Emily J. Taylor's The Otherwhere Post is a captivating young adult fantasy novel that masterfully intertwines elements of dark academia, intricate world-building, and an engaging mystery. Released on February 25, 2025, this novel has garnered significant attention for its unique magic system and compelling narrative.

The story follows Maeve Abenthy, a young woman burdened by her father's tarnished legacy. Living in a world where scriptomancy—the art of enchanting letters to traverse different realms—prevails, Maeve receives an anonymous letter suggesting her father's innocence in a past tragedy. Determined to uncover the truth, she infiltrates the Otherwhere Post as an apprentice courier, delving into a world of magic, mystery, and danger.

Taylor's world-building is both immersive and imaginative. The concept of scriptomancy offers a fresh perspective on magic, celebrating the power of the written word. Readers have lauded this inventive system, noting its depth and originality. One reviewer expressed, "I loved the world-building in this book and Taylor does a remarkable job at creating a beautiful, whimsical and deeply magical story full of love and friendship."
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The characters are richly developed, each bringing their own complexities to the narrative. Maeve's resilience and determination resonate deeply, while her interactions with fellow apprentices, particularly the enigmatic Tristan, add layers of intrigue and subtle romance. The dynamics between characters are both authentic and engaging, drawing readers into their personal journeys.

The plot is a well-crafted tapestry of suspense and revelation. Maeve's quest to clear her father's name is fraught with peril, and the twists and turns keep readers on the edge of their seats. The mystery unfolds at a brisk pace, with each chapter peeling back layers of secrets. As one reviewer aptly put it, "I was instantly transported to this unique world and loved following the MC. She was so relatable and I loved to witness her determination and bravery."
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While the romance is a subtle undercurrent rather than the central focus, it adds a tender dimension to the story. The slow-burn relationship between Maeve and Tristan is built on mutual respect and shared goals, enriching the overall narrative without overshadowing the primary plot.

In conclusion, The Otherwhere Post is a spellbinding read that seamlessly blends magic, mystery, and emotion. Emily J. Taylor has crafted a novel that not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the power of words and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. It's a must-read for fans of YA fantasy seeking a fresh and enchanting adventure.

⚝ ꒰ 3/5 stars ꒱ ♡

the otherwhere post had such a unique magic system and world that was fun to read; along with a good mystery and the power of opening up to your friends instead of doing things alone. i loved maeve's character growth throughout this story and her determination to clear her fathers name.

the plot fell through at some points for me and i would of liked to go more in depth with the magic system.. towards the end it felt kind of rushed.

overall it was wrapped up nicely and was enjoyable to read.

"A letter can become an extension of your soul if you will it, a trapped part of you that shakes loose whenever someone reads your words."

I thought this was gonna be something like Divine Rivals meets The Whispering Dark but instead it was more of a Sorcery of Thorns meets Stephanie Garber if SG wrote gloomy, dark academia. All of these books are my Roman empire so I didn't have an issue with the SoT or SG vibes buuuuut it just wasn't what I expected and I don't know if I was in the mood for this type of story.

The FMC Maeve is almost 19 years old and yet if she was 16 like Elizabeth it'd have made more sense. She's been on her own for so many years, has had to grow up fast because of everything that happened with her dad and yet from time to time there was this childish stubbornness in her that's usually present in younger characters. Altogether, I liked her, even when she was annoying me I could understand why she acted the way she did. Everyone's response to trauma is different and her response was 'flight' every time because she didn't know any better, but her development by the end was great.

The MMC Tristan was my fav character, he actually gave me Nathaniel vibes and I just loved him. He was very interesting and the scenes between him and Maeve were my fav parts of the book.

The world-building was very intriguing and had a lot of potential but we didn't explore it much. I loved the way we had 3 identical worlds sitting on top of each other like a palimpsest but ultimately diverge sharply in atmosphere and environment. The magic system and the way people were able to travel between said worlds was also fascinating. There were some elements to the magic system that were pretty gruesome and I loved that but not more than what you'd experience in SoT.

As you can guess the romance was my favorite part—there was banter and it was slow burn with a touch of forbidden romance.

The pacing was where I had some issues. While Maeve was trying to solve the mystery about her father and discover the identity of the writer of the threatening letters there were some scenes that were just slowing down the pace. Not much, I wasn't bored or anything, but I wasn't that interested to read another inner monologue about something Maeve has already thought. The second half of the book was better even if there were some things towards the end that were a little too convenient and the ending felt a bit rushed.

All in all, this was quick and enjoyable read with gripping plot and interesting characters and I'd definitely recommend it to readers who are fans of Sorcery of Thorns.

Eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Rating: 4 Stars

I love a fantasy standalone novel... give me the short and sweet version of the worldbuilding, and give me a satisfying ending with no cliffhanger. This book ticked those boxes.

I thought the world was really unique in this one. I found myself wishing I would get more of it, because I think there's so much that the author could do with this one. But, again, I was glad it was a standalone. The ending kept me guessing, and guessing again. There were twists and turns I didn't see coming, and it was fun to watch it play out.

This is definitely a YA novel, but I don't mind that. The characters were fun (if stubborn) and I liked the way they came together (though I do wish it had happened earlier in the book). All in all, a fun read that had heart.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy. Opinions are my own.

An intriguing mystery with deadly consequences, set in a fantasy world with a unique type of magic, and full of all the angst, hope, and joy of a lonely girl searching for the truth and finding a real family. Maeve’s life transformed in seconds the day her father died and her world was destroyed. Not only did she lose her home and family, she lost even the good memories she had, with her father accused of genocide. Maeve was utterly alone in the world, having to hide her identity for fear of hatred and retribution, always on the move and never able to be her true self. It’s not surprising that, when a glimmer of hope appears that perhaps her father was innocent, she would risk everything, including her own life, to find out and reveal the truth.

Of course, when you’ve learned you can’t trust anyone, it’s hard to open yourself up to anyone, even if they are a mysterious and cute boy who keeps doing you favors and keeping your secrets or a bubbly, friendly roommate who is always up for some light breaking and entering. It was touching to see Maeve slowly realize that not only could she trust her new friends, she needed to trust them to succeed, and the burdens she carried weren’t quite so heavy when she wasn’t alone.

I really appreciate that Tristan doesn’t ever hold Maeve’s secrets and jumpiness against her, understanding why she reacts that way and showing her again and again that she can trust him, until she does. Tristan has his own issues he’s dealing with, and one of the things that bonds him and Maeve together are the similarities of their traumatic childhoods: losing a parent young, extreme loneliness, bullying, self-reliance. As Maeve says, “We both knew what it was like to have your entire world ripped away in an instant. To be haunted by a life that no longer belongs to you.” Together, Tristan and Maeve find someone they can be real with, trust those hidden parts of themselves they are afraid of, and face their fears.

This book has a lot of dark moments, given the amount of death and trauma that takes place, The villain is somehow convinced they’re working for a greater good, but how many people have to be murdered to get there? But it ends with hope, retribution, and love, and we all need some of that in our lives right now.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for review purposes. It was just released this week, so pick up a copy at your local bookstore or library today!

“But a scribing is the most difficult sentence in the worlds to write.”

The Otherwhere Post is a mysterious dark academia novel that centers around Maeve Abenthy, who could lose her freedom with a single mistake. Seven years ago, a terrible beast attacked one of the three known worlds. To stop the danger from spreading, the Written Doors that connected the worlds were burned. Maeve’s father was blamed for the crime, but after she receives an old letter claiming her father is innocent, Maeve finds herself willing to do anything to discover what really happened that day—including taking the place of an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post. There, she will be taught the magic that couriers use to enchant letters, all while trying not to draw attention to herself. But her mentor is the son of the Postmaster in charge, and when she begins receiving threatening letters, Maeve realizes that she might not be able to hide her identity for long.

