Again, I'm not sure what happened to some of the reviews I wrote last autumn! I apologize for the lengthy delay of this review, but I got a kick out of THE GRAVEYARD GIFT and have already recommended it to some of my MG library kiddos.

The Graveyard Gift: Fern’s School for Wayward Fae
By Fern Forgettable, narrated by Piper CJ
4 ⭐️

This middle grade fantasy is entertaining, full of fae with the classic Seelie vs Unseelie rivalry, and creatures. Demifae come together at Fern’s School for Wayward Fae to learn about their gifts, explore realms to choose where to live on their 16th birthday, and to learn the secrets of the Lost Woods. Rosemary is thrust into this world without warning. Her gifts are slowly explored as she makes friends and learns more than she bargained for about the Fae. This is fun and entertaining. It speaks to the importance of treating beings with respect and understanding regardless of their background. I combo read this with the physical book and audiobook. The audiobook is good. My 8 year old will love this one.

This book was pretty much forgettable. The characters didn't really stand out from each other and I don't feel like anything actually happened to make a story.

This was a great story! I loved all the magical students. I thought I knew what was going to happen and who was behind everything, but I wrong. I love that I was kept guessing throughout the entire book! Another plus was how the main character changed and grew throughout the story. She started out a bit sad and timid, she knew she was different. She ended the book full of confidence and a go-get-em attitude. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Synopsis

Rosemary’s gift for seeing when and how people die doesn’t win her a lot of friends in the human world. When even her own mother wrings her hands of her misanthrope daughter, she is rescued and sent to Fern's School for Wayward Fae where she can piece together her unusual origins.

My Overall Thoughts

It is a light, fun, middle-grade story that lacks the deep world-building and character development that would make it a great novel.

What I Didn't Love

The book delves more into her discovering Rosemary’s mysterious parentage than into developing her as a character in her own right.

Potentially Offensive Content

Discussion of death

What I Loved

Rosemary is a sweet, misunderstood protagonist who was immediately sympathetic and I found I could really root for. She has the “wounded puppy” energy working for her.

I Would Recommend This Book To

Middle grade girls into fairies will love this charming story.

The writing has improved from the author’s other books but this didn’t really feel like it was for children. It felt like it was intended to be a cozy adult fantasy and then the characters were aged down for MG

Rosemary has an odd gift; she can see bits and pieces of the future, but it bothers her mother, so she suppresses it as best she can. But she can't suppress it completely, and it pops up at odd intervals, to the extent that her mother, who thinks Rosemary is seeing things, sends her to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. On the way to the hospital with a pair of strangers who are transporting her, an unfamiliar woman suddenly appears in the back seat with her, and offers her an alternative: a place at Fern's School for Wayward Fae. Or she can continue on to her current destination. With little to lose, Rosemary chooses to attend the school, which, when she arrives there, is in a state of turmoil.

The Graveyard Gift is an interesting twist on a school for youngsters with unusual gifts. All of the students are demifae - part fae and part not - of some type or another, belonging either to the Seelie or the Unseelie courts, a position inherited from a parent. Each of them has a gift based on that inheritance. Since Rosemary's father - her non-human parent - is unknown, her membership in either court is likewise unknown, as is the exact nature of her gifts. This is an interesting and enjoyable story about finding a place to belong within a diverse group. Recommended for readers middle school to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was exactly what you think a Piper CJ middle grade would be. Magical but poorly executed, I wasn’t upset with this but I do think it could have been a bit more edited. It just felt too fast paced for nothing to actually happen besides walking through different realms. For the first book in a series, I feel like nothing was actually explained well nor was it super easy to follow at some points- almost like it was written at different points but not put together well.

I enjoyed this book. The story drew me in and kept my attention throughout. I will be looking for the sequel.

