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Otherwood
A 2019 Edgar Award Winner!
What happened in the woods that day? Pete Hautman's riveting middle-grade novel touches on secrets and mysteries -- and the power of connections with family and friends.
"Hatred combined with lies and secrets can break the world." Grandpa Zach used to say that before he died, but Stuey never really knew what he meant. It was kind of like how he used to talk about quantum physics or how he used to say ghosts haunted their overgrown golf course. But then one day, after Stuey and his best friend, Elly Rose, spend countless afternoons in the deadfall in the middle of the woods, something totally unbelievable happens. As Stuey and Elly Rose struggle to come to grips with their lives after that reality-splitting moment, all the things Grandpa Zach used to say start to make a lot more sense. This is a book about memory and loss and the destructive nature of secrets, but also about the way friendship, truth, and perseverance have the ability to knit a torn-apart world back together.
What happened in the woods that day? Pete Hautman's riveting middle-grade novel touches on secrets and mysteries -- and the power of connections with family and friends.
"Hatred combined with lies and secrets can break the world." Grandpa Zach used to say that before he died, but Stuey never really knew what he meant. It was kind of like how he used to talk about quantum physics or how he used to say ghosts haunted their overgrown golf course. But then one day, after Stuey and his best friend, Elly Rose, spend countless afternoons in the deadfall in the middle of the woods, something totally unbelievable happens. As Stuey and Elly Rose struggle to come to grips with their lives after that reality-splitting moment, all the things Grandpa Zach used to say start to make a lot more sense. This is a book about memory and loss and the destructive nature of secrets, but also about the way friendship, truth, and perseverance have the ability to knit a torn-apart world back together.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2018
52 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Pete Hautman
60 books357 followersPeter Murray Hautman is an American author best known for his novels for young adults. One of them, Godless, won the 2004 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. The National Book Foundation summary is, "A teenage boy decides to invent a new religion with a new god."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
August 5, 2018
Throw away whatever YA you’re reading at the moment and start with fantastic middle grade fiction like this. You won’t be disappointed by the medley of fantasy, quantum physics, characters and suspense.
This book is simple, but complex. It has a plot that is easy to understand, but so intricate in all its details, characters and character development. It stimulated my mind and growth as a human being. I hope everyone gets around to reading this gem.
Is reality simply a dream we share? Will sharing my story change what is real? Alas, I will never know. – From Grandad’s Book of Secrets.
Stuey was eight years old, living with his over-protective mother and loving grandfather. Suddenly, a storm hit and Stuey’s life was changed forever – his grandfather died in the storm, along with many ideas and even more family secrets.
They found Grandpa Zach on the floor behind his desk, curled up, arms wrapped around his belly as if he was hugging himself.
Everyone knows how much I love grandparent-themed stories (I’m looking at you, Jane) but this was phenomenally done. Stuey suffers the loss of his grandpa as the loss of a father and best friend.
Stuey remembered that day the way he remembered nightmares – a sort of horrific slide show, one awful image piled on top of another. He went back to the house, carrying with him the knowledge that Gramps, his best friend, was gone.
Like
, this book manages a beautiful set up of the grandparent in question. We get such a good feel for Stuey’s gramps, and a mystery book left behind filled with secrets.
The apples were tiny green nubbins. Most of them would be wormy when they got bigger. Gramps didn’t believe in spraying trees. “Bugs have to eat too.” He would say.
The day before gramps died, Stuey discovered what he called a “Fairy Circle” – a circle with perfect grass in it. Gramps explains that it was only part of the golf course Stuey’s great grandad had built many years before. Before, that is, Stuey’s great grandad disappeared out of nowhere – and so did the town lawyer, Robert Rosen.
This book isn’t exactly supernatural or fantastical – but it is whimsical and Otherworldly
I don’t believe there are fairies here, Stuey. But there might be a ghost or two. “Ghosts?” Stuey’s voice quavered. He didn’t really believe in fairies, but he wasn’t so sure about ghosts. Grandpa Zach grinned. “Got you!” he said.
Years after Grandpa Zach’s death, Stuey meets an unforgettable friend called Elly Rose
Now, Elly Rose is a beautiful, fairy-like character who seems to transcend earth with her imagination. Stuey begins to uncover that they share so much – interests, a birthday and an even darker secret.
”We could be soul mates!” “What’s a soul mate?” he asked. “It means we have a special connection and we can’t have any other secrets from each other.” Elly said.
And so, the two children share the deadfall – an area of previously-owned golf land that has logs that are arranged like a castle. They spend so much time together and begin to grow a strong bond. Until one day, when Elly disappears from Stuey’s life – literally disappears into thin air. She is missing. But when he goes to the deadfall, he sees her sometimes, and she explains that in her world, he is missing too.
And so begins the wonderfully crafted conflict of the book – two children missing in different time zones, impossible – except that Grandpa Zach’s book of secrets says otherwise. I won’t spoil much, but the tenacity, character, smarts and beauty of the two children is beautiful and heartbreaking. They have to go through years of trials and tribulations to find each other once again.
Conclusion
I loved this book so much. I loved the characters, plot, character development, writing, dialogue, suspense – everything there is to look for in a book. Although it was middle grade the book dealt with complex issues. I recommend this book to everyone – absolutely everyone. The author is able to describe and bring children to life the way children really are – not just little adults, but children. And I loved this to death, since very few authors are good at this sort of thing. I also laud the author for how well suspense is carried out in a middle grade book – it’s phenomenal. There is also a lot of commentary on nature, and how or society is ridding us of beautiful marshes, forests and swamps to make way for more and more malls.
My favourite quotes
”I’ll be a bootlegger.” He liked the way Elly was staring at him. She didn’t speak for a few seconds, which was unusual. “Maybe a murderer too.” He added.
”We hang pictures here. It’ll be like our own secret moving castle, with pictures. This can be our meeting place while our moms are mad at each other.
The void within pulled at his skin, threatening to turn him inside out. His bones ached; his thoughts whirled and spun into an infinitely deep, infinitely empty sinkhole.
It was as if he had split into two different people, a boy who told adults the things they wanted to hear, and the boy who knew the truth.
He thought about what his mom had said about soul mates. They make you whole. He hadn’t really understood that until Elly went away.
