The magic system was interesting, using ink to create spells. To be able to travel between different worlds using these spells. The spread of a strange plant that destroyed one of the worlds. The mystery of what happened to Maeve’s father and why he was blamed for this mass destruction.

The romance wasn’t particularly enjoyable and I could have done without it. The pacing was slow at times, then too fast. The tension built and dissolved and never really became what it could have been. I didn’t really care for the characters at all. Parts of the narrative were interesting, like the magic system, Maeve attempting to join the academy through theft and lies. The middle and end bits just didn’t feel as cohesive or enjoyable.

I wouldn't classify this book as dark academia, which was what first drew me to the book. It didn’t have enough academics to be classified as such, glossing over the classes and giving Maeve innate skills so she hardly needed the classes anyway. The setup was glorious and intriguing but I lost interest after classes really started.

I wasn't able to get into this book. I read about 50% in and just couldn't finish. I think if I read it more in the fall then I would of devoured this book. I was so excited for it :(

Absolutely loved this book. It had great pacing, wonderful writing, relatable and funny characters, an adorable mmc, and the perfect balance of mystery and suspense. It felt so whimsical and eerie at the same time and it held my attention the whole time. I'm recommending to everyone.

I really enjoyed this book. It has a lot of mystery and an interesting storyline. Maeve receives a letter stating that her father is innocent. He had been framed for murder. As she gets deeper into the mystery things get dangerous for her as she becomes wanted for posing as an apprentice. She's learning the art of scriptomancy which will allow her to deliver letters to other worlds and dive into the mystery of her father. I couldn't put it down.

I unfortunately had to DNF this book. The writing style felt a bit too immature for my taste. I found myself struggling to stay engaged.

3.5 stars
What a fun blend of dark academia vibes, magic, and slow-burn romance! The scriptomancy magic system is really unique and what kept me sucked into the book. I did enjoy the mystery aspect too, but the pacing was a little too slow at times for my taste. I often found myself wishing that I could learn more about the worlds/schooling/etc. as well. Overall, this was a really fun read with lots of opportunity for other books to dive deeper into the other worlds (I hope!).

4.5 stars
I had previously read Hotel Magnifique by the same author and really enjoyed her creativity in the worldbuilding element of her books. The concepts are unique but not foreign which is the perfect middle ground for an avid reader that knows what she likes. The writing style and content fits right into the YA genre.
I sat down and finished The Otherwhere Post in 24 hours and could not stop thinking about it the next day at work. I love what the characters' friendships evolve into but I think for a protagonist as distrustful and deceitful as Maeve there should have probably been more bond building between her and Nan for example. There is a mystery built into this story of a girl trying desperately to make her way through the world while running full speed away from her past. As the mystery unravelled I think it began to fall apart too quickly, the ideas of who to point fingers at and the different “ah-hah” moments were great but I think the pacing needed to slow down.
I love Tristan, I love the concept of scriptomancy, I love the academia aspect of it. So many things I love shoved into one stand alone book. Honestly most of my gripes with this book could be solved by having it be longer or split into a series, so that these great concepts and characters could get all the way fleshed out. At the end of the day a standalone fantasy will always be refreshing in a world full of 8 book series but that won't stop me from wanting more!
Highly recommend both this book and Hotel Magnifique and look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Group for this ARC! I really enjoyed getting to know Maeve and Tristan, along with their team of young friends who band together in search of answers and justice. The combination of historical style fiction mixed with magical realism was perfect for this story. There was mystery, magical doorways, plants and insects. You got the magical scholarly students and the found family tropes both! There was a sweet little love story potential developing also, though it wasn’t a main theme. I loved how the story unfolded itself to reveal the true person to blame for destroying worlds and killing innocents, ultimately framing Maeve’s father. This is a YA read that can be enjoyed by all and spice level is .5 🌶️

I ended up rereading this book and absolutely loved it! I loved Maeve as a character and her relationship with Tristan was just so sweet to see. The magic system was probably my favorite I’ve read possibly ever.

I really wanted to love this, but it just didn’t work for me. The premise had so much potential, but the characters felt flat, and the pacing dragged. I wanted to give this author another chance after Hotel Magnifique, which I had trouble connecting with, but sadly I just have to admit that the writing style isn't for me.

If you liked Divine Rivals, I think you’d really enjoy this one!
Maeve is an orphan who has to keep her identity a secret. See her father destroyed a whole world, and now her last name can get her in trouble.
It’s dark academia and a portal fantasy. People were able to travel between three worlds until her father’s crime killed everyone (or rather put them to sleep) in the world of Inverly, and the door between the world was closed so that the vine that put them to sleep wouldn’t come through.
This was both a redemption story for her father and for her. Who she is at the beginning of the book and at the end feels like two completely different Maeve’s— from having to force people not to care about her, to be surrounding by friends and a partner who would do anything for her.
It was definitely a slow burn romance, and YA, but the banter between the two and “he falls first” and spots her always getting into trouble and helping her out was so cute.
Tristan himself has some depth too. He’s no dashing Prince Charming but what I would describe as a bookworm’s fantasy. He’s a clumsy mess—but in like a cute way— means well, and feels a lot. He cares deeply and actually has a brain that works.
As Maeve tries to figure out who sent her the letter stating her father is innocent, being an imposter student, trying to keep all her secrets (which Tristan makes so so hard), learning who the actual killer/criminal is — so much happens and it’s such a thrilling ride!

