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A review by nicolaml
The Otherworld by Abbie Emmons
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
SPOILER ALERT WARNING
4.5 STARS!
Rounding up though because I really, really enjoyed this book. Be warned- spoilers are in here.
The general premise of this book: Orca lives with her dad on an isolated island, and has spent her whole life there. She has never been to the mainland 'The Otherworld'- and has been living in this bubble her dad created for her. Things change when a phone washes up on a beach, and Orca calls a man named Jack Stevenson. Jack Stevenson informs Orca that his brother, Adam, is presumed dead after crashing his plane and being missing for days. Orca promises Jack that if Adam is on her island, she'll find him. From there- we are introduced to a love triangle plot & get to see Orca explore the otherworld, along with uncovering some family secrets. (I don't want to give too many spoilers).
This book gives me little mermaid vibes. Until you've read it, I don't think this analogy will make any sense- but it is SO LITTLE MERMAIDY. I love it.
Characters were loveable, and the plot was interesting. There was clear character development, and Abbie's writing has developed further from 100 Days of Sunlight. Don't get me wrong, I adored 100 Days of Sunlight- but I think Abbie's writing is better suited in this genre.
Now- my critiques. They are that 1) some dialogue felt quite forced, which made sense for Orca since she hasn't interacted with anyone and is super sheltered, but less so for the parents, Jack and Adam. It's more so the internal dialogue, or the scene in the beginning where Orca is talking to Lucien. 2) This book moves FAST, and feels like parts are convenient. I genuinely would have read another fifty pages of suspense building for the hunt for Adam. Another fifty pages of Orca and Adams first nights on the island. I wish Adam didn't have a phone charger, so that there was more tension on the family's side too. I love me a thriller, or a mystery- so I just wish there was a little more tension and suspense built up. I'm also a SUCKER for a slow burn romance.
I know that those are kinda nitpicky and just matters of preference, but thats it for critiques. I genuinely adore this book and I want a hardcover on my shelf like yesterday. You know the book is good when my biggest critique is that it was too short. I adore this book. Another very wholesome, and heartwarming book from Abbie Emmons that is worth your time reading. My favourite moments from this book had to do with the hunt for Adam and the mystery in the first part of the book, Orca experiencing the 'Otherworld' for the first time, Lucien- because cute lil doggo, and Adam as a character. He was a highlight for me, and I wish we got to spend more time with him!
Overall, a fun and easy to read book that you will find yourself smiling along too. I had a really hard time putting this book down- I read it in less than 24 hours- because of how interesting the general premise of this book is. I also feel like this book will relate to a lot of people- I think a lot of people have been isolated on their own 'islands' and experienced the complicated nature of familial relationships explored in this book.
I want to give a big, big thank you to Abbie Emmons for letting me on the ARC team for this book.
4.5 STARS!
Rounding up though because I really, really enjoyed this book. Be warned- spoilers are in here.
The general premise of this book: Orca lives with her dad on an isolated island, and has spent her whole life there. She has never been to the mainland 'The Otherworld'- and has been living in this bubble her dad created for her. Things change when a phone washes up on a beach, and Orca calls a man named Jack Stevenson. Jack Stevenson informs Orca that his brother, Adam, is presumed dead after crashing his plane and being missing for days. Orca promises Jack that if Adam is on her island, she'll find him. From there- we are introduced to a love triangle plot & get to see Orca explore the otherworld, along with uncovering some family secrets. (I don't want to give too many spoilers).
This book gives me little mermaid vibes. Until you've read it, I don't think this analogy will make any sense- but it is SO LITTLE MERMAIDY. I love it.
Characters were loveable, and the plot was interesting. There was clear character development, and Abbie's writing has developed further from 100 Days of Sunlight. Don't get me wrong, I adored 100 Days of Sunlight- but I think Abbie's writing is better suited in this genre.
Now- my critiques. They are that 1) some dialogue felt quite forced, which made sense for Orca since she hasn't interacted with anyone and is super sheltered, but less so for the parents, Jack and Adam. It's more so the internal dialogue, or the scene in the beginning where Orca is talking to Lucien. 2) This book moves FAST, and feels like parts are convenient. I genuinely would have read another fifty pages of suspense building for the hunt for Adam. Another fifty pages of Orca and Adams first nights on the island. I wish Adam didn't have a phone charger, so that there was more tension on the family's side too. I love me a thriller, or a mystery- so I just wish there was a little more tension and suspense built up. I'm also a SUCKER for a slow burn romance.
I know that those are kinda nitpicky and just matters of preference, but thats it for critiques. I genuinely adore this book and I want a hardcover on my shelf like yesterday. You know the book is good when my biggest critique is that it was too short. I adore this book. Another very wholesome, and heartwarming book from Abbie Emmons that is worth your time reading. My favourite moments from this book had to do with the hunt for Adam and the mystery in the first part of the book, Orca experiencing the 'Otherworld' for the first time, Lucien- because cute lil doggo, and Adam as a character. He was a highlight for me, and I wish we got to spend more time with him!
Overall, a fun and easy to read book that you will find yourself smiling along too. I had a really hard time putting this book down- I read it in less than 24 hours- because of how interesting the general premise of this book is. I also feel like this book will relate to a lot of people- I think a lot of people have been isolated on their own 'islands' and experienced the complicated nature of familial relationships explored in this book.
I want to give a big, big thank you to Abbie Emmons for letting me on the ARC team for this book.