What do you think?
Rate this book
Runaways
When Cecelia disappears into a storm on the night before Halloween, her older sister Hannah must venture into Faerieland to bring her home.
Armed with their father’s green coat, a steel pocket knife, and a red friendship bracelet, she stomps into the woods in search of clues. Soon she finds herself on an extraordinary and dangerous adventure, navigating between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. But secrets await in the woods, and Hannah only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family.
Will she be able to rescue her sister and return home before it’s too late?
Armed with their father’s green coat, a steel pocket knife, and a red friendship bracelet, she stomps into the woods in search of clues. Soon she finds herself on an extraordinary and dangerous adventure, navigating between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. But secrets await in the woods, and Hannah only knows stories, not the truth about the threat that stalks their family.
Will she be able to rescue her sister and return home before it’s too late?
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Etta Grace
2 books7 followersEtta Grace is the eldest of five siblings and grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where she spent her childhood exploring the woods in their backyard. Their (not so imaginary) adventures inspired her upcoming YA fantasy adventure novel, Runaways, which features faerie folklore, magical mysteries, and strong sisterhood bonds. Etta also runs an active blog and youtube channel where she hosts book reviews, writing advice, livestreams, and interviews with indie authors.
Etta currently lives in the Cincinnati metro area where she works as a sustainability engineer. When not writing, Etta can usually be found volunteering at her church, trying to read every book in the world, learning various hobbies from textile arts to martial arts, or spending time with her friends and family.
Etta currently lives in the Cincinnati metro area where she works as a sustainability engineer. When not writing, Etta can usually be found volunteering at her church, trying to read every book in the world, learning various hobbies from textile arts to martial arts, or spending time with her friends and family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Read
August 23, 2025I'm the author so I'm not going to write a review but I have read it about a million times so I am going to count it for my yearly goal. I hope you enjoy the story!
September 1, 2025
This book hit me with a lot of nostalgia. It has everything my younger self wanted in a book. Magic, fairytale references and really great Inkheart vibes. That and it was one of those books where you start reading and then look up and somehow a few hours have passed and you missed your usual dinner time.
It's definitely in my top books for 2025.
I was honored to receive an early copy of the book to prepare for a chat with the author, and I was certainly not disappointed.
It's definitely in my top books for 2025.
I was honored to receive an early copy of the book to prepare for a chat with the author, and I was certainly not disappointed.
September 29, 2025
Etta Grace has crafted a story that not only brought me to my mind’s attic and took me on a trip down memory lane, but a novel that is heartwarming, refreshing, and gripping.
I won’t bore you with my own reminiscing that Runaways inspired, though I will say that it is the perfect homage to the imaginative games we’ve all played as kids. Seeing how Etta Grace has woven those elements of childhood whimsy with her world building was a lot of fun as a reader because it blended this nostalgia with a reality that would become her characters’ world. The ever practical and scientifically-inclined Hannah was like a love letter to older siblings, especially older sisters, everywhere. She’s the type of older sibling we dream of but low-key don’t deserve because let’s face it: us younger siblings are schemers and can make quite a lot of trouble for our older siblings.
Speaking of younger siblings, Cecelia was one of my favorite characters in the novel. Though the award is split between Marco and Matteo, Cecelia’s journey of self-acceptance and coming into her name was super relatable, especially at that age. Her struggle to come to terms with how her world has changed and figuring out who she is and what her relationship with Hannah could be going forward was heartwarming, especially as we get to see Hannah’s perspective too in trying to accept how Cecelia has changed.
If you love fairy lore and retellings, Etta Grace’s take on the Pied Piper is both haunting and endearing. Haunting because WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! (There’s a scene in the Unseelie Court that is definitely the stuff of nightmares but oooooooh it was so good)! Endearing because the sisterly bond between our protagonists was enviable. The way Etta Grace wove lore into her retelling and story of treasured sibling bonds was amazing. How Etta Grace wrote magic and fighting scenes was mesmerizing, and easy to follow, a feat that is difficult to do in writing!
While Runaways was the perfect way to start or end my day, I did sometimes struggle with dialogue/stylistic choices but reminded myself that I was pretty cheesy too at eleven/twelve. Though my twenty-something year old self may not have appreciated these expressions as a reader, they were 1,000-percent in-character for our young protagonists.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Runaways and am likely to pester my childhood friends with it until they also read it, because the memories it brought to mind are something I will treasure forever, and I am forever grateful to Etta Grace for bringing them to the forefront with Runaways.
