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Vanya and the Wild Hunt
Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor in this enchanting middle grade fantasy, inspired by Indian mythology and British folklore, about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures.
Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.
Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.
When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she’s whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.
Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there’s no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she’s ever truly belonged.
From the critically-acclaimed author of the Kiki Kallira series and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes an action-packed and magical middle grade fantasy, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan.
Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.
Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.
When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she’s whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.
Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there’s no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she’s ever truly belonged.
From the critically-acclaimed author of the Kiki Kallira series and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes an action-packed and magical middle grade fantasy, perfect for fans of J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2025
74 people are currently reading
9136 people want to read
About the author
Sangu Mandanna
20 books7,678 followersSangu Mandanna was four years old when an elephant chased her down a forest road and she decided to write her first story about it. Seventeen years and many, many manuscripts later, she signed her first book deal. Sangu now lives in Norwich, a city in the east of England, with her husband and kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
March 27, 2025
4.5 Stars
One Liner: Love the setting… but the book ends on a cliffhanger!
Eleven-year-old Vanya lives with her parents above their bookshop. As a British Indian with ADHD and an ability to converse with books, Vanya knows she cannot fit in at school or anywhere else.
However, when her family is attacked by a monster, Vanya finds out she has special powers like her parents. She is sent to Auramere, a magical academy for training kids like her. But with The Wild Hunt on the prowl and mounting danger, Vanya has to find the master and stop the monsters before they destroy everything she holds dear.
The story comes in Vanya’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I’ve read the author’s adult fiction, but this is my first MG book by her.
Though the MC is a British Indian, her Indian identity is limited to skin color since she was born and brought up in Norwich. This plays an interesting role in her character arc (those one-liners are funny). On a side note, the illustrations make her look very much Indian (which I love).
Vanya’s (Lavanya is a lovely name!) voice is quite authentic and a combination of sass, vulnerability, wonder, fear, curiosity, and recklessness. Yeah, she is stubborn too, but it is necessary. Her ADHD is presented well alongside the insecurities it creates. All in all, we have a great narrator who can make us laugh and roll our eyes in the same paragraph. Her hair… my god! The long and thick braid reminded me of mine when I was the same age. Now? Don’t even ask! I’m grateful to have some hair left on my head.
The author blends various folklore narratives and uses mythical creatures from different cultures. The more knowledge you have about these, the greater your enjoyment. I enjoyed this salad bowl since I knew many of them (including the ones from Hindu Puranas).
The setting of Auramere is terrific. It has the potential to sustain a series (at least a trilogy). Heck, I hoped it would be a series until I realized (too late) that it is one. Moreover, the book ends on a cliffhanger! It would have been nice to know this in advance. I prefer starting a book with the right expectations. Wonder why there’s no mention of the series on Amazon, Goodreads, or NetGalley?
The pacing is slow in the first 35% but picks up momentum and sustains it afterward. This works to establish the plot and the characters. The sprinkling of B&W pencil illustrations adds a nice visual touch. The illustrations are wonderful. Apart from Vanya’s hair, my favorite is that of Reya. It was just wow!
The side characters are cool – diverse and inclusive. Some stand out more than others (not uncommon). The parents and adults do have a role, though limited in some instances. Given the genre, you can expect kids to get into trouble by rebelling or doing things that put them in harm’s way.
I love the nicknames Vanya’s dad uses. He rarely repeats the same thing! At one point, he calls her 'little Aardvark' and my desi brain read it as adrak (ginger), lol. Not the same at all!
To summarize, Vanya and the Wild Hunt is an exciting and adventurous story with elaborate world-building and interesting characters. What with the cliffhanger, I can’t wait for the next installment and hope to get the ARC whenever it is available!
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #VanyaAndTheWildHunt
***
Oh, the flowers on Nilgris that bloom once every twelve years are called Neelakurinji. This is how they look. Beautiful, right?
One Liner: Love the setting… but the book ends on a cliffhanger!
Eleven-year-old Vanya lives with her parents above their bookshop. As a British Indian with ADHD and an ability to converse with books, Vanya knows she cannot fit in at school or anywhere else.
However, when her family is attacked by a monster, Vanya finds out she has special powers like her parents. She is sent to Auramere, a magical academy for training kids like her. But with The Wild Hunt on the prowl and mounting danger, Vanya has to find the master and stop the monsters before they destroy everything she holds dear.
