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Codebreakers #1
The Wish Ring Cipher
Emma Avery has always loved solving puzzles and codes, and now that she’s processing a recent autism diagnosis and facing down seventh grade at a new school, they’re even more important to her.
Then Emma meets Nate Lin. He’s popular and funny and . . . loves codes, too. He introduces Emma to the Codebreakers, a group of his friends dedicated to cracking codes that have been discovered in the ruins of a nearby ghost town, which are believed to lead to magical objects. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt, and when their sinister rivals close in on an object that grants unlimited wishes, the Codebreakers must race to beat them to it before they use it for dark magic.
The Wish Ring Cipher is a fast-paced adventure brimming with magic and warmth that introduces a tenacious and endearing heroine on a quest to save the world—and to make some friends along the way.
Then Emma meets Nate Lin. He’s popular and funny and . . . loves codes, too. He introduces Emma to the Codebreakers, a group of his friends dedicated to cracking codes that have been discovered in the ruins of a nearby ghost town, which are believed to lead to magical objects. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt, and when their sinister rivals close in on an object that grants unlimited wishes, the Codebreakers must race to beat them to it before they use it for dark magic.
The Wish Ring Cipher is a fast-paced adventure brimming with magic and warmth that introduces a tenacious and endearing heroine on a quest to save the world—and to make some friends along the way.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
6 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Ott
6 books88 followersAlexandra Ott writes fiction for young readers, including the Rules for Thieves series and the Seekers of the Wild Realm series. She graduated from the University of Tulsa and is now a freelance editor. In her spare time, she eats a lot of chocolate and reads just about everything. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her tiny canine overlord.
Visit her online at www.alexandraott.com.
Visit her online at www.alexandraott.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
✰ 3 stars ✰
A predictable but promising start of a middle-grade puzzle-solving series. Think National Treasure Jr. adventurers with a tint of magic. It may have been a touch on the longish side, with how it delved pretty deep into the explanations of the various codes and ciphers explored, but it was still an enjoyable and cute read, all the same. 👍🏻
Emma may have been autistic, but her behavior and reactions felt very valid. Second guessing everything might seem annoying and aggravating, even unnecessary but to an autistic person it feels like the weight of the world. 💭 So despite how much of the narrative is spent explaining her thoughts for her certain reactions, she still was an engaging and at times, relatable twelve-year-old, who displayed a great deal of sense and maturity at the right moments.
“The fun of codes is simply solving them.”
The other members of the codebreakers were not as fleshed out as much as they could have been, but as it is a start, I hope we'll delve deeper into their own personalities and backgrounds to make the codebreakers a stronger unit of cracking the secrets and mysteries Nate is keen on uncovering.
I may have felt it unfair that one of the reasons why he was more receptive to her was because of his own experience with autism, but, I'll let it slide in the spirit of friendship and how he happily welcomed her into their club, trusted and believed in her skills. As impressive as they were, because my expertise with puzzles begins and ends with Sudoku.
“If I wish away my autism, every single part of me would change.”
There were not many significant twists or reveals that I didn't catch on already, but solving The Wish Ring Cipher was a cathartic and sincere moment for Emma, which I liked. 🥺 Her dedication and focus to solving puzzles was a helpful way of analyzing and accepting herself as she was with a positive energy and self-assured confidence that helped her also offer her own advice to Nate before he made a decision he would later regret.
The trick about cracking ciphers is like fill in the blanks; and because I seem to have too much time on my hands, here is the answer to the cipher on the cover (a cute touch, btw), with the provided key, cuz I'm always up for a challenge to solve. 🧩
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
“I can never leave a code unsolved.”
A predictable but promising start of a middle-grade puzzle-solving series. Think National Treasure Jr. adventurers with a tint of magic. It may have been a touch on the longish side, with how it delved pretty deep into the explanations of the various codes and ciphers explored, but it was still an enjoyable and cute read, all the same. 👍🏻
Emma may have been autistic, but her behavior and reactions felt very valid. Second guessing everything might seem annoying and aggravating, even unnecessary but to an autistic person it feels like the weight of the world. 💭 So despite how much of the narrative is spent explaining her thoughts for her certain reactions, she still was an engaging and at times, relatable twelve-year-old, who displayed a great deal of sense and maturity at the right moments.
“The fun of codes is simply solving them.”
The other members of the codebreakers were not as fleshed out as much as they could have been, but as it is a start, I hope we'll delve deeper into their own personalities and backgrounds to make the codebreakers a stronger unit of cracking the secrets and mysteries Nate is keen on uncovering.
I may have felt it unfair that one of the reasons why he was more receptive to her was because of his own experience with autism, but, I'll let it slide in the spirit of friendship and how he happily welcomed her into their club, trusted and believed in her skills. As impressive as they were, because my expertise with puzzles begins and ends with Sudoku.
“If I wish away my autism, every single part of me would change.”
There were not many significant twists or reveals that I didn't catch on already, but solving The Wish Ring Cipher was a cathartic and sincere moment for Emma, which I liked. 🥺 Her dedication and focus to solving puzzles was a helpful way of analyzing and accepting herself as she was with a positive energy and self-assured confidence that helped her also offer her own advice to Nate before he made a decision he would later regret.
The trick about cracking ciphers is like fill in the blanks; and because I seem to have too much time on my hands, here is the answer to the cipher on the cover (a cute touch, btw), with the provided key, cuz I'm always up for a challenge to solve. 🧩
*Thank you to Edelweiss for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Wish Ring Cipher, by Alexandra Ott, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book one in the Codebreakers series. Emma Avery is in seventh grade, she loves solving puzzles, she was recently diagnosed with Autism. Emma is starting at a new school. Emma has a wish ring cipher to solve, can she solve it? This was a really good read. I really like Emma.