(Note: I received an ARC of Runaways)
I won’t bore you with my own reminiscing that Runaways inspired, though I will say that it is the perfect homage to the imaginative games we’ve all played as kids. Seeing how Etta Grace has woven those elements of childhood whimsy with her world building was a lot of fun as a reader because it blended this nostalgia with a reality that would become her characters’ world. The ever practical and scientifically-inclined Hannah was like a love letter to older siblings, especially older sisters, everywhere. She’s the type of older sibling we dream of but low-key don’t deserve because let’s face it: us younger siblings are schemers and can make quite a lot of trouble for our older siblings.
Speaking of younger siblings, Cecelia was one of my favorite characters in the novel. Though the award is split between Marco and Matteo, Cecelia’s journey of self-acceptance and coming into her name was super relatable, especially at that age. Her struggle to come to terms with how her world has changed and figuring out who she is and what her relationship with Hannah could be going forward was heartwarming, especially as we get to see Hannah’s perspective too in trying to accept how Cecelia has changed.
If you love fairy lore and retellings, Etta Grace’s take on the Pied Piper is both haunting and endearing. Haunting because WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! (There’s a scene in the Unseelie Court that is definitely the stuff of nightmares but oooooooh it was so good)! Endearing because the sisterly bond between our protagonists was enviable. The way Etta Grace wove lore into her retelling and story of treasured sibling bonds was amazing. How Etta Grace wrote magic and fighting scenes was mesmerizing, and easy to follow, a feat that is difficult to do in writing!
While Runaways was the perfect way to start or end my day, I did sometimes struggle with dialogue/stylistic choices but reminded myself that I was pretty cheesy too at eleven/twelve. Though my twenty-something year old self may not have appreciated these expressions as a reader, they were 1,000-percent in-character for our young protagonists.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed Runaways and am likely to pester my childhood friends with it until they also read it, because the memories it brought to mind are something I will treasure forever, and I am forever grateful to Etta Grace for bringing them to the forefront with Runaways.
(Note: I received an ARC of Runaways)
September 29, 2025
This is a book I would've loved as a child. It's magical, adventurous, a little spooky, and rang very true to my experience of growing up with a sister. We were joined at the hip, but the sense of responsibility for each other and the constant comparison could get heavy sometimes, same as it goes for Cecelia and Hannah.
Runaways fairyland struck the right balance of inviting and dangerous for me. I also loved how all the girls have a protagonist role in the story, even the Taken, who only appears later on. None of them are victims: they're all doing their best to thrive with the cards they were dealt, no matter how awful their situation might seem when you compare it to a "normal" childhood—which, I think, is also true for many children's real lives. We see even terrible problems as normal when they're our normal, and we learn to deal with them to survive. If we're lucky, we find a way to escape them.
Another refreshing detail to me was Runaways depiction of autism because it's such a natural part of Hannah's personality. This means it can be a source of conflict, like when struggling with change makes it harder to accept her sister changing, but it's mostly just... there, in her gestures, her way of thinking and her interests. I'll admit I teared up a little when Hannah's interest in taxonomy was treated as special because of all the effort she put into it. People are so often dismissive or condescending when we're passionate about something, so this was precious.
There were small continuity issues in the ARC, mostly in object placement.
None of that was enough to impact the fun I had reading Runaways, though. Overall it was a remarkably kind adventure story about sisterhood and fairies, and I think many kids would love it, besides some adults too.
Runaways fairyland struck the right balance of inviting and dangerous for me. I also loved how all the girls have a protagonist role in the story, even the Taken, who only appears later on. None of them are victims: they're all doing their best to thrive with the cards they were dealt, no matter how awful their situation might seem when you compare it to a "normal" childhood—which, I think, is also true for many children's real lives. We see even terrible problems as normal when they're our normal, and we learn to deal with them to survive. If we're lucky, we find a way to escape them.
Another refreshing detail to me was Runaways depiction of autism because it's such a natural part of Hannah's personality. This means it can be a source of conflict, like when struggling with change makes it harder to accept her sister changing, but it's mostly just... there, in her gestures, her way of thinking and her interests. I'll admit I teared up a little when Hannah's interest in taxonomy was treated as special because of all the effort she put into it. People are so often dismissive or condescending when we're passionate about something, so this was precious.
There were small continuity issues in the ARC, mostly in object placement.
None of that was enough to impact the fun I had reading Runaways, though. Overall it was a remarkably kind adventure story about sisterhood and fairies, and I think many kids would love it, besides some adults too.