”Don’t worry, Grimpy” she said. It’s not dragons. Just stupid men and their stupid machines.”
There is so much more I could say about this book, but I’d rather not – it’s for the reader to discover and treasure. I dare not spoil such a beautiful piece of work. This is a beautiful coming of age story that no one should miss out on.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is simple, but complex. It has a plot that is easy to understand, but so intricate in all its details, characters and character development. It stimulated my mind and growth as a human being. I hope everyone gets around to reading this gem.
Is reality simply a dream we share? Will sharing my story change what is real? Alas, I will never know. – From Grandad’s Book of Secrets.
Stuey was eight years old, living with his over-protective mother and loving grandfather. Suddenly, a storm hit and Stuey’s life was changed forever – his grandfather died in the storm, along with many ideas and even more family secrets.
They found Grandpa Zach on the floor behind his desk, curled up, arms wrapped around his belly as if he was hugging himself.
Everyone knows how much I love grandparent-themed stories (I’m looking at you, Jane) but this was phenomenally done. Stuey suffers the loss of his grandpa as the loss of a father and best friend.
Stuey remembered that day the way he remembered nightmares – a sort of horrific slide show, one awful image piled on top of another. He went back to the house, carrying with him the knowledge that Gramps, his best friend, was gone.
Like
, this book manages a beautiful set up of the grandparent in question. We get such a good feel for Stuey’s gramps, and a mystery book left behind filled with secrets.The apples were tiny green nubbins. Most of them would be wormy when they got bigger. Gramps didn’t believe in spraying trees. “Bugs have to eat too.” He would say.
The day before gramps died, Stuey discovered what he called a “Fairy Circle” – a circle with perfect grass in it. Gramps explains that it was only part of the golf course Stuey’s great grandad had built many years before. Before, that is, Stuey’s great grandad disappeared out of nowhere – and so did the town lawyer, Robert Rosen.
This book isn’t exactly supernatural or fantastical – but it is whimsical and Otherworldly
I don’t believe there are fairies here, Stuey. But there might be a ghost or two. “Ghosts?” Stuey’s voice quavered. He didn’t really believe in fairies, but he wasn’t so sure about ghosts. Grandpa Zach grinned. “Got you!” he said.
Years after Grandpa Zach’s death, Stuey meets an unforgettable friend called Elly Rose
Now, Elly Rose is a beautiful, fairy-like character who seems to transcend earth with her imagination. Stuey begins to uncover that they share so much – interests, a birthday and an even darker secret.
”We could be soul mates!” “What’s a soul mate?” he asked. “It means we have a special connection and we can’t have any other secrets from each other.” Elly said.
And so, the two children share the deadfall – an area of previously-owned golf land that has logs that are arranged like a castle. They spend so much time together and begin to grow a strong bond. Until one day, when Elly disappears from Stuey’s life – literally disappears into thin air. She is missing. But when he goes to the deadfall, he sees her sometimes, and she explains that in her world, he is missing too.
And so begins the wonderfully crafted conflict of the book – two children missing in different time zones, impossible – except that Grandpa Zach’s book of secrets says otherwise. I won’t spoil much, but the tenacity, character, smarts and beauty of the two children is beautiful and heartbreaking. They have to go through years of trials and tribulations to find each other once again.
Conclusion
I loved this book so much. I loved the characters, plot, character development, writing, dialogue, suspense – everything there is to look for in a book. Although it was middle grade the book dealt with complex issues. I recommend this book to everyone – absolutely everyone. The author is able to describe and bring children to life the way children really are – not just little adults, but children. And I loved this to death, since very few authors are good at this sort of thing. I also laud the author for how well suspense is carried out in a middle grade book – it’s phenomenal. There is also a lot of commentary on nature, and how or society is ridding us of beautiful marshes, forests and swamps to make way for more and more malls.
My favourite quotes
”I’ll be a bootlegger.” He liked the way Elly was staring at him. She didn’t speak for a few seconds, which was unusual. “Maybe a murderer too.” He added.
”We hang pictures here. It’ll be like our own secret moving castle, with pictures. This can be our meeting place while our moms are mad at each other.
The void within pulled at his skin, threatening to turn him inside out. His bones ached; his thoughts whirled and spun into an infinitely deep, infinitely empty sinkhole.
It was as if he had split into two different people, a boy who told adults the things they wanted to hear, and the boy who knew the truth.
He thought about what his mom had said about soul mates. They make you whole. He hadn’t really understood that until Elly went away.
”Don’t worry, Grimpy” she said. It’s not dragons. Just stupid men and their stupid machines.”
There is so much more I could say about this book, but I’d rather not – it’s for the reader to discover and treasure. I dare not spoil such a beautiful piece of work. This is a beautiful coming of age story that no one should miss out on.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2018
4.5 stars for Otherwood -- one of my favourite middle grade reads of the year!
We follow Stuey and his friend Elly Rose who each have magnificent imaginations and a love for the woods between their homes. Upon discovering they share a birthday, Elly Rose declares them soulmates and the two children spend countless hours playing in a deadfall in the middle of the woods. Until the day when something goes terribly wrong and the two must figure out how to try to put things back to the way they were.
This book reminded me so much of two of my favourite reads as a kid: The Stone in the Meadow, and The Root Cellar. Mixing the other-worldly in with the everyday problems a kid faces, Otherwood strikes a fantastic balance that did not require much effort on my part to suspend my disbelief. The characters mostly all felt very real and I really cared what happened to Stuey and Elly Rose.
I love that small details are introduced very subtly throughout the book, and the true importance of the details only become apparent later in the story. I often get frustrated with kids' books that foreshadow so heavily that there's barely any reason to finish reading the book because I already know what's going to happen. That was not the case here. I was caught up in the story and couldn't wait to see how things would be resolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.
We follow Stuey and his friend Elly Rose who each have magnificent imaginations and a love for the woods between their homes. Upon discovering they share a birthday, Elly Rose declares them soulmates and the two children spend countless hours playing in a deadfall in the middle of the woods. Until the day when something goes terribly wrong and the two must figure out how to try to put things back to the way they were.
This book reminded me so much of two of my favourite reads as a kid: The Stone in the Meadow, and The Root Cellar. Mixing the other-worldly in with the everyday problems a kid faces, Otherwood strikes a fantastic balance that did not require much effort on my part to suspend my disbelief. The characters mostly all felt very real and I really cared what happened to Stuey and Elly Rose.
