FT Lukens managed to write another cute and fun YA urban fantasy with lovable characters you root for!
There was little angst, the romance was very sweet and the side characters made you want to be part of their family.
I personally would have loved a little more time spend between Ellery and Knox, to made me really believe they fell that hard in love. Other than that it was an absolute easy read with very cool world building.

BOOK REVIEW
✨️Otherworldly by: F.T. Lukens✨️
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
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A supernatural book with gods and goddesses, magic and a hot weird guy. I always love a good magical book. It's a young adult novel with a sweet love between a human girl and a familiar who wants to experience human life. I would agree on the book being cozy and heartwarming. I was kind of stressed, not going to lie, going into this book because I still enjoyed a good love story between the two main characters.
There were some part where the storyline felt slow for me but it gets pick up and is fast pace reading. I really enjoy the world built in this book and the characters, especially Knox. LOVE KNOX!
I still love a good YA book though.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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Thank you to Netgalley for giving me this opportunity to enjoy this book!
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Venturing into F.T. Lukens' latest offering, "Otherwordly," I found myself immersed in a delightful YA fantasy romance that deftly combines elements of the supernatural with the complexities of human emotion. The story follows Ellery, a skeptic thrust into a world of magic and mystery when they encounter Knox, a supernatural being seeking to make a crossroads deal. As they navigate the intricacies of their unlikely partnership, sparks fly, and a tender romance blossoms amidst the chaos.

The premise of "Otherwordly" is undeniably engaging, offering a fresh take on the familiar trope of a human and supernatural being forming an unlikely bond. The crossroads deal adds an element of suspense and urgency to the narrative, propelling the story forward with each twist and turn.

Told from the alternating perspectives of Ellery and Knox, the novel shines brightest when focusing on the latter. Knox emerges as a vibrant and charismatic character, brimming with energy and optimism. His journey of self-discovery and longing to experience humanity is both heartwarming and compelling, drawing readers into his world with ease.

However, where Knox shines, Ellery falls short. As the skeptical counterpart to Knox's supernatural being, Ellery's reluctance to embrace the magic around them often verges on annoyance. Their constant melancholy and resistance to experiencing joy dampen the overall tone of the story, making it difficult to fully connect with their character until the climax of the narrative.

Despite this, Lukens' skillful storytelling and engaging premise carry the novel forward, offering moments of suspense, humor, and heartfelt emotion. The supporting cast of characters adds depth and texture to the story, enriching the world in which Ellery and Knox navigate their burgeoning romance.

While Ellery may falter at times, the strength of Knox's character and the allure of the supernatural world they inhabit make for an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

3.5 stars

Otherworldly is a Queer YA fantasy by author FT Lukens. A magical story between a familiar and the human who helps him experience the world.

I think this is a case of it's me, not the book, I am a huge mood reader. This one had trouble holding my focus. During all the knocking items off Knox's wishlist my mind would wonder and I was waiting for the plot to move along. Otherwise, I really did enjoy all the characters in the book. From the core characters to the side characters they meet along the way. The world building was solid too, so I can't pinpoint why I struggled. The romance between Knox and Ellery is sweet and innocent. The conclusion to the story arc fully satisfying.

Overall, Otherworldly by FT Lukens is an enjoyable Queer YA Fantasy filled with a never ending winter, gods and goddesses, magic, danger, trust, friendships, found family, and a HEA.

Simply fantastic! Otherworldly and touching! This book really speaks to the heart and soul.

From the start I was swept in this fantasy tale that blends mythology, romance, and adventure seamlessly into this exciting story.

The characters were so fun, real, and easy to root for and love. Ellery was a skeptical, compassionate young adult who was selfless and sincere. I enjoyed their journey and growth throughout the story.
Knox was otherworldly, fun, innocent in ways, and such as easy character to like.
Their relationship was slow building, heartfelt, and sweet.

The side characters were each full of personality and enjoyable to read.
I loved the banter, the slow burn, the adventure and most importantly the love between the various characters.

The world and mythology was interesting full of gods, goddesses, shades, and various creatures. I liked the blend of mythology to create this unique and entrancing world.

Tropes I enjoyed here are:

- Unique mythology
- Magic
- Gods/goddesses
- LGBTQIA representation
- Hurt/comfort
- Amnesia
- Quest adventure
- Slow-burn
- ‘Fight for you’
- Love that doesn’t forget
- Found family
- Banter
- On the run
- First love

This author really knows how to write cute teen romances with a touch of magic that make me say awwwww 🥺

This was very sweet, and I did indeed say awwwww multiple times! I felt for both Knox and Ellery individually. Knox felt abandoned and alone and just wanted a chance to stay in our realm longer and experience human things. Ellery was a normal human with human problems, struggling with having to grow up faster because of circumstances but still trying to help their parents through the never-ending winter plaguing their part of the world. And together, Knox and Ellery had such cute moments and feelings.

There was also really sweet family and friendship in the story. Ellery lives with their cousin and cousin’s partner, both of whom are kind and supportive of Ellery, and of Knox once he came into the picture. There were a couple other characters who ended up helping as well, even if some did so a little more begrudgingly than the others. But I liked them all, even the one I was maybe not supposed to 😅

The queer rep was lovely! And so casual, never questioned or explained. Ellery uses they/them pronouns (potentially nonbinary, but no label is stated). Ellery’s cousin and partner are a f/f couple.

The supernatural elements of the story were fun with a mix of ideas from different magical things, afterlife beliefs, etc. that made it feel unique. A familiar, but not the kind you’re used to seeing; a liminal being who provides magical assistance and moves between worlds but forgets his time on Earth each time he goes back. Creepy shades who make deals at crossroads. An afterlife realm with lots of Greek myth inspiration, some scary creatures, and a queen. A few other supernaturals sprinkled throughout.

The story had some intense, action-filled moments, but overall it had a pretty light and chill vibe.

Overall, this had supernaturals, some intense scenes but mostly chill vibes, and, most of all, cute friendship and romance that made me smile!

I remember Colored Pages running a tour for F.T. Luken’s Spell Bound, but I didn’t make that tour. So, when they came out with this tour, I jumped at it!

The story starts with a deal you don’t realize would be as dangerous but important to the outcome. This is when we meet Knox, and I absolutely adore him. As mentioned in the synopsis, Knox is a familiar and has been in this world for five years, coincidentally the same amount of time this world has experienced winter. Ellery moved to the city to live with their cousin and their cousin’s girlfriend. There were multiple reasons for the move, but it has them crossing paths with Knox, who needs their help.

You meet some secondary characters who will have you laughing and wondering what comes next. Some characters become helpful toward the end, even if some are reluctant. However, it showed the power of friendship and family. Seeing Ellery choose themselves for the first time was one of my favorite parts.

I loved the representation, everything about Ellery, and the fact that I may identify more with them than I thought I would. Her cousin is in an epically adorable F/F relationship. Although Ellery doesn’t use a label, everyone uses their pronouns throughout the book.

The fantasy elements throughout the book are more mythical than your typical fantasy. I would have loved more of it, but this was still enjoyable. This was a delightful and fun YA story, and I was so happy and excited to be on this tour.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and FT Lukens for an e-arc of Otherworldly.

This is my fourth FT Lukens book and just like the others I absolutely loved it. Lukens does such a wonderful job creating queernormative worlds that just feel like a warm cozy hug. When I want something that’s cozy but also has some stakes and of course wonderful found family vibes I pick up a FT Lukens book.

Otherworldly follows this formula with a new adventure following Ellery (they/them), a human skeptic living in a world of believers and Knox (he/him) a familiar working for the goddess of the Other World as they strike a bargain to help stop and unending winter where Ellery lives, meeting other supernatural characters along the way.

I loved both Ellery and Knox, their dynamic together and their individual plot lines, especially them learning and fighting for what they want in their lives. Knox was adorable and is one of my favorite Lukens characters to date. I also really loved the secondary characters Ellery’s cousin Charley and her girlfriend Zada. Their dynamic together was just so wholesome and the support they provide to Ellery and Knox was wonderful. I was smiling and laughing throughout most of the book and had such a fun time reading it.

Otherworldly I felt had some higher stakes than previous Lukens books such as So This is Ever After and Spell Bound but it still maintained the coziness that I’ve come to expect from their books. In fact the higher stakes had me cheering on our protagonist and had me crying at certain parts.

I will also state that this book may not appeal to everyone. This book is heavy on found family and is more slice of life than epic fantasy with let’s say medium stakes in the plot. So if you’re looking for a book that leans more into the epic fantasy category then this may not be for you.
But if you are looking for a cute cozy time then try picking this one up. And if you are already a fan of FT Lukens work then you won’t be disappointed.

Now I know this is going to be hard to believe, but this was my first FT Lukens book! I have several of their books on my shelves / tbr and I’ve been dying to read their work. And let me tell you: they did not disappoint.

Otherworldly is a fantasy action / adventure / romance book set in modern day, in a region where most people are believers of the supernatural. Well… most people except Ellery. Ellery is a 17-year-old non-believer whose home has been stuck in a winter that has lasted 5 years. Ellery’s family’s farm is suffering as a result and Ellery moves to the city to live and work with their cousin in order to send money home. It’s at work that Ellery is captivated by “hot weird guy”, who has mesmerizing gold eyes, always seems happy, and never appears affected by the harsh elements outside.

Otherworldly was a grump / sunshine masterpiece and even though Ellery was the grump, you couldn’t help but adore them. I really loved how this enby character was written in such a strong and brave way. Knox was a sweet little cinnamon roll and I was a puddle watching him embrace his found family. Ellery and Knox beautifully complimented one another and made such a great team. I was also obsessed with Ellery’s snarky and fiercely loyal cousin, Charley, and her girlfriend, Zada. Charlada endgame and you can’t convince me otherwise. Other things I loved about this book include the worldbuilding, the magic, and the badass mythical characters.

Thank you so much to Simon Teen and NetGalley for the chance to review this eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I've only read one book by F.T Lukens "Spell Bound" and absolutely loved it. when I heard of this story I was really excited too. The idea of a paranormal boyfriend sounded like fun, as well as the endless winter. But while I did enjoy watching Ellery and Knox fall in love, I didn't enjoy the story as much as I'd hoped. I think I expected Knox and Ellery to be together for the entire story, fighting the shades and trying to find a way to stop the long winter. I also expected the goddess of death to be a little bit nicer ?? I guess. Not sure why because any god/goddess of death is never happy when people thwart death. I also really enjoyed Charley and Zada, they were fun characters.

The joy and fun I had while reading "Spell Bound" though didn't come to me in the same way with this story. I think it might be partly because Ellery was a very grumpy person. (Sun, from "Spell Bound", was grumpy too but they were also really funny). Which isn't to say that Ellery wasn't funny because they could be at times! I think that I just really loved Sun and Rook together. The situations they would get into was hilarious. This story was a bit more serious since Ellery and Knox were constantly being attacked or accosted by creatures/gods/goddesses from the Other World. Which was a really cool part, seeing all the kinds of beings they interacted with that were part of the Other World.

I think some of the best parts though was when Ellery was traveling through the Other World trying to reach Knox and the palace. I knew as soon as they made the decision to go to the Other World that there would be a Orpheus and Eurydice "Don't look back" plot happening. And I was right! Honestly, I could not be Ellery. I would have turned around because I would have been so scared lol. Anyways, I know this is probably an old draft of the book as I think the actual length of the book is a lot longer. Knox, at the end, talks about stopping somewhere first to talk to someone about wanting to return to the human realm and... he never said who he talked too. I'm assuming it was Arabelle? But I can't be sure. Maybe in the finished version of the story it's talked about more.

I'm probably still going to buy a physical copy of this story so I can find out.

A potion created, a life taken, and a vial lingering.🧪A bargain must be made. Can a road trip with a packed car save someone?

