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The otherwoods
Book
2023
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Where is it?
Fiction/Biography Profile
Characters
River Rydell (), Born with the ability to see spirits and monsters
Genre
Fiction
Fantasy
Adventure
Topics
Monsters
Spirits
Bravery
Rescue missions
Heroes
Heroism
Large Cover Image
Trade Reviews
Publishers Weekly Review
Born with the ability to see spirits, the "spiritish," and monsters, a nonbinary 12-year-old attempts to avoid the otherworldly in this emotionally complex portal fantasy. Despite its near-constant beckoning, River Rydell has so far managed to resist the call of the Otherwoods, a monster-ruled realm "where the darkness of magic runs free." Though River firmly believes that "the call of adventure was better left ignored," everything changes abruptly when the ever-pursuing Otherwoods snatches new friend and crush Avery Davis. Accompanied by feline sidekick Pancakes, River ignores self-preservation instincts and launches a rescue mission, navigating a cursed bridge, braving monsters including a deadnaming schoolteacher, and developing a sibling-like rapport with teenage spirit Xavier, their Otherwoods guide. Balancing gruesome creature encounters with an empowering meditation on bravery, this middle grade debut from Winans (Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything) offers up a panoply of nightmarish ghouls and harrowing perils, but the real appeal comes from tender interpersonal ties and themes of self-discovery. Pansexual Avery is Mexican American; River defaults to white. Ages 8--12. Agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon. (Sept.)
Booklist Review
It's not easy being the only person who can see monsters, much less ignoring them when they pop up in class or take up residence under your bed, but River Rydell does their best to strap on blinders and blend in with the crowd. The latter is harder after River comes out as nonbinary at the start of fifth grade, a step that marks them as "different" from their fellow students and can't be helped by talking about it. The Otherwoods, where the monsters live, has been trying to lure in River their whole life, but they have simply noped out of its enticements, choosing the company of their faithful cat, Mr. Fluffy Pancakes, over human friendships that monsters could use against River. Unfortunately, River's careful system is obliterated when their crush, Avery, extends an offer of friendship--and is promptly snatched by a monster. River knows they are the only one who can save her, so they nauseously step through a portal to the Otherwoods--accompanied by Pancakes, of course. Winans' nightmarish monster realm holds horrors and revelations as River endeavors to find Avery without dying first. River's sarcasm injects welcome humor into the narrative, which is as much about their personal journey toward self-confidence and silencing bullies as it is about surviving literal monsters. This reluctant hero will mean the world to many readers and be beloved by all.
Kirkus Review
Monsters lure a human and their cat on a spirit realm rescue mission. Born with the "freaking terrifying" ability to see spirits--and monsters--nonbinary 12-year-old River Rydell is cursed. Nobody believes them, least of all about the giant bug monster living under their bed. Enter Avery, the popular girl who gives River "strange butterflies in their stomach" and just might be their first real friend. Getting closer to someone unfortunately confirms River's worst fears when a monster abducts Avery and takes her to The Otherwoods. River follows, with cat Mr. Fluffy Pancakes in tow. Uncountable dangers lurk in the realm of "monsters and never-quite-alive beings." But can River brave it all with the help of a teenage ghost named Xavier--including facing their own self-doubt--to get the girl? Winans' middle-grade debut is an otherworldly, atmospheric tale of self-actualization despite a doomed destiny. Gigantic animal-hybrid monsters and cryptic messages consistently up the ante. River's winning personality and their playful friendship with Xavier alleviate the tension with humor. River and Xavier are both white; Avery is described as having a Mexican mom and American dad. Multiple characters are queer. The ending hints at a sequel while also keeping the story arc neatly contained. Spooky, funny, and queer--what's not to love? (Horror. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Summary

A Stonewall Honor Winner
Indie Next Pick
PW Best Book of the Year
Booklist Editor's Pick

The Otherwoods is calling. And it won't be ignored.

Some would call River Rydell a 'chosen one': born with the ability to see monsters and travel to a terrifying spirit world called The Otherwoods, they have all the makings of a hero. But River just calls themself unlucky. After all, it's not like anyone actually believes River can see these things-or that anyone even believes monsters exist in the first place. So the way River sees it, it's better to keep their head down and ignore anything Otherwoods related.

But The Otherwoods won't be ignored any longer.

When River's only friend (and crush) Avery is kidnapped and dragged into The Otherwoods by monsters, River has no choice but to confront the world they've seen only in their nightmares-but reality turns out be more horrifying than they could have ever imagined. With only their cat for protection and a wayward teen spirit as their guide, River must face the monsters of The Otherwoods and their own fears to save Avery and become the hero they were (unfortunately) destined to be.

Justine Pucella Winans will have you cowering and cackling as you follow River's reluctant hero's journey, perfect for fans of Doll Bones, Ghost Squad, and Too Bright to See.

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