The story comes in Vanya’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
I’ve read the author’s adult fiction, but this is my first MG book by her.
Though the MC is a British Indian, her Indian identity is limited to skin color since she was born and brought up in Norwich. This plays an interesting role in her character arc (those one-liners are funny). On a side note, the illustrations make her look very much Indian (which I love).
Vanya’s (Lavanya is a lovely name!) voice is quite authentic and a combination of sass, vulnerability, wonder, fear, curiosity, and recklessness. Yeah, she is stubborn too, but it is necessary. Her ADHD is presented well alongside the insecurities it creates. All in all, we have a great narrator who can make us laugh and roll our eyes in the same paragraph. Her hair… my god! The long and thick braid reminded me of mine when I was the same age. Now? Don’t even ask! I’m grateful to have some hair left on my head.
The author blends various folklore narratives and uses mythical creatures from different cultures. The more knowledge you have about these, the greater your enjoyment. I enjoyed this salad bowl since I knew many of them (including the ones from Hindu Puranas).
The setting of Auramere is terrific. It has the potential to sustain a series (at least a trilogy). Heck, I hoped it would be a series until I realized (too late) that it is one. Moreover, the book ends on a cliffhanger! It would have been nice to know this in advance. I prefer starting a book with the right expectations. Wonder why there’s no mention of the series on Amazon, Goodreads, or NetGalley?
The pacing is slow in the first 35% but picks up momentum and sustains it afterward. This works to establish the plot and the characters. The sprinkling of B&W pencil illustrations adds a nice visual touch. The illustrations are wonderful. Apart from Vanya’s hair, my favorite is that of Reya. It was just wow!
The side characters are cool – diverse and inclusive. Some stand out more than others (not uncommon). The parents and adults do have a role, though limited in some instances. Given the genre, you can expect kids to get into trouble by rebelling or doing things that put them in harm’s way.
I love the nicknames Vanya’s dad uses. He rarely repeats the same thing! At one point, he calls her 'little Aardvark' and my desi brain read it as adrak (ginger), lol. Not the same at all!
To summarize, Vanya and the Wild Hunt is an exciting and adventurous story with elaborate world-building and interesting characters. What with the cliffhanger, I can’t wait for the next installment and hope to get the ARC whenever it is available!
Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #VanyaAndTheWildHunt
***
Oh, the flowers on Nilgris that bloom once every twelve years are called Neelakurinji. This is how they look. Beautiful, right?
March 25, 2025
This was cute, if a bit boring at times. I felt it hard to connect emotionally to the story, like I was listening to someone tell me about the events happening rather than feeling the characters experience them but I'll admit that could just be a me thing.
Loved the world-building and the rep. It really was done well.
I'd recommend this to my younger siblings and people that really love MG, but maybe not to a kid that's struggling to get into reading.
Loved the world-building and the rep. It really was done well.
I'd recommend this to my younger siblings and people that really love MG, but maybe not to a kid that's struggling to get into reading.
August 5, 2025
Me when the plot starts picking up, and I’m at the edge of my seat, and then the book ends on a cliffhanger: •_•
January 29, 2025
Vanya and the Wild Hunt is middle grade fantasy excellence. It’s action packed and brimming with imagination, adventure and heart.
Its cast of characters were intensely lovable, the world building vivid and easy to understand and the story itself instantly captured my attention.
I absolutely adored the discussions around Vanya’s ADHD. They were heartfelt and honest, whilst wonderfully normalising conversations around neurodivergence. It was also such a joy to see therapy being positively represented! I also thought Vanya’s internal monologue surrounding as being British with Indian parents and the feelings of otherness that caused were really great to read.
Overall, this is a story of self acceptance, identity, magic, friendship, family and adventure. It’s a superb series opener and I’m already eagerly awaiting book two (and internally crushed that I have to wait a year to get it!)
What to expect:
• magic school
• animal familiars
• talking books
• magical gadgets
• secret worlds
• epic plot twists
• adhd and british indian rep (fmc)
• autistic rep (side character)
• lgbtqia+ rep (side characters)
Its cast of characters were intensely lovable, the world building vivid and easy to understand and the story itself instantly captured my attention.