I love that small details are introduced very subtly throughout the book, and the true importance of the details only become apparent later in the story. I often get frustrated with kids' books that foreshadow so heavily that there's barely any reason to finish reading the book because I already know what's going to happen. That was not the case here. I was caught up in the story and couldn't wait to see how things would be resolved.
Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.
August 11, 2020
// Thanks to Candlewick Press and Netgalley for the ARC to review //
“I suppose if we forgot stuff we’ll never know we forgot it, because we won’t remember.”
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⟹ SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ⟸
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
a general problem with fantasy books is capturing the attention of readers, but this book did not have that problem. This book is surprisingly deep for a middle grade book. It is complex and intricate with themes deeply woven into the story.
I like how certain middle grades books have the special talent of being so much deeper than they are meant to be.
As this is in the Fantasy genre, it dealt with topics that were more on the supernatural level but I was still able to heavily relate to it in a more philosophical way.
plot:
~ though it had a slow start for me, it picked up fairly quickly. The beginning was already enough to capture my attention. The timeline was spread out enough that it was able to show the development and change with the characters.
stuey and elly are so innocently cute that it makes the whole story seem innocent even though it dealt with sort of serious and heavy topics. The developments were slow but it hit me really hard and I couldn't help tearing up at some parts. And even though the structural flow did not appeal to me as much because it is a middle grade novel, I enjoyed it very much due to the topics that it tackled and how much it just hits you everytime.
“hatred combined with lies and secrets can break the world.”
characters:
~ the characters were written with so much passion that reading their relationships made my heart swell. I felt all the emotions they were feeling on a magnified level. Their connections just felt so real to me.
“Do You know what ghosts are, Stuey? I’ll tell you. They’re secrets haunting the memories of the living. So long as we carry their secrets, they refuse to leave. They wait.” “Wait for what?” “To be forgotten. My father has been gone for sixty years, but” — he tapped the side of his head — “he’s still here. He never left.”
this made me think of my own dad and i must be lying if i said that i didn’t shed a tear. The characters had diversity. Even though the style makes it seem like a very kiddish read, I was glad to have read it because the characters felt alive and they did start growing up towards the end.
Their families were very much present throughout the whole book and I appreciated how their actions played a part in the plot.
“we live in different worlds, different realities.”
themes:
~ it revolved around a lot of themes: ghosts, memories, dreams, friendship, family, growing up but most importantly, realities and what we choose to believe. Is there more than one reality? Are there different worlds? It provided a lot of philosophical ideas to ponder on and it always left me thinking.
what hit me the most was how in the end, Stuey forgot a significant part of his past with Elly, it signified how he has grown up. It showed that we change as we grow older and it made me realize that we won't even remember the things that we forget. But as long as it stays with us, it will stay alive though us.
~ In this story, it isn't important whose side of 'reality' is true and which is not. What is important is that you understand that each of us can have our own versions of realities, and that's okay. . . because we will always choose to believe our own reality.
“the dead live in our memories.”
Blog | Goodreads
FULL REVIEW: to be posted on my blog about a week before September 11
“I suppose if we forgot stuff we’ll never know we forgot it, because we won’t remember.”
⟹ MY BLOG ⟸
⟹ SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ⟸
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
a general problem with fantasy books is capturing the attention of readers, but this book did not have that problem. This book is surprisingly deep for a middle grade book. It is complex and intricate with themes deeply woven into the story.
I like how certain middle grades books have the special talent of being so much deeper than they are meant to be.
As this is in the Fantasy genre, it dealt with topics that were more on the supernatural level but I was still able to heavily relate to it in a more philosophical way.
plot:
~ though it had a slow start for me, it picked up fairly quickly. The beginning was already enough to capture my attention. The timeline was spread out enough that it was able to show the development and change with the characters.
stuey and elly are so innocently cute that it makes the whole story seem innocent even though it dealt with sort of serious and heavy topics. The developments were slow but it hit me really hard and I couldn't help tearing up at some parts. And even though the structural flow did not appeal to me as much because it is a middle grade novel, I enjoyed it very much due to the topics that it tackled and how much it just hits you everytime.
“hatred combined with lies and secrets can break the world.”
characters:
~ the characters were written with so much passion that reading their relationships made my heart swell. I felt all the emotions they were feeling on a magnified level. Their connections just felt so real to me.
“Do You know what ghosts are, Stuey? I’ll tell you. They’re secrets haunting the memories of the living. So long as we carry their secrets, they refuse to leave. They wait.” “Wait for what?” “To be forgotten. My father has been gone for sixty years, but” — he tapped the side of his head — “he’s still here. He never left.”
this made me think of my own dad and i must be lying if i said that i didn’t shed a tear. The characters had diversity. Even though the style makes it seem like a very kiddish read, I was glad to have read it because the characters felt alive and they did start growing up towards the end.
Their families were very much present throughout the whole book and I appreciated how their actions played a part in the plot.
“we live in different worlds, different realities.”
themes:
~ it revolved around a lot of themes: ghosts, memories, dreams, friendship, family, growing up but most importantly, realities and what we choose to believe. Is there more than one reality? Are there different worlds? It provided a lot of philosophical ideas to ponder on and it always left me thinking.
what hit me the most was how in the end, Stuey forgot a significant part of his past with Elly, it signified how he has grown up. It showed that we change as we grow older and it made me realize that we won't even remember the things that we forget. But as long as it stays with us, it will stay alive though us.
~ In this story, it isn't important whose side of 'reality' is true and which is not. What is important is that you understand that each of us can have our own versions of realities, and that's okay. . . because we will always choose to believe our own reality.
“the dead live in our memories.”
Blog | Goodreads
FULL REVIEW: to be posted on my blog about a week before September 11
July 1, 2018
*4.5 stars*
Stuey’s summer is looking up when he meets Elly Rose, a girl who shares his birthday and declares them to be “soul mates.” They build a kingdom of castles and imagination in the woods bordering their homes, close despite the deep rifts in their families from generations before. But then Elly Rose disappears, right in front of Stuey’s eyes, and Stuey has to question everything he knew about life, the past, and the woods. Maybe his Grandpa was right in saying ghosts dwelled there. Maybe if Stuey figures out what happened, he can get Elly Rose back.
