The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor completely swept me off my feet. From the moment I read the description, I had a hunch that it would be a good story, but I never anticipated falling head over heels for it the way I did. This is the kind of book that engulfs you entirely. I savored every single word.

This book is a captivating blend of dark academia, richly detailed world-building, enigmatic mysteries, enchanting magic, a slow-burn romance, and unwaveringly loyal friendships. If you savor immersive storytelling that weaves these elements, this book is an absolute must-read!

I became deeply attached to the characters, the worlds, the magic system, the subplots, and the overall storyline.

Maeve captivated me with her strong, fierce, and cunning nature, making her feel like a kindred spirit. I found her character's transformation throughout the narrative to be incredibly satisfying to observe, and her poignant encounters with grief deeply affected me, leaving me feeling utterly engulfed. Equally remarkable was Tristan, with his unwavering strength, loyalty, and demeanor, which seemed flawlessly suited to him. The dynamic tension and playful exchanges between these two added an extra layer of perfection to the story. The friendship between Maeve and Nan was a standout element for me, along with Nan's mentor, Shea. I appreciated how each character had a distinct role in the narrative, adding complexity to the plot.

The world-building and magical aspects of the story are phenomenal. The magic system was my favorite part of this book. Its components were engaging, fascinating, and incredibly unique. I can't go into that many details without spoilers, but it is truly one of a kind.

And that ending? Perfection.

I have a feeling some may find it to have a slower start, but trust me when I say that it will whisk you away. All of the above, plus the added mystery component and twists, will have you hooked. I truly wish I could experience reading this book for the first time all over again. It's a twisty, mysterious, heart-pounding, and utterly gripping story that will leave you in awe. It was whimsical and enchanting; every story element was executed with sheer brilliance. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. It's an all-time favorite, for sure. I'd gladly read this book again and again. ✨

I absolutely loved this story, couldn’t put it down and couldn’t read it fast enough while also not wanting it to end. The writing was captivating and the author did a wonderful job at crafting an engaging story.

A dark academia with scribing (writing) being the base for magic was so fun to read about. Loved the slow burn between the two main characters, their dynamic was so entertaining and I was literally giggling at their interactions!

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor is a dark, YA fantasy about an orphaned young woman, Maeve Abenthy, who has been on the run for years after her father was blamed for releasing deadly vines that killed many and closed the door to other worlds. In order to solve the mystery about her father, Maeve impersonates her way into the Otherwhere Post, where she will be trained in scriptomancy, a magical skill that allows people to enchant letters to travel into other worlds. She uses this time to look into her father's past and ends up drawing the attention of her roommate Nan, mentor Tristan, and others. She starts receiving threatening letters and has to make a difficult decision to either keep working on her quest or leave and never come back.

I really enjoyed this book! While it does give Divine Rivals vibes, the world and magic system were unique and interesting. I loved the personalities of the characters, especially broody mentor Tristan. My only complaint is that I felt parts were a bit rushed and I would have loved for this to be a series of books and not just a standalone novel. I found myself staying up way too late to continue reading and didn't want the story to end!

You might like this book if you like:
- dark academia
- broody characters
- tender romance
- atmospheric writing
- strong friendships
- adventure
- solving mysteries

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an advanced copy of the ebook. This did not influence my review. The Otherwhere Post is expected to be published on February 25, 2025.

I loved this book. It's been a while since I had to force myself to stop reading so I could get sleep. This was one of those books. The main character was delightful. Tristan was brooding but with reason. The roommate Nan - she tried so hard to be a friend. I really liked everyone in the book. The magic system is unique and exciting. This was a great read. Anyone who likes YA fantasy should read this!

I really enjoyed Emily Taylor's first book Hotel Magnafique and The Otherwhere Post is very good as well. It's engaging and accessible. I could never read just one chapter at a time and read it in larger chunks. I do feel like the end was a bit rushed because a lot of the resolution was told through letters instead of shown on page. The love story also wasn't as well done as her first book. I felt some disconnect there. Overall a really solid second novel for Emily Taylor! I'll definitely keep reading her books in the future.

2 stars

This book had a really interesting plot, I just don’t think it was written very well. The more I read, the less believable the story became.

