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THE HOPELING
Ipsa hates reading prayers.
Unfortunately, that’s the eternal task she’s been assigned.
An angel in the Prayer Reading Department, Ipsa must read and sort a never-ending flood of earthly requests before delivering them to the mysterious Answering Department. Unlike other prayer readers, Ipsa finds most humans—known as hopelings—annoying and their prayers forgettable.
Until she stumbles upon one prayer she’s not supposed to read.
Its cryptic message sparks her curiosity. Ipsa can't understand why she feels so drawn to its sender, a fourteen-year-old boy living in the aftermath of a school shooting. As she searches for clues to help him, she uncovers a host of secrets that lead to an unsettling Why are so many prayers going unanswered?
"The Hopeling is wholly original, richly developed, and completely captivating. I can't wait to see what Maggie Master writes next." - Elissa Weissman, author of The Length of a String
Unfortunately, that’s the eternal task she’s been assigned.
An angel in the Prayer Reading Department, Ipsa must read and sort a never-ending flood of earthly requests before delivering them to the mysterious Answering Department. Unlike other prayer readers, Ipsa finds most humans—known as hopelings—annoying and their prayers forgettable.
Until she stumbles upon one prayer she’s not supposed to read.
Its cryptic message sparks her curiosity. Ipsa can't understand why she feels so drawn to its sender, a fourteen-year-old boy living in the aftermath of a school shooting. As she searches for clues to help him, she uncovers a host of secrets that lead to an unsettling Why are so many prayers going unanswered?
"The Hopeling is wholly original, richly developed, and completely captivating. I can't wait to see what Maggie Master writes next." - Elissa Weissman, author of The Length of a String
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2025
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Master
1 book13 followersMaggie grew up outside of Philadelphia and decided to be an author in sixth grade. Since then, her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and other publications. THE HOPELING is her first book. Maggie lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Hopeling, which centers on an angel who reads human prayers, seeks to prompt a conversation about the role of 'thoughts and prayers' when it comes to solving many human-caused problems.
Read a recent op-ed from Maggie on this topic here: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/08/...
The Hopeling, which centers on an angel who reads human prayers, seeks to prompt a conversation about the role of 'thoughts and prayers' when it comes to solving many human-caused problems.
Read a recent op-ed from Maggie on this topic here: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/08/...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2025
Loved this book! A story of angels, hope, love, sibling relationships & just being a decent human. I laughed and I cried, this book was so beautifully written!
February 15, 2025
I have very mixed feelings about this book. It's a debut novel, so I do want to make allowances for the author.
Ipsa is an angel in the Prayer Reading Department. She doesn't particularly like her job, until one day she comes across a prayer that grabs her attention in a mysterious way. Trying to find out more about the human (or 'hopeling') behind the prayer leads Ipsa down a path of massive secrets about her world and about herself.
The concept of the story really appealed to me, and the setting was fresh and imaginative. Ipsa's world is simply called 'Here', and while we might think of it as 'Heaven', there's no deity in the book and no talk of religion, which is a positive for me. Despite the setting, this is not Christian fiction. The mysteries in the story, both about the world and about Ipsa, were interesting and compelling at points. Something I really appreciated is that the motivations of the characters, which were often unclear at first, usually got a satisfying explanation that made it all make sense. On top of that, some of the scenes were deeply emotional and impactful.
That said, unfortunately I also have to note some negatives. The setting, while imaginative, never really solidified for me. I could never picture it clearly, and the first 30% of the book was incredibly confusing, with too many names of departments and corresponding color-coding. The author tries to make sense of the confusion by repeating the information over and over, but I have to admit, if this hadn't been an ARC, I would've abandoned the book after the first 30%. Thankfully, things get clearer and more interesting after that.
Repetition of information, however, remains a problem throughout the book. The structure of the story goes something like this: Ipsa investigates and uncovers some information. She talks to person A about the information. Then she talks to person B about the information. Then she's reprimanded by person C about the information. Repeat. While some of the reveals are genuinely well-done and compelling, the cyclical nature of the conversations made the book feel rather repetitive and static. Very little actually happens -- most of the book is made up of angels talking to each other.