The Otherwhere Post kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what new clue would be discovered and trying to figure out what would come next. The blend of magic, academia, and fantasy was the perfect mix. I loved the characters. Maeve is restless and ready to run at a moment’s notice, but she desperately wants to know if her father is innocent, which makes her the perfect narrator. Tristan, her mentor, is secretive and sassy, but I liked the gradual reveal of his past and personality. Both characters have difficulty learning to trust each other, but they want to, which makes their development even more special. My favorite aspect of fantasy books is worldbuilding, and Emily J. Taylor did not disappoint. The magic, scriptomancy, was intriguing, with different forms and ink that can change the effects of the scribing. Maeve learned a bit about how scribing works from her father, but I enjoyed learning how this magic could be utilized as she also learned. It felt like I was growing with her. I also loved the rich history that is infused in this book. There are so many details of how the apprenticeship came to be and how the destruction of Inverly, one of the three worlds, completely changed how scriptomancy was viewed. There was something almost delicate about reading this book—like I was being let in on a secret, which made the experience all the more exciting.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor is a fantasy and mystery rolled into one featuring a young woman on the hunt for the truth about her father. Maeve Abenthy has spent the last seven years angry at her father, living under a fake name, and always on the move. Then one day she receives a mysterious letter from an “old friend” saying her father is innocent. This sends Maeve on a dangerous quest to the find the truth. She poses as an apprentice at the Otherwhere Post, a job she had wanted once upon a time. Here she discovers that not all is as it seems, and sometimes you have to trust someone to get the answers you seek.

Maeve is an interesting character to follow. She keeps herself guarded, never truly opening up to anyone. Her father’s crimes would be a death sentence to her, so she has spent her life as someone else. Her anger at her father is relatable, but the letter brings new light on him reopening memories of the times before. Her father is a murderer, killed millions of people, and yet she can’t help but love the man she thought he was. Now being told he was innocent, she’s determined to clear his name and hers.

At the Otherwhere Post, she’s partnered with Tristan Byrne, the son of the Postmaster and thorn in her side. He doesn’t want her as an apprentice anymore than she wants him poking around. He knows she isn’t who she says she is, but he is trusting her and helping her when she is willing to ask for it. I liked their dynamic. Maeve is serious all the time and focused, while Tristan is not. The events of the year prior left him a little broken, but Maeve’s presence is bringing him back.

While the book is billed as a romantasy, the romance takes a back seat to the mystery. This book is all about finding the truth, learning the skills of a scriptomancer, and finding one’s place in the world. I loved the world the author creates here. It dark and brooding, but also filled with magic. I was enthralled with Maeve’s hunt for the truth and shocked at the conclusion. Very well done!

Overall, I really enjoyed The Otherwhere Post. While this is a standalone, I’d happily read more books set in this world. Maeve’s journey is filled with danger, but through it all she learns to love herself again. If you are a fan of fantasy or mystery, I highly recommend it.

Audiobook Note: I listened to an ALC of this book from the publisher. The narrator is fantastic! Her tone of voice kept me engaged throughout the story. Highly recommend this format if you enjoy audiobooks.

Really enjoyed this book. First off, can I say I really appreciate that this is a complete book. No cliffhnagers or any bs - even tho id really love a sequel. But what I love more is an author who can give us a complete story and not use gimmicks to keep us engaged for five books too long.

The characters the world - the author nailed it. I loved how she really delivered on the dark academia and she didn’t pull punches that’s for sure. Also can I say u love the MC growth in the book - she really starts as the ball of revenge and grows into such a dynamic character. And the book has it all - great friends romance adventure.

Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for the review copy!

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. The magic system with scriptomancy was really interesting and unique, and I loved the concept of the three different interconnected worlds and the magical doors. Maeve had a strong voice and really came alive on the page. This story almost reminded me of Divine Rivals, with enchanted letters and an old-fashioned vibe; but I found The Otherwhere Post to be better.

After the Written Doors that allowed travel to the other worlds burned down, Maeve is trapped in Leyland. She’s trying to leave while also trying to hide her true identity, the daughter of a man who committed a horrific crime.

One night, she receives a letter from a courier through the Otherwhere Post from seven years ago, before the Doors fell, from an old friend of her father’s who tells her that her father was innocent and states she deserves the truth.

But she doesn’t know who this friend is or how to reach them. The only way would be to be a courier. So, she signs up for the courier apprenticeship to find this friend and get answers.

This was truly such a fun and unique experience to read! It gave me Studio Ghibli mixed with Violet Evergarden vibes, but in a completely different way, if that’s even makes sense 😂

I loved the unique magic system with ink and how it’s used for letters to allow you to literally feel or experience a memory. There’s also form type where one can create forms which I was all about, or traveling from one place to another. I just found it utterly fascinating!

I always love a fantasy mixed with mystery. It adds such a unique element and twist to a fantasy and makes it more engaging because you’re also trying to find out the truth or find out who the culprit is. It just keeps me so well engaged and I don’t want to put the book down until I’m finished.

Then we have the wonderful characters!

We have Maeve who is alone in this world trying to survive then being told seven years later her father is innocent of a horrible crime and now she needs to find out the truth while also disguising herself and avoiding discovery. It made for an intense read. You’re just rooting for her to make it.

Then Tristan. The grumpy, broody, sassy boy who I adored so so much! His smack talk and sassiness was so endearing. I felt like I should be mad at him when he said certain things the way he did, but I couldn’t help but laugh and just love him more. And when you learn his past, you understand his sassiness more.

There are some side characters I adored too that were wonderful friends to Maeve, such as her roommate Nan who told her from the get go that Maeve will be unable to help but be her friend and like her. She was so forward and then add Shea to the mix and it made for quite the power couple 😆

Then there’s the romance. Such a slow burn because Maeve just. Would. Not. Trust. And I get it, and it made for a frustrating and agonizing slow burn romance that was worth the wait. Very swoony for sure.

I could go on and on. It is just so good and worth the read, you will not be disappointed. Just read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am forever in a fantasy mood. Take me to a magical land ASAP. Emily J. Taylor did that.

In The Otherwhere Post, she took me to a school where scribes learn how to use ink and quills to do all types of magical things. Like make you feel things, track people, and even take you places. It’s called Scriptomancy.

There’s also a lot of mystery as Maeve deceives her way into an apprenticeship to get answers that may uncover the truth behind her father’s death and whether he was wrongfully labeled a murderer. There is secrets, lies, deception, death all with the twist of magic.

And we get a little love. Maeve and Tristan have a meet cute involving a horse and carriage then become quite close while he is her mentor during her apprenticeship. They have a cute little banter going on and Tristan is absolutely swoonworthy in the way that he takes care of Maeve.

I loved it. I love magic. Words are magic. I love words. 🥹

3.5 stars
——————

While this book is such a cool concept, I just think it lacked something to make it great.

This book was definitely an enjoyable read. Once I started, I found I couldn’t stop reading it. It reminded me of the Darker Shades of Magic series, with its layered worlds and the few who can travel between them. The plot was engaging and fun, and the banter between the characters was always fun to follow. Following Maeve as she works to clear her father’s name in secret was a great experience and the friend’s she makes along the way were well fit to the plot line and progression of the book. I loved each character and the roll they play, and super enjoyed not having extra characters with no use. I never saw the villain coming, which I appreciated. It was almost too out there, though.

One thing this book really lacked for me was the world building. We get dropped into this lush world but never fully get an ideal explanation of how it works. I wish we knew more about the magic system and more about these worlds. This is on of the few instances where I think this could have even been a fun duology to get enough space to flesh everything out. We have a whole world we never get to see or explore, there are a few plot lines that needed more explanation. I wanted more than I got.

This was definitely good, but lacked what it needed to be great.

4.5/5⭐

I absolutely loved this! It gave me the perfect dark academia wintery fantasy vibes that I was hoping for. I read most of it on a cold gloomy day and felt like I was THERE.

The world building was immersive, the magic system unique and intriguing, and the slow burn romance snarky and delightful. The central unfolding mystery kept me guessing and I just adored the dynamic between Maeve and Tristan.

This worked so well as a standalone but I would love to revisit this world and these characters one day! Highly recommend this one, especially if you liked Divine Rivals (I liked this even better). Definitely a top book of 2025!

This was such a fun concept! Completely unlike any other fantasy books I have read, The Otherwhere Post builds a unique world and magic system. The characters are lovable (or hateable) and the romance is swoon-worthy without stealing the plot. I do thing the basics of scriptomancy could have been described a little more in depth, there were a few moments where I found myself confused by the details of it all. There were also a decent amount of typos/unedited sentences that I assume will be revised upon publication.

There is magic in words and this book is stock full of them! Yes, partially because the magic of this world (and other ones) is scriptomancy, but also because it was a vividly made world, so interesting and I think I wouldn't mind reading more set in this world/worlds!

Maeve is searching for the truth about her father in this story. Was he the one that set the alder vine loose or was he framed? It was all nicely twisty, filled with magic letters, learning to travel between worlds, and even a bit of romance with the nicely snarky but super sweet and supporting Tristan! So many cute giggly moments! That was so much fun to read! And their first meeting is gloriously hilarious, soap and all (which kind of sets the tone for a good portion of their relationship!). It is a good balance for the darker parts (death of a world, someone trying to keep the truth hidden and willing to kill for it) so you can laugh and cry and be sucked into the story. There are lots of other interesting, supporting characters too and the story wouldn't be complete without the likes of Nan and Shay.

I loved Hotel Magnifique and I can happily say that this book is just as good and will also be a keeper!

3.75, rounded up to a tentative 4


I was unsure if this is a story I’d vibe with, as the author’s first novel didn’t do much for me, but The Otherwhere Post left me pleasantly surprised.

Starting with the good, this book has an extremely intricate and ambitious worldbuilding. A writing-based magic system, magical letters, and a great spin on alternate worlds felt like the perfect whimsical setting for this story. The characters were intriguing enough as well: we get the story form Maeve’s limited 3rd person POV, and while her character could be frustrating at times, I loved that we actually get to explore her decisions and why she feels she must be that way.
The love story was a big plus, as it was perfectly lovely, and managed to dodge the worst of cliches.

The only minus for me was the writing, as it still feels the author isn’t sure on their footing, and the writing style does take a few blows because of this. Some of the characters' emotions were conveyed too strongly which made them border on unnecessarily dramatic, but it does get better in the second half of the book.

If I were to classify this book, I’d say it is mostly a light academia YA, and if you enjoyed the romance of Divine Rivals and Emily Wilde, or the worldbuilding of A Darker Shade of Magic, you should give this a try.

3.5 stars

A young woman living under the heavy weight of her late father’s crime discovers he may have been innocent. The woman lies to join the organization responsible for the accusations and finds herself in the middle of a much larger challenge. Author Emily J. Taylor follows up her successful debut with a worthy second offering in The Otherwhere Post.

When Maeve Abenthy was 11 years old, her entire world came crashing down. Her father unleased the poisonous Aldervine on the world of Inverly, presumably destroying it and the Written Doors between Inverly, Barrow, and Leyland. Maeve’s father and aunt died in the process, leaving Maeve an orphan known as the daughter of the most hated man in all the worlds.

For the past seven years, Maeve has hidden in plain sight. She’s used a number of aliases, because she’s learned the hard way what will happen if someone knows her real name. Thanks to her father, only couriers with the magic of scriptomancy can go between Barrow and Leyland. No one knows what, if anything, remains of Leyland.

Maeve has been scrimping and saving every penny to leave her latest job and start a new life. On the day she’s ready to walk away from everything, however, Maeve receives an anonymous letter from saying her father was innocent. He didn’t cause the Aldervine to enter Inverly; he wasn’t responsible for the burning of the Written Doors.

As much as she loved her father, Maeve began hating him when she found out what he did. Now she’s confused. Is it possible her father wasn’t the culprit? If so, who was? Why would they frame her father? And what should Maeve do next?

Her questions lead her to the academic institution where scriptomancers learn how to scribe with their natural talents and their learned skills. After using a false name and stolen papers to get in, Maeve knows she has to work fast to find whatever answers she can in this place where her father once studied and walked. Along the way, Maeve is assigned a mentor in the brooding Tristan who doesn’t seem all that interested in teaching her but is certainly curious about Maeve’s secrets.

Between Tristan’s insistence that Maeve trust him, the nosy but cheerful inquiries from her roommate, Nan, and the unsigned notes that start popping up warning her to leave, Maeve knows she needs to keep digging for clues and information. The more she does so, the more dire her circumstances become. There’s always the danger of people finding out who she is and the even greater danger of her discovering the truth behind the catastrophe of the Written Doors.

Author Emily J. Taylor’s well-realized characters populate The Otherwhere Post. Maeve is a three-dimensional protagonist that readers will enjoy rooting for as she goes from handling everything by herself to someone who can, and sometimes must, rely on others. Taylor gives Maeve a plucky cast of supporting characters who feel just as real, although at times the trio of friends Maeve works with seem a touch too trusting.

Taylor doesn’t waste much time in bringing her readers into the action, but her skill with the craft will make Maeve’s story feel like organic. Taylor balances lighthearted moments and more serious ones with ease. Readers may be surprised to know this is only her second novel.

If the book can be faulted anywhere, it’s in two areas. The first is the explanation of the magic system. The characters know exactly what’s happening and absorb the plot twists and big reveals with the appropriate level of shock and apprehension. The narrative doesn’t settle into the magic system, though, choosing instead to throw a lot of information at readers several times over, which will leave some readers confused about exactly how scriptomancy works. Taylor offers many hints and half ideas, but if they’re fully realized it’s hard to say where and when.

The other area is in the protagonist’s ability to get injured multiple times and keep moving. Several times Maeve finds herself in the middle of physical altercations. The narrative is careful to show her in pain and stopping to take care of herself, but a few chapters later Maeve is back to sleuthing without seeming to be slowed down by her previous encounters. Readers may appreciate a protagonist who won’t quit, but eventually Maeve’s ability to do so may defy even the most trusting reader’s suspension of disbelief.

Had the book been a series or even a duology, it would have given the narrative time to build and go deeper into the magic system to explain it with more care. As it is, however, the book is still a fun read with enough romance included to satisfy romantasy fans.

I really enjoyed this romantic fantasy because it had all that I look for in a good book...well-developed and interesting characters, great world-building, and an intriguing plot to tie it all together.

First, and foremost in this instance I think, I loved the unique and detailed world of basically a fictional USPS (the Otherwhere Post) which is based on the art of scriptomancy (the art of magically enchanting mail). This was a location setting that I had never considered for a fantasy, and I found it fascinating fiction.

Our MFC and MMC were both wonderfully humorous, determined and kept me motivated to learn more about each of them as well as their dynamics as a team. Loved Maeve and Tristan!

Lots to love here (the complete package) which is why I look forward to reading more from this author.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group / G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing the free early arc of The Otherwhere Post for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

The worldbuilding in here is fantastic! It’s so well thought out, truly. I was engaged the entire time.

Maeve hasn’t been able to use her real name in years, thanks to her missing/presumed dead father. When she receives a letter indicating that he might be innocent, Maeve uses her wits to investigate the claim and enrolls in a coveted school to do so. The art of scriptomancy is thoroughly explained, and it’s quite fascinating. There’s a little bit of romance, too, if you like that sort of thing.

In short, I loved the story and highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was drawn into this book so quickly and it was hard to put down when I needed to sleep or go to work. I kept wanting to know more about what was going to happen to Maeve and where events were going to take her.

This was such a richly developed world where the layers of the 3 overlapping worlds seem to be able to be seen, but you can not cross unless you have a doorway to cross the boundaries. It seems as though one of the doorways has been burned, and the world on the other side has been cut off and possibly destroyed.

Maeve is such a great character, but it does get a bit confusing by how many different names she has to go by at times. I love her determinism and her drive to figure out what happened to her father and her future. The first interaction she has with Tristan is a bit hilarious with the bar of soap, but it's a great segue into their slow burn romance. I don't think they start as enemies, but I would say they do start off on a bit of the wrong foot before finding their groove.

The mystery of what happened is masterfully done and will leave the reader questioning everyone and everything. I know I was. This book was incredibly good and I highly recommend anyone who loves dark academia, sassy characters, and a well developed story, to pick this book up and add it to their TBR list as soon as possible.