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Once upon a Fever
Since the world fell sick with fantastical illnesses, sisters Payton and Ani have grown up in King Jude's Hospital.
Payton wants to be a methic like her father, working on a cure for her mother's sleeping fever. Ani, however, thinks the remedy for all illness might be found in the green wilderness beyond the hospital walls.
When Ani stumbles upon an imprisoned boy who turns everything he touches to gold, her world is turned upside-down. The girls find themselves outside the hospital for the first time, a dark mystery unraveling...
Payton wants to be a methic like her father, working on a cure for her mother's sleeping fever. Ani, however, thinks the remedy for all illness might be found in the green wilderness beyond the hospital walls.
When Ani stumbles upon an imprisoned boy who turns everything he touches to gold, her world is turned upside-down. The girls find themselves outside the hospital for the first time, a dark mystery unraveling...
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First published July 7, 2022
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About the author
Angharad Walker
3 books36 followersAngharad grew up on various military bases in the UK, Germany and Cyprus, where stories were often being told about far-flung places, past conflicts, and friends and family. She studied English Literature & Creative Writing at the University of Warwick and University of California Irvine. She now lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 6, 2023
روزگار تب یه داستان پادآرمانشهری هست که رگههایی از استیم پانک توش دیده میشه!
دنیایی که احساسات شدید باعث میشه بیمار بشین. مثل ترس، نفرت، خشم، دلشکستگی و ناراحتی… هر کدوم بیماریهای خودشون رو دارن مثل آتیشی که وجودتون رو فرامیگیره یا طلایی که ازتون تراوش میکنه و یا قلبی که نمیتونه بدنتون رو زنده نگه داره… و همینطور به صورت خلاقانهای موارد دیگه!
دنیا به دوتا صنف تقسیم شده؛ پزشکها و سرمایهگذاران!
وحشیهایی که به هیچکدوم از این دو صنف تعلق ندارن و تو دنیای بیرون به این سبک زندگی معترض هستند هرچند که دیگه افراد زیادی ازشون باقی نمونده…
پیتون و آنی دوتا خواهر نوجوونی که توی بیمارستان کنار پدر پزشکشون زندگی میکنن. مادر اونها دچار تب آب شده و سالهاست که پدرشون هنوز درمانی براش پیدا نکرده و بچهها ازش ناامید هستن، اونا رابطهی خوبی با پدرشون ندارن؛
پیتون عاشق پزشکیه و میخواد وقتی بزرگ شد وارد این صنف بشه تا بتونه درمان بیماری مادرشون رو پیدا کنه، اون تمام درسها رو با علاقه دنبال میکنه و حتی بیشتر از هر پزشک بالغی درمورد بیماریها و درمانها اطلاع داره!
آنی که از این اوضاع راضی نیست، نبودن مادرشون و نارضایتی از پدرشون احساساتش رو تحریک میکنه برای همین باید از یه دارویی خاص که بیحسش میکنه استفاده کنه تا احساس خشمش طغیان نکنه… اما آیا تمام این راهها درست هست؟!
در ادامه این داستان اتفاقی که برای آنی میوفته و راه پیدا کردنش به دنیای وحشیها حقایقی براش روشن میشن… طمع انسانها که همچنان وجود داره، پزشکهایی که احساساتشون رو پس میزنن به ظن اینکه راه درست هم همینه اما بیخبر از فاجعهبار بودن نتیجه آزمایشها…
داستان پیام مهمی رو میرسوند. خفه کردن احساسات اونها رو تلنبار میکنه و این راه نجات بشریت نیست. و این حقیقت رو جالب بود که چندتا بچهای که تازه وارد نوجوونی شدن پیدا میکنن…
راستش سن بچهها نمیذاشت باهاشون حس نزدیکی کنم اونا برای تمام این جریانات خیلی… کم سن بودن!
ولی با این حال مفهوم داستان بنظرم موضوع حائز اهمیتی رو نشونمون میداد. بشریت و احساسات؛ در عین خطرناک و یا دردناک بودن تمام زیباییها رو درخودش داشت. بیماری و درمان هردو از یه منشأ هستن! فقط انسانها وقتی غرق میشن ممکنه یادشون بره چی ما رو تبدیل به انسان کرده و دست به کارایی بزنن که برای انسان عجیب و روانپریشیطوره!
دنیایی که احساسات شدید باعث میشه بیمار بشین. مثل ترس، نفرت، خشم، دلشکستگی و ناراحتی… هر کدوم بیماریهای خودشون رو دارن مثل آتیشی که وجودتون رو فرامیگیره یا طلایی که ازتون تراوش میکنه و یا قلبی که نمیتونه بدنتون رو زنده نگه داره… و همینطور به صورت خلاقانهای موارد دیگه!
دنیا به دوتا صنف تقسیم شده؛ پزشکها و سرمایهگذاران!
وحشیهایی که به هیچکدوم از این دو صنف تعلق ندارن و تو دنیای بیرون به این سبک زندگی معترض هستند هرچند که دیگه افراد زیادی ازشون باقی نمونده…
پیتون و آنی دوتا خواهر نوجوونی که توی بیمارستان کنار پدر پزشکشون زندگی میکنن. مادر اونها دچار تب آب شده و سالهاست که پدرشون هنوز درمانی براش پیدا نکرده و بچهها ازش ناامید هستن، اونا رابطهی خوبی با پدرشون ندارن؛
پیتون عاشق پزشکیه و میخواد وقتی بزرگ شد وارد این صنف بشه تا بتونه درمان بیماری مادرشون رو پیدا کنه، اون تمام درسها رو با علاقه دنبال میکنه و حتی بیشتر از هر پزشک بالغی درمورد بیماریها و درمانها اطلاع داره!
