I received an ARC (advanced review copy) for free from Net Galley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If the synopsis had read like this book did, then I would have known right away that this was not a book for me.

The writing style of this book is beyond eccentric and unconventional. With too much bizarre detail and simultaneously not enough information, it was confusing.

At 4% I pushed myself to get to the 10% mark. Once I got there I decided that this book was too outlandish for me to continue.

DNF - 0/10 would not recommend

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I will say, that I have never quite read a book like this one. The descriptions were out of this world, if a little confusing. I definitely can appreciate the creativity that goes into creating something so out of the box. I just think it was a little bit much for me

The only positive thing to come out of this was that there was some resemblance of a plot at times. But other than that, I did not like this book at all. It was jumpy, confusing, and it felt like I needed to have read at least one book prior to this to have some semblance of what is going on

Though the world seems familiar and predictable at first glance, twelve-year-old Ellie Wright is about to discover that there is more to her world than she ever expected. Ellie’s mother has been suffering from memory loss in recent weeks, and her slow decline has Ellie worried. Ellie’s concerns are amplified when her older brother Charlie is kidnapped, and Ellie and her younger siblings are thrown apart from their parents and into the care of the mysterious Author. With care, the Author introduces the children to the truth hidden in Overmorrow, and together, they must do all they can to rescue Charlie and return their world to rights once more. This deeply contemplative novel is reminiscent of classic middle grade stories like A Wrinkle in Time and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Magic realism abounds in the narrative, and elevated thoughts and references enhance the intelligence of the story. Because of the amount of careful reflection and challenging vocabulary incorporated into the novel, the plot’s progress feels slow at times. However, readers who appreciate being able to dive into immersive storytelling will appreciate the care with which this narrative is delivered. Recounted in the third person primarily from Ellie’s perspective, the novel features descriptive language and details with dialogue embedded where necessary. This design places readers inside of the protagonists’ minds as they grapple with their new reality and the countless questions they develop as a result. Deep and slow moving, this thoughtful narrative is a unique addition to contemporary library collections for mature middle grade readers, and it is primed for a sequel.

I received this book as an e-ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars out of 5

After a somewhat frenetic beginning, I started to feel like there were shades of Narnia in this book, but shades where all of the children were in fact Edmund. Not identical versions of Edmund, but still, somehow in that kind of tween age stage of their lives that makes them just a little bit annoying. It's understandable given the upheaval at the start of the book, but I couldn't really find any connection with the characters.

So why three stars? Because despite a bunch of tweens running around being (rightfully) traumatised, I liked the plot. I liked the setting. I think if I was twelve again I would have liked this book more. It's definitely one for the more confident young reader to get their teeth in to, with the odd bit of juvenile humour and over the top description I used to enjoy when I was younger.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lancelot Schaubert, and Vale for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be officially published on August 22th, 2025!

I unfortunately ended up DNF-ing at 20% due to how difficult it was to follow. I was drawn to the premise: it sounded unique and full of potential.
From the very beginning, the book begins with a complex conversation that left me confused. There were heavy use of descriptive language and layered metaphors that, while clearly intentional, made scenes feel dense and hard to visualize. Another challenge was the lack of narrative context. Important scenes would happen abruptly, without explanation. I often felt I lacked information that would help me understand the world or the story's direction.
This book may resonate deeply with readers who enjoy abstract narratives and doesn't mind doing a bit of interpretive work to piece things together. However, the combination of dense prose and unclear storytelling made it hard to stay invested. I hope it finds its audience as I can see the ambition and meaning behind the concept - it just didn't connect with me personally.

I sadly DNF'd the book at 37%.
I really liked the concept of this book and the underlying story it tries to tell, BUT I feel like the way it was written made it too confusing to be enjoyed.
From the first chapter we get a very confusing conversation and I found myself unable to follow the dialogue between the characters. The insane amount of descriptions and comparisons, made everything very complicated to visualize and almost too cluttered.
Another aspect I did find confusing and almost misplaced, were the various philosophical discussions between the adults and these very young children (the oldest is 12!). I am almost 30 y/o and couldn't follow half of what was being discussed, yet these children could? Once or twice I get it, but in one of the chapters I read, there were MULTIPLE discussions in a row!
NOt to mention we were left in the dark about everything. Nothing was explained or contextualised to us. There is a part where the adult has to perform a ritual and we are never told why this is happening and what it means. It's just glossed over! And this happens regarding most interactions!

It got to a point where I was so lost and confused, I just couldn't bear it anymore.
I do think it's a book that requires a lot of brainpower and it's better indicated for lovers of philosophical queries, and this should be mentioned in the blurb. On the other hand, if it's a teen book, then maybe things should be made more clear and simple, instead of such complex and confusing rhetoric.

It just was not for me but I hope it finds it's audience!

I tried to read this book, but it just came across really confusing and I wasn't quit sure what was happening so I DNF'd.

It was an interesting premise. But I DNF'd at 60%. Both the plot and the writing were confusing. If I am over halfway through a book and not hooked, I don't have an incentive to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

The synopsis for Overmorrow was really intriguing and made me want to give this book a go.
Overmorrow is a book full of magic and intrigue. This story had a lot of complex imagery and went into detail while describing the world.

I became very confused reading this book - there were so many characters being introduced that it was hard to remember who everyone was. Also I confused about the ages of the children as they did things that were child appropriate then were acting like adults.

Whilst I did make it to the end of this book I could happily have dnf'd at any point as I was not connected to any of the characters or the plot.

i didn’t get very far into this book, simply because i felt completely lost the whole time. i don’t know if that’s the books fault or mine, but either way it just wasn’t very enjoyable for me. i’m so thankful for the ARC though!

