The Road Beside
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Pub Date Nov 15 2026 | Archive Date Dec 10 2026
Bisket Press, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
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Description
A lonely sixteen-year-old girl with a hidden magical nature finds a perfect new home she is destined to destroy.
All Willow Barnes wanted was a tiny sliver of happiness on the first birthday after her mother died. But Willow has never been a “normal” girl. Strange things happen around her, and instead, she is pulled into a harrowing adventure as robot assassins hunt her through a dystopian metropolis. To survive, she must steal a dead man's train ticket and board a peculiar train to Harmony Hollow, a place that doesn't exist on any map.
There, she finds everything missing from the world she left behind: a place full of strange creatures and magic, where fireflies drift over moonlit orchards and unexpected friends welcome her without hesitation.
For the first time in her life, Willow finds a home where she feels like she belongs.
But unless she can unravel the secrets of her magical nature, she may be the one who brings it all crumbling down.
Advance Praise
⭐Kirkus Reviews (starred review)⭐
"A fiery teenager finds herself at the heart of a magical world in this YA fantasy…Gracely's spellbinding coming-of-age tale plays well against an intricately imagined backdrop of fantastical landscapes…expertly executed plot keeps the pages turning…A fantastical tale of growing up and finding oneself amid magic and wonder."
“An incredible young adult fantasy… Beautifully written and bold… The world-building is beautifully imagined… Readers who enjoy fantasy set inside secret communities will adore this.”
—Jamie Michele, Readers’ Favorite, Five Stars
“A fast-moving, intelligent story about belonging, love, and sacrifice… an entertaining, fun read that is also deeply unsettling… offers an original take on the theme of the teenager discovering her magical powers.”
—S. Mathur, Readers’ Favorite, Five Stars
“An incredible story of survival and resilience. I was hooked from the very first chapter and did not put it down until I finished it… a great story for anyone who loves YA novels with a strong protagonist who doesn’t quit.”
—Rabia Tanveer, Readers’ Favorite, Five Stars
“Fantastic!… It has been a while since I enjoyed a YA novel this much. The storyline was immersive, the characters kept me emotionally invested, and I found it genuinely difficult to put the book down.”
—Tammy Staley, Author & ARC Reader
“I couldn’t put it down!! What a great book!… I laughed many times and cried several times. Beautifully done!!!”
—ARC Reader
“I loved it!!!! It kept me guessing. I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next! Willow was so relatable… It was very descriptive, easily playing as a movie in my mind.”
—Librarian & ARC Reader
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798991335577 |
| PRICE | $13.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 320 |