Young Adult Fantasy/Mystery/Romance. I want to thank Net Galley, the author, and publisher for providing me an ARC ebook to read. Maeve, 18, has had to live life on the run, living under a fake name, ever since her father, a Scriptomancer, died 6 years ago. Her father was accused of mass murder of her former home world. Maeve fears if someone finds out the truth of her identity. One day she receives an anonymous letter suggesting her father was innocent. She is determined to find out who wrote this letter. It will require her to become a student/apprentice at the Otherwise Post. The magical art of scriptomancy allows one to travel between worlds delivering letters. Will Maeve discover the truth about her father? I was intrigued by the premise of the story. I found the first half sort of slow but then the second half was filled with excitement and moved quickly. I’m new to reading ARC’s. I realize it’s not the final edition but the numerous typos were annoying my experience. Hopefully, they were corrected. The romantic interest that develops between Maeve and Tristan was ok but in my opinion, it was a bit too much for a YA book. I would suggest 9th grade and up.

3.5/5

A very cute YA dark academia book! It combines the world building elements of A Darker Shade of Magic (multiple worlds layered on each other) and the literature/English elements of Divine Rivals (magical letters, secret identities, a weird unsettling and dark force at play). I will say the magic system is confusing at first, considering the magic is about writing, but once explained I was throughly. Also it features my one weakness in fake MMC - a tortured piano playing man with glasses and fluffy hair (its basically Hugh Grant in Notting Hill)

I love love LOVED this book. Great characters, great world building, unique magic system called Scriptomancy, just… everything.
Maeve is a girl who never reveals her real name because her deceased father is notoriously known to the world(s) for his crimes unleashing the deadly Aldervine, which killed an entire realm of people. Years after this incident, everything changes when she receives a letter saying her father is innocent. She then does whatever she needs to do to get to the bottom of things, including infiltrating the Otherwhere Post under someone else’s identity. Along the way she has help from her roommate Nan (fantastic character, would love to see more of her!) and Tristan, who is right up there with all the top book boyfriends - perfect banter.
Honestly, I just wish the book had been longer so I could spend more time with it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the advance reader copy and allowing me to share my honest opinion!

This book had me hooked from page one! The world-building was so rich, the magic system was super unique, and the mystery kept me guessing the whole time. Maeve was a total badass, and Tristan? Instantly obsessed. The slow-burn romance, strong friendships, and dark academia vibes made everything even better. That ending? Perfection. Wish I could read it again for the first time!

This book is a shining example of my favorite element of well-crafted fantasy novels, which is immaculate world building.

Emily Taylor does a beautiful job of exactly that here The Otherwhere Post, creating a dreamy, vaguely sinister world of academic fantasy. I don’t think I’d truly call it Dark Academia, but it does employ some of the best elements of the subgenre.

If the central mystery here feels a touch thin in its resolution, the book more than makes up for that in atmosphere and immersive storytelling, creating a place you can not just see but feel as you read it.

The book is also remarkably well-paced for a story with some much detail in setting and magical system, and all of the elements work so well together.

Though I believe this is intended as a standalone, the ending leaves the story easily open to a sequel. I hope we get one soon.

The Otherwhere Post is one that I should’ve absolutely loved, it’s the exact type of book that would normally get 5 stars from me, however, I couldn’t get invested. I do think it was more of a mood thing, the writing was absolutely stunning and I do think I can pick this back up when I’m in the right mood for this type of story and love it.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor is an interesting story of magic, hope, and desire.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the magic, the dark twists and turns, and the characters. I got lost in the world and could not put this book down.
This book is packed full of secrets and magic that explodes off the page. Emily Taylor did a wonderful job bringing this world to life through her writing. Fantastic read!

I loved Emily J. Taylor's Hotel Magnifique, so I knew I had to try this out. The premise of a world where the postal service has the magic? Weird...and awesome. I loved the development of this world and really had a fun time learning about how everything worked. The basis for the story was also compelling, with a strong female protagonist who is living her life anonymously and constantly on the run. The whole thing is incredibly unique and intriguing.

