The writing was good, but I just couldn't get into it. Unfortunately, my students aren't really into science fiction and I think it might be too mature for them.

I love this book so much, the combination of magical realism and mental health discussions makes for a fantastic novel that s a must read!

I started this novel shortly after the pandemic started and then abandoned it for over a year. I'm so glad I picked it back up to read. It's a beautiful Middle Grade novel that touches on mental health in a way that I've never seen before in a children's book. The cover is what attracted me (I'm not sorry) and the magic is what kept me. This story by Jess Redman did a wonderful job of mixing fantasy with real life, and I think many children will see themselves in these beautifully complex characters.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Quintessence was a very science-heavy story that I enjoyed; however, the characters consistently put themselves in dangerous situations, and I really didn't like how unsafe most of their activities were. The author makes it seem like their "quest" was perfectly normal and necessary, but I would freak the F out if my child tried to attempt something similar.

1. They lied repeatedly to their parents.
2. They snuck out of their homes most nights and didn't come back for HOURS.
3. Got on a suuuper sketchy bus (also in the middle of the night) with a stranger.
4. Played with fire (what happens when you play with fire?).
5. Went into a cavern (also at night) without a map, guide, or any knowledge of what they were doing.
6. Disregarded the need for sleep, but still seemed functional during the day.
7. Name-calling (lots of it) that's never really addressed (alluded to, but not addressed).
8. Played with lightning (what happens when you play with lightning?).
9. Nearly died SEVERAL times.
10. NEARLY. DIED.

Like, I totally understand that this book is fictional, but it rarely felt realistic (and it definitely doesn't set a good example). The characters are in middle school, yet taking risks most adults wouldn't even consider. I know they were trying to save the Starling, and they felt like they were on an adventure, but I disliked how few consequences there actually were. "Alma! You're grounded!" Alma sneaks out again.

I also felt like Alma's parents allowed certain behaviors because of her panic attacks. Additionally, I hated how they constantly told her she wasn't trying hard enough, or that she needed to work on acclimating. Just be there for your kid, you know? At the beginning of the book they were encouraging Alma to make friends, do this, say that... but by the end they were checking her bed every 15 minutes. It was bananas. I also have no idea how they let Alma see a psychiatrist on her own without verifying/vetting the person themselves. It seemed irresponsible for parents that supposedly "cared" so much (especially since the psychiatrist contacted them out of the blue).

I know this sounds super negative, and I didn't start this review thinking it would go this way, but here we are. Clearly, I had more issues with this story than even I originally realized. When describing this book to my husband (he heard us talking about sciency stuff), I recollected the bits about elements and stars, supernovas and quintessence. Those aspects of the story were wonderfully written and really fascinating. However, how the characters applied their knowledge left a lot to be desired. EVERYTHING WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE.

Furthermore, I couldn't get behind Hugo's random explanations, like "Zonks!" We didn't see enough of his background for his quirks to make sense. I also wanted to know why he looked and sounded like a robot, and what happened between him and Dustin to create such a divide. The author's explanation was very shallow and seemed to be glossed over for the sake of convivence. Additionally, I didn't understand Shirin's reluctance to hang out with/not hang out with her friends. She alludes to not being able to be herself - - or do what makes her happy - - but there's not really an explanation for that either. Dustin is one giant enigma. Trying to find yourself? Really? By being the world's biggest jerkface?

I really liked the concept for this story, but hated how easily everything clicked into place. The ShopKeeper's random appearances, how quintessence actually worked, and how their collection of the elements was supposed to help the Starling. There's a very quick (sort of ) explanation at the end, but after everything the characters went through, I wanted to know more. We (my son and I) deserved better answers.

Example of a confusing explanation: "In each point, there was a symbol— an upside-down triangle with a line through it at the top, a right-side-up triangle with a line through it on the right, a right-side-up triangle at the bottom, and an upside-down triangle on the left. And in the center of the star there was a circle with lines extending from it, like light rays."

Points for having a main character with panic attacks (touching on what those felt like for her, showing how they impacted her life, and how she viewed herself because of them). Points for having a somewhat diverse group of friends. Points for the scientific elements. ZERO POINTS for me having to repeatedly tell my son why he shouldn't try this at home. (★★★☆☆)

Twelve year old Alma, a once curious girl, hasn’t felt like herself since moving to the town of Four Points. Shortly after moving, Alma began having panic attacks, and though she’s managed to convince her parents that they stopped, they really haven’t. Instead of going out to explore like she used to love doing, Alma spends afternoons after school in her parents’ new law office. When she meets the reclusive shopkeeper of the Fifth Point, a local junk store with a legendary lookout on its roof, he gives Alma a quintescope. It seems like a sign when – while running out of school – Alma spots an astronomy club flyer on the door. Her curiosity piqued, Alma decides to stop by to see what the club is like. There she meets Hugo, a brilliant young mind who lacks some awareness of himself socially; Shirin, a girl who seems to be part of the popular crowd but doesn’t feel like she fits there; and Dustin, a boy who has more to himself than the bully like he seems. With a shared interest of helping the Starling, this group of misfits learns about each other while learning about more themselves.

