DNF at 15% - I was mildy enjoying this but it started to feel like it was dragging in a way I struggled to get passed. I didn't feel connected to the main character or the world, and while the writing was well done, I found that I was just pulled out of the story and couldn't get back into it.

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

Amazing sophomore novel by Emily J. Taylor! I was hooked from start to finish with this amazing fantasy, dark academia, with a script based magic system. I really enjoyed Emily’s debut, Hotel Magnifique but she brought her A game in this one, I loved it! She packed a lot into a standalone and it left me completely satisfied.

Highly recommend!

I liked Taylor's Hotel Magnifique and was intrigued by The Otherwhere Post. I'm normally not one for academia books but this one was too interesting not to at least take a chance on. The magic system is what drew me in, taking power in words and sending mail to a different level. I would love to attend a scriptomancy school. I would love to be able to send enchanted mail. The book ventures beyond the school and classroom, which helped me finish reading it.

I loved the beginning and the mystery behind the death of Maeve's father and his alleged crime. The middle did get repetitive, which was a little disappointing. I wasn't too much a fan of the final reveal, but I enjoyed the book until probably about that point. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the world in this book and the magic! This felt like a love letter to sending correspondence through the post and it was done in such a whimsical way. I love the magic system and the use of scribes and scribbling as magic. The mystery in this book was great and was well done. This was the perfect standalone fantasy read.

Got halfway through this and I just think middle grade lit isn’t my genre anymore. It’s labeled as YA but doesn’t read quite as mature IMO. Not at all interested in what’s happening or all the secrets.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is my first book by Emily J. Taylor and it won't be the last. This atmospheric book completely engrossed and transported me. I hope we get more in this world asap.

This book had so many things that I love in a book!
It was the perfect slow burn, with world building that draws you in and a unique magic system, including worlds that can be accessed by written doors, the aldervine (an invasive species) that leaves bodies in its wake. Maeve is brilliant, driven by a need to find out the truth about her father. The MMC, Tristan, will surely capture any readers heart as he captured mine.
Another draw for me here was the setting, some good ‘ol academic setting, of which I am indeed a sucker for. The mystery is compelling as well.
I recommend this book to all fans of a slow burn, swoony MMCs, and cool magic systems; it will not disappoint. I really enjoyed Hotel Magnifique and this books shows us just what Emily J. Taylor is capable of.
Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group (Penguin Teen Canada) and NetGalley for a digital advanced copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own, as well as given freely.

Thank you to Emily J. Taylor, Penguin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Apologies for this review being overdue.

Something felt off to me the entire time I listened to this audiobook. I think I didn't get oriented on the time period or worldbuilding quite right at the outset, whether that be a failing of the writing or my focus, so I felt disoriented the whole time. Where are we? When is it? What's going on? These questions were eventually answered, except maybe when, but I never really got fully immersed. It also went over my head just why these scribes were so important, which the story hinges on. All my uncertainty about it caused the story to overall feel kinda pointless. Maeve was okay but her standoffishness wore on me; she didn't have enough charisma to pull it off, she just seemed like an asshole. I loved Tristan. And I was interested in the world, I just didn't really understand it.

I really wanted to love Otherwhere Post. The premise is intriguing, and the visual style initially drew me in. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to expectations. The pacing felt uneven, and the story lacked the depth and cohesion needed to fully immerse me. Some elements showed promise, but they were either underdeveloped or too obscure to follow. It felt like style won over substance.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)

Okay—this book was catnip for book lovers. Magic letters? A courier academy? Found family and hidden identities?? Say less. Maeve is a hot mess (girl, therapy pls), but I rooted for her the whole time. And Tristan? Sir, stop being so charming. The plot dipped a bit midway, but the banter, mystery, and heart made it all worth it. Gimme more ink-and-door fantasy like this!

This was a really well done YA fantasy book. I love the scriptomancy theme. At first it was giving "Divine Rivals" vibes. I liked Maeve and how determined she was to clear her father's name as well as her own. I will say, this does have academic cheating / lying without any recourse which I did find odd. I did love the action in this book and the different twists and turns it took. It was definitely pretty young adult and a bit immature, but it was cute for what it was. I did feel like ALL of the twists came at the last 20% and it felt like I was getting whiplash, I would have loved for it to start around 2/3 of the way through to make the middle a little less dull. I'd recommend this to any teen that likes YA fantasy / light romantasy. Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for this eARC.

