River is a quintessential reluctant hero, wanting nothing more than to pretend that they aren't seeing monsters but driven to action by the disappearance of a friend. While River feels fearful and insufficient, their kind heart carries them through the journey. The narrative successfully navigates the issue of being non-binary, acknowledging the struggles it presents for River but not making this a central "issue" of the book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy! Super spooky, creepy and crawly with an adorable cat and and tween characters I was pulled into The Otherwoods with this one too. I adored the voice and adventure in this one. Justine is such a needed voice in queer middle grade.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really solid middle-grade horror novel. The heroic yet well-rounded portrayal of River is great representation of a non-binary character. And I love how much River loves their cat, and how is cat is a real character with agency in this story! The portrayal of the monsters in the Otherwoods is just the right amount of scariness for young readers, and the inclusion of real-life (transphobic) horrors is an appreciated inclusion too. Overall the book was well-paced.

The Otherwoods is an exciting book that sends a positive, hopeful message to queer readers. I am asking our supervisory children's librarian to order this title for our collection.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I loved the representation of a non-binary character in a middle grade book, and I do think it is handled pretty well.

The story itself is also so good! I had so much fun reading this book and I hope middle graders will too.

This was a great novel about facing your fears, standing up for what's right, and learning to believe in yourself.

There are two very special things about River: they are nonbinary and they can see monsters. River has seen monsters pop out of portals all over the place since they were a little kid. River has always been afraid of them and has always stayed out of their way.

River’s new friend Avery is taken by monsters in order to get River into the Otherwood, where the monsters live. Until River gets to the Otherwood and begins to unravel the mysteries there, they never know why.

River must face their fears in order to save Avery. Can they rise to the challenge?

I think this is a really important book for LGBTQIA+ rep, for kids reading who identify that way, and for the kids that don't. I think this is a book that will help with empathy and understanding, while delivering an addictive and exciting story. There was just a touch of spookiness, but friendship and determination are the driving factors in the novel. It was a great book!

River can see monsters. Between avoiding those monsters and the Otherwoods, a spooky paranormal world that keeps trying to trap them, River doesn't have much opportunity to make friends. When they meet Avery, it feels like things are finally looking up - until a monster from the Otherwoods kidnaps River's new friend, and as the only person who knows what, River must travel to the place they swore they'd never go to save their friend.

This is a well-developed story with heart and humor. River, nonbinary teen navigating their own identity and the thoughtlessness of fellow students and Evac teachers, is a wonderful character you just want to be friends with. Highly recommend.

River Rydell has been chosen and that means the Otherwoods call to him. Monsters call and lure him to enter the woods. But River must enter the Otherwoods to save the one person who truly sees him. The Otherwoods is a suspenseful fantasy book that will have readers at the edge of their seats. River is a relatable character and is a great protagonist.

I really enjoyed this! I thought the pacing in the beginning was a bit slow but I enjoyed the magic and the fresh take on monsters. I'm sure this will be a middle grade hit!

The Otherwoods is an incredibly engaging novel about a young person, River, who, in addition to trying to navigate the world as non-binary, also sees monsters....and spirits. For most of their life, River has been trying to avoid the portals that would suck him to a place where spirits and monsters rule supreme. Up until now, they have been successful in avoiding being drawn into these portals, steering away from any place that looks weird and definitely doesn't acknowledge or making eye contact with any spirits or monsters at school or at home, which is almost impossible to do when one of them lives under your bed. When River's crush gets sucked into a portal and "the Otherwoods", River has to be brave and enter a world they have been spending their entire life trying to avoid.
I found this novel almost allegorical, with the Otherwoods representing the real world filled with the "monsters" our LGBTQIA2S+ young people face. The character of River, their fears hurts, and loneliness creates empathy in the reader, and one can't help but root for River's defeat of not only the monsters but their insecurities as well.
An important addition to any middle school library and classroom.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Children's and Netgalley for the free copy.

Winans creates a spectacularly spooky atmosphere. Even the creepiest ghosts that live under the bed, you can’t help but love. The Otherwoods is filled with adventure and humor, and more importantly—Pancakes, the cat.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

Very enjoyable middle school horror read. I found the premise fun with many unique details that make you want to keep reading. I also enjoy any book that nonbinary children can see themselves in and other children can learn from. Education plays a key role in acceptance and empathy.

Also, I would be a monster, not a spirit. I want to slime unknowing people

The Otherwoods follows non-binary protagonist, River, who can see all of the horrible monsters (even the ones under their bed) as they brave the monstrous "Otherwoods" to rescue their crush who was taken to lure River in.

Kudos to River for being one of the first protagonists in a book who goes on a big adventure to pack things that would actually be useful! Like toilet paper!

This book did a good job of portraying the way deadnaming hurt River, but never actually told us their dead name. I always appreciate stories with trans characters where they are never deadnamed and the author finds a way around having to tell the audience.

I think this is good rep and I'm glad we're getting more diverse stories with non-binary characters, but for me this was just kind of bland. I can't quite put my finger on why exactly, but I think it was just missing some more in depth detail.

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

The Otherwoods was a colorful and an imaginative book that takes the reader on a fantastical ride! I loved the LGBTQ representation and think the author did a wonderful job with representing. I loved the idea of The Otherwoods, its monsters and the cat and spirit guide! This is definitely a fun and imaginative read!