The Graveyard Gift is a thrilling tale of friendship, found family, and self-discovery. Seeing Rosemary find a place she belongs and cultivate lifelong friendships was such a comfort for my inner child. If I had this when I was younger, it absolutely would have helped me through some pretty tough times. Piper CJ's writing is so lyrical, but in a way that I feel is still suitable and digestable for younger readers. I think a lot of young readers would really benefit from this exploration into platonic love, and the adventure Rosemary & her friends go on was so fun to read about!

Rosemary Thorpe has the ability to foresee people’s deaths, which eventually leads her to Fern’s School for Wayward Fae. She finds out that her gift comes from being part fae, and meets others who are part fae as well. Her roommate Trym is part banshee, so her screams can kill. Essie is a djinn who grants wishes. As Rosemary settles in, a student vanishes. Now it’s up to the kids to use their gifts to find their missing friend.

Rosemary didn't know her gift could unsettle others, and as she got older, she drew out the visions she saw in a notebook. Her mother was afraid of the images and statements and called a psychologist and nurse to pick up Rosemary from the house to bring her to an institution. This isn't how it's generally done, but it got her out of the house and drew Fern’s attention. She chose to attend the school, not knowing anything about it; students are all half-fae and have no control of powers. While some are caught up in Seelie vs Unseelie rivalry within the fae courts, Rosemary is trying to understand this new world and the people in it. This means many new people, classes, games, and even foods. She starts taking action when her new friend disappears, and others come with her.

I enjoyed getting a look into this realm between realms where the demifae can learn about their abilities and the different realms. We get a glimpse of a few, and a cliffhanger ending for future novels to pick up from. Rosemary is twelve, and twelve-year-old readers would enjoy seeing how she navigates this new world and gets out of this mess.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3-3.5/5 stars.

This is a fantastic middle grade (lower middle grade) read, but it also lost the plot about half way through. I know it's apparently part of a series, but it felt like it suddenly became a different book with a different plot midway. We don't find out about Rose's powers or parent or any of that stuff, but then it becomes a rescue mission? A lot of things for the plot appear, but nothing is wrapped up in a way that would make me want to continue reading this series.

Props for being a quick read though.

Middle grade readers are going to eat this one up!

Imagine Percy Jackson at Miss Peregrine's.

Creepy magic school, teens with secrets - and gifts, but also a tremendous sense of humor!

I mean, this book is dedicated to Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. And every moment that follows is a gem.

"I'm not a liar. Not exactly. But it would be a mistake to expect the truth from a fairy."

Honestly, this book is what we all wanted Artemis Fowl to be. Fae and fun and action-packed. With a dark creeptastic factor (clowns, anyone?).

Rosemary is an absolutely fantastic main character, and readers of every age will love her. (HP who?)

More than anything, this book made me recall my own childhood fascination with finding mushrooms and fairy rings in the woods around my home. What a magical childhood.

Highly recommend this one! Can't wait for more!

"Silence had a sound. It was an odd thought, but in the absence of throbbing music, shrill screams, loud animals, and flashing lights & motion, the Lost Woods practically vibrated with suffocating quiet."

The Graveyard Gift is an enchanting mix of mystery, supernatural powers, and the thrill of discovery. Fern Forgettable crafts a compelling story around Rosemary Thorpe, a girl whose unsettling gift of foreseeing death sets the stage for an adventure that feels both eerie and deeply emotional.

The setting at Fern’s School for Wayward Fae is rich with intrigue, drawing readers into a world where fae heritage defines each character’s abilities. The bond between Rosemary and her roommates, Trym the banshee and Essie the wish-granting djinn, adds layers of friendship, tension, and humor. Trym’s chilling power and Essie’s unpredictable wishes offer a dynamic interplay that keeps the plot exciting, especially when their school friend mysteriously vanishes.

The story strikes a great balance between supernatural mystery and character growth. Rosemary’s journey of understanding her powers and grappling with her responsibility to prevent death feels authentic, and her growth as she embraces her part-fae identity is particularly satisfying. The blend of deathly powers with heartwarming friendships makes the stakes feel very personal.