Or is it Stuey who disappeared, and Elly Rose who has to find him?
This was a thoughtful, well-written novel. Stuey and Elly Rose are young when the novel begins, but I feel that it’s a more mature middle grade novel due to the themes of loss, grief, and hatred. In the afterword, Hautman writes that this is a homage to the woods of his childhood, but the novel is not overly nostalgic but rather unflinching.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Stuey’s summer is looking up when he meets Elly Rose, a girl who shares his birthday and declares them to be “soul mates.” They build a kingdom of castles and imagination in the woods bordering their homes, close despite the deep rifts in their families from generations before. But then Elly Rose disappears, right in front of Stuey’s eyes, and Stuey has to question everything he knew about life, the past, and the woods. Maybe his Grandpa was right in saying ghosts dwelled there. Maybe if Stuey figures out what happened, he can get Elly Rose back.
Or is it Stuey who disappeared, and Elly Rose who has to find him?
This was a thoughtful, well-written novel. Stuey and Elly Rose are young when the novel begins, but I feel that it’s a more mature middle grade novel due to the themes of loss, grief, and hatred. In the afterword, Hautman writes that this is a homage to the woods of his childhood, but the novel is not overly nostalgic but rather unflinching.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
July 14, 2018
It's funny how I didn't understand what was going on and still love this book! Will definitely write a review of this book!!
July 12, 2020
This book is set in third person and is about Stuey and Elly Rose who meet and become best friends. Their houses are split by a large area of wood in which one day they meet up in, when something totally unbelievable happens. They then find themselves in alternate worlds (?) This book was really good but also really strange. Like really strange. I expected none of it. It was particularly strange at the end when Stuey and Elly Rose were "remembering things" but they weren't yet they somehow were??? And speaking of endings, the ending to this book was just brilliant. A really strange but really good book.
March 24, 2019
Wow. I connected so much of my childhood to this book. Stories my dad told me of growing up in and around woods in Minnesota. All of his stories change a bit every time I hear them but they all have the same outcome. Is it all his alternate realities blending together?
This book is about growing up and growing apart from people. It’s about forgiveness and the most special friendships ever created; childhood friendships.
What a perfect quote...”I suppose if we forget stuff we’ll never know we forgot it, because we won’t remember.”
Wonderful book!
This book is about growing up and growing apart from people. It’s about forgiveness and the most special friendships ever created; childhood friendships.
What a perfect quote...”I suppose if we forget stuff we’ll never know we forgot it, because we won’t remember.”
Wonderful book!
October 18, 2020
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
Otherwood starts out as a really cozy book. Everything seems safe and warm, like the safety of childhood – that ‘knowing’ you have inside that nothing bad can truly happen.
But then there always comes a time when you must grow up. When you must abandon that feeling of ‘everything is really only good’. So the mood of Otherwood shifts – gradually. I feel like it really affected the storytelling. This book built its story on mood, and I felt that it was done very well.
Otherwood is not really about regular ghosts – it's more like it's about ghosts in the sense of secrets, unable to disperse unless they’re uncovered and put to rest. Family secrets, secrets that the living don’t even know anymore, create a rift in Stuey’s and Elly’s world, and have deep repercussions on their lives – despite no involvement of their own in the affairs of their great-grandparents.
It was a really strange story, and I know I will be picking it apart for weeks to come – but at the same time, it’s more like Otherwood is about the symbolics of things. The magical woods, merging realities and the power of hidden things to destroy, the power of truth to rebuild. If you want to learn more about this book, please read my full review:
https://avalinahsbooks.space/otherwoo...
Otherwood was a memorable story. I’m not sure if it’s a story for kids, as it seems to be marketed – it IS a bit dark, in my opinion. But it was amazing and certainly philosophical. I can recommend it to anyone who likes a touch of mystery and magical realism in their fiction. I know I’ll be mulling this story over in my head for weeks to come.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
Otherwood starts out as a really cozy book. Everything seems safe and warm, like the safety of childhood – that ‘knowing’ you have inside that nothing bad can truly happen.
But then there always comes a time when you must grow up. When you must abandon that feeling of ‘everything is really only good’. So the mood of Otherwood shifts – gradually. I feel like it really affected the storytelling. This book built its story on mood, and I felt that it was done very well.
Otherwood is not really about regular ghosts – it's more like it's about ghosts in the sense of secrets, unable to disperse unless they’re uncovered and put to rest. Family secrets, secrets that the living don’t even know anymore, create a rift in Stuey’s and Elly’s world, and have deep repercussions on their lives – despite no involvement of their own in the affairs of their great-grandparents.
It was a really strange story, and I know I will be picking it apart for weeks to come – but at the same time, it’s more like Otherwood is about the symbolics of things. The magical woods, merging realities and the power of hidden things to destroy, the power of truth to rebuild. If you want to learn more about this book, please read my full review:
https://avalinahsbooks.space/otherwoo...
Otherwood was a memorable story. I’m not sure if it’s a story for kids, as it seems to be marketed – it IS a bit dark, in my opinion. But it was amazing and certainly philosophical. I can recommend it to anyone who likes a touch of mystery and magical realism in their fiction. I know I’ll be mulling this story over in my head for weeks to come.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
January 2, 2019
I think this book walks a really weird line that I wasn't 100% expecting. It's almost a mix of a time travel saga and your normal, everyday Middle Grade contemporary story. Except... it's not really time travel and it's also not really alternate realities. It's something in between, and I can't deny that it took me a little while to come to terms with. This book is absolutely original, and it falls into a category that I hadn't read anything from before.
Stuey and Ella meet, and become fast friends. There's a mystery involved, revolving around their families. There are forts to be built in the overgrown forest, and the sad realities of big business taking over wild lands. There's even a mini story line that shows life during Stuey's grandfather's life, where discrimination was the norm and and hatred of another people was acceptable. This book has a lot going on, and not all of it seemed to flow exactly. In a way, I feel like there is so much that is interesting happening all at once that it kind of continuously overshadows itself.