I absolutely adored the discussions around Vanya’s ADHD. They were heartfelt and honest, whilst wonderfully normalising conversations around neurodivergence. It was also such a joy to see therapy being positively represented! I also thought Vanya’s internal monologue surrounding as being British with Indian parents and the feelings of otherness that caused were really great to read.
Overall, this is a story of self acceptance, identity, magic, friendship, family and adventure. It’s a superb series opener and I’m already eagerly awaiting book two (and internally crushed that I have to wait a year to get it!)
What to expect:
• magic school
• animal familiars
• talking books
• magical gadgets
• secret worlds
• epic plot twists
• adhd and british indian rep (fmc)
• autistic rep (side character)
• lgbtqia+ rep (side characters)
June 28, 2025
Interesting, well written start to (hopefully) a new series, by one of my favourite authors.
3.25/5 ⭐
3.25/5 ⭐
July 29, 2025
I loved everything about this book - the amazing enchanted world, the equal parts amazing and exasperating protagonist (La)Vanya and the nonstop action that drives the plot. It was a complete adventure that I now know spills over into the next book with this one ending on a cliffhanger.
Vanya is a British-Indian 11 yo living in Norwich. She's neurodivergent and has been diagnosed with ADHD and she's never felt like she fits in at school or among other kids. She's anxious to be liked and so hides the parts of herself that she feels are different. She's able to be herself only in the bookshop her parents own where the books talk to her and she talks back. Her parents are also hiding something about their past lives from her, something she knows because her mother is always overprotective and there is a white mongoose hovering around their flat. Her world implodes the day a monster attacks her family and she is sent away to the land with the enchanted library, Auramere where she will be safe from the Old ones, all those creatures assumed to be mythical. She discovers along with friendship and a sense of belonging, that monsters are everywhere.
I thought Vanya was written really well. She's smart, curious and loyal but also impulsive and impatient. Her stay in Auramere where she learns to be herself are filled with fantastic experiences. She behaved just like a typical 11 yo in many ways, stubbornly refusing to be left out of anything and wanting to be a part of the action but also unsure of her own abilities to make a difference.The Old ones are based on myths from several regions including of course India and I knew many of them and enjoyed the way they have been included in the story. The worldbuilding was excellent with so many wonderful characters and a solid mystery involving the identity of the old one known as the Wild Hunt. Auramere being set in the Nilgiri mountains was a delight.
The magical creatures and familiars that included a haughty patrallaka or flying stag and a very self-confident goose among others were so much fun. The illustrations that pepper the book were amazing especially for the way Vanya has been drawn with her thick braid and very Indian features. They definitely enhance the story.
It was a read full of fun and spirit and emotions, not to mention suspense, and I can't wait for the sequel to come out so I can meet Vanya again!
Vanya is a British-Indian 11 yo living in Norwich. She's neurodivergent and has been diagnosed with ADHD and she's never felt like she fits in at school or among other kids. She's anxious to be liked and so hides the parts of herself that she feels are different. She's able to be herself only in the bookshop her parents own where the books talk to her and she talks back. Her parents are also hiding something about their past lives from her, something she knows because her mother is always overprotective and there is a white mongoose hovering around their flat. Her world implodes the day a monster attacks her family and she is sent away to the land with the enchanted library, Auramere where she will be safe from the Old ones, all those creatures assumed to be mythical. She discovers along with friendship and a sense of belonging, that monsters are everywhere.
I thought Vanya was written really well. She's smart, curious and loyal but also impulsive and impatient. Her stay in Auramere where she learns to be herself are filled with fantastic experiences. She behaved just like a typical 11 yo in many ways, stubbornly refusing to be left out of anything and wanting to be a part of the action but also unsure of her own abilities to make a difference.The Old ones are based on myths from several regions including of course India and I knew many of them and enjoyed the way they have been included in the story. The worldbuilding was excellent with so many wonderful characters and a solid mystery involving the identity of the old one known as the Wild Hunt. Auramere being set in the Nilgiri mountains was a delight.
The magical creatures and familiars that included a haughty patrallaka or flying stag and a very self-confident goose among others were so much fun. The illustrations that pepper the book were amazing especially for the way Vanya has been drawn with her thick braid and very Indian features. They definitely enhance the story.
It was a read full of fun and spirit and emotions, not to mention suspense, and I can't wait for the sequel to come out so I can meet Vanya again!