My slight reservation is that some of the magical rules weren’t fully fleshed out, especially around the abilities of the other fae students, leaving a few moments feeling underexplored. However, this doesn’t take away from the overall magic of the narrative.

Forgettable has written a captivating tale that stands out with its strong friendships and an immersive supernatural world. The Graveyard Gift is a bewitching read that I couldn’t put down.

This book is absolutely adorable! I enjoyed every minute of reading and know middle grade readers will as well. I'm sad I have to wait till May 2025 to read the second in the duology and really hope there will be more!

This was so enchanting, if you’re looking for a book that will make you forget reality this is the perfect read. Full of adventure and such a wonderful magic system. Not only the cover is absolutely stunning, the story will swipe you up your feet.

In the beginning we meet Rosemary Thorpe, and she isn’t your typical girl. She has the unique ability to predict when people will perish. Rosemary lives a very lonely life because of this, she is home schooled by her mother and doesn’t have any friends. Until one day, something so unfortunate happens that her mother send her away to a special clinic. Only she never gets there, she is taken to Fern’s School for Wayward Fae. Yes you read right, Rosemary is half human half fae. As soon as she gets there she’ll have to adjust to her new life and learn who to trust and how to control her abilities. I couldn’t believe that ending, now I’ll be patiently waiting for the sequel.

This book is the start of a new series for young readers. The premise sounded quite interesting. The main character is at a special school for those who are part human/part faye. Her special gift is that she can forsee people's deaths. The description caught my attention, but sadly, it fell short in execution. The world building was well done, but there was so much of it, and it was such a huge portion of the book, that it stalled the story. This made it difficult to really connect with and stay engaged with the characters. The actual action was somewhat lacking. And what positives there were, they seemed to fade as the story unfolded. There was no real ending, so readers may not necessarily be looking forward to a sequel.

The Graveyard Gift is a quirky, delightfully eerie tale that delivers both heart and humor. When a small-town graveyard starts leaving mysterious “gifts” for the living, our protagonist stumbles into a world of ghostly mischief and unexpected friendships. Fern Forgettable weaves a cozy mystery full of lovable, offbeat characters, spooky settings, and just the right amount of whimsy. While the plot might not take you by surprise, the charming atmosphere and lighthearted tone make this book an enjoyable, fun read. Perfect for those who enjoy paranormal coziness with a dash of the supernatural!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid this book just wasn't for me. their were individual parts and pieces of it that I admired - interesting, complicated characters, fun fantasy world - but it read like a story that had an interesting, intriguing set up, a missing middle and a non-ending. Rosemary is thrust into the strange world of Fern's School for Wayward Fae, which she finds both fascinating and confusing. Readers learn what they can about the school as Rosemary does and are introduced to a colorful and interesting cast of characters. Most of Rosemary's questions (and ours) remain unanswered as the story abruptly jumps ahead several weeks, when her closest friend disappears from the school. Rosemary's convinced her friends is an in danger, and she recruits a few classmates to risk untold dangers to stage a rescue. The group travels through several perilous and fascinating realms in a sequence of the novel which, while episodic, is never dull. The group achieves their goal of rescuing their classmate, who is indeed in peril, and almost home free/back to the school, when Rosemary suddenly winds up in yet another realm that seems to be the most dangerous and sinister...and then the book ends. There is a bookended epilogue (that matches the first chapter introduction of Rosemary) written by "author" Fern Forgettable that teases further adventures in what I gather is planned subsequent books in the series. But I call flag on the play because the book 1 adventure is never really completed, making The Graveyard Gift feel more like a TV series pilot than a legitimate start to a fantasy book series.

I imagine young readers would enjoy these characters and the world(s) they inhabit, but they may be frustrated waiting for subsequent books due to the story's lack of a real, book 1 resolution.