I think my favorite part of this story, and what honestly kept me reading, was the fact that this book takes the reader back to a quieter, simpler time in childhood. A time when magic exists everywhere, where nature is a refuge, and where absolutely anything is possible. I loved the idea of an overgrown golf course that was retaken by the forest. It took me back to the days when I used to drag a pile of books, a blanket, and a whole basket of snacks out into the yard and just stay out there all day. I miss that. This book will make you remember, and that's fantastic.
Stuey and Ella meet, and become fast friends. There's a mystery involved, revolving around their families. There are forts to be built in the overgrown forest, and the sad realities of big business taking over wild lands. There's even a mini story line that shows life during Stuey's grandfather's life, where discrimination was the norm and and hatred of another people was acceptable. This book has a lot going on, and not all of it seemed to flow exactly. In a way, I feel like there is so much that is interesting happening all at once that it kind of continuously overshadows itself.
I think my favorite part of this story, and what honestly kept me reading, was the fact that this book takes the reader back to a quieter, simpler time in childhood. A time when magic exists everywhere, where nature is a refuge, and where absolutely anything is possible. I loved the idea of an overgrown golf course that was retaken by the forest. It took me back to the days when I used to drag a pile of books, a blanket, and a whole basket of snacks out into the yard and just stay out there all day. I miss that. This book will make you remember, and that's fantastic.
August 1, 2018
This was a beautiful and imaginative story. It was surprisingly deep and complex for a middle grade book - in a way I completely appreciated. The writing made me actually feel transported to the Westdale Wood and Castle Rose. You could feel the main characters frustration at situations that were out of their control and sometimes out of their comprehension. The magic of the book didn't feel forced - I would definitely classify this as more magical realism. I would highly recommend this book, and will likely recommend it to my own kids when they are a bit older.
October 26, 2022
great book screaming crying and awesome but a little weird with some fantasy in it. i would recommend!!!
February 27, 2024
Long story short: I found it to be a pretty harmless book that I'm sure will appeal to some Middle Grade readers with an interest in mysteries and slice-of-life types stories. However, the confusing crossover between genres might turn off struggling readers, while the slow start might turn off readers looking for an engaging read all the way through. Also, the cover is beautiful.
If you're interested in more detail, keep reading. I'm going to structure my critical review into two parts for the two biggest things that stuck out to me in this book.
1. Genre. This book reminded me of Bridge to Terabithia and Flipped, just with a mystery/parallel universe twist. When it comes to Middle Grade, I've never been much of a fan of realistic fiction, so I did appreciate the parallel universe weirdness. It takes a bit of a while to get to that point, though, and until you do it's a bit confusing what the genre is. It seems that the author tries to set you up for the fantasy of it by name dropping fairies, ghosts, and other mythical creatures, but then the book never goes in that direction. To be clear, this book has ghosts in it but it is not a ghost story. It's much more a story of children's imagination tinting everything they do until the call to action happens (about 1/3 of the way into the book).
2. Plot. The story gets off to a slow start and the stakes are a bit nebulous. At the core of the novel is the mystery of what happened to the great-grandparents - who killed whom? Why did both disappear? Hautman introduces some conflict between Stuey's and Elly's mothers based on this old mystery, but since we don't see the conflict itself (the kids are in a different setting when the parents are, apparently, arguing), the stakes for that conflict are very low. It seems for a while like the conflict might come in the battle for preserving the woods, but then that also happens mostly behind the scenes. Finally, when the actual call to action happens, you can see how the old mystery is meant to play into the story. The story gets much more interesting then, because now the new mystery makes the reader question: Is it tied into the old? What is going on? How will they solve it?
Without including spoilers, I'll just say that I found the solution to be a bit anti-climactic, mostly because the characters didn't learn or grow beyond discovering the truth of the great-grandparents. The book mostly tracked them going about their own lives, and when they do make strides in solving the parallel universe split, that is mostly by whatever magic is operating behind the events of the novel. The characters don't take much control over their own lives (and when one does, his or her activities are shunted to the Adult Table, to do whatever they do behind the scenes and then tell the children about it later). We get a lot of childish conversation between the children, which ultimately do little to drive the setting, character, or plot. In terms of setting high stakes and writing engaging characters, therefore, I felt that this book fell a bit flat.
If you're interested in more detail, keep reading. I'm going to structure my critical review into two parts for the two biggest things that stuck out to me in this book.
1. Genre. This book reminded me of Bridge to Terabithia and Flipped, just with a mystery/parallel universe twist. When it comes to Middle Grade, I've never been much of a fan of realistic fiction, so I did appreciate the parallel universe weirdness. It takes a bit of a while to get to that point, though, and until you do it's a bit confusing what the genre is. It seems that the author tries to set you up for the fantasy of it by name dropping fairies, ghosts, and other mythical creatures, but then the book never goes in that direction. To be clear, this book has ghosts in it but it is not a ghost story. It's much more a story of children's imagination tinting everything they do until the call to action happens (about 1/3 of the way into the book).
2. Plot. The story gets off to a slow start and the stakes are a bit nebulous. At the core of the novel is the mystery of what happened to the great-grandparents - who killed whom? Why did both disappear? Hautman introduces some conflict between Stuey's and Elly's mothers based on this old mystery, but since we don't see the conflict itself (the kids are in a different setting when the parents are, apparently, arguing), the stakes for that conflict are very low. It seems for a while like the conflict might come in the battle for preserving the woods, but then that also happens mostly behind the scenes. Finally, when the actual call to action happens, you can see how the old mystery is meant to play into the story. The story gets much more interesting then, because now the new mystery makes the reader question: Is it tied into the old? What is going on? How will they solve it?
Without including spoilers, I'll just say that I found the solution to be a bit anti-climactic, mostly because the characters didn't learn or grow beyond discovering the truth of the great-grandparents. The book mostly tracked them going about their own lives, and when they do make strides in solving the parallel universe split, that is mostly by whatever magic is operating behind the events of the novel. The characters don't take much control over their own lives (and when one does, his or her activities are shunted to the Adult Table, to do whatever they do behind the scenes and then tell the children about it later). We get a lot of childish conversation between the children, which ultimately do little to drive the setting, character, or plot. In terms of setting high stakes and writing engaging characters, therefore, I felt that this book fell a bit flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2018
When Stuey was eight years old, a terrible storm came through his town. While Stuey and his mom went and hid in the cellar, Stuey's grandfather decided to wait it out in his cottage guarding a book he had been writing. After the storm subsided, Stuey found the pages of his grandfather's book strewed around the room and that his beloved grandfather had passed away. Since then, Stuey likes to explore the families orchard, wander through the meadow and spend time in his favorite spot within the poplar grove where nestled among the trees he found the remnants of a golf course, originally built by his great-grandfather. Hidden even further in is also a deadfall or a group of five entangled trees creating a spot where just the right size kid can crawl inside. A secret fort.