آنی که از این اوضاع راضی نیست، نبودن مادرشون و نارضایتی از پدرشون احساساتش رو تحریک میکنه برای همین باید از یه دارویی خاص که بیحسش میکنه استفاده کنه تا احساس خشمش طغیان نکنه… اما آیا تمام این راهها درست هست؟!
در ادامه این داستان اتفاقی که برای آنی میوفته و راه پیدا کردنش به دنیای وحشیها حقایقی براش روشن میشن… طمع انسانها که همچنان وجود داره، پزشکهایی که احساساتشون رو پس میزنن به ظن اینکه راه درست هم همینه اما بیخبر از فاجعهبار بودن نتیجه آزمایشها…
داستان پیام مهمی رو میرسوند. خفه کردن احساسات اونها رو تلنبار میکنه و این راه نجات بشریت نیست. و این حقیقت رو جالب بود که چندتا بچهای که تازه وارد نوجوونی شدن پیدا میکنن…
راستش سن بچهها نمیذاشت باهاشون حس نزدیکی کنم اونا برای تمام این جریانات خیلی… کم سن بودن!
ولی با این حال مفهوم داستان بنظرم موضوع حائز اهمیتی رو نشونمون میداد. بشریت و احساسات؛ در عین خطرناک و یا دردناک بودن تمام زیباییها رو درخودش داشت. بیماری و درمان هردو از یه منشأ هستن! فقط انسانها وقتی غرق میشن ممکنه یادشون بره چی ما رو تبدیل به انسان کرده و دست به کارایی بزنن که برای انسان عجیب و روانپریشیطوره!
July 18, 2022
Absolutely loved this, you think you are getting Frozen but it ends up being almost a dystopian novel!!
I loved the main characters, found the writing really easy and the pacing was good.
Perfect for any age to read!
I loved the main characters, found the writing really easy and the pacing was good.
Perfect for any age to read!
July 25, 2023
Before I received this book as a present, I had no idea what this book was about. But I was so surprised of how I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and I found the whole concept of the book so interesting and fascinating to think how certain emotions can cause illnesses. The main characters Ani and Payton developed individually and each chapter was from one of their perceptive. I always like when chapters are from different people points of views because you get 2 different views of certain situations and you also learn more about the characters from their actions and dialogue.
I recommend everyone to read this book if you enjoy fantasy / medicine based fiction.
I recommend everyone to read this book if you enjoy fantasy / medicine based fiction.
June 3, 2023
This was SO good!! I really enjoyed the plot and writing and thought it was executed very well. I’ve never read a book like this before and enjoyed it very much, I liked all the characters and the deeper meaning about suppressing feelings and letting them show. All the different sicknesses and the medicines of this world were so interesting, and it was such a quick and fun read. I would love a second book but I have a feeling this might be a stand-alone. I wasn’t expecting it to be so good?!
June 11, 2024
3.5🌟
This would be a nice series :) very cute
This would be a nice series :) very cute
June 17, 2022
Wonderfully fantastical, I loved it!
(Full review to come)
(Full review to come)
July 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I’m really starting to like this author (she also wrote The Ash House, which is super unsettling). This is a dystopian story in which the world has fallen sick with a mysterious illness. These sisters, Ani and Payton, live in a hospital with their mother, who had a sleeping fever, and their father, who is trying to cure it. Ani is forced to take a medication for her anger, and Payton is trying to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a methic and cure things. So one night they end up outside of the hospital, where they’ve never been, and get separated. Payton ends up with this methic and falls into all this crazy blood testing but senses that something is up. Payton ends up with people who also believe she doesn’t need her medication, and she’s suspecting that something is up. The control of emotions that comes up makes me think of The Giver. Kids who can get into the odd language will enjoy it. #mglit #librarian #librariansofinstagram #middleschoollibrarian
March 13, 2024
Halfway through this young adult fiction, I really got hooked. This book is a mix of fantasy and dystopia with a sense of things gone terribly wrong in the world, as sisters Ani and Payton have grown up in King Jude's Hospital.
In this story, Ani and Payton are part of a society that is full of illnesses -- illnesses caused by feelings.
Slow to start, readers are introduced to important characters and a mystery early. Payton wants to be a methic like her father, and younger sister Ani has other ideas for remedies. A strongly character-driven story, each character comes to life through their actions and motives.
One theme in the book -- the power of feelings -- drives the plot and decisions of the characters. An enjoyable read for lovers of "what's next" and futuristic ideas.
In this story, Ani and Payton are part of a society that is full of illnesses -- illnesses caused by feelings.
Slow to start, readers are introduced to important characters and a mystery early. Payton wants to be a methic like her father, and younger sister Ani has other ideas for remedies. A strongly character-driven story, each character comes to life through their actions and motives.
One theme in the book -- the power of feelings -- drives the plot and decisions of the characters. An enjoyable read for lovers of "what's next" and futuristic ideas.
July 18, 2022
It’s a heatwave in the U.K. today and what other than temperature rises in a heatwave. Emotions!
In Walker’s Lundain, feelings lead to fevers and sickness so people are taught to suppress their emotions, ever since the mysterious “Turn”.
Feelings are to be:
“Observed. Treated. Never Felt.”
The comparisons with His Dark Materials are well made with Jenipher Blake’s blood measure and blood purification the new evil in town. It also reminded me vibe wise a little of The Death House by Sarah Pinborough, What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang and even Divergent by Veronica Roth.
Sisters Ani and Payton haven’t always seen eye to eye but the one thing that they both want is to cure their mother of the water fever that keeps her comatose and away from them. Their father Neel Darke is a methic who they believe might not be trying as hard as they’d hoped to find a cure.
