Overmorrow—A Haunting, Whimsical Quest Through Memory and Magic

Sometimes, it’s the cover that pulls you in. That’s exactly what made me request an ARC for Overmorrow from NetGalley, but what kept me reading was the deeply imaginative premise and the utterly original world that unfolded from the first page. I thank NetGalley and the author for the early copy.

At a Glance

At its heart, Overmorrow is a story about loss and longing: a girl’s quest to find her missing brother. But as young Ellie’s journey deepens, so does the story, expanding into a surreal, cerebral exploration of memory, meaning, and the thin line between imagination and truth.

A World Unlike Any Other

Ellie is the curious, determined middle child of two overseas ambassadors. When her elder brother disappears, she’s convinced a magical monster named Oblivion has taken him—planning to use him as a kind of backup memory drive. As wild as it sounds, Schaubert makes it feel hauntingly plausible. The world he’s built is strange, poetic, and philosophical—a city transformed by magical rain called Overmorrow that wakes New Yorkers up to the wonders all around them.

Yes, it gave me Narnia vibes. But more than that, it reminded me of how much magic children can find in a world adults have stopped seeing.

The world-building is rich and intricate, sometimes challenging, but made accessible through the eyes of Ellie and her companions—who are just as new to this world as we are. Learning alongside them creates an immersive experience that’s both wonder-filled and unsettling.

Ellie: A Mind That Won’t Stop Turning

Ellie’s voice is sharp, inquisitive, and full of life. Her imagination is unstoppable. She dissects every little thing, hunting for symbols, secrets, and significance. It’s this relentless need to understand that makes her such a compelling narrator—and one that readers of all ages will find themselves rooting for.

Favorite Quote

“Books are portable imaginations.”

Themes & Vibes

🌀 Surrealism & Symbolism

🧠 Memory & Identity

📚 Books & Imagination

🌧️ Magical Realism / Fantasy

🧒 Child protagonist with a sharp, philosophical mind

💔 Grief, Loss, and Finding Meaning

🕳️ Monsters as metaphors

🧭 Narnia-esque sense of discovery

🕯️ Thought-provoking and dreamlike

Final Thoughts

Overmorrow is not your typical fantasy novel. It’s whimsical, cerebral, emotionally resonant, and deeply original. If you enjoy stories that challenge perception, reward attention, and explore profound truths through magical metaphors—this book is for you.

Just know that it asks a lot of you as a reader. But if you’re ready to follow Ellie down the rabbit hole, you’ll emerge changed.

Highly recommended for fans of A Wrinkle in Time, Coraline, or The Ocean at the End of the Lane.