Stuey is a slightly shy and lonely boy, until the summer he meets Elly Rose. Elly lives on the other side of the woods and shares the same birthday as Stuey. They both have quite the imagination. At first, Stuey doesn't know what to think of Elly Rose, especially after she says they're to become "soul mates" and starts talking about a magical kingdom within the woods. However, Elly's stories about Castle Rose win him over. Not only does Stuey share his special spot with Elly the two quickly bond and become the best of friends. Then one day while playing in the woods, Elly vanishes before Stuey's eyes.
As the story progresses, we learn of a feud that existed between Elly and Stuey's family dating back to their great-grandfathers. Stuey's great-grandfather was a bootlegger who tried to go legit by building a country club and golf course. However, he had horribly discriminatory practices in his admissions to the club. Elly's great-grandfather was a district attorney and sought to put Stuey's in jail. In the end, both of them went missing following a horrible disagreement. Thus, setting up the mystery surrounding what exactly happened to the two of them.
The overall plot is slowly revealed with a huge twist somewhere around the middle that I never saw coming. It totally blew me away with how the direction of the story changed from not just being a mystery about the past. I really don't want to say too much more about it, cause spoilers, but wow Hautman had me guessing as to how things were going to resolve. Otherwood's a much deeper read than I was expecting. At first, I thought it was going to be along the lines of something like Bridge to Terabithia, a fantastical tale of kids creating a hidden world in the forest. Which is a very small part of this story, but there are also ghosts, themes of the loss of a grandparent, discrimination, grief of a missing friend, mans impact on the environment, reality, perception, memory, secrets and holding onto a friendship. Hautman's afterword where he states how the book was a "eulogy to the woods that live now only in my memory" leaves you with a lot to think about.
* I received an ARC paperback from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Stuey is a slightly shy and lonely boy, until the summer he meets Elly Rose. Elly lives on the other side of the woods and shares the same birthday as Stuey. They both have quite the imagination. At first, Stuey doesn't know what to think of Elly Rose, especially after she says they're to become "soul mates" and starts talking about a magical kingdom within the woods. However, Elly's stories about Castle Rose win him over. Not only does Stuey share his special spot with Elly the two quickly bond and become the best of friends. Then one day while playing in the woods, Elly vanishes before Stuey's eyes.
As the story progresses, we learn of a feud that existed between Elly and Stuey's family dating back to their great-grandfathers. Stuey's great-grandfather was a bootlegger who tried to go legit by building a country club and golf course. However, he had horribly discriminatory practices in his admissions to the club. Elly's great-grandfather was a district attorney and sought to put Stuey's in jail. In the end, both of them went missing following a horrible disagreement. Thus, setting up the mystery surrounding what exactly happened to the two of them.
The overall plot is slowly revealed with a huge twist somewhere around the middle that I never saw coming. It totally blew me away with how the direction of the story changed from not just being a mystery about the past. I really don't want to say too much more about it, cause spoilers, but wow Hautman had me guessing as to how things were going to resolve. Otherwood's a much deeper read than I was expecting. At first, I thought it was going to be along the lines of something like Bridge to Terabithia, a fantastical tale of kids creating a hidden world in the forest. Which is a very small part of this story, but there are also ghosts, themes of the loss of a grandparent, discrimination, grief of a missing friend, mans impact on the environment, reality, perception, memory, secrets and holding onto a friendship. Hautman's afterword where he states how the book was a "eulogy to the woods that live now only in my memory" leaves you with a lot to think about.
* I received an ARC paperback from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
September 3, 2018
Alternatative realities, but not a time travel story. This is the story of Stuey and Ella who share the same birthday and become friends the month before their 10th birthdays when they 'disappear' from each others' lives. Will they ever find each other again? What really happened to Ella? Or was it Stuey who really disappeared that day in the woods?
Fans of Pete Hautman's Klaatu Diskos trilogy will enjoy this story for younger readers, along with young science fiction fans.
This book was provided to me for free through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fans of Pete Hautman's Klaatu Diskos trilogy will enjoy this story for younger readers, along with young science fiction fans.
This book was provided to me for free through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2019
A very original book that is perfect for middle schoolers. Bonus points for taking place right in the Twin Cities! It approaches important topics in Minnesota’s history without being too difficult to understand.
October 24, 2018
*Read at work for review for ROYAL*
“Hatred combined with lies and secrets can break the world.”
Seemingly, that’s what happened in this novel where Bridge to Terabithia meets Stranger Things. Otherwood tells the story of Stuey and Elly Rose, two adventurous kids who like to explore the woods and play make believe.
When Stuey is eight years old, a great storm hits, taking with it his grandfather’s life and leaving behind a mess of secrets. When Stuey meets Elly Rose, they discover that they share the same birthday and that they have the same secret place in the woods, a deadfall of trees that Elly has named “Castle Rose.” It’s here that the two often meet up to play as knights and queens and expand their ever growing and changing imaginations. But one day, while sitting under the deadfall, Stuey divulges a part of history to Elly that has to do with both of their families and it causes Elly to disappear before Stuey’s eyes. It’s then that the whimsical nature of the book gets a little more otherworldly. The town searches for Elly, but she’s nowhere to be found. Upon returning to Castle Rose one day, Stuey is shocked to see Elly there waiting for him, only to learn that wherever she is, Stuey is the one who has gone missing.
Chalked full of quantum physics for kids, and the idea of multiverses, Otherwood explores friendship, loss, and never giving up hope. Years pass, and still Stuey and Elly Rose fight to find a way to bring their worlds back together.
This book was so creative and fun and sad and beautiful. The characters are wonderful and well developed. The pacing is a little slow in the beginning, but once Stuey and Elly Rose meet, the pages started flying by. There are little bits of foreshadowing here and there and the eventual fix is one that you can kind of see coming, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and the atmosphere and imagery it presented.
