoyed the characters and world building better in Hotel but I still enjoyed every minute of this. A postal system between different realms, family secrets. This will have you hooked!

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC!

First and foremost, you'll love this book if you enjoy dark academia-esque stories, but also one with a bit of found family vibes, good banter, and a really interesting plot.

I actually adored Maeve, and I loved the way that she and Tristan interacted, especially with the plot unfolding around them as she tried to move along and find more information about her father. Their relationship was one I found myself enjoying a lot.

This book is one I would gladly share with my middle school students, as it's one I think they'd enjoy and find particularly fascinating. Overall, it was a fascinating, fun, slow burn of a read, and one I think would be a great addition to anyone's bookshelf.

I enjoyed this fantasy/romance about a young woman seeking the truth about her father's death. The world-building is solid: the magic is original and unusual, the characters are pretty well-developed and diverse, the romance works well, and the pace is great. I'd have liked maybe a little more depth to some of the characters (there's the plucky, orphaned heroine, her extrovert, social butterfly roommate, the brooding and injured mentor/love interest, the heiress who helps with material needs...you get the idea....) but overall this is a fun and engrossing read.

Really enjoyed this book of magic and mystery. Maeve hasn't had an easy time in life, worth her father blamed for destroying one of 3 magic worlds. Her only hope for finding out what may have happened with him is going to scriptomancy school. Magic in writing, sounded so intriguing when I saw this book. Maeve and Tristan were interesting characters and I liked their relationship. Overall an entertaining read with magic and mystery!

Arc provided by netgalley for honest review

WOW! This book was just amazing.... I could not put it down and the world building was fantastic. I would really like to see a prequel of the original Maeve!!!!

After spending seven years hiding out from her father's supposed crimes, Maeve will risk everything to prove he's innocent. She cons her way into an apprenticeship with The Otherwhere Post so that she can travel to worlds where there may be people who can help her.

I really enjoyed this fantasy book in an unusual world where words themselves, written in books or on skin, have so much power. The characters are so likeable and you really want Maeve to prove her father was not the monster everyone thinks he is and who did do what he was accused.

A light, fast read, this book would be great for readers of all ages who like a good adventure.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Otherwhere Post from NetGalley for an impartial review. This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

One of my favorite things about a book is when the author’s writing can transport you to the setting the main character is in. Emily Taylor has done just that. The magic system in this book is so unique and the concept so whimsical, you can’t help but immerse yourself in the story. The banter between the two main characters made me chuckle. Though this book started out kind of slow, things picked up about 55% of the way in and I was hooked. The ending was a bit rushed and I felt the pacing could have been spread more evenly throughout the book, but the conclusion was still satisfying and oh so heartwarming. I highly recommend reading this book in the cold and rainy months so definitely look for this book when it’s released in February 2025! Thank you to the Penguin Group for sending me this ARC! I look forward to reading many more of Emily Taylor’s books!

In her sophomore effort Emily A. Taylor has another winner in The Otherwhere Post. A unique world that revolves around couriers that can take messages back and forth between different worlds of the same city after the doors that allowed people to go between them was destroyed by a poisonous vine. Maeve, the protagonist of the story, is the daughter of the man blamed for letting the vine loose. She’s about to leave her version of Gloam behind when she receives a message from the post that claims her father was innocent. Maeve decides to find away to be accepted as a trainee at the post so she can find the person who has evidence of her father’s innocence. Along the way she makes friends with some unlikely people and has an immediate chemistry with her mentor Tristan, who also happens to be the postmaster’s son. The mystery element helps keep it interesting and not as dark as some other fantasy novels, and provides several interesting twists and misdirection. Every once in a while it feels a titch on the convoluted side, but I enjoyed the story and characters so much that it was easy to overlook. I can’t wait to see what Taylor comes up with for her next book! A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this arc for an honest review.