September 27, 2025
Loved this story about Emma, newly diagnosed with autism, who finds her tribe among students who love codingbreaking. Poignant and inspiring!
February 9, 2026
Review to follow
December 18, 2025
Older children and middle grade readers will thrill to another puzzle-themed book, this one with some magic and mystery blended in as well.
Emma Avery is changing schools for 7th grade since her previous and very comfortable school is too small to offer much in the way of support and accommodations for her newly diagnosed autism. Although she is not happy about the switch, Avery has set a few goals for herself for this new year, one being to make a friend, and, after a rough start, her love of decoding cyphers and creating her own seems to have connected her with a group of like-minded puzzle-solvers, including the popular Nate. But the Codebreakers group is involved in some very special ciphering and these puzzles lead to magical objects placed generations ago in the mysteriously deserted town of Sablewood and there is another, more nefarious group also focused on finding these enchanted objects. When Nate goes missing and one in their group identified as untrustworthy, Emma is rightfully concerned that she is in over her head.
Alexandra Ott’s characters are clearly defined and come from varied backgrounds, including diversity in race and family configuration and displaying distinctly different personalities. Emma and Nate are firmly established as the main figures with Diya, Owen and Eli, the remaining 3 in the group, the school counselor Mr. B, and Owen’s Aunt Leonora acting as supporting characters. Who the villain(s) is/are is left unclear, even at the end, giving hints to possible outcomes in the coming installment in this new series. Emma’s autism is presented in ways that reflect the author’s personal experiences and in her forward, acknowledgement of how very different being on the spectrum can look for others is stated. Nate’s younger brother is another peek at the ways autism can manifest itself and both feel authentic although those with limited experience may be surprised at how successful someone with autism can be. This fact is becoming much more known with greater representation in fiction such as Good Different and Girl in the Walls both by Meg Eden Kuyatt, All the Noise at Once (Davis). The specific act of using ciphers is much more prominent in this book than in other readalikes and the steps of using a Playfair cipher are quite detailed and the first one used in the text is shown step by step and easily allows for readers to solve it step by step with Emma. While the other types of cipher are described thoroughly, only the first shows the steps in such detail but may pique the interest of many readers. An easy coded message is included on the book’s cover and the key included at the end.
Recommended for libraries serving grades 4-7, especially if puzzle-solving and escape room themed books are widely circulated. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and no physical violence is present although there is a kidnapping. Representation: autism in two characters, Diya presents as having a Middle Eastern background and it is mentioned once (maybe twice?) that she has two moms; Eli is pictured on the cover as Black and his braids and dark skin are noted in his physical description; One character’s father died recently leaving a one-parent home.
Readalikes (some puzzle-focused, others are more escape room & some a blend): Mr Lemoncello’s Library series (Grabenstein), Ms Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest (standalone as of 2025 but expected to be a series), The Mysterious Benedict Society (Stewart), The Westing Game (Raskin), Chasing Vermeer (Balliett), The Inheritance Games series (Barnes), The Blackthorn Key series (Sands), The Delta Games (Currie), Liar’s Society series (Gerber), and the more YA The Escape Game (Meyer).
Emma Avery is changing schools for 7th grade since her previous and very comfortable school is too small to offer much in the way of support and accommodations for her newly diagnosed autism. Although she is not happy about the switch, Avery has set a few goals for herself for this new year, one being to make a friend, and, after a rough start, her love of decoding cyphers and creating her own seems to have connected her with a group of like-minded puzzle-solvers, including the popular Nate. But the Codebreakers group is involved in some very special ciphering and these puzzles lead to magical objects placed generations ago in the mysteriously deserted town of Sablewood and there is another, more nefarious group also focused on finding these enchanted objects. When Nate goes missing and one in their group identified as untrustworthy, Emma is rightfully concerned that she is in over her head.
Alexandra Ott’s characters are clearly defined and come from varied backgrounds, including diversity in race and family configuration and displaying distinctly different personalities. Emma and Nate are firmly established as the main figures with Diya, Owen and Eli, the remaining 3 in the group, the school counselor Mr. B, and Owen’s Aunt Leonora acting as supporting characters. Who the villain(s) is/are is left unclear, even at the end, giving hints to possible outcomes in the coming installment in this new series. Emma’s autism is presented in ways that reflect the author’s personal experiences and in her forward, acknowledgement of how very different being on the spectrum can look for others is stated. Nate’s younger brother is another peek at the ways autism can manifest itself and both feel authentic although those with limited experience may be surprised at how successful someone with autism can be. This fact is becoming much more known with greater representation in fiction such as Good Different and Girl in the Walls both by Meg Eden Kuyatt, All the Noise at Once (Davis). The specific act of using ciphers is much more prominent in this book than in other readalikes and the steps of using a Playfair cipher are quite detailed and the first one used in the text is shown step by step and easily allows for readers to solve it step by step with Emma. While the other types of cipher are described thoroughly, only the first shows the steps in such detail but may pique the interest of many readers. An easy coded message is included on the book’s cover and the key included at the end.
Recommended for libraries serving grades 4-7, especially if puzzle-solving and escape room themed books are widely circulated. Text is free of profanity and sexual content and no physical violence is present although there is a kidnapping. Representation: autism in two characters, Diya presents as having a Middle Eastern background and it is mentioned once (maybe twice?) that she has two moms; Eli is pictured on the cover as Black and his braids and dark skin are noted in his physical description; One character’s father died recently leaving a one-parent home.