Thank you Penguin Teen for the copy of the book and PRH Audio for the listen.

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2025, and it did not disappoint. The cover of this book is the stuff of dreams! Often, I am drawn in by a cover, only to find myself dragging through the book that does not interest me, and eventually sending it to the DNF graveyard. The Otherwhere Post was every bit as magical and mesmerizing as the artwork that introduces it to the world.

After the hardest 7 years of her life, Maeve Abenthy is still struggling to survive. Maeve—not that anyone knows her by that name anymore—never stays in one place too long, never gets emotionally attached, and NEVER EVER gives her real name to anyone. Time has shown Maeve that she has to keep on the move, and keep her head down. The slightest slip of complacency could cost her the very life she is trying to protect. Her identity must remain hidden. One day, Maeve receives a letter. A letter addressed to her with her actual first name on the envelope. A letter that says, "Your father is innocent."

I fell in love with Maeve from the beginning, and wanted so desperately for her character to find a path to peace and love, with people she could rely on...a family all her own. When Tristan came into the story, he easily became my favorite character. You could feel the brokenness in his character, but for different reasons that Maeve. There were times in the book when I worried that he might not be the person Maeve thought he was, and those times were heartbreaking to me. Each time Maeve felt the smallest hint of friendship, I shuddered. I was constantly wondering who would be the next to betray her. At times, I felt that way with Tristan, Nan and Shea...but I hoped beyond hope that I would be wrong.

The plot twists in this one definitely kept me turning the pages. Just when I thought I had things figured out...whether they were for the good or bad...I was surprised when the truth was eventually revealed. The second half of the book was so charged with deception, corruption, and lies that I could not put it down. I was desperate for Maeve to have a life outside of the courier program.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of dark academia, fantasy, and unique magic systems.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advance reader copy of this book.

Tropes: Dark Academia | Frenemies to YA Lovers | Slow Burn | Gas Lamps | Cobblestone Streets | Enchanted Letters | Magical Worlds | Unique Magic System | Deception and Corruption

You might need to grab this one if you like YA Mystery & intrigue, dark academia, unique writing based magic, enchanted letters, slow burn romance, yearning, Edwardian-inspired multiverses

I was intrigued by The Otherwhere Post when I first read the synopsis of it back a few months ago, and I expected to like it, but honestly I didn’t expect for it to be such a comfort read, that kept me grinning the entire time I read it. I loved the storyline, and characters, but there was also just a vibe to the overall book that made it feel like the perfect book to get a cup of hot chocolate and cozy up with the rain falling outside and the world slipping away around me.

The relationship between the FMC and the MMC was filled with the kind of yearning I just wanted to scream at them for and it made the book, and their slow burn all the more delicious. The Otherwhere Post was a unique magically journey that I am so glad I had the opportunity to travel on.

Maeve lives with the shadow of her father's treachery hanging over her head. She never stays in one place for long and always gives a false name so no one knows she's the daughter of the man who destroyed one of the three worlds that used to be linked by doors made of writing - and caused the death of hundreds of people.

But then Maeve receives a letter telling her that her father is innocent. Driven to find out if there is a way to clear her father's name, she lies her way into the College of Scriptomantic Arts, now called the Otherwhere Post so she can learn magic writing that will enable her to travel between the two remaining worlds and find out who sent her the letter. But this mystery is anything but simple. And while she attempts to untangle it, the last thing she wants or expects is to make friends with her roommate, Nan - or to be found out by Tristan, the head postmaster's son and a scriptomancing prodigy, who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome as well. Can Maeve exhonerate her father, or will the person who seems to want her secrets to die with her succeed?

This book...there aren't enough words for how much I loved it. First of all, I love an alternate universe where all you need is a special kind of ink and the very act of writing can become magic. The construction of the worlds, how they are joined together, and the lore of scriptomancy all form a universe that puts me very much in mind of Stephanie Garber's "Caraval" series - as if the two could exist in the same universe, just maybe in separate dimensions.

Maeve is a delightful if stubborn and sometimes frustrating heroine, but because of her father's reputation, I could easily understand her reasons for doing things, even if I didn't always think she made the best choices. And she's left-handed, like me. A redheaded, slightly Irish heroine named Maeve who is left-handed? Say less!

As for Tristan - a gorgeous, dark-haired glasses-wearing hero who is a prodigy at writing magic. There is nothing not to like about him, right down to his stubborn loyalty to Maeve even when she puts him through all sorts of things. I could not love him more if he was plucked out of my own brain.

So to wrap up, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think those who like fantasy worlds based closely on ours but just a little strange - like "Caraval" - will love it. As will writers, people who are left-handed, and basically anyone who enjoys a well-thought world, a nice sweet romance, and a dash of magic. Five stars. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Penguin Young Reader's Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Emily J. Taylor for the advanced reader's copy. This is a voluntary review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Otherwhere Post is a young adult fantasy about a teenage orphan who joins a magical school in hopes of clearing her father’s name.