January 13, 2026
If you're looking for an immersive, sibling-focused portal fantasy, look no further, because Runaways impeccably captures the adventure and family feelings!
When her sister vanishes into a storm, Hannah braves the mysterious forest beyond her home to try and bring her back, even if she only half-believes Cecilia's stories of magic and monsters. But the truth behind those stories is even more dangerous than Hannah knows.
I was very specifically in the mood for a book that took place in the borderlands of Faerie, and this one perfectly fit the bill. I loved the family relationships, Hannah and Cecelia's tested sisterhood, and the revelations about the Piper and the true nature of the Taken that appeared as the story progressed. The worldbuilding was deep and drew on many aspects of folklore surrounding the Seelie and Unseelie courts, entrances to the fairie world, and warped passage of time (which was one of the elements that had me most on the edge of my seat throughout the story, given that like the characters I couldn't know how much had gone by in the human world).
I would highly recommend this book if you're fond of strong sisterhood bonds, well-researched fae folklore, and absolutely adorable animal companions (looking at you, Kit-Kat)!
When her sister vanishes into a storm, Hannah braves the mysterious forest beyond her home to try and bring her back, even if she only half-believes Cecilia's stories of magic and monsters. But the truth behind those stories is even more dangerous than Hannah knows.
I was very specifically in the mood for a book that took place in the borderlands of Faerie, and this one perfectly fit the bill. I loved the family relationships, Hannah and Cecelia's tested sisterhood, and the revelations about the Piper and the true nature of the Taken that appeared as the story progressed. The worldbuilding was deep and drew on many aspects of folklore surrounding the Seelie and Unseelie courts, entrances to the fairie world, and warped passage of time (which was one of the elements that had me most on the edge of my seat throughout the story, given that like the characters I couldn't know how much had gone by in the human world).
I would highly recommend this book if you're fond of strong sisterhood bonds, well-researched fae folklore, and absolutely adorable animal companions (looking at you, Kit-Kat)!
October 31, 2025
As someone with a sometimes tumultuous but ultimately loving relationship with my siblings, Runaways felt like chicken soup for the soul. The book does a phenomenal job of crafting realistic characters with relationships so genuine and endearing that you can’t help but root for them, even when they’re being stubborn and frustrating (looking at you, Cecelia).
Beyond the sweet and heartfelt interactions, Runaways is packed with action scenes that hit the perfect balance: intense enough to keep me on edge, but quick enough that they never dragged on. I also loved how the story put a clever twist on familiar tales, keeping me and Hannah constantly guessing what was real, what was fiction, and what surprise might come next. This helped the world felt rich and imaginative without needing pages of heavy world building, which made it an especially fun and immersive read.
Most of all, I appreciated the representation of neurodivergent kids as heroines who are loved, supported, and celebrated for who they are. That kind of representation means the world, and I wish I’d had a book like this when I was a young tween. Runaways truly has my heart.
Beyond the sweet and heartfelt interactions, Runaways is packed with action scenes that hit the perfect balance: intense enough to keep me on edge, but quick enough that they never dragged on. I also loved how the story put a clever twist on familiar tales, keeping me and Hannah constantly guessing what was real, what was fiction, and what surprise might come next. This helped the world felt rich and imaginative without needing pages of heavy world building, which made it an especially fun and immersive read.
Most of all, I appreciated the representation of neurodivergent kids as heroines who are loved, supported, and celebrated for who they are. That kind of representation means the world, and I wish I’d had a book like this when I was a young tween. Runaways truly has my heart.
October 31, 2025
This exciting and heartwarming YA adventure is reminiscent of childhood favorites like the Chronicles of Narnia and Inkheart, and can be enjoyed by everyone from younger teens to adults.
What I love most about Runaways is the beautiful and powerful bond between the sisters. They make mistakes, they hurt each other, but they forgive each other. Along the way each sister must question who she really is, and only by accepting themselves, and each other, can each one make it home.
Perfect for fall, this cozy but spooky story is filled with something for everyone: fae, changelings, unique magic, and the power of names and sisterhood.
I also have to say that this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever held in my hands. The cover artwork is stunning and the interior illustrations are so gorgeous they make you feel like you’re reading a special edition. If you love collecting beautiful books, you won’t want to miss out on this one!
What I love most about Runaways is the beautiful and powerful bond between the sisters. They make mistakes, they hurt each other, but they forgive each other. Along the way each sister must question who she really is, and only by accepting themselves, and each other, can each one make it home.
Perfect for fall, this cozy but spooky story is filled with something for everyone: fae, changelings, unique magic, and the power of names and sisterhood.
I also have to say that this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever held in my hands. The cover artwork is stunning and the interior illustrations are so gorgeous they make you feel like you’re reading a special edition. If you love collecting beautiful books, you won’t want to miss out on this one!
August 27, 2025
Disclaimer; I received an ARC but all opinions in this review are my own!
Runaways is the perfect novel if you like faerie folklore, sibling bonds, and shocking plot twists. Every page is gripping, and the illustrations paint a breathtaking picture of the world. It has the vibe of a spooky bedtime story you would be read as a kid while it's raining and storming outside. If that's your vibe, then I would recommend you cuddle up on Halloween and immerse yourself in this vibrant world!
Runaways is for anyone who enjoys the horror embedded in a fairytale, and the friends we made along the way. This is a stellar debut novel, and it is the perfect read for a cozy night in. Etta knocked it out of the park, and I cannot wait to read all of her future work.
Runaways is the perfect novel if you like faerie folklore, sibling bonds, and shocking plot twists. Every page is gripping, and the illustrations paint a breathtaking picture of the world. It has the vibe of a spooky bedtime story you would be read as a kid while it's raining and storming outside. If that's your vibe, then I would recommend you cuddle up on Halloween and immerse yourself in this vibrant world!
Runaways is for anyone who enjoys the horror embedded in a fairytale, and the friends we made along the way. This is a stellar debut novel, and it is the perfect read for a cozy night in. Etta knocked it out of the park, and I cannot wait to read all of her future work.
September 17, 2025
I think this story has a great concept with some really compelling character dynamics but, for me, falls short in the execution. The pacing in particular seemed to drag, especially in the beginning, and the stakes often did not feel as high as they should have. That said, certain chapters were highly enjoyable (16 and 25 in particular) and having pushed through the lulls, I found the overall story quite sweet. The art that heads each chapter is beautiful, also. Another round of editing for pacing and for prose that aligns in tone with the plot-led confrontations and reveals probably would have pushed this up a star rating for me. Would give a 3.5 but as far as I can tell goodreads doesn't do half stars.
October 19, 2025
I received a free copy from the author. I am writing a review of my own free will.
It was really good! The characters were well fleshed out and I loved a lot about it. The present tense is occasionally distracting and sometimes the way the kids talk is uh. Not how kids talk at all (with one particular story I think a flashback would have worked better). But otherwise a very good and solid read! Definitely one I'll want on my shelf.
It was really good! The characters were well fleshed out and I loved a lot about it. The present tense is occasionally distracting and sometimes the way the kids talk is uh. Not how kids talk at all (with one particular story I think a flashback would have worked better). But otherwise a very good and solid read! Definitely one I'll want on my shelf.
Read
November 3, 2025"If the best you can do is claim minor victories against the dark, then that is enough. Never lose the desire to strive for perfection, but always know you will never reach it."
Wonderful!! A fun middle grade fantasy adventure with the spookiness and sharp fairy tale bite of Holly Black's faerieland.
It addressed some topics I've never seen actually explored at length in fae books--what happened to the human that the changeling replaced? Why do faeries swap children, anyways? When the changeling's exposed, how does their family square the person they love with the person they thought they knew? And seriously--where do we go from here?
A good time. And I love love love to see illustrations in more indie books.
Here, everything cares only about itself. Herd animals like deer wander alone; no mycelium network connects the webs of roots, leaving the plants exposed to wither and die. The soil erodes, yielding to uncaring gravel. There's no softness, no wilderness--just sterile, half-dead things kept from true release, forbidden from the relief of oblivion.
October 29, 2025
I enjoyed reading this fun YA fantasy novel that takes a gripping take on the Pied Piper. It was both exhilarating and sometimes a little frightening. The world Etta creates feels easy to slip into and forget time. I appreciate how she used fairy lore to convey fighting for sisterhood. The artwork is fun and beautiful. Adding this hardback to my bookshelf and highly recommend the read.
December 20, 2025
Loved this book! Great YA fantasy adventure about sisters, magic, and overcoming your fears.
My favorite part was the relationship between the sisters. The art is amazing too. Very beautiful book.
I highly recommend this fun and engaging story!
My favorite part was the relationship between the sisters. The art is amazing too. Very beautiful book.
I highly recommend this fun and engaging story!
November 30, 2025
I really loved the magic system, Kit-Kat was so adorable, and I absolutely love the ending involved truth to the parents instead of pretending nothing happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews