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The Magic Library of Waterfall Way
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26A cozy middle grade fantasy pitched as Greenwild meets Kiki’s Delivery Service, in which a wandering young girl cursed with bad luck must save an enchanted library to find her forever home.
The Alterran Empire hasn’t had an Unremarkable born in centuries . . . until Lyra Hunt. All Lyra wants is a guild to call home—preferably one with a library full of storybooks—but because of her cursed fate, nearly everyone has rejected her.
Then Lyra stumbles upon the secretive Guild of Scholars in the cozy little village of Waterfall Way. With their tight-knit community and magical Library, this might finally be the perfect place for her. To be accepted, though, she must recover the Scholars’ crystal, the source of their magic that was lost in a terrifying fire. With the help of a mischievous new furry friend, Lyra will try to brave the Library’s cursed halls.
Lyra may have an Extremely Unremarkable past, but she’ll do whatever it takes to find a guild—and a home—where she belongs.
The Alterran Empire hasn’t had an Unremarkable born in centuries . . . until Lyra Hunt. All Lyra wants is a guild to call home—preferably one with a library full of storybooks—but because of her cursed fate, nearly everyone has rejected her.
Then Lyra stumbles upon the secretive Guild of Scholars in the cozy little village of Waterfall Way. With their tight-knit community and magical Library, this might finally be the perfect place for her. To be accepted, though, she must recover the Scholars’ crystal, the source of their magic that was lost in a terrifying fire. With the help of a mischievous new furry friend, Lyra will try to brave the Library’s cursed halls.
Lyra may have an Extremely Unremarkable past, but she’ll do whatever it takes to find a guild—and a home—where she belongs.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication August 25, 2026
5 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Julie Abe
8 books597 followersJulie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 20, 2026
I’d give The Magic Library of Waterfall Way about 3 stars.
There’s a lot to love in the ideas behind this book—the guild system, the way quests are assigned, and the structure of the magical society were all really creative and interesting. It felt like a world with so much potential, and I genuinely enjoyed learning about how everything worked.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. The story jumps between different magical realms in the library quite often, and instead of feeling exciting, it became a bit confusing and hard to follow at times. I found it difficult to stay fully immersed because just as I was getting comfortable in one setting, the narrative would move somewhere else.
I also struggled with the main character’s inner dialogue. Her constant negative thoughts made it hard to connect with her, and at times it brought down the overall tone of the story. I kept hoping to see more growth or confidence develop, but it felt a bit repetitive.
Overall, this is a book with a really imaginative foundation, but the storytelling and character development didn’t quite match the strength of its ideas.
There’s a lot to love in the ideas behind this book—the guild system, the way quests are assigned, and the structure of the magical society were all really creative and interesting. It felt like a world with so much potential, and I genuinely enjoyed learning about how everything worked.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. The story jumps between different magical realms in the library quite often, and instead of feeling exciting, it became a bit confusing and hard to follow at times. I found it difficult to stay fully immersed because just as I was getting comfortable in one setting, the narrative would move somewhere else.
I also struggled with the main character’s inner dialogue. Her constant negative thoughts made it hard to connect with her, and at times it brought down the overall tone of the story. I kept hoping to see more growth or confidence develop, but it felt a bit repetitive.
Overall, this is a book with a really imaginative foundation, but the storytelling and character development didn’t quite match the strength of its ideas.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Lyra is having a hard time finding an apprenticeship because she is not only an orphan, she is an Unremarkle. In the Alterran Empire, this means if she does not get a place, she will be banished. Her mentor thinks she can get her a place in the Guild of Pine Cone Collectors, which even waives a quest, but they, too, deny her entry when they find out about her lack of powers. When Lyra happens upon Guild of Scholars, she hopes that she can work in their library. Of course, there's a quest, and secrets along the way.
