Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher and author for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

This writing style is immersive and imaginative. This book is incredibly magical and creative. Such an absolute winner.

This was a fun read that was very well written and took me on a magical journey. It was refreshing to read a story that was the POV of a younger generation! Highly recommend reading!

A Lyrical and Imaginative Journey of Wonder and Memory

I received a NetGalley e-ARC of this book.

Lancelot Schaubert’s Overmorrow is a beautiful, introspective, and utterly unique fantasy that feels like stepping into a waking dream. This is not a typical urban fantasy; it’s a story with the heart of a fable and the philosophical depth of a classic allegory.

The book follows Ellie, a young girl convinced a magical monster has stolen her brother, and her journey into a hidden, wondrous New York City revealed by a mystical rain called "Overmorrow." Schaubert’s prose is what truly sets this book apart—it’s lyrical, poetic, and consistently captivating, creating a rich atmosphere that is both whimsical and haunting.


The central mystery of the stolen rain and Ellie’s quest to save her brother’s mind from "Oblivion" serves as a brilliant metaphor for the power of memory and the dangers of forgetting. I was immediately drawn to the core characters, especially Ellie and her siblings.

Their dynamic is the emotional anchor of the story, and their quest is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the nature of reality. The imaginative world-building, with its mermaids, centaurs, and sentient winds, is a true delight, and the narrative constantly surprises with its inventive ideas.

However, the book's cerebral nature sometimes comes at a cost.

The beginning can feel a bit disorienting, and the abstract, metaphorical plot may not fully satisfy readers who prefer a more straightforward narrative. The pace, while swift in some sections, can also feel a bit abstract, with a focus more on mood and theme than on a clear, linear progression.

There were a few moments where the ambiguity was more confusing than compelling, leaving me wondering if a key plot point had been missed rather than trusting the author's stylistic choice.

The sheer density of ideas and the constant demand for mental flexibility can be a bit frustrating, and at times I felt the narrative was more concerned with the philosophical journey than with the forward momentum of the story.

Ultimately, Overmorrow is a fascinating and highly original work of art. It’s a book that asks for your full attention and rewards it with a profound and magical journey. While it may not be for every reader, for those who appreciate literary fantasy and stories that challenge their perceptions, this book is well worth the journey.

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Pros:
* Highly Original and Imaginative: The core concept of "Overmorrow" and the hidden world of magical creatures is incredibly creative and well-realized.
* Beautiful and Lyrical Writing: The prose is a major strength, creating a unique, dreamlike tone that elevates the entire reading experience.
* Strong Emotional Core: The sibling relationships and Ellie's quest for her brother provide a heartfelt and resonant anchor for the story.
* Thought-Provoking Themes: The book intelligently explores complex ideas about memory, reality, and the importance of wonder.


Cons:
* Disorienting Beginning: The abstract nature of the world-building and plot can be confusing for some readers in the initial chapters, making it difficult to fully grasp the stakes.
* Pacing and Plot Ambiguity: The medium-paced, introspective nature of the narrative may not appeal to those who prefer a faster, more action-driven fantasy. At times, the plot can feel lost in its own philosophical musings, sacrificing forward momentum for thematic exploration.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book was an adventure for me to read, and I enjoyed doing so. While this book was a little confusing for me at times (and possibly a little hard for Middle Grade readers to follow, as well), I greatly appreciate the whimsy of the prose. It reminded me of the fantasy books I would read in school, which I thought was fun. Sometimes, however, I thought the prose took away from a scene, and some scenes I had to re-read in order to follow what was going on in the scene. I think this book and premise has a great amount of potential and would love to see it continued.

I rated this a 3.75 on Storygraph.

Overmorrow is a story about memories and a girl trying to get her family back after being thrust into a world where magic and evil exist. I loved the idea of this story, and the writing style is incredibly unique and interesting. At times, it flows like a dream, and at times, it thrusts you back into reality. with bold and short statements.

Unfortunately, though I liked the premise and the structure, the story itself and the prose just weren't for me. I felt confused at every turn. Information came out of nowhere, with some people being described for a long period of time, then, without warning, we were given their names and their deepest and darkest secrets. I couldn't connect to any of the characters because I just didn't understand or feel close to any of them.

I don't think this book is inherently bad, but it's definitely one that appeals to a very specific group of readers, and unfortunately, that just isn't me. But the idea intrigued me enough that I will be keeping an eye on this author and their future books.