THOUGHTS: With a lovable cast of characters, each with his or her own insecurities, Quintessence captures what it means to find oneself at a time in life where many struggle. Give this book to fans of the inexplicable, those who recently moved or are looking for a new friend, or those who need a little magic in their lives. This book deserves a place in all middle school library collections.

Whimsical, heartwarming, and hopeful. A fantastic fantasy addition to all library collections for children.

What a delightful middle grade novel about being true to the light within you. I loved Alma and the adventure she and her group of friends took in this story. I love that Alma recognized from the beginning that she had something special within her, but struggled with letting it grow. I loved the way mental health and anxiety were handled. Loved the adventure. I thought it was different from so many other books I've read. It was sweet and magical and filled with so much heart. This was my first Jess Redman book and I am eager to read more from her now.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan's Children's Publishing Group for the chance to read this book.

This was indeed a great read. The adventures, the fantasy it was everything. I felt like a kid again while reading. The audiobook is even better. The narrator really did a great job with this one.

Sometimes books are so magical that you can’t help but refuse to put them down. That same magic leaves you waiting and wanting to know what will happen next. Quintessence weaves a wonderful story of science, magic, friendship, and perseverance that young readers with a flair for whimsy will love.

Told in a series of short, easy to read chapters, Quintessence follows the story of Alma and the friends she makes as she finds herself drawn into a secret mission that’s out of this world. Alma is new in town and is struggling to really find her place as she grapples with an anxiety disorder that at times seems to get the better of her. But her life changes when she sees a falling star that turns out to desperately need her help to survive and return home.

Mysterious forces and strange figures around town guide Alma to a ragtag group of new friends who help her as she attempts to collect otherwordly elements and learn about the mysterious quintessence. Along the way she learns how to embrace her own unique abilities and self-worth. She also learns how to to work with a group of people and open up to new relationships.

Alma is a fabulous character whose triumphs are both real and inspiring. The magic of the tale and really even just the magic of the relationships that develop between Alma, Hugo, Shirin, and Dustin along the way will keep young readers more than invested. It’s a great read and perfectly paced for young readers to read on their own or with family as each short paragraph lends itself well to an evening read. Definitely worth checking out!

AN EXCERPT FROM A BOOK TOUR POST. A COPY WAS PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEW.

This is a book about finding your voice and the true essence of who you are. Alma has felt wrong ever since her family moved to a new town. She suffers panic attacks and finds her world getting smaller and smaller as the list of places she feels comfortable going shrinks. So, when she sees a falling star turn into a girl and learns that the mysterious star girl needs to be saved, she’s not so sure she’s up to the task. Luckily, she doesn’t have to go it alone, as there are four kids who each represent one of the four elements—they’re all needed to save the star. Of course, they have to figure that out together, and they have to discover where and how they can find the essence of each of their true elements as well. It all turns into a series of strange (and dangerous!) missions. The most compelling part of this story is Alma’s personal journey toward understanding her own abilities and limitations. Themes of friendship (including unlikely friendships) and family are explored. And many kids will be drawn in by the idea of a living, breathing star—they’ll find themselves wondering how far they would go to send a star back to its rightful place in the heavens.

Quintessence is a beautiful story of resilience, growth, finding your inner light and friendship. The main character, Alma, was super relatable as she dealt with panic attacks and anxiety. The supporting characters were just as likable and could each have a story of their own brought to life. I think many middle schoolers will enjoy this magical novel.

Another I picked on a whim and didn't really know what to expect...It was okay, but I don't think I was really the right audience for this particular title...

I made it to 50% of the book before it was archived. Seemed so unique and really compelling! Bravo! I definitely will pick up a finished copy.

Quintessence is a fine middle grade novel, equal parts fantasy and contemporary story: Alma has an anxiety disorder, and is having difficulty making friends at her new school. The falling star - a starling - begins to change all of that.
At its best, this is a fun fantasy about a middle school kid who doesn’t fit in finding her people and braving the unknown and the scary to save the starling. I love the quintescope especially. The writing is good, the pace is consistent, and the characters are - overall - credible.
At its worst, the novel has some overwrought and mawkish moments. Alma’s parents are inconsistent, alternately helicopter parenting - treating her like she’s five - and being oblivious to her activities. Alma’s panic attacks feel like a plot device rather than a part of the character, and they’re at all not necessary for the reader to empathize with her.
Quintessence feels a bit clunky: an editor willing to step in and put a lid on a rather glorifying focus on therapy, panic attacks would have made a difference. The concept and the plot are marvelous, but the execution feels like a vehicle rather than a novel for its own sake. I’d much preferred that Alma’s panic attacks took a back seat to Alma rather than defining her to the extent they do.
To a child reader, this would be a fun book: the characters are well-fleshed out and the plot works. To a grown up reader, particularly one who grew up with anxiety and panic disorder, Quintessence feels a bit stagy. Because the audience is a middle grade reader and not this rather jaded middle aged reader, I recommend it and give it four stars.