Marketed as YA, I felt like it really fit better in the New Adult category. There is some violence and intimacy that I feel might fit better for a slightly older audience. I would not recommend to the younger YA set. However, the story is fun enough to entertain anyone from older YA to adult readers.

The writing is great and there is wonderful atmosphere...the world coming off a bit gritty and gray with constant tension. There are some issues with pacing, specifically in the first half, but the last half flies by. This appears to be a standalone rather than exploring it's full potential in a duology or trilogy. There was not a lot of exploration into the schooling aspect and the other world potential was just sitting there aching to be explored. The lack of an expansion of this story into a duology or the development of this story and additional plot into a trilogy is somewhat disappointing to me. I feel like there was a lot left that I wanted to know and learn.

I recommend this for those who enjoy something a little bit different. If you can get through the slow pacing for the world development and plot setup in the first half, then you will be well rewarded in the second half with something that really makes you yearn for more.

Emily J. Taylor's The Otherwhere Post is a captivating young adult fantasy novel that masterfully intertwines elements of dark academia, intricate world-building, and an engaging mystery. Released on February 25, 2025, this novel has garnered significant attention for its unique magic system and compelling narrative.

The story follows Maeve Abenthy, a young woman burdened by her father's tarnished legacy. Living in a world where scriptomancy—the art of enchanting letters to traverse different realms—prevails, Maeve receives an anonymous letter suggesting her father's innocence in a past tragedy. Determined to uncover the truth, she infiltrates the Otherwhere Post as an apprentice courier, delving into a world of magic, mystery, and danger.

Taylor's world-building is both immersive and imaginative. The concept of scriptomancy offers a fresh perspective on magic, celebrating the power of the written word. Readers have lauded this inventive system, noting its depth and originality. One reviewer expressed, "I loved the world-building in this book and Taylor does a remarkable job at creating a beautiful, whimsical and deeply magical story full of love and friendship."
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The characters are richly developed, each bringing their own complexities to the narrative. Maeve's resilience and determination resonate deeply, while her interactions with fellow apprentices, particularly the enigmatic Tristan, add layers of intrigue and subtle romance. The dynamics between characters are both authentic and engaging, drawing readers into their personal journeys.

The plot is a well-crafted tapestry of suspense and revelation. Maeve's quest to clear her father's name is fraught with peril, and the twists and turns keep readers on the edge of their seats. The mystery unfolds at a brisk pace, with each chapter peeling back layers of secrets. As one reviewer aptly put it, "I was instantly transported to this unique world and loved following the MC. She was so relatable and I loved to witness her determination and bravery."
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While the romance is a subtle undercurrent rather than the central focus, it adds a tender dimension to the story. The slow-burn relationship between Maeve and Tristan is built on mutual respect and shared goals, enriching the overall narrative without overshadowing the primary plot.

In conclusion, The Otherwhere Post is a spellbinding read that seamlessly blends magic, mystery, and emotion. Emily J. Taylor has crafted a novel that not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the power of words and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. It's a must-read for fans of YA fantasy seeking a fresh and enchanting adventure.

"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."

I thought this was gonna be something like Divine Rivals meets The Whispering Dark but instead it was more of a Sorcery of Thorns meets Stephanie Garber if SG wrote gloomy, dark academia. All of these books are my Roman empire so I didn't have an issue with the SoT or SG vibes buuuuut it just wasn't what I expected and I don't know if I was in the mood for this type of story.

The FMC Maeve is almost 19 years old and yet if she was 16 like Elizabeth it'd have made more sense. She's been on her own for so many years, has had to grow up fast because of everything that happened with her dad and yet from time to time there was this childish stubbornness in her that's usually present in younger characters. Altogether, I liked her, even when she was annoying me I could understand why she acted the way she did. Everyone's response to trauma is different and her response was 'flight' every time because she didn't know any better, but her development by the end was great.

The MMC Tristan was my fav character, he actually gave me Nathaniel vibes and I just loved him. He was very interesting and the scenes between him and Maeve were my fav parts of the book.

The world-building was very intriguing and had a lot of potential but we didn't explore it much. I loved the way we had 3 identical worlds sitting on top of each other like a palimpsest but ultimately diverge sharply in atmosphere and environment. The magic system and the way people were able to travel between said worlds was also fascinating. There were some elements to the magic system that were pretty gruesome and I loved that but not more than what you'd experience in SoT.

As you can guess the romance was my favorite part—there was banter and it was slow burn with a touch of forbidden romance.

The pacing was where I had some issues. While Maeve was trying to solve the mystery about her father and discover the identity of the writer of the threatening letters there were some scenes that were just slowing down the pace. Not much, I wasn't bored or anything, but I wasn't that interested to read another inner monologue about something Maeve has already thought. The second half of the book was better even if there were some things towards the end that were a little too convenient and the ending felt a bit rushed.

All in all, this was quick and enjoyable read with gripping plot and interesting characters and I'd definitely recommend it to readers who are fans of Sorcery of Thorns.

Eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Rating: 4 Stars

I love a fantasy standalone novel... give me the short and sweet version of the worldbuilding, and give me a satisfying ending with no cliffhanger. This book ticked those boxes.

I thought the world was really unique in this one. I found myself wishing I would get more of it, because I think there's so much that the author could do with this one. But, again, I was glad it was a standalone. The ending kept me guessing, and guessing again. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming, and it was fun to watch it play out.

This is definitely a YA novel, but I don't mind that. The characters were fun (if stubborn) and I liked the way they came together (though I do wish it had happened earlier in the book). All in all, a fun read that had heart.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy. Opinions are my own.

An intriguing mystery with deadly consequences, set in a fantasy world with a unique type of magic, and full of all the angst, hope, and joy of a lonely girl searching for the truth and finding a real family. Maeve’s life transformed in seconds the day her father died and her world was destroyed. Not only did she lose her home and family, she lost even the good memories she had, with her father accused of genocide. Maeve was utterly alone in the world, having to hide her identity for fear of hatred and retribution, always on the move and never able to be her true self. It’s not surprising that, when a glimmer of hope appears that perhaps her father was innocent, she would risk everything, including her own life, to find out and reveal the truth.

Of course, when you’ve learned you can’t trust anyone, it’s hard to open yourself up to anyone, even if they are a mysterious and cute boy who keeps doing you favors and keeping your secrets or a bubbly, friendly roommate who is always up for some light breaking and entering. It was touching to see Maeve slowly realize that not only could she trust her new friends, she needed to trust them to succeed, and the burdens she carried weren’t quite so heavy when she wasn’t alone.

I really appreciate that Tristan doesn’t ever hold Maeve’s secrets and jumpiness against her, understanding why she reacts that way and showing her again and again that she can trust him, until she does. Tristan has his own issues he’s dealing with, and one of the things that bonds him and Maeve together are the similarities of their traumatic childhoods: losing a parent young, extreme loneliness, bullying, self-reliance. As Maeve says, “We both knew what it was like to have your entire world ripped away in an instant. To be haunted by a life that no longer belongs to you.” Together, Tristan and Maeve find someone they can be real with, trust those hidden parts of themselves they are afraid of, and face their fears.

This book has a lot of dark moments, given the amount of death and trauma that takes place, The villain is somehow convinced they’re working for a greater good, but how many people have to be murdered to get there? But it ends with hope, retribution, and love, and we all need some of that in our lives right now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for review purposes. It was just released this week, so pick up a copy at your local bookstore or library today!

“But a scribing is the most difficult sentence in the worlds to write.”

The Otherwhere Post is a mysterious dark academia novel that centers around Maeve Abenthy, who could lose her freedom with a single mistake. Seven years ago, a terrible beast attacked one of the three known worlds. To stop the danger from spreading, the Written Doors that connected the worlds were burned. Maeve’s father was blamed for the crime, but after she receives an old letter claiming her father is innocent, Maeve finds herself willing to do anything to discover what really happened that day—including taking the place of an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post. There, she will be taught the magic that couriers use to enchant letters, all while trying not to draw attention to herself. But her mentor is the son of the Postmaster in charge, and when she begins receiving threatening letters, Maeve realizes that she might not be able to hide her identity for long.

The Otherwhere Post kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what new clue would be discovered and trying to figure out what would come next. The blend of magic, academia, and fantasy was the perfect mix. I loved the characters. Maeve is restless and ready to run at a moment’s notice, but she desperately wants to know if her father is innocent, which makes her the perfect narrator. Tristan, her mentor, is secretive and sassy, but I liked the gradual reveal of his past and personality. Both characters have difficulty learning to trust each other, but they want to, which makes their development even more special. My favorite aspect of fantasy books is worldbuilding, and Emily J. Taylor did not disappoint. The magic, scriptomancy, was intriguing, with different forms and ink that can change the effects of the scribing. Maeve learned a bit about how scribing works from her father, but I enjoyed learning how this magic could be utilized as she also learned. It felt like I was growing with her. I also loved the rich history that is infused in this book. There are so many details of how the apprenticeship came to be and how the destruction of Inverly, one of the three worlds, completely changed how scriptomancy was viewed. There was something almost delicate about reading this book—like I was being let in on a secret, which made the experience all the more exciting.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor is a fantasy and mystery rolled into one featuring a young woman on the hunt for the truth about her father. Maeve Abenthy has spent the last seven years angry at her father, living under a fake name, and always on the move. Then one day she receives a mysterious letter from an “old friend” saying her father is innocent. This sends Maeve on a dangerous quest to the find the truth. She poses as an apprentice at the Otherwhere Post, a job she had wanted once upon a time. Here she discovers that not all is as it seems, and sometimes you have to trust someone to get the answers you seek.

Maeve is an interesting character to follow. She keeps herself guarded, never truly opening up to anyone. Her father’s crimes would be a death sentence to her, so she has spent her life as someone else. Her anger at her father is relatable, but the letter brings new light on him reopening memories of the times before. Her father is a murderer, killed millions of people, and yet she can’t help but love the man she thought he was. Now being told he was innocent, she’s determined to clear his name and hers.

At the Otherwhere Post, she’s partnered with Tristan Byrne, the son of the Postmaster and thorn in her side. He doesn’t want her as an apprentice anymore than she wants him poking around. He knows she isn’t who she says she is, but he is trusting her and helping her when she is willing to ask for it. I liked their dynamic. Maeve is serious all the time and focused, while Tristan is not. The events of the year prior left him a little broken, but Maeve’s presence is bringing him back.

While the book is billed as a romantasy, the romance takes a back seat to the mystery. This book is all about finding the truth, learning the skills of a scriptomancer, and finding one’s place in the world. I loved the world the author creates here. It dark and brooding, but also filled with magic. I was enthralled with Maeve’s hunt for the truth and shocked at the conclusion. Very well done!

Overall, I really enjoyed The Otherwhere Post. While this is a standalone, I’d happily read more books set in this world. Maeve’s journey is filled with danger, but through it all she learns to love herself again. If you are a fan of fantasy or mystery, I highly recommend it.

Audiobook Note: I listened to an ALC of this book from the publisher. The narrator is fantastic! Her tone of voice kept me engaged throughout the story. Highly recommend this format if you enjoy audiobooks.

Really enjoyed this book. First off, can I say I really appreciate that this is a complete book. No cliffhnagers or any bs - even tho id really love a sequel. But what I love more is an author who can give us a complete story and not use gimmicks to keep us engaged for five books too long.

The characters the world - the author nailed it. I loved how she really delivered on the dark academia and she didn’t pull punches that’s for sure. Also can I say u love the MC growth in the book - she really starts as the ball of revenge and grows into such a dynamic character. And the book has it all - great friends romance adventure.

Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for the review copy!

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. The magic system with scriptomancy was really interesting and unique, and I loved the concept of the three different interconnected worlds and the magical doors. Maeve had a strong voice and really came alive on the page. This story almost reminded me of Divine Rivals, with enchanted letters and an old-fashioned vibe; but I found The Otherwhere Post to be better.

After the Written Doors that allowed travel to the other worlds burned down, Maeve is trapped in Leyland. She’s trying to leave while also trying to hide her true identity, the daughter of a man who committed a horrific crime.

One night, she receives a letter from a courier through the Otherwhere Post from seven years ago, before the Doors fell, from an old friend of her father’s who tells her that her father was innocent and states she deserves the truth.

But she doesn’t know who this friend is or how to reach them. The only way would be to be a courier. So, she signs up for the courier apprenticeship to find this friend and get answers.

This was truly such a fun and unique experience to read! It gave me Studio Ghibli mixed with Violet Evergarden vibes, but in a completely different way, if that’s even makes sense 😂

I loved the unique magic system with ink and how it’s used for letters to allow you to literally feel or experience a memory. There’s also form type where one can create forms which I was all about, or traveling from one place to another. I just found it utterly fascinating!

I always love a fantasy mixed with mystery. It adds such a unique element and twist to a fantasy and makes it more engaging because you’re also trying to find out the truth or find out who the culprit is. It just keeps me so well engaged and I don’t want to put the book down until I’m finished.

Then we have the wonderful characters!

We have Maeve who is alone in this world trying to survive then being told seven years later her father is innocent of a horrible crime and now she needs to find out the truth while also disguising herself and avoiding discovery. It made for an intense read. You’re just rooting for her to make it.

Then Tristan. The grumpy, broody, sassy boy who I adored so so much! His smack talk and sassiness was so endearing. I felt like I should be mad at him when he said certain things the way he did, but I couldn’t help but laugh and just love him more. And when you learn his past, you understand his sassiness more.

There are some side characters I adored too that were wonderful friends to Maeve, such as her roommate Nan who told her from the get go that Maeve will be unable to help but be her friend and like her. She was so forward and then add Shea to the mix and it made for quite the power couple 😆

Then there’s the romance. Such a slow burn because Maeve just. Would. Not. Trust. And I get it, and it made for a frustrating and agonizing slow burn romance that was worth the wait. Very swoony for sure.

I could go on and on. It is just so good and worth the read, you will not be disappointed. Just read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am forever in a fantasy mood. Take me to a magical land ASAP. Emily J. Taylor did that.

In The Otherwhere Post, she took me to a school where scribes learn how to use ink and quills to do all types of magical things. Like make you feel things, track people, and even take you places. It’s called Scriptomancy.

There’s also a lot of mystery as Maeve deceives her way into an apprenticeship to get answers that may uncover the truth behind her father’s death and whether he was wrongfully labeled a murderer. There is secrets, lies, deception, death all with the twist of magic.

And we get a little love. Maeve and Tristan have a meet cute involving a horse and carriage then become quite close while he is her mentor during her apprenticeship. They have a cute little banter going on and Tristan is absolutely swoonworthy in the way that he takes care of Maeve.

I loved it. I love magic. Words are magic. I love words. 🥹

3.5 stars
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While this book is such a cool concept, I just think it lacked something to make it great.

This book was definitely an enjoyable read. Once I started, I found I couldn’t stop reading it. It reminded me of the Darker Shades of Magic series, with its layered worlds and the few who can travel between them. The plot was engaging and fun, and the banter between the characters was always fun to follow. Following Maeve as she works to clear her father’s name in secret was a great experience and the friend’s she makes along the way were well fit to the plot line and progression of the book. I loved each character and the roll they play, and super enjoyed not having extra characters with no use. I never saw the villain coming, which I appreciated. It was almost too out there, though.

One thing this book really lacked for me was the world building. We get dropped into this lush world but never fully get an ideal explanation of how it works. I wish we knew more about the magic system and more about these worlds. This is on of the few instances where I think this could have even been a fun duology to get enough space to flesh everything out. We have a whole world we never get to see or explore, there are a few plot lines that needed more explanation. I wanted more than I got.

This was definitely good, but lacked what it needed to be great.

4.5/5⭐

I absolutely loved this! It gave me the perfect dark academia wintery fantasy vibes that I was hoping for. I read most of it on a cold gloomy day and felt like I was THERE.

The world building was immersive, the magic system unique and intriguing, and the slow burn romance snarky and delightful. The central unfolding mystery kept me guessing and I just adored the dynamic between Maeve and Tristan.

This worked so well as a standalone but I would love to revisit this world and these characters one day! Highly recommend this one, especially if you liked Divine Rivals (I liked this even better). Definitely a top book of 2025!