Reviewed by Readers' Favorite 

"Sense of Home by NZ Kaminsky is an emotionally interwoven tale of literary fiction and mystical realism that beautifully explores themes of resilience, loss, family, and inner strength. The author does a great job of vividly expressing the experiences of Tyra, the young protagonist. I felt as if I was experiencing every mystical event through her eyes. This compelling book is ideally suited for readers who enjoy reflective-style storytelling with a trace of the surreal. I fell in love with it, and you will, too.

NZ Kaminsky's Sense of Home, young Tyra's journey starts in calamity when dangerous beasts destroy her tranquil life in Azure. Ripped away from her once vibrant homeland, Tyra and her family become nomads, forced to survive in harsh, foreign lands and towns like Marigold and Moonvine. As they travel to these bleak lands, Tyra grapples with loss and estrangement. Slowly, the world begins to feel less like her home. Forbidden books and supernatural beings offer her a path forward, and in time, she discovers a magical doorway to the unknown. As Tyra matures throughout the story, her ability to travel to enchanted worlds increases, mirroring her inner turmoil and hopes to regain her sense of identity and meaning. Through dreamscapes and inner reflections, she gradually uncovers her true power, which has been dormant inside her all along. But is this power strong enough to fully heal her and guide her to where she ultimately belongs?"

— Richard Prause, Readers' Favorite

Reviewed by the Reedsy Discovery Team

Must Read: Beautiful Evocative Magical Realism Novel About Lucid Dreaming, Creativity, Imagination, and Existentialism

N.Z. Kaminsky’s A Sense of Home: The Land of the Great Lakes lives up to its name. Once you step into this lyrical, bildungsroman-style novel, you’ll find yourself immersed in the ethereal, emotional world of Tyra Blair, a young girl navigating war, grief, and alienation, yet refusing to give up.

This book is one that grabs readers' attention and holds on, causing them to remember the little details.

Set in the parallel world of Azure, where war shatters her once-beautiful city, Tyra is forced into exile with her struggling parents. As loneliness and trauma weigh heavy, she finds solace in books, nature, and a surprising new friend: Koda, a mischievous, wise squirrel who opens the door to a lucid dream world rich with symbolic wonder.

These vivid dreams become the heart of her journey, filled with fantastical creatures, beloved stories, archetypal beings, and messages from the dead. Tyra’s dream realm is not just an escape, but a sacred space for survival, transformation, and healing.

The highlights of this book are Tyra’s journeys into imagination, where the characters she meets don’t wallow in despair, but challenge darkness with strength, cleverness, and heart. These dream-born allies reshape their worlds, and teach Tyra to reshape her own.

What sets A Sense of Home apart is its ability to explore existential pain without drowning in it. Like The Art of Agony, it acknowledges the hardship of life. But rather than succumb to nihilism, Tyra's mind is opened to more enlightened possibilities: that what we dream, create, and love is enough. If we are only a spark in this vastness in the universe, then we might as well find something that isn't harmful and gives us contentment and some kind of pleasure about being alive.

—  Julie Porter, Reedsy Discovery

"Fascinating! Impossible to put down. It's a unique blend of cozy fantasy and powerful psychological fiction, offering both comfort and awareness of unhealed wounds." 

— Verified Amazon Customer

"Reading this well written book felt like curling up with a cozy blanket for the soul. Superb book!"

— Verified Amazon Customer

"An intriguing and beautifully crafted novel!" 

— Verified Amazon Customer

"A beautifully written story! The sensory details are exceptional, blending fantasy, folklore, and a deep understanding of human nature." 

— Verified Amazon Customer

"Wow! What a hidden gem! The writing is atmospheric and poetic, carrying even the heaviest emotions with warmth and coziness, while using dreamlike elements to reflect reality as it is: layered, elusive, and deeply human."

— Verified Amazon Customer

"A Dreamy, Emotional Journey You Won’t Forget."

— Verified Amazon Customer

Goodreads Campaign:

I ran a successful Goodreads Giveaway for Sense of Home, which generated over 1,500 requests and more than 1,400 “Want to Read” adds. I plan to run a second giveaway soon to continue building visibility and anticipation.

Social Media Presence:

Over the past five months, I’ve been consistently growing my online presence through my Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Threads accounts, sharing quotes, behind-the-scenes insights, aesthetic visuals, and themes from the book. My content focuses on literary fiction, introspection, mental health, and symbolic storytelling.

Reader Platforms:

My book is currently available or listed on major reader engagement platforms including:

StoryGraph

Reedsy Discovery (where it received a 5-star editorial review)

Reader’s Favorite  (where it received a 5-star editorial review)

BookLife (review is currently pending, and the book has been submitted to the BookLife Prize contest, with results expected in the coming weeks or months.)

Amazon Author Central

BookSirens 

Hidden Gems Books  (where it received a 5-star editorial review)

Kobo

Google Books

Barnes & Noble

Apple Books

BookBub (listing and author profile coming soon)

and more . . .

Literary Contest Submissions:

Sense of Home has been submitted to a significant number of literary fiction and debut novel contests, helping to increase exposure and credibility in targeted audiences.

Library Outreach:

I have submitted Sense of Home to my local public library system in Ontario, with the goal of increasing accessibility to Canadian readers and supporting community-based literature.