I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The worldbuilding was very rich. I loved the idea of scriptomancy and travel between worlds with the same places but are different.

The characters were great. I loved Maeve and Tristan. And Nan was so fantastic in her quest to make Maeve her friend.

The pacing was good, as well, and the book kept my interest throughout.

Overall, a really solid read.

4.5 stars

I was so excited to read this and it didn’t disappoint!

The worldbuilding!! The magic!!!! The world the author has created here is so absorbing and fascinating, I was always excited to pick the book back up every time and dive back in. Maeve, the main character, is also engaging and I found the plot drew me in.

I personally loved Tristan as a character and the love interest. The romance in my opinion is definitely secondary to the fantasy and mystery elements of the plot. I personally prefer my fantasy like this (more fantasy less romance) so I enjoyed seeing Maeve and Tristan’s relationship grow and develop over time.

Would absolutely recommend this to any readers who enjoy their fantasy whimsical with a plot that keeps you engaged and desperate to find out the answers to the mystery!

Thank you very much to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the ARC

5 Stars – Whimsical, Witty, and Wonderfully Original (ARC Review)

I received an ARC of The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor, and I absolutely adored it. This standalone YA fantasy is bursting with charm, cleverness, and a completely original take on magical postal work—yes, really! It’s the kind of story that feels like stepping into a dream, where every detail is just a little strange in the best possible way.

The story follows Maeve Abenthy, who finds herself swept into the strange, secretive world of the Otherwhere Post—a magical delivery service that operates between realms. The concept is so fun and fresh, with enchanted letters, unpredictable destinations, and rules that seem to shift with the wind. Taylor builds a rich, whimsical world that’s full of oddities, mystery, and just the right amount of danger.

Maeve is a fantastic protagonist—clever, determined, and a little bit chaotic. Her voice is sharp and engaging, and I loved how her journey was about more than magic—it was about identity, finding purpose, and making choices in a world that doesn’t always make sense.

The writing sparkles with wit and creativity, and while there’s a lot of fun and quirkiness, it’s also layered with heart. There are emotional moments, real stakes, and a thread of longing that grounds the story beneath all the fantasy.

The Otherwhere Post is perfect for fans of whimsical adventure, magical systems with rules (and consequences), and heroines who question everything. Easily 5 stars—it’s a book I’ll be recommending to anyone who loves fantasy that dares to be delightfully weird.

This YA fantasy blends dark academia vibes with portals, magic and a slow burn romance. We follow Maeve, who lost everything when her father unleashed a terrible world destroying magic, as she tries to escape the shadow of his crimes. She lives under a fake name, and is constantly on the move to evade the truth of her past being found. That is, until a mysterious letter arrives with the words “Your father was innocent”. To uncover the truth she joins the illustrious Otherwhere Post as an apprentice, once again under an assumed name, to train in the dangerous magical art of scriptomancy – a magic used to deliver letters between worlds, something her father used to excel in. As she searches for the truth Maeve is stalked by a dangerous stranger trying to convince her to stop her investigation into the past, which makes her search for answers become increasingly perilous. However she also finds unexpected friendships with her handsome mentor Triston and nosy roommate Nan, who try to support Maeve even when she’s being infuriatingly stubborn and silent about who she really is.

I was so impressed with this debut story. I have to admit that I did find the start slow, and the world building in terms of geography did have me a little confused but as the story developed I was able to picture the world much clearer. I also found Maeve more than a little frustrating at times, particularly when she chose not to speak up, even when doing so would have clearly helped her. However she is a teenager and her impulsive, emotional responses and actions did feel believable for her age and it didn’t detract from the plot as a whole.

Once the plot picked up I was all in, I think I read this in a day because it had me hooked. The central mystery surrounding her father was genuinely gripping and I liked the twists and turns – it set you up to believe one thing and then gradually nudged you in another direction. The clues to the truth were well placed, and although I had correctly guessed who was responsible from one particular clue, the reveal felt satisfying rather than predictable.

The dynamic between Maeve and Tristan was also really fun. Their slow burn relationship was full of tension but felt emotionally grounded, they both had secrets and pasts that needed to be revealed in order for them to be in a place where they could move forward together. This added depth to the story without overpowering the main plot.

I also have to say that one of my favourite things about this book is that it was a standalone! After reading so many fantasy/romantasy duologies and trilogies, it was really refreshing to read a full story with a clear beginning, middle and end. It was wrapped up well without feeling too tidy and it left me feeling completely satisfied with the story. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author in the future!

3.5

A girl looking to clear her fathers name so she infiltrates a special school? Sign me up. The magic system in this book I found very unique and I loved it. Magical writing and books always intrigues and excites me. This book is definitely for fans of YA. While it has that dark academia vibe, there isn’t a lot of really spooky parts.

I thought it started a bit slow, it took me to around 20% which sometimes I would’ve given up at that point. But throughout the whole book I was always interested in knowing if her father was innocent or not and if so, then who it really was.

The romance came second for me here, I did think they kind of fell into it without much growth but after that I started to believe in their romance. The second half of the book they interacted a lot more and that grew on me.

This was a very interesting book. Near the end I was thinking about it at work and trying to figure out the twists that would come up. There was the usual moments of “what are you doing, you’re being an idiot”, but that’s pretty common in YA for me. I really enjoyed this one and if there was a sequel I would defiantly get it.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor is a captivating blend of fantasy and reality.
Taylor’s writing is vivid and engaging, drawing readers into a world that feels both magical and relatable. The plot is filled with unexpected twists, and the characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique struggles.

At its core, the novel explores themes of identity and connection, prompting readers to reflect on their own experiences. Overall, The Otherwhere Post is a delightful read that will leave you thinking long after you've finished.A unique read!highly recommend!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*