I absolutely adored this book - Emily Taylor is an amazing writer, and it was such an amazing, beautiful story. The prose was brilliant, as well as the storycrafting, and character building.

An interesting book where the magic system is completely based on writing, which was a big draw for me in picking this up. The magic system was pretty unique, as far as what I've read goes, and of course, the mystery was quite intriguing. Trying to sort out who framed Maeve's father and why was no easy feat, and I admired Maeve's determination and ingenuity in her quest to find answers. And despite her trust issues, she makes friends (and one more-than-friend) along the way, whom I also quite liked. Honestly, the only quibble I had was that Maeve's character arc was pretty slow. I understand why she has trust issues, but the whole running-away-from-her-problems schtick got pretty old. She was still trying that crap at around the 75% mark, and I couldn't help but be exasperated. All the same, the story did end up with a pretty satisfying conclusion.

Given my above opinions, I would not be opposed to more books set in this world.

Final Rating: 3.5 stars

A magical academy, a hidden identity, a dangerous secret, and a forbidden attraction make for a fantastic story. If you enjoy YA fantasy, mystery, and romance, you'll find a healthy balance of all three in The Otherwhere Post. I especially appreciated the historical setting and the gradual unveiling of the truth behind Maeve's identity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the review copy.

Finished this!! Once I actually sat down to read it, I enjoyed the story and characters! The only thing I will say is that I couldn’t really picture this fantasy world, there didn’t feel like a lot of fantasy building. The characters and their forming relationships took up the bulk of the story.

Fun and fast paced! I loved this story and think it would be perfect for anyone who loves Divine rivals by Rebecca Ross. It has much of the same fun and safe romance and whimsical world building.

The Otherwhere Post transported me into a magical world full of dark academia. The magic system with scriptomancy was so interesting. The parallel worlds were also fascinating, and I would love to explore those a bit more. Maeve was a wonderful main character, and her quest to learn more about her father added a layer of mystery to the story. The romance did feel a little rushed, but overall this was a really enjoyable read!

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Maeve Abenthy lost everything when the doors that connected worlds were closed and it was all blamed on her father. She's spent the last 7 years running and hiding. But a delayed letter from another world telling her her father is innocent has her posing as an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, where she'll learn the magic that allows couriers to enchant letters and deliver them to other worlds. There's more than she could have imagined to uncover, even as dangerous and threatening letters put her life and those of anyone close to her in danger. Can she learn to trust her mentor and accept the help he offers, or will the truth and her life be drowned in ink?

This one's a great read from beginning to end. Sure, there are times when the plot is super predictable, but it's in a way that works with the characters and still makes for captivating reading. And it's the characters that carry it. Maeve's fully justified inability to trust in people makes for some frustrating moments, yet it's that bullheadedness that makes her such a compelling character. You want her to succeed on her own, even as you're mad at her for not accepting help from those who offer it.

It contains excellent character arcs and perfectly timed twists that kept me turning pages despite having a pretty good idea of where it did eventually end up. Read it for the journey more than the whole and you'll have a brilliantly excellent time.

Special props to the author for being nice enough to make this stand-alone book, when it could have been expanded into at least a duology. I appreciate it when authors finish a story when it needs to end, rather than extending it, and feel that it's so rare that it needs to be praised when it happens

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the twisty read!

This book had everything I love! Dark academia, mysteries, and slow burn romance. If you're a fan of these three things, I recommend you read this book!

I enjoyed the characters of Maeve and Tristan and how they developed as well as the plot and worldbuilding!

Dark fantasy with lots of drama. Maeve hides from the world to protect herself from the damage her father had created. Never able to stay in one place very long and never using her real name to survive. A long overdue letter suggests that her father was innocent, so she now is challenged to try to clear his name and be able to face the world again. Magic and mystery lovers- a must read for you.