I received an advance copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A lot of book explore the idea that we all have something that makes us special, something that only we can contribute. What makes this book stand out is that the thing that makes each of these kids special, their elemental power, can also be detrimental. It makes them prideful, impulsive, leads them to make truly disastrous decisions that have long reaching consequences. Additionally, while they are forced to address their interpersonal issues and they gain more understanding of each other, that understand doesn't automatically mean that they get along. It merely starts them on a path. The plot, the exploration of starlings and quintessence, is an odd combination of magic and fringe science. It may be a bit too weird for mainstream readers but will be a compelling read for a small group of kids.

This is a very magical read for all ages. While perfect for elementary and middle school readers, I would recommend this book to all ages for anyone looking for a wholesome book with fantastic writing. I can easily give this book five out of five stars.

Alma’s family moves to Four Points. Alma has trouble acclimating to the new middle school and making friends. There is a mysterious shop in the city and the owner gives Alma a quintescope. When Alma looks through the quintescope that night, she sees a star falling and a starling, a glowing girl in need of help. Alma wants to help the starling but she escapes and hides in the woods. Alma joins the astronomy club and meets Shirin, Hugo, and Dustin. Alma and her friends are Elementals and they each have to gather an element of nature to send the starling back to her home. ⠀
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I loved the diverse nature of Alma’s friends. Alma is shy, Shirin is outgoing and loud, Hugo is a geek and Dustin is a bully. I liked the concepts of quintessence, the light inside us, and the importance of elements of nature. The author also touches on mental health issues. ⠀
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This book is a great read for geeky middle schoolers interested in astronomy and don’t mind getting into a bit of alchemy. ⠀

Oh my. There is something absolutely stunning about this book. While parts of the story are, yes, a bit convoluted, I think there are some readers who are going to be really absorbed into this one.

Quintessence by Jess Redman- 5 Stars
“Find the Elements. Grow the Light. Save the Starling.”
Summary: Ever since she moved to a new town, Alma has not been herself- she doesn’t feel like exploring or being outside and she has a lot of anxiety about her new life. It seems like there is nothing to be done- but one day, she is stargazing one night and sees a star fall from the heavens. Now, she must work with her new friends in the Astronomy club to save the fallen star before it is too late, and the star burns out forever.

I seriously loved this book! I figured it would be a cute story with loveable characters and loads of adventure- but I wasn’t prepared for how invested I would be in the characters’ growth throughout the story, and how meaningful the themes were. Jess Redman addressed mental health, friendship, and family dynamics in a refreshingly unique way that still feels familiar. I really related to the main character, Alma- when she would go through ups and downs in her journey toward becoming her true self, I repeatedly thought “Man, I know what that’s like!” The other characters, from Alma’s friends Hugo and Shirin, to her family, the mysterious Shop Keeper, and others, were all so fascinating to watch as they interacted with each other. I especially loved the setting and magic system, which combined astronomy and elemental magic in such a simple yet awe-inspiring way. I would absolutely read this again and I would love to see a sequel or spin-off of some kind (especially about the enigmatic Shop Keeper!). But in the meantime, I’ll be looking forward to reading more of Jess Redman’s work.

TLDR: Quintessence is an excellent middle-grade adventure full of astronomy and magic alongside themes of mental health and the Power of Friendship. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that are interesting and fun while also incredibly meaningful.

Many thanks to Jess Redman and Macmillan Children’s Publishing for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley.

What I Loved:
This book was stunning. Absolutely, wonderfully fabulous! I love that Jess Redman has brought such a real, relatable character to our children’s fictional world. Alma, our main character is experiencing panic attacks and anxiety, and I thought that Redman did an excellent job at bringing this very real situation to life through her words.

How I Felt:
Alma is a 12-year-old girl that any middle-age child can relate to. She’s just been uprooted from the home she loves to a new, unfamiliar town with her family. This new place is not her home, and she doesn’t know what to do. She begins to have panic attacks and anxiety due to the stress of the move, and her family isn’t sure what to do. Alma ends up in the Astronomy club with some new friends and soon discovers they are a bit more than just a club.

The fantasy in this story was wonderful and exciting. I think that the characters were so beautifully written, they just popped out of the page with their charisma and personality. I loved reading every page of this story, and I highly recommend it for middle-grade readers, but for adults that enjoy fantasy as well. It’s a wonderfully written book and deserves all kinds of praise!

To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Quintessence to middle-grade readers that like the excitement of a fantasy-story! I think many adults will enjoy it as well!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.