My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Alternate History, Fantasy, Romantasy, YA Fantasy
Spice Level: Kissing
Age Level: YA, but I'd recommend for older YA readers (maybe 15 and up)

THE OTHERWHERE POST is my new favorite world with letters, lies, and secrets.

It has a dash of Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic with layers of worlds and this alternate reality with a chosen few who can travel between. But then the lies begin and do not end! I also had some vibes of Divine Rivals, and don't forget the dark academia. Some readers see shades of The Ten-Thousand Doors of January because of the portal fantasy element and possibly because of the main character's father.

Maeve is the typical sassy, strong, conflicted protagonist in a YA novel, but she's not instantly good at everything, and for me that made her more likable. Some of the adults are actually good people—so that's refreshing. And Tristan is also angsty (for different reasons than Maeve) and is a great love interest. This is a slow burn romance, and though the characters long for more, they really don't go beyond kissing.

I loved the twists in this book, particularly toward the end. Are there a few things that are a tad too convenient . . . probably, but I can get over it since this is written for YA. In ways, I think it could have been pushed into adult fantasy, and adults will enjoy it too.

I bought Hotel Magnifique by this author when it released, but I haven't gotten to it yet. When The Otherwhere Post popped up on NetGalley, I knew it was time for me to get acquainted with Taylor. As a side note, I'll definitely be bumping Hotel Magnifique to the top of my TBR list.

Due to the horrific crimes of her deceased father, Maeve hasn't used her real name in the past seven years to avoid any association or condemnation. She gives fake names, moves around often, and trusts no one. When she receives a mysterious letter saying her father is innocent, everything changes. Determined to investigate and uncover the truth, Maeve poses as an apprentice and enters the scriptomancy school her father attended.

Her stats on making the best choices aren't always the highest, but I liked Maeve. She's feisty, courageous, and intelligent, but due to cruel treatment by others earlier in her life and being on her own for so long, trust doesn't come easy. When Tristan is assigned as her school mentor, he almost immediately knows she's hiding something. He also holds his cards close to the vest while enduring hazing by fellow students. Maeve and Tristan have a connection early in the story, but it isn't a case of insta-love (not my favorite trope). Instead, their relationship develops over time as Maeve very gradually lets down her guard, and Tristan proves himself trustworthy time and again. They're both wonderfully layered characters.

This has strong dark academia vibes, and some scenes are pretty graphic. Luckily, Maeve's roommate Nan is there to lend some brevity to the situation. Maeve certainly isn't looking for friends, but Nan refuses to take no for an answer. She's someone you want on your side.

With an engaging mystery that keeps you guessing, compelling characters, and original, detailed world-building (I loved the art and magic of scriptomancy), The Otherwhere Post certainly delivers. I'm hoping for a sequel. Recommended for fans of flawed, gutsy characters, darker shades of fantasy, and gripping mysteries.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is whimsically dark, with the romantic vibes of Divine Rivals and a magic system vaguely reminiscent of Babel. Maeve has had to stay hidden for the last seven years but when she receives an old letter, she decides to find out what really happened that fateful day her whole world changed.

I was hooked from the very beginning and I absolutely loved this story. Maeve is a determined character but with a softness to her that you really root for. Tristan is a great counterpart to her character and a new favorite MMC. The tension and angst, the banter, it was all so good! The found family themes were some of my favorite. I thought the magical system, and the ideals on who was allowed access to said system, was unique while also a great commentary on our real world haves v. have nots. This book is fast paced in a new and intriguing world, with lovable characters, and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the last pages.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor 🪶📮✉️

Maeve Abenthy has lived half of her life hiding her true identity. Being the daughter of an infamous criminal, she has survived by living unnoticed and forgetting her past. When an anonymous letter is delivered to her 7 years late, Maeve forgoes her caution in an attempt to find the truth. Under the guise of an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, Maeve uncovers her father’s past within the dreary university he loved.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a cutesy YA fantasy book! The ‘scriptomancy’ magic system was absolutely intriguing. I love the idea of magical quills and inks that can let users travel across worlds or summon beastly little monsters. Taylor’s writing is easy to digest and enjoyable. The romance aspect had me giggling and kicking my feet. Overall I think this was a solid YA romantic fantasy book and would definitely recommend for a cozy read with dark fantastical elements. If you love A Sorcery of Thorns, Howls Moving Castle or Half A Soul I think this book would be right up your alley!