March 6, 2025
4.5
“Vanya, you’re allowed to be yourself…. No one is as different or as alone as they think.”
This middle grade book’s blurb says it’s for fans of the Nevermoor series and Amari and the Night Brothers, both of which I adore. And it’s by Sangu Mandanna, who wrote my go-to comfort read that I come back to over and over. This is all to say that I had high expectations coming into the book, and it definitely delivered!
We have a neurodivergent protagonist who struggles to be kind to herself and worries about fitting in, an inclusive magical school that has normalized the teaching of social/emotional skills, so many valuable lessons like consent and self-acceptance… oh, and there are talking books! This has all of the whimsy of your favorite magical school novels, with excellent life lessons and diverse characters. There is action and adventure, there is powerful discussion and self-reflection, and there is magical whimsy aplenty.
This will be part of a series, though I’m not sure how many books will eventually be in it. What I do know is that I’m invested and I’ll be reading as many of them as she writes! My original rating was 4 stars, but I bumped it up a half star because it made me cry twice 😭😍
I listened to the audio for this one, performed by Safiyya Ingar, and it was so lovely. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio edition!
March 12, 2025
2025 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): South Asian
My heart burst when I realized that the school was located in Tamil Nadu. What a delight. Read via audio (narrated by Safiyya Ingar).
My heart burst when I realized that the school was located in Tamil Nadu. What a delight. Read via audio (narrated by Safiyya Ingar).
August 2, 2025
God, I love middle grade fantasy. It’s always such a wholesome, fun experience. I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of how I felt reading (trigger warning) Harry Potter, with the main character, Vanya, discovering all the fun and cool things at her new school. What I enjoyed most about this book was reading about Vanya’s experience with ADHD. The specific things she struggles with (such as sensory issues, losing interest with things after being obsessed with them, etc.) gave me a better understanding of how the disorder can be, and I felt a little seen (don’t know what that says about me). All of the relationships in this book were also really cute. And I adored the animals! What a good time. I’ll be recommending this to a bunch of kiddos.
February 12, 2025
I'm kind of obsessed with this. I loved Vanya and Auramere and all the side characters. I think Vanya and the Wild Hunt is just a perfect magical school book, and I am very excited for future books! Also I absolutely need to preorder a copy so I can see all the art in its finished glory.
March 2, 2025
An enjoyable, fast paced story of a girl with magical powers.
It's obviously got a lot in common with the Harry Potter series of books simply by featuring a magical school, but Vanya is a girl from an Indian background with a ADHD diagnosis to deal with. There are a lot of similarities, but Vanya and the Wild Hunt does manage have key differences in the way magic is carried out, the relationship with animal familiars, and the diversity of characters.
I did feel that this was a little too fast paced at times, it would have been good to occasionally slow the action a little to let the characters develop more, but there is a lot of action packed into this.
I also struggled a little with the representation in this feeling very forced at times. While I'm certainly not against the inclusion of a diverse cast of characters it did feel a bit over done at times, more of an exercise in ensuring different characters were included than a natural part of the storyline.
My biggest issue with this though was Vanya's ADHD. I loved the inclusion of this in a main character, and the way many of her ADHD traits were explained and dealt with, but I just felt that this seemed to be completely ignored at some points of the story.
Apart from the few negatives, overall this was a fun, fast paced story. A bit dark at times but a good, fun children's story.
It's obviously got a lot in common with the Harry Potter series of books simply by featuring a magical school, but Vanya is a girl from an Indian background with a ADHD diagnosis to deal with. There are a lot of similarities, but Vanya and the Wild Hunt does manage have key differences in the way magic is carried out, the relationship with animal familiars, and the diversity of characters.
I did feel that this was a little too fast paced at times, it would have been good to occasionally slow the action a little to let the characters develop more, but there is a lot of action packed into this.
I also struggled a little with the representation in this feeling very forced at times. While I'm certainly not against the inclusion of a diverse cast of characters it did feel a bit over done at times, more of an exercise in ensuring different characters were included than a natural part of the storyline.
My biggest issue with this though was Vanya's ADHD. I loved the inclusion of this in a main character, and the way many of her ADHD traits were explained and dealt with, but I just felt that this seemed to be completely ignored at some points of the story.
Apart from the few negatives, overall this was a fun, fast paced story. A bit dark at times but a good, fun children's story.
February 8, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this novel. Vanya and the Wild Hunt will definitely be entering the “too read” list for both of my children. Apart from being just a delightful fantasy novel that deals in world myths and fantastic creatures, the depiction of ADHD and general existence as an adolescent just trying to fit in at school was excellent. I loved how kind, independent, and brave Vanya was. And the adults in her life generally work very hard to help Vanya understand her life and the world around her. Unlike some young readers stories of the past, the adults don’t ignore or dismiss the concerns and questions of the children. Plus, talking animal companions, sentient mounts, and general magic school shenanigans really make this story a hit. I hope we’ll be getting many more tales from Auramere in the future!
September 2, 2025
4.25 stars. A whimsical good read!
June 24, 2025
This was such an amazing story! Vanya was such a fearless Mc and her coming to terms with her ADHD was really heartwarming as well. I definitely want to see where the story goes after that plot twist at the end.
Also I think Sangu Mandanna is becoming an autobuy author for me.
Also I think Sangu Mandanna is becoming an autobuy author for me.
October 16, 2025
The main character is a young 11 year old girl who is sent on an adventure to a new world she's never heard of. Vanya has ADHD, and that is somwthing that she talks about throughout the book and it specifically points out different traits that she has because of her ADHD, most notably sensory issues, struggles concentrating, and a need for newness and not being able to pace herself when finding a new interest.
I listened to the audiobook through Libby after Mommacusses mentioned it on her podcast bibliophage and she sold it as Harry Potter with diverse characters and no guilt because you're not supporting a transphobe, and she was so right. I loved every minute of this book and I can't recommend it enough.
I listened to the audiobook through Libby after Mommacusses mentioned it on her podcast bibliophage and she sold it as Harry Potter with diverse characters and no guilt because you're not supporting a transphobe, and she was so right. I loved every minute of this book and I can't recommend it enough.
December 19, 2025
4.5☆
𝒊 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
⟡
This is just a fantastic kids book (but definitely one for all ages) that is magical and full of adventure and warmth
This story has the perfect balance, it dives right in and it's action packed from start to finish without being overwhelming, the world building is vivid and vast but easy to digest and keeps you fully immersed. I always love a story where you learn about the world as the main character does
The characters are so lovable. They gave me The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes, unique and fun but also loving and supportive. I loved Jasper and Roman especially and I hope Ben and Penny are fleshed out a bit more in the future.
Vanya is such a great main character to follow and the discussions around her neurodivergence (ADHD) was done so beautifully. The therapy she did was represented so well and was interesting to see through the eyes of an 11 year old. I feel like Sangu has this innate understanding and appreciation of children that I love to see here and in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Vanya feeling so different and masking all the time touched my own inner child and seeing the encouragement she got to be herself was heartwarming. I also appreciate that Vanya's ADHD and Ben's autism and neurodivergence as a whole are all named, there's no vague "sort of" rep that a lot of fantasy books tend to do. I truly recommend this to anyone who has an ND kid or was a struggling ND kid
This story is just filled to the brim with themes of self discovery and acceptance, magic, friendship and family and adventure. It is a very uplifting read and I was engaged the entire time, I can't wait for the next book!
𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔:
🪿magic boarding school
✨animal familiars
🪿the illustrations
✨talking books
🪿ND rep
✨LGBT rep
🪿major Harry Potter vibes
✨unraveling family secrets
🪿folklore
✨portal doors
𝒊 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
⟡
This is just a fantastic kids book (but definitely one for all ages) that is magical and full of adventure and warmth
This story has the perfect balance, it dives right in and it's action packed from start to finish without being overwhelming, the world building is vivid and vast but easy to digest and keeps you fully immersed. I always love a story where you learn about the world as the main character does
The characters are so lovable. They gave me The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes, unique and fun but also loving and supportive. I loved Jasper and Roman especially and I hope Ben and Penny are fleshed out a bit more in the future.
Vanya is such a great main character to follow and the discussions around her neurodivergence (ADHD) was done so beautifully. The therapy she did was represented so well and was interesting to see through the eyes of an 11 year old. I feel like Sangu has this innate understanding and appreciation of children that I love to see here and in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Vanya feeling so different and masking all the time touched my own inner child and seeing the encouragement she got to be herself was heartwarming. I also appreciate that Vanya's ADHD and Ben's autism and neurodivergence as a whole are all named, there's no vague "sort of" rep that a lot of fantasy books tend to do. I truly recommend this to anyone who has an ND kid or was a struggling ND kid
This story is just filled to the brim with themes of self discovery and acceptance, magic, friendship and family and adventure. It is a very uplifting read and I was engaged the entire time, I can't wait for the next book!
𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔:
🪿magic boarding school
✨animal familiars
🪿the illustrations
✨talking books
🪿ND rep
✨LGBT rep
🪿major Harry Potter vibes
✨unraveling family secrets
🪿folklore
✨portal doors
May 22, 2025
This was everything and more that I wanted in a MG novel. This is an exciting adventure made even better by the fact that this is the first in the series and that this ended in a cliffhanger.The characters are well thought out and plotted and they are very diverse, with the main character being British/Indian. I liked how the main character sufferers from ADHD and this is mentioned throughout the book. The author doesn't shy away from showing the reader what it's really like to live with ADHD. I really like the world the author had created and I ended up wishing I lived there.But what I liked most of all was the fact that books could talk, that they had personalities. And of course Vanya's familiar was awesome.Overall this is going to be a wonderful edition to any library and I can't wait for the next book.
March 1, 2025
*4.5 Stars*
I was provided an audio ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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 was provided an audio ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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.
July 12, 2025
I am obsessed with Vanya and her world, and cannot wait to read more of her adventures. And what a rich magical world it is! I love a magical school for children. I love that this magical world is rich with diverse characters with diverse brains, languages, and cultures. I will be sharing this book with all the middle grade children I know, anyone who enjoys middle grade fiction.
February 10, 2025
This book was SO good!!!! I enjoyed every minute of reading it. Perfect for lovers of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Harry Potter, Amari and the Night Brothers, and Nevermoor.
May 31, 2025
This was a lovely book that included folklore from several different cultures. It begins with the introduction of Vanya who can communicate with books (as they speak to her). She finds out that both her parents are magical beings when they are attacked by an "old one" (mythical being).
June 2, 2025
Some parts felt more rushed than I'd like, but I appreciate the short accessible length and Vanya absolutely rocks.
September 6, 2025
YA fare, but too good to only let young adults read. Can hardly wait for the next installment.
August 6, 2025
I think there was more potential in the story for emotional connection than was executed. But a cute adventure story still!
June 17, 2025
promising start though fell short at the end.
began to fill less like a children’s book and more of YA stereotypes in a children’s book.
began to fill less like a children’s book and more of YA stereotypes in a children’s book.
April 29, 2025
When I think back on Vanya and the Wild Hunt, it feels like the book met me right where I am: a little unsure, a little too much for the world around me, but still reminding myself that I belong somewhere. Blending Indian mythology and British folklore, the story follows Vanya Vallen, a girl who hears books whispering and lives quietly above her family’s bookshop — until her life is torn apart when a monster called the Gildencroft Bogey attacks. Suddenly, Vanya is thrown into the truth about her heritage as an "archling," a child capable of magic, and decides if she should stay hidden or step into a future that could bring so many possibilities.
Part of the story is also about books — and that made it even more special for me. Vanya grows up in a bookshop surrounded by magical books that whisper, warn, and comfort her. These talking books are the first clues that she’s different — that she belongs to a magical world others can’t see. Later, the magical Archive of the Arcane (called Auramere) becomes an important place where Vanya learns about herself and her magic.
The two major themes that stood out to me were belonging and acceptance of difference. Vanya spends much of her life trying to act "normal," shrinking herself down to fit in at school and even with her own parents. But the world she belongs to, a world of talking books, magical libraries, and fierce old monsters, actually needs her to be exactly who she is. I think Sangu Mandanna is showing that what we sometimes think is "too much" can actually be what makes us extraordinary. Another important theme is courage in vulnerability. Vanya’s strength doesn’t come from being fearless, but from being scared but choosing to move forward anyway.