Readalikes (some puzzle-focused, others are more escape room & some a blend): Mr Lemoncello’s Library series (Grabenstein), Ms Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest (standalone as of 2025 but expected to be a series), The Mysterious Benedict Society (Stewart), The Westing Game (Raskin), Chasing Vermeer (Balliett), The Inheritance Games series (Barnes), The Blackthorn Key series (Sands), The Delta Games (Currie), Liar’s Society series (Gerber), and the more YA The Escape Game (Meyer).
September 27, 2025
I loved Alexandra Ott’s The Wish Ring Cipher (Codebreakers #1). It follows Emma, a newly diagnosed autistic girl, as she navigates a new school and the puzzles that unfold when popular classmate Nate draws her into the Codebreakers group.
Emma is intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and her love of codebreaking helps her reach out and connect to others which is one of my favourite aspects of the story. I believe readers will find her voice feels very relatable and genuine.
I think the puzzle elements are clear and well sequenced, making them feel very understandable even if the reader has never tackled a cipher before. I loved learning about the many different codes and ciphers, which the novel described and presented in an engaging, detailed, and vivid way throughout.
I read through the story quickly, feeling both Emma’s anxiety during awkward social moments and happiness as she finds her place among friends. I do feel that some of the friends could have had a little extra personal quirks or details shared that would have made them feel more relatable and authentic, but I still enjoyed their group a lot.
The entire novel is very well written and flows nicely. The plot unravels in multiple layers, packed with engaging mysteries and unanticipated aspects that had me always wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The ending comes a little suddenly, but it’s satisfying and leaves room for further adventures.
Overall, this is a heartfelt and intelligent novel for middle grade fans of mysteries, friendships, magic, and codebreaking. I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Emma is intelligent, thoughtful, caring, and her love of codebreaking helps her reach out and connect to others which is one of my favourite aspects of the story. I believe readers will find her voice feels very relatable and genuine.
I think the puzzle elements are clear and well sequenced, making them feel very understandable even if the reader has never tackled a cipher before. I loved learning about the many different codes and ciphers, which the novel described and presented in an engaging, detailed, and vivid way throughout.
I read through the story quickly, feeling both Emma’s anxiety during awkward social moments and happiness as she finds her place among friends. I do feel that some of the friends could have had a little extra personal quirks or details shared that would have made them feel more relatable and authentic, but I still enjoyed their group a lot.
The entire novel is very well written and flows nicely. The plot unravels in multiple layers, packed with engaging mysteries and unanticipated aspects that had me always wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The ending comes a little suddenly, but it’s satisfying and leaves room for further adventures.
Overall, this is a heartfelt and intelligent novel for middle grade fans of mysteries, friendships, magic, and codebreaking. I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Emma switches middle schools from Sterling to Afton Academy after her dad and stepmother decide that Afton has more programs tailored to her needs. Emma's recent autism diagnosis makes sense; she is often overwhelmed by noise and people, and is hyperfocused on puzzles and codes, which she loves. Learning coping strategies and being able to visit the school counselor, Mr. B., helps. Switching schools is hard at first, but she meets Nate Lin, who seems to be everywhere at school and is popular. He is also interested in codes, and since his brother Davey is also on the autism spectrum, he deals well with some of Emma's habits, like talking softly and not looking at people when she talks to them. He tells her that it is really important that he solves a local code, although he won't tell her why. Near their town of Riverside, there is the Sablewood National Park, where the ruins of the town of Sablewood lie. There is a legend that dark magic destroyed the town, and Nate tells Emma about an organization of Code Breakers, but students and adults, who are trying to solve codes and find secret artifacts. With Emma's help, the group (which includes Eli, Owen, and Diya) find a box that has a crystal in it. The crystal causes Eli to become invisible! Of the 11 artifacts, six have now been found, but the Code Breakers are at odds with the Division, who split from the group. When Nate disappears, Emma finds out information about the Division that makes her unsure about whom to trust, but meeting Leonora, who is part of the Division, makes Emma not want to trust them, since Leonora locks Nate up! Nate has his reasons for wanting to know the code to find the wish Ring, but Emma thinks the reasons aren't very sound. There are plenty of loose ends for the Code Breakers to investigate in another book.
Strengths: An author's note explains how Ms. Ott could not find many books with autistic characters who were girls or somewhat older, especially in fantasy books. This is definitely the case, although there are a few more with girl characters on the autism spectrum now than there were even a few years ago. Emma is very thoughtful about her reactions to things, and has some good strategies in place. The historic code is interesting, and there are some twists and subterfuge involving the Division that make the book exciting. Nate's reasons for finding the magical objects (and no mistake; this is a fantasy book) make sense, as do his friends objections to them. I loved that Mr. B. was also a Code Breaker.
Weaknesses: This is a fairly slow paced mystery and includes a lot of puzzles, so this might not appeal to middle grade readers who want slap dash murder-and-mayhem type mysteries.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want mysteries with a bit of danger and a LOT of code solving, like Beckett-King's The House of Found Objects, Grabenstein's Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, Currie's The Mystery of the Locked Rooms, or Guterson's The World Famous Nine.