“Hatred combined with lies and secrets can break the world.”
Seemingly, that’s what happened in this novel where Bridge to Terabithia meets Stranger Things. Otherwood tells the story of Stuey and Elly Rose, two adventurous kids who like to explore the woods and play make believe.
When Stuey is eight years old, a great storm hits, taking with it his grandfather’s life and leaving behind a mess of secrets. When Stuey meets Elly Rose, they discover that they share the same birthday and that they have the same secret place in the woods, a deadfall of trees that Elly has named “Castle Rose.” It’s here that the two often meet up to play as knights and queens and expand their ever growing and changing imaginations. But one day, while sitting under the deadfall, Stuey divulges a part of history to Elly that has to do with both of their families and it causes Elly to disappear before Stuey’s eyes. It’s then that the whimsical nature of the book gets a little more otherworldly. The town searches for Elly, but she’s nowhere to be found. Upon returning to Castle Rose one day, Stuey is shocked to see Elly there waiting for him, only to learn that wherever she is, Stuey is the one who has gone missing.
Chalked full of quantum physics for kids, and the idea of multiverses, Otherwood explores friendship, loss, and never giving up hope. Years pass, and still Stuey and Elly Rose fight to find a way to bring their worlds back together.
This book was so creative and fun and sad and beautiful. The characters are wonderful and well developed. The pacing is a little slow in the beginning, but once Stuey and Elly Rose meet, the pages started flying by. There are little bits of foreshadowing here and there and the eventual fix is one that you can kind of see coming, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and the atmosphere and imagery it presented.
August 22, 2018
Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know that a middle-grade book could completely blow me away until I read Otherwood. This book is incredible and I'm honored to have received an ARC for it. If you only read one more kid's book in your life, even if you're an adult, take the time to read this.
Otherwood is one big cluster of mystery, but it's not frustrating. The plot can be confusing at times, but it comes together perfectly as you read along. Instead of getting a big reveal at the very end, the reader gradually receives hints throughout the story as to what's going on. This was an aspect that I really enjoyed because the book doesn't try to stump you or trick you into thinking one thing's happening when it's really something else.
The two separate points of view is a majorly important part of Otherwood, which makes it a good thing that it's done so well. Without any spoilers, I'll just say that these perspectives make the book what it is, and Otherwood could not be written without it.
What makes this middle-grade novel stand out against all others is the amazing writing style and the even more amazing concepts put into it. The characters are great, the setting is the best part, and the mystery and suspense are ever so present. I'm not kidding when I say that Otherwood was a read that blew my mind.
I didn't know that a middle-grade book could completely blow me away until I read Otherwood. This book is incredible and I'm honored to have received an ARC for it. If you only read one more kid's book in your life, even if you're an adult, take the time to read this.
Otherwood is one big cluster of mystery, but it's not frustrating. The plot can be confusing at times, but it comes together perfectly as you read along. Instead of getting a big reveal at the very end, the reader gradually receives hints throughout the story as to what's going on. This was an aspect that I really enjoyed because the book doesn't try to stump you or trick you into thinking one thing's happening when it's really something else.
The two separate points of view is a majorly important part of Otherwood, which makes it a good thing that it's done so well. Without any spoilers, I'll just say that these perspectives make the book what it is, and Otherwood could not be written without it.
What makes this middle-grade novel stand out against all others is the amazing writing style and the even more amazing concepts put into it. The characters are great, the setting is the best part, and the mystery and suspense are ever so present. I'm not kidding when I say that Otherwood was a read that blew my mind.
September 16, 2019
I think I would give this book more than one rating, depending on the circumstances and age of the reader.
My personal rating is a 3; I liked it, but didn't love it. I did love the idea of it, though.
For grades 4-7, I would give it 4 stars for a group read/discussion novel.
For grades 3-7, I may even give it 5 stars for a personal higher level thinking read.
As for the audio, pass on it. There is so much "uptalk" in the narrator's voice that it will either be distracting and irritating for an adult or teach bad habits to littles.
My personal rating is a 3; I liked it, but didn't love it. I did love the idea of it, though.
For grades 4-7, I would give it 4 stars for a group read/discussion novel.
For grades 3-7, I may even give it 5 stars for a personal higher level thinking read.
As for the audio, pass on it. There is so much "uptalk" in the narrator's voice that it will either be distracting and irritating for an adult or teach bad habits to littles.
December 13, 2023
A cozy and dreamlike read that held my attention for hours today from start to finish. I didn't like the ending but enjoyed it as a whole nonetheless.
I felt the coming of age elements to be done really well, just brilliantly brutal. So some of the things in this book were pretty sad, and I felt the ending wasn't happy either. Not because the characters weren't happy in the end, but because it didn't feel satisfying to some of the main conflicts.
3.5 stars
I felt the coming of age elements to be done really well, just brilliantly brutal. So some of the things in this book were pretty sad, and I felt the ending wasn't happy either. Not because the characters weren't happy in the end, but because it didn't feel satisfying to some of the main conflicts.
3.5 stars
December 3, 2018
4.5 Stars...Relatable! Enchanting! Enriching!
Otherwood is a well-written fable with lovable characters, poignant themes, an evenly paced plot, and realistic interconnective tissue.
I will miss these characters (admittedly, I felt several pangs of nostalgia for my own youth while reading this), but look forward to reading more of Pete Hautman's work.
Otherwood is a well-written fable with lovable characters, poignant themes, an evenly paced plot, and realistic interconnective tissue.
I will miss these characters (admittedly, I felt several pangs of nostalgia for my own youth while reading this), but look forward to reading more of Pete Hautman's work.
March 8, 2021
This was a slightly strange read but, at the same time, very enjoyable. It's the story of best friends Stuey and Elly Rose who were born on the same day. They live on the opposite sides of a wood and often meet in the woods to play. There is a secret though that touches both families, and when Stuey tells Elly Rose the secret things happen. Some of the themes in the book would be ghosts, friendships, family, secrets, reality/different worlds.
November 7, 2018
This book is so surreal and interesting. It’s a bit sad in that it deals with growing up and the loss of childhood but in a very bittersweet way. The ending is particularly interesting and well written.
November 18, 2019
Otherwood is a magical realism middle grade story deeply rooted in family, friendships and secrets. Stuey and Elly Rose are tasked with uncovering the secrets of the past and knit their torn world back together. This is a story of what ifs, adventure and mystery.
