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The Outersphere #2
Where There Be Spies
Monsters, magic, and mischief abound once more in the spellbinding sequel to Where There Be Monsters, perfect for fans of The Marvellers and Amari and the Night Brothers.
Glory Brown is finally set to start her training as a junior spherinaut at the Parliamentarium. Will she turn out to be an owl, a bee, a fox, or a magpie, like her mama? She's been waiting a lifetime for this adventure . . . and yet all she wants to do is make her family proud and try not to be homesick for the Seam and all its charm.
As Glory struggles to find her place as the new kid—one with a lot of questions and a soft spot for monsters—she's also coping with the after-effects of Paxton's treachery, like the curse that still plagues her. In fact, the worlds of the Outersphere are all in the process of recovering—and Glory suspects they haven't seen the last of Paxton, either.
When top secret spherinautical charts go missing, parcels are tampered with, and the pocket-orreries go haywire, the Parliamentarium of Junior Spherinauts plunges into chaos. Now, Glory, Marcus, and their new friends must work together to figure out who the thief is and if they have what it takes to save the worlds again.
Glory Brown is finally set to start her training as a junior spherinaut at the Parliamentarium. Will she turn out to be an owl, a bee, a fox, or a magpie, like her mama? She's been waiting a lifetime for this adventure . . . and yet all she wants to do is make her family proud and try not to be homesick for the Seam and all its charm.
As Glory struggles to find her place as the new kid—one with a lot of questions and a soft spot for monsters—she's also coping with the after-effects of Paxton's treachery, like the curse that still plagues her. In fact, the worlds of the Outersphere are all in the process of recovering—and Glory suspects they haven't seen the last of Paxton, either.
When top secret spherinautical charts go missing, parcels are tampered with, and the pocket-orreries go haywire, the Parliamentarium of Junior Spherinauts plunges into chaos. Now, Glory, Marcus, and their new friends must work together to figure out who the thief is and if they have what it takes to save the worlds again.
- GenresFantasy
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
3 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Alby C. Williams
4 books62 followersAlby C. Williams hails from the land of snow and salt potatoes. They are a storyteller, poet and artist of dubious skill but endless enthusiasm. If you catch them in their spare time, you might mistake them for a cat based on the amount of yarn in their immediate vicinity, but don't be fooled---they're actually several pigeons in a trench coat. Visit them at albycwilliams.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating for personal enjoyment is a 3.5 star, but when I consider the audience, I am rounding it up to 4 stars!
Where There Be Spies is the follow-up book to Where There Be Monsters and in this we follow Glory Brown as she heads off to the Parliament to begin school. We follow her as she deals with all the difficulties of starting a new school/adventure and the worries about her classes, making friends, and dealing with her mazy head. Also, Paxton, the villain from the last book, is still missing, adding to Glory's worries and challenges she has to face.
Something that I really appreciated in this was the recap of book 1 at the beginning! I also continue to enjoy following a neurodivergent heroine as she navigates all the difficulties that come with going to school and trying to fit in and making friends, regardless of whether it is a magical setting or not. The world continues to be a fun one, but I definitely think that we saw less of it in this one because we are so focused on the school setting, so overall, that piece felt a little less magical than the first book did, but it wasn't a huge complaint for me.
Something that I loved about the first book was that the characters were encouraged to share their insights and thoughts with adults rather than feeling that they had to figure out everything themselves, but that their input was valued and paid attention to. That theme continues in this installment, and I continue to appreciate it and find it refreshing in a middle grade book.
I think that this is an excellent book for the audience it is written for! I would say it feels a little bit on the younger end of the middle grade genre just because it has so much repetition of the main themes that it wants readers to take away that it feels extremely heavy handed reading it as an adult. However, I think that for a young middle grade reader, it doesn't feel so heavy handed. I love the focus on friendship and forgiveness but also holding your boundaries. I think that the last book had a hard time wrapping everything up, but in this one it feels like it wrapped up almost too quickly/easily. It was interesting that the same standard that was held for young people was also applied to the adults, which I don't know that I agree with but I also liked that it starts introducing the idea of restorative justice. It just didn't seem particularly well fleshed out, but again, for middle grade readers it seems reasonable.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book well enough and I would recommend it to young middle grade readers. As an adult though, I don't think that I will continue reading on in this series (if there are more, I can't really tell), unless I do so with a middle grade reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press/Macmillan for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Where There Be Spies releases on May 5, 2026.