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinteen for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 25th Feb 2025

Maeve Abenthy has spent the past 7 years eking out an existence in a shattered magical world, believing that her father was the cause of that destruction. At 18, she lives under an assumed name, hides in plain sight and tucks away her savings, dreaming of a quiet life on the coast, far away from the reminders of her past. Until an Otherwhere courier tracks her down with a letter from her past, suggesting that her father was innocent.

That's the set-up for the Otherwhere Post, Emily Taylor's YA novel with a rough around the edges protagonist, lots of dark academia, unexpected plot twists and a thoroughly satisfying magical world to figure out. Maeve is not easy to like - she is prickly and edgy and doesn't have a clue how to trust anyone. Part of the enjoyment of this book is watching her figure out how to be relational at all, and we get to have our lens on her shift as hers does on others. That reticence to engage also helps with clouding the reader's judgement on the other characters - the romantic interest, her roommate, and another friend. Can she trust them? Can we trust them? It makes for a not-thoroughly comfortable, but engaging read.

There are some Potteresque vibes here in Maeve entering an academic world that her parents shared, while having no frame of reference for it. The magic structures are quite fascinating, as is the fact that one of the key founders of those structures is female. Lots going on here to keep your YA readers wrapped up, especially those who are just venturing into dark academia. This hit the sweet spot for me of shadowy and dangerous, but not so dark that I couldn't read it before bed. Pair this with a cup of hot chocolate, warm socks and a rainy or snowy day.

4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for the e-arc.

The characters, the dark academia vibes, and the slow-burn romance were everything! 🪶💌🩶🧦 I’m obsessed!

I want more of Maeve and Tristen. Their banter and wit made me giggle, and there was never a dull moment. Although I loved the slow-burn romance, I appreciated that it wasn’t the central theme of the story. Maeve really risks everything to determine whether her father was truly innocent of the crimes he was accused of. It’s both wholesome and gripping at the same time.

Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada and NetGalley for the ARC!

Wow. This was incredible. This may just be the best YA Fantasy that I have read. This book has a fantastic mix of dark academia, magic, and a slow-burn romance that had me hooked from the start. Tristan and Maeve are very well-written MCs that have some of the best banter and hilarious moments between one another. If you are a fan of a man who falls first and will do anything for the woman, then you will love Tristan.

There is some truly fun and eccentric world building in this story that gives us this world that feels part portal fantasy-part bubble-worlds where the people are essentially trapped in their area and only the postal service AKA The Otherwhere Post can travel between the worlds. The mystery surrounding Maeve’s father and whether or not he actually destroyed all of Inverly, killing countless citizens.

Maeve’s grows so much during this story as she goes from being this girl who is afraid of people finding out that she is the daughter of the so-called killer to a badass scriber who fights to clear her fathers name all while fighting to clear her own name and save the rest of the world from further incidents.

This book is for anyone who likes: dark academia, unique magic systems, found family, student x mentor relationships, and good banter.

This book is sweet and clever in all the best ways! Perfect for a YA reader who loves magic, romance, and mystery. The friendships are heartwarming. Though sometimes I lost track of Maeve’s personality it came back easily. The Otherwhere Post was hard to put down! A+ comfort read vibes! I wish Maeve didn’t get injured and fall asleep as much, that got a bit repetitive, but who doesn’t love waking up to the romantic interest at her side? Fabulous!

This was a great dark academia YA read. If you liked A Darker Shade of Magic or Harry Potter, you'll dig this book. The teenage love story was so heartwarming and perfectly flawed. Taylor's attention to detail throughout made this a fast-paced but captivating read.