Payton believes in science and wants to be a methic too so when separated from Ani gets trapped in the shadow of the pedestal she’s placed Jenipher on. Payton has been keeping a secret about her ‘blood phobia’ too.
Ani is intrigued by the lost guild of Wilders - who focus on nature and in feeling what needs to be felt. There she meets a trio who begin to help her trust herself.
This book is very topical with pandemics and global warming very much in the here and now.
It says for 11+ and it does read a little more on the middle grade side but only because Ani and Payton are 11 and 13 respectively. I also got Anna and Else vibes from them. The themes included cross across age boundaries. In fact I looked back to the email which called it the perfect transitional read for 11+ year olds who aren't quite ready for YA books.
I really enjoyed this book and devoured it quickly. The over medicalisation of emotions is a very interesting topic to me and I thought it was handed excellently. The only bad thing about the book is that I was left hoping it would be part in union of a series. It left me feeling that although it was concluded that there was more that could be said so if you like the sound of this please pick up a copy so we can get more.
In Walker’s Lundain, feelings lead to fevers and sickness so people are taught to suppress their emotions, ever since the mysterious “Turn”.
Feelings are to be:
“Observed. Treated. Never Felt.”
The comparisons with His Dark Materials are well made with Jenipher Blake’s blood measure and blood purification the new evil in town. It also reminded me vibe wise a little of The Death House by Sarah Pinborough, What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang and even Divergent by Veronica Roth.
Sisters Ani and Payton haven’t always seen eye to eye but the one thing that they both want is to cure their mother of the water fever that keeps her comatose and away from them. Their father Neel Darke is a methic who they believe might not be trying as hard as they’d hoped to find a cure.
Payton believes in science and wants to be a methic too so when separated from Ani gets trapped in the shadow of the pedestal she’s placed Jenipher on. Payton has been keeping a secret about her ‘blood phobia’ too.
Ani is intrigued by the lost guild of Wilders - who focus on nature and in feeling what needs to be felt. There she meets a trio who begin to help her trust herself.
This book is very topical with pandemics and global warming very much in the here and now.
It says for 11+ and it does read a little more on the middle grade side but only because Ani and Payton are 11 and 13 respectively. I also got Anna and Else vibes from them. The themes included cross across age boundaries. In fact I looked back to the email which called it the perfect transitional read for 11+ year olds who aren't quite ready for YA books.
I really enjoyed this book and devoured it quickly. The over medicalisation of emotions is a very interesting topic to me and I thought it was handed excellently. The only bad thing about the book is that I was left hoping it would be part in union of a series. It left me feeling that although it was concluded that there was more that could be said so if you like the sound of this please pick up a copy so we can get more.
August 17, 2022
This book was slightly different from what I'd expected. To be honest, I thought it was going to be some dystopian story about an enormously contagious pandemic that leaves over half the population dead - you know, something that we could never imagine to happen in the real world, *ahem*. Turns out, this book is set centuries in the future - from what I can gather - where diseases are linked to feelings, emotions.
So, well, didn't see one coming. Definitely a highly original idea, mind you, but the background could have been explained better, I believe. I can't remember coming across an actual, comprehensible, brief explanation as to how this link sickness/feelings actually came about and developed, what all happened, and more such things. Yes, 'the Turn', that's how they call it, but all of it remains a bit too vague to my liking. The workings of the medicins that the 'methics' use - a bit odd, too, how a handful of words and names are changed - aren't entirely clear to me either. Don't get me wrong, I don't want or need to know all the small details, but the general ins and outs would paint a better picture.
It took a long time for me to start liking Payton, but I was very glad that she did come through to me in the end. Ani and Estlin were much more fun to read about, on a whole. Ani is full of life and a bit of a rebel, so she does do some interesting things from time to time. Apart from that, there aren't any characters that really jump out, except for Jenipher, who suchs, and Ani and Taylor's dad, who is just a horrible person through and through, who thankfully gets what he deserves.
Honestly, this book wouldn't have gotten four stars from me if it wasn't for the final 15 pages. Because on page 301, there's an enormous plot twist, one that I literally did not see coming in the slightest, until Payton dropped the bomb. And from then on, there are a few fantastic pages, a short masterpiece. And the final five pages had me hooked like that once more. It's a bit of a shame that it took so long before Once Upon a Fever (love that title, and the cover) really grabbed my attention.
I'm not entirely sure if there's a sequel coming. If the book had ended at page 300, I wouldn't care either way, but now I do think I should keep an eye out for it, because I do believe this story has that potential.
7.2/10
So, well, didn't see one coming. Definitely a highly original idea, mind you, but the background could have been explained better, I believe. I can't remember coming across an actual, comprehensible, brief explanation as to how this link sickness/feelings actually came about and developed, what all happened, and more such things. Yes, 'the Turn', that's how they call it, but all of it remains a bit too vague to my liking. The workings of the medicins that the 'methics' use - a bit odd, too, how a handful of words and names are changed - aren't entirely clear to me either. Don't get me wrong, I don't want or need to know all the small details, but the general ins and outs would paint a better picture.
It took a long time for me to start liking Payton, but I was very glad that she did come through to me in the end. Ani and Estlin were much more fun to read about, on a whole. Ani is full of life and a bit of a rebel, so she does do some interesting things from time to time. Apart from that, there aren't any characters that really jump out, except for Jenipher, who suchs, and Ani and Taylor's dad, who is just a horrible person through and through, who thankfully gets what he deserves.
Honestly, this book wouldn't have gotten four stars from me if it wasn't for the final 15 pages. Because on page 301, there's an enormous plot twist, one that I literally did not see coming in the slightest, until Payton dropped the bomb. And from then on, there are a few fantastic pages, a short masterpiece. And the final five pages had me hooked like that once more. It's a bit of a shame that it took so long before Once Upon a Fever (love that title, and the cover) really grabbed my attention.