Reading this book taught me two important things. First, it reminded me that children (and adults) need spaces where they don’t have to "perform" normality to be accepted. I would use this book in a classroom to start conversations about neurodivergence, because Vanya’s ADHD isn’t treated like something shameful; it’s just another part of who she is. One of the other students at Auramere also has autism, and I loved how he was portrayed as being very perceptive and valuable. Mandanna explains ADHD and autism through these two characters in a way that kids can understand (and honestly, that a lot of adults could benefit from, too). As a psychology major, I definitely learned something. ;)
Second, the book showed me how children’s literature can tackle complicated ideas like betrayal, grief, and fear without overwhelming the reader. I’d use Vanya and the Wild Hunt to open discussions about dealing with strong emotions and about finding your own path through hardship.
In terms of writing style, a major craft choice was voice. Vanya’s narration is funny and honest, and that relatability can be soothing for many. Another craft element Mandanna uses is foreshadowing. From the very first chapter, when the books whisper "trouble" and "danger," the story hints at something bigger, like the Bogey’s attack. Lastly, I loved the symbolism throughout the book. The magical books symbolize knowledge, memory, and hidden truths. In fact, they aren’t just props; they show how Vanya connects both to the past and to her future.
This story is also thoughtful about bias. Vanya’s family is biracial (Indian heritage on her mother’s side), and the book treats this naturally, not like a “diversity checklist” but like a real, lived experience. Vanya’s ADHD is depicted with care, too. It’s not written so she can “fix” it; it’s just a part of who she is. Plus, Mandanna doesn’t rely only on Western mythology; she weaves Indian, Irish, Latin American, and other folklore traditions into the story, which is rare in fantasy books.
This was a WOW book for me because it felt like Sangu Mandanna wrote it for kids (and adults) like me: people who have never fit neatly into boxes, and who daydream too much. I don’t have ADHD, but I do have anxiety, and sometimes it makes me feel like I don’t have a seat in the world. Vanya’s voice was funny and real. Her doubts, her many questions are relatable to anyone. When I finished the book, I honestly felt a little sad. The descriptions of the world were explosive and so unique. Things like the Wandering Sea that came and went to visit its grandma. The books that fall into the water but don’t damage themselves. How duplicates of books cannot be together because they will brawl. I wasn’t ready to leave her world yet. It’s a soothing feeling, getting to connect with a part of yourself you once thought needed to be disconnected from your life.
Part of the story is also about books — and that made it even more special for me. Vanya grows up in a bookshop surrounded by magical books that whisper, warn, and comfort her. These talking books are the first clues that she’s different — that she belongs to a magical world others can’t see. Later, the magical Archive of the Arcane (called Auramere) becomes an important place where Vanya learns about herself and her magic.
The two major themes that stood out to me were belonging and acceptance of difference. Vanya spends much of her life trying to act "normal," shrinking herself down to fit in at school and even with her own parents. But the world she belongs to, a world of talking books, magical libraries, and fierce old monsters, actually needs her to be exactly who she is. I think Sangu Mandanna is showing that what we sometimes think is "too much" can actually be what makes us extraordinary. Another important theme is courage in vulnerability. Vanya’s strength doesn’t come from being fearless, but from being scared but choosing to move forward anyway.
Reading this book taught me two important things. First, it reminded me that children (and adults) need spaces where they don’t have to "perform" normality to be accepted. I would use this book in a classroom to start conversations about neurodivergence, because Vanya’s ADHD isn’t treated like something shameful; it’s just another part of who she is. One of the other students at Auramere also has autism, and I loved how he was portrayed as being very perceptive and valuable. Mandanna explains ADHD and autism through these two characters in a way that kids can understand (and honestly, that a lot of adults could benefit from, too). As a psychology major, I definitely learned something. ;)
Second, the book showed me how children’s literature can tackle complicated ideas like betrayal, grief, and fear without overwhelming the reader. I’d use Vanya and the Wild Hunt to open discussions about dealing with strong emotions and about finding your own path through hardship.
In terms of writing style, a major craft choice was voice. Vanya’s narration is funny and honest, and that relatability can be soothing for many. Another craft element Mandanna uses is foreshadowing. From the very first chapter, when the books whisper "trouble" and "danger," the story hints at something bigger, like the Bogey’s attack. Lastly, I loved the symbolism throughout the book. The magical books symbolize knowledge, memory, and hidden truths. In fact, they aren’t just props; they show how Vanya connects both to the past and to her future.