The magical world of mail. This is probably one of the most original concepts I have seen in a long time and there was a lot going on in this book: magical mail delivery, a murder mystery and a girl trying to find her own identity.

Who are you really when no one is allowed to know your name? When you're afraid to say it? This is what Maeve has to learn as she navigates a mystery that might just clear her father's name or implicate him further.

I really enjoyed this book and it definitely kept me wanting to know more. There were a few parts that were a little slower but I was still very invested and wanted to know what happened.

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for an ARC for an honest review. I'm so happy to have received a copy of The Otherwhere Post! This book was full of adventure, mystery, thrill and romance.
The magic system in this book was so unique! I haven't read anything similar to it so in the beginning I had a hard time picturing exactly how the magic worked but as the story continued I had a much better understanding.
The world building was also confusing at first. There are multiple "world" built on top of each other and they're all copies of each other but with unique timelines but again as the story continued I was better able to picture this and why it was important to the story.
Maeve was an incredible main character. I loved being a part of her journey in unraveling the mystery. I did get frustrated with her at times when she insisted on working by herself but I can understand her apprehension in bringing others into the mess. Tristan, Nan and Shea were such great supporters and their love for Maeve shone through the story.
While some of the story line and details felt repetitive I did enjoy the pace and build up. I think the mystery was compelling and I loved the twists and turns throughout.
This will be a great book for late teens into early 20's!!
Thanks again Penguin Teen!

A unique dystopian scifi fantasy steampunk novel that feels familiar enough to be a comfort read and odd enough to keep this reader's attention!

The ink-and-paper magic of letter-writing works so well, and we get just enough dark academia aesthetic to balance the Dickensian world-building.

Maeve is my favorite shade of morally grey. Like many of my favorite characters (Mistborn's Vin for example), her ability to survive while trying to find her heart is what keeps me coming back. I'll always root for the antihero.

"All she had left was hope, after all. It had to be enough."

First, I just need to say that I was obsessed with the stamp designs that listed the chapter number for each new chapter. This is very specific and random but for some reason that wax seal design spoke to my heart and brought me inexplicable joy. Perhaps I need to explore wax stamps as a hobby.

Regarding the actual book, I was hooked immediately. Scriptomancy was a really interesting concept to me, and I found myself needing to keep reading so that I could learn more about the magic system. The way that Maeve met Tristan made me laugh out loud, and I loved all of their scenes together throughout the book. The character-building and pacing of how and when we learned more information about them really worked for me.

There was one point where I was wishing this was part of a longer series, but by the end I feel that it was wrapped up perfectly in a single book. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC!

The Otherwhere Post spans multiple worlds, a few different universities, and so much ink. For anyone that enjoys fantasy and a stationary store, this is your jam. Maeve’s dad is a murderer… or so the world believes. But when she gets a message from a courier with the Otherwhere Post, it seems as if that may be in doubt. She decides to try to trace that letter to the author and the only way to do so is by joining the Post herself. From there, she works her way through her suspect list while also trying her hardest to not build any relationships at all, even though her roommate Nan and her mentor Tristan are making that difficult.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story. While I wouldn’t say that it’s one that I couldn’t put down at all, it definitely kept me interested throughout the book. I like the twists at the end that I didn’t see coming. If you like a fantasy with a few different interconnected worlds (think A Darker Shade of Magic by V E Schwab) and a heavy focus on ink and stationary (or sometimes writing on skin), I would definitely recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this advanced readers copy for my unbiased opinion!

Enjoyment rating: 5
Quality rating: 4


What if everything I didn’t like about Divine Rivals was fixed and made into a different book? That is The Otherwhere Post for me.

I loved Divine Rivals for the *vibes*. Typewriters connecting people who fall in love? Adore it. But I didn’t love some of the darker elements or some of the plot issues. I wished there was something else that gave me academic, bookish type vibes without those issues. And boy, did The Otherwhere Post deliver for me.

I loved the magical writing elements, the school and the aspect of trying to avenge her father/trying to find out the truth of what happened with her father. The characters were delightful, the mystery was fun and the magic elements made sense. The imagery in the writing made me feel like I was really in the world. I adored the magic coming from writing — what bookish person wouldn’t?

The slow burn between Tristan and Maeve is well done. It didn’t feel like it switched from strangers to lovers too quickly, and they had some great banter. Overall, I adored the romance between them. Tristan easily could have gone into the too cliche to like category with his background, but it’s unique enough and he’s sweet enough that it works well.

I did think the ending was just a little too abrupt, but otherwise I enjoyed the pace. I wish it had been just a little bit longer for more time for the climax and for just a little bit more slow burn.

If you want a magical dark academia setting with a fun magic system and great banter, I recommend picking this one up.

The Otherwhere Post is a fantasy novel about a world where things that are written - if they are written properly - come to be, a fascinating thought for any reader. Maeve, the main character, wants more than anything to be a scriptomancer like her deceased father - someone who is trained to write in a certain way, with certain inks, so that her writing will come to life, but she can't, because she is who she is: her father's daughter. Seven years ago, there was an attack by the Aldervine - a massive mobile vine that brought terror and destruction, and closed the doors between the worlds - an attack that was blamed on Maeve's father. Since that time, she's been in hiding, using an alias, afraid to let anyone know who she is, because of the reputation attached to him after that event. Then one day, she receives a letter, addressed to her correctly, that tells her that her father was innocent. So begins her quest to find the writer, to prove her father's innocence, and to begin to live her life as a scriptomancer instead of a fugitive. A suspenseful and enjoyable story, suitable for readers of all ages.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a cute ya romantasy with a lot of angst and yearning that had me flying through the pages. This book follows Maeve whose father was the cause of world traveling ending and many people dying when a poisonous vine infected their world. Maeve receives a letter saying her father is innocent sending her on an adventure of trying to find out more about what happened all while trying to keep her true identity hidden. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and the pacing kept many entertained throughout. There were a few places where the plot felt a little too easy or convenient but still had a great time with this one. Look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars rounded up

My feelings on this book are strange. I feel like I want to love it more than I did, but I'm not 100% sure on why I didn't. Because, really, this was so cool. I loved the whole idea of scriptomancy, of the various worlds, and the mystery around Maeve's father's death and the danger she was now in (high five to myself for figuring out the bbeg 😌). Also, Tristen as a disaster prodigy with a good heart was *chef's kiss*. So, like, there were a ton of things I really liked.

I think at the end of the day, Maeve's trust issues, while understandable, led to things feeling a bit repetitive. I'd have been fine with, like, 20 less pages of the book where we didn't re-hash her escape plans due to lack of trust. Did I get their purpose? Technically, yes, but I felt like they were trying to achieve something either already achieved or could have been achieved in prior, similar scenes. Also, while I get the story needed to move along and people aren't just going to automatically be suspicious when not looking for a reason to be, Maeve's constant luck with everything did feel, well, too convenient xD

Overall, though, I still enjoyed this book, and I do recommend it to anyone who thinks this book sounds interesting!

okay wait why was i literally unable to put this down?! from the first chapter, this was already one of the most unique fantasy’s i’ve read in a while and i was immediately hooked. i read this in like two solid sittings and i ate it up! i highly recommend for a solid fantasy book, beginners and longtime readers alike 💫

I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

I loved Hotel Magnifique, so I had to grab this one. Emily did not disappoint. This book's magic system and world-building had me on a rollercoaster ride! I feel like she left a bit off the table with the world, but it's a yes. The characters are appropriate for a YA book, which I truly appreciate; I am tired of reading about teenagers in adult situations; enough already. Tristian is the sweetest book boyfriend; Nan is a ride-or-die friend, and Mave wants to become a courier but has to divulge her secret in order to make that happen! OMG, so tense. Once this story got going, it did not stop until the end, and I was still thinking about it when I read the final sentence. The ending left me feeling like it was a race to the finish. Emily didn't want to write any more pages, so she dropped everything at the end.

Still truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to other readers.

Thank you to Netgalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Emily J. Taylor for the ARC of The Otherwhere Post