I'm not entirely sure if there's a sequel coming. If the book had ended at page 300, I wouldn't care either way, but now I do think I should keep an eye out for it, because I do believe this story has that potential.
7.2/10
July 11, 2022
Once Upon a Fever is a fantastic MG standalone fantasy which pits the scientific and the natural world against each other, it also has some really important messages about feelings which is covered in a really unique way and gets the message across without sounding forced or preachy.
Ani and Payton are very different siblings and whilst they both have the same end goal their approaches to it take different paths. They have a strong bond, which despite their differences, really shines through After a frenetic opener I enjoyed how the story became split with each sister travelling their own and very different path of discovery
As mentioned at the start, I really liked the important discussions around feelings, all the ill’s of this world are caused by feelings after an event called “The Turn”. Their Methics work with science and botany for often bizarre approaches to healing, what if we could wipe out all memory of the feeling, would that necessarily make us a better person? That feelings can consume us if we push them down too far is a important lesson, but the book also carefully balances that we can often surprise ourselves with our resilliance - it’s actually very layered for it’s short pages.
The worldbuilding is artful with the wilds coming alive against the almost oppressive feeling of the methic towers - this sister a wonderful shade of grey between the two. Ani’s discovery of life outside of the walls is a delight as Payton is dazzled by the grandeur of what life as a Methic could be like.
The book did take a darker turn than I was expecting but in that i actually applaud the author for taking the route that we knew the sisters would over the route that we would traditionally expect young fantasy books to tread.
Once Upon a Fever is a wonderful upper MG read that I would recommend to the suggested reading age and above.
Ani and Payton are very different siblings and whilst they both have the same end goal their approaches to it take different paths. They have a strong bond, which despite their differences, really shines through After a frenetic opener I enjoyed how the story became split with each sister travelling their own and very different path of discovery
As mentioned at the start, I really liked the important discussions around feelings, all the ill’s of this world are caused by feelings after an event called “The Turn”. Their Methics work with science and botany for often bizarre approaches to healing, what if we could wipe out all memory of the feeling, would that necessarily make us a better person? That feelings can consume us if we push them down too far is a important lesson, but the book also carefully balances that we can often surprise ourselves with our resilliance - it’s actually very layered for it’s short pages.
The worldbuilding is artful with the wilds coming alive against the almost oppressive feeling of the methic towers - this sister a wonderful shade of grey between the two. Ani’s discovery of life outside of the walls is a delight as Payton is dazzled by the grandeur of what life as a Methic could be like.
The book did take a darker turn than I was expecting but in that i actually applaud the author for taking the route that we knew the sisters would over the route that we would traditionally expect young fantasy books to tread.
Once Upon a Fever is a wonderful upper MG read that I would recommend to the suggested reading age and above.
August 20, 2022
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
i found this really cute and easy to read, the story of the two sisters split onto each side of the methics (with them and against them) and to battle against the war with emotions was fulfilling to read
i found this really cute and easy to read, the story of the two sisters split onto each side of the methics (with them and against them) and to battle against the war with emotions was fulfilling to read
May 22, 2024
Once upon a fever is a middle grade book about two sisters who live in a world where feelings make people sick. They have people who can breathe fire due to anger and things like that. Payton is 13 and wants to be a metric and save her mom. Ani is 11 and she has an anger problem. Their father is working on research and they all live at a hospital. When Ani gets in trouble and runs away, Payton tries to find her and find the truth.
This book was pretty good. I liked all of the characters and the dystopian aspect of this book. It was interesting to see the different diseases and the feelings that caused them.
I only gave it three stars though because I do feel like it was a bit confusing at times. Especially since it’s middle grade, i would expect it to make a bit more sense. I feel like the author tried to do a bit too much with this one and there was just too much going on.
While I thought the idea was interesting, I think it was just a bit too much.
Thanks so much to netgalley and Scholastic for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This book was pretty good. I liked all of the characters and the dystopian aspect of this book. It was interesting to see the different diseases and the feelings that caused them.
I only gave it three stars though because I do feel like it was a bit confusing at times. Especially since it’s middle grade, i would expect it to make a bit more sense. I feel like the author tried to do a bit too much with this one and there was just too much going on.
While I thought the idea was interesting, I think it was just a bit too much.
Thanks so much to netgalley and Scholastic for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
August 16, 2024
this book really throws you right into it at the start, so i wasn't sure how i would feel about this. i spent the first half SO confused, but then it started to pick up and gain some pace. it's a really creative and interesting idea about a dystopian future that sees emotions as diseases and how that manifests. it follows two sisters, one with too much feeling who "rebels" and another with a magical gift who has aspirations of working at a hospital. this takes the two girls on different paths, but they wind up needing each other at the end. it doesn't dive as deep as i found myself wanting, but that makes sense, considering it's written for a younger audience.
April 15, 2025
Started of a bit slow but picked up after the first few chapters. Really like the concept and world building around too much emotion making you sick. The MC were slightly annoying at times but there were apparently 11 & 14!?! Idk why they had to be children but that did make them frustrating at times and I had to remind myself they were babies. Was a great read tho do recommend
August 4, 2024
The pacing was good and the characters are well developed. It kept my interest. The writing style drew me in. I enjoyed this and would recommend it. Special Thank You to Angharad Walker, Scholastic and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2023
i was spacing out most of the time
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August 2, 2023This is such a quick fun read in a wonderfully inventive world - apart from the place names. I was slightly let down by the rushed ending of this book but otherwise a great book.
March 12, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
Once Upon a fever is a story about two sisters navigating a world in which feelings can manifest as magical diseases. The elder sister seeking to work with the corrupt system to help others while the younger is able to see the system more for what it is.
This book confused me, some parts felt choppy , it definitely didn't feel like a smooth read. The lore was written in a "figure it out as you go" way which worked in some places but by the end you still really don't know why the world is thebway it is and why the people that came to power were in power.
Once Upon a fever is a story about two sisters navigating a world in which feelings can manifest as magical diseases. The elder sister seeking to work with the corrupt system to help others while the younger is able to see the system more for what it is.
This book confused me, some parts felt choppy , it definitely didn't feel like a smooth read. The lore was written in a "figure it out as you go" way which worked in some places but by the end you still really don't know why the world is thebway it is and why the people that came to power were in power.
July 17, 2022
It took a little while for this book to get going...there's some necessary set up first...but once it gets going it really gets going, and it never stops. Payton and Ani are fantastic characters, and the whole idea...that emotions can manifest so strongly they affect the real world...is wonderful. The links between different emotions and the diseases they caused were really clever.
It's a great lesson, that we shouldn't try to stifle our emotions, but the book isn't preachy at all; this is a great story first and foremost. Children will love following the two very different adventures undertaken by the two very different sisters, and seeing where they end up is very satisfying! The gothic undertones add a touch of horror, but not too much for the more easily frightened. (By which I mean I was ok so most children should be!)
This is a great, really imaginative read and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
It's a great lesson, that we shouldn't try to stifle our emotions, but the book isn't preachy at all; this is a great story first and foremost. Children will love following the two very different adventures undertaken by the two very different sisters, and seeing where they end up is very satisfying! The gothic undertones add a touch of horror, but not too much for the more easily frightened. (By which I mean I was ok so most children should be!)
This is a great, really imaginative read and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
July 26, 2025
Hard to rate this one because it was 4 stars for me by then end, but I felt puzzled for the first third of the book or so. In a far-future version of London, sisters Ani and Payton are being raised in a research hospital where their father is a medic (“methic”) who is researching cures for diseases that are caused by emotions. The girls’ mother is in a comatose state in the hospital suffering from water fever brought on by intense grief.
We learn that this dystopian world blames negative emotions for all diseases, and for pretty much all societal problems in general. There used to be a variety of guilds that promoted the value of things like nature and art, but at this point in history only the methic guild and finance guild remain.
For whatever reason, it took a while for me to grasp this system and figure out who you root for as the events unfold. Eventually, though, I came to appreciate both sisters who end up separated and investigating the shortcomings of their anti-emotion society from different angles.
I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending, but I did ultimately enjoy the book. Worthwhile for patient readers.
We learn that this dystopian world blames negative emotions for all diseases, and for pretty much all societal problems in general. There used to be a variety of guilds that promoted the value of things like nature and art, but at this point in history only the methic guild and finance guild remain.
For whatever reason, it took a while for me to grasp this system and figure out who you root for as the events unfold. Eventually, though, I came to appreciate both sisters who end up separated and investigating the shortcomings of their anti-emotion society from different angles.
I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending, but I did ultimately enjoy the book. Worthwhile for patient readers.
July 8, 2022
This book has well and truly rekindled my love for fantasy! A unique and impressive story about magic and mystery as well as the importance of family and friendship, one which left me in awe and wowed me until the last sentence. Angharad Walker is one talented writer!
This book isn’t your standard YA fantasy. It goes above and beyond what you’d expect and takes your emotions along for the ride! I loved the story of Payton and Ani, two sisters who are unaware of what’s really going on behind closed doors and learn important lessons about family, friendship and life, understanding who they are, who they can trust and who cannot be trusted.
It’s a story of bravery and commitment to a common cause, with twists so unexpected, twists that completely transform your thoughts, feelings and predictions all the way through. I loved every second of it!
This book isn’t your standard YA fantasy. It goes above and beyond what you’d expect and takes your emotions along for the ride! I loved the story of Payton and Ani, two sisters who are unaware of what’s really going on behind closed doors and learn important lessons about family, friendship and life, understanding who they are, who they can trust and who cannot be trusted.
It’s a story of bravery and commitment to a common cause, with twists so unexpected, twists that completely transform your thoughts, feelings and predictions all the way through. I loved every second of it!
March 18, 2024
3.7 ⭐️
February 20, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Payton, who is 13, and her younger sister, Ani, 11, live with their father in King Jude's Hospital near Lundain. Their mother is ill with water fever, caused by her grief over the death of an infant son. She is in a sort of coma, and Payton desperately wants to cure her, since she feels her father's research isn't effective. The hospital is filled with methics, who are devoted to curing disease. Ever since The Turn, disease is thought to be caused by emotion and feelings. Payton is trying to get into a closed lab to get a medicine she thinks will cure her mother. Ani also explores the hospital, and runs into Kitt, who is suffering from "Midas fingers"; gold fingers caused by greed. She burns her hand on the door, and refuses to take her medicine, which is meant to keep her anger in check. She develops "spark breath" which makes her a danger, since she can set things on fire. When her blood is analyzed by visiting Methic Jenipher Blake from Queen Cleo's Hospital, the anger levels are dangerously high, and her father says he will send her to Queen Cleo's to be cured. Ani doesn't like this, and is determined to run away. Payton tries to stop her, but the two end up in an ambulans (sic) on their way into Lundain. The girls are separated. Ani runs into children who live in an office of a financier and tend the plants, as well as Estin, a "wilder" who introduces her to Heinrich and Tally. They live in Hyde Garden amongst the plants, and tell Ani it is okay to feel, she just needs to learn how to manage her feelings. Payton ends up with Methic Blake, and turns out to be a human gwaidmesur, who can read other's blood without machines. This could make her the most powerful Methic of her time, but she soon realizes that Blake is running evil experiments on people in the Observatory. Ani enjoys being with the Wilders, and her emotions are kept in check by exposure to nature. When Payton has the realization that her mother's disease could be cured by Ani's blood, the two return to confront their father but learn that the cure might not be as easy as it seems.