This story is also thoughtful about bias. Vanya’s family is biracial (Indian heritage on her mother’s side), and the book treats this naturally, not like a “diversity checklist” but like a real, lived experience. Vanya’s ADHD is depicted with care, too. It’s not written so she can “fix” it; it’s just a part of who she is. Plus, Mandanna doesn’t rely only on Western mythology; she weaves Indian, Irish, Latin American, and other folklore traditions into the story, which is rare in fantasy books.
This was a WOW book for me because it felt like Sangu Mandanna wrote it for kids (and adults) like me: people who have never fit neatly into boxes, and who daydream too much. I don’t have ADHD, but I do have anxiety, and sometimes it makes me feel like I don’t have a seat in the world. Vanya’s voice was funny and real. Her doubts, her many questions are relatable to anyone. When I finished the book, I honestly felt a little sad. The descriptions of the world were explosive and so unique. Things like the Wandering Sea that came and went to visit its grandma. The books that fall into the water but don’t damage themselves. How duplicates of books cannot be together because they will brawl. I wasn’t ready to leave her world yet. It’s a soothing feeling, getting to connect with a part of yourself you once thought needed to be disconnected from your life.
March 10, 2025
Created a magical little world and ended too soon!
April 25, 2025
Vanya and the Wild Hunt
By Sangu Mandanna
Narrated by Safiyya Ingar
4.5 ⭐️
I thought this was a solid middle grade - maybe on the lower end of the age group - option to reach for when looking for a an 11ish old that gets thrusted into a magical adventure they didn’t see coming. I loved the neurodiversity rep. I know I would have handled so many situations differently if I had realized others were similar to me. The folklore, humor, and general diversity rep are all great. The audiobook was well done and kept the reader invested in Vanya’s journey. This story touches on so many coming of age concepts and tastefully opens doors for possible conversations with adults. I really liked this and plan to have it on our shelves for me soon to be middle grade reader.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sangu Mandanna, and Macmillan audio for this audiobook ARC.
By Sangu Mandanna
Narrated by Safiyya Ingar
4.5 ⭐️
I thought this was a solid middle grade - maybe on the lower end of the age group - option to reach for when looking for a an 11ish old that gets thrusted into a magical adventure they didn’t see coming. I loved the neurodiversity rep. I know I would have handled so many situations differently if I had realized others were similar to me. The folklore, humor, and general diversity rep are all great. The audiobook was well done and kept the reader invested in Vanya’s journey. This story touches on so many coming of age concepts and tastefully opens doors for possible conversations with adults. I really liked this and plan to have it on our shelves for me soon to be middle grade reader.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sangu Mandanna, and Macmillan audio for this audiobook ARC.
November 6, 2025
Read aloud to my 8 year old; rating from that perspective.
The opening is really great - sets up a world, characters, surprises, menace. After being wowed by Jupiter Nettle, I was ready to settle in for another great read. But then we hit a massive wall of info dumps. So many chapters of it. I think maybe the specter of Potter was looming large? Trying to cram 7 books worth of magic school expectations into this much smaller series? We had to talk about all the different types of classes, describe all the teachers, visit the shops in town, wander the grounds, discuss the magic system, the different familiars, the different tournaments... It was exhausting. (Though, to be fair, I'm not sure my kid minded...) And the multiculturalism felt a little forced, a little tokenized. Once the story finally picked up again, it was once really good. I sniffed out some plot twists, but missed one that was quite good.
From my perspective, while the ADHD and autism stuff was usually pretty good, at times it felt a little like we were being hit over the head with it. But! It was super great exposure for my kid, and we had some great conversations about it. Thumbs up.
The opening is really great - sets up a world, characters, surprises, menace. After being wowed by Jupiter Nettle, I was ready to settle in for another great read. But then we hit a massive wall of info dumps. So many chapters of it. I think maybe the specter of Potter was looming large? Trying to cram 7 books worth of magic school expectations into this much smaller series? We had to talk about all the different types of classes, describe all the teachers, visit the shops in town, wander the grounds, discuss the magic system, the different familiars, the different tournaments... It was exhausting. (Though, to be fair, I'm not sure my kid minded...) And the multiculturalism felt a little forced, a little tokenized. Once the story finally picked up again, it was once really good. I sniffed out some plot twists, but missed one that was quite good.
From my perspective, while the ADHD and autism stuff was usually pretty good, at times it felt a little like we were being hit over the head with it. But! It was super great exposure for my kid, and we had some great conversations about it. Thumbs up.
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