Emma switches middle schools from Sterling to Afton Academy after her dad and stepmother decide that Afton has more programs tailored to her needs. Emma's recent autism diagnosis makes sense; she is often overwhelmed by noise and people, and is hyperfocused on puzzles and codes, which she loves. Learning coping strategies and being able to visit the school counselor, Mr. B., helps. Switching schools is hard at first, but she meets Nate Lin, who seems to be everywhere at school and is popular. He is also interested in codes, and since his brother Davey is also on the autism spectrum, he deals well with some of Emma's habits, like talking softly and not looking at people when she talks to them. He tells her that it is really important that he solves a local code, although he won't tell her why. Near their town of Riverside, there is the Sablewood National Park, where the ruins of the town of Sablewood lie. There is a legend that dark magic destroyed the town, and Nate tells Emma about an organization of Code Breakers, but students and adults, who are trying to solve codes and find secret artifacts. With Emma's help, the group (which includes Eli, Owen, and Diya) find a box that has a crystal in it. The crystal causes Eli to become invisible! Of the 11 artifacts, six have now been found, but the Code Breakers are at odds with the Division, who split from the group. When Nate disappears, Emma finds out information about the Division that makes her unsure about whom to trust, but meeting Leonora, who is part of the Division, makes Emma not want to trust them, since Leonora locks Nate up! Nate has his reasons for wanting to know the code to find the wish Ring, but Emma thinks the reasons aren't very sound. There are plenty of loose ends for the Code Breakers to investigate in another book.
Strengths: An author's note explains how Ms. Ott could not find many books with autistic characters who were girls or somewhat older, especially in fantasy books. This is definitely the case, although there are a few more with girl characters on the autism spectrum now than there were even a few years ago. Emma is very thoughtful about her reactions to things, and has some good strategies in place. The historic code is interesting, and there are some twists and subterfuge involving the Division that make the book exciting. Nate's reasons for finding the magical objects (and no mistake; this is a fantasy book) make sense, as do his friends objections to them. I loved that Mr. B. was also a Code Breaker.
Weaknesses: This is a fairly slow paced mystery and includes a lot of puzzles, so this might not appeal to middle grade readers who want slap dash murder-and-mayhem type mysteries.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want mysteries with a bit of danger and a LOT of code solving, like Beckett-King's The House of Found Objects, Grabenstein's Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, Currie's The Mystery of the Locked Rooms, or Guterson's The World Famous Nine.
December 22, 2025
Though I’m not a seventh grader, this middle school novel caught me emotionally right away. I was in second grade when my family moved and I was the new student in a class. I don’t remember any of the specifics, but I can feel the emotional pull of what Emma is experiencing. I think even kids who haven’t move will relate to this, because we’ve all been new somewhere, sometime.
The hook is that Emma is a coder, and though I’ve never been drawn to explore that, I can see where it would be fascinating. Emma has just been diagnosed with autism and coding is her lifeline, the one thing she loves to do. I have to say that I hate the word autism because there are so many points along the scale of neurodivergence at which one might find oneself. To lump them under one term seems unfair. But the point that Ott is making, I believe, is that it’s hard to be different—for any reason.
It seems to me that there are four themes in this novel: neurodivergence, friendship, coding and magic. The story itself is what drew me in, and I expect middle school age readers can handle four themes at once. The one that seems most important to me is friendship (inclusion, kindness, acceptance). Friendship in this novel is the polar opposite of mean girls. It may be offered tentatively at first, but it is unconditional. That’s unusual, and that’s why it’s important.
I won’t reveal the secrets or the magic that Emma, and her new friend Nate are searching for. But I highly recommend this novel for anyone from about age 10 or 11 up, who is a good reader. And I think, with a little help, even poor readers can enjoy it. Good job, Alexandra Ott.
The hook is that Emma is a coder, and though I’ve never been drawn to explore that, I can see where it would be fascinating. Emma has just been diagnosed with autism and coding is her lifeline, the one thing she loves to do. I have to say that I hate the word autism because there are so many points along the scale of neurodivergence at which one might find oneself. To lump them under one term seems unfair. But the point that Ott is making, I believe, is that it’s hard to be different—for any reason.
It seems to me that there are four themes in this novel: neurodivergence, friendship, coding and magic. The story itself is what drew me in, and I expect middle school age readers can handle four themes at once. The one that seems most important to me is friendship (inclusion, kindness, acceptance). Friendship in this novel is the polar opposite of mean girls. It may be offered tentatively at first, but it is unconditional. That’s unusual, and that’s why it’s important.
I won’t reveal the secrets or the magic that Emma, and her new friend Nate are searching for. But I highly recommend this novel for anyone from about age 10 or 11 up, who is a good reader. And I think, with a little help, even poor readers can enjoy it. Good job, Alexandra Ott.
February 9, 2026
Summary: This story follows Emma Avery, a newly diagnosed autistic girl, as she transitions from her comfortable and small school, Sterling, to Afton Academy, a new environment with more tailored support programs and a lot more students. At Afton, Emma meets Nate, a popular classmate who shares her love for codes. Together, they join the Codebreakers, a group focused on deciphering mysterious codes in a nearby ghost town that lead to magical objects. As they race against rivals to find a wish-granting artifact, Emma faces challenges of trust and friendship. This captivating middle-grade novel blends mystery, magic, and the journey of self-discovery.
Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is rich story that intertwines themes of friendship, autism, and code-breaking. Emma's transition from Sterling to Afton Academy highlights the importance of supportive educational environments for neurodiverse students. It is a good book to discuss neurodiversity, encouraging empathy and understanding among students. The detailed exploration of ciphers can also be an engaging way to introduce problem-solving and critical thinking exercises in the classroom. While some may find the pace slow, the depth of character development and the intriguing plot make it a worthwhile read. The author is neurodivergent and she wrote it in a way that would have appealed to her in middle school. A lot of reviewers are not liking the detailed explanations of the code breaking strategies, but I think will appeal to those students who are really into it. I like that Emma found some friends that did not judge her because she was expecting to be judged and labeled as soon as she got to her new school.