Where There Be Spies is the follow-up book to Where There Be Monsters and in this we follow Glory Brown as she heads off to the Parliament to begin school. We follow her as she deals with all the difficulties of starting a new school/adventure and the worries about her classes, making friends, and dealing with her mazy head. Also, Paxton, the villain from the last book, is still missing, adding to Glory's worries and challenges she has to face.
Something that I really appreciated in this was the recap of book 1 at the beginning! I also continue to enjoy following a neurodivergent heroine as she navigates all the difficulties that come with going to school and trying to fit in and making friends, regardless of whether it is a magical setting or not. The world continues to be a fun one, but I definitely think that we saw less of it in this one because we are so focused on the school setting, so overall, that piece felt a little less magical than the first book did, but it wasn't a huge complaint for me.
Something that I loved about the first book was that the characters were encouraged to share their insights and thoughts with adults rather than feeling that they had to figure out everything themselves, but that their input was valued and paid attention to. That theme continues in this installment, and I continue to appreciate it and find it refreshing in a middle grade book.
I think that this is an excellent book for the audience it is written for! I would say it feels a little bit on the younger end of the middle grade genre just because it has so much repetition of the main themes that it wants readers to take away that it feels extremely heavy handed reading it as an adult. However, I think that for a young middle grade reader, it doesn't feel so heavy handed. I love the focus on friendship and forgiveness but also holding your boundaries. I think that the last book had a hard time wrapping everything up, but in this one it feels like it wrapped up almost too quickly/easily. It was interesting that the same standard that was held for young people was also applied to the adults, which I don't know that I agree with but I also liked that it starts introducing the idea of restorative justice. It just didn't seem particularly well fleshed out, but again, for middle grade readers it seems reasonable.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book well enough and I would recommend it to young middle grade readers. As an adult though, I don't think that I will continue reading on in this series (if there are more, I can't really tell), unless I do so with a middle grade reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press/Macmillan for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Where There Be Spies releases on May 5, 2026.
April 6, 2026
I received a free ARC from NetGalley
Title: Where There be Spies (The Outersphere Series,
#2)
Written By Alby C. Williams
Star rating (out of 5): 5
Reading Format: Audiobook
Narrator review: Tyla Collier did a great job with subtle changes for each character’s voice. She has a young energy that is perfect for the characters in the book.
Description: Glory Brown is starting school as spherinaut at the Parliamentarium. She has the same types of worries all children have when starting something new: will she make friends, what will her class schedule be, did she pack everything she needs? But she has the additional stressor of having to live up to her mother’s legacy.
As Glory tries familiarize herself with her new school, she realizes there is a divide between the human and monster students and that she is treated different for being “mazy-headed”. She and her classmates are also dealing with the fallout of Paxton's treachery, and a curse that still affects her and other students at the class.
Then top secret charts go missing and chaos ensues. Glory and her new school friends have to find the thief and save the worlds…again.
Content review: Full disclosure, I have not read book one but after reading this on NetGalley it has been added to my list. As a teacher and mother I am always looking for a good young adult or children’s fiction book. This book fits this perfectly.
I loved the writing, vivid descriptions, lovable characters, and highly developed world building in this book! I would have loved this as a kid. It is well written, mysterious, and fast paced. I enjoyed that Glory was “mazy-headed”, I think it’s important to have a positive representation of a neurodivergent main character. I absolutely loved this and will be adding it to our home library.
Title: Where There be Spies (The Outersphere Series,
#2)
Written By Alby C. Williams
Star rating (out of 5): 5
Reading Format: Audiobook
Narrator review: Tyla Collier did a great job with subtle changes for each character’s voice. She has a young energy that is perfect for the characters in the book.
Description: Glory Brown is starting school as spherinaut at the Parliamentarium. She has the same types of worries all children have when starting something new: will she make friends, what will her class schedule be, did she pack everything she needs? But she has the additional stressor of having to live up to her mother’s legacy.
As Glory tries familiarize herself with her new school, she realizes there is a divide between the human and monster students and that she is treated different for being “mazy-headed”. She and her classmates are also dealing with the fallout of Paxton's treachery, and a curse that still affects her and other students at the class.
Then top secret charts go missing and chaos ensues. Glory and her new school friends have to find the thief and save the worlds…again.
Content review: Full disclosure, I have not read book one but after reading this on NetGalley it has been added to my list. As a teacher and mother I am always looking for a good young adult or children’s fiction book. This book fits this perfectly.
I loved the writing, vivid descriptions, lovable characters, and highly developed world building in this book! I would have loved this as a kid. It is well written, mysterious, and fast paced. I enjoyed that Glory was “mazy-headed”, I think it’s important to have a positive representation of a neurodivergent main character. I absolutely loved this and will be adding it to our home library.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reading Where There Be Spies felt like settling in with a freshly brewed cup—warm, fragrant, and full of quiet magic that unfurls slowly until you’re completely immersed in the Outersphere once again. As someone who adored Where There Be Monsters, diving into this sequel felt like returning to a beloved inn at the edge of the Seam, lantern glowing, ready for whatever wonder or mischief might wander in.
In this installment, Glory Brown begins her training as a junior spherinaut at the Parliamentarium, and the story steeps beautifully from there. Homesick yet hopeful, cursed yet courageous, Glory navigates new friendships, new dangers, and the lingering shadows of Paxton’s treachery. When spherinautical charts vanish, parcels are tampered with, and pocket‑orreries spark into chaos, the mystery thickens like a strong brew—and Glory’s mazy‑headed brilliance becomes the key to untangling it all.
One thing I deeply appreciated: the use of the term mazy‑headed to describe neurodivergence. It’s tender. It’s imaginative. It’s affirming. And it fits Glory so beautifully—her mind a maze of creativity, intuition, and unexpected brilliance. This language honors her neurodivergence in a way that feels both magical and deeply human.
And let me tell you—Tyla Collier brings pure enchantment to this world. Her narration in book one pulled me straight into the Outersphere, and I was thrilled to hear her voice return for book two. She captures Glory’s heart, humor, and neurodivergent spark with such care that the story feels alive in a way only the best narrators can achieve.
If you love:
🌿 cozy fantasy
🌿 neurodivergent heroines
🌿 magical creatures
🌿 world‑hopping adventures
🌿 and stories with heart
…then The Outersphere Series deserves a place on your shelf and in your teacup. I’ll be right here, steeping another cup and waiting eagerly for book three.
In this installment, Glory Brown begins her training as a junior spherinaut at the Parliamentarium, and the story steeps beautifully from there. Homesick yet hopeful, cursed yet courageous, Glory navigates new friendships, new dangers, and the lingering shadows of Paxton’s treachery. When spherinautical charts vanish, parcels are tampered with, and pocket‑orreries spark into chaos, the mystery thickens like a strong brew—and Glory’s mazy‑headed brilliance becomes the key to untangling it all.
One thing I deeply appreciated: the use of the term mazy‑headed to describe neurodivergence. It’s tender. It’s imaginative. It’s affirming. And it fits Glory so beautifully—her mind a maze of creativity, intuition, and unexpected brilliance. This language honors her neurodivergence in a way that feels both magical and deeply human.
And let me tell you—Tyla Collier brings pure enchantment to this world. Her narration in book one pulled me straight into the Outersphere, and I was thrilled to hear her voice return for book two. She captures Glory’s heart, humor, and neurodivergent spark with such care that the story feels alive in a way only the best narrators can achieve.
If you love:
🌿 cozy fantasy
🌿 neurodivergent heroines
🌿 magical creatures
🌿 world‑hopping adventures
🌿 and stories with heart
…then The Outersphere Series deserves a place on your shelf and in your teacup. I’ll be right here, steeping another cup and waiting eagerly for book three.
May 5, 2026
Glory Brown is thrilled to finally be attending the Parlaimentarium, where she will learn everything she needs to know to become a spherinaut like her Mama. But when Glory arrives, the reality of school is not as positive as she was hoping for. With classmates treating her differently because of both her mazyheadedness and her famous mother, Glory finds herself frequently wishing she could go home. However, when a valuable chart goes missing amidst other unusual circumstances, Glory and her friends find themselves in yet another troublesome situation, and they must rely upon their unique abilities to successfully address the challenges in their midst. This continuation of the Outersphere series begins shortly after the first book ends and picks up with familiar characters and setting. Glory’s inner thoughts and experiences are clearer in this novel, reflecting the complex emotions she is feeling as she becomes more embedded in the universe outside of her family’s inn. Recognizable interactions with peers and teachers make the Parlaimentarium comfortable for readers even though the blend of science fiction and fantasy elements of the story transport readers far from home. While it is important for readers to be familiar with the first book before beginning this one, this story is meaningful on its own, as well. Incorporating brief chapters and a compelling premise, this slower-paced book is well suited to confident middle grade readers who appreciate intriguing storylines that feature rich friendships. This book is empowering and insightful, and it is a positive addition to both its series and to library collections serving middle grade readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Glory Brown is back at the Parliamentarium, only this time she returns as a student. Things get off to a rough start: her roommate is rude, she’s seeing strange things thanks to being cursed last year, and when an important chart goes missing, many students blame her. Glory just wants to make it to the end of the semester without drawing any more attention. To clear her name, Glory and her friends hope to discover who is behind the suspicious occurrences at the Parliamentarian. But their search only draws them deeper into a snare built to exploit their weaknesses.