The Otherwhere Post is a delectable fantasy centred around the protagonist, Maeve Abenthy, who struggles to get by and is haunted by the accusations if her father being a notorious murderer.
All alone in a foreign world after the collapse of the gates, with no means, no family and no access to the treasured magic of scriptomancy, Maeve longs to live a free life where she has no worries. That is, until she receives an anonymous, mysterious letter that tells her that her father was innocent.
This book follows Maeve as she infiltrates the Scriptomancy school in an effort to uncover answers that may be long-lost and forgotten. Along the way, she discovers love, friends and her magic.
The magic system of scriptomancy is a fascinating concept that feels fresh and original. The use of ink and writing as both a tool and a weapon opens up countless possibilities, and the author does a fantastic job exploring its limits, consequences, and the ways it can be used to both heal and harm.
While the pacing can occasionally feel uneven, with some sections slowing down in favor of world-building, the rich lore and complex character dynamics keep the reader invested. The world-building itself is a highlight, with each realm feeling distinct and tangible, even though they remain out of reach from one another.
As a book lover who enjoys journalling and writing, this was the perfect read for me. I do hope this author has a sequel planned.

5/5 stars

Maeve's story is so intriguing that it is hard to put down. I love the idea of Scriptomancy (magical writing) and her quest to understand her father's innocence of a heinous crime. The action-packed story is also emotional, and it brought me to tears several times. I can't wait to reread it when it's released!

The Otherwhere Post is by far my favorite book of 2024. I cried twice during this book. I am not someone who cries when I read books. The emotional reaction really confirmed for me, that this book was as good as I felt it was while reading.

This book was an absolutely stunning read. From the first few chapters, I was hooked. I hadn't expected to like it as much as I did, because it’s a dark academia book, but I was sucked in the second Maeve opened the mysterious letter about her father.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC ebook.

The Otherwhere Post
Emily J. Taylor

Seven years before, Maeve Abenthy lost everything: her world, her father, her name.
And she has been on the run ever since.

The beginning felt a bit slow to me but once this book took off it just kept going. The story features magic performed through writing—Scriptomancy—and a school to learn it, Dark Academia, tragedy, friendships, slow-burn romance, and murder and mystery to boot.

I hope there are more Otherworld Post books to come!


Publication Date February 25th, 2025
Penguin Group
G.P. Putnam’s Sons an imprint of Penguin Random House

#TheOtherwherePost #netgalley #arc
#Fantasy #magic #darkacademia #romance #mystery

Absolutely LOVED this novel. My two favorite genres - mystery and fantasy! I loved the dark elements throughout, and the main character was relatable and had great development throughout the novel. Would definitely recommend!

I had never read anything by Ms Taylor before this book, but I am certainly going to search out other novels by her now.!

This is the mystical tale of nineteen-year-old Maeve, whose dead scriptomancer father (one who can write scribings that have magical power) was branded an evil murderer who killed off an entire world. She has spent her life hiding her identity as his daughter, but now is trying to find out who sent her a mysterious letter telling her that her father is innocent.

She manages to fake her way into a school for scribers and couriers, those who write and deliver letters by magical means. There we meet a diverse cast of fascinating characters, not the least of which is the quirkily handsome Tristan, a prodigy at scribing and scriptomancy. Thus begins Maeve's roller coaster of a ride; finding out shocking secrets, running from the constabulary, getting in harm's way time after time, and of course, falling for Tristan.

I had a few quibbles that keep this from being a full on five-star tale (some descriptions of buildings and atmosphere ran on a little too long. Maeve made some decisions that, for a smart girl, made no sense, her roommate Nan wants to be her BFF practically before they even meet, etc). They don't take away from overall enjoyment of the tale, but the writing could use some tightening up in spots.

I was ready for this to end on a cliff hanger, and to prepare myself to wait for the next installment, but this seems to really and truly end, and in a very satisfactory way. I finished the final sentence with a contented sigh, and then vowed to find more reading material by this author.