As for characters: I felt that Ipsa was quite a good protagonist. She's flawed but still likeable, and I enjoyed her character arc throughout the book. Most of the other characters, however, feel rather flat, and Ipsa's relationships with them also feel underexplored (with one or two exceptions).
On the whole, the book is a mixed bag. Repetition and tedium are interspersed with moments of genuine emotion and surprise. Some things are left unexplained, while for others we receive a very satisfying explanation. The theme of school shootings is handled in a sensitive way, but not very in-depth. Would tentatively recommend this for mature middle graders who like mystery and can handle difficult themes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Acorn Publishing for the e-ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ipsa is an angel in the Prayer Reading Department. She doesn't particularly like her job, until one day she comes across a prayer that grabs her attention in a mysterious way. Trying to find out more about the human (or 'hopeling') behind the prayer leads Ipsa down a path of massive secrets about her world and about herself.
The concept of the story really appealed to me, and the setting was fresh and imaginative. Ipsa's world is simply called 'Here', and while we might think of it as 'Heaven', there's no deity in the book and no talk of religion, which is a positive for me. Despite the setting, this is not Christian fiction. The mysteries in the story, both about the world and about Ipsa, were interesting and compelling at points. Something I really appreciated is that the motivations of the characters, which were often unclear at first, usually got a satisfying explanation that made it all make sense. On top of that, some of the scenes were deeply emotional and impactful.
That said, unfortunately I also have to note some negatives. The setting, while imaginative, never really solidified for me. I could never picture it clearly, and the first 30% of the book was incredibly confusing, with too many names of departments and corresponding color-coding. The author tries to make sense of the confusion by repeating the information over and over, but I have to admit, if this hadn't been an ARC, I would've abandoned the book after the first 30%. Thankfully, things get clearer and more interesting after that.
Repetition of information, however, remains a problem throughout the book. The structure of the story goes something like this: Ipsa investigates and uncovers some information. She talks to person A about the information. Then she talks to person B about the information. Then she's reprimanded by person C about the information. Repeat. While some of the reveals are genuinely well-done and compelling, the cyclical nature of the conversations made the book feel rather repetitive and static. Very little actually happens -- most of the book is made up of angels talking to each other.
As for characters: I felt that Ipsa was quite a good protagonist. She's flawed but still likeable, and I enjoyed her character arc throughout the book. Most of the other characters, however, feel rather flat, and Ipsa's relationships with them also feel underexplored (with one or two exceptions).
On the whole, the book is a mixed bag. Repetition and tedium are interspersed with moments of genuine emotion and surprise. Some things are left unexplained, while for others we receive a very satisfying explanation. The theme of school shootings is handled in a sensitive way, but not very in-depth. Would tentatively recommend this for mature middle graders who like mystery and can handle difficult themes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Acorn Publishing for the e-ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 20, 2025
This is a breathtaking and beautifully written novel that brings a fresh, imaginative lens to the classic coming-of-age journey. Master crafts a world that feels both ethereal and eerily familiar—an abstract yet vividly drawn realm that lingers long after the last page.
At its heart, The Hopeling follows Ipsa, an angel in the Prayer Reader Department who, despite being tasked with sifting through human prayers for eternity, remains largely indifferent to the pleas of the “Hopelings” below. What follows is a riveting exploration of faith, agency, and the moral complexities of an unseen system, all told through the lens of a protagonist who is as flawed as she is compelling.
Master’s ability to build a world that feels both celestial and deeply human is reminiscent of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Just as The Giver asks young readers to question the world around them, The Hopeling invites them to grapple with themes of fate, free will, and the weight of unanswered prayers. The novel is layered with rich, symbolic imagery that middle school students will find both accessible and thought-provoking—perfect for class discussions about themes of justice, empathy, and the power of storytelling itself.