Straight Talk for Librarians: This book is rich story that intertwines themes of friendship, autism, and code-breaking. Emma's transition from Sterling to Afton Academy highlights the importance of supportive educational environments for neurodiverse students. It is a good book to discuss neurodiversity, encouraging empathy and understanding among students. The detailed exploration of ciphers can also be an engaging way to introduce problem-solving and critical thinking exercises in the classroom. While some may find the pace slow, the depth of character development and the intriguing plot make it a worthwhile read. The author is neurodivergent and she wrote it in a way that would have appealed to her in middle school. A lot of reviewers are not liking the detailed explanations of the code breaking strategies, but I think will appeal to those students who are really into it. I like that Emma found some friends that did not judge her because she was expecting to be judged and labeled as soon as she got to her new school.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a great novel! Our main character, Emma, has a very strong characterisation and, even though I’ve been out of middle school for more than a decade, her thought process is very relatable. The writing encompasses her inner world with palpable clarity and emotion: I could feel Emma’s anxiety in social situations, her frustration at being held back by her own self, and her triumphs at making new friends.
The plot is very much slow paced, but I think it was to the benefit of this novel. You’re able to build a relationship with Emma, caring for her through her struggles and hobbies, and that makes the latter parts of the book hard-hitting and poignant, especially in regards to how she perceives her new friends and her nervousness regarding who to trust.
The deciphering of cyphers is also very interesting, and I can see a lot of children and young teens picking up an interest for it while reading this one! I imagine it’s easier to visualise it while reading a physical copy, but still, the author does an amazing job at integrating the methods of codebreaking into the text, as well.
The narration for this audiobook was also very satisfying, giving our characters strong voices and a compelling drive to the narrative!
Overall, this was a great experience and I am really interested to read more from this universe and from this author!
The plot is very much slow paced, but I think it was to the benefit of this novel. You’re able to build a relationship with Emma, caring for her through her struggles and hobbies, and that makes the latter parts of the book hard-hitting and poignant, especially in regards to how she perceives her new friends and her nervousness regarding who to trust.
The deciphering of cyphers is also very interesting, and I can see a lot of children and young teens picking up an interest for it while reading this one! I imagine it’s easier to visualise it while reading a physical copy, but still, the author does an amazing job at integrating the methods of codebreaking into the text, as well.
The narration for this audiobook was also very satisfying, giving our characters strong voices and a compelling drive to the narrative!
Overall, this was a great experience and I am really interested to read more from this universe and from this author!
February 10, 2026
I received an ARC from the publisher of this book.
I generally enjoyed reading the newest book from Alexandra Ott, especially knowing that the MFC was struggling with not only a new diagnosis (Autism), new school/routines, but also knowing that she was leaning into her hyper-fixation of all things secret code related to help solve some of the mysteries surrounding her town. As an adult reading this book, which is marketed as Middle Grade, I will say that I had some issues with how often the author felt the need to reiterate Emma's social struggles and how they related to her autism but I can also understand why that might be something that might need the regular reflection based on the targeted age demographic. This was a fairly quick read, the pacing kept up really well, and the suspense built in the second half of the story right up until the end, at which point the reader was left with the indication that there will be more to the story yet to come.
I will also say I love how interactive the book and the promotional materials for the book were. The book has a cipher in the back that depicts the cipher found in the story, and keeping the theme throughout the promotional materials, the author used that cipher to encode a message along the right hand side of the front cover, the page headers (author/book title), as well as a bookmark with a coded message to "decipher".
I generally enjoyed reading the newest book from Alexandra Ott, especially knowing that the MFC was struggling with not only a new diagnosis (Autism), new school/routines, but also knowing that she was leaning into her hyper-fixation of all things secret code related to help solve some of the mysteries surrounding her town. As an adult reading this book, which is marketed as Middle Grade, I will say that I had some issues with how often the author felt the need to reiterate Emma's social struggles and how they related to her autism but I can also understand why that might be something that might need the regular reflection based on the targeted age demographic. This was a fairly quick read, the pacing kept up really well, and the suspense built in the second half of the story right up until the end, at which point the reader was left with the indication that there will be more to the story yet to come.
I will also say I love how interactive the book and the promotional materials for the book were. The book has a cipher in the back that depicts the cipher found in the story, and keeping the theme throughout the promotional materials, the author used that cipher to encode a message along the right hand side of the front cover, the page headers (author/book title), as well as a bookmark with a coded message to "decipher".
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Wish Ring Cipher is a mysterious and fast paced middle grade novel about Emma, who has recently started a new school after being diagnosed with autism. Emma obsessed with decoding ciphers, puzzles, and codes, gains the confidants of Nate and his entourage, the code- breakers. With Emma now assisting, the code-breakers are determined to decipher their towns biggest secret!
Alexandra Ott creates a story and a character that is often overlooked, silenced, or misrepresented. Emma is a breath of fresh air for a literary character discovering, understanding, and becoming empowered by their autism. However, I found that this attribute of the character overbearing in that the personality traits of Emma were solely that she had autism. Surely it is important to express to young people that they are more than their autism. In addition, I found that despite the enjoyment I had from the ciphers being a major part of this novel, I myself struggled to understand the description and explanation of these cyphers and felt that it at times got in the way of the story. However I do think many young readers can relate to Emma, Nate and other characters in what I assume is to be a multi-parted series and will enjoy their discoveries!
Alexandra Ott creates a story and a character that is often overlooked, silenced, or misrepresented. Emma is a breath of fresh air for a literary character discovering, understanding, and becoming empowered by their autism. However, I found that this attribute of the character overbearing in that the personality traits of Emma were solely that she had autism. Surely it is important to express to young people that they are more than their autism. In addition, I found that despite the enjoyment I had from the ciphers being a major part of this novel, I myself struggled to understand the description and explanation of these cyphers and felt that it at times got in the way of the story. However I do think many young readers can relate to Emma, Nate and other characters in what I assume is to be a multi-parted series and will enjoy their discoveries!
September 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot. This was a fun mystery story told from the perspective of an autistic girl, which is a unique angle for me and I think adds educational value to this book beyond what the simple plot can offer.
There are sort of 2 main threads in this book:
1. Emma's experience at a new school and how she interacts with others, focusing on her struggles as a kid with autism.
2. The cipher mystery and larger story of the Codebreakers.
I felt that for a short book, I still got to know Emma pretty well and see her develop more confidence in interacting with others over the course of the book. We didn't really get much info about the other characters, though. The ending suggests there may be more books to come in the future, so hopefully we will get to know other characters more later. I appreciate that there is more to come, but the ending still felt a bit abrupt.
Middle-grades readers (ages ~8-12) who love a good mystery story -- and especially solving codes/ciphers -- should enjoy this book!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
There are sort of 2 main threads in this book:
1. Emma's experience at a new school and how she interacts with others, focusing on her struggles as a kid with autism.
2. The cipher mystery and larger story of the Codebreakers.
I felt that for a short book, I still got to know Emma pretty well and see her develop more confidence in interacting with others over the course of the book. We didn't really get much info about the other characters, though. The ending suggests there may be more books to come in the future, so hopefully we will get to know other characters more later. I appreciate that there is more to come, but the ending still felt a bit abrupt.
Middle-grades readers (ages ~8-12) who love a good mystery story -- and especially solving codes/ciphers -- should enjoy this book!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
February 12, 2026
The Wish Ring Cipher by Alexandra Ott ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a great book for middle grade readers! I thought it was entertaining, informative, and adventurous. As a parent, I would love this series for my children. As a former middle school English teacher, I would recommend this book to young readers.
I want to add I was happy that the random “magic” in the book was brief, lighthearted, and not dark at all. Thank you for that.
In summary, The Wish Ring Cipher is a book about a girl with autism who enrolls in a new school to take advantage of its advanced resources. I appreciated that the main characters made autism relatable to readers, and even educated us on how people with autism perceive their surroundings and relationships with others. We should embrace who we are and do the same for others. The book had a great message laced throughout middle school kids going on an adventure to break a code to find lost/hidden artifacts in their town.
Thank you to Alexandra Ott, Norton Young Readers, and Netgalley for providing me an Advanced Readers Copy of this audiobook/book in exchange for my honest review. The Wish Ring Cipher is available for purchase now.
This is a great book for middle grade readers! I thought it was entertaining, informative, and adventurous. As a parent, I would love this series for my children. As a former middle school English teacher, I would recommend this book to young readers.
I want to add I was happy that the random “magic” in the book was brief, lighthearted, and not dark at all. Thank you for that.
In summary, The Wish Ring Cipher is a book about a girl with autism who enrolls in a new school to take advantage of its advanced resources. I appreciated that the main characters made autism relatable to readers, and even educated us on how people with autism perceive their surroundings and relationships with others. We should embrace who we are and do the same for others. The book had a great message laced throughout middle school kids going on an adventure to break a code to find lost/hidden artifacts in their town.
Thank you to Alexandra Ott, Norton Young Readers, and Netgalley for providing me an Advanced Readers Copy of this audiobook/book in exchange for my honest review. The Wish Ring Cipher is available for purchase now.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I adored this book! I
I love that we're taken through Emma's thought processes in such detail. It never drags the pacing, just gives insights into the mind of an autistic middle schooler in a fresh and engaging way. I think it's great that the narrative includes information about how her autism got overlooked, what led to her diagnosis, and so on. No spoiler, but the decision she makes at the end about who she *could* be felt so empowering and important!
The characters are well fleshed out and the group dynamics believable.
The codes don't translate too well into the audio format, but that's to be expected and not an issue. The narrator does her best and her best is excellent throughout the whole audiobook!! She really nails everyone's voices. It's a treat from start to finish.
Now, the mystery and the Division aspect felt a little contrived. I balked at the behaviour from the adults--particularly Mr. B.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love that we're taken through Emma's thought processes in such detail. It never drags the pacing, just gives insights into the mind of an autistic middle schooler in a fresh and engaging way. I think it's great that the narrative includes information about how her autism got overlooked, what led to her diagnosis, and so on. No spoiler, but the decision she makes at the end about who she *could* be felt so empowering and important!
The characters are well fleshed out and the group dynamics believable.
The codes don't translate too well into the audio format, but that's to be expected and not an issue. The narrator does her best and her best is excellent throughout the whole audiobook!! She really nails everyone's voices. It's a treat from start to finish.
Now, the mystery and the Division aspect felt a little contrived. I balked at the behaviour from the adults--particularly Mr. B.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 11, 2026
After a recent autism diagnosis, Emma has to shift schools. Though she is skeptical about being the weird one, she ends up landing in a group of kids who are equally passionate about puzzles, encryption, and especially ciphers. Together, they are secretly on a hunt to decipher strange codes found on the edge of a ghost town. Each discovery leads to a magical object, and the one her friend is most excited about might just change everything.