When her world was destroyed seven years earlier, Maeve barely made it out alive, and her talented scriptomancer father was blamed for the magical blight. After years of living under assumed names, a letter finally reaches her, declaring her father’s innocence. Determined to uncover the true culprit, Maeve enrolls in her father’s former magical academy, hoping to clear his name.

This is an enjoyable read with a unique magic system. I liked Maeve’s bold character and the chemistry between her and her mentor, Tristan. There are also plenty of close calls and dangers to keep the pages turning.

Overall, this is an engaging young adult novel with a creative magical system, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emily J. Taylor for providing me with a complimentary digital of The Otherwhere Post. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I haven’t finished Hotel Magnifique yet. This was supposed to be dark academia, but it didn’t really feel like it to me. I was expecting a little more of that. I thought the plot and the set up was interesting. I just don’t think I fully enjoyed the execution of the plot. The characters didn’t really do it for me. I thought some things felt rushed, and it was hard to get on board. I would check out other books by this author.

After the Hotel Magnifique I was so excited to read this. While it wasn't seemingly connected to the Hotel, I seriously enjoyed this read. While it took a little building the story was engaging and kept you questioning what would happen next.

Maeve Abenthy lost everything. The loss includes her world her father and even her name. Wanting to escape and forget her father’s crimes, she decides to live under a fake name. She never stays in one place very long as she doesn’t want anyone to know who she is. Yet one day, she receives a “Your father was innocent,” The signature is “an old friend” but it has arrived seven years late. She wants to find this .”friend” to find out what she can about her father’s supposed crime. Yet when she finds a courier she receives little hope for finding that person. She decides to try she finds the paragraph in yesterday’s newspaper stating that there is a listing for a courier apprenticeship. The person applying must have a completed writing program certificate to one of the testing locations. What will Maeve do? Will she get to take the test?

This is a dark fantasy tale of love, justice, the delicate magic of finding connection, and the complex art of scribing. The prose moves quickly. The main characters by the author shows their pain and humanity on par with their abilities. In this young adult fantasy, mystery and romance I saw the talent of the author in her complex world-building of three realms, a magical system, dark academia and romance. It’s a wonderful novel to read!

What initially drew me to The Otherwhere Post was its marketing as Divine Rivals meets A Darker Shade of Magic. That pitch was irresistible. The story follows Maeve, a novice courier with the Otherwhere Post, a service that uses Written Doors to transport letters and packages across dimensions. Maeve is eager to prove herself, but her job quickly becomes more dangerous than expected. Mysterious disappearances, cryptic messages, and the growing threat of the ominous Aldervine plague pull her into a conspiracy that could destabilize the entire network. As she navigates this treacherous world, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the enigmatic and charming Tristan, a seasoned courier with his own secrets.

I really enjoyed the world-building, especially the Written Doors—magical portals that allow couriers to travel between distant locations in an instant. The concept reminded me of similar portal fantasy elements from Howl’s Moving Castle, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, and especially, A Darker Shade of Magic, where different worlds house different versions of the same places. However, with this book and as with other books with a dark academia setting, I’m learning that dark academia just ain’t my cup of tea.

Tristan was easily my favorite character. Every time he appeared on the page, the narrative seemed to sharpen (more wit, extra clever)—I realize that in some characters this could come off as cloying, but with him, it just works. It’s his armor hiding his softer underbelly.

His banter with Maeve was delightful—playful, sardonic, and layered with juuuust the right amount of tension.

One of my favorite scenes was when Tristan finds Maeve shivering from the cold:
“Tristan took her heel.”
"What are you doing?"
“He ignored her and tugged off her left shoe, then slid down her wet stocking... He put them on her, sliding them over her calves, to just below her knees. She sat frozen for the entire affair.”
“Your skirt is wet as well.”
"Don’t you dare."

God, I love me the microtrope of a man holding a woman’s heel (blame Cinderella, I think). Later, when Tristan asks if he can have his sock back and Maeve cheekily replies, “It’s my sock now,” I started kicking my feet.

The romance between Maeve and Tristan has a lovely, slow progression that feels organic and believable (so grateful for this because I’ve been reading too many insta-love stories—a trope I really dislike). Their growing connection adds warmth to the otherwise cold and shadowy setting. However, about halfway through, I’m sorry to say the slow-budding romance takes a backseat as the Aldervine mystery takes over. While the intrigue and stakes of the plot kept me engaged, I did miss the spark of Maeve and Tristan’s interactions during this stretch.

I throughly enjoyed The Otherwhere Post! Maeve changed her name since her father was blamed for a terrible crime. She gets an anonymous letter stating that her father was innocent. This causes Maeve to enroll as an apprentice at the Otherworld Post to track down the sender of the letter.

Maeve and Tristan have great banter from the start. The sarcasm level is appreciated and an enjoyed both these characters the most. The stakes for Maeve’s motivations make sense and aren’t too dramatic so some of the risks she takes for the most part feel logical. I never got bored and loved the way everything gets resolved and ends.