I’m excited as a middle school teacher. The Hopeling offers an introspective yet fast-paced narrative that keeps them engaged while encouraging critical thinking. It’s a novel that doesn’t just tell a story; it invites readers to wonder—to consider what it means to be seen, heard, and valued in a world that often feels indifferent.
This is a must-read for educators looking to introduce their students to a book that is both beautifully written and profoundly meaningful—one that challenges them to think beyond the pages and into the very essence of hope itself.
At its heart, The Hopeling follows Ipsa, an angel in the Prayer Reader Department who, despite being tasked with sifting through human prayers for eternity, remains largely indifferent to the pleas of the “Hopelings” below. What follows is a riveting exploration of faith, agency, and the moral complexities of an unseen system, all told through the lens of a protagonist who is as flawed as she is compelling.
Master’s ability to build a world that feels both celestial and deeply human is reminiscent of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Just as The Giver asks young readers to question the world around them, The Hopeling invites them to grapple with themes of fate, free will, and the weight of unanswered prayers. The novel is layered with rich, symbolic imagery that middle school students will find both accessible and thought-provoking—perfect for class discussions about themes of justice, empathy, and the power of storytelling itself.
I’m excited as a middle school teacher. The Hopeling offers an introspective yet fast-paced narrative that keeps them engaged while encouraging critical thinking. It’s a novel that doesn’t just tell a story; it invites readers to wonder—to consider what it means to be seen, heard, and valued in a world that often feels indifferent.
This is a must-read for educators looking to introduce their students to a book that is both beautifully written and profoundly meaningful—one that challenges them to think beyond the pages and into the very essence of hope itself.
February 25, 2025
I have come to the end of this wonderful book, and wished it could go on forever! It was an extraordinary experience for me.
I found the world it describes to be truly beautiful, in its people and its settings, and is a delight to explore. The characters are amazingly authentic, even in their fantasy editions, and highly likeable. The storyline is compelling, keeping me eager to continue reading for the next turn of the mystery. And in very subtle ways, the book pulls one deeply into the emotions of each moment.
Through it all, the writing style is captivating, and its wisdom uplifting. I am so grateful not to have missed this enchanting creation. I loved it!
I found the world it describes to be truly beautiful, in its people and its settings, and is a delight to explore. The characters are amazingly authentic, even in their fantasy editions, and highly likeable. The storyline is compelling, keeping me eager to continue reading for the next turn of the mystery. And in very subtle ways, the book pulls one deeply into the emotions of each moment.
Through it all, the writing style is captivating, and its wisdom uplifting. I am so grateful not to have missed this enchanting creation. I loved it!
March 3, 2025
"So experiencing pain is better than not experiencing pain? That's ridiculous."
"I guess what I'm saying is that, without at least the possibility of pain's existence, there is no real celebration when they avoid it."
Unbelievably beautiful gut punch of a story. The simplistic writing was to be expected since it is middle grade, but the deep meaning made the journey so worth it. I’m marking this as required reading for everyone I know!
"I guess what I'm saying is that, without at least the possibility of pain's existence, there is no real celebration when they avoid it."
Unbelievably beautiful gut punch of a story. The simplistic writing was to be expected since it is middle grade, but the deep meaning made the journey so worth it. I’m marking this as required reading for everyone I know!
March 31, 2025
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. I was left with more questions, but I am hopeful that there will be more answers coming. The idea of this book overall was new for me. I need to know more about Eon. I also want to know more angels back stories...almost a need really.
April 29, 2025
I loved this book so much! Angles, signs, prayers, love and friendship, family and culture, curiosity and wonder…questions about life, death, the afterlife…and the power of hope all woven together beautifully 💜a must read for all hopelings…🥰💫
September 28, 2025
I am an atheist, and this is a book about angels reading prayers... I wept multiple times and couldn't put it down. It was profound and genuinely lovely.
May 6, 2025
This book is overall very deep, descriptive and has a very original concept. A very good captive read for all readers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews