children's middlegrade magical realism adventure (with lots of grisly corpses and ghosts, with only a hint of a boy-girl crush since this is a middlegrade novel after all). Great storytelling from one of my fave authors (even though WARNER!), featuring a Persian-looking heroine living in a magical city #WeNeedDiverseBooks #ownvoices. It has been skillfully written in a way so that it can easily stand alone as a companion book to Furthermore (which I haven't read yet), but also features some familiar characters and details the further adventures of Alice and Oliver from the first book, so it also works as a sequel. Or you can read them out of order, since you'll likely want to read Furthermore afterwards if you haven't already. ( )

3.75/5 stars. While I did read this in one day, I did not like this one as much as I did Firthermore. It did not engage me as Furthermore did. It was a good book, just liked Furthermore better. Again Alice and Oliver were my favorite characters and it was their relationship that I was more interested in. Over all I would recommend. ( )

I just couldn't get into it. ( )

Whichwood is a magical fantasy tale of loss and friendship. I really enjoyed the beautiful language throughout this book: Laylee's world is vividly described. I also enjoyed the smattering of Farsi phrases as well.
I was a bit surprised that it is categorized as YA by my public library: the story felt more like a middle-grades juvenile fiction book, especially the asides to the reader which spoil the suspense by warnings of what was to come, lest they be frightened. YA probably for the deaths/destruction.
I haven't read Furthermore, which is its precursor, but I have placed it on my to-read list.

Bronson Pinchot (yes Cousin Balki Bronson Pinchot) has, with this book, become one of my new favorite audiobook narrators. I am going to be actively seeking him out, especially for books for younger readers. He has a wonderful storyteller's style and spending time listening to him was an absolute delight.

The book itself is also definitely a four-star book, maybe even four-and-a-half, but I can't get over my pleased surprise at Bronson Pinchot. ( )