Once the plot settles in, the story is constantly on the move. Following the kids through forests, decoding clues, and solving puzzles is definitely entertaining. This book also taught me the difference between codes and ciphers, and at some level even made me curious to read more about different ciphering techniques.
It is a great middle-grade adventure, and the narrator carries the energy and excitement of multiple children effortlessly. The thrill of discovering something new, the depth of friendships, and the internal monologues of a child’s mind, especially the things they do not say out loud, are portrayed really well.
Once the plot settles in, the story is constantly on the move. Following the kids through forests, decoding clues, and solving puzzles is definitely entertaining. This book also taught me the difference between codes and ciphers, and at some level even made me curious to read more about different ciphering techniques.
It is a great middle-grade adventure, and the narrator carries the energy and excitement of multiple children effortlessly. The thrill of discovering something new, the depth of friendships, and the internal monologues of a child’s mind, especially the things they do not say out loud, are portrayed really well.
Read
December 28, 2025Another good adventure read about a group of kids trying to solve some serious codes, this time to help them find a hidden ring with magical properties.
Emma’s parents move her to a school that they feel will be better with her recent autism diagnosis, but she had trouble making friends before and now it seems impossible. But when a popular kid named Nate sees how amazingly good she is at solving puzzles, he invites her to join his Codebreakers club consisting of several other kids who are as crazy about solving things as she is.
The author wrote this book because she is autistic and felt books didn’t talk about people like her. And while not over the top on the subject, it does reveal what she and perhaps other autistic children feel around other kids. Whether you’re good at codes/puzzles or even if you aren’t (I’m not), this is still a really good read! I am also thinking there may be another code for this group to solve in the future 🤞
Emma’s parents move her to a school that they feel will be better with her recent autism diagnosis, but she had trouble making friends before and now it seems impossible. But when a popular kid named Nate sees how amazingly good she is at solving puzzles, he invites her to join his Codebreakers club consisting of several other kids who are as crazy about solving things as she is.
The author wrote this book because she is autistic and felt books didn’t talk about people like her. And while not over the top on the subject, it does reveal what she and perhaps other autistic children feel around other kids. Whether you’re good at codes/puzzles or even if you aren’t (I’m not), this is still a really good read! I am also thinking there may be another code for this group to solve in the future 🤞
February 9, 2026
This book was amusing from the start. Emma protests in the book what most of us dislike, group projects, being called out for things we know etc. The only thing is Emma struggles with autism. Though this hinders her only slightly as she has the emotional will to overcome it. Through the story we see how she teachers herself how to cope with it. Along the way we follow a treasure hunt that involves riddles and cyphers. Emma must help her new group of friends find the town secrets.
The book was a very quick read and really did not go to in depth with the treasure or characters. Its main focus was on Emma and her daily struggles. I did like the book. I feel it could have had a little more adventure.
***Spoiler!***
I can’t say I agree with the principal taking kids out of school for a dangerous mission. I know it’s a book… probably comes from a teachers view. I can recommend this to my students.
4 stars for needing more adventure and twists and turns.
The book was a very quick read and really did not go to in depth with the treasure or characters. Its main focus was on Emma and her daily struggles. I did like the book. I feel it could have had a little more adventure.
***Spoiler!***
I can’t say I agree with the principal taking kids out of school for a dangerous mission. I know it’s a book… probably comes from a teachers view. I can recommend this to my students.
4 stars for needing more adventure and twists and turns.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2026
A fun mystery story told from the perspective of a girl newly diagnosed with autism as she starts a new school and ends up with new friends who spend their time trying to decipher codes and chasing a mystery. The author's way of telling this story through a character with autism felt genuine and authentic. The ciphers were fun but the magical aspect of the story didn't work for me. I also didn't like how the majority of adults were portrayed in this book. Also the throw away comment the one character made about her "moms" seemed like the author was trying to check the box for inclusivity that publishers seem to be pressuring authors to do for middle grade books these days. This book had promise but it fell short. My kids don't need to waste their time reading this one.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2026
The story was cute and quick to to get through, I was entertained the whole time.
I really liked Emma and Nathan, but I would have loved the side characters to be developed more.
I was hopping for more details on the magic system, but that will probably be developed in the sequels.
I really liked how the narrator told this story, she really brought out Emma's emotions, unfortunately with the ciphers those were really unpleasant to listen to. I imagine those would have been fun to follow along in the physical copy of the book and try to solve along the characters after getting the explanations of the various encrypting and decrypting methods.
Thank you RBmedia | Recorded Books for the eALC, via Netgalley, for an honest review.
I really liked Emma and Nathan, but I would have loved the side characters to be developed more.
I was hopping for more details on the magic system, but that will probably be developed in the sequels.
I really liked how the narrator told this story, she really brought out Emma's emotions, unfortunately with the ciphers those were really unpleasant to listen to. I imagine those would have been fun to follow along in the physical copy of the book and try to solve along the characters after getting the explanations of the various encrypting and decrypting methods.
Thank you RBmedia | Recorded Books for the eALC, via Netgalley, for an honest review.
January 29, 2026
Thanks to the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for a review. I listened to the audiobook, which was a tad confusing at times. The main character narrates a lot of her inner monologue and it isn’t always clear whether she ends up saying some of the things out loud or not. With that and the amount of cipher decryption, I’d recommend this book in book form.