📖: Otherworldly
🖋️: F.T. Lukens
🗓️: 4/2/24
⭐️: 5 of 5

Tropes & Themes:
✨Non-binary MC
✨Fantasy
✨Found Family
✨Secrets
✨Magic

With their city stuck in winter weather for the past five years. Ellery moves in with her cousin and works in the city to help her family and their farm.

Knox is a familiar from the Other World and seeks help from Ellery after the tragedy of his last boss.

With fate having a play in hand. He collides with Ellery in an alley and finds himself seeking her help.

“As long as you’re here, I’m sure I’ll be okay.”

Will Knox be able to enjoy human life or will he be caught? Can Ellery stay safe with the shades after Knox?

Find out how everything plays out in Otherworldly!

This book was so cozy and cute. I loved everything about it and already told two of my daughters that they must read it!

I love the representations and how diverse the characters are. Knox had my heart and any time he had tears. I wanted to cry with him and hug him.

Ellery was headstrong in their beliefs but I enjoyed seeing them come out of their shell more.

If you’re looking for a cute, fun, cozy vibes fantasy book. Then you will want to grab this!

Thoughts and Themes: I have read the majority of books by FT Lukens so when I saw the opportunity to be on the book tour for Otherworldly I was excited. From the minute that I opened this book there was nothing that I didn't like. There was so much that I liked from this book, from the characters to the relationships, and the world building.

Fantasy books tend to take me a while to read and its often times difficult to follow the story but I have had a different experience with FT Lukens books. This is part of why I am always willing to read Lukens' books since I know the story will be intriguing and I will be able to follow along. I also am aware that my heart will get broken each time and it was no different this time around.

I really enjoyed the way the worldbuilding was done in this book because it wasn't all in the beginning, but it was mixed throughout the book. I liked that we learned more as the plot thickened or as we got more attached to the characters. I like that we also learned about certain things as Ellery was learning them too.

Characters: In this book you are introduced to our two main characters, Ellery and Knox along with Ellery's cousin, Charley, and her girlfriend, Zada. You also meet several other Otherworldly characters throughout their journey. I really enjoyed getting to meet other characters such as the shades, Lorelai, and the undead. I think they added a lot to the story and loved how we learned about them through interactions with them.

I really liked the relationship between Ellery and Knox and how that develops throughout the story. I like how different they are from each other but how they also have similarities. I like how they are star crossed lovers and the way that this plays out throughout the book.

I also really enjoyed the bond between Charley and Ellery and how others are brought into that relationship. I liked how Charley is there to support Ellery through everything and pushes them to grow.

Writing Style: This book is written in third person through both the perspectives of Ellery and Knox. It goes back and forth between who is leading the chapter. I really enjoy the way that this book is written and how we get to go back and forth between the two characters since it allows you to learn more. I like that we got to be in both Ellery and Knox's head as they figure out their feelings for one another and how their past interacts with their present.

thank you so much to netgalley, simon teen and colored pages blog tours for gifting me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!!

i finally read one book from this very loved author and i have to say it didn't dissapoint AT ALL 😱😍 the queerness was everywhere and well written, the MCs were just amazing in any way with their conflicts and dramas, plus the side characters were just the best and made me smile wherever they showed up on the page. i mean, Charley and Zada are soooo cool and i love how supportive they were of Ellery. the way other characters showed up to help the story and even expand the universe, it was all good soup.
and then there are Ellery and Knox. gosh, they were the best, i loved reading about them, their problems and desires, how they barely wanted to be with the other until they started to trust each other. i loved their relationship so much 😭😭
also, how brave of them to stand winter for five years, i wouldn't have been able to handle it jsksjdz
just amazing and very entertaining. i wanna read everything from this author 🥰

I will absolutely be picking up a physical copy on pub day. FT Lukens continues to be one of my favorite authors! This was such a lovely teen romance and I genuinely rooted for these characters

Otherworldly is a super cute story that follows Ellery, a skeptic of magic, and Knox, a supernatural familiar, in a town that has been stuck in a perpetual five-year winter.

I enjoyed the different supernatural creatures we meet throughout this story; they gave me "Percy Jackson meeting mythical creatures" vibes (though full disclosure: I've only read The Lightning Thief so far in that series).

I also loved the interplay between Knox's innocence and Ellery's grumpy (but lovable) disposition. And Charley and Zara were a lot of fun! This is definitely a story of queer, found family and the romance is so cozy and fluffy.

On a more personal note, reading a novel with a nonbinary main character meant a lot to me. I have been with my spouse since the beginning of their gender journey and seeing someone like them in this story was so lovely. 🥹

This book is perfect to cozy up to on a cold day or to read in the heat of summer when you're dreaming of colder weather.

Thank you so much to @coloredpagesbt, @simonteen, @ftlukens for providing me with a copy to read and review!

I really enjoyed this story! The plot hooked me into the story. I kept wondering what would happen next. I was also wondering how a lot of things should happen. The plot and the anticipation really made this a fast read.

The romance between Ellery and Knox is beautiful, and I enjoyed the slow connection they built up with each other. I love how Ellery slowly starts to like Knox, and how Knox's feelings are so pure and how much he loves human life. Ellery and Knox's passion for what they wanted made me feel really warm and fuzzy inside, and I love their characters. Really beautifully written!

Charlie and Zada's little romantic touch was also very sweet. I feel like every LGBTQ story needs that motherly lesbian couple to finish off the story. The only thing I didn't like was how rushed the ending felt. I was reading and saw how there were only 60 pages left, I didn't know how this would be resolved. I was thinking it would not be a happy ending, and this would become a series (which would be very cool!), but somehow the story was pulled together at the end. Maybe it's because I was reading fast, eager to see the ending, but the story felt rushed.
As always, I loved the ending chapter, wrapping up what their lives look like now, and I'm pleased to know that Arabelle is back as an undead! I really felt she deserved a second chance.

Overall, beautiful story with a strong plot and a plethora of characters to fall in love with! I'm looking forward to future books.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. This was my first read from FT and it was a solid, cozy, YA paranormal fantasy. It's very light on the romance, and being a heavy adult fantasy/romantasy/dark romance reader I wouldn't say there's any real spice in here. Kissing and some light touching is all we get. But the characters are endearing, I loved the found family aspect, and it was refreshing to read a fantasy with a binary MC. While I don't identify as binary, it would've been nice to have more of this type of representation in fantasy books when I was growing up.

I wish we would've spent more time in the Other Realm. We only see that world towards the end of the book and it felt a bit rushed; I would've like to stay in that setting some more. In all, this was a fast, light read that I think a lot of YA readers will thoroughly enjoy, and adult readers will too as a palate cleanser between heavier reads.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Each F.T. Lukens book that I read is better than the last. I really, really loved the story of Ellory and Knox. Their love, although rushed, felt like a real teen romance. Heartfelt with big and confusing emotions attached. As a non-binary person myself, I also love that Ellory never has to explain themself or talk about their gender *at all.* It's literally never brought up. Such a breath of fresh air! The cover is also gorgeous--I'll be picking up a copy on release day for sure.

Otherworldly tells the story of Ellery, a young person who doesn't believe in the supernatural despite their city being stuck in an endless winter for 5 years. When they meet Knox, a familiar from the Otherworld, they are forced to question what they held to be true in order to save their loved ones.

I loved seeing casual representation of a nonbinary character - Ellery is not struggling with their identity, and they are loved and respected by their family and friends. They're a protagonist who just happens to be nonbinary, which was so refreshing to read.

The story itself was good, if a little slow at times. The pace really picked up in the last 20% of the book, which was the most exciting to read.

Thank you for this ARC!

I enjoyed this book! The plot was a little on the generic side, but it was well executed so it’s not a big issue. I found Ellery and Knox’s relationship to be very charming. It was cute, plain and simple. I also enjoyed the side character’s. I’d definitely recommend this, it was nice.