February 8, 2020
Great middle grade novel about a mysterious wood, ghosts, missing children, and alternate universes. A little creepy, but not too creepy for the intended age range. Chapter titles are a little bit dumb.
August 30, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ a very sweet book (that could have a lot of deep meanings if you’re smarter than me)
November 25, 2020
Probably doesn't deserve a full five stars (lots could have been trimmed), but this book suited me.
October 4, 2022
3.5 stars. This book was different from what I expected. It’s a little ghost-y, a little multiverse-y, and more than a little sad, but all without getting too intense. I kept wondering how the story could possibly resolve, but the end came together well.
July 31, 2019
Pete Hautman crafts an enchanting, deceptively simple story.
I finished Otherwood in three days and my only regret is that there isn't more to read. If you enjoy mystery and "magical realism" (a fantasy story set in modern times with mostly realistic characters and backdrop) then Otherwood may be the place you have been looking for.
I finished Otherwood in three days and my only regret is that there isn't more to read. If you enjoy mystery and "magical realism" (a fantasy story set in modern times with mostly realistic characters and backdrop) then Otherwood may be the place you have been looking for.
July 6, 2018
I am beginning to fall in love with Pete Hautman’s writing. He so perfectly captures the imagination of young kids. I loved Slider, but Hautman has certainly kicked it up a notch in his newest novel, Otherwood.
Elly and Stuey live on different sides of the woods. They share a birthday, so naturally they become quick best friends. But, suddenly their realities split and they must come to terms with the path they’ve been set on.
A perfect mix of the popular Dark Matter, (hold the science) neatly wrapped in a young adult package. The blending of dreams, imagination and the reality young kids often lose themselves to, in this wonderfully written, fast paced novel of Elly and Stuey, as they live amongst the realities they’ve created. Worlds often change, unintended consequences occur, but Stuey and Elly are determined to hold on to one another.
For the full review, please visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordp...
*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher, Candlewick Press, in exchange for an honest review.
Elly and Stuey live on different sides of the woods. They share a birthday, so naturally they become quick best friends. But, suddenly their realities split and they must come to terms with the path they’ve been set on.
A perfect mix of the popular Dark Matter, (hold the science) neatly wrapped in a young adult package. The blending of dreams, imagination and the reality young kids often lose themselves to, in this wonderfully written, fast paced novel of Elly and Stuey, as they live amongst the realities they’ve created. Worlds often change, unintended consequences occur, but Stuey and Elly are determined to hold on to one another.
For the full review, please visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordp...
*Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher, Candlewick Press, in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2023
I was sitting here, writing this review and planning to give this book four stars, but after sitting here writing out how much I loved this book, it would be criminal of me to give it anything less than five.
Man, where to begin... for starters, I loved it. Really, really loved it. Having just finished it, I'm having a hard time putting into words how much I loved it, but I think the main kicker is that it just made me miss being a kid. Playing in the woods, trying to convince yourself that magic is real, that crazy things can happen. This book is brimful of that haunting feeling I got as a child when I thought I had discovered something magical, something otherworldly. Even just reading it made me feel like I was toeing the line between reality and something beyond. What a phenomenal, phenomenal book. I think, more than anything, that this book helped me to understand why people say you should write what you know. It resonates a lot deeper that way, I think.
Alright, let's see... well, one thing I really did notice was that this book had a solid opener. Pulled me in pretty well, it wasn't a fight to get my interest piqued. Admittedly, it slowed down a bit atferwards, and I did have to make myself keep reading it until I hit abouuut... I wanna say around chapter 7 or so? It started to pick up quite a bit after that, though, and I couldn't put it down. It doesn't have the same intensity of a high-stakes fantasy adventure, but there was DEFINITELY an intensity to the book. It was one of those books where I felt like I couldn't get to the end fast enough, in the absolute best way.
Loved all the character interactions. Everything felt so natural. In a strange way, the book almost felt Ghibli-esque? Think My Neighbor Totoro, or Spirited Away. Just people, being themselves, living on that fine line between the magical and the ordinary.
The only thing I could think to critique is a few tiny details at the end (no spoilers), but even then, I don't know what else could be expected. And I'm not at all mad about it. It's the kind of thing you can't help but overlook because everything else is just too fabulous.
Anyway, I think that's about all. The book was great. Especially for people who liked Ghibli-esque adventures, that fine line between magical and ordinary, I would definitely recommend this book. Absolutely phenomenal. Loved it to pieces.
Man, where to begin... for starters, I loved it. Really, really loved it. Having just finished it, I'm having a hard time putting into words how much I loved it, but I think the main kicker is that it just made me miss being a kid. Playing in the woods, trying to convince yourself that magic is real, that crazy things can happen. This book is brimful of that haunting feeling I got as a child when I thought I had discovered something magical, something otherworldly. Even just reading it made me feel like I was toeing the line between reality and something beyond. What a phenomenal, phenomenal book. I think, more than anything, that this book helped me to understand why people say you should write what you know. It resonates a lot deeper that way, I think.
Alright, let's see... well, one thing I really did notice was that this book had a solid opener. Pulled me in pretty well, it wasn't a fight to get my interest piqued. Admittedly, it slowed down a bit atferwards, and I did have to make myself keep reading it until I hit abouuut... I wanna say around chapter 7 or so? It started to pick up quite a bit after that, though, and I couldn't put it down. It doesn't have the same intensity of a high-stakes fantasy adventure, but there was DEFINITELY an intensity to the book. It was one of those books where I felt like I couldn't get to the end fast enough, in the absolute best way.
Loved all the character interactions. Everything felt so natural. In a strange way, the book almost felt Ghibli-esque? Think My Neighbor Totoro, or Spirited Away. Just people, being themselves, living on that fine line between the magical and the ordinary.
The only thing I could think to critique is a few tiny details at the end (no spoilers), but even then, I don't know what else could be expected. And I'm not at all mad about it. It's the kind of thing you can't help but overlook because everything else is just too fabulous.
Anyway, I think that's about all. The book was great. Especially for people who liked Ghibli-esque adventures, that fine line between magical and ordinary, I would definitely recommend this book. Absolutely phenomenal. Loved it to pieces.
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