Strengths: This had a very strong dystopian feel to it, even though it also felt like a medical drama. Ani and Payton are interesting characters, and I love that they don't mind living in the hospital, even though it has narrowed their view of their world. When they get to Lundain, they are able to survive, and solve a mystery that the adults in their world didn't even know existed. Methic Blake is rather evil, and it's somewhat surprising that everyone goes along with her. The range of diseases that are portrayed are rather fascinating, but I suspect that some young readers might WANT to have an incendiary disease so they could breath fire and set things aflame! Definitely an unusual and innovative book.
Weaknesses: I felt like I needed some more back story. What is The Turn? When did diseases start being caused by feelings? This is set in an alternate London, and I felt like I was missing a lot of references. (Although I got "Prydein", thanks to Lloyd Alexander!)
What I really think: This has the same odd, quirky feel of this author's The Ash House (https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...) and would be a good choice for readers who want a book that leaves them guessing, like Ocker's The Black Slide, or allegorical tales like Malinenko's This Appearing House (https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...)
Payton, who is 13, and her younger sister, Ani, 11, live with their father in King Jude's Hospital near Lundain. Their mother is ill with water fever, caused by her grief over the death of an infant son. She is in a sort of coma, and Payton desperately wants to cure her, since she feels her father's research isn't effective. The hospital is filled with methics, who are devoted to curing disease. Ever since The Turn, disease is thought to be caused by emotion and feelings. Payton is trying to get into a closed lab to get a medicine she thinks will cure her mother. Ani also explores the hospital, and runs into Kitt, who is suffering from "Midas fingers"; gold fingers caused by greed. She burns her hand on the door, and refuses to take her medicine, which is meant to keep her anger in check. She develops "spark breath" which makes her a danger, since she can set things on fire. When her blood is analyzed by visiting Methic Jenipher Blake from Queen Cleo's Hospital, the anger levels are dangerously high, and her father says he will send her to Queen Cleo's to be cured. Ani doesn't like this, and is determined to run away. Payton tries to stop her, but the two end up in an ambulans (sic) on their way into Lundain. The girls are separated. Ani runs into children who live in an office of a financier and tend the plants, as well as Estin, a "wilder" who introduces her to Heinrich and Tally. They live in Hyde Garden amongst the plants, and tell Ani it is okay to feel, she just needs to learn how to manage her feelings. Payton ends up with Methic Blake, and turns out to be a human gwaidmesur, who can read other's blood without machines. This could make her the most powerful Methic of her time, but she soon realizes that Blake is running evil experiments on people in the Observatory. Ani enjoys being with the Wilders, and her emotions are kept in check by exposure to nature. When Payton has the realization that her mother's disease could be cured by Ani's blood, the two return to confront their father but learn that the cure might not be as easy as it seems.
Strengths: This had a very strong dystopian feel to it, even though it also felt like a medical drama. Ani and Payton are interesting characters, and I love that they don't mind living in the hospital, even though it has narrowed their view of their world. When they get to Lundain, they are able to survive, and solve a mystery that the adults in their world didn't even know existed. Methic Blake is rather evil, and it's somewhat surprising that everyone goes along with her. The range of diseases that are portrayed are rather fascinating, but I suspect that some young readers might WANT to have an incendiary disease so they could breath fire and set things aflame! Definitely an unusual and innovative book.
Weaknesses: I felt like I needed some more back story. What is The Turn? When did diseases start being caused by feelings? This is set in an alternate London, and I felt like I was missing a lot of references. (Although I got "Prydein", thanks to Lloyd Alexander!)
What I really think: This has the same odd, quirky feel of this author's The Ash House (https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...) and would be a good choice for readers who want a book that leaves them guessing, like Ocker's The Black Slide, or allegorical tales like Malinenko's This Appearing House (https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...)
July 19, 2025
I finally finished it. Oh dear, where to start...
Firstly, this book blew me away. It was immersive, enchanting, and engrossing. This is a book which nailed worldbuilding on the head. Brilliantly.
If you enjoyed this book I also recommend: David Fenne's Overemotional trilogy. Red Queen series. A Magic Steeped in Poison.
Now onto the actual review
Ani and Payton seem to have grown up in a hospital as their mother has some sort of dreaded sickness caused by emotions, although it isn't revealed how she came down with the water sickness. Due to her illness she is suspended in water and her husband, the two girls farther, is searching for a cure. Only th cure isn't as simple as it seems.
There has been a fall of guilds over the years due to the uprising of two guilds: Medical and Financial. Although I think Financial might have been named something else. The turning, when all these emotions began causing these illnesses to appear, and develop came about due to one or both guilds slating and destroying the balance of the world to become the two most powerful forces in the world.
And Ani and Payton both have powers, not illnesses, although described as that- which belong to two of the fallen guilds. Wylders and I think the blood guild although I could be wrong. I absolutely love how they uncover these abilities and the story which has been brilliantly crafted exploring a broad variety of illnesses and side affects like breathing fire.
I think its interesting to hear about powers as an illness, rather than mutants or superheroes. I absolutely adored this book. I would love to see more of Walker's writing. The wording was brilliant. I love how there were no romance plot at least not one that I could pick up on- which was brilliant because I got to say- it pisses me off how in almost every book like this there is a girl or a woman with some form of ability, power or sickness, and they have to fall in love. We all want love but it would be nice to see more books like this where the girls are stand alone independent.
The ending was a brilliant twist. I loved reading the king of midas touch illness, and the plot development around that. There's another character. Who's name I unfortunately forgot but he's got a subplot and he is also central in a way to the main plot. His character's backstory, the development, his growth and his healing- were all brilliantly well wrote.
I think this book is honestly a gem. I would love a sequel . Maybe in the future with these characters are grown up and have their own places.
Firstly, this book blew me away. It was immersive, enchanting, and engrossing. This is a book which nailed worldbuilding on the head. Brilliantly.
If you enjoyed this book I also recommend: David Fenne's Overemotional trilogy. Red Queen series. A Magic Steeped in Poison.
Now onto the actual review
Ani and Payton seem to have grown up in a hospital as their mother has some sort of dreaded sickness caused by emotions, although it isn't revealed how she came down with the water sickness. Due to her illness she is suspended in water and her husband, the two girls farther, is searching for a cure. Only th cure isn't as simple as it seems.
There has been a fall of guilds over the years due to the uprising of two guilds: Medical and Financial. Although I think Financial might have been named something else. The turning, when all these emotions began causing these illnesses to appear, and develop came about due to one or both guilds slating and destroying the balance of the world to become the two most powerful forces in the world.
And Ani and Payton both have powers, not illnesses, although described as that- which belong to two of the fallen guilds. Wylders and I think the blood guild although I could be wrong. I absolutely love how they uncover these abilities and the story which has been brilliantly crafted exploring a broad variety of illnesses and side affects like breathing fire.
I think its interesting to hear about powers as an illness, rather than mutants or superheroes. I absolutely adored this book. I would love to see more of Walker's writing. The wording was brilliant. I love how there were no romance plot at least not one that I could pick up on- which was brilliant because I got to say- it pisses me off how in almost every book like this there is a girl or a woman with some form of ability, power or sickness, and they have to fall in love. We all want love but it would be nice to see more books like this where the girls are stand alone independent.
The ending was a brilliant twist. I loved reading the king of midas touch illness, and the plot development around that. There's another character. Who's name I unfortunately forgot but he's got a subplot and he is also central in a way to the main plot. His character's backstory, the development, his growth and his healing- were all brilliantly well wrote.
I think this book is honestly a gem. I would love a sequel . Maybe in the future with these characters are grown up and have their own places.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
I was a massive fan of Angharad Walker’s 2022 debut The Ash House, which also featured in our ‘Best of Middle Grade’ end of year Christmas list. Angharad returns with another very thoughtful winner, which blends dark fantasy, dystopia, and mystery and is aimed at Middle Grade and more accessible YA. Once Upon a Fever is set in an alternate version of London, perhaps reminiscent of Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights where the world has fallen sick and emotions are blamed for these scary illnesses and have resulted in the two leading characters mother being in a coma. The elder of the sisters Payton wants to be a methic (a doctor) like her father, working on a cure for her mother’s sleeping fever. Ani, however younger and more headstrong, thinks the remedy for all illness might be found in the green wilderness or herbs beyond the hospital walls.
The sisters live with their methic father and have the run of the Hospital of King Jude’s whist he is obsessed with finding a cure. Early in the novel Ani stumbles upon an imprisoned boy whose arm has turned to gold and her world is soon turned upside-down when she realises he is a lab rat and begins to uncover deeper secrets about the illness threatening the land. I thought Once Upon A Fever had excellent world-building and in the final third the novel got exceptionally dark, much darker than I thought it would go as the girls investigated a possible cure. Adult readers of stuff like I Am Legend will realise where the cure lies, but not the consequences or the possible sacrifices. Like with The Ash House Walker does not particularly follow the blueprint of what you might find in a YA fantasy novel and does not rely upon loud action sequences or magical bangs, instead things are much more low-key, realistic and ultimately very intense. AGE RANGE 10-14
The sisters live with their methic father and have the run of the Hospital of King Jude’s whist he is obsessed with finding a cure. Early in the novel Ani stumbles upon an imprisoned boy whose arm has turned to gold and her world is soon turned upside-down when she realises he is a lab rat and begins to uncover deeper secrets about the illness threatening the land. I thought Once Upon A Fever had excellent world-building and in the final third the novel got exceptionally dark, much darker than I thought it would go as the girls investigated a possible cure. Adult readers of stuff like I Am Legend will realise where the cure lies, but not the consequences or the possible sacrifices. Like with The Ash House Walker does not particularly follow the blueprint of what you might find in a YA fantasy novel and does not rely upon loud action sequences or magical bangs, instead things are much more low-key, realistic and ultimately very intense. AGE RANGE 10-14
October 11, 2024
Dystopia of emotional control.
3.5 stars
The last few years we've had worlds wrecked by viruses (I'm talking finctional here, but funnily enough, in the real world...), stories of women not allowed to speak, electrical powers, acid rain... just a few I've come across in my reading. An old favourite, back in Brave New World, looks at the chemical control of emotions. And here for young people, the theme is continued with an almost medieval feel to it - a sick world where only controlling emotions can keep things going.
Sisters Payton and Ani know the world of the hospital, King Jude's (begs the question who this might be!). Each with their own ideas about helping the world, their mother is sick within the walls with a water fever, unable to awaken, their methic (think doctor/scientist) father focused solely on a cure, at the expense of his parenting duties.
Payton too wants to help by becoming a methic. Ani wants to search the outer world for cures. Discovering an imprisoned boy one night with Midas Fingers (most readers will know this reference), a chain of events occurs that sends the sisters in vastly different directions, apart for the first time, with each forced to live a new life to stay safe and maybe find some answers.
A two-sided dramatic story, the sisters each show the different facets of this world while trying to help each other, their mother and solve the mysteries as to what is going on behind the scenes at hospitals like the one they've grown up in.
This was interesting enough, but didn't stand out for me greatly as a concept. I liked the young heroines though they seemed almost too young to be taking the actions they were having to. This would probably work well visually on a screen though.
For ages 11 and above.
3.5 stars
The last few years we've had worlds wrecked by viruses (I'm talking finctional here, but funnily enough, in the real world...), stories of women not allowed to speak, electrical powers, acid rain... just a few I've come across in my reading. An old favourite, back in Brave New World, looks at the chemical control of emotions. And here for young people, the theme is continued with an almost medieval feel to it - a sick world where only controlling emotions can keep things going.
Sisters Payton and Ani know the world of the hospital, King Jude's (begs the question who this might be!). Each with their own ideas about helping the world, their mother is sick within the walls with a water fever, unable to awaken, their methic (think doctor/scientist) father focused solely on a cure, at the expense of his parenting duties.
Payton too wants to help by becoming a methic. Ani wants to search the outer world for cures. Discovering an imprisoned boy one night with Midas Fingers (most readers will know this reference), a chain of events occurs that sends the sisters in vastly different directions, apart for the first time, with each forced to live a new life to stay safe and maybe find some answers.
A two-sided dramatic story, the sisters each show the different facets of this world while trying to help each other, their mother and solve the mysteries as to what is going on behind the scenes at hospitals like the one they've grown up in.
This was interesting enough, but didn't stand out for me greatly as a concept. I liked the young heroines though they seemed almost too young to be taking the actions they were having to. This would probably work well visually on a screen though.
For ages 11 and above.
October 19, 2022
About the story, I love how dystopian it felt and yet so palpable. A society where people get sick after being overwhelmed by extreme emotions, requiring admission in hospitals where they can or cannot get treated. For example, a mother feeling terrible grief after losing her baby son led her to become violently ill, with so-called "water fever" — crying so much, sweating, until water is flowing from everywhere not only the eyes, but from ears and mouth that the patient feels like it's drowning. 💧
However, only some people get sick. Not all. Why? No one knows. What they do want to know is what's the cure for it. Methics (aka doctors for the diseases caused by feelings) have different ways of treating these illnesses, for example 'dream vapour' - given to distressed patients, so they can have gentler dreams. I found intriguing how all these diseases manifested and the treatments used for them.
The hunt for the cure was fascinating. I'd definitely describe it as "how capitalism takes advantage of people being mentally/physically ill to make money", which of course means taking advantage of the poor and financing the rich. One thing they overlooked, is that being in nature can help as well. Not for diseases in later stages, but for the ones that barely sparked. The solution can be easy but of course, if it's not profitable it won't be promoted to people. 💸
The story takes place in a dystopian version of London, and I was intrigued by all the places I visited and knew being transformed into something else. Greenwich will never be the same for me 😂
This book reminded me of The Promised Neverland (anime) and the Divergent series (books).
However, only some people get sick. Not all. Why? No one knows. What they do want to know is what's the cure for it. Methics (aka doctors for the diseases caused by feelings) have different ways of treating these illnesses, for example 'dream vapour' - given to distressed patients, so they can have gentler dreams. I found intriguing how all these diseases manifested and the treatments used for them.
The hunt for the cure was fascinating. I'd definitely describe it as "how capitalism takes advantage of people being mentally/physically ill to make money", which of course means taking advantage of the poor and financing the rich. One thing they overlooked, is that being in nature can help as well. Not for diseases in later stages, but for the ones that barely sparked. The solution can be easy but of course, if it's not profitable it won't be promoted to people. 💸
The story takes place in a dystopian version of London, and I was intrigued by all the places I visited and knew being transformed into something else. Greenwich will never be the same for me 😂
This book reminded me of The Promised Neverland (anime) and the Divergent series (books).
January 22, 2023
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book!
I loved the creativity of it in terms of manifesting feelings as illnesses. I think the book did a great job of coming up with creative ways to portray those feelings. And it did a fantastic job with the storyline of whether having too much of one feeling should be treated, and the complexity of both good and bad emotions, and emotional balance. It was woven into the story expertly, and I think teens and children will have so much fun reading this book.
Because while it has an underlying discussion and concept going on, it is a lot of fun too. It's about sisters and family, forming friendships and going on adventures. It's about discovering yourself. I like how not everything has the perfectly neat and happy ending, but it has that level of complexity in how the story concludes as well.
I really liked following Ani as a main character. And even though Payton is separate from her sister and goes on an entirely different journey, I liked how their stories came together. And you got to see them both develop individually for very different reasons.
I raced through this one and couldn't put it down. I'm always wondering about books for those who aren't children anymore, and aren't yet mature teenagers. And this falls right into the bank of books perfect for 10-14 year olds.
I loved the creativity of it in terms of manifesting feelings as illnesses. I think the book did a great job of coming up with creative ways to portray those feelings. And it did a fantastic job with the storyline of whether having too much of one feeling should be treated, and the complexity of both good and bad emotions, and emotional balance. It was woven into the story expertly, and I think teens and children will have so much fun reading this book.
Because while it has an underlying discussion and concept going on, it is a lot of fun too. It's about sisters and family, forming friendships and going on adventures. It's about discovering yourself. I like how not everything has the perfectly neat and happy ending, but it has that level of complexity in how the story concludes as well.
I really liked following Ani as a main character. And even though Payton is separate from her sister and goes on an entirely different journey, I liked how their stories came together. And you got to see them both develop individually for very different reasons.
I raced through this one and couldn't put it down. I'm always wondering about books for those who aren't children anymore, and aren't yet mature teenagers. And this falls right into the bank of books perfect for 10-14 year olds.
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