Amazing! I loved this book! Taylor created such wonderful characters and world for me to follow. The story was well paced and I loved how I was constantly learning about the characters throughout the book

4.5 rounded up
First off. I fell in love with that cover!
The world building in this bookbus incredible,; I felt like I was actually there. Great characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I loved this book so much, I read it in one day and have not stopped thinking about it since. This book was written for me, it is dark academia with elaborate world building, enjoyable characters, insane plot twists, a thrilling mystery, a well crafted magic system, a respect for the written word, a wonderful friendship, AND a slow burn romance. The characters were a delight to read. I found Maeve so inspiring, despite her backstory she is still able to find hope and risk everything in hopes that one anonymous letter could change her life. Tristan is all green flags and gets a big hug from me. Nan saw that Maeve needed a friend and was able to wait and be what she needed when she needed it. Overall, I cannot recommend this enough. Emily J. Taylor’s writing is simply stated transporting. I cannot wait to pick up Hotel Magnifique. Please read The Otherwhere Post, you will not regret it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. Much like hotel magnifique this book was fantastic...I actually loved it even more. I was captivated by the story and really enjoyed how it was a combo of fantasy and mystery. The characters were likable and I really enjoyed the love story as well. I will definitely be reading more of this author in the future.

I really enjoyed reading this book after having read Hotel Magnifique by the same author. In this story, Maeve receives a letter suggesting that her father may be innocent and she decides to investigate his dark past. She takes on a new identity and has her journey at The Otherwhere Post, where magic is tied to writing. Much like in Hotel Magnifique, the magic system in this book is unique, which keeps the story intriguing. The main character is relatable, and her romance is a nice addition to the plot. If you like YA fantasy this book is a great read for you!

5/5 but really 100/5
One of the most delightful reads from my 200+ reads this year. I highly recommend to my fantasy pals that enjoy YA. (Sorry, no spice but the mmc is so adorable)

The prose is absolutely beautiful and the story is a journey I loved taking. From the first chapter I was hooked and every detail that came to light gripped me further. The magic system and world building are unique and well done, giving us just enough at intervals in the story to keep the pace moving well.

The banter between Maeve and Tristan is so delicious.

The characters were all built up well and I felt like I knew them. I knew their world. And I wanted to stay and hang out with them longer. It was everything I look for in a YA book.

I'm so grateful I was chosen for the arc. Such a wonderful gift!

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Otherwhere Post on February 25, 2025.

This is hands down one of the most imaginative worlds and magic systems I've ever read about. Emily J. Taylor's attention to detail is incredible, and you can see how much thought when into this writing and ink-based magic system. I love that it celebrates writers, letters, and the bonds people can form with just words on a page. It definitely gives Divine Rivals vibes, but also slight Babel AND A Darker Shade of Magic vibes!

You've got people with special writing magic traveling to other worlds, an infiltrated university, a bespectacled love interest who's trying to uncover her secrets, and a fascinating quest for the truth. Maeve is single-minded and willing to do what needs to be done to find answers. I do wish her growth and ability to trust people had been a bit more spread-out in the book though, instead of culminating all at once at the end.

All in all, if you want dark academia vibes with inventive magic and delicious romance, this is your book!

ARC Review! The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

In this story a young woman risks everything to uncover a truth that will completely rewrite her life and the history of her world.

This book immediately took you into a new world from page one. This book is set in a well imagined and developed world with a completely unique magic system. In this new world the main characters are finding themselves while learning to live with and accept their trauma that they experienced at a young age. The plot is intriguing and there is some light slow burn romance that keeps you wanting to know what happens next.

Please note, my review is based on an uncorrected text from an ARC of this book.

I want to start by saying I liked Hotel Magnifique but I LOVED The Otherwhere Post. I love dark academia with a little mystery and sweet romance.

Maeve has had to keep her identity hidden because of her father and the countless number of deaths he caused but a single letter has made her doubt if he is the person responsible, Maeve has to go undercover to find out what really happened. Add in all the fantasy aspect, magically scribing, and mysterious mentor that is moody and handsome. Chefs kiss!

How do you not fall in love with anything Emily J. Taylor writes? Hotel Magnifique is a hard book to follow up. Beautiful, rich, stunning from the outside in.

The Otherworld post, on the other hand, starts out grimy, dim and disheveled. Gloam, a world built of many layers people could travel between, until the doorways burned down. Now everyone is trapped where they are, except the scriptogrophers.

Maeve wants nothing to do with scriptogrophers or couriers. She doesn't even dare to speak her full name in anyone's hearing. Abenthy has become a curse word, the name of the man who introduced the Aldervine to Inverly, killing its inhabitants and leading to the desperate burning of the doorways. Maeve was taken out of Inverly just before the doors burned, her family left behind and leaving her a tainted legacy.

When she receives a letter that all is not as it seems, and her father might just be innocent, Maeve will stop at nothing to find out the truth. She tricks her way into an apprenticeship at the Otherwhere Post. Despite not having the education the other apprentices received, Maeve knows a thing or two about scribing. Her father was a great one in his time, and he was always talking about it, teaching her in his spare moments.

Tristan. My my, what a special one this boy is. As much as he struggles, he can't help leaving himself vulnerable and open, especially where Maeve is involved. He doesn't give up, even as Maeve runs to keep her identity secret, and his own past follows him like a darkest shadow.

Nan, a friend and roommate everyone deserves. One who is not only up for shenanigans and constantly trying to pull you into them, but stands by your side when you're cast in a situation that puts you in dark grey light.

This book. This writing. Thank you, thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of this one. I am so excited to get the chance to read it early, and I know I'll be one of the first in line to buy it when it comes out. Please Emily J. Taylor, tell me you have another book on the way! Whether in the same world, or another space to sweep us away. This is what fantasy should make you feel like - completely transported, awed by the magic, seeing the beauty in even the gloomiest of places.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

The plot was amazing as were the characters and setting.

It was a quick and enjoyable read.

Recommend.

This was an interesting world to dive into, with a unique magic system. Scriptomancers are trained to enchant letters, and couriers can deliver them across worlds. Some letters can be enchanted with tracking spells; all that's needed is the recipient's real name and they can be tracked, allowing the letter to be delivered no matter where they are, which can be dangerous if you don't want to be found.

Maeve lost her parents at a young age and has been in hiding, moving from one place to the next. No one knows who she really is, and she wants to keep it that way. Her father was supposedly to blame for unleashing a deadly creature causing the deaths of many people and labeling him a murderer. When Maeve receives a mysterious letter from a "friend" who knew her father and can prove he was innocent, she risks everything to find out the truth.

This book has a wonderful mix of fantasy, dark academia, a bit of mystery, and romance. It was something refreshingly different, which is exactly what I was looking for. This was my first read by Taylor, and I very much enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!!! Emily J. Taylor crafts a masterpiece that had me hooked from the first chapter. I devoured this, could not put it down. Our FMC, Maeve, is a breath of fresh air. Spunky, quick witted, a touch of desperate ambition, with a whole host of secrets? Sign me up! The slow burn romance, the found friends, the truth revealed at the end was just *chef's kiss*. Don't walk, run, to read this. I need a sequel. I don't even care if it is nothing but our characters enjoying life and the magic of this world. Love love loved it!

I think Emily J Taylor has become an auto read author for me. I loved her debut, <i>Hotel Magnifique</i> when it came out a few years ago, and I really enjoyed her second novel as well.

There’s just something about standalone YA fantasy that I just love. So many series are drawn out or inflated and I really enjoy fantasy stories that wrap up everything in a single volume.

This book follows Maeve, whose father was responsible for a magical attack that ruined communication and travel between different magical places. Once a pariah, she struggles to live in anonymity so people don’t connect her with her villainous father until she gets a mysterious message claiming he was innocent.

I really liked the fantasy aspects. They were interesting and well done. There is so much fantasy out there that it’s hard to find something fresh and new so I’m always excited when I see a new spin on the genre. I also liked the mystery element to the plot. Fantasy and mystery work well together and I don’t know why there aren’t more stories out there like that.

Maeve was a fun character. I liked seeing her go from trusting no one to slowly letting people in. The romance was cute as well. They had many funny interactions together.

Definitely do yourself a favor and pick this book up when it releases at the beginning of next year. I’m already excited to see what this author has in store next!