Otherworldly

Gr 7 Up–This novel appropriately opens with a warning: BEWARE OF BARGAINS MADE HERE. Seventeen-year-old Ellery Evans does not believe in the supernatural, despite the fact that there is no logical explanation for the five-year winter. If goddesses were real, why would theirs abandon them, leaving their family and farm to suffer? Tired of living on blind faith, Ellery moves in with their cousin Charley, in the city, securing a job at a local diner. As their parents continue to pray to the goddesses, Ellery is looking for actual solutions. After a chance encounter with Knox, the “hot weird guy” who frequents the diner and never wears a coat, Ellery does not know what to believe anymore. Knox reveals himself to be a Familiar from the Other World, a magical being sent to assist humans who have made bargains. After his last deal ended poorly, he is on the run from dark forces. His only solution to staying on Earth is to make another deal with a human. It’s a good thing Ellery is looking for something, too. Lukens builds a vivid world around memorable characters, evoking themes of love, bravery, and found family. A slow build leads to a slightly rushed climax, but the charming and eclectic characters carry the story from beginning to end. The two leads are presumed white, with a diverse cast of characters surrounding them. There is LGBTQIA+ representation with a nonbinary lead.