*4.5 Stars*

This was a great middle grade fantasy. I've read quite a lot by now and this felt wholly original. I had a great time and I kept being surprised. I honestly didn't see any of the twists coming. I really liked the school and the vibes and the main character. It was such a fast read but it packed in a lot, the characters were quite layered and the plot kept me on my toes. I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel. I cannot wait to see what's in store for Vanya. Simply put, this was an incredible middle grade book.

I liked the text version of this novel very much, but the audio was more fun. The narrator does a great job with multiple voices, and the talking books are much funnier this way. I think Vanya and the Wild Hunt will be a great addition to the magical boarding school genre and should be popular with students searching for more fantasy reads.

This middle grade fantasy is packed with magic, imagination, and heart. Filled with loveable characters and vivid world building, I absolutely adored this.

What to Expect:
~ ADHD representation
~ magic school
~ magical familiars & talking books
~ an unexpected plot twist

Overall, a story of identity, self-acceptance, friendship, and family. Throughout the book, Vanya describes a feeling of otherness when it comes to her being both British and Indian. She doesn't feel like she quite belongs in either category, a feeling I am sure many children can relate to. I loved the discussions surrounding Vanya's ADHD and the normalizing of conversations around all spectrums of neurodivergence. It was honest, heartfelt, and done in a way that felt natural to the story. And what a treat to see therapy positively represented.

This was a great start to a new series. I really enjoyed the blending of both British and Indian folklore. The audiobook was amazing. Safiyya Ingar did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. And the music between the chapters was a fun addition. I am eagerly waiting for the next book to come.

Vanya and the Wild Hunt is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Amari and the Night Brothers, and Nevermoor.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Macmillan Young Listeners for the gifted copy of this book!

Sangu Mandanna is such a talented author!! While this is a middle grade novel, I was totally engaged in this book and absolutely loved it. VANYA is inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, as 11-year-old Vanya Vallen discovers that she can talk to books (and they talk back!) and that the monsters in fairytales are real. This was filled with vivid magical imagery and adventure, takes place partly at a MAGICAL SCHOOL(!!!!) and was the perfect length to remain exciting and captivating. Vanya also has ADHD, and I loved seeing a neurodivergent heroine represented in a middle grade read!

Middle grade audiobooks ALWAYS eat bro. Vanya was such a fun character. Heck, every character was a fun character. The narrator did a phenomenal job and telling the story. The author did such a great job at making the story whimsical and lighthearted and dark all at the same time. I will definitely be reading the next book becuase this was so intriguing and the world building was done so well. I know this book isn’t out yet but yall are sleeping on it

A great start to a promising middle grade fantasy. I found the story fast pacing and I really enjoyed how it incorporates elements of a coming of age story (i.e. realizing that having ADHD isn't a flaw/make you an outsider, making friends, and discovering your strengths) along with a magical world that has magical books that talk back to you, creatures from folklore are present, and a really cool magical system. I loved the nuanced depiction of neurodivergence and the diverse cast of characters. I will definitely be continuing this series to see what other adventures Vanya and crew go on.

The narrator of the book did a fantastic job in capturing Vanya's emotions and self growth along with the various folklore creatures that are presented in the story. I also really enjoyed the music interlude at the beginning of each chapter. It elevated my excitement to start a new chapter in the story and upped the suspense.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Roaring Book Press/Macmillan for an advanced copy of the book.

Vanya and the Wild Hunt is a really fun middle grade fantasy novel for fans of magical schools. Vanya has multiple struggles in her small English town - being British-Indian in a mostly white population, dealing with ADHD, and the fact that the books in her house talk to her. After a monster attacks her family, Vanya finds out magic exists, and she goes off to attend the magical academy of Auramere. This story took some unexpected turns, and Vanya was a delightful heroine. I hope Mandanna as plans to continue her adventures! Safiyya Ingar performed the audiobook narration admirably. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for an audiobook review copy.

This book is excellent. It is filled with adventure, imagination and amazing characters. The story grabbed my attention from the beginning and I felt immersed in an incredible world. I am excited to introduce others to this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sangu Mandanna, and Macmillan Audio for allowing me access to the e-arc.

The audio for this book is so good. Safiyya Ingar did an incredible job at bringing the cast of characters’ voices to life. I hope they are doing the entire series. I also enjoyed the added effect of the music in between the chapters.

Wow! I knew that I was going to enjoy this book, but I was not expecting to love it. It gives me similar magical vibes of Amari and the Night Brothers and Harry Potter. I felt like the discussions on ADHD were well done. I liked the way it was broken down for younger readers to understand. The importance of knowing that it’s okay to be different. There is power in understanding how you learn and process information.

I can’t wait to continue the series! I would highly recommend this book and audiobook!