Combining speculative fiction and magical realism, Overmorrow is a mysterious novel. Time, destiny, and the occult are interesting themes. However, the structure of the story is hard to comprehend.

This book was clever and not a regular read for me. I did really enjoy it. I thought it was creative and original. I think that if you like authors like Madeleine L’Engle, then you may like this one!

Lancelot Schaubert’s Overmorrow is a quietly ambitious novel that probes the tension between memory and desire. Overmorrow aims for emotional depth and literary nuance but often gets lost in its own introspection. Schaubert’s writing is stylised, occasionally to a fault. The language can overshadow the story, making it feel more like a mood piece than a fully engaging narrative. The pacing occasionally stalls in mid–narrative digressions, and some secondary characters lack depth
However, the central themes are intriguing.

Unfortunately not for me. But might please readers who are looking for something different, atypical.

Netgalley Arc Read Review
2.5/ star read

I would like to thank the publisher for the early access read of this book. I read a few chapters but quickly realized this book was not for me. The writing style is not for me. Though, I believe this would be a great read for the right audience. What drew me to the book was that it sounded like such a unique idea and could be a great book, as well I had loved the cover.

I chose this to pre-read for my middle grade daughter and our co-op classes. Saldy, I read about 15% in and had to put it down. In addition to inappropriate behavior and verbiage and the overall commotion and dark concepts (but not actual concepts, they were figments of one's imagination running rampant), I immediately knew this would not be a good fit for any of my students. This was a DNF for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to this eARC.

Overmorrow is a contemporary fantasy that feels like a blend of urban myth and coming-of-age adventure. The writing has a lyrical, almost fable-like quality, and the story mixes real emotional stakes with magical elements. Ellie is a determined protagonist whose search for her brother is both literal and symbolic, touching on ideas about memory, loss, and how forgetting can be dangerous.

The book moves quickly and has plenty of inventive imagery, especially the concept of magical rain changing people’s perceptions. At times, the plot can feel a bit abstract or metaphor-heavy, but if you enjoy stories that combine wonder with a sense of creeping menace, you’ll probably be into it.

Overall: A creative, heartfelt fantasy with strong themes and some surreal touches. Recommended for readers who like Neil Gaiman, Madeleine L’Engle, or modern fairy tales with deeper ideas beneath the surface.
shout out to Netgalley for providing this ARC 🫶🏻

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. This had an interesting premise...and THAT is about the only good thing I can say about this hot mess of a dumpster fire. This was really bad, like really bad. I couldn't get emotionally attached to any of these characters...the writing was bad, the grammar was inferior at times. I don't understand how you can use so many words to say so much absolute nothing. I was really really disappointed in this title, if it's a planned series I for sure WON'T be continuing it.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
The premise of Overmorrow was really intriguing (and the cover caught my eye right away!). According to Ellie, the mysterious “Overmorrow” has taken her older brother Charlie, and together with her two remaining siblings, she sets out to uncover the truth behind his disappearance.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF the book at around 43%. The middle school-aged kids behaved more like adults, while the adults acted like children — which made it hard for me to stay immersed in the story.

I could sense where the author was trying to go thematically, and I appreciate the ambition behind it, but in my opinion, the execution didn’t quite work.

Still, I’m grateful I had the chance to read it early, and I think it could resonate better with other readers who enjoy surreal or symbolic storytelling.

At its heart, Overmorrow is a story about loss and longing: a girl’s quest to find her missing brother. But as young Ellie’s journey deepens, so does the story, expanding into a surreal, cerebral exploration of memory, meaning, and the thin line between imagination and truth.

A World Unlike Any Other
Ellie is the curious, determined middle child of two overseas ambassadors. When her elder brother disappears, she’s convinced a magical monster named Oblivion has taken him—planning to use him as a kind of backup memory drive. As wild as it sounds, Schaubert makes it feel hauntingly plausible. The world he’s built is strange, poetic, and philosophical—a city transformed by magical rain called Overmorrow that wakes New Yorkers up to the wonders all around them.

Yes, it gave me Narnia vibes. But more than that, it reminded me of how much magic children can find in a world adults have stopped seeing.

The world-building is rich and intricate, sometimes challenging, but made accessible through the eyes of Ellie and her companions—who are just as new to this world as we are. Learning alongside them creates an immersive experience that’s both wonder-filled and unsettling.

Ellie: A Mind That Won’t Stop Turning
Ellie’s voice is sharp, inquisitive, and full of life. Her imagination is unstoppable. She dissects every little thing, hunting for symbols, secrets, and significance. It’s this relentless need to understand that makes her such a compelling narrator—and one that readers of all ages will find themselves rooting for.

Favorite Quote
“Books are portable imaginations.”

Themes & Vibes
🌀 Surrealism & Symbolism

🧠 Memory & Identity

📚 Books & Imagination

🌧️ Magical Realism / Fantasy

🧒 Child protagonist with a sharp, philosophical mind

💔 Grief, Loss, and Finding Meaning

🕳️ Monsters as metaphors

🧭 Narnia-esque sense of discovery

🕯️ Thought-provoking and dreamlike

Final Thoughts
Overmorrow is not your typical fantasy novel. It’s whimsical, cerebral, emotionally resonant, and deeply original. If you enjoy stories that challenge perception, reward attention, and explore profound truths through magical metaphors—this book is for you.

Just know that it asks a lot of you as a reader. But if you’re ready to follow Ellie down the rabbit hole, you’ll emerge changed.

Highly recommended for fans of A Wrinkle in Time, Coraline, or The Ocean at the End of the Lane.