Some quotes that caught my attention:
--Ellie sighed: he’d never tell. But she was in New York. She’d eaten Omani food and Cherokee food from the reservation, so stomach growling, she relented when they ordered a New Yorker meal.
--“I often Author stories about what it’s actually like to remember stories. Like this one, eh?”
“This one like the dog?” Ellie asked.
“No. This one.”
--Annie stirred again. “He probably will watch us the whole time and tie us down with kiddie leashes.”
The Author raised his eyebrows. “What… are… kiddie leashes?”
Ellie said, “I remember this one: kiddie leashes are dog leashes that over-protective and generally whiny parents use to treat children like dogs.”

The story is a magical, memory-bending adventure where Ellie fights to save her brother and the world from oblivion. This novel is an imaginative and heart-pounding, perfect for those who love magic, mystery, and the unexpected twists that come with unraveling the unknown. I am so happy I got to read this again.

This is a dnf only two chapters in.

I really struggled with this one. From the start, the writing style felt both confusing and overly verbose—lots of words, but not much actually being said. The sentence structure is choppy, and while the language leans advanced, it doesn’t feel accessible for the middle-grade audience it’s intended for. Instead of pulling me in, it left me questioning what was happening and where we were in the story.

The dialogue is flat, the characters didn’t grab my attention, and the constant info-dumps appeared at the most disruptive moments, making it even harder to stay engaged. At times, it almost seemed like the book was trying too hard to emulate the whimsical darkness of Neil Gaiman, but without the clarity or flow that makes his work so effective.

As a reader with ADHD, I found the lack of clear direction and challenging to follow timeline (due to too much additional information) especially frustrating. I was left feeling lost rather than immersed, and by the end of chapter two I knew this wasn’t the right book for me.

While I respect the creativity behind the concept, I think this story could benefit from some deep structural editing and a clearer narrative focus. Unfortunately, I won’t be continuing.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity.

Overmorrow is a beautifully written, imaginative story that feels both whimsical and thought-provoking. The prose is lyrical and unique, pulling me into a world that felt magical yet layered with deeper meaning. While the writing style is more abstract than most YA fantasies, I found it very memorable. A great pick for readers who enjoy poetic, rich storytelling.

I was really looking forward to Overmorrow. The premise struck me as fresh and ambitious, and I hoped to be swept into something magical and thought-provoking. Sadly, the further I read, the more my enthusiasm gave way to disappointment.

The opening had promise, with a strange and intriguing atmosphere that made me curious about where things would go. But as the chapters went on, the narrative became increasingly difficult to follow. Characters blurred together, motivations were unclear, and the world itself never fully came into focus for me. The writing, while lyrical and imaginative, often felt weighed down by heavy description that slowed the pace and left me more confused than captivated.

I reached the halfway point before deciding to step away. It’s always frustrating when a book with so much potential doesn’t quite land, especially when the ideas themselves are so inventive. I can see this resonating with readers who enjoy abstract, experimental storytelling, but it ultimately wasn’t a good fit for me.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

The cover drew me in to this story, so I had high hopes. The plot had so much potential but the writing was difficult to follow, felt very cryptic and unnecessarily complicated so I didn't understand what was happening most of the way through or who the characters were, especially at the beginning. The writing became slightly less convoluted towards the end, which made it easier to understand, but it didn't feel like it wrapped up appropriately in the end either. I would've liked to read a more concise version of the story, with the unnecessary complex descriptions and repetitions removed, because I think the story has the potential to be a much better read.

The concept of Overmorrow immediately grabbed my attention. It promised something different, magical, and full of potential. I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, the execution did not work for me.

From the beginning, the writing felt overly dense and excessively detailed. While some descriptions were beautiful, they often slowed the pacing, leaving me feeling lost at times. Even when explanations were provided, I still struggled to understand the world and keep track of the characters.

I genuinely wanted to enjoy this book, but the combination of heavy writing and confusing storytelling made it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. The idea behind the book is creative and unique, and it may appeal to other readers, but it was not the right fit for me.

This story was advertised as having strong sci-fi and magical realism vibes. Both things I enjoy very much. When I tried to figure out the story it was very confusing but when I just read it to enjoy it I loved it. It’s a trip in the best way possible. Suspend disbelief and enjoy to enjoy this book. 3.5 stars really.

Thanks NetGalley

I’ll admit the cover drew me in. This is deeply imaginative and sci-fi coded. I had a hard time following in terms of characters and general plot. The beginning felt as if we started in the middle of the story and I should have read a prequel. I applaud the author regardless, but maybe it just wasn’t for me?

Saw the author describe this novel as "a fever dream," and boy was it. The cover art and blurb from Juliet Marillier, as well as the summary blurb, are what drew me in.

While at times I did love the descriptive prose and lyrical style, it soon felt like the author was sacrificing clarity of storytelling for artsy prose. Eventually I became so lost at 35% I contemplated going back to the beginning of the book to try and figure out what exactly was happening, but then thought better of it. I already have so little free time when I'm not at my day job and catching up with a million chores around the house. Maybe if this weren't such a busy era for most of the English speaking people who still read books, this novel may have hit home.

Even though I couldn't finish it, I do, however, still believe there are people out there who this novel is meant for. At the moment, though, I am not one of them. All the continued luck for the author, don't stop writing. We need more/new stories.

This sounded interesting to me when I first read the description, but sadly the story didn't pull me in like I wanted it it to. It might be for someone else, but sadly not for me.

I actually really enjoyed the prose of this book! It was unusual and super interesting (something I usually look for) but caused a lot of confusion that unfortunately, did not seem to be solved quickly enough for a satisfying read as the book progressed. I am all for confusing the reader (often look for books that make you fill in the details as you read) but it seemed repetitive at some points which made me lose interest often and thus it took me a long time to get through this one! The story itself was reminiscent of A Wrinkle in Time or The Golden Compass and I really appreciated what it was trying to accomplish! While the story and writing style may not be for everyone, I do think that if you’re willing to give it your undivided attention to really make sense of the oftentimes heavy-handed storytelling, you will come out the other end feeling satisfied with a beautiful story! Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

Interesting premise, but overall a DNF from me. I tried 3 times to finish this book, but ultimately it was just too chaotic and I love this genre. When I got to the point that I caught a third typo and realized that I could not tell if it was on purpose or not I gave up. I love books like A Wrinkle in Time and the Chronicles of Narnia, etc. so wild and weird is not a problem for me, but this book was like being in a pinball machine with ADHD. I honestly felt at times it was written by AI. I can't recommend this one.

This book sounded like something I’d really enjoy, as I love magical realism and especially as many people were comparing it to Narnia. However, I just couldn’t get into it; when I was in the mood to read, I could only get through a few pages before putting it down again. Might pick this up another time because the writing genuinely was beautiful and I did like the premise, just wasn’t the right time for me to pick this up, I think.

ARC provided for free through NetGalley

Overmorrow by Lancelot Schaubert

4 stars: A thoughtprovoking and philosophical dreamlike journey.

Overmorrow to me felt like a dream you can almost remember when you wake up. Everything is possible still and nothing entirely fixed. Reading it is almost like existing in a liminal space, familiar yet uncanny.

Schaubert’s writing carried a dreamlike quality, making the story feel both ephemeral and urgent, but also like it exists just out of your reach. Underneath all the surrealistic qualities, the novel actually wrestles with rather serious topics like memory and identity and how those relate to eachother. These are not the themes I expected from a young adult urban fantasy. Still, that is part of what gave the book an emotional resonance for me that lingered long after I read the final page.

Let me be clear, this is a book that will not suit every reader, but I am convinced it can have it’s audience. It’s abstract and contemplative and quit wonderful, but that may not be suited to people looking for a clear plot or adventure or more conventional tropes. For people who are willing to read along it’s rhythm, I think Overmorrow offers a memorable experience. To me, a story that invited reflection as much as it entertained.

This is a book that will not suit every reader. Its abstract, contemplative style may frustrate those looking for clear-cut plots or conventional fantasy tropes. But for those willing to surrender to its rhythm, Overmorrow offers an experience that is haunting, provocative, and deeply memorable—a story that invites reflection as much as it entertains.

Overmorrow tells the story of Ellie and her two younger siblings-Levi and Annie- on their journey through New York and the magical place of Overmorrow to find their missing older brother, Charlie. While on the quest to find their brother they learn someone has been stealing the magic rains, and they believe the person involved is also behind Charlie's disappearance.

The influence of fantasy stories like the Chronicles of Narnia and The Never Ending Story are clear, as well as the author’s passion for this story. However, from the first page I found the story difficult to follow, and even in this edited version I found a lack of explanation left the reader wanting. It was hard to track the character’s thought processes and how they reached certain conclusions based off conversations with other characters—particularly when conversations were often filled with dialogue that wasn’t serving the story telling and left the work feeling a bit disjointed.
This work clearly has passion behind it and I would be interested to read the other works of this author, but I don’t believe I’m the target audience for this work.

Thank you to Lancelot Schaubert, Net Galley and Vale Publishing for this eARC!