But I enjoyed the idea of a bunch of kids breaking cipher codes and the way the autistic main character is able to be herself and still manage to find a group of people to belong to, even if it doesn’t always go smoothly.
I think it’s a win for Level 1 ASD kiddos for sure!
But I enjoyed the idea of a bunch of kids breaking cipher codes and the way the autistic main character is able to be herself and still manage to find a group of people to belong to, even if it doesn’t always go smoothly.
I think it’s a win for Level 1 ASD kiddos for sure!
February 4, 2026
The Wish Ring Cipher is a fun, fast-paced middle-grade adventure filled with puzzles, magic, and heart. Emma Avery is a smart, endearing protagonist whose love of codes feels empowering—especially as she navigates a new school and a recent autism diagnosis.
The mystery is engaging, with secret codes, a ghost town, and a high-stakes hunt for a wish-granting ring that keeps the pages turning. I especially loved the friendships Emma forms with the Codebreakers and how the story balances adventure with themes of belonging and self-acceptance.
Overall, this is a warm, clever read with strong representation and plenty of magical intrigue. A solid 4-star pick for readers who enjoy puzzles, teamwork, and a touch of magic. ✨🧩
The mystery is engaging, with secret codes, a ghost town, and a high-stakes hunt for a wish-granting ring that keeps the pages turning. I especially loved the friendships Emma forms with the Codebreakers and how the story balances adventure with themes of belonging and self-acceptance.
Overall, this is a warm, clever read with strong representation and plenty of magical intrigue. A solid 4-star pick for readers who enjoy puzzles, teamwork, and a touch of magic. ✨🧩
February 6, 2026
Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy of this middle grade book for an honest review
This is a story about a girl who changes schools when she & her family find out she is autistic & at first she is uncomfortable & fearful that she will say or do something wrong, we see her manging her way though school & slowly making friends that make her feel excepted & one of her safe spaces is Ciphering because maths doesn't lie.
This was a sweet story and I see this a good story for kids to see themselves in if they have autism & its so important to have a story to relate too, both for little girls and boys because the main character is not the only one with autism.
3.5 stars
This is a story about a girl who changes schools when she & her family find out she is autistic & at first she is uncomfortable & fearful that she will say or do something wrong, we see her manging her way though school & slowly making friends that make her feel excepted & one of her safe spaces is Ciphering because maths doesn't lie.
This was a sweet story and I see this a good story for kids to see themselves in if they have autism & its so important to have a story to relate too, both for little girls and boys because the main character is not the only one with autism.
3.5 stars
December 22, 2025
Thank you Norton Young Readers for the advanced reading copy of this wonderful book. This is the first book in the Codebreakers series, featuring Emma, a neurodivergent main character, on a quest with her new friends at the Codebreakers club to crack the codes and solve ciphered messages that lead to magical artifacts. It is a fast-paced adventure with great characters, lots of action, and interesting plot perfect for the middle grade readers. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story and a good puzzle. Looking forward to the next installment.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love that this book will be in children’s hands soon. I love the truth that it shows, about how an autistic young lady feels dealing with interactions and trying to find friendship. I like the fact that the story is also engaging and will draw young readers in. Having magic and code decoding really is a lovely touch and kids will enjoy these aspects. Most importantly though this book will give a voice and beautiful representation to children who are on the spectrum.
Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
February 11, 2026
It's been a while since I read a middle grade book, and I quite enjoyed this. I loved the representation and learning about codes. I also love the neuro divergent representation.
While I found the story less attention grabbing after the first half, it's a read I will recommend and I definitely will continue with the series.
I also enjoyed the narrator's different voices. However, I didn't like the recitation of letters when she got to the code part. I guess that couldn't be avoided due to the book's premise, but it was quite jarring.
This is a review of the audiobook.
While I found the story less attention grabbing after the first half, it's a read I will recommend and I definitely will continue with the series.
I also enjoyed the narrator's different voices. However, I didn't like the recitation of letters when she got to the code part. I guess that couldn't be avoided due to the book's premise, but it was quite jarring.
This is a review of the audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Wish Ring Cipher is about an autistic girl who loves cryptography. When she transfers to a new school and a boy named Nate finds out about her hobby/obsession, she is invited to join a group called the Codebreakers. This group is dedicated to solving ciphers and finding magical relics. The book is squeaky clean and has themes of friendship, family, and autism besides a fun adventure into solving codes.
I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I loved the concept of this book and the author wanted to have the main character be explicitly autistic due to her own experiences. The book has very strong characterization and is great st fleshing out the characters. I did find the pacing to be rather slow, but otherwise an enjoyable read. The narrator does a good job with this one.
I loved the concept of this book and the author wanted to have the main character be explicitly autistic due to her own experiences. The book has very strong characterization and is great st fleshing out the characters. I did find the pacing to be rather slow, but otherwise an enjoyable read. The narrator does a good job with this one.
February 12, 2026
A fantastic start to a mystery series with authentic autism representation, a great friendship storyline, and code breaking. Young readers will love learning all about the difference between a Playfair and a Vigenere cipher as they play along with Emma and Nate to find a magical ring. Eevin Hartsough does a fantastic job voicing Alexandra Ott's stellar characters.
Thank you to Libro.fm for access to an early listening copy!
Thank you to Libro.fm for access to an early listening copy!
October 26, 2025
Secret codes, new friendships and a main character who is autistic (and really good at solving codes)- this series is off to a great start. There are also some really interesting philosophical questions- If you had the ability to wish for dead people to come back to life, should you do it? If you could wish to change something about yourself, like autism, would you want to?
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