This is such a whimsical, spooky story—heartwarming and with wonderful world-building and character development.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

Yes, it's already published because I'm terrible and got behind on my ARCs. I loved how this was a middle grade novel with a nonbinary character, and I love how normalized it was. It was a bit weird at first getting used to the third-person POV along with the repetitive use of River and they/them BUT that's on me for not being exposed to it in a book.

I really liked the concept and the overall spookiness of the book. There were some parts that were meh, especially just too much descriptive writing at some point (like...I didn't need to know all about River going #2 in the Otherwoods).

Also...THE COVER!!

Five Reasons to Read This Book

One. For all that LGBT middle grade lit is growing rapidly, there are still a few genres in which you’re less likely to see rep, namely fiction that isn’t contemporary. So, for all you horror readers out there, The Otherwoods is a perfect new edition to the middle grade canon. Want your books full of creepy monsters under your bed? Ones who may or may not want to eat you? Well, look no further!

Two. River Rydell very much does not want to be the hero, thank you very much. In fact, for a lot of the book, they’re actively trying to avoid having anything to do with The Otherwoods. Which, let’s be honest, you find yourself able to see monsters that no one else can, monsters who want to suck you into their world and do who knows what? Yeah, I would be running away for one, and I’m glad River agrees.

Three. I kind of mentioned this before, but if you’re looking for creepy middle grade, then this book will be right up your alley. Not outright scary (mostly, at least), its horror is in the sense of unease that River feels. The unknown purpose for which the Otherwoods wants them, culminating in some quite unnerving scenes towards the end. And, alright, the monsters that stalk them are a little bit freaky.

Four. Pancakes — or to give him his full title, Mr Fluffy Pancakes — is a character who deserves his own entire point, so his own entire point he will be getting! Who doesn’t love a good old animal companion in their books? Pancakes fulfils the role to perfection, although I have to admit I’m amazed he never ran off throughout the story. My own cat would have bolted within seconds!

Five. This is a story about facing your fears and finding community-slash-family. As noted before, River really does not want to be a hero, and is actually pretty terrified of the idea of the Otherwoods (understandably). But, with help along the way, they come to be able to face down their fears and stand up for themself, not only in the Otherwoods, but their own world as well.

I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I ABSOLUTELY requested an ARC of this solely on how amazing the artwork is. I got immediate Alice's Adventures in Wonderland vibes and was not disappointed.

Not only is this a spooky riff on the traditional Alice story, but our MC is non-binary. Oh, and can see monsters and spirits even though nobody believes them. Including one named Charles that lives under their bed and may or may not be trying to kill them.

It sounds ridiculous, I know--but there is a great balance of absurd and scary in this story. Honestly my only complaint is mostly due to the intended audience: middle grade readers won't notice or care about some of the things I questioned as a adult reader...things that just didn't make sense and needed more explanation.

But the pacing is frantic and there are plenty of hold-your-breath moments--not to mention a grumpy-but-heroic cat named Mr. Fluffy Pancakes.

a gently spooky book that follows 12-year-old River Rydell and their terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. they can see spirits (human ghosts ofc but also horrifying spectral critters) and have been able to since they were a little baby. unfortunately, nobody has ever believed them, so as they grew up they got better at pretending like nothing was there.

The Otherwoods (capital The) is an alternate(?) world where magic lives. it overlaps our own and is also full of monsters. portals to this world frequently open up around River to try to tempt them through, but they've been dodging this persistent invite since they were a toddler so they're quite adept at it. they don't interact with the spirits at all because Anxiety but they especially don't interact with the monsters. if monsters know you can see them they can touch you, which really is a horrible loophole.

River is somewhat of a loner at school, both because they struggle to hold 'normal' conversation (try to imagine how distracting it would be to watch an enormous wet slug monster go creepy-crawling behind someone you were chatting to) and because there's a homophobic teacher who refuses to use River's correct pronouns and name. they're quiet and frequently withdrawn but for the exception of one girl: Avery Davis, who corrects said teacher repeatedly and is friendly with River no matter what.

very, very slowly, they start becoming actual friends. Avery is pan and wants River's advice on how to come out to her parents; River just really wants a friend who doesn't think they're a freak. unfortunately, Avery gets yoinked by a monster and dragged through one of The Otherwoods portals, and River has no choice but to nut up or shut up. after packing a bag, saying goodbye to the (literal) monster under their bed, and tucking their cat Mr. Fluffy Pancakes under their arm, they venture into The Otherwoods to see about bringing Avery home.

the aesthetic vibes of this book are top-notch and I loved the visuals I was getting for the inhabited parts of The Otherwoods. Pancakes served as much needed comic relief and River themself was a superb mc. Winans has got a great handle on the "anxious loner kid" character and did phenomenal work with River. I think this book will make a great recommendation for younger audiences looking for "scary" books but not wanting something as scary as Stine or Scary Stores to Tell in the Dark. I look forward to reccing this book out to patrons very soon 😊


4.5, rounding up

rep - nonbinary (they/them) mc, pansexual love interest
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc ✨

4.5, rounded up. Aside from wanting a tiny bit more oomph, I loved reading this! It's genuinely spooky and has solid nonbinary representation--I definitely got emotional hearing River talk about their perception of themself and the adults in their life--along with an engaging narrative drive. My favorite character, though, was River's cat: the protective, sassy-yet-sweet Mr. Fluffy Pancakes. (I have a gray cat at home, so I'm biased.)

It's a scary, occasionally humorous, full-throttle ride through the Otherwoods, and it's a journey I was happy to take even as a non-middle-grade reader.