REVIEW: The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans
Some would call River Rydell a “chosen one”: born with the ability to see monsters and travel to a terrifying world called The Otherwoods, they have all the makings of a hero. But River just calls themself unlucky. It’s not like anyone actually believes River can do these things, so the way River sees it, it’s best to just ignore anything Otherwoods-related.
But The Otherwoods won’t be ignored any longer.
When River’s only friend (and crush) Avery is dragged into The Otherwoods, River has no choice but to confront the world they’ve seen only in their nightmares—but reality is more horrifying than they could have ever imagined. With only their cat for protection and a teen spirit as their guide, River must face The Otherwoods and their own fears to become the hero they were (unfortunately) destined to be.
TW – MC is publicly deadnamed at school by a teacher
Dear Justine Pucella Winans,
It was the cover with the cat on it that made me do it. But honestly the blurb lured me in almost as much. But I’m thinking that perhaps I need to be more thoughtful about reading middle grade fantasy books just because there’s a cat on the cover. I liked the beginning, felt the middle was good, but it jumps the rails by the end.
River Rydell is a Chosen One. They’ve known since a young age that what they can see is different from most people. At first their response to the monsters they see is “NO, NOPE, ABSOLUTELY NOT.” But the monsters and spirits continue to haunt and torment them. Their parents don’t know what to make of their child, numerous counselors and psychiatrists (or is it psychologists) are baffled, and River finally stops telling anyone anything and hugs it all close inside. They did have the courage to come out to their parents as non-binary and change their name but can’t find the courage to stand up to an evil witch teacher who belittles and deadnames them.
But the monsters are getting more prolific, the portals to The Otherwoods are showing up more frequently, and when River finally yields to the temptation of a possible friendship, the monsters strike. River will have to pack a backpack, find their courage, and head into the place they’ve never wanted to go to. Luckily they have Mr. Fluffy Pancakes aka “Pancakes” to help them.
Well as I said this is a Chosen One / Portal middle grade fantasy. It also takes “the monster under the bed” or “in the closet” to a higher level. River actually has these. But yay that Pancakes is actually a bit more integral to the story than just being on the cover. Pancakes impresses even the spirits and monsters.
River wondered if they should practice talking more on Pancakes, and then immediately wished they hadn’t had a thought as sad as that one.
I was getting the feeling that River being surrounded by monsters all their life, afraid, and just wanting to stay out of people’s attention was an allegory for growing up queer before this is flat out confirmed. There are lots of instances of gently hinting at things only to later have these hammered home. Perhaps this is necessary for the grade level at which the book is aimed but it sort of ended up ruining the earlier efforts.
For most of the book it was hitting all the emotional and plot beats I was expecting. I liked that many people told River that they were brave. I liked that River’s parents – while at times publicly embarrassing River as only a tween-teen can feel – love their child and accept them. River gaining a friend is sweet. Pancakes standing by his person and going along to – in a few cases – save the day was fantastic.
The Otherwoods however, didn’t wow me. A spirit guide appears right when River arrives. There’s some hand waving about The Otherwoods vs The Elsewhere and which spirit goes where and why. Mysterious messages left for River about their fear being good for the monsters while the monster’s magic is good for River. River can’t understand the message. Okay, they’re twelve but still … There are also moments when River can’t seem to grasp that people will lie to you. Repeat after me, River is twelve, River is twelve and cynical Jayne is much older …
Then something Really Creepy is revealed and River learns the true reason why The Otherwoods has been after them all their life. Cue much villain monologuing and exposition. After this, all hell breaks loose followed by a deus ex machina before River finally finds their inner magic and saves the day. The Ending is all happy and it appears that River has found inner strength to stand up to bullies, be a friend, and continue to appreciate Pancakes. I wish I had been more overwhelmed by the sum total. It was an average “okay” but yay for the queer and diverse rep plus a great cat. Pancakes bumps it up to a C+
~Jayne
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