Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere

by Gene Turnbow

Some stories aren't about heroes. They're about second chances.

At thirty-four, Juniper Fairchild is out of time and out of options—until a hidden garden opens a door to the Alterwhere, a dream-warped world shaped by forgotten stories and abandoned hopes, and absolutely meant for girls and boys twenty years younger than she is.

The Alterwhere believes she and her best friend, Megan Eastman, are both the same Lost Princess. Now Megan is missing, the world is unraveling, and Juniper is the only one who might be able to fix it.

She didn’t ask to be chosen. All she wants is to go home. But now she’s the only one who might be able to set things right.
Armed with a magical amulet that points the way but won’t open, a pair of misfit Fae footmen and an enchanted Model T, Juniper must cross a land built from the memories of children—some joyful, some terrifying—to save her friend and prevent the collapse of everything.

Witty, heartfelt, and quietly epic, Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere is a portal fantasy for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late to matter.

Fans of T. Kingfisher, Alix E. Harrow, and Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children will find themselves at home in this emotionally rich, absurdly charming, and powerfully strange debut novel.

Genres: Fantasy

410 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2025

Reviews

[Andrew Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve known Gene, the author, for many years. So I was one to receive an advance copy for review. I liked the book. There are likeable characters, pathos and plenty of ‘why did that have to happen?!’ moments. There are also a few head scratchers in the novel as I wondered what was going on. All in all though, I did enjoy the book. Considering that this is a self published work, without the army of consults that accompany major publishing houses, it’s a remarkable achievement. I hope it’s turned into a movie. I’d love to see the scenes brought to life.

[Sieglinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful well written first novel. Yes, I glommed onto a prepublication copy but I have no problem giving an honest review. I really enjoyed it. I would call it suitable for teenagers and mature younger people as there is some, not much, violence and loss in it.
The world is different. You start out with two best friends, one with a terminal disease who are both in their 30’s who go through a portal into a magical land. Unlike others of these lands, it is more like a story with non-player characters in it with no authentic backstory. The world is built as the characters who soon become rivals travel through it. So you start out thinking, I am reading the same ole same ole but it is very different. The build out of individuals is very interesting as you see the danger of the story not being followed as it was meant to be.
Very fast read, no boring parts or wasted time.

[Lawrence Schoen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable first novel with characters who are breaking out of their own story. Fresh and dynamic with great promise for future books. Grab your bowler and jump into the Alterwhere!

[Cerrberus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Current medical problems have stalled my reading, but I can't wait to get "Juniper" finished! Well worth the read!
And finally- the rest:
This first-novel effort is well worth the read for lovers of fantasy and science fiction. Hardship is mixed with humor as the 'real world' characters find a fantasy realm that is as real as [and often more dangerous than] our own. A good coming of age tale with relatable adult protagonists that should delight a range of ages.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a voracious reader of sci-fi books and VERY specific genres of fantasy (cozy fantasy being my favorite) so when I heard that founder of SciFi radio was publishing a book, knowing him personally, I asked if I could get an advance copy. I wasnt sure if it would be up my alley. I was VERY wrong. While definitely a departure from my usual fare, from page one I was drawn in by evocative writing and the consistent feeling like I was a hairsbreadth from being pulled into the world myself.

The pacing is incredible, flowing naturally from manic, white-water-rafting-like action to the slow, ponderous consideration of taking a few deep breaths right when you need it to. Things are never too crazy for long enough to leave you fatigued. It's balanced.

The characters - both the ones you start with and the ones you meet along the way - are all memorable and readers are sure to have their favorites. And the Alterwhere is a character all it's own, providing mysteries with ease and answers the characters have to WORK for.

Get this book, read it, then re-read it to see what you might have missed the first time. Maybe you can be a Visitor yourself!

[Mark Dispenza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an advance copy of the novel and thoroughly enjoyed it. If, like me, you are a fan of L. Frank Baum’s “Wizard of Oz,” you are likely to love this story. The characters and plot are more complex and modern than Baum’s story, although the themes are closely aligned. Juniper is a more proactive protagonist than Dorothy, sometimes so much so that she can be her own worst enemy. Oz was a fairyland inspired by traditional fairytales and American folktales. The Alterwhere has these fairyland elements, too, but it's also infused with attributes more recognizable from the realm of science fiction. The friendship between Juniper and Megan is both close and tested as the story unfolds. I won’t say any more because I don’t want to include spoilers. The novel is well-plotted and has many unforeseen twists that added to my enjoyment, and I loved the many wonderful characters. It’s a fun read.

[Cormier Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. At first, I thought it would be a lighthearted romp through a fantasy world, but Gene Turnbow doesn’t shy away from the darker corners of childhood imagination. Some sections of the Alterwhere are delightful, almost Alice-in-Wonderland in their whimsy, while others are tinged with nightmare logic. The concept that Juniper and Megan are mistaken for the same Lost Princess was fascinating, and it created an undercurrent of mystery that carried me through the book. What really worked for me was the emotional depth. Juniper’s longing to go home, her doubts about whether she belongs in this world, and her fierce loyalty to Megan gave the story real weight. I didn’t love every side character (the fae footmen were more comic relief than I usually enjoy), but the enchanted Model T was a stroke of genius. Overall, this is a story that lingers in your mind long after the last page.

[Lynn Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that I rarely read 400 plus page fantasy epics and it took me a while to get into this one BUT, Gene Turnbow’s richly-imagined world sucks you in with vivid images until a huge tome becomes a page-turner. Colorful and often unique characters are fully-realized but, are they good, evil or a mixture of both? You’ll keep guessing. It is a tale of a friendship that is tested and evolving. Turnbow weaves a well-written quest story on several levels and the twists and turns in character and plot aren’t always predictable.

This fantasy tale set in a land driven by the magic of creativity, hopes and dreams, especially for the oppressed, is particularly appropriate in today’s unsure and challenging world. A fun and involving read for anyone middle-grade up through retiree. It is also well set up for intended sequels.

[MICHAEL BALLARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable first novel

Alterwhere is a place designed to appeal to young girls who are fortunate enough to find a magic portal that gives them access. It is powered by their dreams and (limited) memories of the time they spend there.
In THIS story, two women in their 30s, who have been friends for years, happen, separately, to find portals. The standard "fairy princess" fantasy tries to run its course but having two 'Visitors' that are mostly seen by locals as the same person upsets that standard.
The fact that they are both In their thirties instead of young girls also creates some trouble getting the standard storyline to run its course.
How things, eventually, work themselves out is not a simple "happily ever after". You'll have to read the book to find that for yourself.

[Brandon L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening a whole new world of fantasy fiction, Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere takes readers on a wild adventure through unique lands full of magic and mystery. With vivid imagery, the Alterwhere is brought to life as Juniper is pulled into an otherworldly reality, where she’s forced into a journey she would rather skip, to fulfill a destiny she does not want. Giving purpose and glory to overlooked underdogs, this debut novel creatively explores concepts of free will, the bond of friendship, and the unintended consequences of selfishness and greed. Most importantly, it encompasses the rediscovery of the wondrous joy only youth can bring—when the world felt full of imaginative possibilities.

[Ashley Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere swept me away from the very first page. Gene Turnbow has created a portal fantasy that is equal parts whimsical and profound, with a heroine who is refreshingly different from the usual chosen one archetype. Juniper, at thirty four, is flawed, funny, and deeply relatable, which makes her journey through the surreal and often eerie world of the Alterwhere even more compelling.

The imagery is gorgeous an enchanted Model T, Fae footmen, and landscapes shaped by childhood dreams and fears. But what really stayed with me was the heart of the story: friendship, second chances, and the idea that it’s never too late to matter.

[Daniel Vanderwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere. I don't typically get to read nearly as much as I would like to, but this was a book I quite literally couldn't put down.
I found myself genuinely caring about the characters and what happens to them, even lesser characters that don't appear as often as the main ones. By the time I got to the end, I was so thoroughly invested that I re-read the book four times in a row and plan on ordering paperback copies as soon as it releases on Amazon!

[Mehmet Çalışkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juniper Fairchild and the Alterwhere by Gene Turnbow follows Juniper Fairchild as she is mysteriously drawn into a parallel world called Alterwhere, embarking on a journey full of dangers and fantastical adventures alongside her friend Megan and other companions. The novel reinterprets classic fantasy elements (throne struggles, magic, visions) in a modern style; through cinematic scenes and rich characters, it offers a fluid and engaging fictional world experience. I would highly recommend it to fans of fantasy literature, young adult readers, and anyone interested in “multi-world” stories.

[S. P. Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book I knew it was going to be a fantasy, but I had no idea of the realms to which the Alterwhere would take me. Juniper and her friend Megan swept me up with them through palaces and forests filled with intrigue and creatures stranger than I could have imagined and I loved every minute of this fantastical ride.

What was real? What was imagination? Don't ask, just enjoy!

Eagerly awaiting Book 2!

[Etaoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is that rarest of creatures, a completely new story. It moves like a beautiful tapestry in a gentle breeze, full of rich details and finely told stories, I never wanted it to end. If you love getting lost in the world of a book, look no further, buy this book. I intend to go read it again, and maybe again after that. Juniper Fairchild's story is a wondrous and absorbing tale.