When I heard about The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor, I immediately requested an ARC on Netgalley and was so thrilled to receive it. And believe me, it didn’t disappoint!

For seven years, Maeve Abenthy has been on the run after her father killed an entire known world. Too afraid to stay in one place in case anyone learns her true identity, she is surprised when one day she receives an anonymous letter saying “your father was innocent.” Now, to find answers, Maeve has to infiltrate the Otherwhere Post as an apprentice, learning the art of scriptomancy, a dangerous art that can enchant writing and help carry letters to other worlds. But when she starts receiving threatening notes, Maeve realizes she needs help from her handsome mentor who knows that Maeve is not who she says she is. Together they work to understand what really happened.

I really enjoyed Taylor’s world building. I loved that there were 3 known worlds, all of which were echoes of each other, but with their own distinct character. Understanding the details about scriptomancy did take me a little while, but once I did, I loved seeing how it played a role in the story.

I also really enjoyed how Maeve’s search for answers went hand in hand with her character growth. After teaching herself to hate her father, the note makes her question if he was truly evil, or if he really was the kind father she remembered. Taylor also did a great job setting up why Maeve would be so wary of letting people in, which made it that much more rewarding when she finally accepts help from others.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor was a fun mystery with great characters that I loved and rooted for. If unique magic, mysteries spanning multiple worlds, sweet friendships, and slow burn romances are up your alley, be sure to check out The Otherwhere Post - it comes out today! Thanks to Penguin Teen, Netgalley, and Emily J. Taylor for the ARC.

This was very different from Hotel Magnifique. Now, I did like this book but there were times the pacing bothered me a bit where it was super slow at the beginning and felt more rushed at the end.

This is a dark academia fantasy, but mystery/thriller novel with a subplot of romance. Seemed very intriguing from the start. A special school that allows its pupils to learn how to essentially do magic by writing it out in special ways? Sign me up.

However, Maeve was infuriating at times. So many of her issues could have been avoided had she actually communicated.. well, anything at all, and not tried to do every last thing possible completely on her own. That said, there was a found-family element to this which I did find enjoyable.

I would have enjoyed a bit more of an extended epilogue but I like things explicitly written out for me.

Anyway.. brief synopsis:
Maeve is an orphan but the daughter of a man who is largely blamed for killing a ton of people (which she whole heartedly believed) and destroying their ability to travel between worlds, until Maeve receives a mysterious letter from “a friend” that states her father may be innocent. Maeve now is set out to do anything possible to uncover this person’s identity. She fakes her way into a school to learn the art of scriptomancy so she can trace this letter’s origin and find the truth… only, who can be trusted along the way? Maeve will do much of anything to keep her true identity a secret but surely, who could bear to be in the presence of a killer’s daughter? This novel is one puzzle after another where Maeve uncovers one clue after another to truly discover who may be behind everything and to try and actually believe and therefore prove, her father was innocent.

“WE ARE THE LOVED ONE WHISPERING IN THE NIGHT. WE ARE PROOF THAT A PERSON IS NEVER ALONE.” - @emilycanwrite

Leyland, is one of the three parallel worlds that were once attached by a set of magical doors. Inverly, Barrow, and Leyland shared resources, education, and magic until one day, a poisonous vine was set loose on Inverly and that world was lost. To stop the spread of the deadly plant, the doors were set on fire. Now, only those gifted in the art of Scriptomancy can pass between the worlds to courier letters from one place to another.

Maeve has been running from her past for the last 9 years. She’s the orphaned daughter of a murderer. Until one day she receives a letter suggesting that her legacy may not be one of destruction after all. To locate where this mystery letter is from she will assume another’s identity and gain access to the university where she will be trained in Scriptomancy- at the very school her father once attended.

Maeve finds friendship and hope behind those gates as well as the heroic legacy she, for so long, tried to outrun.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Divine Rivals meets Shades of Magic. You’ll be enchanted from the beginning, cheering on this heroine through every trial she is put through. I really hope this isn’t the last book with Maeve, Tristan, Nan, and Shea. Their friendship is perfection. There has to be magic left just waiting to be shared!!!

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this #advancedreaderscopy - pub date is 2/25/25.

#theotherwherepost
#2025bookchallengebook14of100
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#netgalley

In this dark academia YA novel, Maeve Abenthy is an orphan who has learned the necessity of trusting no one. Both of her parents are deceased and her father is not only considered a murderer, but a murderer of an entire world of people. Travel was permitted through 3 known worlds until her father destroyed one and now that world is gone and all travel is impossible between the two remaining worlds except for those few educated in scriptomancy. If that sounds confusing, it is in the beginning, but it becomes clearer as you make your way through this story. Maeve needs to get into the other world, so she has no choice but to sneak her way into a school of scriptomancy.

Maeve is very enterprising and determined despite the number of people determined to stop her. This book has a very creative premise and a mystery to unwind. I loved the supporting characters, especially Maeve's mentor Tristan and Maeve's roommate Nan. The interaction between the characters is great, and it is heartwarming watching Maeve learn to trust others. And that scene with the bar of soap still makes me laugh.

My thanks to NetGalley and PenguinTeen for an early ecopy. My opinion is my own.

Before I start my review, I’d like to thank Netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read this phenomenal arc!

I loved this book so much! From the complex characters and the immersive storytelling, I was hooked from the first page! This book had an amazing blend of twisty mysteries and a unique magic system. It is perfect for fans of Divine Rivals! It had a perfect balance of slow burn romance, mystery, and fantasy! I felt that all the relationships between the characters were well developed and I just enjoyed reading about them! I especially loved Maeve and Tristan’s relationship! He was so understanding of her and their light banter was amazing! I tend to feel that dark academia books are slow, but this was amazingly fast paced and descriptive that I couldn’t stop reading it! I loved reading about this fascinating world and I hope others will enjoy it as much as I did!

This Book Includes:
Slow Burn
Mystery
Found Family
Unique Magic System
Mentor x Mentee
Plot Twists
and much more!

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

I’m so incredibly pleased I picked up this book. I’m wary of dark academia books as they can tend to be a little too similar, a little too homogenous. This one, however, is beautifully crafted in a gorgeous deep intricate universe that I loved from the very beginning. The rules of magic felt well defined (one of my biggest pet peeves when it’s done poorly) and I could sense the amount of structure and work that went into creating everything. I hopefully look forward to more books set in this universe!

thank you NetGalley for the eARC! totally devoured this

⭐️=4.5 | 😘=2.5 | 🤬=2 | ⚔️=3.5 | 14+

summary: so like there’s these parallel worlds and this girl’s dad supposedly murdered a bunch of people by destroying one of the parallel worlds a few years ago so the girl is like in hiding under a false name and stuff but then she gets a magical letter (bc the magic system here relies on magical letters) that says that her father is innocent so then she like has to do all this stuff to try and prove his innocence and go to this school and there is also a romance that i really like bc like they’re both broken in ways where they can heal each other and it’s really good!

thoughts: this is such a good time! the last 30% is a little wobbly but I do adore the main character and her love interest, even if some of the other side characters are kind of shallow? but like I don’t even care if the plot is silly bc I love love loved Maeve and it was so fun to read about her story.

[spoiler, sort of!] about the ending: I feel like maybe there were broader conspiracies about the three worlds that the author wanted to explore in a duology or trilogy but then was forced to squish into a standalone? Or maybe the author was, like… scared to fully explore this world? I don’t know, but there is something lingering there that could be explored and be really interesting! [end spoiler]

regardless of any critiques though, I was just having the time of my life reading this at like 2 am and I recommend it for a good time! loved the main characters! slay!

A dark academia novel with portal fantasy elements, interesting characters, interesting magic system, and an intriguing plot. Good for YA audiences

The Otherwhere Post is a fun YA fantasy with dark academia vibes. It's comped with Divine Rivals and A Study in Drowning, which not only excited me, but I found to be true. With maybe a bit of Babel and A Darker Shade of Magic sprinkled in--if they were YA.

Maeve has been hiding in the shadows, living under an assumed name after her father is accused of a dreadful atrocity that destroyed a world and cut off the others. (Think Darker Shade of Magic with multiple worlds that are the same, but not.) One day she receives a letter from that day from an 'old friend' saying her father was innocent. Maeve steals another girl's identity and sneaks into the Scriptomancy school. A place where magic and letter sending are tied together. There she meets Trista, who figures out her secret and seems to be hiding some of his own.

I had such a good time with this! And while this is my first book from this author, it won't be my last. The Scriptomancy magic was clever, and she did such a good job of leaning into writing/ink/letter themes and visuals. (All the way to a fountain that had ink instead of water.) Maeve is relatable and struggles. But she's passionate and driven. And I loved Tristan! I found myself wanting to trust him but not knowing if I should! And Nan, Maeve's party roommate, was great comic relief! She flew off the page!

The Otherwhere Post is perfect for fans of dark academia, clever world building (magical post offices!}, and layered characters. Emily Taylor will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Maeve as she takes risk after risk in an attempt to unravel the mystery of what happened on that tragic day.

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!