Where There Be Spies is a strong follow-up to Where There Be Monsters. Seeing Glory struggle in a new environment perfectly illustrated the difficulty fitting in many neurodivergent kids experience. I appreciated witnessing her work through her troubles, although I wish she hadn’t broken down in tears quite so often. The expanded cast of characters and setting really drew me deeper into this world and I can’t wait to see what Glory and her friends get up to next.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
Where There Be Spies is a strong follow-up to Where There Be Monsters. Seeing Glory struggle in a new environment perfectly illustrated the difficulty fitting in many neurodivergent kids experience. I appreciated witnessing her work through her troubles, although I wish she hadn’t broken down in tears quite so often. The expanded cast of characters and setting really drew me deeper into this world and I can’t wait to see what Glory and her friends get up to next.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Where There Between Spies by Alby C. Williams
Thank you #netgalley for this audiobook 🎧✨
I grabbed this one while hunting for fresh reads for my classroom (because my students are always craving a new adventure), and this one absolutely delivered. 👏📚
We follow Glory Brown, who is finally about to begin her training as a junior spherinaut at the Parliamentarium (which is already such a fun, whimsical concept). The big question—will she be an owl 🦉, bee 🐝, fox 🦊, or magpie like her mama? She’s been waiting her whole life for this moment… but also? Homesick feelings creeping in for the Seam and everything she loves. 💔➡️✨
That mix of excitement + nerves + wanting to make your family proud? Super relatable for kids (and honestly… adults too).
The world-building is imaginative and energetic, with that perfect middle-grade magic that keeps pages turning. It has that same spark you find in those beloved classroom favorites—the kind where kids start arguing over who gets to read it next. 😄
Final verdict: this is a win for classroom shelves. My students are going to LOVE Glory Brown and all her magical, slightly chaotic adventures. 🌟📖
Thank you #netgalley for this audiobook 🎧✨
I grabbed this one while hunting for fresh reads for my classroom (because my students are always craving a new adventure), and this one absolutely delivered. 👏📚
We follow Glory Brown, who is finally about to begin her training as a junior spherinaut at the Parliamentarium (which is already such a fun, whimsical concept). The big question—will she be an owl 🦉, bee 🐝, fox 🦊, or magpie like her mama? She’s been waiting her whole life for this moment… but also? Homesick feelings creeping in for the Seam and everything she loves. 💔➡️✨
That mix of excitement + nerves + wanting to make your family proud? Super relatable for kids (and honestly… adults too).
The world-building is imaginative and energetic, with that perfect middle-grade magic that keeps pages turning. It has that same spark you find in those beloved classroom favorites—the kind where kids start arguing over who gets to read it next. 😄
Final verdict: this is a win for classroom shelves. My students are going to LOVE Glory Brown and all her magical, slightly chaotic adventures. 🌟📖
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Where There Be Spies follows Jacqueline “Jack” Saint as she is pulled into a covert world of espionage.
As Jack rises within The Directorate, the tension builds between what she’s told is right and what she begins to see for herself. That internal conflict is what makes this story suspenseful and intriguing.
I enjoyed how Albi C. Williams explored identity and power within systems that aren’t built for everyone. The pacing kept me interested, but the emotional and political layers gave the story real emotion. It made me hopeful that it wasn't all for nothing and that maybe, just maybe, there was some light at the end of the tunnel.
The characters felt highly intelligent yet still relatable. I enjoyed reading characters that look like me with similar morals and values. The different worlds created a lens of comparison that really made me think as well equate the value of identity and belonging.
If you enjoy YA, Historical Fantasy, and spy stories with depth and purpose, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Where There Be Spies follows Jacqueline “Jack” Saint as she is pulled into a covert world of espionage.
As Jack rises within The Directorate, the tension builds between what she’s told is right and what she begins to see for herself. That internal conflict is what makes this story suspenseful and intriguing.
I enjoyed how Albi C. Williams explored identity and power within systems that aren’t built for everyone. The pacing kept me interested, but the emotional and political layers gave the story real emotion. It made me hopeful that it wasn't all for nothing and that maybe, just maybe, there was some light at the end of the tunnel.
The characters felt highly intelligent yet still relatable. I enjoyed reading characters that look like me with similar morals and values. The different worlds created a lens of comparison that really made me think as well equate the value of identity and belonging.
If you enjoy YA, Historical Fantasy, and spy stories with depth and purpose, this one is definitely worth picking up.
May 1, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC.
So, for transparency, I had requested access to this book without realizing it was the second book in a series. With that said, it was actually pretty easy for me to follow along once I got a handle on the terminology the author introduced since I hadn’t seen the terms “spherinaut” or any of the world names previously. So, for it being a second book in a series, it actually did a great job of illustrating the world that had been introduced before to the point that I had no trouble.
Glory was a fun character! I always love a curious, science-minded girl in books and she definitely fit the bill. I appreciated how the author still made the characters relatable despite them being magical, or even monsterfolk in the case of Beatrice. The story was fun and while I think the end felt a bit rushed after all the build up before it, I think the book was really enjoyable.
I would definitely read more from this author and I think most kids would enjoy the shenanigans Glory and her friends find themselves in!
So, for transparency, I had requested access to this book without realizing it was the second book in a series. With that said, it was actually pretty easy for me to follow along once I got a handle on the terminology the author introduced since I hadn’t seen the terms “spherinaut” or any of the world names previously. So, for it being a second book in a series, it actually did a great job of illustrating the world that had been introduced before to the point that I had no trouble.
Glory was a fun character! I always love a curious, science-minded girl in books and she definitely fit the bill. I appreciated how the author still made the characters relatable despite them being magical, or even monsterfolk in the case of Beatrice. The story was fun and while I think the end felt a bit rushed after all the build up before it, I think the book was really enjoyable.
I would definitely read more from this author and I think most kids would enjoy the shenanigans Glory and her friends find themselves in!
May 7, 2026
3 stars
While I loved being back in the world(s) for this next book, along with following Glory I did struggle with this a bit. I still love the mazy head concept, and while I love a school set up, the focus on all the friends/enemies/who to trust was a little much, especially with how quick it all happened. I also find the lack of consequences, or not appropriate ones sort of troubling, especially for a younger audience. Even the taking her books away was an odd choice to sort of teach Glory anything. In general she felt more like a passive character, being convinced to do things by other folks. While I get the overdone point of not wanting too big of a punishment, Paxton's consequences for kidnapping a child, blackmailing and abusing another, and general theft and animal abuse was way too small for me to feel like any justice was done. Less petty readers will probably be fine with it I imagine.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to form opinions from.
While I loved being back in the world(s) for this next book, along with following Glory I did struggle with this a bit. I still love the mazy head concept, and while I love a school set up, the focus on all the friends/enemies/who to trust was a little much, especially with how quick it all happened. I also find the lack of consequences, or not appropriate ones sort of troubling, especially for a younger audience. Even the taking her books away was an odd choice to sort of teach Glory anything. In general she felt more like a passive character, being convinced to do things by other folks. While I get the overdone point of not wanting too big of a punishment, Paxton's consequences for kidnapping a child, blackmailing and abusing another, and general theft and animal abuse was way too small for me to feel like any justice was done. Less petty readers will probably be fine with it I imagine.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to form opinions from.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a free ARC from NetGalley.
I adore Glory Brown and her “mazyhead” more than I can fully articulate. Read this with my 10yo neurodivergent kid and had to try not to cry at how wonderful all these kids are.
We read the first book last year as an ARC and ended up buying a hard copy the minute we saw one. I already have a hard copy of this on preorder. This sequel is just as adventurous and just as mysterious. We both loved learning more about the magic system and planetary system. The were my son’s favorite part. I loved the kids working together and working through personal issues to (spoiler) save the day.
We hope we get more books in this universe. We want to go exploring!
I adore Glory Brown and her “mazyhead” more than I can fully articulate. Read this with my 10yo neurodivergent kid and had to try not to cry at how wonderful all these kids are.
We read the first book last year as an ARC and ended up buying a hard copy the minute we saw one. I already have a hard copy of this on preorder. This sequel is just as adventurous and just as mysterious. We both loved learning more about the magic system and planetary system. The were my son’s favorite part. I loved the kids working together and working through personal issues to (spoiler) save the day.
We hope we get more books in this universe. We want to go exploring!
March 27, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this book. This is a sequel to Where There Be Monsters. We return to the world of the main character, Glory Brown, and the Parliamentarium, full of magic, adventure, mystery, and, of course, yet another world endangering problem that Glory and her friends need to solve. I enjoyed this well-written story with great, well-developed characters and wonderful world building. Tyla Collier’s clear narration brought the story to life. I recommend this middle grade book to anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a good sequel to WHERE THERE BE MONSTERS, and continues Glory's magical adventures in an intriguing way.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
This is a good sequel to WHERE THERE BE MONSTERS, and continues Glory's magical adventures in an intriguing way.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
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