While I enjoyed Abe's Alliana: Girl of Dragons, this had too many fantasy tropes for me. Traditional fantasy has not been in demand in my school library for quite some time, and as much as I liked the idea of working in a magical library, I have other books that are similar to this if anyone asks for the, including Ham's The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia, Townsend's Wundersmith books, Thomas' Nic Blake and the Remarkables, or Leathley's Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo. If I had a bigger budget, I might buy this.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Lyra is having a hard time finding an apprenticeship because she is not only an orphan, she is an Unremarkle. In the Alterran Empire, this means if she does not get a place, she will be banished. Her mentor thinks she can get her a place in the Guild of Pine Cone Collectors, which even waives a quest, but they, too, deny her entry when they find out about her lack of powers. When Lyra happens upon Guild of Scholars, she hopes that she can work in their library. Of course, there's a quest, and secrets along the way.
While I enjoyed Abe's Alliana: Girl of Dragons, this had too many fantasy tropes for me. Traditional fantasy has not been in demand in my school library for quite some time, and as much as I liked the idea of working in a magical library, I have other books that are similar to this if anyone asks for the, including Ham's The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia, Townsend's Wundersmith books, Thomas' Nic Blake and the Remarkables, or Leathley's Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo. If I had a bigger budget, I might buy this.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an adorably fun book! I absolutely loved it and read it in just a couple of hours. It had everything I wanted. A sympathetic protagonist who is willing to fight for what she wants, and adorable, fuzzy sidekick in her sable animal friend, a touch of mystery, found family and - most obviously - the coziest of magical libraries.
I think this will be a big hit with the middle grade crowd! It had elements of Alice in Wonderland and Tuesdays at the Castle, and had a classic fantasy feel to it.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
I think this will be a big hit with the middle grade crowd! It had elements of Alice in Wonderland and Tuesdays at the Castle, and had a classic fantasy feel to it.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is and adorable middle grade read! It is book 1 of the series. I received it from Netgalley and it’s mentioned that the FMC overhears another character describing her as unremarkable, little do they know that this “unremarkable “ girl is going to do very remarkable things. I always love stories where either the underdog or the person being overlooked or pushed aside is the one who actually overcomes, overachieves, and proves to others that you are not what others label you, you are made for more! If you love magic, and adventure, check out this book which releases in August 2026! #Netgalley #fiction #magic #adventure
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First I would like to thank NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for the advanced copy of this book. 📚✨
Waterfall Way is an amazing place where the love of books truly comes to life in so many ways. From temperamental buildings to secretive sables, this story is filled with magic around every corner.
I loved the characters, the emotion, and the imaginative world the author created. It’s the kind of setting you wish you could step into and explore yourself.
This was a wonderfully magical read… and I very much need the next book immediately.
#Bookstagram #ARCReview #MiddleGradeReads #MagicalReads #LibraryMagic #FantasyBooks
Waterfall Way is an amazing place where the love of books truly comes to life in so many ways. From temperamental buildings to secretive sables, this story is filled with magic around every corner.
I loved the characters, the emotion, and the imaginative world the author created. It’s the kind of setting you wish you could step into and explore yourself.
This was a wonderfully magical read… and I very much need the next book immediately.
#Bookstagram #ARCReview #MiddleGradeReads #MagicalReads #LibraryMagic #FantasyBooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A love letter to books, libraries, and readers.
Lyra is a wonderful main character and this is a fantastic book full of whimsy, charm, and the importance of family--both blood and found. There's also a solid through line of finding your place in the world and how life-changing that can be.
A wonderful addition to Abe's library of work.
Lyra is a wonderful main character and this is a fantastic book full of whimsy, charm, and the importance of family--both blood and found. There's also a solid through line of finding your place in the world and how life-changing that can be.
A wonderful addition to Abe's library of work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a charming, magical, whimsical tale! Nobody does Ghibli-esque middle grade like Julie Abe, and this is another perfect addition to her (magic) library. If you loved Kiki's Delivery Service and the Eva Evergreen series, you'll adore this!
December 17, 2025
Such a cute story! I loved it.
“Librarian: A treasure hunter who helps their patrons search for books, and kindle a lifelong love of learning.”
“Librarian: A treasure hunter who helps their patrons search for books, and kindle a lifelong love of learning.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was adorable. A perfect middle grade fantasy for book and library lovers.
note: I read this as a free eARC from Netgalley
note: I read this as a free eARC from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**I was given an ARC copy of this story in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a cute book. It will make a fun addition to my classroom library someday
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews